In the past 150 years, there have been many changes on the Earth. One of those changes is the decreasing amount of topsoil. Topsoil helps grow 95% of food but it’s starting to disappear.
Known as one of the most important things to grow food, without topsoil, the earth will lose the ability to filter water, absorb carbon, and feed people. The most important consequence is that our food will no longer have their full vital nutrients.
“We never want to see our soil unless we go looking for it,” says Keith Berns, a Nebraska farmer whose land hasn’t seen a plow in three decades.
He and his brother, Brian, noticed that their soil started to decrease. They came up with a plan to keep watering it and see what happens. Soon, they noticed that their soil started to increase. Not only did they notice that their soil was increasing but for every 1% increase of carbon, an acre of land can hold up to 40,000 gallons of water. More…
Over the past several weeks, the midwest has been hit with more than 200 tornadoes, and they are still going on. Twenty-seven tornadoes were reported on a single day and at least 8 of them broke the record that had been set in 1980. The Washington post says 225 tornadoes have been reported and confirmed since May 17th. Idaho, Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Ohio, Indiana, and Pennsylvania all experienced massive twisters touch the earth over the past several days.
Many people have been killed, dozens injured, and a lot of homes destroyed by these storms. One of the most serious reported damage was in Dayton, Ohio on Monday where crews had to use snow plows to clear the debris. Near Lawrence, Kansas there was also a mile-wide tornado but only damaged 30 houses. Even though storm damages are getting progressively worse, climate change may be a factor towards these much stronger tornadoes.
Although it is not unusual for tornadoes to occur during this time of year, the concerning part is the sheer fact of how many tornadoes have occurred. Researchers are saying that jet streams are fueling strong thunderstorms, which then spawn and form strong tornadoes. They say that over the central United States and energy forms in the spring month in March and April. When these energies weaken and move along, they create a jet stream. More…
The Earth is one of a kind; it’s the only known planet that is capable of sustaining life and has the ability to sustain several different climates. Our planet has been able to withstand thousands of years of innovation and discovery, as well as the human race picking it apart slowly. We should celebrate every day to honor the complex planet that is and always will be home.
There is actually a day set aside to celebrate our home planet; Earth Day is April 22. This holiday is usually celebrated by planting a tree or a small plant, but lately, it’s also had clean-ups in its honor. There were beach and park cleanups in Huntington Beach last weekend to commemorate the occasion. More…
Those who live in the Huntington Beach know that we live in an amazing area. Beautiful weather, a nice atmosphere, and only a five-minute drive to the beach. The people of Huntington Beach are truly lucky to live where they live.
However, no place in the world is entirely perfect. There are problems in Huntington Beach as there are anywhere else in the universe. One of these problems is getting out of hand. As coyotes grow in population and grow in comfortability, this problem makes itself more well known.
As previously mentioned, the coyotes in Huntington Beach are well known at this point and are beginning to seem regular. Let it be known that simply because you become used to a problem, doesn’t mean it no longer is one. More…
From a brush fire to a raging inferno, the Thomas fire, the state’s third-largest fire, erupted into flames two weeks ago and has spread faster and faster burning over 269,000 acres so far in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. It is currently only 45 percent contained and has destroyed over 1000 structures including 750 homes with the help of Santa Ana winds.
One of the factors causing this tragedy is the wind. Wind speeds can determine the fire spread. The more oxygen there is from the wind, the faster the blaze spreads. An example of a dangerous fire hazard could occur is in a situation where there is a low concentration of oxygen, referred to as a backdraught.
Also, the terrain is very dry and there is a thick brush that has not been burned for decades that is providing the fuel. More…
Pollution, you can’t escape it, no matter where you go or where you are it is always there. Many people try to ignore pollution, believe it doesn’t affect anything, or just flat out don’t care.
What even is pollution? Not many people know what pollution is and how it affects us. Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that causes adverse change. Pollution makes the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the rain toxic. The toxic air can lead to asthma or even lung cancer.
In and around Westminster, the air is not too polluted, yet. In Huntington Beach, the air quality is moderate most of the time. Moderate air quality means that if you suffer from respiratory issues, it’s recommended you reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion. More…
It´s so Hot! We can all say that the week of October 23-27 was a very hot week, but, we may have some good news.
According to dictionary.com, an Indian summer is ¨a period of mild, dry weather, usually accompanied by a hazy atmosphere, occurring usually in late October or early November and following a period of colder weather.¨
I think our current weather situations fits that description perfectly. Our hot weather has started in late October, the weather was hot and dry, and we have had a hazy atmosphere. More…
Avalyn Walton and Maddie Fracassa
A wind-fed wildfire roared and blazed over Anaheim Hills early morning on Oct. 9th, forcing thousands to evacuate for their own safety. At least 7,500 acres of land have been burned down as well as several homes.
Not all residents evacuated. However, some fought to stay. These citizens watched over their houses during the fire, despite the dismay of the police who had heavily advised them to evacuate.
An example of this would be Marty Temple, a resident of Anaheim Hills, who was one of the citizens who chose to stay. While he was there, a trash can caught on fire. He, at first, tried to put it out himself but realized the small garden hose was too small. He then had to run down the street and get the firemen to put it out. If he hadn’t been there, the fire would have most likely burned the house. More…
Garden Club is a great opportunity for kids to play and mess around with dirt, grow plants, and learn more about our resources! It is for anyone who wants to come out and be in the sun and to get in touch with nature. Who knew that playing with dirt could help our ecosystem?
Last year, the students from Garden Club got to not only grow their own plants but sell them at different farmers markets throughout the year. The also sold succulents, different herbs, and much, much more. More…
Avalyn Walton and Maddie Fracassa
Disaster struck in central Mexico, an earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 7.1. People were shaken and tossed around for a good twenty seconds without stop on September 19, 2017. Between the earthquake and the related building damages, there were over 350 fatalities. However, the people of Mexico were not free from destruction yet. There was still much more in store.
Only twelve days later another earthquake struck, just off the coast of Chiapas. Surely giving the residents in Mexico quite a scare. Though, the more damaging of the two was certainly the first. More…