Tag Archives: haley

The Semester’s Top Posts

Below, I list and describe my favorite passion and civic issues posts from each of my group blogging group members throughout the semester. The choices I made definitely weren’t easy as I really enjoyed reading each and every blog post throughout the weeks. Over the course of the semester, I certainly learned a lot about all of the various people, places, events, and issues that my blogging members wrote about.

Top Passion Posts:

Emily: Here we are, now there we go: http://sites.psu.edu/emilysawkwardcorner3/2014/01/30/here-we-are-now-there-we-go/

  • This post was very interesting to me as Emily provided an example of how we often judge people so significantly before meeting them, and they can turn out to be amazing people we can relate to. I have encountered such a situation various times throughout my own life where I immediately refuse to get to know someone due to external judgement, but I then learn that they are much different from what I expected.

Jenny: Colorado State University: http://sites.psu.edu/collegescene/2014/03/05/colorado-state-university/

  • The reason I liked Jenny’s post concerning CSU is simply because this is where I grew up. My parents actually worked at CSU when I was a child so I had many experiences here, but I was interested to learn about the social aspect of the school and how it is viewed today.

Gavin: The Magic of March: http://sites.psu.edu/rclgrv/2014/03/06/the-magic-of-march/

  • Throughout my childhood, I always watched the March Madness tournament and sometimes even filled out brackets, but I never truly understood how the tournament works. In this post, Gavin does a great job explaining the background behind college basketball and the March Madness tournament.

Egor: Travel Guide to Moscow: https://sites.psu.edu/egorivanov/2014/01/31/travel-guide-to-moscow/

  • I felt that this was my best post simply because it was about the place that I was born and I have since visited on multiple occasions. Also, in this post I was able to explain the political issues that are currently occurring throughout the country. I feel very strongly about everything going on in Russia, so I was able to write a lot about my home country in depth.

Top Civic Issues Posts:

Emily: Who is to Blame?: http://sites.psu.edu/emilysawkwardcorner4/2014/03/12/who-is-to-blame/

  • This post is about a issue that is often discussed in America today. Emily talks about the reasoning behind the negative connotations given to sexually active women and women in general throughout the country. To me, this topic was interesting because I do not support the way women are thought of and described throughout music and media today.

Jenny: Celebrities and Crime: http://sites.psu.edu/cieberhardt/2014/02/25/celebrities-and-crime/

  • In this post, Jenny discusses an issue that I have been thinking about for many years now: celebrities and crime. Often, celebrities commit very serious crimes that others would be harshly punished for, but celebrities get out of them with no troubles at all. Sometimes, celebrities such as rap artists are even looked up to for the crimes they commit, which I think is entirely immoral and unfair.

Gavin: The Keystone Pipeline: http://sites.psu.edu/rclgrv/2014/03/13/the-keystone-pipeline/

  • This post was interesting to me because my civic issues blog is on a very similar topic. Gavin discusses the idea of extending the oil pipeline, which would result in using even more fossil fuels for our energy resources. However, as you can see from my posts, I am strong supporter of renewable energy, so the controversy behind keystone pipeline is very important to me.

Egor: From One Fossil Fuel to Another: https://sites.psu.edu/egorivanov/2014/01/30/157/

  • My favorite civic issues post of mine was actually my first post regarding the shift from one fossil fuel to another. I discuss how rather than shifting from fossil fuels for energy to renewable energy sources, our politicians continue to waste our natural resources.

 

Travel Guide to Miami

This week we’re back in the United States as I discuss traveling to Miami, Florida. Miami has always been a favorite vacation destination for my family, especially during those cold Pennsylvania winters. While Miami is clearly the perfect place to escape the Northern cold, it is also a very unique part of the United States for various reasons. First of all, Miami is one of the most diverse cities in the world, with hundreds of thousands of Hispanics, Russians, African-Americans, and other individuals from various regions of the world. The diversity found in Miami simply does not exist anywhere else in the United States. Miami is also unique due to its exotic architecture, primarily throughout the Art Deco District, as well as its many extraordinary attractions for visitors and residents alike.

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Obviously, as soon as you get to Miami, the first thing you want to do is head to the beach and bask in the warm sun all day long. And realistically, this is most likely what you will be doing for a majority of your trip. However, there are actually so many unique activities and attractions for every individual throughout the city and its surroundings. The one place that every Miami tourist must visit is South Beach, which is the quintessential Miami hot spot. For those interested in shopping, partying, or experience an array of cultures, South Beach is the perfect place for you. Depending on personal tastes, you may want to take a walking tour of South Beach, explore the remarkable architecture of the Art Deco Region, or party all night with the Miami Beach nightlife.

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Since many of the appeals of South Beach did not apply to me when visiting Miami at a young age, my family and I found many other amusing attractions. One specific experience that is exclusive to this region of the United States is exploring the vast everglades. In order to see the beauty of this unique region, in addition to the thousands of American Crocodiles and 14 other rare and endangered species that live in the everglades, tourists can take an airboat ride through the everglades.

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If seeing such unique animals is in your interests, then you can also take a trip to the Seaquarium, Monkey Jungle, or Miami Zoo which is quickly becoming one of the greatest zoos in the nation. The zoo hosts a variety of animals from all over the world and their exhibits are entirely cageless, which makes the zoo unlike any other zoo throughout the nation. The other animal-related attractions and various museums that Miami offers are also one of a kind and certainly worth a visit.

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Finally, make sure that you take part in some of the activities offered on the beaches of Miami in order to fully experience the beauty of those remarkable white beaches and light blue waters. Whether you rent a boat, go for a ride on a jet ski, or go parasailing, be sure to get out there and experience Miami to its fullest.

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Travel Guide to Germany

In the summer of 2012, I had the extraordinary opportunity to visit Germany. While visiting a country such as Germany is always an amazing experience, I had the chance to visit it during the European Cup, which is one of the greatest events in all of soccer, especially in Europe. As you may know, soccer is extremely popular throughout all of Germany, so the country was filled with constant excitement and celebration.

Unfortunately, I only had the chance to explore the city of Dresden while in Germany, but I still gained a great understanding and feel for the country. For those that are unaware, Dresden is situated in the Eastern part of Germany near the Czech border. It also lies directly on the Elbe River, which splits the beautiful city into two parts. While it existed for a long time as a centerpiece of European Politics, culture, and economic development, Dresden was tragically bombed during World War II when 25,000 people lost their lives and the city was practically destroyed. However, the city underwent an extensive reconstruction starting in the early 1950s, and many important architectural monuments were fully restored.

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Today, Dresden offers attractions in a large variety and combines three primary aspects which complement each other: notable art treasure, architectural sights, and a breathtaking landscape. During my trip to Dresden, I spent a significant amount of time simply watching Euro Cup games at both bars and the giant arenas which are set up all throughout the city for thousands of residents to get together and support their team. However, we also took the time to visit the unique museums, cathedrals, and landmarks. In my opinion, the Church of Our Lady, Zwinger Palace, the Semper Opera, and the Green Vault are all attractions that simply must be visited while in Dresden. All of these historical sites were masterfully reconstructed after the bombing and are now some of the most remarkable architectural landmarks in the world. With the exception of the Opera house, they also hold unique collections of art and royal treasures.

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The nightlife and entertainment aspects of Dresden are also one of a kind. As in many European countries, drinking usually starts with lunch or earlier. As expected, the choice of beverage throughout Germany is almost always beer, and children can pretty much start drinking at any age. The beer is usually served with the typical German cuisine, which almost always include meats such as pork, beef, or poultry. While you can’t go anywhere without seeing a bratwurst on the menu, most German restaurants also include various other main and side dishes such as schnitzels, pretzels, and noodles, among many other food items. While the food may not be as unique and diverse as in other European countries, the German cuisine is certainly delicious and must be tried, just like other aspects of the German culture.

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A Promising Future

Oil and natural gas are the primary sources of energy in our world today, and they will clearly remain so for decades, if not centuries. Nevertheless, oil and natural gas will slowly begin to take up less and less of the energy pie and become replaced by more efficient renewable energy sources. As I discussed in my last blog post, the wind power industry is already growing at an incredible rate, increasing by about 30 percent each year. Still, various additional energy sources are constantly booming throughout the world, changing the way the world functions.

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Many people actually oppose the progression of wind power, and instead argue that power provided by the ocean is the true solution to the energy crisis. While wind power is very limited and inconsistent, waves and tides are constantly being produced by the wind and gravitational force of the moon. While specific methods of how to actually transfer waves into electricity are still being explored, it is clear that ocean waves are a clean and renewable source of energy with a tremendous potential of generating electricity. In fact, it has been discovered that “the density of the energy that is transported under the waves under the ocean surface is about five times higher compared to the wind energy 20 meters above” (Maehlum). So, if fully exploited, the ocean has the potential to supply about 40 percent of the entire world’s power supply.

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Another fast growing industry is solar power, which currently only produces 0.1 percent of the world’s energy, but is expected to grow to 10 percent within the next 20 to 30 years. As the manufacturing and accessibility of solar cells improves, solar power will surely be implemented throughout millions of homes and businesses in the United States and throughout the rest of the world. The rapidly decreasing solar costs and rising utility rates for electricity also make solar power much more appealing to investors and customers.

While these commonly explored energy sources, along with various other forms of energy continue to expand on a large-scale, the thing that is truly going to change the world is how renewable energy can improve on a smaller scale. Throughout the next few decades, power sources are likely to move much closer to the home, causing local energy to boom. Homes and businesses, especially those gifted with lots of sunshine, wind, or strong rivers, will begin producing their own energy, which will deliver energy from as well as to the home. This shift to “smart infrastructure” is bound to occur throughout each type of energy source and particularly with solar or hydro-power. For example, as hydro-power begins to develop in America, it won’t be massive like the Hoover Dam, but micro-hydro, only providing power to select areas. Areas such as sub-Saharan Africa, which are still unconnected to large scale energy grids are even more likely to take advantage of such local-level options within the near future.

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The various solutions to the energy crisis that are constantly being explored and advanced provide the world with a bright, promising future. However, the alternative energy sources do not end at solar, wind, and nuclear power. New ideas could also turn into future energy sources. Within the next century, we could see sugar, feces, or even algae providing power to our cars, homes, and technologies. With all of these new developments, it is possible that by the time the world’s oil reserves finally dry up, we will be prepared for a future without fossil fuels.

algae-biodiesel

http://energyinformative.org/wave-energy/

http://www.economist.com/node/11580723

Travel Guide to Prague

Although I only stayed in the city of Prague for three days, it is certainly a city worth writing about. After all, Prague is one of the largest cities in all of Central Europe and served as the capital of the Bohemia region for centuries. Prague is one of the most historical cities in the world with its extraordinary bridges, cathedrals, and art. The city also has one of the greatest nightlife and shopping scenes in the entire world for those who are uninterested in history.

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The streets of Prague appear similar to those of other major Western European cities such as Paris or Amsterdam, but Prague separates itself from these cities in many ways. First of all, Prague consists of various buildings, cathedrals, and churches which comprise of unique Baroque and Gothic architecture. The three major architectural wonders that I had a chance to visit during my short time in Prague were the Charles Bridge, St. Vitus Cathedral, and the Prague Castle.

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The Charles Bridge connects the area which hoists the Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral (known as the lesser town) with the beautiful Old Town Square, which has remained primarily untouched since the 10th century. However, the Charles Bridge is famous for various other reasons as well, including its considerable statues, street artists, vendors, and musicians. While the Old Town and Charles Bridge must be visited while in Prague, you should also be sure to make a trip to the Prague Castle and the Cathedral. The castle is actually the largest coherent castle complex in the world, while the St. Vitus Cathedral is one of the world’s most remarkable pieces of Gothic architecture. Still, Prague is not limited to these few attractions. For those interested in history, art, or spirituality, there is an array of other museums and monuments that can be visited.

On the other hand people with other interests can simply indulge in the more “fun” aspects of Prague. As you may already know, Prague is mostly known for its incredible beer that usually costs less than a glass of water. And as long as you look like you’re at least 16, you shouldn’t have a problem getting access to it. The Czech food is also quite delicious and not too expensive as long as you stay away from certain upscale restaurants. Usually, the Czech cuisine is fairly similar to the German cuisine with schnitzels, strudels, and goulashes. Main entrees almost always include pork, dumplings, or cabbage, while various soups and salads are also very popular. In addition, small pastry shops and cafeterias throughout Prague offer delicious pastries and sandwiches at any time of the day.

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Finally, if you’re looking to party a little bit after seeing some extraordinary sights and eating some great meals, you are certainly in the right place. Although I was too young to experience the Czech nightlife first-hand, I definitely got a good idea of what goes on. There are bars and nightclubs of all different styles on nearly every block throughout Prague. One specific nightclub that is very popular is Karlovy Lazne, which is the largest club in Central Europe with its five huge floors. Nightclubs like Karlovy Lazne are simply meant for drinking and dancing, but there are also many strip clubs and brothels, since adult entertainment is quite prominent in Prague. However, it’s pretty easy to avoid such places if they are not for you!

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Travel Guide to Breckenridge

This week, I thought I’d take the travel blog back into the United States to discuss my most recent vacation to Breckenridge, Colorado. Throughout the years, my family has traveled to various ski resorts across the United States including Killington, Steamboat, and even Snowbird in Utah, but my favorite destination is certainly Breckenridge. While Breckenridge may not have the widest or most difficult terrain, it has various advantages over other resorts.

First of all, the ski slopes of Breckenridge are in an ideal location, sitting directly atop the beautiful town and most of the lodging areas. The skiing may be important, but it’s always nice to have something to do at night or a nice place to go for a walk when you get off the slopes. With its abundance of bars, restaurants, shops, and boutiques, the small town of Breckenridge offers everything you could possibly need. Another aspect of Breckenridge that is very convenient is that you can get around without the use of a car or other forms of transportation. Most of the hotels and condos are just a few minutes’ walk from the ski lifts and can often be skied to directly from the slopes.

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However, the skiing aspect of Breckenridge is obviously top-notch as well. Located in the Summit County of Colorado, Breckenridge is constantly being piled with snow, and there is almost always about a 100 inch base of snow on the slopes. As you would expect, this is usually fresh, soft powder which is usually a skier or snowboarder’s dream. On the other hand, if one is not used to such snow, it could provide for an extremely tiring workout as it’s much harder to maneuver through powder than it is through hard-packed snow or ice. The wonderful thing about places like Breckenridge is that this snow remains in place until very late periods of the year. For example, Breckenridge will remain open this year until April 27, while some nearby ski resorts will not close until May or June. While the snow may become slightly slushy by this point, it’s always nice to be skiing in 50 or 60 degree weather.

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One aspect of Breckenridge that is certainly superior to that of other ski resorts is its height. The top of the resort is located 12,998 feet above sea level with the bottom sitting 9,600 feet above sea level, providing for a vertical drop of over 3,300 feet. Also, Breckenridge boasts almost 3,000 acres of skiable terrain with nearly 200 trails. Clearly, this is an area that must be visited for any major skier.

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However, even for those who are not big on skiing or snowboarding, Breckenridge offers boundless alternative activities. For example, you can go tubing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, or even dog sledding! Breckenridge offers an array of activities for individuals of all ages, but if you somehow manage to get bored, there are multiple other resorts and towns located just several miles away from Breckenridge. You can take a bus or car over to other renowned ski resorts such as Vail, Keystone, and Copper Mountain, or over to the city of Denver for a different type of shopping and sightseeing.

Wind Power in the United States

Throughout the past decade, researchers, scientists, and environmentalists have been working to establish new sources of energy that will replace coal. Various sources of renewable energy are constantly being explored including hydrogen, solar, geothermal, and nuclear energy. However, none of these forms of alternative energy are growing faster than wind power. In fact, wind, the same technology that pushed boats up rivers as early as 5000 B.C., and pumped water in China thousands of years ago, is currently the fastest growing energy source in the world.

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Since 2009, the number of wind turbines throughout the United States has doubled, and by 2015, wind energy is expected to make up 4.6 percent of total U.S. electric power generation. Although this may not seem like a large percentage, this would amount to 77,000 megawatts of wind power nationwide, and just one megawatt of power is enough energy to provide electricity to over 300 homes.

The expansion of wind energy throughout the United States is certainly advantageous for obvious reasons. First of all, wind is a renewable resource, meaning that there is no possible way for it to be entirely used up, unlike commonly used nonrenewable resources such as coal or oil. Also, wind mills provide relatively cheap, clean energy that does not release any greenhouse gases or toxins. Once they are established, there is essentially no cost involved with maintaining or utilizing the wind mills in order to provide electricity.

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Unfortunately, wind power does have a few disadvantages which are primarily a result of the large sizes of industrial wind turbines. These can often damage the appearance of certain areas and serve as a disturbance to nearby residents. However, not only are wind turbines large and protruding, but they may generate loud noises, which could also disturb those living near wind farms. Fortunately, today’s high efficiency turbines spin at lower speeds and produce less sound. This also allows turbines to be even more environmentally safe, as the amount of bird fatalities due to wind mills is decreased with slower and smoother turbines.

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Since the benefits of wind power clearly outweigh the costs, various technology is being developed to increase the usage of wind power across the United States. For example, within the next few years major cities such as New York and Chicago are likely to have access to a program that will allow homes to be powered by wind energy through the local utility. This power is provided from wind farms that have been established throughout the entire United States, and are continuing to be built in even more rural areas. An interactive map on the U.S. Department of Energy website shows the vast growth of wind farms throughout the country over the past 20 years. According to the map, turbines initially only existed in Southern California, but within just 20 years, they have begun to emerge throughout the entire country. Now, wind farms exist in nearly every state throughout the U.S. and offshore wind farms are continuously being explored and developed.

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Like onshore wind turbines, offshore turbines also have significant advantages. In fact, offshore wind turbines may be even more efficient as the wind is much stronger throughout the ocean and in the Great Lakes, where there are no terrain features or structures to obstruct the wind. In addition, offshore wind mills remain far away from any residents and most wildlife, meaning that they are also less of a disturbance to our environment. Recent studies even show that offshore wind farms can tame hurricanes rather than being destroyed by them. In fact, a force of tens of thousands of turbines can lower a hurricane’s wind speed up to 92 miles per hour and reduce its storm surge by up to 79 percent.

Clearly, wind power, whether onshore or offshore, has significant benefits over various other sources of energy. In the future, we can expect wind farms to continue to flourish throughout the country and for offshore wind farms to become more prominent due to their many unique qualities.

Travel Guide to Paris

This week, I will be writing about the place that we all know as the City of Love: none other than Paris, France. Surprisingly, when I visited Paris a couple of years ago, it did not seem all that “lovely”. Obviously, I was still a child, so maybe I didn’t get the full Paris experience, but I can still say that Paris is certainly not my favorite European city. However, this also may have been because my family stayed in a bad neighborhood, so my first tip on visiting Paris is to make sure that you choose to stay in a location that is both safe and near to the significant landmarks. It’s also important that you stay in a hotel close to a subway station as this is the primary form of transportation throughout Paris. The first through fourth districts of Paris are ideal for all of these circumstances, but can be extremely pricey. So, personally, I’d recommend staying in either St. Germain or in the Latin Quarter, which are both safe, vibrant areas that lie in the heart of Paris.

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When in Paris, there is an array of sights for every type of tourist. Obviously, the Eiffel Tower is the most famous Parisian monument to tourists, but there is so much more to see. Paris has such a unique background and history, which has resulted in the establishment of some of the most incredible historical landmarks, monuments, and museums. My personal favorite is the beautiful Palace of Versailles, which actually sits several miles outside of Paris, but it is certainly worth the trip. This marvelous structure housed kings and queens of France, such as King Louis XIV, King Louis XV, and King Louis XVI, up until the French Revolution. However, this is not just another royal castle; the Palace of Versailles is worth nearly 300 billion dollars is comprised of about 51,000 square meters of living space and 2000 acres of rich, beautiful gardens.

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In addition to the Palace of Versailles and the many other castles surrounding Paris, Paris also contains some of the most famous cathedrals and basilicas in the world. The most renowned, of course, is the Notre Dame Cathedral, whose extraordinary gothic structure took over 100 years to construct. While the Cathedral may be the perfect sight for those interested in architecture, enthusiasts of art will surely want to visit the Louvre and the Musee de d’Orsay. The Louvre is clearly more renowned as it holds the famous Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo, but you definitely shouldn’t miss out on the Musee d’Orsay with its abundance of major works by artists like Van Gogh, Gaugin, ad Delacroix.

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While there are so many amazing sights to see in Paris, the best part of the city is certainly its food (for me at least!). You really cannot go wrong with any type of food you choose in France, with their delicious cheeses, soups, desserts, and meals. Occasionally, you may encounter some unusual foods such as frog legs or snails, but most of the food is fairly simple with some similarities to American foods. My personal favorites from Paris are the French Onion Soup and the crepes, which can be stuffed with anything your heart can imagine. Although I’m sure you’ve tried both of these foods here in America, they are just not even comparable to those in Paris. Other common French meals include duck, ratatouille, and various assortments of fish, and no matter which one you try, I can assure you that it will be delicious.

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Even though Paris is not my favorite city in Europe other than for its food, it still is an extraordinary city with a rich history and amazing landmarks that must be visited once in your lifetime. So if you ever get the chance, be sure to check it out!

Renewable Energy Abroad

Throughout the past century, renewable energy usage has become an important aspect of not only the United States, but foreign nations across the world. The United States is already striving to become the most environmentally friendly country within the next several decades by utilizing renewable energy sources in all areas of society. However, as I explained in my previous post, the United States government is also very dependent on oil and natural gas, as the production and usage of these energy sources can significantly boost our economy. Unfortunately, while the United States is busy trying to improve the economy, other countries may surpass the United States in overall usage of renewable energy.

The United States’ greatest competitor in energy production, China, actually produces and consumes over four times the amount of energy consumed in the United States. China is also currently the world’s second-largest consumer of oil and is projected to move from the second-largest net importer of oil to the largest in 2014. Clearly, this shows that China also heavily relies on fossil fuels, but China continually strives to increase the use of renewable energy throughout the country and has already established itself as the largest producer of hydropower, wind power, and solar power.

Hydropower is the most widely used form of renewable energy in China, representing about 17 percent of overall domestic electricity use. China currently contains the world’s largest hydroelectric dam in the world, the Gorges Dam, which generates almost twice as much electricity as the second largest hydroelectric power plant in the world as it can generate up to 23,000 megawatts of electricity. Dams such as the Gorges Dam can be extremely beneficial in reducing the severity of floods throughout areas such as China, as well as in reducing energy consumption and pollution. China is currently the second largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world (behind the United States), so with an increase in green energy usage, China could certainly help save our environment. Luckily, according to David Shukman of BBC news, China has recently “embarked on the greatest push for renewable energy the world has ever seen.” China has begun to expand its range of renewable energy, by installing more solar energy than any other country in the world in 2013 and also by planning to double the number of wind turbines in the next six years. As China is already the world’s largest producer of wind power and produces more solar energy than any other nation, such actions could certainly establish China as the greatest producer of green energy within the next decade.

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However, various other countries are following China’s significant investment in renewable energy. One foreign nation that could possibly take the lead over China in renewable energy investment is Denmark. Unlike in China where various methods of renewable energy are implemented, Denmark primarily relies on wind power, as it is expected to generate 50 percent of its electricity from offshore wind by 2020.

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With improving economic and financial situations in other European countries as well, nations such as Austria, Sweden, and the UK are also beginning to invest in the renewables sector as the their fiscal policies now allow for this. More developing countries such as the Philippines, Brazil, and some countries in the Middle East are also following suit to increase renewable energy investment. In fact, reports found that developing countries have already increased total investment by 19 percent from 2011 to 2012, investing over 100 billion dollars in renewable energy. However, countries in the Middle East and Africa actually had the greatest growth, increasing spending by 228 percent to 12 billion dollars.

If such an incentive to invest in and develop renewable energy continues to exist throughout the world, and especially in developing countries, we will certainly begin to see the benefits throughout the next century. Even during our lifetimes, renewable energy could solve environmental issues, create jobs, and improve political relations between foreign countries.

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http://www.forbes.com/sites/jackperkowski/2012/07/27/china-leads-the-world-in-renewable-energy-investment/

http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Renewable-Energy/Developing-Countries-Lead-the-Way-in-Renewable-Energy-Investment.html

Travel Guide to Ukraine

This week, I will be moving out of North America and into Europe. I thought I’d start off my travel guide to Europe with a guide to Ukraine due to the severe crisis going on in this country at the time. Currently, Russia and the United States are in a tense standoff over Ukraine, with the European Union pulling for Ukraine to join the EU, while Vladimir Putin continues to send soldiers into Ukraine to influence the country to side with Russia. Luckily, Russia only has troops in the Crimea Region of Ukraine at the time, and so far, there have been no violent clashes between the Russian and Ukrainian forces. While Crimea will vote this week on whether or not to become a part of Russia, most of the remaining parts of Ukraine are strongly against joining Russia, especially with the new, pro-European interim president that Ukraine has established. However, there is still fear that Russia will continue to invade further areas of Ukraine, even with President Obama’s warnings to Russia that pro-Russian forces in Ukraine and any actions taken in Ukraine must be approved by the Ukrainian government or else constitute a breach of international law. Nevertheless, with its political and military power, Russia could initiate a war at any moment.

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Clearly, the situation in Ukraine is quite dangerous, so visiting the country right now may be slightly frightening. Although I would not plan on traveling to Ukraine until this conflict has been resolved, it really is a place worth visiting. Since my grandparents and much of my extended family still live in Ukraine, I have visited the country on multiple occasions and have even spent an entire summer there when I was twelve years old. Even though my grandparents live in Sumy, which is far East of the capital, Kiev, I have spent significant time in both Kiev and in the Crimea region, which is in such a conflict right now.

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First off, Kiev is already just as modernized as any major American city, except with a more distinct culture and rich history. Kiev is actually where both Ukraine and Russia’s history began, as it was the former capital of the entire Russian empire when Ukraine and Belarus were part of Russia. Additionally, many very significant battles occurred in Kiev, establishing various landmarks, monuments, and museums that should surely be visited upon travel to Ukraine. Kiev also has one of the most interesting religious histories in the world. By the year 988, Prince Vladimir had chosen the Eastern Orthodox Religion as the primary religion of the entire empire and most Eastern Europeans still subscribe to this religion today. Ukraine’s devotion to religion also led to the establishment of the beautiful gold-domed cathedrals and monasteries that you see throughout the nation.

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Many cities and parts of Ukraine are very similar to Kiev in that they have a rich history and are fairly modern. However, the rural aspects of Ukraine are significantly different from anything you will encounter here in America. Neighborhoods similar to those in America do not exist in Ukraine, and instead, people really only live in eithe apartment complexes or in farmhouse type homes with a lot of land. With such properties people often produce their own crops and animal products. For example, my grandparents actually take care of chickens, rabbits, and ducks and also grow all of their consumed fruits and vegetables at home. Although this is considered pretty unordinary here in the United States, producing goods at home is a very common trend throughout Ukraine. Those who can’t produce their own goods tend to buy fresh foods from outdoor markets called bazaars, rather than from grocery stores like here in America. Finally, eating out is not quite as popular in Ukraine, unless it involves going to a small café or restaurant for a drink and a snack. Most Ukrainians are incredible at cooking and therefore, home cooked meals are very common.

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Ukraine has many other unique cultural and historical aspects that are unlike those of anywhere else in the world. This makes Ukraine a very fascinating and extraordinary part of the world that you must visit throughout your lifetime. So, once Ukraine is finally claimed by either the European Union or Russia and returns to the safe, wonderful country that it once was, be sure to make the trip and check it out!