Ap Environmental science
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Medford resident biking for climate change
http://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk/medford-resident-biking-for-climate-change-1.2812960 29 year old, Ashley Hunt-Martorano from Medford (Long Island) is bicycling 300 miles for the "Brita Climate Ride", in May. She will bicycle from New York City to Washington, D.C. THe purpose of this is to raise awareness of climate change. Being the director for Renewable Energy Long Island, she feels it is her job to set an example. She seems very commited due to the fact she states she hasnt seriously been on abike in about 10 years. Another big obstacle is having to raise $2,400. You can donate money at www.tiny.cc/ashleycares.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
"Tweaking The Climate To Save It"
http://www.newsday.com/business/technology/tweaking-the-climate-to-save-it-1.2799373 At Chicheley Hall in England many philosophers, scientists and people of many intellectual backgrounds came together to discuss climate change. The idea of "Geoengineering", the idea of tweaking the Earth's climate by dimming the skies made many of the people feel uneasy. Senior Kenyan earth scientist Richard Odingo stated, "If we could experiment with the atmosphere and literally play God, it's very tempting to a scientist." What is holding all of this back is the possible unknown consequences. India's growing monsoon and Greenland melting completely are problems that the earth and the people currently face and it can be said it may be worth the risk. I feel it might, with all the problems going on I feel something must be worth trying. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC) predicts temperatures rising as much as 6.4 degrees Celsius (11.5 degrees Fahrenheit) by 2100. Part of the British government and U.S Congress have looked at having ready a "Plan B" notion in case something relevant to climate change or a destruption to earth happens.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Air Pollution: Why is there no punishment?
http://www.newsweek.com/2010/04/15/no-punishment-for-polluting-in-places-like-indiana.html According to the article, 60 Indiana state companies have not been following air pollution regulations since 2007, but the point is that they have paid no consequences. The article proposes that through research that sir polution regulations throughout the whole nation are too relaxed. Over 750 companies have been found violating regulations and 230 are considered hazardous and important areas/companies. there has been no fine or punishment or charge. Many put a blame on the EPA for not enforcing their regulations, similar to that with water pollution.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Sewage Pollution Found Off Of Long Beach
http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/pollution-from-sewage-found-off-long-beach-1.2677921
Water tested in Hemstead bay shows high amounts of Nitrogen. This excess Nitrogen is going to increase the growth of algae and seaweed. Studies from Stony Brook University prove this. This nitrogen rish water is blocked in areas along Long Beach before traveling back in and through the bay, and sound. This contaminates coastal areas of Long Beach and due to science, research and past knowledge as learned in class Eutrophication may occur. Citizens are not happy with this news and demand more water testing from waste water plants, as well as, more monitoring. Marshes and marine life across Long Island are also expected to be influenced as well. Research in the area has been some what extensive. Rocks and sediments have been tested for fabric softener and chemicals indicating contamination.
Water tested in Hemstead bay shows high amounts of Nitrogen. This excess Nitrogen is going to increase the growth of algae and seaweed. Studies from Stony Brook University prove this. This nitrogen rish water is blocked in areas along Long Beach before traveling back in and through the bay, and sound. This contaminates coastal areas of Long Beach and due to science, research and past knowledge as learned in class Eutrophication may occur. Citizens are not happy with this news and demand more water testing from waste water plants, as well as, more monitoring. Marshes and marine life across Long Island are also expected to be influenced as well. Research in the area has been some what extensive. Rocks and sediments have been tested for fabric softener and chemicals indicating contamination.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Tsunamis: when will we learn
http://www.newsweek.com/2011/03/13/when-will-we-learn.html
"The world has suffered 3 tsunamis in 13 months" The article coninuously states that a major problem is that we keep on focusin on past tsunamis and not on finding a way to prevent tsunamis if possible. The U.S has great technology to identify things. however many islands and other countries do not, influlencing disaster. Tsunami floods can move at speeds exceeding 15mph. People who don’t evacuate on time may be fighting for their lives while perched on trees or moving logs. This is starting to became a fear to people and hopefully this will spark the need for better technology and better precaution.
"The world has suffered 3 tsunamis in 13 months" The article coninuously states that a major problem is that we keep on focusin on past tsunamis and not on finding a way to prevent tsunamis if possible. The U.S has great technology to identify things. however many islands and other countries do not, influlencing disaster. Tsunami floods can move at speeds exceeding 15mph. People who don’t evacuate on time may be fighting for their lives while perched on trees or moving logs. This is starting to became a fear to people and hopefully this will spark the need for better technology and better precaution.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Mr. President, Reinstall Those Solar Panels
http://www.newsweek.com/blogs/the-gaggle/2010/09/09/bringing-solar-energy-to-the-white-house.html
This article was published september 9th 2010, the article states that September 10th a meeting would be held to discuss the planning of installing solar panels.
Carter was one president to speak out about energy consumption he stated once that the we can not continue taking in 40 percent more energy than what we actully take in. This article tells of an activist speaking out to the president to get the white house involved in using soalr energy. Bill McKibben the founder of 350.org wants to put solar panels back up in white house. I think this would be great because it would set the example for all of Americans. The article reveals the reasoning behind it is symbolic and is meant to influence the U.S, as well as continue what was thought of in 1979. One problem is that the west wing is worried about losing the white house and there for losing the plans to complete the solar panels, thus the planning and time put into everything would be useless. However many feel, this is just throwing a bone to the environmental community.
This article was published september 9th 2010, the article states that September 10th a meeting would be held to discuss the planning of installing solar panels.
Carter was one president to speak out about energy consumption he stated once that the we can not continue taking in 40 percent more energy than what we actully take in. This article tells of an activist speaking out to the president to get the white house involved in using soalr energy. Bill McKibben the founder of 350.org wants to put solar panels back up in white house. I think this would be great because it would set the example for all of Americans. The article reveals the reasoning behind it is symbolic and is meant to influence the U.S, as well as continue what was thought of in 1979. One problem is that the west wing is worried about losing the white house and there for losing the plans to complete the solar panels, thus the planning and time put into everything would be useless. However many feel, this is just throwing a bone to the environmental community.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Coal's Comeback ( Wales, England)
http://www.newsweek.com/2008/05/17/king-coal-s-comeback.html
This article discusses the history of coal mining and use. Specifically the Welsh Coal Mining Industry in South Wales was dead by the late 90's. Now, today British entrepreneurs are reopening old mines. This is to supply power plants and steel works, so there is less reliability on foreighn countries. Two mines are running creating jobs. The article states that the openiing of these old mining areas are a example of the worlds high demand for energy. 25% of the worlds energy is based off of coal. Over time Coal has been relativily cheap and reasonable, and of course as resources decline the price only increases, even though demand is still high. Coal use in Brittain is supposed to rise from 16 tonnes to 20 tonnes in ten years. However, the company feels it may be just a "temporary boom".
This article discusses the history of coal mining and use. Specifically the Welsh Coal Mining Industry in South Wales was dead by the late 90's. Now, today British entrepreneurs are reopening old mines. This is to supply power plants and steel works, so there is less reliability on foreighn countries. Two mines are running creating jobs. The article states that the openiing of these old mining areas are a example of the worlds high demand for energy. 25% of the worlds energy is based off of coal. Over time Coal has been relativily cheap and reasonable, and of course as resources decline the price only increases, even though demand is still high. Coal use in Brittain is supposed to rise from 16 tonnes to 20 tonnes in ten years. However, the company feels it may be just a "temporary boom".
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)