Thursday, July 30, 2020

Take 1.618 Film at MIT

Take 1.618 Film at MIT [by Danbee Kim 09] Before I got into MIT, I was torn by a dilemma should I go to art school, or should I do the safe thing and get a real degree? When my acceptance letter from MIT arrived, things got a little easier. I figured MIT was a once in a lifetime opportunity that I should take while I could; I could always go to art school later, right? Somewhat consoled and way too hyped about getting into MIT to be feeling too torn up, I happily made my way to Boston in the fall of 2005. However, my determination to put aside art for more serious schooling had a bad start I participated in the Freshman Arts Preorientation (FAP) Program, and experienced one of the best weeks of my life. Ever since then, Ive been making serious efforts to look into film schools and take as many arts classes here at MIT as I can fit into my schedule. All of the arts classes Ive taken have been very good, some even inspirational, but it wasnt until this semester that I took a class that made me lust for a career in art. SP.785, or Digital Video Post Production, is a small class of about ten students handpicked by Professor Violetta Ivanova. We meet for two hours each Friday in the New Media Center, the Mac-world equivalent to an Athena cluster. The class is conducted as a discussion of film, film editing, production, and post-production. Its amazing because not only am I learning from a professional film-maker, but I also get the opportunity to meet with other students who find film a fascinating and compelling subject. Here are some of my favorite lessons from this class: Making one bad movie will teach you more than watching ten good movies. Lets start with a quote from Professor Ivanova on the wonderfully blunt and decidedly memorable lessons of experience. Having made quite a few short films and montages for fun, I can definitely agree that on the job training really forces you to get to know the world of film-making. For the class, weve been divided into groups to work on a film project that will potentially be aired on MIT TechTV. This doesnt discount the value of watching good films. I like to consider myself an active seeker of good media I pride myself in knowing titles that I can genuinely respect as masterful uses of the medium. Whether they be mainstream or cult classic, animated or live action, a recent release or a forgotten black-and-white treasure, works in my collection of favorites are prime examples of cinematography, pacing, dialogue, editing, or content. And yet, this class has exposed me to media that has impressed and inspired me: the Media that Matters Film Festival, the BBC series Planet Earth, and the documentary Thirty-two Short Films for Glenn Gould. Do not underestimate your audience. Another quote from my professor, one that describes exactly what kinds of movies I hate the ones that over-explain their pseudo-movie-science, the ones that assume their audience has the mental capacities and attention span of high-strung purebred toy poodle. The movies that really captivate are the ones that realize film is not just an audial experience. These movies take advantage of the fact that the audience can see every freckle on Freddie Highlands adorable British nose, and understand the truth of a picture is worth a thousand words. What I also got out of this lesson was that art is a sanctuary for the creator, but dont kill a great idea by trying to explain it too much. Film can be a way of life, even at MIT. There are very few things for which I would get up at 6am. One of those few things is to film Army ROTC water survival training, with an inventory of gear that includes an underwater camera, one that looks exactly like the underwater cameras seen in The Life Aquatic. And no, this was not a required part of class thats right, I volunteered, just like a Browncoat but without Serenity valley. This class is part of a plethora of film opportunities on the MIT campus. My favorite class freshman year was 21M.011, aka The Film Experience, taught by Professor Thorburn, who is one of the most enthusiastic lecturers Ive ever had. If you join the Lecture Series Committee, which projects movies at a reduced price on campus, you can learn how to feed film reels into cranky old-school projectors, focus them, and sync up the images with the audio. Campus Movie Fest is coming up soon MIT participates in the worlds largest student film festival, and weve had some prize works make it pretty far in the contest. A lot of dorms have high-end camcorders that can be borrowed by residents, be it for class projects, Campus Movie Fest, i3 videos, or video auditions for tv shows like Beauty and the Geek. There are also a number of other film and movie classes in the Humanities, Comparative Media Studies, and Special Programs departments. I figured MIT was the right thing to do first, and I still feel that way. Dont get me wrong; I can get very excited about programming or neurological diseases or Fourier transforms. MIT encourages a love of knowledge that I cant help but soak in. But I didnt have to set aside film or my love of art when I got here. If anything, squeezing art in between math and science has made art even more precious and inspiring, and its taught me to look for art in unexpected places. Its helped me find that golden ratio between what I love to know and what I love to do.

Friday, May 22, 2020

Early Childhood Development Is A Beneficial Tool, It...

Babies are fascinating. According to the Center for Disease Control, 3,932,181 of them were born in the United States in 2013, of which 40.6% were born to unmarried women. It is true that most parents want what is best for their children; however, the methodology and resources for childrearing vary from home to home. Today’s society is built on self-discipline, self-reliance, and skill; therefore, the development of little ones must take center stage. However, this development is unique just as the children and the parents who are responsible for their upbringing are unique. While preschool programs can be a beneficial tool, it should not be mandatory because there is no significant evidence of success for federally funded programs; early childhood development occurs diversley among children; and parents alone are best qualified and responsible to nurture their preschoolers as they see fit. Some believe that the best way to tackle the challenge of a high functioning society is to mandate a well-defined preschool program. In 1965, Head Start became a federally funded organization designed to foster early development for families who could not access it otherwise. (Clemmitt, 2014). These families were classified as low-income and benefitted from additional health services, social and emotional skills development, academic skills, as well as education on parenting. So much emphasis has been placed on the development of preschool-age children that in 2014, Congress notShow MoreRelatedTechnology And Early Childhood Classroom1583 Words   |  7 Pages Technology in an Early Childhood Classroom Marsha Kinsel ENG122: English Composition II Instructor Susan Luck June 1, 2017 Technology in An Early Childhood Classroom Even though some experts feel children’s physical health is at risk once they are introduced to technology, it is a must, that early childhood educators do just that. In a world where technology is ever changing it is imperative that children are exposed as early as two years old so that they are not left at a disadvantageRead MoreEarly Childhood Course At Savannah Technical College Essay1662 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction Throughout the ECCE 1101 Introduction to Early Childhood course at Savannah Technical College there were several theorists introduced in the course that had a major impact on molding the foundation for an understanding of early childhood as a whole. Although the scope covered a broad spectrum of early childhood, majority of the main focus was on early education. The work of Lev Vygotsky greatly influenced the field of early education. This paper will include a brief summary of Vygotsky’sRead MoreSocial Cultural Theory: Vygotsky Essay1236 Words   |  5 PagesReflective learning response 1 There are a number of ways as a teacher that I can use Vygotsky’s socio-cultural theory within the classroom to enhance student’s learning and development. Vygotsky’s main idea was that learning and development should be a social collaborative activity and through scaffolding the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) this learning can and will be achieved (Bodrova Leong, 2007). The interaction between children is just as crucial as interactions children have with adults orRead MoreDifferent Ideas And Thoughts On Child Development2266 Words   |  10 Pagesmiracle. After all those thoughts are scraped from the top layer, psychologists, scientists, researchers, and many others force us to look deeper than the baby’s appearance or our personal thoughts. When doing this, one needs to look into child development and the experiences that will shape this child into the person he or she is going to become. From the moment a child is conceived, the world they enter into is playing a role in every aspect of their lives. One-thing children are almost immediatelyRead MoreComputer Use in Early Childhood Education4243 Words   |  17 PagesComputer Use in Early Years of Education Abstract The importance of the child’s development in early years of education has reached the stage where it becomes critical that learning programs becomes a global issue. Understanding changes and undertaking practice is fundamental in student learning. The purpose of this article is to increase our perception on the different effects of using computer technology in early childhood setting. In answering the question What is the purpose ofRead MoreChildhood Obesity : Looking For The Future2425 Words   |  10 PagesEarly Childhood Obesity; Looking to the Future Many studies have shown the increasing trend in early childhood obesity over the past few decades. But in recent years that trend has begun to level out and even decrease in some cases. In this paper, these trends will discussed along with the health implications that follow childhood obesity, how big of a problem it has become, as well as how to fix the problem and what we can do in the future to prevent this problem. History In the past fat childrenRead MoreEducation And English Literature Work4557 Words   |  19 PagesEducation and English literature work hand- and-hand with equipping children in the early childhood years with the skills needed to be successful in future education. This is because â€Å"the early childhood years serve as an important foundation for subsequent literacy development† (Neuman Dickinson, 2001; Snow, Burns, Griffin, 1998; Whitehurst Lonigan, 2001) (Stephen Green, 2006). During the early childhood years children’s brains are constantly absorbing everything they learn or come in contactRead MoreEssay about Preschool: A Right or a Luxury?1954 Words   |  8 PagesPreschool: A Right or a Luxury? If we had a tool that would improve our childrens performance in school and social settings, lower the crime rate, lower teenage pregnancy, and save taxpayers money, who wouldnt want to use it? Preschool is that tool, but few people pay attention to or care about preschools potential benefits. For many parents, preschool is a valuable asset, providing their children with social play, fun, and an experience within a school-like setting. Children in preschoolRead MoreContex and Principles for Early Year Learning6109 Words   |  25 PagesEYMP 1 CONTEXT AND PRINCIPLES FOR EARLY YEARS PROVISION Question: An explanation of the legal status and principle of the relevant Early Years Framework and why the early year frameworks emphasise a personal and individual approach to learning and development 1.1 The statutory framework for the EYFS sets out the legal requirements relating to learning and development and the legal requirements relating to welfare. The EYFS framework has statutory force by virtue of Section 44 of the ChildcareRead MoreThe Issue Of Childhood Obesity Essay3223 Words   |  13 Pagesnurse finds himself in; they have the authority and power to incite change. The issue of childhood obesity is discussed throughout the paper including relevant programs and policies that advocate for ameliorating the pandemic. Public policy nonetheless ought to address the rising concern provoked by childhood obesity in the contemporary society. Building an advocacy platform centered on two operative childhood obesity aspects; The Power Up Initiative and Coordinated Approach to Child Health (CATCH)

Sunday, May 10, 2020

Top Essay Topics for English 101 Guide!

Top Essay Topics for English 101 Guide! It will produce the history essay writing process faster and easier, and you won't need to devote a good deal of time doing research. The reader ought to be impressed by how you defend your ideas. Furthermore, you will develop a larger knowledge of what you have to consider to continue to develop as writers. Any excellent task finishes with a wonderful conclusion and the very best examples of the argumentative essay will arrive in with a conclusion with an overview of all of the points together with a gist of the evidences provided. The Ultimate Essay Topics for English 101 Trick Sign within this essay being against abortion is due to the uterus before they ought to discuss in. Perhaps you simply do not know the subject well enough, and that's the reason you can't locate the idea for your history essay. Again, the reality is that homosexuality is multi-faceted. These essays on abortion on the struggle against abortion. The Little-Kno wn Secrets to Essay Topics for English 101 The cost of an essay rides on the total amount of effort the writer has to exert. If you're feeling unsure at any stage, you should decide on affordable essay writing services readily available online instead of risking for any error. It's possible to order one on our site. In addition, a customer may ask the writer to submit part of the job for review and, if needed, ask her or him to make corrections. Deciding on your topic isn't that easy. You ought to be interested in the topics you select. You will probably locate a different and terrific topic you will love to write about. Deciding upon the correct essay topic can at times be rather hard. To compose a strong argumentative essay, students should start by familiarizing themselves with a number of the common, and frequently conflicting, positions on the research topic so they can write an educated paper. Consequently, they can come up with different thesis for different themes to write essays on hamlet. Essay Topics for English 101 - Is it a Scam? It is very important to begin with demonstrating the major idea of the entire piece so you and your readers are going to be on the exact same page. For instance, you could hire somebody to do the research (by simply purchasing a paper) find the literature necessary for your topic and you could proceed with the writing. Your paper has to have a title that's properly capitalized. Thus, writing a history paper will definitely be fun, if you only select a really intriguing history essay topic. Formulating a thesis is often the toughest step, particularly for students new to academic writing. There are homework support sit es that provide students with internet assistance with essay writing. In your very first year you will most likely take English 101 which is for every first-year student and in which you need to cover the fundamentals of essay writing. Top affordable and dependable academic writing help. You're likely to need to compose quite a few essays during your time in college. The intent of assigning an essay to middle school students is to make awareness and permit them to develop writing skills. College is for a high degree of study. Therefore, many students and employees decide to purchase inexpensive essay rather than writing it themselves. Then evaluate current techniques to specify which method makes the very best measure of human intelligence. You are going to learn the worth of understanding how to find research material and the way to take notes from your reading. You are going to learn the value of avoiding plagiarism and you'll value your capability to prepare well in advance avoiding last-minute writing. So be certain you decide on a subject, which has values in it. Essay Topics for English 101 Secrets When you have your reasons why your very first Little League game was the most crucial instance of your life, you should tell your reader more about every o ne of them to prove that what you say is true. Readers should understand what the matter is and what's at stake. Young writers may try simple on-line citation generators which are generally at no charge. Consider a number of the following topics that you could encounter in any English 101 course. The Hidden Truth on Essay Topics for English 101 Would you like to concentrate on the pros or the cons. To be fair, however, you will find that one of the very first things you have to do is become a specialist on the problem. This way you'll restrict your topics to the one which is ideal for you. An excellent topic will allow it to be simpler to pursue the purpose of an argumentative essay, which is, evidently, the entire investigation of the problem you speak about. Every writer we employ has written a good deal of special papers associated with your subject. Constructing the argumentative essay you might even need to create recommendations for additional study or for action eg in the example of policy papers and you. The actual key to getting started with your research paper is simply to start somewhere. Understanding how to compose a strong argumentative paper will help you advance your very own argumentative thinking. The Most Popular Essay Topics for English 101 It is possible to buy argumentative essay from a specialist writer. Since it's necessary to compose an argumentative essay you might also learn to write it well perfect. To be able to write a very good argumentative essay you need four standard pieces. An argumentative essay is a certain kind of academic writing. The arguments examined in the present paper prove that adoption is an ambitious procedure despite all the benefits connected with rescuing a young child from a negative atmosphere. Or, if you're writing a solution paper, look at five or more distinct solutions for the issue. The shortage of very good support sources will end in a decrease grade. Once the parents have decided on what agency is most appropriate for them, they will begin the application procedure, which could take a relatively large amount of time.

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

The Life of Okonkwo Free Essays

How would you react if you wanted to stop unwanted visitors from controlling your former people and changing them economically, socially, and politically. Okonkwo who is one of the main characters in the novel Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, does not want this cultural conflict to happen to his fellow clan members because it might or might not lead to violence. Okonkwo’s people who live in the Nigerian town of Umuofia which is one of the main settings for the book were not prepared for this cultural conflict between the very different Western and African cultures. We will write a custom essay sample on The Life of Okonkwo or any similar topic only for you Order Now Okonkwo had a very different response to Western civilization taking over Umuofia than the rest of his fellow clan members. First of all, Okonkwo had a different sense of identity before the cultural collision of Western and African cultures. For example, in Part One we learn that â€Å"Okonkwo ruled his household with a heavy hand. His wives especially the youngest, lived in perpetual fear of his fiery temper, and so did his little children.†(Achebe 13). This demonstrates how Okonkwo sense identity is different before Western conflict with the African people of Umuofia. An additional example of Okonkwo identity before the cultural collision with the Westerners is when we find out that â€Å"[Okonkwo’s] whole life was dominated by fear, the fear of failure and of weakness.†(Achebe 13). That quote is presenting the concept that Okonkwo has lots of fear in his life at the moment, because his father created the failure for him. But, Okonkwo isn’t all cruel and horrible because â€Å"He wanted Nwoye to grow into tough young man capable of handling his father’s household when he was dead and gone to join his ancestors.†(Achebe 52). This quote is displaying the information that, Okonkwo does not want his son Nwoye to be like his Okonkwo’s father who didn’t help him as much; and he wants Nwoye to learn very important skills for later on, so he does not fail as a father like how Okonkwo’s dad did. To summarize this paragraph Okonkwo’s sense of identity did not yet change since this was Part One of Okonkwo’s emotions and how his fears did or didn’t affect him as a person. How to cite The Life of Okonkwo, Papers

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Karl Marx Essays (1871 words) - Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels

Karl Marx Human relationships have always been dynamic. Change and adaptability have gone hand in hand with the passage of time for human society. Systems have been developed to regulate, direct and control the resources of this society. The systems are referred to as governments and the resources as the populace or inhabitants and forces of production. A government must be dynamic in its nature reflecting the change in society. At times these systems have resisted the necessity to adapt with its components (Society) creating a deficit between the system and those it regulates. As the deficits develop, they cause instability, and could lead to revolution.1 Theories have been developed to explain the systemic phenomenon Karl Marx was the greatest thinker and philosopher of his time. His view revolutionized the way in which people think. He created an opportunity for the lower class to rise above the aristocrats and failed due to the creation of the middle class. Despite this failure, he was still a great political leader and set the basis of Communism in Russia. His life contributed to the way people think today, and because of him people are more open to suggestion and are quicker to create ideas on political issues. Karl Heinrich Marx was born May 5th, 1818 in Trier. Although he had three other siblings, all sisters, he was the favorite child to his Father, Heinrich. His mother, a Dutch Jewess named Henrietta Pressburg, had no interest in Karl's intellectual side during his life. His father was a Jewish lawyer, and before his death in 1838, converted his family to Christianity to preserve his job with the Prussian state. When Heinrich's mother died, he no longer felt he had an obligation to his religion, thus helping him in the decision in turning to Christianity. Karl's childhood was a happy and care-free one. His parents had a good relationship and it help set Karl in the right direction." His ?splendid natural gifts' awakened in his father the hope that they would one day be used in the service of humanity, whilst his mother declared him everything would go well. (The story of his life, Mehring, page 2). In High school Karl stood out among the crowd. When asked to write a report on "How to choose a profession" he took a different approach. He took the angle in which most interested him, by saying that there was no way to choose a profession, but because of circumstances one is placed in an occupation. A person with a aristocratic background is more likely to have a higher role in society as apposed to someone from a much poorer background. While at Bonn at the age of eighteen he got engaged to Jenny von Westphalen, daughter of the upperclassmen Ludwig von Westphalen. She was the childhood friend of Marx's oldest sister, Sophie. The engagement was a secret one, meaning they got engaged without asking permission of Jenny's parents. Heinrich Marx was uneasy about this but before long the consent was given. Karl's school life other than his marks is unknown. He never spoke of his friends as a youth, and no one has ever came to speak of him through his life. He left high school in August of 1835 to go on to the University of Bonn in the fall of the same year to study law. His father wanted him to be a lawyer much like himself but when Karl's reckless university life was getting in the way after a year Heinrich transferred him to Berlin. Also, he did not go to most lectures, and showed little interest in what was to be learned. Karl's reckless ways were not tolerated at Berlin, a more conservative college without the mischievous ways of the other universities. While at Berlin, Marx became part of the group known as the Yong Hegelians. The group was organized in part due to the philosophy teacher Hegel that taught from 1818 to his death. The teachings of Hegel shaped the way the school thought towards most things. Those who studied Hegel and his ideals were known as the Young Hegelians. Hegel spoke of the development and evolution of the mind and of ideas. Although Karl was younger than most in the group, he was recognized for his intellectual ability and became the focus of the group. While at Berlin "He came to believe that all the various sciences and philosophies were part of one overarching, which, when completed, which would give a true and total picture of the universe and man."

Friday, March 20, 2020

Usefulness Of Special Stains Example

Usefulness Of Special Stains Example Usefulness Of Special Stains – Coursework Example Usefulness of Special Stains Affiliation Introduction Pathologists carry out the complex diagnosis in terms of histology and pathology (Ramos-Vara & Miller, 2014). No matter how high the clinical suspicion index is, the diagnosis cannot be conclusively established or safely assumed in the absence of any tissue diagnosis. Therefore, in the task of the pathologists to give specific, accurate and sufficiently comprehensive diagnosis, it is significant to diagnose each tissue. Hence, how do the special stains and IHC aid the pathologists in making the diagnosis?In Immunohistochemistry (IHC), pathologists use both the IHC counterstains and special stains for a diagnosis (Kiernan, 2008). The counterstains give immunodetection to enhance the primary label visualization or stain the specific structures. Both fluorescent and chromogenic counterstains are available.Special stains are important in non-routine immunohistochemical staining for the specific cells, organisms, and tissues identifica tion. Moreover, they are also useful in evaluating the state of the disease and in cell biology and histology. For instance, the Alcian Blue (pH 1.0) Stain Kit, stains mucins for the visualization of strongly sulfated mucosubstances. Giema Stain Kit (May Grunwald) is a Hematologic stain used in visualizing hematopoietic tissues and other microorganisms (Joyner & Wall, 2008).Additionally, through innovative H&E solutions, IHC and special stains, digital pathology, and advanced workflow empower laboratory professions and anatomic pathologists to maximize testing efficiency. The integrated, intuitive slide staining and management of workflow platforms optimize the laboratory operations to reduce errors, inform treatment pathology and support diagnosis for anatomic pathology professionals.ConclusionTherefore, from the discussion, it is evident that both special stains and IHC are significant in aiding pathologists in making their diagnosis. They are important as they help them to maximi ze testing efficiency.ReferencesJoyner, A. & Wall, N. (2008). "Immunohistochemistry of Whole-Mount Mouse Embryos". ColdSpring Harbor Protocols Vol. (2):Kiernan J., (2008). Histological and Histochemical Methods. Theory and Practice. Bloxham,UK: Scion.Ramos-Vara A., & Miller A., (2014). "When tissue antigens and antibodies get along: revisitingthe technical aspects of immunohistochemistrythe red, brown, and blue technique.". Veterinary Pathology Vol. 51 (1): 42–87

Wednesday, March 4, 2020

Methane as a Greenhouse Gas

Methane as a Greenhouse Gas Methane is a major constituent of natural gas, but its chemical and physical characteristics also make it a powerful greenhouse gas and worrisome contributor to global climate change. What Is Methane? A methane molecule, CH4, is made of a central carbon atom surrounded by four hydrogens. Methane is a colorless gas usually formed in one of two ways: Biogenic methane is produced by microorganisms breaking down certain types of sugars in conditions where oxygen is absent. This biologically-produced methane can be released to the atmosphere immediately upon being produced, or it can be accumulated in wet sediment only to be released later.Thermogenic methane was formed when organic matter was buried deeply under geological layers and over millions of years, and then broken down by pressure and high temperatures. This type of methane is the primary constituent of natural gas, making up 70 to 90% of it. Propane is a common by-product found in natural gas. Biogenic and thermogenic methane may have different origins but they have the same properties, making them both effective greenhouse gases. Methane as a Greenhouse Gas Methane, along with carbon dioxide and other molecules, contributes significantly to the greenhouse effect. Reflected energy from the sun  in the form of longer wavelength infrared radiation excites methane molecules instead of traveling out into space. This warms up the atmosphere, enough that methane contributes to about 20% of the warming due to greenhouse gases, second in importance behind carbon dioxide. Because of the chemical bonds within its molecule  methane is much more efficient at absorbing heat than carbon dioxide (as much as 86 times more), making it a very potent greenhouse gas. Fortunately, methane can only last about 10 to 12 years in the atmosphere before it gets oxidized and turns into water and carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide lasts for centuries. An Upward Trend According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the amount of methane in the atmosphere has multiplied since the industrial revolution, growing from an estimated 722 parts per billion (ppb) in 1750 to 1834 ppb in 2015. Emissions from many developed parts of the world have now appeared to have leveled off, however. Fossil Fuels Once Again to Blame In the United States,  methane emissions come primarily from the fossil fuel industry. Methane is not released when we burn fossil fuels, like carbon dioxide does, but rather during the extraction, processing, and distribution of fossil fuels. Methane leaks out of natural gas wellheads, at processing plants, out of faulty pipeline valves, and even in the distribution network bringing natural gas to homes and businesses. Once there, methane continues to leak out of gas meters and gas-powered appliances like heaters and stoves. Some accidents occur during the handling of natural gas  resulting in the release of large amounts of gas. In 2015 very high volumes of methane were released from a storage facility in California. The Porter Ranch leak lasted for months, emitting almost 100,000 tons of methane into the atmosphere. Agriculture: Worse Than Fossil Fuels? The second largest source of methane emissions in the United States is agriculture. When evaluated globally, agricultural activities actually rank first. Remember those microorganisms that produce biogenic methane in conditions where oxygen is lacking? Herbivorous livestock guts are full of them. Cows, sheep, goats, even camels have methanogenic bacteria in their stomach to help digest plant material, which means they collectively pass very large quantities of methane gas. And it is not a minor issue, as a full 22% of methane emissions in the United States are estimated to come from livestock. Another agricultural source of methane is the production of rice. Rice paddies contain methane-producing microorganisms as well, and the soggy fields release about 1.5% of global methane emissions. As the human population grows and with it the need to grow food, and as temperatures rise with climate change, it is expected that methane emissions from rice fields will continue to increase. Adjusting rice-growing practices can help alleviate the problem: temporarily drawing down water mid-season, for example, makes a big difference but for many farmers, the local  irrigation network cannot accommodate the change. From Waste to Greenhouse Gas–to Energy? Organic matter decomposing deep inside a landfill produces methane, which is normally vented out and released into the atmosphere. It’s an important enough problem that landfills are the third largest source of methane emissions in the United States, according to the EPA. Fortunately, an increasing number of facilities capture  the gas and route it to a plant that uses a boiler to produce electricity with that waste gas. Methane Coming From the Cold As Arctic regions warm up quickly  methane is released even in the absence of direct human activity. The Arctic tundra, along with its numerous wetlands and lakes, contains large amounts of peat-like dead vegetation locked in ice and permafrost. As those layers of peat thaw, microorganism activity picks up and methane is released. In a troublesome feedback loop the more methane there is in the atmosphere, the warmer it gets, and more methane is released from the thawing permafrost. To add to the uncertainty, another worrying phenomenon has the potential to further disrupt our climates very rapidly. Under Arctic soils and deep in oceans large concentrations of methane exist entrapped in an ice-like mesh made of water. The resulting structure is called a clathrate, or methane hydrate. Large deposits of clathrate can be destabilized by changing currents, underwater landslides, earthquakes, and warming temperatures. The sudden collapse of large methane clathrate deposits, for whatever reason, would release lots of methane into the atmosphere and cause rapid warming. Reducing Our Methane Emissions As a consumer, the most effective way to lower methane emissions is by reducing our fossil fuel energy needs. Additional efforts include choosing a diet low in red meat to reduce the demand for methane-producing cattle and composting to reduce the amount of organic waste sent to landfills where it would produce methane.