Hello Everyone,
I am sure that we all enjoyed our not-at-all deserved 3 day weekend. Now it is time to get down to business. Here is your first assignment.
1) Find an article or video that discusses some element of science dealing with the topics that we will be covering in this class (e.g., ecology and environmental issues).
2) Post a link to the article/video as a comment at the end of this post.
3) Add a short (1 paragraph) summary of the information you learned from the article.
DUE DATE: Must Be Posted by 5 PM on Monday September 10th
Note: As a motivation to get you to turn your work in early, there are no duplicate articles allowed. Thus, if someone posts your article before you do you must find a new article!!
http://ocean.nationalgeographic.com/ocean/critical-issues-ocean-acidification/
ReplyDeleteThrough this article from National Geographic I learned that 1/3 of man-made CO2 emissions are absorbed straight into our world’s oceans. And from there it dissolves into carbonic acid. The higher the carbonic acid levels are in the ocean, the more dangerous for assorted marine life, such as coral reefs. And because of the increased CO2, acidity levels are rising. One other concern is that the ocean will reach its limit as a carbon storehouse, and then CO2 will have to stay in the atmosphere, building up there, and raising temperatures more.
-Kaitlin Thogmartin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIQdYXCKUv0
ReplyDeleteThis video, entitled "The Story of Change," is produced by The Story of Stuff Project, and is one of many like it that have been made over the last several years. I chose this particular video because it is a good overview of why our society is so resistant to change in terms of environmental policy and awareness. As the video says, the right thing to do should be the easiest thing to do. In other words, our entire society should and can be efficient and beneficial for both humanity and the planet. Needless to say, our present system is the antithesis of that; we currently live in a society that is in many ways detrimental to both our own well-being and the well-being of our planet. If this is so well-reasoned and self-evident, why then do we keep on going in this destructive pattern? This video takes a very big picture approach to viewing the world's environmental problems and clues the viewer in to the reason why large-scale change is such a difficult task. While this video points out truths that are difficult to grapple with, it is important that we begin to look at different solutions to how to go about fixing the problem. Though the problems we face as a planet are perpetuated by economics and public policy, it is important to also realize the immense power of the ripple effect in terms of change. By educating on a small-scale we can create awareness and action to effect necessary progress.
http://www.npr.org/2012/08/28/160128351/methane-making-an-appearance-in-pa-water-supplies
ReplyDeleteIn this NPR news article, the process of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) is explained, and the problems it can have for the nearby environment is explained. During fracking, methane can escape from the area that is being operated on, and contaminate the local water supply. The article provides examples of a couple family homes who have been effected by the water contamination. Apparently, there is much debate about if the process of fracking actually causes these unintended effects. Apparently, the process of fracking is not causing the methane to leak out, but rather the pipe that the escaping gas travels through that can cause problems. It also says that poor construction/cement jobs can cause methane to contaminate water supplies as well.
Jay Patel
http://hockeyschtick.blogspot.com/2012/09/greens-against-green-energy.html
ReplyDeleteThis article titled "Greens against Greens", originally found on the Wall Street Journal, discusses the ironic claim that solar power in California actually may not be a clean source of energy. The premise of the article is three California Environmental groups claim that solar power, considered by many as a clean and "green" energy source, actually doesn't "reduce greenhouse gases" and in fact "the opposite may be true." Despite "no scientific evidence present" they state that solars panels release carbon in the process of converting energy. In conclusion, these groups assert that the carbon introduced from these panels will have detrimental long-term effects to the habitats of California.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/08/120831-antarctica-methane-global-warming-science-environment/
ReplyDeleteThis article from National Geographic talks about what will happen if the Antarctic glaciers were to melt. It has been suggested that there are microbes trapped underneath that have been making methane which has transformed into hydrates. If the ice were to melt, it would release billions of pounds of methane into the atmosphere, significantly increasing the greenhouse effect.
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/340674/title/Climate_change_may_leave_many_mammals_homeless__
ReplyDeleteThis article outlines new analyses of 493 species of mammals that suggests climate change may be occurring too rapidly for most species to keep up. The studies conclude that climate change in the environments of these species may force them to move to find more suitable habitats for survival. In less than a century, the data suggests that, while a suitable habitat may exist, many mammals simply move too slowly to find a viable habitat while keeping pace with climate change. This is a disturbing realization for conservation biologists who will either have to deal with large extinctions of the slower moving species, or find new ways to accommodate movement of species to new habitats. If this trend continues, the mammal most close to home has been interestingly left out of discussion: humans. Will we be able to move fast enough to find new habitats if climate change starts to outpace us? More importantly, will there be any viable habitat left if we get to that point?
-Clara Bush
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/342528/title/Stronger_storms_may_destroy_ozone
ReplyDeletePretty neat article that links up my somewhat odd fascination with weather and the issues of climate change that we have recently been discussing. The idea is that with a warmer global climate severe weather will increase dramatically. This increase in severe weather will wear down stratospheric ozone (the good kind of ozone that blocks harmful UV rays) due to complex chemical reactions between the ozone and the water vapor left from storm caps at the stratosphere. The good news is that this issue is still only theory on paper. So it's basically a model of a guessing game of what warmer weather and potential increases in severe weather will cause.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chris-mooney/the-science-of-truthiness_b_1379472.html
ReplyDeleteThis article analyzes the illogical denial of scientific facts by a majority of members within the conservative party. The author presents an interesting argument giving a possible explanation as to why this ideology of denial is so pervasive within on the right. The author rejects the common misconception that denial of scientific facts is due to ignorance, but rather argues that the most vehement naysayers tend to be the most educated members within the conservative party. The paper goes on to detail possible psychological reasons as to why educated members of society would deny factual evidence based on their conservative ideology. Hopefully this article can give us some insight as to why there is an absurd lack of legislation regarding greenhouse gas emission and environmental conservation.
-Bush Benjamin
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/09/05/coal-plant-closures-will-lead-to-increased-energy-rates-critics-say/
ReplyDeleteClosing seven coal-fired electric plants over the USA and all people can think about is the affect it will have on electricity bills. Well yes paying more for electricity is a down side but on the plus side and a huge plus I may add, there will be less pollution added to the air. With these plants being closed due to them not being able to meet standard emission rates there will be less carbon dioxide put into the atmosphere. This in return will help control the earth’s temperature. At the same time, with less electrical plants that means there is more money and more time can be spent helping these less number of plants improve their emission rates and improve their carbon footprint. In return, would help everyone on earth with less carbon dioxide being put into the atmosphere.
-Asha Kovelamudi
http://www.naturalnews.com/028798_air_pollution_cities.html
ReplyDeleteThis is an article about the top ten wost US cities for ozone pollution released by the American Lung Association. Eight of the ten cities are in California and Houston was number seven on that list. The report also stated that high levels of ozone can cause congestion and breathing problems and they can even lead to several severe respiratory illnesses. Across the nation, many cities can have some days that are worse than others when it comes to air pollution. The American Lung Association recommends for people to stay indoors when the high-ozone days and limit their exposure to the outdoors. There isn't much that can be done about the air pollution on those high-ozone days. People can invest in air purifiers which will help limit exposure to pollution and also help get rid of other toxic fumes that are emitted from cleaning products, paint, carpet, and even chlorinated tap water.
-Poma GT
http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/habitats/rainforest-profile/
ReplyDeleteMuch of the tropical rain forest on earth is quickly being lost due to deforestation, especially in Brazil. This article explains some of the negative effects and long-term consequences of deforestation. Drought is one consequence. In fact, some rain forests, such as the Amazon, have already started to experience drought, possibly due to deforestation and global warming. The destruction of plants in rain forests due to deforestation is also a problem, since many of these plants can be used in foods, cosmetics, and medicines. Roughly 70 percent of the anti-cancer plants identified so far are rain forest plants. Despite the negative consequences of deforestation, efforts to discourage deforestation, mainly through sustainable-logging initiatives, have not had a significant impact.
Sejal Sheth
http://www.npr.org/2012/09/04/160393303/as-temps-rise-cities-combat-heat-island-effect
ReplyDeleteThis article explains the "heat island" effect which is the idea that cities heat up twice as fast at the rest of the planet. Talks about how a lack of plant life in cities and the abundance of concrete and pollution leads to an increase in rate of heating in large urban centers. Uses the city of Atlanta as an example of this urban center and how local urban gardens are helping curb this rapid heating. The article offers solutions in the way of planting trees and creating gardens in urban centers. This is important because most people live in urban centers and a higher increase in temperatures will be bad for the health of people and infrastructures of the cities. The article states than an increase of temperatures across the globe of four degrees would cause an increase of eight degrees in cities which is very significant.
Akash
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2097720_2097782_2097814,00.html
ReplyDeleteThough this article was written only in 2011, it shows a sobering difference to the amount of focus the United States has taken on environmental issues simply a year ago as compared to today. This is a major issue appearing in news articles like “Time,” yet in this presidential election year, all these topics seem to be curbed and unimportant in presidential debates. The focus of this article explains how the environment is hurt most by population growth. The article even states that there is enough space for 7 billion people in the land area of the state of Texas ALONE (albeit, the population density would be that of New York City). Furthermore, the article proves the main problem is not with how much space human-kind would be taking up, but rather vast amount of resources consumed by each person along with the equally vast amount of waste produced. Another fact I found interesting in this report was that half of all food worldwide gets wasted. This was shocking at first, and then thinking about it, I realize how much we do waste every day. These wasted resources are simply taken for granted. Furthermore, it is important to note how the article uses statistics of endangered species such as amphibians and top tier food chain animals to mark the noted difference that humans have done in the relatively short time of modernization.
Daniel A. Stroud
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2009/03/energy-conservation/miller-text
ReplyDeleteThis featured article in the National Geographic magazine is about an experiment between two different types of families trying to lower their carbon emissions. The experiment was not as easy as the families though that it would. They struggled to find a comfortable way to be more conservative with their energy use. Hiring a energy consultant helped them move into a slow transition to find a way for them to not completely eliminate themselves from energy itself. Through the experiment these families learned how to calculate what their carbon emission was therefore helping the families learn what areas are their largest problems. From that these families found different ways to cut back on energy consumption that they recommend to all. These two families did not reach their end goal of carbon emissions by the end of the experiment but planned on continuing their reduction slowly, as they had been. Learning so much about all aspects of carbon emissions these families have become strong advocates in their communities for them to become more environmentally friendly. If you are looking for advice on how you can reduce your carbon emissions this is a great article to read to learn about how to accomplish that.
Shelby Thibodeaux
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/343325/title/Arctic_sea_ice_hits_record_low%2C_and_keeps_going
ReplyDeleteThis article written by Alexandra Witze for ScienceNews is about how the Arctic sea ice has melted to a record minimum. Each year the ice grows in the winter and melts partly away every summer but now since the years temperatures are rising, the amount melting is increasing. And not only is the ice shrinking in area but it is also thinning. But this year the Arctic was hit by a storm so it is too early to tell if that storm contributed to breaking ice apart and making it more susceptible to melting. However, it is known that the six lowest sea ice extents in satellite records have occurred in the past six years.
Kendra Clardy
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-19508906
ReplyDeleteA very new article published last Friday reports that scientists from the Norwegian Polar Institute (NPI) found that the extent of the summer melt in the Arctic from this past summer is the highest it has been since satellites have been able to monitor the ice more than thirty years ago. A wide array of techniques are used to learn about the Arctic ice, including buoys attached to the seabed that use sonar to send data, electro-magnetic devices flown over the ice to create transects, and satellites. Dr. Sebastian Gerland, an NPI scientist, states that more warming and ice melt can take place as there becomes less ice to reflect sunlight. The article includes graphs that illustrate the lower average extent of Arctic sea ice in 2012 from May to early September compared to the average extent of the sea ice during the same months from 1979-2000. This has many from the NPI worried about the complicated effects the increased rate of Arctic melt will have on weather systems.
Sarah Miller
http://www.savetherainforest.org/savetherainforest_006.htm
ReplyDeleteThis article focuses on the major contributions to rainforest destruction. There are eight different major contributors, each which impacts the forests differently, yet they are inextricably tied to some extent. The first is logging, something clearly understandable. The second is shifted cultivators, which refer to indigenous people forced to relocate, who then alter their new forest habitat to be more like what they are accustomed to. The third is cash crops, which are economically driven and are responsible for the removal of thousands of hectacres of forested lands. The fourth is large dams, something that not only causes mass deforestation, but also leads to shifted cultivators and an increase in water-borne illnesses. Fifth is fuel wood, which refers to the utilization of trees for warmth and cooking rather than large-scale industry, sixth is mining and the utilization of materials hidden within and under rainforests outside of the wood itself. Seventh comes colonization schemes and governments' influence in the rearrangement/relocation of people to obtain some sort of material or crop currently tied up by land used by natives. Finally comes tourism, something that affects amount of rainforest because of reasons associated with convenience and general lack of care for land not one's own. I, however, believe that tourists (if they were say all tourists from a class such as ours) are the key to exposing the beauty and importance of the rainforests in our biosphere.
Josh Misenhimer