QUESTION DESCRIPTION

just responses to the students

Keanu

Erosion and Natural Resources

Soil erosion, by definition, is a naturally occurring process that affects all landforms. It is what happens when topsoil begins to wear away. Topsoil, is where the most organic and nutrient rich materials are located so it is the most fertile. Soil erosion can reduce the ability for plants and crops to grow or for the soil to be watered.

Explained in the first link below, soil erosion has led to the increase of pollution and sedimentation in streams and rivers. This causes waterways to become clogged and killing fish and other species in the water as well. The Amazon, in Brazil, is one place of many that is affected by soil erosion. The Amazon is being contaminated by mercury and soil erosion is contributing to the contamination. The reason for the high levels of mercury is due to the volcanic activity in the Amazon that caused deposits of mercury rich dust onto the land.

Unfortunately, villagers living along those banks are being affected through the contaminated fish they consume. International agencies are doing what they can to educate these villagers on the food they are consuming as well as implementing management practices to reduce soil erosion as well

John

soil is a fundamental natural resource that in a combination of other resources such as air and water sustains directly and indirectly plant life and animals (Jenny, 2012). soil is a binding element between organic and inorganic matter thus a balanced ecosystem. soil is an essential component that must be protected from environmental degradation process such as erosion (Jenny, 2012). Although soil erosion is a natural process, more effort is required to control, prevent, and conserve the natural resource. The effects of soil erosion are so devastating, and their impact on the environment is catastrophic. For example, since colonial era soil erosion and deforestation continues to pose environmental threats in Haiti due to agricultural overexploitation. The impact of soil erosion in Haiti hit both rural and urban population. For instance, declined soil fertility which has resulted in reduced agricultural production has pushed the rural population to intensify in charcoal burning as a way of generating income. On the other hand, the urban population continues to face food shortage as most agricultural land in Haiti has been exploited (McClintock, 2003). Similarly, people from other countries indirectly suffer as it affects the environment resulting in the global warming effect.
Many countries in the world have spent thousands of dollars in controlling soil erosion. Aid agencies such as the World Food Organization, World Bank, and others come into the rescue of Haiti’s endemic challenge of soil erosion and deforestation. There are traditional soil erosion control methods such as agroforestry, cover crops, mulching, among others have been used especially by rural population in Haiti (McClintock, 2003). Subsequently, modern techniques such as the construction of gabions, dams, among others which are effective in controlling and preventing soil erosion continue to gain popularity in most affected regions.

Megan

As mentioned last week, the Mosaic Covenant was a conditional covenant God made with Israel. This covenant included the Ten Commandments among other things. While people in general took covenants very seriously in that day, the Israelites were still human, and unable to hold their end of the bargain for long. From this covenant we see the beginning of Israel’s cycle of obedience, then falling from that, God’s punishment, their repentance, and so on. It is safe to acknowledge that God was well aware of the Israelite’s inability to fully keep His laws. It is also interesting to note that people still today often tend toward this same habit.

The Mosaic Covenant was given at Sinai and is referenced throughout the Bible, but specifically in Exodus (originally) Leviticus, Numbers and even Deuteronomy. The original Ten Commandments were the moral guidelines that the people were to follow. Exodus also gives explicit instructions on the priests, tabernacle, as well as how to handle covenants.

In Leviticus 1-7 we see God’s plan for forgiveness and sacrifice. The Israelites were given five types of sacrifice – three were to pay for sins and two were to worship the Lord (H&M,64). There were specific instructions given all the way down to how the alters were supposed to be built and the difference between a clean and unclean sacrifice. Specifications were given on the choosing of priests nd how they had to act. We also see in Leviticus how to be and live holy in the sight of God and how to worship God (Yahweh).

Numbers does not specifically tell us do’s and don’ts of the law, but it gives an insight into the land and the history of the people. In some ways this may seem unnecessary (why tell the history of rule instead of focusing on the consequences of that rule). However, knowing the backstory can often be helpful. For example, in the Bible we see many references to wine and not having “excess” of it. Today we know it’s best to avoid alcoholic beverages, however, in those days, wine was used for medicinal purposes (and obviously we know not to overdo it on medicine). Because the people complained, Numbers 11 starts the story of how they would not be able to immediately see Canaan because of their complaining and lack of faith (spies). Because of this, they would go through many battles in an effort to get the Promised Land. God, who is ever faithful, continued to make provisions for the Israelites and eventually led them into the Promised Land they had waited for so long. Most of the rest of Numbers deals with the rules regarding the seizing and treatment of the land. We also get a glimpse of history into the land

Natalie

The Mosaic Covenant was put in place to save Israel and bring them to salvation, in order to receive God’s blessings and worship him. The Israelites seem to have their own agenda, and throughout the text, that agenda does not seem to work out for them at all.

The Mosaic Covenant provides a clear picture of what God expects from the Israelites. In one instance, God has described very detailed law codes and what has to be done for atonement, yet some of the people continue to try and do things their own way. Aaron’s two sons, for example, believe they should be able to approach God with offerings themselves, instead of going through Moses, but when they did the fire englufed them and they died. It seems as though the Israelites continue to doubt him even though they have seen him in action, this puzzles me. I do not believe God is trying to punish the people, but I do believe the purpose is to create a type of fear that makes them want to trust and follow him.

When the “nation” is outside of Canaan and they begin to fear, this proves they have doubt in God’s plan, and in the covenant made with Moses. God continues to try and force them to reach out and trust his plan, but the more they doubt him the angrier he becomes. When the “nation” begins to proclaim their disbelief, again God wants to destroy them and start over. Once again, Moses pleads for their lives and reminded God of the covenant he made with Abraham. The “nation” is spared. However, when the spies returned from Canaan and God told them to march forward, they refused and did not believe he would protect them. It was then, God decided the first generation would no longer have the opportunity to live in the promise land, only the second generation of children would inherit the land. The first generation would spend the remainder of their lives wandering through the desert. After God decides what to do with the first generation, the second generation has its own chance to see the choices their parents made in the past, and hopefully make the right decision for the future.