Category: Environment

Investigating Overpopulation: The Causes and Effects

Post author By Frankie Wallace
Post date January 9, 2020
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How Overpopulation Impacts City Living — By 2050, when there will be an estimated 9.7 billion people Earth, 68% of the total population will reside in urban areas. As increased urbanization is already wreaking havoc on infrastructure, traffic, water quality, and more, what will the quality of life look like for city dwellers in 2050? Image: Hendrik Will

A full 20 years into the 21st century, the threat of overpopulation continues to make headlines across the globe. A recent United Nations study determined that the global population, currently sitting at 7.7 billion, will increase to about 9.7 billion by 2050. That equals a 28% population increase, or approximately 82 million additional people every year. Those swelling numbers are predicted to further deplete natural resources and have detrimental effects on our already fragile natural environment.

The Danger of Dams

hydropower has hidden costs that leave it open to criticism and even present danger for both people and species living in around dammed areas. What is the danger of dams? As it turns out, it could be everything. Image: "Stormy night at the dam" by Jani Brumat on Unsplash

The idea behind controlling waterways through dams isn’t new. The oldest dam in the world, the Kallanai Dam, began operation on the Kaveri River in Tamil Nadu, India in the 2nd century, and it’s still in use today.

Global Warming Climate Environment

Carbon, Climate Change, and Public Health

Post author By Frankie Wallace
Post date November 19, 2019
No Comments on Carbon, Climate Change, and Public Health

Global warming — So, the Earth's average temperature has increased about 2 degrees Fahrenheit during the 20th century. What's the big deal? Two degrees may sound like a small amount, but it's an unusual event in our planet's recent history. Earth's climate record, preserved in tree rings, ice cores, and coral reefs, shows that the global average temperature is stable over long periods of time. Furthermore, small changes in temperature correspond to enormous changes in the environment. For example, at the end of the last ice age, when the Northeast United States was covered by more than 3,000 feet of ice, average temperatures were only 5 to 9 degrees cooler than today. Global climate change has already had observable effects on the environment. Glaciers have shrunk, ice on rivers and lakes is breaking up earlier, plant and animal ranges have shifted and trees are flowering sooner. Effects that scientists had predicted in the past would result from global climate change are now occurring: loss of sea ice, accelerated sea level rise and longer, more intense heat waves.

The era of climate change is upon us, and if we stand idle, its far-reaching negative impact will only increase. Increased emissions of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide play a significant role in the onset of climate change. Gases like these trap heat in the atmosphere, not allowing temperatures to fall. This results in global warming, and the subsequent climate change consequences. While this climate disaster has repercussions at many levels, its effect on public health is one of grave concern.

Environment Climate Life on Earth Planet Earth

Forget the Anthropocene: we’ve entered the synthetic age

Post author By Aeon Magazine
Post date November 2, 2019
No Comments on Forget the Anthropocene: we’ve entered the synthetic age

The Asian tiger mosquito has been genetically altered in lab experiments with CRISPR technology in an attempt to limit the spread of disease. CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) is a family of DNA sequences found within the genomes of prokaryotic organisms such as bacteria and archaea.[2] These sequences are derived from DNA fragments of bacteriophages that have previously infected the prokaryote and are used to detect and destroy DNA from similar phages during subsequent infections. Hence these sequences play a key role in the antiviral (i.e. anti-phage) defense system of prokaryotes.

One fact about our time is becoming increasingly well-known. No matter how far you travel, no matter in which direction you point, there is nowhere on Earth that remains free from the traces of human activity. The chemical and biological signatures of our species are everywhere. Transported around the globe by fierce atmospheric winds, relentless ocean currents, and the capacious cargo-holds of millions of fossil-fuel-powered vehicles, nowhere on Earth is free from humanity’s imprint. Pristine nature has permanently blinked out of existence.

Environment Places Travel

The Impact of Overtourism on our Environment

Post author By Our Planet
Post date September 26, 2019
No Comments on The Impact of Overtourism on our Environment

Tourists at the Grand Canyon — The impact of overtourism may bring detrimental results to some of the most iconic destinations the United States has to offer. Overtourism is essentially the concept of recognizing the environmental and cultural effects that derive from an excess of tourists overcrowding a location or destination. Image: nps.gov

When you think of the Grand Canyon or the Great Smoky Mountains, beautiful scenery immediately comes to mind. You might begin to imagine the incredible views, towering cliffs, lush landscapes, and color schemes that far exceed anything you’ve ever seen in a painting.

Environment Climate Global Warming

How Individual Environmental Action Can Impact Systemic Change

Post author By Frankie Wallace
Post date September 17, 2019
No Comments on How Individual Environmental Action Can Impact Systemic Change

Individual action is essential to safeguard the environment — While it is true that we need systemic changes in order to halt and reverse some of the damage already done by climate change, resorting to despair is probably the most ineffective solution to combating climate change. Systemic change can only happen when individuals step up and demand it, and so, individual action is essential to safeguard the environment. Image: Colorful Stack by La-Rel Easter

Today, climate change is a very real and looming threat. However, when the subject of climate change and possible solutions is discussed, the phrase “we need bigger changes” is often bandied about. Individuals tend to shift the responsibility of fixing human-caused damage to the environment to larger systems – but with little concrete action being taken by larger entities, potential solutions to mitigate climate change remain largely unaddressed and unimplemented.

Energy Climate Environment Global Warming

Could Renewable Energy Save Our Planet?

Post author By Frankie Wallace
Post date August 29, 2019
No Comments on Could Renewable Energy Save Our Planet?

Climate change and the future of our planet are increasingly concerning topics, but tackling the issue of preserving the environment can seem overwhelming to any one person. However, we all have the capability to help prevent the effects of climate change through the types of energy that we choose to use.

Traditional energy sources like oil, natural gas, and coal contribute to pollution, but renewable energy offers a practical alternative that could reduce the impact we have on the environment every day.

Environment Climate Global Warming Travel

Is Traveling Abroad Bad for the Environment?

Post author By Frankie Wallace
Post date August 29, 2019
No Comments on Is Traveling Abroad Bad for the Environment?

Sailing in Aegean Sea — Despite the negative environmental consequences of international travel, there are several ways to mitigate some of the damage. Travelers can be more mindful of their waste consumption, for starters. You can switch to compostable or reusable food and drink containers that won’t end up in a landfill. Savvy travelers who are concerned about their environmental impact can also utilize sustainable transportation options as often as possible, to reduce air pollution from carbon emissions. Image: Sailing in the Aegean Sea by Markos Mant

The benefits of travel are well-documented; researchers have determined that traveling abroad positively impacts our health and well-being. Travel is a stress reliever, enhances your creativity, and boosts happiness. Further, traveling abroad gives you the opportunity to experience different cultures and exposes you to other languages.

Environment Climate Global Warming Life on Earth Plants

If we lose the Amazon rainforest, the consequences would be disastrous

Post author By M. Özgür Nevres
Post date August 28, 2019
No Comments on If we lose the Amazon rainforest, the consequences would be disastrous

Amazon rainforest fire - drone footage — Aerial footage shows the desolation left in the wake of fires that have swept the Amazon rainforest over the last month. Six states in Brazil's Amazon region requested military help to combat record fires that are tearing through the rainforest. Environmentalists have said farmers clearing land for pasture were responsible for the uptick in fires. The Amazon is the world's largest tropical rainforest and its protection is seen as vital to the fight against climate change because of the vast amounts of carbon dioxide it absorbs.

There are big wildfires in the Amazon, the world’s largest tropical rainforest. Rainforests are the oldest living ecosystems and without a shadow of a doubt, the most vital habitats on Earth (the Amazon rainforest has been in existence for at least 55 million years). The Amazon represents over half of the planet’s remaining rainforests, and comprises the largest and most biodiverse tract of tropical rainforest in the world, with an estimated 390 billion individual trees divided into 16,000 species.

Environment Climate Global Warming People

Are Weddings Causing Environmental Damage?

Post author By Frankie Wallace
Post date August 14, 2019
No Comments on Are Weddings Causing Environmental Damage?

Wedding and Environmental Damage — Most people are so wrapped up in the splendor of the event itself that they don't often think about how their choices might be impacting the health of the planet. some wedding traditions can be harmful to animals, can contribute to deforestation, and can even increase greenhouse gases. Environmental hazards can cause problems for everyone - especially the next generation!

Weddings are meant to be beautiful and memorable. Whether you have a barn wedding or an elaborate event at a country club, or you keep it simple in a church, it should be a reflection of who you are as a couple.

Unfortunately, certain wedding styles, decorations, and even some long-standing traditions may be doing more harm than good when it comes to the environment. Most people are so wrapped up in the splendor of the event itself that they don’t often think about how their choices might be impacting the health of the planet.