Materials List

For my paper, I am writing about disposable and reusable diapers in terms of their life cycles and sustainability. So far I have found the materials for each type of diaper.

80% of the United States uses disposable diapers, equaling around 82,000 tons of plastic and 250,000 trees². Disposable diapers contain several different wood and plastic products, approximately “43% wood pulp (Fluff pulp), 27% super absorbent polymer (SAP), 10% polypropylene (PP), 13% polyethylene (PE), and 7% tapes, elastics and adhesives¹.” They are typically constructed of a plastic outer layer with some form of fasting mechanism and the inside, which is made of luff pulp, provides the absorptive property². There is also a plastic bottom layer in order to prevent leaks and the waist elastics contain Velcro material². The wood pulp used in diapers can come from forest waste materials like wood thinnings and sawmill waste. Re-usable diapers can made with an array of materials including polyester, terry cotton, and cotton, in combination with absorptive material like bamboo, hemp, and other ‘stay-dry’ fabrics. The waterproof layers of these diapers contain polyurethane laminate and thermoplastic polyurethane2.

AumAumonier, Simon, Michael Collins, and Peter Garrett. "An Updated Lifecycle Assessment Study for Disposable and Reusable Nappies." Nappy Informative Service. Environment Agency, 2008. Web. <http://www.nappyinformationservice.co.uk/docs/SCHO0808BOIR-E-E.pdf>

Clothh  versus Disposable Diapers." Appropedia: The Sustainability Wiki. Appropedia, n.d. Web. 02 May 2014.       <http://www.appropedia.org/Cloth_versus_disposable_diapers>.

Energy Use in a Day

1. Brushed teeth, water running for 30 seconds.

2.  bathroom

3. Took 12 minute shower

4. Ate a pop tart as I walked to class. Threw wrapper in trash

5. purchased a Dr. pepper from the vending machine in willet, threw can in trash

6. got a subway sandwich from the U.C., wrapped in paper and in a plastic bag, also got a bag of chips and dr pepper

7. Ate in my room and then threw away trash in the dumpster behind where I live

8. worked on homework, had my computer plugged in the outlet for electricity

9. Drove 9 miles to work in my car

10. used the bathroom twice at work and used paper towels to dry my hands

11. drove 9 miles back to campus. 

12. Ate leftover food in my fridge, threw container in trash

13. Washed my face and brushed my teeth, water running for approximately one minute.

I find it hard to extrapolate my energy use over a year using this information because I never have the same daily routine. I don't drive 18 miles everyday, sometimes 3 or 4 times a week or sometimes none, and maybe I have errands to run. I guess its safe to say I have a lot of personal trash because all my food containers got thrown in the dumpster. I also think I use a lot of electricity for charging my phone and computer and on some days I use a hairdryer. On a population level, this equals a lot of waste. My paper on diapers has also made me realize how much stuff we use and how much trash we create. In fact, diapers take up a significant amount of the space in landfills. 

Brazil

The history of Brazil is very interesting when compared to other countries in South America, mainly due to the fact that Brazil is the only Portuguese speaking nation.  One of Brazil's greatest assets is it's population and geographic diversity. While fewer than 200,000 indigenous people are still alive, Brazil's current population has roots in Africa, Asia, and Europe. In fact, Brazil has the largest population of Japanese people in the world outside of Japan. Brazil's geography is also impressive and it is the 5th largest country in the world. Brazil is home to 5 different eco-systems, half of the entire world's rainforest, one-third of all known animal species, the 2nd longest river in the world, and an extensive coastline. All of these natural resources has made Brazil a major point of interest in the past and is probably the reason for Brazil's ethnic diversity. 

Brazil's history is long and it is believed that people settled there as early as 8,000 years ago after migrating from Asia in search of hunting grounds. These native people split into two distinct groups based either agriculture or hunting and gathering. There is no significant writings or buildings from early periods so when the Portuguese arrived in the 16th century there was not a lot of civilization to be found. 

The question of why Portugal settled in Brazil can be explained by two reasons. The first is that during the time of exploration Portugal and Spain were in competition to conquer foreign lands and as a result the Treaty of Tordesillas was created. This treaty essentially drew a line across the world that put countries to the west of line under Spain's dominion and lands to the east to Portugal. Based on the line, Brazil belonged to Portugal while all other countries in South America to Spain. The second reason that Portugal ended up in Brazil is that Portugal was in a severe economic crisis, causing a mass migration of people to Brazil in search of fertile lands and trade opportunities. 

When the Portuguese arrived in Brazil around 1500 there were around 2,000 native tribes and settlements. This number quickly diminished as diseases brought by foreigners swept through the indigenous population. While the natives were considered uncivilized by the new settlers, they did bring to the settlers' attention a very valuable resource, Brazilwood. This wood was so valuable because it contained a red dye that was coveted on European markets. Brazilwood's importance and value in early settlements is what earned Brazil it's name. 

Most of the Portuguese who came to Brazil settled along the coast for transport and trading reasons. Other than Brazilwood, early economic potential in Brazil was in the sugar cane industry. Due to the labor intensive nature of sugar cane, slaves were brought to Brazil from Africa. Native people were not used as slaves because of their high mortality from European diseases and because their knowledge of the terrain made it easier for them to escape and hide than slaves brought in from Africa. The next resources found in Brazil was at the end of the 17th century when gold and diamonds were discovered. Brazil was finally recognized for mineral and trading potential but these resources quickly ran out and it became clear that Brazil's greatest resource could be found in it's agricultural potential. Brazil gained independence from Portugal in 1822 and at the time it's three main exports were cotton, sugar, and coffee. Today, Brazil has one of the fastest growing economies in the world and their main exports are Iron ores, petroleum, and soybeans.

Brazil's indigenous population

Treaty of Tordesillas

Brazil's geography and size

Gifford Pinchot

Gifford Pinchot's greatest contribution to the sustainability movement was conservationism. He broke away from John Muir's idea of preservationism and saw it as a waste of resources. Often called the father of forestry, he saw the potential in conserving natural resources in a way that would use them to their greatest potential. Pinchot put this to use through 'sustainable yield' forestry. By farming trees for timber use and then replacing them, he greatly increased the amount of timber produced. He and and Muir argued about creating a dam because Muir said it would ruin the quality of the environment while Gifford said to waste the energy that could be gained would be the greater injustice.

Gifford was appointed the first director of the U.S. Forest Service and his views on conservationism still shape the way people think about sustainability today.
See: http://www.pinchot.org/ and http://www.fs.fed.us/



Check out this video to get a better look at his life and contributions. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4x0c3PnyTfQ>

Capitalism v Socialism

With regards to sustainability, which political system is most effective really depends on the functionality of the system. Initially, it appears that socialism would be better because because everyone shares resources and have to think about the well being of the collective because there is no private ownership. Capitalism always appears as selfish with people being motivated by economic success rather than regard to sustainability. However, the tragedy of the commons helps shed light on why socialism does not work. Without private ownership people are less self-sustainable and have no need to feel accountable for the resources around them. When people own resources they are much more likely to conserve them and use them properly. Socialism and communism only work in theory. Perfect example of this theory was the pilgrims.

 When they first came to America they practiced communal living where everyone had chores or land to work but this almost led to their extinction because men became angry that no matter how hard they worked they only received a certain portion of the profit. The pilgrims quickly changed to capitalism to survive and each settler was given their own land in order to empower them to be self-sufficient.  <https://www.askheritage.org/how-did-the-pilgrims-beat-communism-with-the-free-market/ >

Polio Incidence Today

Polio used to be a huge health problem around the world but as of January 7th, there are only 372 cases in the world coming mostly from the three left endemic countries: Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Nigeria. Eradication of a disease became an attainable goal with the eradication of small pox and now we are so close to eradicating Polio as well. "Polio incidence has dropped more than 99 percent since the launch of global polio eradication efforts in 1988," mainly because of efforts from the CDC and UNICEF. The goal is for Polio to be eradicated by this December but recent events in Pakistan may have put a halt on progress. About a month ago, eight health workers in Pakistan were murdered while trying to administer Polio vaccinations, causing UNICEF to halt its work in the country. With the battle on Polio being so close to ending, hopefully issues like this will not ruin progress. To read more about the attack visit http://www.intrahealth.org/page/intrahealth-international-condemns-murders-of-health-workers-in-pakistan-calls-for-action. 

  (Current endemic regions)

http://www.cdc.gov/polio/updates/

http://www.polioeradication.org/Dataandmonitoring.aspx