Identifying Local Opportunities

Identifying Local Opportunities

1) Rusty patched bumblebee becomes first endangered bee

• Rusty patched bumblebee
• The endangered species list has a new addition, the rusty patched bumblebee. 30% of food is dependent on the ability of bees to pollinate crops and due to a 44% decline of the bee population, this could become a serious problem. It's important to identify exactly what is causing the decline in population and apply this knowledge to other species of bees. 
• The bee population is steadily decreasing which could affect the crop production in the United States. 
• The problem applies to everyone that eats food. Without bees, there would be little to no pollination occurring, causing crops to become non-existent. Without fixing this problem, dozens to hundreds of species of bees can die. 

2) Florida's fentanyl problem hits home after Gainesville man overdoses. 

• Fentanyl problem
• An 18-year old Gainesville man almost died after overdosing on Fentanyl during a NA (Narcotics Anonymous) meeting. The teen was found unconscious on the bathroom the First Presbyterian Church. He survived after the administration of Naloxone, an anti-overdose medication. Florida has had a serious opioid problem and due to Fentanyl, it has risen significantly. This drug is used as a powerful pain medication for those undergoing chemo therapy treatments from cancer. Over the last five years, narcotic addition referrals have become very common. Many people weren't looking specifically for Fentanyl but instead heroin which is commonly laced with Fentanyl. 
• Tens of thousands of opiate-dependent people have become severe addicts. 
• Drugs addicts and young adults who want to dabble in drug use are the main people with this problem. Because Mexican cartels bring the heroin into the US, they lace it with Fentanyl because it is cheaper than selling pure heroin. An overdose could come a lot easier with this combination because Fentanyl is such a powerful drug. 

3) Street harassment: problem for all race

• Street Harassment
• A video was taken in New York about street harassment featuring a white woman who was being harassed. It strangely leaves out almost all of the harassment perpetrated by white men. Harassment is perpetrated by all races and genders. This video took the very serious issues of street harassment ad women's inability to list peacefully in public and added a racial element to it. The majority of women in our society experience harassment by men of all backgrounds. 
• This video while important, added a factor of race into it. Because white men were left off camera, it makes it seem as though white men don't initiate in street harassment. Meanwhile, men of color, which are shown in the video, will continue to be seen as the main perpetrators of this behavior. 
• Women experience street harassment more than men do. Women have this problem but due to the video, men of color will also have a problem now of being seen as perpetrators that harass women and this entails a conditioning that makes women keep a watchful eye on men of color. The truth is, all men kinds of men can be street harassers. Instead of just pinpointing one group of men, all men should be educated not he role they play in ending this epidemic. 

4) Chelsea Handler talks politics, drugs at UF. 

• Politics & Drugs
• Chelsea Handler, a comedian and talk show host came to UF to talk about the politic turmoil surrounding our nation and drug problems college students face throughout their years in college. Although the comedian talked openly about her drug use, it allowed her to express the dangers that come along with that as well. Her political talks were also related to Democratic and liberal views, most commonly associated with a college town and/or college campus. 
• Drug problems skyrocket around collegiate teens. Political controversy among students could also cause problems around groups of friends, employees and employers, and even professors and students. 
• These problems affect the students going to college here in Gainesville. With a severe political divide between college students and local Gainesville residents, it could end up with major problems between the groups. 

5) RTS to reduce, change bus routes for Summer

• Bus Routes
• Bus routes during the summer are usually reduced and/or changed due to funding and construction during the summer. Bus reductions have become an annoyance to students who need to get to and from classes, jobs, and volunteering positions. During the Spring and Fall, buses run every 15-20 minutes. During the summer, it can take up to 45 mins for the one bus driving that route to come to the stop you're at. Due to this inconvenience, students are forced to either bike to class, buy a campus parking pass, which means always being rained on or tacking on another expense onto a dwindling budget for students. 
• Bus routes affect those who can't afford to drive or have cars during the summer because many of the routes are cut. 
• The majority of people that take this problem on are students. Riding the bus becomes very difficult during the summer, causing delays in getting to class or work.