. http://phys.org/news/2016-10-soap-molecule-environment.html A group of researchers discovered a new soap molecule made from renewable sources that could "dramatically reduce the number of chemicals in cleaning products and their impact on the environment." A soap molecule is made of natural materials like soybeans, coconut,and corn. According to the article, normally soaps and detergents are environmentally unfriendly because they are made from fossil fuels and have many other chemicals. This new soap molecule is environmentally friendly, on the other hand, as it is composed of natural products instead and has eliminated many of the other chemicals. I think that in order to actually help the environment a combination of fields must combine and support each other. This new soap molecule combines elements of biology, chemistry, and environmental science.However, I do not think that the soap molecules will make a difference until they are adopted on a large-scale. Focusing on larger causes of the environmental problems will be much more beneficial.
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The endangered Forbes’s blackbird, scientifically named the Anumara forbesi, stimulated the effort to restore the Brazilian Rain Forest. Anita Studer began the program to save the Pedra Talhada Forest as she wanted to study the endangered bird. A large cause of the endangerment of the bird was its habitat destruction. To prevent further decline in the blackbird population, she helped preserve the forest. Studer recruited donors and established the Geneva-based Nordesta Reforestation and Education Association. Her program helps tree-growing operations, the spread of environmental awareness,and education projects. The endangered bird study directly correlates with our current topic of study in class. Overall, the initiative taken by Anita Studer is significant to the environment because deforestation and the endangerment of certain species are both large areas of concern for all of us. Deforestation is habitat destruction which is a large cause of the endangerment of many other species as well. I believe that the forest restoration will be extremely beneficial in restoring the populations of the endangered birds. It is important to prevent further endangerment of species in order to maintain a balanced food web. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/10/161012095740.htm China has now been classified as the largest emitter of certain toxic flourinated chemicals in the world according to a new study. Researchers from Sweden, Norway and China measured the levels of 12 substances at Chinese rivers.Specifically, they focused on the fluorinated substances, PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate) and PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid). These substances have been proven to be harmful to animals and humans. Researchers explain China's high emission of toxic substances by revealing how "Chemical manufacturers in the US and Europe have phased out local production, and instead moved its manufacturing to China, since regulations are less strict there," Although China has been classified as a large emitter of certain toxic chemicals, this is a global scenario. Events in China eventually will effect us and the entire globe. The problem, in fact, is not limited to China as it effects the global pollution levels and the environment of the entire world. A possible solution to the problem is the establishment of increased regulations on the businesses by the government, specifically. Overall, the new classification of China is not a large shock, as most people are aware of the large-scale pollution in the country. However, the problem is not unique to China as many other countries contribute to the high pollution levels. http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/u-s-adds-seven-types-bees-endangered-species-list-first-n657926 Bees have now been added to the federal list of endangered species in the United States. Seven types of bees which were abundant in Hawaii have now been threatened through extinction. The bees are well-known for their "yellow and white facial markings", and they have been suffering through habitat loss, wildfires, and the invasion of plants and insects. Bees serve as important pollinators: they are important for the production of nuts, fruits, and vegetables. Bees are also important in the economy as they represent billions of dollars in value in the agricultural department. The bumble bee is the first type of bee to be proposed for protections. It is quite interesting that some types of bees are endangered species. We normally do not understand the importance of bees, but they are key for the ecosystem. I do not know the extent of their endangerment, so I can not judge if they qualify for the list. However, I would not have considered bumble bees to be endangered species. Overall, I do not consider the issue to be extremely significant or devastating but just interesting. https://www.consumeraffairs.com/news/carboncounter-app-lets-you-see-the-environmental-impact-of-your-car-092816.html
A group of researchers at MIT have created an app named CarbonCounter. The app factors in mileage, fuel type, and the greenhouse gases emitted during the car’s production to show "how different cars fall on the spectrum of greenhouse gas emissions." According to the article, many people are gaining awareness about the environmental impact of cars, so they want to make the most environment friendly purchase. Although electric cars may seem to be a better option, one's budget and location may rule out that option. The app displays a graph of the greenhouse emissions of a car in correlation with the cost. It also accounts for "region-specific factors that may influence a car's impact". Some study in association with the app has shown that cars with the lowest emissions were normally the most affordable. Personally,I find the app to be quite interesting. I think it will be useful for civilians as long as it displays accurate information. We should think about the environmental impact of the cars we purchase, and the app makes that thinking easier. Also, the creation of the app reveals the changing views about the environment in our society. People are becoming more conscious about the environment. Since the study shows that environment friendly cars are more affordable overall, more people should resort to purchasing these cars. Image from Google
Even though we are suffering through the dangers of global warming, many people are skeptical about the process and believe in some myths. One such myth is that plants and animals can adapt to the changing environment and temperatures. Skeptics believe that trees, birds, mammals, and butterflies are adapting well to the changes. This, however, is not true. The fast pace of global warming and climate change does not allow species to adapt in the typical manner. In fact, ancient mass extinctions have largely correlated with global climate change. This means that plants and animals are not and will not be able to adapt to changing global conditions. Another common myth regarding climate change and global warming is that there is no consensus among scientists. Again, this is a false statement. In fact, surveys and expert opinions constantly have shown about 98% consensus that global warming is being caused by humans. In scientific fields, consensus is achieved when most scientists agree on an idea and stop arguing over it, and this agreement has been achieved on the issue of global warming. Climate consensus studies reveal that 90 to 100 percent of scientists surveyed agree that global warming is a human caused event. Also, the consensus is higher with scientists who have greater climate expertise. http://www.dw.com/en/iron-ore-mining-resumes-in-indias-goa-amid-environmental-concerns/a-19554530 Iron ore mining has resumed in Goa, India after the government ban has been lifted. Goa is a state in India, and it is largely dominated by the mining business. The "mining mafia" that exists in the state of Goa has committed many environmental and legal violations. Mining had been banned after environmentalists protested in 2012; however, it has been reopened in the hope of increasing exports. The government has also proposed some restrictions on the mining to ensure resources are available for future generations. These restrictions may not be enough though.
Opening mining in Goa, India is definitely an environmental concern. Although some limitations have been imposed, there is no assurance that resources will be secured. I think that the government must take serious action on the issue rather than considering economic profit. The limitations should be increased rather than being decreased as is believed by the mining industry. http://edition.cnn.com/2016/09/08/europe/russia-red-river-siberia/index.html
The Daldykan River in Siberia has turned blood red because of pollution. Russia's Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment believes that the water may have reddened due to discharge from "an unidentified chemical" from the nearby Nadezhda Metallurgical Plant. The plant which is owned by the world's largest nickel producer, Norlisck Nickel, has denied such opinions, and has stated that the pollution was not caused by the company. According to residents of the area, this is not the first time the water has turned red. Luckily, the red river is not posing an immediate threat to the residents as it is not connected to the public water supply. The red river in Russia is an example of the extensive water pollution across the globe. We are not treating the environment correctly, and we will eventually have to suffer if we do not attempt to reduce damage and prevent further destruction. I believe it is quite likely that the factory is the cause of this incident because " Norlisck nickel has often been associated with pollution". Although the residents are not directly affected by the river's condition, the river must still be treated immediately as it is possibly affecting animals and plants. A strong initiative to prove the correct cause of this devastating occurrence must be taken. By determining the accurate cause, such incidents will hopefully be prevented in the future. http://www.newsweek.com/2016/09/09/old-clothes-fashion-waste-crisis-494824.html H & M, a popular fast fashion retail company, has launched their "Conscious Collection" line which reuses old clothes to create new pieces. It promises sustainable fashion which truly does not exist in the world. Only 0.1 percent of clothing collected by charities and companies is recycled into new textile fiber, and H&M does not differ. It uses a similar process, and barely any salvaged clothing is truly recycled. According to the EPA, "84% of unwanted clothes went into either a landfill or incinerator" in 2012. The natural fibers used in clothes produce the greenhouse gas, methane, when they are degrading. Also, burning the clothes can release toxins in the air. Synthetic fibers are similarly an environmental threat as they take hundreds or thousands of years to degrade since they are essentially a type of plastic. The Newsweek article reveals that Americans are "blithely trashing more clothes than ever. In less than 20 years, the volume of clothing Americans toss each year has doubled from 7 million to 14 million tons, or an astounding 80 pounds per person." I found the article to be quite interesting. Normally when we brainstorm environmental troubles, we do not consider fashion to be one. H&M has a great idea to help the environment, but I do not think the company will be able to fulfill the promise of sustainable fashion. After reading this article, I think that we should all rethink tossing large amounts of clothing. The statistics presented in the article are extremely shocking to me as 80 pounds of clothes are tossed per person. The statistic reveals the overuse and incorrect use of the resources available to us. http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/state-and-regional/environmental-groups-want-to-ban-commercial-hunting-of-snapping-and/article_ea33045a-634c-595f-aa73-4fd188159146.html Environmental groups want to ban commercial hunting of snapping and softshell turtles in Missouri. The hunting of these turtles is damaging habitats and decreasing the turtle population. Commercial hunting of these turtles is worsening water pollution and habit destruction according to a letter written to the Missouri Department of Conservation. Turtles are essential to the environment as they feed on dead animals, insects, and water plants, and by doing this they are balancing the food web. On the contrary, turtles are being labeled as "economically important." They are exported abroad for "food, medicinal purposes, and to serve as pets'.
I think that the commercial hunting of turtles should be banned. Hunting turtles reduces their population which will obviously affect the food web. For the environment to remain healthy, it is necessary to maintain a stable balanced food web structure. The diminishing population of turtles will affect other species by causing fluctuations in their populations. This may be severely damaging to the environment and the society. I believe that the Missouri government should investigate this issue and support the environmental groups which are working towards the eventual goal of a healthy environment. |
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May 2017
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