AP Environmental Science

We all know that global warming is a huge issue. Most of us have at least blogged on it at least once. However, the dire effects of it are beginning to surface. Many of the small Pacific Islands such as Fiji and New Guinea are in danger of submerging due to the high tides. Sea levels are expected to rise 50cm by 2070 if things continue as they are now. A report recently came out that the island of Micronesia has seen an annual tide increase of 21.4 mm.

Australia, one of the highest greenhouse gas emitters of the Pacific has been asked to contribute money and reduce their emissions to save the inhabitants of the islands. The island of Tuvalu, with 10,000 inhabitants, is in urgent need of a solution as the rising waters could destruct their palm-fringed homes. If a resolution is not made, these 10,000 people will be forced to move elsewhere.

Image Credit:http://www.institute-shot.com/images/PACIFIC%20Islands%20and%20Kava.gif

A rise of 30-50cm would affect all countries in the Asia-Pacific regions; troubling the economy, destroying land (mainly the islands), and forcing people to become environmental refugees.

Many of the major countries that are high greenhouse gas emitters, such as the United States, but manily Australia, are being urged to really cut down. Unfortunately, they aren’t being as cooperative as they need to be. New Zealand however has proposed to accept 5,000 seasonal refugees to work in agriculture.

Unfortunately, now we see the real effects of global warming. We can no longer put it off to deal with as a problem for tomorrow.

Source for article: http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/science/10/25/environment.pacific.reut/index.html

In recent news, we’ve all heard of the recent outbreak of E-Coli in bagged spinach. Unfotunately, the recall was too late to save the lives of three people, and cure the 200 sick. Now, a popluar lettuce brand grown in California, where most of the spinach was recalled, is being recalled for E-Coli concerns. A water test was taken of the lettuce, and while scientists aren’t sure what the results could mean for our health, they are removing it from stores as a safety precaution. This recall is one of the many amongst the spinach, beef, and bottled carrot juice that are taking place across the United States.

E-Coli, or Pathogenic Escherichia coli bacteria can be found in raw milk, unpasteurized juice, uncooked produce, and contaminated milk and water. It can seriously affect humans, namely senior citizens, children, and people with a weak immune systems. In extreme circumstances, it can cause kidney failure or even death.

Image Location: http://zebu.uoregon.edu/~imamura/121/images/e_coli.gif
An Iowa meat company has also recalled 5,200 pounds of beef due to an E-Coli scare. Seems like no one is taking chances.

In Washington, New York senators are urging for a unified Food Safety Agency. In recent months to come, the produce industry will be taking extra precautionary measures to ensure the safety of consumers.

Source for article: http://www.cnn.com/2006/HEALTH/10/08/tainted.lettuce.ap/index.html

The cost of the Mediterranean Sea in Beirut, Lebanaon, is suffering from a massive oil spill from two months ago. The cause of this mess was due to an Israeli attack on a local power plant, which then leaked over 110,000 barrels of fuel oil into the Mediterranean Sea.  “It’s going to take a year before it’s back to normal,” said Commander Christian Nedelec, the leader of an eight-person aid group from France. Only 3,500 barrels have been cleaned up so far, mainly due to the fact that Israel did not remove their air and naval blockade until September 8th.

Image from:  http://www.wral.com/2006/0728/9594662.jpg

Volunteers have spent countless hours cleaning up the chemicals, in hopes that next year they will be able to use the beaches that they frequently enjoyed. “I usually spend all my time here. I’m here to clean it so I can come here with my friends and swim next summer,” said Tarek Moukaddem, an 18-year-old student. Unfortunately, Israel is not taking responsibility for the spill, and is not sending aid to help clean it up.

For many people, the oil spill is not a matter of disappointment, but a matter of having a stable income. Mohamed Itani, a Beirut fisherman who has not been out to sea in his boat since the spill, is struggling to support his 7-year-old twin sons and his wife, who is expecting a third child. Not only are the humans facing a matter of life and death, but think of all the plants and animals that live in and around the sea. The spill has also blackened some ancient ruins in the ancient city of Byblos.

Image from: http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2006/07/29/knBEACH_wideweb__470×305,0.jpg

Oil Spills Can:
* Harm/kill marine animals and sea birds.

* Destroy beaches

* Emit chemicals into the air

It’s sad that amidst a war, every part has to suffer; humans, plants, AND animals.

Source for article:  http://www.enn.com/today.html?id=11305

Image from: http://www.dr.dk/NR/rdonlyres/DE81F260-F419-4DFD-B16A-2F4461198821/228962/6200603231203045.jpg
We all know China to be the most populated country in the world. However, the massive amounts of fumes and chemicals released into the air and water, because of the numerous Chinese residents, are taking their toll. As the economy is continually developing, the environmental control simply cannot keep up. China has set a goal to reduce pollution by 10% in the next five years, but are experiencing numerous setbacks. For example, due to hazardous chemicals such as sulfur dioxide being emitted into the air, acid rain results and causes danger to food safety. Acid rain ruins land used for agriculture, and food for wildlife. There seems to be no respite in sight of the release of these harmful chemicals, seeing as the amount of sulfur dioxide released from coal-fired power stations has risen 4.2% from this point last year. A Parliament official commented that all in all, the amount of sulfur dioxide released has risen 25% from 2000 to 2005, making China the number one emitter of the chemical.

Image from: http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/08/30/china.pollution.reut/story.hk.pollution.cnn.jpg

As you can see, this problem is not helping anyone. Though cities such as Hong Kong are important for the world economy, urban dwellers need to focus on methods to save what little plant and animal life exists in city life. This pollution not only affects plants and animals, but humans also. Who wants to breathe air heavily saturated in chemicals? Inhaling hazardous air can sometimes be as bad for you as smoking. Ever hear of second-hand smoke? It’s amazing how some of the most advanced countries in the world are some of the worst places to live in terms of your health.

Image from: http://www.greenpeace.org/raw/image_full/china/ch/photosvideos/photos/smog-in-hong-kong
Methods to consider to reduce pollutants:

* Take public transportation

* Carpool when possible

* Use automobiles only when walking is not an option

* Avoid using aerosols such as hairspray or bug repellent

* Avoid using pesticides

Source for article: http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/08/30/china.pollution.reut/index.html

We all remember that guy with the “crazy Australian accent” who used to investigate crocodiles and many other wild animals. Unfortunately, the fearless Croc Hunter died early this morning due to a freak accident with a stingray.

Steve Irwin, besides having his own tv show, made a large effort to promote the conservation of the environment. The Australian Prime Minister, John Howard, described Irwin as a “passionate environmentalist,” who promoted a serious conservation message. Howard also said, “He made an extraordinary contribution to creating a widespread appreciation of the value and uniqueness of Australian wildlife.” Irwin also had been director of the Australian Zoo. He also began working with Philip Cousteau, the grandson of the famous Jacque Cousteau, on a tv show that unfortunately did not get aired due to inclement weather.

As a tribute to Irwin, the Discovery Channel plans on establishing a Steve Irwin Crocodile Hunter Fund, which will support wildlife protection, education, and conservation.

I think that the death of the Croc Hunter will be a big loss to the environment. He allowed his message of wildlife conservation to be integrated in pop culture. He was able to teach little kids from the start to be respectful of the environment while entertaining them at the same time. The Discovery Channel will just not be the same. Crikey. : (

RIP Croc Hunter

Source for article:  CNN.com

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/09/04/australia.irwin.remembered/index.html

It’s no question how devastating last year’s Hurricane Katrina was to the United States, but the question is whether or not we can expect a repeat. The hurricane season of 2005 topped the charts with 28 named storms and 15 hurricanes. Scientists are currently debating why we are seeing this increase of Atlantic storm activity. The NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmoshperic Administration) says that the Atlantic Basin, an area in the Atlantic Ocean, has been in an “active phase” for the past couple of years, which has caused the last 9 out of 11 hurricane seasons to be above normal.

Video taken from Google.com http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=550050310260683365&q=Hurricanes&hl=en

New measures are being taken by the NOAA and NASA such as establishing more technologically advanced satellites and hiring more hurricane specialsts to prepare for an increase in these deadly storms.

The NOAA believes this increase is due to the AMO (Atlantic Multidecadal Oscilation) which can cause an increase in surface temperature resulting with droughts in some areas, and an increase of storms in other areas. This natural cycle has varied about every twenty years.

On the other hand, Kerry Emanuel, a professor or atmospheric studies at MIT, believes that an increased amount of storms is due to individual factors, not one natural cycle. He uses the examples of greenhouse gases, volcanic eruptions, solar activity, and pollution to prove that these individual contributions have caused a dramatic change in temperature, thus increasing the amount of oceanic storms.

The real question is, if things continue how they are now, with our atmospheric temperature rising considerably every year, will there be more devastating storms to come? Perhaps if we could significantly reduce the amount of greenhouse gases emitted, we could see if in fact that Emanuel’s theory is true, or if the increase of hurricanes was at the fault, of the AMO, or as we know her by name: Mother Nature.

Source for article: CNN.com http://www.cnn.com/2006/WEATHER/06/06/hurricane.science/

Welcome to WordPress.com. This is your first post. Edit or delete it and start blogging!