Newspaper and periodicals library

VOLCANO ERUPTS IN JAPAN; 7 MISSING, 40 INJURED

Yamaguchi, M (September 27, 2014) Volcano erupts in Japan; 7 missing, 40 injured. Usa Today. Taken from: http://www.wfaa.com/story/news/world/2014/09/27/japan-volcano-eruption-mount-ontake/16351247/

SUMMARY: This article is about the Mount Ontake a volcano that erupted in central Japan. It has left 40 injured people and there are 7 more missing. The injured people are staying in mountain lodges because they are not able to come down 3,067 meters. Police, fire and military rescue workers were doing their best to help people who were caught. On Saturday before noon was heard a sound like a thunder and Mount Ontake began to throw large plumes of ash destroying the place around it; small eruptions continued during the night. The last major eruption of the volcano was in 1979.

COMMENTARY: This is certainly a horrible catastrophe. While reading each line of the article I couldn’t stop imagining the desperation of people trying to get out of the ash. It’s impressive the courage of the military rescue workers, particular I wouldn’t risk my life that way, thanks God there are people like them always willing to help no matter the circumstances. 

GOVT ASKS COLOMBIANS TO SAVE WATER AS DROUGHT CRISIS CONTINUES

Sheldon, O (March 31,2014) Govt asks Colombians to save water as drought crisis continues. Colombia Reports. Taken from: http://colombiareports.co/govt-asks-colombians-save-water-drought-continues/  

SUMMARY: Colombia is going through a prolonged drought caused by water shortages and the threat of forest fires, several cities around the country have been declared in red alert. Housing Minister Luis Felipe Asked Colombians to save water. There are 25 municipalities that experience terrible water shortages and only 9 of them have activated the emergency and contingency plans. The government already has 570 plans of emergency and contingencies as tankers in order to be prepared for an extended drought.

In Casanare preventive measurements weren’t taken where have died more than 20.000 animals for the dehydration because in this region hasn’t rained since last December. Also in the Caribbean, rivers have reached high levels and if there weren’t enough it was a forest fire in the mountains of the Sierra Nevada consuming more than 3000 forest hectares.

COMMENTARY: This problem affects all us. It’s a call for Colombians to save water, not to leave glasses or butts in the mountains. The climate change is inherent, Times have changed and the weather is crazy. So, we must have a sense of belonging and take care of our resources. 

COLOMBIA’S SIERRA NEVADA WITHOUT SNOW BY 2030: SANTOS

Robinson, CH (April 4, 2014) Colombia’s Sierra Nevada without snow by 2030: Santos. Colombia Reports. Taken from: http://colombiareports.co/colombian-president-warns-national-landmark-disappear-2030/

SUMMARY: This article is about the snow-capped mountains that are in danger of melting due to global warming.  Santos said that of the six mountains that Colombia has just the Cocuy will keep its white caps the next 20 years. The Sierra Nevada for example will melt by 2030 caused by climatic changes. The president asked us to take care of our environment and he also said that it’s the result of human irresponsibility.

COMENTARY: This is a really big problem. We are not taking care of our environment and it’s sad to realize that probably our children won have the opportunity to enjoy some of the beauties of nature that God made as a result of our irresponsibility.

‘BAT SQUAD’ RECOGNIZED FOR PROTECTING BAT HABITAT

Lepriklepry, K (September 28, 2014) ‘Bat Squad’ recognized for protecting bat habitat. Miami Herald. Taken from http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/coral-gables/article3419413.html

SUMMARY: This article is about a group of people known as the “Bat squad” who work to save the bat’s habitat in Coral Gables, Florida. It says that   More than 100 volunteers directed by Bohn a biologist at Florida International University had a meeting in order to discuss how to help these bats. On November 5 this group received the Leadership in Environmental Achievements and Foresight (LEAF) by the South Florida Association of Environmental Professionals for the researches they have been doing. Michael McCoy, vice president of the environmental professionals’ group said: “Being able to identify where bats are observed, where they roost, where they like to feed —it’s an important information to promote conservation of bats. The “Bat squad”   has discovered a bonneted bat roost, they also have recorded more sound and video at the roost and have found more places where the bats are.

COMMENTARY: Most of these problems occur because of human greed to construct more buildings and to cover more space. Many species have lost their habitat as a result. I am pleased  this group of people work together to help conserve  the habitat of bats, of course this is a problem that perhaps humans never will understand.



USGS  MONITORING LANDSLIDE RISK IN COLORADO. 

TaRhonda, T (August 12, 2014) USGS monitoring landslide risk in Colorado. 9 News. Taken from: http://www.9news.com/story/news/local/2014/08/12/colorados-landslide-risk/13939971/

SUMMARY: This article tells us that Geological Survey has been paying attention to the climatic activity in Colorado since due to rains it has presented landslides and mudslides. Buena Vista is one of the places where more landslides have occurred, that is why the monitoring equipment is maintained there. It also lets us know that experts assure monsoon rain season will continue causing landslides and mudslides until mid-September when it is expected to end. The USGS completed a study of landslides that occurred during the floods of September 2013. According to researchers: south-facing slopes was the place where more debris was found. Finally the experts recommend to be on a high floor in order to have less risk of getting impacted in case of a landslide or mudslide.

COMMENTARY: I find this article interesting for me because it informs about what has happened in Colorado. It makes us be conscious of possible risks of landslides and shows us some alternatives in case it happen. These situations that have happened in Colorado USA but we know that in Colombia they also happen and thousands die. So, it is very useful considering that it lets us know which are the places where there is more change of landslides and gives tips in order to be prepared. 

TYPHOON HAIYAN: CHALLENGES FOR AID AGENCIES.

Forsyth, J (November 13 2013) Typhoon Haiyan: Challenges for aid agencies. BBC. Taken from: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-24926722

SUMMARY: The aid agencies try to do their best to help the Typhoon survivors. There are millions of people without food, water, etc., even five days after the strong storm that destroyed the place. Their priority is children and pregnant women. Typhoon survivors are desperate, some of them have placards asking for help. To get some food and water is a real marathon and most of the weak people don’t have the strength to fight against the multitude in order to have some food. The city of Tacloban is totally devastated, there are dead bodies on the streets and the risk of contracting a disease is in the air.

COMMENTARY: It’s totally sad to read articles like this one. It makes me realize there are a lot of people in real troubles, they lost their families, their houses and they don’t even have food or water. Probably I can’t help them now, but I try to be sensitive to people who need help, like giving them a coin or some food without wonder what do they will do with it. God asks us to help when we can. I admire these people who give their life for others, they leave their cities and families to bring help and hope to the neediest people.

FOUR DEAD IN CHINA EARTHQUAKE. 
(November 23 2014) Four dead in China earthquake. Theguardian.com.Taken from: 
 http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/nov/23/two-dead-in-china-earthquake


SUMMARY: In the mountainous zone of western of China a strong earthquake killed at least 4 people and left approximately 54 more injured. The earthquake struck about 20 miles of the county of Kangding. China's seismological agency said that the magnitude was 6.3. Approximately 30 houses were destroyed and 2630 suffered big damages. Sichuan was struck by an earthquake in 2008 with a magnitude of 7.9 which I left 90 thousand dead.

COMMENTARY: This article informs us what was happening in the earthquake in China, but it should be more complete. It took me some time to find the person  who wrote it. This is easy to read since it is short and it doesn’t have a difficult vocabulary at all. Thanks  God I have never lived what an  earthquake will be , it should be so hard for these people to lose everything,  their  families  and the  worst is to  know that probably at any time  themselves might be in danger of  losing  their own lives. 

Update shows 99.7 percent of California still in moderate drought or worse through November

Associated Press (December 4, 2014) Update shows 99.7 percent of California still in moderate drought or worse through November. Fox News. Taken from: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/12/04/update-shows-7-percent-california-still-in-moderate-drought-or-worse-through/

COMENTARRY: I consider this article accurate to the point. We can find several photos that allow the reader to get a clearer view of what is happening in California. As we can see there are droughts in many parts of the world, storms and prolonged rains cause terrible disasters around the world, water is running out and it seems there is not an interest from us to take preventive measures, take care and protect our natural resources. This article once again makes me become more aware of climate changes the world face. Until when are we going to shut ourselves in? 

SEE GOD IN THE RESPONSE, NOT THE DISASTER

Mendoza, R (November 18, 2014) See God in the Response, Not the Disaster. The News York times. Taken from:

http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2013/11/18/natural-disasters-or-acts-of-god/see-god-in-the-response-not-the-disaster

SUMMARY: This article starts with a question that probably everybody has asked for at some point in the life: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” It is a comment about the destruction caused by Typhoon Haiyan and the suffering it has caused thousands of people. The author of the article tells us that in difficult situations little this one we ask where is God? And several people pray God to find joy and peace to go through terrible situations like inexplicable disaster. The international community has helped raise funds for the victims, transporting supplies to relief centers, etc.; He says God is present in those moments and He acts through people who kindly help others. “That there are natural calamities like Haiyan is part of the imperfect world we all live in” he says. In conclusion he suggests us not to see a God as a tyrant but to believe God will bless those families that lived the destruction by Haiyan.

COMMENTARY: I really enjoy reading this article, this is a very wise perspective on life. I know to go through an inexplicable disaster is not easy, but I also know that disaster are not occasioned by God. The only one responsible for this are us and our selfish way to act without thinking about the consequences  that directly affect us at some point in our existence. So that, the only and best to do is to praise God even when we have problems and lets him be in control.