How Overpopulation Caused Animal Extinction and Endangerment

March 30, 2015April 8, 2015 rbradfo

Humans tend to get a little “holier than thou” about their presence here on Earth. The fact of the matter is that we’re just one in literally millions. Some of the best guesstimates from top biologists around the world are that there are seven MILLION species of plants and animals on the planet — and that’s not including bacteria! When you break that number down by vertebrate (with a backbone) and invertebrate (without a backbone), our presence on Earth becomes even more insignificant — of the seven million estimated species on Earth, only 5,500 species identify as mammals like us. When you take that number into consideration, we are really only 1 in 5,500: the odds are still against us in many ways. So how is it that one small species has been capable of causing the extinction of thirty species in the last fifty years alone? You guessed it: overpopulation.

While some animal species have gone extinct due to destructive forces of nature (RIP T-Rex) or disease (RIP platypus frog), many of the thirty animals that have gone extinct in the last five decades were killed off due to habitat destruction and illegal hunting (better known as animal poaching) — two activities that are directly caused by overpopulation of humans.

One of the most widely discussed extinctions to happen in the last half-century occurred only four years ago. In 2011, the western black rhinoceros was declared extinct due to hunting. Between 1970 and 1992, the western black rhino saw a staggering decline in numbers — roughly 96% of the western black rhino population had depleted in only 22 years time. The horn of a western black rhino was used for a variety of human needs — weapons, medicine, and jewelry just to name a few. With the rising population, more animal poachers began hunting the western black rhino to keep up with demand. Oddly enough, rhino horn actually has zero medical benefits, so this creature was poached to extinction for nothing more than human greed and ignorance.

The Florida panther is one of the few big cat species that inhabits the United States. Unfortunately, the Florida panther is on the endangered species list due to overpopulation. This big cat once thrived throughout much of the southeastern United States and is now only found in 5% of its original habitat range. A majority of these panthers died due to habitat destruction caused by humans building roads through their home. The increased number of panthers in one concentrated area caused too much competition, which led to many panthers dying out of starvation. As of 2011, there’s only an estimated 100-120 Florida panthers left in the United States. Rapid population growth is leading to more deconstruction of their natural habitat. The Florida panther may be extinct because of overpopulation sooner than we think.

Safety Concerns Surrounding SXSW and Other Major Festivals

March 22, 2015April 20, 2015 rbradfo

Now that we’ve learned a little about how SXSW benefits Austin, it’s time to focus on the not-so-positive aspects of SXSW. WARNING: This might get a little dark.

SXSW started in March of 1987 and was projected to have approximately 150 attendees. Instead, more than 700 people came. And it just went up from there. The first major spike in SXSW attendance was in 2010, when the interactive portion of the event drew in 40% more people than the previous year’s festival. The following year, more than 20,000 people attended the festival — the most on record (until 2013). With that many people flooding the city, there are a number of safety concerns to address.

On March 13, 2014, 21-year-old Rashad Owens drunkenly drove his car through a crowd of festival goers waiting for a show outside of The Mohawk on Red River St. Four people died as a result of the crash and dozens of others were injured. It was the first time any serious fatalities arose during SXSW, but it scared festival goers enough that the City of Austin decided something needed to be done in order to avoid this sort of tragedy happening again.

In 2015, the City of Austin cut the number of free shows and parties available during SXSW, many of which entice people to attend by offering free alcohol and music, by nearly 25% in an effort to lower the number of drunk pedestrians and drivers on the streets. While locals may have been in a tizzy about losing their free shows, the idea of limiting the number of free events available actually proved to be somewhat effective — despite reporting long lines and maximum capacity at many of the events around town, there were no major safety issues reported during SXSW 2015. In fact, fire marshals were on top of their stuff this year and sanctioned more than 18 venues that were not meeting safety regulations.

So how are large festivals and overpopulation connected? And are there any real solutions?
To answer the first question, large festivals such as SXSW, Coachella, and Lalapalooza attract literally tens (and even hundreds) of thousands of people each year to begin with, but with population on the rise, these events are sure to draw in larger and larger crowds as the years tick by. Some festivals, such as Austin City Limits Music Festival (ACL) have attempted to limit the chaos by extending the event to two weekends rather than the typical one weekend only. Unfortunately, this method has proven to be ineffective. Rather than having one crazy weekend, there are now two — not really something the locals look forward to in October (when traffic is already bad enough for UT football season). Other festivals have followed in SXSW’s footsteps and attempted to limit the number of activities during the festival — this has been somewhat effective and safety has become less of an issue.

As far as solutions are concerned, there are lots of options available, but executing them will take time and will likely require years of revisions to truly perfect. Until then, there are ways in which you can help make your city safer during times of increased visitors.

Remember to Use a Taxi/Rideshare Option(s)

As discussed in a previous blog, taxis and rideshare options such as Uber and Lyft are available in dozens of major cities across the United States. If you’re going to be drinking, there is NO EXCUSE AT ALL to drive — allocate the extra money for your weekend to be able to afford increased prices for these services during high-volume events.

Drink Plenty of Water

Not only does drinking water help you stay somewhat sober, it keeps you from dehydrating. Dehydration is a serioussafety riskduring large festivals — with all the fun surrounding you, it’s easy to forget to grab a bottle of water before heading to the stage. This is a huge mistake to make and could end up costing you a lot of wasted time, wasted money, or even worse — your life. Stay sober, stay healthy, and drink your water!

Keep Your Belongings Close

Theft is another safety concern during big festivals. Some theft operations area little bigger in scale, but armed robbery and car break-ins are not uncommon. Be sure to carry a minimum amount of cash and be prepared to alert your bank if your debit card is stolen. Luckily, we are in a day and age where you can quickly cut off your cell phone or credit card ifyou’re caught in a sticky situation and vehicles can be traced using GPS tracking systems in the worst case scenario that someone jacks your ride GTA style. Don’t travel alone — always have a friend (preferably, many friends) with you and avoid areas that seem sketchy (dimly lit passageways, secluded areas, or parking garages that are not staffed with security guards). You are in control of your safety more than you know!Have a big festival experience you want to tell us about? Good experience? Bad experience? Let us know in the comments section below!

South by SouthWHY? Why Locals Should Accept SXSW

March 20, 2015November 23, 2015 asoybel

Now that the buzz from Austin’s “South By Southwest ” has calmed down a bit, lets reflect on the event in the context of population.

First of all, just what is South By Southwest? Well, sxsw.com explains that South By is “13 days of industry conferences, a 4-day trade show, a 6-night music festival featuring more than 2,100 bands, and a 9-day film festival with more than 400 screenings.” With those features, who wouldn’t want to attend, really? But, we’ll get to that later. Let’s focus on who does. In 2014, SXSW was said to bring in registrants from 87 countries and bands from 57 countries. This is an international event, all happening right here, in Austin, Texas.

With all of those people coming into our little, aforementioned “anti-growth” city, where does everyone stay? Well, 60,458 room nights were booked in over 70 official hotels, with a whopping 13,990 individual reservations booked! And if you’re late on booking your room, or just want another feel for the city, you can always rent out some space at someones apartment! Thankfully, we have that kind-hearted southern charm to accommodate y’all! Well, some of us anyway.

Image by Forbes

Take a look at what Number 9, Jacob, has to say about South By Southwest. His telephoto lens and sad puppy eyes tell a story that anyone who’s resided in Austin for more than a year knows too well. “When do I get my city back?” Well Jacob, you’ll get your “it’s-only-around-the-corner” line at Hopdoddy back soon enough, we promise. But is it really all bad, Jacob? We get it, I-35 is rough, you already can’t handle the traffic. We understand that the only reason someone would attempt 6th street is for the adrenaline rush of drowning among other humans. We know, really, we do.

Image from realityaustin.com

Hear us out though, lets take a look at some numbers, again. The total impact of South By Southwest in 2014 created 315.3 million dollars for the Austin economy in revenue in just those few, albeit, chaotic days. What does that mean? Do we really have to explain that money = good? Just for a little modest comparison, the entire Longhorns Football season (almost half a year), only brought in a total revenue of 109 million (and we know how Texans just love football).

Lastly, don’t you as an Austinite want a tight grip on the title of “Live Music Capital of the World?” If so, and if you want what’s best for your city, you’ll grin and bear the beautiful chaos that is South By Southwest.

Photo by Jose Lozano

All data is from SXSW 2014, 2015 stats have not yet been published

Need a Job? You’re Not Alone

March 12, 2015March 30, 2015 rbradfo

Now that we’ve discussed how high unemployment rates and overpopulation correlate, it’s time for the second portion of the blog: finding solutions to these high unemployment rates. While searching for a job can be frustrating, there are many options and resources available to help you find employment opportunities in your city.

1. Craigslist
Let’s be honest: craigslist doesn’t have the best reputation. More people seem to use craigslist as a way to find “missed connections” (borderline stalking 101), pick up free furniture, or (ironically) vent about how difficult and frustrating it is to be unemployed and looking for a job. However, craigslist is also a great resource for finding jobs in major cities. As discussed in the previous blog, unemployment rates are highest in urban cities. Most major cities, including Denver, San Diego, Boston, New York, and Dallas have a craigslist page. When you’re on your cities homepage, look to the right of the page. There is a column labeled “jobs” with dozens of links leading to jobs available in specific fields. All you have to do is click a link to an area you’re interested in (writing, graphic design, hospitality, etc.) and you will be lead to another page with job postings in that field, in your city. It’s that easy!

2. Attend a Job Fair
Many major cities offer annual or bi-annual job fairs. A job fair is exactly what it sounds like: companies in the area that are hiring set up a booth in a large event space and include information about their company, the job(s) they’re hiring for, and have representatives from the company at the booth to discuss job opportunities in the company. What’s really cool about a job fair is that you can treat each booth like an interview. Since there are representatives from the companies at the job fair, it is important to bring copies of your resume, dress professionally, and leave a great first impression. It is not uncommon for employers to do short “on-the-spot” interviews, so research some of the companies you’re interested in working for prior to attending the fair so you have questions prepared for the reps.

3. Request “Information Interviews”
Information interviews are not utilized as often as they should be. An information interview is set up when an individual simply wants to learn more about the company. Common questions individuals are looking to have answered in an information interview include questions about the company’s values, what kind of work the company does, who the company’s clients are, what kind of experience someone needs to be considered for a job in the company, and what the pay rate for new hires is. Information interviews are not intrusive or an annoyance. In fact, many employers find information interviews to be a great first impression. It shows that you are eager, willing to learn, hard working, and determined. Don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone to snag the job you want!

As you can see, there are a number of ways to lower unemployment in your area and find a job for yourself. We understand that being unemployed is frustrating and stressful. However, we also know that the perfect job for you is out there — you just have to dig a little to find it! Don’t be afraid to take a part-time job that may be below your standards while you’re hunting for a full-time job that you’re qualified for. It may seem demeaning, but it shows employers that you’re not a quitter!

So get to craigslist or find a job fair today! Your perfect job is right around the corner!

Have you been unemployed for a number of months? Need help finding a job fair in your city? Tell us about your experience with unemployment and how overpopulation has effected your job search. Leave a comment below!

Will Work for Money

March 11, 2015March 27, 2015 rbradfo

There is a direct correlation between high unemployment rates and overpopulation. More often than not, when a country’s population increases, the number of jobs available does not change. Therefore, a larger number of people begin fighting for the same jobs. Clearly, this poses a problem for individuals and families. The United States saw the worst unemployment rate since the recession of 1981-1982 when the Great Recession of 2008 hit. In October 2009, the United States hit 10% unemployment and saw the loss of 8.4 million jobs across the nation. It was absolutely devastating.

Luckily, since the recession hit, unemployment has decreased. However, it is still over 5%. In fact, unemployment rates around the world are higher than many would like for them to be.

This chart illustrates global unemployment rates from 2013. That year, global unemployment jumped by more than five million people. In 2011, the global population hit seven billion — a number that the US Census Bureau didn’t estimate to happen until 2012. In fact, since 2011, the global population has increased by 3 million… and it just keeps growing.

With spikes in global population come spikes in global unemployment rates. Let’s take a look at Spain in particular. Spain has a startlingly high unemployment rate — as of 2014, it was at 26%. According to Oxford University, there are five reasons for this: rigid labor market laws, reliance on “brick and mortar” jobs, banking corruption, a flawed education system, and (you guessed it) an influx in population, primarily from immigrants looking for work. Unfortunately, much of the companies that these immigrants were hoping to gain employment with were no longer around after 2009, when Spain began slowing down on the number of houses and businesses that were being built. Therefore, when these huddled masses arrived, there wasn’t just no where to work — there was no where to live.

Spain isn’t the only country suffering from high unemployment rates. In fact, oddly enough, a majority of global countries with high unemployment rates are some of the most developed nations in the world — the United States, France, Ireland, Germany, and Canada also have exceptionally high unemployment rates for the amount of businesses in these countries.

Unemployment isn’t the only serious consequence of overpopulation. Underemployment is another issue. Underemployment basically means that, an individual with a college degree or years of experience in a given field, will sometimes have to take jobs that are entry-level or far below what their experience or degrees warrant, simply so that they can have a steady income. Often, these jobs are underpaid and overworked. According to Slate, underemployment rates in the United States are more than twice that of unemployment rates.

Even sadder to note is that these jobs are highly competitive — despite being far below what some people are qualified to do. Although some unemployment rates (including the United States’) have dropped over the last two years, this is still a global crisis that was caused by overpopulation and a solution needs to be addressed before homeless rates increase as well.

Pop Pulse on Pollution Solutions

March 2, 2015March 4, 2015 sadams7

A rapid increase in urban area dwelling poses one of the most detrimental threats against long-term sustainability. The environment truly suffers the most, even though we are quick to defend our human discomforts: sitting in stagnant bumper-to-bumper traffic, washing dishes by hand, heck – we’re even irritated by sorting our waste to reduce the amount of rubbish and refuse. Some people don’t even bother getting their trash to a bin; making habit of discarding garbage on the side of the road or on the sidewalk.

If only the affect was considered before we complain about trivial things and taking the easy way. All it takes is a few minutes of research to understand WHY it is imperative to our existence as a species to develop renewable sources and WHAT you can do leave a smaller footprint.

Not to recall stereotypes of a neo-pagan, tree-hugging, hemp-wearing, peace sign-posing hippy, but if the Earth was treated like the gift that it is, we wouldn’t have issues of deforestation, air pollution, and mass sewage storage. Pollution alone can (and has) dismantle ecosystems, endanger and eradicate various species of animals who also call this big spinning rock home, and cause disease and health issues for the Earth’s most dominant and dangerous species.

If the majority of civilization is headed towards occupying major cities, we need to get our priorities in order. For one, if the bulk of your neighbors and fellow cityfolk subscribe to environmentally hazardous (basically lazy) behavior, you are more likely to adopt these behaviors by succumbing to a risky form of groupthink. Many of the latest residents tourban areas will have roots in tending farms and looking after land, so it’s important for their new communities to assist them in making economical choices that can sustain city living.

The United States Enviromental Protection Agency (EPA) developed a comprehensive list of ways you can reduce air pollution at home, on the road, and in store by adjusting buying behavior. We recap the big ones for you, but please visit the full list here.

AT HOME:

Conserve energy by turning of appliances and lights and unplugging devices when they are not in use or when you leave the room
Recycle paper, plastic, glass bottles, cardboard, and aluminum cans
Keep woodstoves and fireplaces well maintained
Plant trees around your home to provide shade in the summer, but to allow light in the winter. Potted plants also do a great job of reducing air pollutants. We recommend fruit trees, river birch, holly, star magnolia, and boxwood. David J. Nowak of the USDA Forest Service coined the mnemonic device to aid in remembering the benefit of trees: Temperature reduction, Removal of air pollutants, Emission of volatile organic compounds and Energy effects on buildings
Connect your outdoor lights to a timer or use solar lighting.
Wash clothes with warm or cold water instead of hot.
Lower the thermostat on your water heater to 120F.
Use low-VOC or water-based paints, stains, finishes, and paint strippers.
Make the choice to smoke outdoors, or quit altogether

ON THE ROAD:

Keep tires properly inflated and aligned.
In the summer, fill gas tank during cooler evening hours to cut down on evaporation. Avoid spilling gas and don’t “top off” the tank. Replace gas tank cap tightly.
Avoid waiting in long drive-thru lines. Park your car and go in.
When possible, use public transportation, walk, or ride a bike.
Get regular engine tune-ups and car maintenance checks (especially for spark plugs).
Use an energy-conserving (EC) grade motor oil.
Ask your employer to consider flexible work schedules or telecommuting.
Report smoking vehicles to your local air agency.
Join a carpool to get to work.

MAKE SMART PURCHASES:

Choose efficient, low-polluting vehicle models.
Choose products that have less packaging and are reusable.
Shop with a canvas bag instead of using paper and plastic bags.
Buy rechargeable batteries for devices used frequently.

Our Air! It’s Getting a Little Polluted

March 2, 2015March 4, 2015 dspiro

Air pollution is a major problem that can ruin an entire city’s, let alone the world’s, health very rapidly. It can cause heart and respiratory illnesses such as asthma in children and elderly in significant numbers. However it is not only a health hazard. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, air pollution can also damage trees, crops, other plants, lakes, animals, buildings, monuments, and statues. Needless to say, clean air needs to be a top priority.

In the U.S. Congress passed the Clean Air Act, giving the federal government authority to clean up air pollution in this country. Other countries, China for example, do not have the current needed efforts to compete with the rising pollution dominating their most industrialized cities. The rates of asthma and other illnesses have soared over the last few decades. Fortunately political and nonprofit efforts have managed to curb the increase in pollution which is a good start to solving the problem. One particular nonprofit effort to combat air pollution in China is called Greenpeace East Asia to where you can donate or find more information of their efforts here.