Life of Lipstick

Lipstick began as a product that could only be afforded and used by royalty. Over the time-span of several centuries, lipstick became easier to make and became more affordable. As the price of lipstick fell, royalty stopped using it. Instead, it was a sign of being impoverished or promiscuous. Today, lipstick is being mass produced and it used by women of all social statuses around the world.

Lipstick Main Ingredients

• Wax
• Oil
• Pigments
• Alcohol
• Preservatives
• Based on brand, other supplements are added

The packaging of the lipstick is the only thing left after consumption. It is typically made of an aluminum tube and a plastic spiral. These can then be recycled or reused.

Capitalism vs Socialism

I will argue that neither capitalism or socialism is better for sustainability. It is more of the mindset of the people and the availability of resources to be utilized. If the government is providing all the resources, they are the ones who have to make the decision to be sustainable and use their resources wisely. With capitalism, businesses have to use their resources wisely to sustain future production. Either system could be set in place, but it won't matter unless the people decide to make a conscious effort to be sustainable.

The Problem of the Commons

If there was land that anyone could use, would it be taken care of?

There are two clear sides to this debate. Some say people would take care of a common land. They would realize the sustainability problems and do what they needed to ensure the prosperity of the land for future use. Others would argue that this land would be destroyed. People would be lazy and only take care of what they own. Greed would lead people to use the land as much as they could, then move on to new lands.

In my opinion, other circumstances would be the deciding factors in whether or not the land would be taken care of. The desperation of the people, the economic situation, even people's religion would make a difference. As the situations change, so would the condition of the land.

The Value of Money

What is the value of money? Why is a dollar worth the same thing as a candy bar, a small hamburger, or a bag of chips from ma vending machine? A dollar is only worth what people value it at. For example, post zombie apocalypse, people won't put much value on money. It will simply be a piece of paper that has no importance to survival. Thongs that are needed for survival such as food and drinking water will become a more valuable currency. It doesn't even take a zombie apocalypse for this to happen. A natural disaster or catastrophe could make money instantly lose its value. Today, however, a lot of people put a lot of value on money. People work their entire lives to earn it and save it. So today, it is worth a lot.

Amount of Trash in a Day and a Year

On Thursday, April 10, I recorded the amount of trash I threw away. However, I didn't throw away any trash on this day. I didn't use any paper plates, paper napkins, or buy anything with packaging to be disposed of. However, I drove 169.59 miles. If I use this particular day to estimate my annual amount of trash. I do not throw anything away and drive 61,900.35 miles. My car gets 27 miles per gallon, so that would mean I use 2,292.61 gallons of gas per year.

Since this does not accurately reflect an average day in my life, I did the test again on a different day. I threw away two paper plates, two plastic spoons, five paper towels, three pieces of paper, and a water bottle. According to these new numbers, every year I throw away 703 paper plates and plastic spoons, 1825 paper towels, 1095 pieces of paper, and 365 water bottles.

Pesticides and the Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest chain of coral reefs. It is made up of more than 2,00 individual reefs and stretches 132,973 square miles. It is home to a wide variety of sea-life and birds. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, "The site contains a huge diversity of species including over 1,500 species of fish, about 360 species of hard coral, 5,000 species of mollusc, and more than 175 species of bird, plus a great diversity of sponges, anemones, marine worms and crustaceans, among others." Many endangered species also rely on the Great Barrier reef for food and habitation. The system of reefs is a vital component to the survival and prosperity of life in the Pacific Ocean.

The Problem of Pesticides

Efforts have been being made to conserve and protect the Great Barrier Reef since the 1970s. Strict rules and regulations have been placed on the ocean surrounding the Great Barrier Reef. However, the activities on the mainland are harming the reefs. Currently, the most pressing concern is the use of pesticides. Farmers in Australia use the pesticides and herbicides to kill bugs and weeds that are harmful to their crops or livestock. These chemicals are then washed into the ocean, to the Great Barrier Reef. Even farms that are located farther inland have a harmful effects of the reefs. The herbicides and pesticides are washed into the rivers, and eventually the rivers reach the ocean, along with the chemicals.
The Coca-Cola Foundation has partnered with researchers and scientists to find a more sustainable way to farm without harming the reef or production of crops and livestock.

Resources
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3kPgbPPqvQ
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/154/
http://www.wwf.org.au/our_work/saving_the_natural_world/oceans_and_marine/priority_ocean_places/great_barrier_reef/threats/pesticides/
http://www.aims.gov.au/docs/research/water-quality/runoff/pesticides-climate-risk.html