UN: 2010 tied for warmest year on record

This article is about how 2010 is in a threeway tie for the warmest year on record: it's tied with 2005 and 1998. Average temperatures last year were approximately .95 degrees Fahreinheit warmer than the 1960-1961 mean. This confirms the suspicion that the planet is heating up. The ten hottest years since 1854 have all occurred since 1998. The average worldwide temperature was 57.0 degrees Fahrenheit. Scientists blame the heat on carbon dioxide and other gases produced by motor vehicles, which seem to trap the heat in the atmosphere. Natural distasters like floods are evidence of global warming. The ice cap at the north pole was the smallest this last year that it's been since 1974. Also, significantly cooler temperatures were recorded in northern Europe, United States, Canada, Russia and Greenland.

I think global warming is a very serious issue, although I myself am not doing too much to prevent it. I always think about how I really should do more eco-friendly things like ride bikes to other peoples houses and buy a compost bin, but it never seems to happen. One time this summer, I had biked four of nine miles to a friend's house and my bike tire popped. I didn't try to do any more biking after that. I'm hoping that I can be financially stable enough to buy an eco-friendly car when I come to the point in my life that I'm buying my own car. I've seen commercials for electric cars--I'm hoping I'll be able to do this. I think the main reason global warming scares me so much is because we really only have one planet, and it seems to me that we're ruining it.

Following Brazil floods, desperation, criticism grow

This article is about the recent flooding in Brazil which occurred near Teresopolis during the past week. Survivors line up outside morgues, waiting to hear news of missing relatives. The flood has killed at least 564 people. In Teresopolis, two refrigerated fish trucks are being used to hold unidentified bodies. The city has not estimated what the final death toll will be. The day after the flood, there still were no officials working on finding bodies. President Dilma Rousseff promised swift aid to the region which has yet to pan out. Apparently, the water moved through so quickly it knocked down walls and killing whole families as they slept. One man lost 14 relatives, with six of them confirmed dead. He is in shock.

I think it's a very good thing I read this article. I can't believe I had no idea this flood had happened, which just goes to show how sheltered I am. In the last week, I've been watching the news a lot but have mainly seen things about the Tuscon shooting. It makes me wish CNN morning news covered more world news. I can't even fathom what is going through the people of Brazil's heads. Losing one family member would be enough to put me over the edge--I can't imagine losing multiple families members at one time. And, on top of that, they all lost their homes and everything they knew. I feel so terribly sorry for the people of Brazil right now.

Too Fat? Your 'Thrifty Gene' May Be To Blame

This article is about the fact that a certain gene can contribute to obesity. This gene possibly helped our ancestors survive because of famines long, long ago. There are ways to target this gene, which can help solve the global obesity pandemic. Mice who lacked the gene could eat a high-fat diet without gaining weight. For some reason, the gene effects Mexican Americans more than White Americans. The gene works by slowing down the rate at which fat cells are burned. When animals without the gene are fed the high-fat diet, they watch their brothers and sisters with the gene develop diseases such as diabetes and become obese, while the animals without the gene don't develop anything. People can be tested for the gene to see how likely they are to become obese and develop obesity-related diseases.

It's probably a relief to most people that they have someone other than themselves to blame for their obesity. It is nice to know that it's not always just what we do that makes us fat. I've always wondered why some lucky individuals can eat as much they want and not gain a pound but then others have to watch what they eat and exercise excessively in order to maintain a healthy body weight. However, I'm afraid the knowledge of this gene will simply serve as an excuse for people to become obese. They might think, "Oh, it's in my genetic makeup. There's no way I can stop it," and they will let themselves become obese. I think people can still at least try to lose weight and maintain a healthy body weight, by eating a healthy diet and moderate exercise.