Green Waters

China agrees to cut down carbon dioxide emissions for the first time

2013-06-18T19:08:00.000-07:00

China, the world’s biggest producer of carbon dioxide, proposed for the first time to cut down its greenhouse gas emissions-by about 40% by 2020. In an offer to curb what the majority of scientists agree is the main cause of climate change, China proposed to put a ceiling on greenhouse gas emission from 2016. China’s proposal on putting a cap on greenhouse gas emission from 2016 is a dramatic change, however, their approach will eventually make countries around the world more likely to agree to control and cut their own carbon emissions in a co-ordinate effort to tackle global warming.

Chair of the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change at the London School of Economics, Lord Stern, said“such an important move should encourage all countries, and particularly the other large emitters such as the United States, to take stronger action on climate change. And it improves the prospects for a strong international treaty being agreed at the United Nations climate change summit in 2015.” The United States is currently the world’s second largest emitter of carbon dioxide, accounting for 17.6 % of worldwide, while the United Kingdom makes up to 1.6%. According to the Greenpeace’s chief scientist, Doug Parr, China’s proposal should unblock the standoff between the U.S. and China in the global climate change negotiations; however, without an agreement between both parties, is hard to imagine any agreement made by 2015.

On the other hand, Climate and Energy Change Secretary, Ed Davey, has a more optimistic approach towards the situation, and told The Independent Newsin UK “At the end of last year the Chinese leadership changed and started talking about creating an 'ecological civilization'. This doesn't mean they have signed up to every bit of the climate change talks, but it means they recognize that their economic model has to take account of pollution and the environment and that damage that it's doing to people's health.” Davey then added, “Obama in his second term clearly wants to act on this and there has been a fantastic and dramatic change in America's position. Taken together with China's change, the tectonic plates of global climate change negotiations are really shifting.”

The proposal to introduce the cap has been made by China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), which is the agency responsible for planning the country's social and economic development. The agency expects China's greenhouse emissions to peak in 2025. Nearly 200 countries around the world have pledged to agree legally binding targets to reduce their emissions at the next significant climate change summit in Paris in 2015. China’s proposal is encouraging news that can lead for others countries to follow; however, the impact of such proposal depends solidly on the level of CO2 emitted.

Written by: Flor Medina.

References:

Bawden, T. 2013, May 21. China agrees to impose carbon targets by 2016. The Independent. Retrieved from http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/china-agrees-to-impose-carbon-targets-by-2016-8626101.html

Por primera vez China está de acuerdo en reducir sus emisiones de dióxido de carbono
Mayo 24 del 2013 a las 3:00pm

China, el mayor productor mundial de dióxido de carbono, propuso por primera vez reducir sus emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero a un 40% para el 2020. En una oferta para frenar lo que la mayoría de los científicos están de acuerdo es la principal causa del cambio climático, China propuso poner un tope a las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero a partir del 2016. La propuesta de China en poner un límite a las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero es un cambio dramático, sin embargo, su propuesta hace que con el tiempo otros países del mundo estén de acuerdo en controlar y reducir sus propias emisiones de carbono en un esfuerzo coordinado para combatir el calentamiento global.

Por otra parte, el Secretario de Cambio Climático y de Energía, Ed Davey, tiene un enfoque más optimista ante la situación. En una entrevista al diario The Independentdel Reino Unido Davey dijo "A finales del año pasado, el gobierno chino cambió y empezó a hablar de la creación de una ‘civilización ecológica’. Esto no quiere decir que se han inscrito a las conversaciones sobre el cambio climático, sino que significa que reconocen que van a tener en cuenta la contaminación y el medio ambiente y el daño que está haciendo a la salud de las personas. Davey añadió, “Obama en su segundo mandato claramente quiere actuar al respecto y se ha producido un cambio fantástico y espectacular en la posición de Estados Unidos. En conjunto con el cambio de China, las placas tectónicas de las negociaciones mundiales sobre el cambio climático están realmente cambiando”.
La propuesta de introducir cortes de emisión ha sido hecha por la Reforma Nacional de Desarrollo de China (CNDR), que es el organismo responsable de la planificación del desarrollo social y económico del país. La agencia espera que las emisiones de efecto invernadero de China alcancen su nivel máximo en 2025. Cerca de 200 países de todo el mundo se han comprometido a acordar objetivos legalmente vinculantes para reducir sus emisiones en la próxima cumbre sobre cambio climático significativo en París 2015. La propuesta de China es una noticia alentadora que puede llevar a otros países a seguir el ejemplo; sin embargo, el impacto de esta propuesta depende sólidamente en el nivel de CO2 emitido.

Escrito por: Flor Medina.

Referencias:

Bawden, T. 2013, May 21. China agrees to impose carbon targets by 2016. The Independent. Retrieved from http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/china-agrees-to-impose-carbon-targets-by-2016-8626101.html

First Solar Powered Airplane to Flight Cross-Country

2013-05-24T11:45:00.001-07:00

After twenty hours of flying after sundown, the world’s most advance sun-powered plane landed in Phoenix, Arizona, early Saturday morning on the first leg of cross-country trip. Pilot of Solar Impulse airplane, Bertrand Piccard, first cruised alongside the California coast after taking off from Moffett Field in Mountain View near San Francisco. Piccard then flew over Edwards Air Force Base and touched down early Saturday morning at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport using only three-quarters of the plane’s battery power.

The plane’s creators, Piccard and fellow pilot Andre Borschberg, previously impressed audiences in Europe. The creators said the trip is the first try by a solar airplane capable of flying without fuel across America day and night.

Solar Impulse is a single-seat that flies around 40mph and weights about as much as a car, thus making it vulnerable to bad weather. The plane is powered by about 12,000 photovoltaic cells that cover massive wings and charge the batteries. The plane needs to climb up to about 27,000 feet during the day in order to charge the batteries by solar power. Its average speed for the first leg of the trip was about 60 knots with a tail wind, and can’t go through clouds.

Its creators, Piccard and Borschberg, are aware that solar planes will probably never replace fuel-powered commercial flights, but their main goal is to show the potential of solar power. Although, aviation advances has been made over the last century, Piccard says Solar Impulse is very similar to airplanes from the early pioneers. "One hundred years ago, the planes had to fly in good weather and there was only one person on board," Piccard said. "Now we have completely new technology, we fly with no fuel at all. But, of course, we need to fly in good weather and we carry only one pilot on board.”

From Phoenix, Arizona, the Solar Impulse will travel to Dallas-Fort Worth airport in Texas, Lambert-St. Louis airport, Dulles airport in Washington D.C. and then to New York’s John F. Kennedy airport. The aircraft will stop for 10-days in each city and will take each flight leg about 19 to 25 hours. Pilot Borschberg hopes to pilot the last leg and fly past the Statue of Liberty.

After landing this past Saturday morning, Piccard said that he is optimistic that the journey will provide an exponential boost for interest in renewable energy and clean technologies. "If an airplane can fly day or night with no fuel, just on the sun's power, of course it means that everybody in daily life can use this technology for his house, for heating and cooling systems, for lighting, for cars, for trucks. There's so much we can do now to have a cleaner future," Piccard said. The beginning of the new invention is not just another aviation milestone, but the future of renewable energy in all aspects.

Written by: Flor Medina.

References:

Anonymous. 2013, May 04. Solar plane lands in Ariz., 1st leg of major trip. News. Retrieved from http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/05/04/solar-plane-sun-trip-renewable-energy/2135625/

Anonymous. 2013, May 06. Solar plane lands in Ariz., 1st leg of major trip. News. Retrieved from http://www.9news.com/news/sidetracks/334599/337/Solar-plane-lands-in-Ariz-1st-leg-of-major-trip

Primer Avión Solar en Volar por los Estados Unidos Mayo 08, 2013 a las 9:00 am

Después de veinte horas de vuelo después de la puesta del sol, el avión solar más avanzado del mundo aterrizó en Phoenix, Arizona, la madrugada del sábado en la primera partida de viaje por el país. El piloto del avión Solar Impulse, Bertrand Piccard, primero navegó junto a la costa de California después de despegar de Moffett Field en Mountain View, cerca de San Francisco. Luego Piccard voló sobre la base de la Fuerza Aérea de Edwards, y tocó tierra el sábado por la mañana en el aeropuerto Sky Harbor de Phoenix utilizando sólo tres cuartas partes de la energía de la batería del avión.

Los creadores del avión, Piccard y su colega piloto Andre Borschberg, impresionaron previamente audiencias en Europa. Los creadores dijeron que este viaje fue el primer intento de un avión solar capaz de volar sin combustible a través de América durante el día y la noche.Solar Impulse es un avión de un solo asiento que vuela alrededor de 40 mph y pesa aproximadamente tanto como un automóvil, por lo que es vulnerable al mal tiempo. El avión está propulsado por 12.000 células fotovoltaicas que cubren las alas enormes y cargan las baterías. El avión tiene que subir a 27.000 pies de altura durante el día para cargar las baterías con energía solar. Su velocidad en la primera etapa del viaje era de unos 60 nudos con viento, y no puede ir a través de las nubes.

Sus creadores, Piccard y Borschberg, son conscientes de que los aviones solares probablemente nunca sustituirán a los vuelos comerciales impulsados por combustibles, pero su objetivo principal es mostrar el potencial de la energía solar. A pesar de los avances de aviación que se han hecho durante el último siglo, Piccard dice que Solar Impulse es muy similar a los aviones de los primeros pioneros. "Hace cien años, los aviones tenían que volar con buen tiempo y sólo había una persona a bordo", dijo Piccard. "Ahora tenemos tecnología completamente nueva, que vuela sin combustible en absoluto. Pero, por supuesto, tenemos que volar con buen tiempo y nos dedicamos sólo a un piloto a bordo."

Desde de Phoenix, Arizona, el Solar Impulse se trasladará al aeropuerto de Dallas-Fort Worth en Texas, luego al Aeropuerto de Lambert en Saint. Louis, el aeropuerto Dulles en Washington DC y luego al aeropuerto de Nueva York John F. Kennedy. El avión se detendrá durante 10 días en cada ciudad y le llevará cada tramo de vuelo de 19 a 25 horas. El piloto Borschberg espera poner a prueba la última etapa y volar sobre la Estatua de la Libertad.

Después de aterrizar, el pasado sábado por la mañana, Piccard dijo que está optimista de que el viaje va a proporcionar un impulso exponencial de interés en la energía renovable y tecnologías limpias. "Si un avión puede volar día y noche sin combustible, sólo en la energía del sol, por supuesto, significa que todo el mundo en la vida diaria puede utilizar esta tecnología para su casa, para calefacción y refrigeración, para la iluminación, para los coches, los camiones, etc. Hay tantas cosas que podemos hacer para tener un futuro más limpio ", dijo Piccard. El comienzo de esta nueva invención no es solamente otro hito de la aviación, pero el futuro de las energías renovables en todos los aspectos.

Escrito por: Flor Medina.

Referencias:

Anonymous. 2013, May 04. Solar plane lands in Ariz., 1st leg of major trip. News. Retrieved from http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/05/04/solar-plane-sun-trip-renewable-energy/2135625/

Anonymous. 2013, May 06. Solar plane lands in Ariz., 1st leg of major trip. News. Retrieved from http://www.9news.com/news/sidetracks/334599/337/Solar-plane-lands-in-Ariz-1st-leg-of-major-trip

Sea Lions Have Seizures Caused by Harmful Toxics

2013-05-05T10:27:00.002-07:00

Sea lions are wonderful intelligent creatures, and are known to be very social and playful, however, just as humans and other type of animals; sea lions can also have seizures. According to scientists from NOAA’s Oceans and Human Health, pesticide DDT and domoic acid are the cause of seizures on sea lions, among other chemicals.

Domoic acid is a neurotoxin produced naturally by sea algae, or plankton called Pseudo-nitzichia. The release of this toxic doesn’t commonly happen; in fact, domoic acid concentrations tend to rise at times due to natural climatic factors. This is what called the attention of wildlife biologists, when they noted that over time 20% of sea lions were stranding when there was not presence of domoic acid bloom.

The first time domoic acid toxicity was recorded in sea lions was about a decade ago, in which exposure to the toxic caused acute neurological disease and led to a mass stranding of the animals from Monterey Bay to San Diego, California. Other chemicals have been also reported to assault sea lions in the past. Toxic industrial chemicals PCB and DDT were detected in the 1960s as well as infectious disease in the 1970s. Although domoic acid toxic is the main chemical to be point out as the cause of seizures, is has been proved that DDT, a pesticide that was banned in the 1970s but still persists at high but declining levels off the southern California coast, increases the probability and intensity of seizures. The poison chemicals enter the food chain when sardines, anchovies, and herring eat the toxin producing diatomic algae. Thus, if a pregnant sea lion consumes these preys, the chemicals will then be transfer in to the amniotic fluid, and because sea lions stay in the womb for 11 months, the unborn fetus will have a longer exposure to the toxins.

Sea lions that were exposed during domoic acid bloom showed damage to the brain that was limited to the hippocampus region, whereas the animals that had a chronic exposure and were stranding outside the blooms showed recurrent, spontaneous seizures that happen well after the poisoning event. Because domoic acid binds tightly to excitatory neurons, it causes sick sea lions to be extremely sensitive and to be much more aggressive. Some of their unusual behavior let sea lions to be found 100 miles upland in artichokes fields, in awkward places such as car dealership, highways, or in top of police cars.

Professor Raphael Kudela, of the University of Santa Cruz, California; believes the algae tends to produce toxin that is benign, but somehow is been trigger by what the professor thinks is a form of nitrogen called urea that is making the algae produce the harmful toxin. According to the professor, the Pseudo-nitzchia multiseries will double its toxicity when urea is given. Although the algae will grow at the same rate when other types of nitrogen were given such as nitrate or ammonium, the urea is the only chemical that would made the algae increase its domoic acid production. Once urea was identify as the cause of production of domoic acid during not blooming season, the point was to identify the source were urea was coming from. When the Santa Cruz Municipal Warf and the San Francisco Bay were measured they found high concentrations of the nitrogen; pointing out to human practices such as runoff from animal feedlots, untreated sewage, garden fertilizers, and leaky septic systems. These findings give a clear understanding on how not just a single chemical, but a complex mix of chemicals can have lasting impacts of marine life.

Unfortunately, there’s no cure for the sea lions seizures, once they obtained, especially during birth they will have it for the rest of their lives, developing into temporal lobe epilepsy. Scientists are learning more and more about the effects of each individual pollutant, whether is domoic acid, PCB, DDT, or nitrogen; and understanding how multiple stressors can interact to cause harm. Because domoic acid occurs naturally, scientists were not looking on ways to prevent it, but now that human-made chemicals are linked to the increase of toxicity, they are looking into making more studies.

It is naïve and almost impossible for us to know of how each of our human practices can or can’t have damaging effects into our ecosystem until studies are made that linked to the problem; however, once a correlation has been proved we should try to create ways so that our practices won’t have affecting effects on other animals, because at the end is the same ocean that we use to obtain food resources. Maybe the future suggestions for humans will be to not consume any food source from the sea, but what about the animals that depend on it. Do we forget about them and leave them to their faith? Or do we find sustainable solutions to our human practices?

Written by: Flor Medina.

References:

Anonymous. (2009, Jan 23). Sea Lions Seizures. PRI’s Environmental News Magazine. Retrieved from http://www.loe.org/shows/segments.html?programID=09-P13-00004&segmentID=6

Minard, A. (2008, June 17). Sea Lion Seizures May Result From Toxic Algae. National Geographic News. Retrieved from http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/06/080617-sea-lions.html

Leones MarinosTienen Convulsiones causadas por Sustancias Tóxicas Nocivas

Los leones marinos son criaturas maravillosas e inteligentes, y son conocidos por ser muy sociables y juguetones, sin embargo, al igual que los seres humanos y otros tipos de animales, los leones marinos también pueden tener convulsiones. De acuerdo con los científicos de los océanos de la NOAA y la salud humana; el pesticida DDT y el ácido domoico son la causa de las convulsiones en los leones marinos, entre otros productos químicos.

Ácido domoico es una neurotoxina producida de forma natural por las algas del mar, o plancton llamado Pseudo-nitzichia. La emisión de este tóxico no sucede comúnmente, de hecho, las concentraciones de ácido domoico tienden a aumentar a veces debido a factores climáticos naturales. Esto es lo que llamo la atención de los biólogos, cuando se observó que más del 20% de los lobos marinos fueron varados en playas cuando no había presencia de floración de ácido domoico.

La primera vez que la toxicidad del ácido domoico se registró en lobos marinos fue hace más de una década, en la que la exposición a la enfermedad neurológica aguda causada por los tóxicos dio lugar a un varamiento masivo de los animales de la Bahía de Monterey a San Diego, California. Otros productos químicos también han sido notificados en lobos marinos aen el pasado. Químicos tóxicos industriales PCB y el DDT fueron detectados en la década de 1960, así como las enfermedades infecciosas en la década de 1970. Aunque el tóxico ácido domoico es el principal producto químico que señalan como causa de las convulsiones, se ha demostrado que el DDT, un pesticida que fue prohibido en la década de 1970, pero aún persiste en altos, pero disminuyentes niveles de la costa sur de California, aumenta la probabilidad y la intensidad de las convulsiones. Los productos químicos venenosos entran a la cadena alimenticia cuando las sardinas, anchoas, y arenques comen la toxina producida por algas diatómicas. Por lo tanto, si un león de mar está embarazada y consume estas presas, los productos químicos serán entonces transferidos en el líquido amniótico, y porque los leones marinos permanecen en el útero durante 11 meses, el feto tendrá una exposición más larga a las toxinas.

En estudios los lobos marinos que fueron expuestos durante la floración de ácido domoico mostraron daños en el cerebro que se limitan a la región del hipocampo, mientras que los animales que tuvieron una exposición crónica y fueron varados en playas fuera de la temporada de florecimiento de acido domoico, mostraron convulsiones recurrentes y espontáneas que se produjeron mucho después del evento de la intoxicación. Como el ácido domoico se une fuertemente a las neuronas excitadoras, hace que los leones marinos enfermos se vuelvan extremadamente sensibles y mucho más agresivos. Algunos de sus comportamientos inusuales hicieron que leones marinos fueran encontrados en campos de alcachofas, 100 millas fuera de la playa, y en lugares de difícil acceso, como concesionarios de automóviles, carreteras, o en la parte superior de los autos de policía.

Profesor Raphael Kudela, de la Universidad de Santa Cruz, California, cree que las algas tienden a producir toxinas que son benignas, pero que de alguna manera hay algo que está fomentando la producción de toxinas malignas, por lo que el profesor piensa que es una forma de nitrógeno llamado urea que está haciendo que las algas produzcan esta clase de toxina. De acuerdo con el profesor, los multiseries Pseudo-Nitzchia duplican su toxicidad cuando se da urea. Aunque las algas crecen a la misma velocidad cuando otros tipos de nitrógeno han sido expuestos tal como el nitrato o el amonio, la urea es el único producto químico que hace que las algas aumenten la producción de ácido domoico. Una vez que la urea fue identificada como la causa de la producción de ácido domoico en épocas que no debieron ser producidas, exámenes fueron realizados para identificar de donde venia la urea.

Cuando la Municipal Wharf de Santa Cruz y la Bahía de San Francisco fueron examinadas, se encontraron altas concentraciones de nitrógeno, señalando que fueron causadas por prácticas humanas como la escorrentía de animales de corral, aguas residuales sin tratar, fertilizantes de jardín y sistemas sépticos con fugas. Estos resultados dan una idea clara de cómo no sólo un producto químico, sino una compleja mezcla de sustancias químicas pueden crear efectos dañinos a la vida marina.
Desafortunadamente, no hay cura para estas convulsiones en los lobos marinos, una vez obtenido, sobre todo durante el tiempo de gestación, lo tendrán por el resto de su vida, convirtiéndose en epilepsia del lóbulo temporal. Los científicos están aprendiendo más y más acerca de los efectos de cada contaminante individualmente, sea el ácido domoico, PCB, DDT, o nitrógeno, y la comprensión de cómo múltiples factores estresantes pueden interactuar para causar daño. Como el ácido domoico se produce naturalmente, los científicos no estaban buscando formas de prevención, pero ahora que las sustancias químicas hechas por el hombre están relacionadas con el aumento de la toxicidad, se planeando hacer más estudios.

Es ingenuo y casi imposible para nosotros saber cómo cada una de nuestras prácticas humanas pueden o no tener efectos perjudiciales en el ecosistema hasta que estudios que vinculen al problema sean realizados; sin embargo, una vez que la correlación haya sido demostrada debemos tratar de crear formas para que nuestras prácticas no generen efectos sobre los demás animales, porque al final es el mismo océano que utilizamos para obtener recursos alimentarios. Tal vez las futuras propuestas de los seres humanos serán de no consumir ningún alimento en el mar, pero qué pasa con los animales que dependen de él. ¿Nos olvidamos de ellos y les dejamos a su fe? ¿O tratamos de encontrar soluciones sostenibles para nuestras prácticas humanas?

Escrito por: Flor Medina.

Referencias:

Anonymous. (2009, Jan 23). Sea Lions Seizures. PRI’s Environmental News Magazine. Retrieved from http://www.loe.org/shows/segments.html?programID=09-P13-00004&segmentID=6

Minard, A. (2008, June 17). Sea Lion Seizures May Result From Toxic Algae. National Geographic News. Retrieved from http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/06/080617-sea-lions.html
http://www.greenwaters.org/Environment_News.phphttp://www.greenwaters.org/Environment_News.php

100 million clean-and-green cook stoves in households worldwide by 2020!

2013-04-24T21:17:00.002-07:00

Sometimes we don’t realize how something so simple as cooking can cause lung cancer and contribute to the increase of greenhouse gases. According to the Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, toxic mix chemicals are been released by burning wood or other solid fuel that can reach 200 times the amount the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set up as safe.

When cooking the smoke released fill the lungs for those cooking as well as the children living in the household. Almost half the world’s population cooks with dirty cook stoves and open fires, a situation more likely seem in developing countries. The smoke released kills about 2 million people each year from early childhood pneumonia, emphysema, lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, bronchitis, and birth weight. As a result, The Global Alliance for Clean Cook Stoves associated with the United Nations Foundation and other U.S. agencies have created a market for safe and energy-efficient cook stoves that can also be used in refugee camps and disaster aid programs. The U.S. has already committed to bring $51 million over the next five years. The main purpose of this project is to place “100 million of the clean-and-green cook stove, which will cost as little as $25 each, in household worldwide by 2020. (Labott) However, some people worried about the way the meals would taste because they believe their food won’t have the traditional taste when is not cook in the same cook stove they been using. The Clinton campaign promised there would be tests and researches to ensure the new cook stoves fit the family cooking traditions. This subject can be compared to the use of bed nets or vaccines in developing countries as a way of contributing to saving lives all around the world.

It’s good to know that the U.S. worries about what’s happening in other developing countries. The clean cook stoves can easily decrease the number of the deaths caused by smoke as well as reducing greenhouse gases. If we look at the big picture, the cook stoves would help developing countries just as it did with the contribution of bed nets. Either way, people in developing countries should worry more about the health and safety of their families instead of how the food taste.

Written by: Flor Medina.

References:

Labott, E. (2010, September 21). Hillary Clinton touts simple solution to killer in developing areas. CNN Politics. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/09/21/clinton.clean.cooking/index.html?iref=mpstoryview

100 millones de estufas limpias y verdes en los hogares de todo el mundo para el año 2020!

A veces no nos damos cuenta de cómo algo tan simple como cocinar puede causar cáncer de pulmón y contribuir al aumento de gases de efecto invernadero. Según la Secretaria de Estado, Hilary Clinton, mezclas de químicos tóxicos se han liberado por la quema de madera u otro combustible sólido que puede llegar a 200 veces más de la cantidad que la Agencia de Protección Ambiental (EPA) ha establecido como seguro.

Cuando se cocina el humo liberado llena los pulmones de los que están cocinando, así como los niños que viven en el hogar. Casi la mitad de la población mundial cocina en estufas viejas y en chimeneas, una situación que parece más probable en los países en desarrollo. Unos 2 millones de personas cada año mueren de neumonía infantil, enfisema, cáncer de pulmón, enfermedades cardiovasculares, bronquitis, o bajo peso al nacer por causa del humo lanzado de las estufas viejas. Como resultado, la Alianza Global para estufas de cocción limpia asociados con la Fundación de las Naciones Unidas y otras agencias de Estados Unidos han creado un mercado para cocinas seguras y energéticamente eficientes, que también se pueden utilizar en los campos de refugiados y en los programas de asistencia por desastre. Los EE.UU. ya se han comprometido a aportar $ 51 millones durante los próximos cinco años. El objetivo principal de este proyecto es poner "100 millones de estufas limpias y verdes, que tendrá un costo de tan sólo $ 25 cada uno, en los hogares en todo el mundo para el año 2020. (Labott) Sin embargo, hay algunas personas que se preocupan que la comida pierda el gusto porque creen que su comida no tendrá el sabor tradicional que según ellos se obtiene cuando se cocina en la misma estufa por anos. La campaña de Clinton prometió que harían pruebas e investigaciones para garantizar que las nuevas cocinas se adapten a las tradiciones culinarias de la familia. El tema se compara con el uso de mosquiteros y vacunas en los países en desarrollo como una forma de contribuir a salvar vidas en todo el mundo.

Es bueno saber que los EE.UU. se preocupan por lo que sucede en otros países en desarrollo. Las cocinas limpias pueden disminuir fácilmente el número de muertes causadas por el humo, así como la reducción de gases de efecto invernadero. Si nos fijamos en el panorama general, las cocinas ayudarían a los países en desarrollo, tal como lo hizo con el aporte de los mosquiteros. De cualquier manera, la gente en los países en desarrollo debería preocuparse más por la salud y la seguridad de sus familias en vez de cómo vaya a saber su comida.

Escrito por: Flor Medina.

Referencias:

Habitat Connectivity

2013-04-17T12:30:00.001-07:00

The movement of animals through the landscape is one of many ecological processes that must be maintained in order to insure the integrity of ecosystems over time. The article “The Role of Habitat Connectivity and Landscape Geometry in Experimental Zooplankton Metacomunities”, wrote by Forbes and Chase, states that previous studies have been made suggesting a connection among local small areas that increase local diversity levels through different mechanism, however, the authors believed that most studies ignore the effects of heterogeneity in quality areas. Theory also states that the geometry of small areas could alter patterns of diversity. Species that prefer certain habitats would have higher probability of emigrating to nearby habitats that have similar quality area. As a result, Forbes and Chase based their study on both, habitat connectivity and geometric arrangements within regions of experimental zooplankton communities. The goal of the study was to establish the effects of connectivity and habitat arrangement on species diversity at regional and local levels. For the study the authors created replicate zooplankton metacommunities (an assemble of species persisting in a series of interconnected habitat small areas), where each metacommunity consisted of mesocosm (plastic containers or kef buckets) (Forbes & Chase, 2002). Each mesocosm had diverse inocula of zooplankton, freshwater algae and two small snails to recycle nutrients so they can be available for plankton. Two types of regions tested the importance of neighboring area type of metacommunity composition while the third one created a connection from each mesocosm to every other mesocosm to examine the effects of increasing habitat connectivity on local and regional diversity.

Photo Retrieved: http://bio.kuleuven.be/eeb/ldm

What is interesting about the study is that the result did not found interactive effects of habitat geometry on local and regional diversity; then again the zooplankton community used for the study had a similar amount of nutrients. Most common zooplankton species are capable of maintaining population growth in different habitats. Unfortunately this did not happen with the rare zooplankton species (rotifers), mostly because they were heterogeneous in their distribution.

Wildlife populations need healthy and connected ecosystems in order to obtain their resources. While some species migrate seasonally, others require large territories in order to move, hunt and maintain genetic diversity. As a result, the information given in the study was useful for certain ecosystems. In addition, Forbes and Chase recognize that although the study did not presented any significant effects of the geometric habitat arrangement on local or regional community attributes, it does not mean that it wouldn’t happen to other systems.

Written by: Flor Medina

References:

Forbes, A & Chase, J. (2002). “The Role of Habitat Connectivity and Landscape Geometry in Experimental Zooplankton Metacommunities”. Retrieved from http://biology4.wustl.edu/faculty/chase/personal_pages/jon/jons_stuff/pdf/i.pdf

Conectividad del Hábitat:

El movimiento de animales a través del paisaje es uno de los muchos procesos ecológicos que se debe mantener con el fin de asegurar la integridad de los ecosistemas a través del tiempo. El artículo "El papel de la Conectividad del Hábitat y la Geometría del Paisaje en Metacomunidades de Zooplancton Experimentales", escrito por Forbes y Chase, afirma que los estudios que anteriormente se hicieron sugieren una conexión entre las áreas locales pequeñas que aumentan los niveles de la diversidad local a través de diferentes mecanismos, sin embargo, los autores creen que la mayoría de los estudios ignoran los efectos de la heterogeneidad en la calidad de áreas pequeñas La teoría también dice que la geometría de los áreas pequeñas podría alterar los patrones de diversidad. Las especies que prefieren ciertos hábitats tendrían mayor probabilidad de emigrar a los hábitats cercanos que tienen la calidad de área similar. Como resultado de ello, Forbes y Chase basan su estudio en tanto, la conectividad del hábitat y disposiciones geométricas dentro de las regiones de las comunidades experimentales de zooplancton. El objetivo del estudio fue hecho para determinar los efectos de la conectividad y la disposición del hábitat en la diversidad de especies a nivel regional y local. Para el estudio los autores crearon una réplica de metacomunidades de zooplancton (un ensamble de especies que persisten en una serie de áreas pequeñas de hábitat interconectados), donde cada metacomunidad consistió en mesocosmos (recipientes de plástico o cubos) (Forbes & Chase, 2002). Cada mesocosmo tenía diversos inóculos de zooplancton, algas de agua dulce y dos pequeños caracoles que reciclaban nutrientes para que puedan estar disponibles para el plancton. Dos tipos de regiones probaron la importancia del tipo de área cercano a la composición de la metacomunidad mientras que el tercero creó una conexión desde cada mesocosmo hacia cada otro mesocosmo para examinar los efectos del aumento de conectividad sobre la diversidad local y regional.

Lo interesante de este estudio es que el resultado no encontró efectos interactivos de la geometría del hábitat sobre la diversidad local y regional, pero hay que tomar en cuenta que la comunidad de zooplancton que se uso para el estudio tenía una cantidad similar de nutrientes. Especies de zooplancton más comunes son capaces de mantener el crecimiento de la población en diferentes hábitats. Por desgracia esto no sucedió con las especies de zooplancton (rotíferos raras), probablemente porque eran heterogéneos en su distribución.

Poblaciones de vida silvestre necesitan ecosistemas sanos y conectados con el fin de obtener sus recursos. Mientras que algunas especies migran estacionalmente, otros requieren grandes territorios para moverse, cazar y mantener la diversidad genética. Como resultado, la información contenida en el estudio era útil para ciertos ecosistemas. Adicionalmente, Forbes y Chase reconocen que aunque el estudio no presentó ningún efecto significativo a la disposición geométrica del hábitat en los atributos de la comunidad local o regional, eso no significa que esto no podría pasar a otros sistemas.

Escrito por: Flor Medina.

Referencias:

Occoquan Watershed Coalition

2013-04-09T14:20:00.000-07:00

The Occoquan Watershed Coalition is a nonpartisan, broad-based citizens group that works together with other organizations to deal with issues relating to the Springfield District. The Occoquan Watershed Coalition (OWC) is located in Northern Virginia, and was organized on December 7, 1994 with boundaries including Union Mill Road to the west, Route 123 to the east, Broad Road to the north and Prince William/Fairfax County to the south border.

Photo retrieved from: http://www.owccoalition.org/about-the-owc/maps-images/

The Occoquan Watershed Coalition feels proud on claiming they don’t have a definitive mission because they want and will continue determining which specific problem threatens the security of their environmental area. Their staff consists of elected Officers and Directors that are committed to the protection of the Downzoned Watershed and the drinking water in the Reservoir. Having said that, OWC believes is important to clarify that Occoquan Watershed and the Downzoned Occoquan Watershed are not the same. With 600 square miles of land, Occoquan Watershed includes the tributary stream that drains into the Occoquan River and the Occoquan Reservoir. On the other hand, the Downzoned Occoquan Watershed came in place on July 26, 1982, after the Fairfax County Board of Supervisor amended the County Comprehensive Plan to reduce 41,000 acres of the Occoquan Watershed. This Watershed provides drinking water to over one million residents and it represents an ecological reserve. The Occoquan Reservoir is the only major drinking water source in the United States that depends on the release of treated sewage wastewater back into the reservoir as its only and constant source for drinking water. The reason is because after World War II the population boom caused the need for more water to the once small town. The watershed, which is made up of 590 square miles of hills and valleys became polluted after the population increased. As a result Fairfax County bought the Occoquan Reservoir from a small private water company to meet the population demands. The dam which is up river from the Town of Occoquan was continuously changed during the 1950s and 1980s, and can currently accumulate 8 billion gallons of water.

Some of the issues that Occoquan Watershed Coalition faces are the high levels of phosphorous, turbidity, low dissolved oxygen, as well as the presence of copper sulfate and pharmaceuticals in the Occoquan Reservoir. The water issues presented come from human land uses caused by population growth.

The Occoquan Watershed Coalition strategy is based on multi tracks in which every major meeting is leaded by a pre-brief meeting to develop a winning game plan. Such meetings involve transportation and environmental land use issues that helped members of the coalition become more aware of what’s happening in their organization, thus OWC doesn’t have to depend on one or two employees to carry such issues.

Written by: Flor Medina.

Reference:

Occoquan Watershed Coalition. (2010, December 23). Retrieved from http://www.owccoalition.org/abtOWC.htm

The Occoquan Reservoir. (n.d.). Prince William Conservation Alliance. Retrieved fromhttp://www.pwconserve.org/issues/occoquan/index.html

La Coalición Cuenca Occoquan

La Coalición Cuenca Occoquan es una organización no partidista de ciudadanos que trabajan en conjunto con otras organizaciones para hacer frente a las cuestiones relacionadas con el Distrito de Springfield, Virginia en Estados Unidos. La Coalición Cuenca Occoquan (OWC) fue organizada el 7 de Diciembre de 1994 con límites que incluyen Mill Road al oeste, la ruta 123 hacia el este, Camino Ancho, al norte del Condado de Prince William y / Fairfax al sur de la frontera.

Foto obtenida: http://www.pwconserve.org/issues/occoquan/index.html

La Coalición Cuenca Occoquan afirma que no tienen una misión definitiva porque quieren y seguirán determinando cuál es el problema específico contra la seguridad de su área ambiental. Su personal está compuesto por funcionarios electos y directores que están comprometidos a la protección de la cuenca del Downzoned y el agua potable en el depósito. Dicho esto, OWC cree que es importante aclarar que Occoquan Cuenca y la Cuenca del Occoquan Downzoned no son los mismos. Con 600 kilómetros cuadrados de tierra, Cuenca Occoquan incluye el afluente que desemboca en el río y el embalse de Occoquan Occoquan. Por otro lado, el Downzoned Cuenca Occoquan llegó el 26 de julio de 1982, después de que la Junta de Supervisores del Condado de Fairfax modificara el Plan Integral para reducir las 41.000 hectáreas de la cuenca del Occoquan. Esta cuenca abastece de agua potable a más de un millón de habitantes y representa una reserva ecológica. El embalse de Occoquan es la única fuente importante de agua potable en los Estados Unidos, que depende de la liberación de agua tratada de desague devuelta a la reserva de aguas residuales como su fuente única y constante de agua potable. La razón se debe a que después de la Segunda Guerra Mundial el auge de la población aumento y como tal la necesidad de más agua a la ciudad que una vez fue pequeña. La cuenca, que se compone de 590 kilómetros cuadrados de colinas y valles se contaminó tras el aumento de la población. Como resultado el Condado de Fairfax compró el Embalse de Occoquan, una pequeña empresa privada de agua para satisfacer las demandas de la población. La presa que está río arriba de la ciudad de Occoquan fue cambiado continuamente durante los años 1950 y 1980, y en la actualidad se pueden acumular 8 billones de galones de agua.

Algunas de las cuestiones que la Coalición Cuenca Occoquan enfrenta son los altos niveles de fósforo, turbidez, bajo oxígeno disuelto, así como la presencia de sulfato de cobre y los productos farmacéuticos en el embalse de Occoquan. Los problemas del agua presentados provienen del uso humano de la tierra causada por el crecimiento de la población.

La estrategia de Cuencas Coalición Occoquan se basa en pistas múltiples en el que todas las reuniones importantes son lideradas por una reunión previa a la breve para desarrollar un plan ganador. Estas reuniones implican temas sobre el transporte y el medio ambiente, como tambien los problemas de uso de la tierra que ayudaron a los miembros de la coalición a ser más conscientes de lo que está sucediendo en su organización, así OWC no tiene que depender de uno o dos empleados para llevar a estos temas.

Escrito por: Flor Medina.

Referencias:

Occoquan Watershed Coalition. (2010, December 23). Retrieved fromhttp://www.owccoalition.org/abtOWC.htm

The Occoquan Reservoir. (n.d.). Prince William Conservation Alliance. Retrieved from http://www.pwconserve.org/issues/occoquan/index.html

Staten Island: The Forgotten Borough

2013-03-31T20:19:00.000-07:00

Staten Island is one of the five boroughs of New York City, named by many “The Forgotten Borough” not only because residents feel as they are the last of the boroughs to receive help when natural disasters such as Hurricane Sandy occur, but because is the borough with the highest cancer rate. Believed or not residents of New York City are healthier than most people in the United States when it comes to cancer rate; however, such statistics do not include Staten Island. According to a report from the Department of Health, Staten Islanders are hospitalized with killer cancers more than any other borough in New York City.

In 2007 a study was made by the American Cancer Society, which showed that Staten Island had the highest number of lung, breast and colon cancer cases among the boroughs. Each year more than 2,200 residents of Staten Island receive cancer diagnosis, in which 833 of them die from the disease. Health experts believe that smoking and diet patterns could be the main cause. However, during a conference made by the American Cancer Society on the State of Cancer on Staten Island, SI America Regional Vice President Alberta Brescia said “Lots of people want to believe environmentally here on Staten Island there’s a causative agent, we do know that there’s an inordinate amount of smokers here on Staten Island” One of the reasons why environmental causes were mentioned during the conference is because it is highly believe that the exposure to environmental hazards coming from the Fresh Kills Landfill is what is causing the high rates of cancer among Staten Island residents. Dr. Frank Forte of Staten Island University Hospital, who has treated cancer patients for over 25 years, said there was a time were the landfill and the decomposition products of waste contained numerous chemicals that could have easily enter into the environment in a variety of ways. Dr. Forte also said that some days the smell of the landfill was so bad you just have to hold your breath for a mile.

Photo Retrieved from: http://www.gabekphoto.com/portfolio/landscapes/landscapes.htm

The Fresh Kills Landfill was meant to be open temporary in 1947, but despite court battles the landfill remained open. The landfill operated under a series of federal consent orders, leaching thousands of pounds of toxic chemicals and heavy metals into nearby waterways. On March 22, 2001, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shut down the landfill; however, in late 2001 the landfill began receiving the remains of the World Trade Center. The landfill was used temporarily as a work area for those who were involved in searching for clues of the terrorist attack. Debris from 9/11 sits on the 48 acres called Hills 1 and 9 with 1 million tons of World Trade Center material.

Photo Retrieved from: http://photos.silive.com/advance/2009/12/world_trade_center_debris_at_t_1.html

Giving the mystery on the correlation between Staten Island and the high cancer rate among its residents, scientist at the Staten Island Breast Cancer Research Initiative engaged in groundbreaking work that included demographics of the disease, lab testing on chemicals in the environment and educating women in the community. The research also included the use of the Staten Island Advance obituaries that showed the time where these women lived when they developed the cancer. The results showed more than 10,000 obituaries from 1980 to 1990 from women who lived near the Fresh Kills Landfill.

Every year about 335 Staten Island women are diagnosed with breast cancer, 77 of them died. Dr. Donna Gerstle, the director of the initiative and of the Center for Environmental Science, said “All we need to know is why here”, “Staten Island has the highest breast cancer mortality rate in the five boroughs for at least 20 years, and everything we’re doing is to find out why.”After its closure in 2001 the Fresh Kills Landfill has been transformed into a park, three times the size of New York’s famed Central Park. So what happen to the 2200 acres of garbage that once were taller than the Statue of Liberty? The Department of Sanitation as well as other organizations covered the trash with compressed soil and placed six-layer capping system that covers the entire landfill.

Photo Retrieved from: http://inhabitat.com/nyc/update-fields-in-staten-islands-freshkills-park-are-not-sinking/

While some people find no relationship between cancer rate and the Fresh Kills Landfill, others are doing their best to find the cause and hopefully the solution to the increase number of cancer patients in Staten Island.

Written by: Flor Medina.

References:

Anonymous. (n.d.). Fresh Kills Landfill. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York. Retrieved fromhttp://acc6.its.brooklyn.cuny.edu/~scintech/solid/silandfill.html

Donnelly, M. (2009, October 04). The Island’s Tragic Breast Cancer Mystery. Staten Island Advance. http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/10/the_islands_tragic_breast_canc.html

Wasserman, J& Tully, T. (1999, December 10). S.I.IS Cancer Hot Spot Lung cases 20% above state’s rate. New York Daily News. Retrieved from http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/s-cancer-hot-spot-lung-cases-20-state-rate-article-1.843440

Staten Island: El Condado Olvidado

Staten Island es uno de los cinco condados de Nueva York, llamado por muchos "El Condado Olvidado", no sólo porque los residentes se sienten que son los últimos de los condados para recibir ayuda en caso de desastres naturales como el del Huracán Sandy, sino porque es la ciudad que tiene la mayor cantidad de casos de cáncer. Créanlo o no, residentes de la ciudad de Nueva York son más saludables que la mayoría de personas en los Estados Unidos cuando se trata de casos de cáncer, sin embargo, estas estadísticas no incluyen a Staten Island. De acuerdo con un informe del Departamento de Salud, residentes de Staten Island son hospitalizados con cáncer más que cualquier otro condado en la ciudad de Nueva York.

En el 2007 la Sociedad Americana del Cáncer hizo un estudio el cual mostró que Staten Island tuvo el mayor número de casos de cáncer de pulmón, de mama y de colon entre los condados.Cada año, más de 2.200 residentes de Staten Island reciben diagnóstico de cáncer, en el que 833 de ellos mueren a causa de la enfermedad. Los expertos en salud creen que los patrones de tabaquismo y alimentación podrían ser la causa principal. Sin embargo, durante una conferencia realizada por la Sociedad Americana del Cáncer sobre el Estado del Cáncer en Staten Island, la Vice Presidenta de SI América Regional, Alberta Brescia, dijo: "Hay mucha gente que quiere creer que hay un agente causal en el medio ambiente en Staten Island, pero nosotros sabemos que hay una cantidad excesiva de fumadores aquí”.Una de las razones por la cual las causas ambientales fueron mencionadas durante la conferencia se debe a que es muy probable que la exposición a los peligros ambientales provenientes del vertedero de Fresh Kills fuera la causa de los altos índices de cáncer entre los residentes de Staten Island. El Dr. Frank Forte del Hospital de la Universidad de Staten Island, que ha tratado a pacientes de cáncer durante más de 25 años, dijo que en aquellos tiempos el vertedero y los productos de descomposición de los residuos contuvieron numerosas sustancias químicas que pudieron entrar en el medio ambiente en una variedad de maneras. El Dr. Forte también dijo que en algunos días el olor del relleno sanitario era tan malo que apenas tiene que contener la respiración durante un kilómetro y medio.

El relleno sanitario de Fresh Kills estaba destinado a ser abierto temporalmente en 1947, pero a pesar de las batallas de la corte el vertedero permaneció abierto. El relleno sanitario operado bajo una serie de órdenes de consentimiento federal, filtraron miles de libras de químicos tóxicos y metales pesados en las vías fluviales cercanas. El 22 de marzo del 2001, la Agencia de Protección Ambiental ordeno cerrar el vertedero, sin embargo, en el 2001, el vertedero comenzó a recibir los restos de las Torres Gemelas. El vertedero fue utilizado como área de trabajo para aquellos que estuvieron involucrados en la búsqueda de pistas del ataque terrorista. Escombros del 9/11 se encuentra en los 48 acres llamado Hills 1 y 9 con 1 millón de toneladas de material de las Torres Gemelas.

Foto de: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:World_Trade_Center_wreckage-Fresh_Kills_landfill_on_Staten_Island.jpg

Dado el misterio de la correlación entre Staten Island y el alto índice de cáncer entre los residentes, científicos de la Iniciativa de Staten Island Breast Cancer Research se dedicaron a un trabajo innovador que incluía datos demográficos de la enfermedad, pruebas de laboratorio de las sustancias químicas en el medio ambiente y educación a las mujeres de la comunidad.La investigación también incluyo el uso de los obituarios avanzados de Staten Island, el cual mostró el tiempo en que estas mujeres vivían cuando se desarrolló el cáncer. Los resultados mostraron que más de 10.000 obituarios desde1980 a 1990 fueron de mujeres que vivían cerca del vertedero de Fresh Kills.
Cada año, alrededor de 335 mujeres de Staten Island son diagnosticadas con cáncer de mama, 77 de ellas mueren. Dr. Donna Gerstle, directora de la iniciativa y del Centro de Ciencias del Medio Ambiente, dijo: "Todo lo que necesitamos saber es por qué aquí", "Staten Island tiene la más alta tasa de mortalidad del cáncer de mama en los cinco condados durante al menos 20 años, y todo lo que estamos haciendo es averiguar por qué."

Tras su cierre en el 2001, el vertedero de Fresh Kills,se ha transformado en un parque, tres veces más grande que el famosoCentral Park de Nueva York. Entonces, ¿Qué paso con los 2200 acres de basuraque una vez fueron más altos que la Estatua de la Libertad? El Departamento de Sanidad, así como otras organizaciones cubrieron la basura con tierra comprimiday colocaron seis capas de sistema de tapado que cubren el vertedero.

Foto de: http://freshkillspark.wordpress.com/2009/04/30/si-outloud-at-freshkills-park/

Si bien algunas personas no encuentran ninguna relación entre el índice de cáncer y el vertedero de Fresh Kills, otros están haciendo todo lo posible por encontrar la causa y probablemente la solución al aumento en el número de pacientes de cáncer en Staten Island.

Escrito por: Flor Medina.

Referencias:

Anonymous. (n.d.). Fresh Kills Landfill. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York. Retrieved fromhttp://acc6.its.brooklyn.cuny.edu/~scintech/solid/silandfill.html

Donnelly, M. (2009, October 04). The Island’s Tragic Breast Cancer Mystery. Staten Island Advance. http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/10/the_islands_tragic_breast_canc.html

Wasserman, J& Tully, T. (1999, December 10). S.I.IS Cancer Hot Spot Lung cases 20% above state’s rate. New York Daily News. Retrieved from http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/s-cancer-hot-spot-lung-cases-20-state-rate-article-1.843440

The Age of Consequences

2013-03-24T12:22:00.001-07:00

For the past years a diverse group of experts met regularly with the purpose of considering the potential future foreign policy and national security implications of climate change. The group consisted of nationally recognized leaders in the fields of climate science, foreign policy, political science, oceanography, history, and national security. As a result they came out with three scenarios that will show the public how climate change would affect the environment and national security.

The first scenario shows the effects of climate change in a period of 30 years, in which the national security problems raised due to conflicts among cities and countries for resource scarcity. Increase of diseases, especially on developing countries, was seemed. The second scenario was more severe focusing on climate change in the year 2040 with a global temperature of 2.6C. Migration, war and more natural disasters such as flooding were likely to occur, again for scarcity of resource such as food and water. The third and most catastrophic scenario was expected in the year 2100 with an increase of temperature by 5.6C. National Security would be at risk with an increase of terrorism by the Islamic extremists and wars among countries fighting for any type of resources for survival. This scenario poses almost impossible challenges for human society to adapt.

Although the categories described by the author may be seem as science-fiction movies from Hollywood, the melting of ice of the Arctic, the spreading deserts of Africa, and the swamping of low lying lands are all real. We already live in an “age of consequences,” one that will increase by the intersection of climate change and the security nations.

Written by: Flor Medina.

References:

Campbell, K., Gulledge, J., McNeill, J.R., Podesta, J., Ogden, P., Fuerth, L,…Mix, D. (2007, November). The Age of Consequences: The Foreing Policy and National Security Implications of Global Climate Change. Retrieved from http://csis.org/files/media/csis/pubs/071105_ageofconsequences.pdf

La Era de las Consecuencias:

Durante los últimos años un grupo diverso de expertos se reunió regularmente con el fin de examinar el potencial de la futura política exterior y las implicaciones de seguridad nacional de cambio climático. El grupo el cual estaba formado por líderes reconocidos a nivel nacional en los campos de la ciencia del clima, la política exterior, la ciencia política, la oceanografía, la historia y la seguridad nacional, creo tres escenarios que mostrarían al público cómo el cambio climático podría afectar el medio ambiente y la seguridad nacional.

El primer escenario muestra los efectos del cambio climático en un plazo de 30 años, en el que los problemas de seguridad nacional incrementaron debido a los conflictos entre ciudades y países por la escasez de recursos. Como también aumento de enfermedades, especialmente en los países en vías de desarrollo. El segundo escenario es más grave, se centra en el cambio climático en el año 2040 con una temperatura global de 2.6C. La migración, la guerra y otros desastres naturales tales como inundaciones era probable que se produzca, de nuevo por la escasez de recursos como agua y comida. El tercer escenario y el más catastrófico que se esperaba en el año 2100 con un aumento de la temperatura por 5.6C. Seguridad Nacional estaría en riesgo con un aumento del terrorismo por parte de los extremistas islámicos y las guerras entre los países que luchan por cualquier tipo de recursos para la supervivencia. Este escenario plantea desafíos casi imposibles para la sociedad humana para adaptarse.

Aunque las categorías descritas por el autor pueden parecer como las películas de ciencia ficción de Hollywood, el derretimiento de los hielos del Ártico, los desiertos de África difundiendo y avalanchas de tierras bajas son todos reales. Vivimos ya en una "Era de Consecuencias", que se incrementará en la intersección del cambio climático y la seguridad de las naciones.

Escrito por: Flor Medina.

Referencias:

Campbell, K., Gulledge, J., McNeill, J.R., Podesta, J., Ogden, P., Fuerth, L,…Mix, D. (2007, November). The Age of Consequences: The Foreing Policy and National Security Implications of Global Climate Change. Retrieved from http://csis.org/files/media/csis/pubs/071105_ageofconsequences.pdf

Oregano Reduces Cow's Methane and Increases Milk Production

2013-03-15T20:23:00.000-07:00

There have been several correlations between global warming caused by greenhouse gases. Anthropogenic methane is a type of greenhouse gas produced by human activities, such as agriculture. Associated professor of dairy nutrition, Alexander Hristov, has found a way to decrease cow belches by utilizing oregano as a feed supplement. According to Hristov, an oregano-based supplement will decrease methane emissions in dairy cows by 40 percent, as well as improve milk production.

Retrieved photo: http://www.ecogeek.org/preventing-pollution?start=30

This experiment took Hristov six years to find a natural solution for methane reduction in cattle, in which oregano would reduce methane without any negative effects. Livestock produce about 37 percent of methane, which is a major greenhouse gas with 23 times the potential compared to carbon dioxide. Hristov states that some compounds found in oregano, such as carvacrol, geraniol and thymol, play an important role in methane suppression. “Identifying the active compounds is important because pure compounds are easier to produce commercially and more economical for farmers to use.”(Hristov)

As a result, I believe this experiment can be a great natural solution that farmers can use as a daily supplement for cows. Another great thing about oregano, as it has been mentioned before, is the increased of daily milk production by three pounds of milk for each cow. Good for the environment as well as the economy.

Written by: Flor Medina.

Reference:

(September 2010). Oregano Supplement Could Ease Greenhouse Gassy Cows. Retrieved from http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/1913093/oregano_supplement_could_ease_greenhouse_gassy_cows/

Frankenfish!

2012-12-06T09:18:00.001-08:00

You know the saying if it looks like a cat, purrs like a cat and moves like a cat, then it must be a cat. The question is would you have the same mentally when it comes to the food you consume?

Genetically Engineer (GE) salmon, also called “Frankenfish”by many, is not a cloned fish, but its DNA has been altered to produce the chosen characteristics, in this case a bigger and fast growing fish. In order to this, scientists have added the growth hormone from a Chinook salmon and the gene from an eel-like fish. Conventional salmon produces the growth hormone at some point in its life time; however, by adding the growth hormone to the GE salmon, it allows the fish to produce their growth hormone all year-round.

Photo Retrieved:http://action.freshthemovie.com/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=4050

Because the GE salmon has not been approved yet by the FDA, the altered fish has never been eaten before, thus it raises concern on the allergens that someone can get when consuming this fish, which by the way, once is approved by the FDA people will not know which salmon is the real deal and which one is the GE fish. The CEO of Aqua Bounty, Ron Stotish, which is the company producing the GE fish says that although the salmon is genetically engineer is very safe to eat due to the large amount of time they spent studying this fish, and that any allergens will not be any different from those of conventional salmon.

While population increases rapidly, the need to satisfy costumers’needs worldwide leads industries to get together with scientist to promote faster and bigger food products. Genetically engineer products have been created before such as vegetables; while many of us did not know the real source.

Once again, would you care to eat GE food products?

Written by: Flor D. Medina.

Keeping Global Warming a Secret

2012-04-12T15:00:00.003-07:00

About two years ago ,and for the first time, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) decided that oil producers and refineries, steel manufactures, aluminum and home appliances companies should present the amount of greenhouse gas emissions and releasing this data to the public. These companies used to send gas emission data to EPA as gross estimate, however, EPA wanted this data to be separated as individual facilities, such as data emissions from transportation, electricity production and manufacturing. Up to this day these companies do not agree with such compliances and are fighting against this proposal from EPA. They believe that releasing such information to the public would reveal companies secrets, therefore competitors would know what happens inside their factories. In addition, they believe the public shouldn’t know anything more than what goes into the atmosphere.

Photo retrieved: http://envis.maharashtra.gov.in/envis_data/files/news/jul/globalwarming%20climate.html

Steven H. Bernhardt, global director for regulatory affairs for Honeywell International Inc, says EPA needs to reconsider this proposal otherwise company’s businesses would be damaged. Additionally, aluminum smelters asked EPA to keep 11 of 15 of the data fields confidential, and Koch Nitrogen Co. LLC, a fertilizer producer, thinks EPA’s proposal would only “misguide” the public, adding that “a single factory is unlikely to influence policy on a global problem.” (Newsvine)

Other companies want EPA to require a third party for data verification, or to let companies argue on a case-by-case basis to keep some of the data confidential, they want this to be done so they don’t have to summit the data at all. EPA responded to these arguments by saying “it's necessary to make the data public in order for the companies' calculations to be checked.” This will give confidence to the public about the quality of each company’s data. The reality is that EPA wouldn’t ask for such data if the companies would measure the right amount of gas pollution emitted at its sources. The equipment to measure this amount is expensive so many companies opt for giving an estimated amount instead of an accurate.

The article also stays that the majority of companies don’t have a problem with giving this data to EPA, but they do not agree with having the information out for the public to see. The only polluting sector that does not have a problem with disclosing information and agrees with EPA’s proposal is electricity producers. In conclusion EPA is not backing up on its proposal. This is the first inventory of greenhouse gases ever made that will determine what limits need to be set and whether they are working to protect the environment.

Written by: Flor D. Medina Chavez.

Sources:

Cappiello, D. (2010, October 28). Companies fight to keep global warming data secret. http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2010/10/28/5365070-companies-fight-to-keep-global-warming-data-secret

To trust or not to trust?

2012-04-09T11:39:00.000-07:00

The article talks about climate negotiations that are currently been hold in Tianjin, China. The negotiation includes negotiators from more than 170 countries that got together with the purpose of finding a successor deal to the Kyoto protocol that will expire this year. One of the biggest obstacles to a deal is China's behind-the-scenes obstructionism. China is the world's largest emitter of carbon dioxide, and it has no interest in helping craft the next Kyoto protocol, mainly because a new deal would mean accepting limits on its CO2 growth. To top that, China plans to open a new coal-fired power plant roughly every month for the next decade.

Photo retrieved from: http://makanaka.wordpress.com/tag/africa/

Another issue is the talks between rich and poor nations on who pays for measures to address climate change, including clearness about emission reductions and for the rich to do more about the subject. The negotiation between countries focus into “come out with a package of small deals on direct issue, such as co-operation on clean energy technologies and rewarding developing countries for not cutting down rain forest” (Coonan), by doing this, there might be a bigger chance of having countries help to reduce green house emission knowing that they would receive something back. The article then adds that last year China promised it would cut its carbon emissions per unit of GDP by 40 to 45 percent by 2020 from the 2005 level. Once again, that’s a promised that all countries are waiting to happen. Trust is something that needs to be present in each country in order to develop a clear understanding between them and to commit to the pledges they have made in Copenhagen. Governments of each country should focus on securing such pledges of the emissions cuts that have already been proposed.

Written by: Flor D. Medina Chavez.

Sources:

Coonan, C. (2010, October 05). China forum seeks elusive accord on climate change. The Irish Times. Retrieved from http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2010/1005/1224280400360.html

Plants at Risk of Extinction

2012-03-26T18:55:00.000-07:00

The following article, based on analysis made by the Royal Botanic Gardens, states the current high risk of extinction among one-fifth of the world’s plants. Plants are the lungs of the earth; they provide clean air, food and sometimes fuel, including medicinal properties that have help us discovered numerous vaccines and cures for diseases. However, current studies show that 22% out of 4,000 species are classified as threatened, including 33% of species that have not been completely study to be assessed.

The high rate of threatened species is mostly because scientists have base their studies on a narrow range of plants that have a limited genetic base. The article also estimates 380,000 plant species victims of habitat loss, to which it has been replaced for agricultural purposes. With species in tropical rainforest at high risk, the freezing seed bank at Kew’s Botanical Gardens has already collected around 1.8 billion seeds from around the world. The collection, which includes seeds from plants that have already been judged extinct, have currently be named and stored in underground cold rooms in case of future losses. Additionally, a study, known as the Sampled Red List Index for Plants, has been made in order to have an accurate knowledge of the rate of extinct plant species. Certainly, studies has been made in the past, however, they were mostly focused on the most threatened plants or particular regions in the world, which in reality there are thousands of species that have not been completely study or even discovered, with high significant value in the medical field and on the environment. The article adds that “Plant-based remedies are the only source of healthcare in the world’s poorest countries” (Shukman, 2010) combating diseases such as malaria and leukemia.

It is important to collect seeds from different plant species and keep making studies so cases such as the olive tree from the South Atlantic island of St Helena that has completely disappear, with only few traces of dried pressing of its leaves, and some test-tube DNA sample currently kept in a freezer, won’t happen in the future.

St. Helena olive tree

Photo Retrieved from: http://www.nature.com/news/2003/031118/full/news031117-1.html

The article presents good information, giving thought to the most important aspects of the plant. The freezing seed bank has made a huge step on saving such species for future germination. I’m not sure if this freezing process has been done to threatened animal species but it would be a huge step due to their high chance of extinction. Hopefully is not too late to place these freeze species in their natural habitat. Consequently botanists could try first with few seeds and observe if they adapt to the habitat as well as its new surrounding environment.
Sources:

Shukman, D. (2010, September 29). One-Fifth of World's Plants at Risk of Extinction. Environment correspondent, BBC News. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-11434109

Coral Reef Bleaching

2012-03-21T08:59:00.001-07:00

The article presents a summary of studies that show a link between warm temperatures due to global warming and the outbreaks of coral diseases on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. The NOAA’s Coral Reef Watch program has examined this issue in previous studies, in which both warm and cold stress were significant to determine the susceptibility of corals to disease outbreaks.

Coral reefs provide food and shelter for fish and other marine life; therefore its lost would not only be affecting the environment but it would bring significant economical and ecological lost for people and communities. Coral reefs provide an estimated worth of $375 billion each year on different services. As a result satellite monitor of the sea surface temperature has been set in order to predict coral bleaching “where corals lose the symbiotic algae that give them their distinctive colors.” (NOAA) The satellite provides current data of reef environmental conditions, so when bleaching occurs, the monitoring can be used to trigger bleaching response plans and execute proper management decisions. NOAA is aware that any advance technical equipment would not be able to stop coral disease or bleaching unless we do something to decrease global warming, however, the NOAA program’s purpose is to give managers enough time to reduce human-use stressors in waters, such as diving, swimming, fishing and boating. Additionally, NOAA’ Coral Reef Watch program and the new experimental Coral Disease Outbreak Risk Map product, which provides a seasonal outlook of winter metrics and outbreak risk management, would offer focus on research efforts by providing a proper understanding of environmental factors that lead to these coral reefs outbreaks. Reports say that coral bleaching has been seen in Southeast Asia, the Indian and Pacific Ocean with a high potential in the Caribbean.

Photo retrieved from: http://coralreefwatch.noaa.gov/satellite/baa/bleachingalertarea.html

NOAA expects the warming to continue therefore increasing coral bleaching worldwide. The importance of these studies is that at least with the advance satellite equipment we would be able to have a better knowledge of the issue and do something about it. The product is currently been used in Australian waters, but as shown in the article, coral bleaching is expanding to other waters, therefore there are projects with the satellite equipment already set to be use in other areas. We could try to prevent more damages to the water, but we can’t stop the bleaching and outbreak of coral reefs unless we decrease the greenhouse gases.

Written by: Flor D Medina Chavez.

Sources:

(2010, September 17). Coral disease outbreaks linked to cooler temperatures. Environment. Retrieved from http://www.physorg.com/news203935414.html

(2010, September 10). Coral Reef Watch Satellite Monitoring. NOAA Satellite and Information Service. Retrieved from http://coralreefwatch.noaa.gov/satellite/index.html

Threatened British Birds

2012-03-19T11:36:00.001-07:00

Among the list of threatened species, there are 40 of Britain’s commonly know birds such as the skylark, the sparrow and the cuckoo that are part of this list.

Skylark

Retrieved photo: http://www.birdforum.net/opus/Eurasian_Skylark

Cuckoo

Retrieved photo: http://animal.discovery.com/tv/a-list/creature-countdowns/cheats/cheats-01.html

Sparrow

Retrieved photo: http://www.foxy-shop.com/products/sparrow/

These birds are continually affected by different factors including “shortage of insects in the summer, lack of woodland management and change in farming practices.”(Ward) In addition, the list of threatened bird species goes up to 100, but is the 40 assigned that need urgent action from different sectors. It’s important that we keep in mind that each species needs specific measures in order to grow, for example the bittern birds benefit from nature reserves, whereas birds of prey like the golden eagles and hen harriers are at risk from illegal persecution. Some of the factors that alter the reproduction of these species are climate change and habitat destruction caused by the replacing garden areas for parking spaces. Conservationist called for politicians, business leaders and the third sector to work together in order to save this 40 threatened species.

The good news is that out of the 40 bird species 18 of them, including the bittern and the red kite, are under a conservation work that needs to be kept so the recovery of such species can be successfully accomplish. Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSVP) believes that we need to come out with a new strategy that prioritizes bird species. Contributions have been asked, as well as ideas about managing the natural environment, particularly in the approach of budget cuts.

The key factor driving these species for a possible extinction is the changes in land use. As it has been mentioned above, each bird species needs different type of habitat. While some birds get use to the population growth, pollution and changes in their natural habitat; others die, stop reproducing or are attack by their own kind for habitat survival. Consequently, the number of threatened species keeps increasing.

Sources:
Ward, V. (2010, October 04). RSPB draws up list of British birds in urgent need to protection. Wildlife. Retrieved from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/8039625/RSPB-draws-up-list-of-British-birds-in-urgent-need-to-protection.html

Entre la lista de especies en peligro de extinción, hay 40 aves de Gran Bretaña comúnmente conocidas como la alondra, el gorrión y el cuco que forman parte de esta lista. Estas aves se ven afectadas por diferentes factores como "la escasez de insectos en el verano, la falta de manejo de bosques y el cambio en las prácticas agrícolas." (Ward) Además, la lista de especies de aves amenazadas se eleva a 100, pero son las 40 aves en la lista que necesitan una acción urgente por parte de diferentes sectores. Es importante que tengamos en cuenta que cada especie necesita medidas específicas para crecer, por ejemplo, el beneficio de las aves garza de las reservas naturales, mientras que las aves de presa como el águila real y el aguilucho de gallina están en riesgo de persecución ilegal. Algunos de los factores que alteran la reproducción de estas especies son el cambio climático y la destrucción del hábitat causada por la sustitución de las zonas ajardinadas por zonas de parqueo. Conservacionista llamaron a los políticos, líderes empresariales y del tercer sector para trabajar juntos con el fin de salvar a esta 40 especies amenazadas.
La buena noticia es que de las 40 especies de aves 18 de ellos, incluyendo el avetoro y el milano real, están bajo el marco de un trabajo de conservación que se debe mantener para que la recuperación de esas especies se pueda cumplir con éxito. Real Sociedad para la Protección de las Aves (RSVP) cree que tenemos que salir con una nueva estrategia que dé prioridad a las especies de aves. Contribuciones han sido pedidas, así como ideas sobre la gestión del medio natural, sobre todo en el enfoque de los recortes presupuestarios.

El factor clave que impulsa estas especies para una posible extinción son los cambios de uso del suelo. Como se ha mencionado anteriormente, cada especie de ave necesita tipo diferente de hábitat. Mientras que algunas aves se acostumbran al crecimiento de la población, de la contaminación y los cambios en su hábitat natural, otros mueren, dejan de reproducirse o atacan a su propia especie para la supervivencia del hábitat. En consecuencia, el número de especies en peligro de extinción sigue aumentando.

Referencias:

Ward, V. (2010, October 04). RSPB draws up list of British birds in urgent need to protection. Wildlife. Retrieved from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/8039625/RSPB-draws-up-list-of-British-birds-in-urgent-need-to-protection.html

Wirtten by: Flor D Medina Chavez.

Distribution of Natural Resources

2012-03-16T06:30:00.000-07:00

Water, an essential mineral of life, yet its distribution is always link to greediness and monetary value. Based on statistics the proportion of the world’s population that does not has sanitary drinking water is as many as 3 billion people, and 1.2 billion people doesn’t even have access to clean drinking water. As a result, more than 5 billion people die each year from preventable waterborne diseases. In fact, there’s a contrast in the rural population that shows that the minority of urban dwellers, around 14%, are lacking access to better sanitation. But “the issue is not whether urban dwellers have provision for sanitation at all, but whether they have a quality of provision for all members of the household (Michaud).

This is a clear problem of money and distribution. A good example of greediness and lack of distribution is happening in Peru. I was doing a tour through the highlands behind the city of Cajamarca and the tour guy was saying that the most profitable gold mine in Latin America, Yanacocha, wants to expand the mine and explode the Quilish Mountain that serves the indigenous community as a water resource.

Photo retrieved from: http://www.sacredland.org/mount-quilish/

This mountain is high enough that during rainy days it absorbs all the water from the earth and keeps it, so during summer time when there’s no water available, the community utilizes this water. The rock containing the gold is loosened by daily dynamite blasts, and then piled up and sprayed with cyanide solution. The solution that runs off is then processed to remove the gold. The mine is already affecting the environment of this community, if they get to explode the mountain there would be no water available for farmers, plants, and even the people that live in the rural area.

Cajamarca protest projects on Mount Quilish. Photo retrieved from: http://www.sacredland.org/mount-quilish/

The shortage and imbalance of water of suitable quality will become the most important factors in limiting future agricultural production as well as the availability of food in all parts of the world. What is happening in Peru is just an example of what happens in many countries. Nature gives us all the resource, even in the most remote place, yet we still manage to focus on the materialism and survival of those who can. The hungry masses of the world have come to depend upon dams for irrigation of cropland and a continued water supply. Instead, conservative water use practices such as drip irrigation and water re-use that should be practice as a long-term solution. We have the technology to process any water source for any use. It’s a matter of the governments of the world sitting down with the common goal of long term survival and setting up their priorities straight.

Sources:

R. Schertenleib. (2005). From Convenient to Advance Environmental Sanitation. Water Science and Technology, Vol51. Retrieved from http://74.125.155.132/scholar?q=cache:YRgiq12fiEEJ:scholar.google.com/+estimate+percentage+of+world+population+that+doesn%27t+have+sanitary+drinking+water&hl=en&as_sdt=2000

Michaud. (February 2001). Is Our Future Dammed?. Water Conditioning & Purification. Retrived from http://www.wcponline.com/pdf/0201dammed.pdf

Langdon, Shanna. (September 2000). Peru’s Yanacocha Gold Mine: The IFC’S Midas Touch?. Retrived from. http://www.ciel.org/Ifi/ifccaseperu.html

Puget Sound watershed

2012-03-14T11:31:00.003-07:00

I used to live in rainy Washington State, although as I already mentioned IT ALWAYS RAINS, I still got the opportunity to see the beauty of the state that enables residents and visitors to enjoy the outdoor activities and landscape of this state. As a result, I thought it will be nice to talk a little more about the great Puget Sound, including topography, majors rivers, near cities, as well as environmental issues related to this watershed.

The Puget Sound watershed is located in Washington State, bounded by sub-alpine meadows of the Cascade and Olympic mountain. It covers nearly 42,800 square kilometers and consists of over ten thousand rivers and streams that drain into the Sound. Counties involving the Puget Sound watershed are Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Mason, Pierce, Skagit, Snohomish, and Thurston. The watersheds going upstream are Strait of Georgia, Lower Skagit, Stillaguamish, Snohomish, Lake Washington, Duwamish, Puyallup, Nisqually, Deschutes and Hood Canal. Watersheds going downstream are Nooksack, Lower Skagit, Snohomish, Duwamish, Hood Canal, and Dungeness-Elwha.

Puget Sound is an estuary, in which fresh water from the watershed mixes with the salt water from the Pacific Ocean. The bottom of the Sound is made up of a series of valleys and ridges, which disrupt the movement of water and help it mix. Puget Sound is the second largest watershed that flows through abundant forestlands and wilderness, including the popular Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Some of the environmental issues that Puget Sound watershed faces are the increase of toxic compounds discharge into the water, such contaminants become bound to sediments, spreading to other areas and contaminating the food chain. The release of these contaminants has created serious health risk to humans and harm to marine plants and animals. As far as watershed groups, there are about 99 groups already established such as the Boeing Creek Watershed Outreach Program, Puget Soundkeeper Alliance, American Rivers-Northwest Regional Office, etc.

Photo retrieved from:http://www.co.snohomish.wa.us/PWApp/SWM/watersheds/PSDwtrshd.html

While searching the web I discovered important information about the increase of storm water runoff due to the development across the Puget Sound watersheds. As natural surfaces in Puget Sound watersheds have been covered with roads, homes and parking lots, populations of salmon, herring, bottomfish and many other fish have decreased, water quality has declined, shellfish beds have closed, and contaminated sediments have been washed into the near shore environment. As a result, citizens and organizations of the Puget Sound area need to be aware of what’s happening to their fresh waters while increasing volunteer groups and managing the preservation of watershed more effectively.

Reference:

Anonymous. (n.d.). Welcome to Puget Sound. Key to the Fishes of Puget Sound. Retrieed from http://www.washington.edu/burkemuseum/collections/ichthyology/FishKey/aboutps.html

Anonymous. (n.d.). Watersheds. Retrieved from http://www.prism.washington.edu/story/Watersheds

Agriculture Expansion

2012-03-13T20:07:00.002-07:00

Studies have shown that population growth causes some unbalances in the world; such as hunger, therefore the need to expand agriculture in order to feed human population is inevitable. The article presented talks about the recent increase in agriculture as well as the viewpoint of future intensifications. Agriculture food production has been doubling for the past 35 years, with a 6.87-fold increase in nitrogen fertilization, 3.48-fold in phosphorous fertilization, 1.68-fold in irrigated cropland, and a 1.1-fold increase in land cultivation. (Tilman) These changes would provoke dramatic impacts on the diversity, composition, and performance of the remaining natural ecosystem of the world. One of these changes to suffer the most would be fresh water and marine ecosystem with high rates of nitrogen and phosphorous release from agricultural fields.

Grain production such as wheat, maize, and rice has been one of the fields that have increased the most. Although grain production has decreased the rate of malnourished people in the world, we would still expect to see the world population rate to increase around 10 billion, therefore increasing the need to feed the population and livestock with the most common agricultural production, grain.

The article also explains the factors involved in the recent doubling of food production during the past 35 years. Among these factors is the higher-yielding strain of crops, increased use of herbicides and fungicides, as well as the high amount of nitrogen and phosphorous fertilizers applied yearly worldwide.

In addition, doubling agriculture would have impacts on the existing nonagricultural ecosystems, such as forests on slopes and wetlands that help release water into streams and rivers. Agriculture depends on soil fertility, which would be destroyed when agriculture expands. The article then ends by stating that agricultural practices need to be modified in order to minimize environmental impacts, even though such practices would increase the cost of production.

Based on the statements made in this article, agriculture food production is facing a two way situation. One way is the fact that is almost impossible to stop agriculture expansion due to the increase in human population, on the other hand rate of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization are increasing as well as the doubling amount of land irrigated. Therefore, the destruction of nonagricultural ecosystem would increase the rate of threatened species in the world. However, if we can properly manage both agricultural and nonagricultural ecosystem, the natural ecosystem would be able to sustain resources used by society, such as fish, timber, and others.

Sources:

Tilman, D., (1999, May 25). Global environmental impacts of agricultural expansion: The need for sustainable and efficient practices. Retrieved from http://www.pnas.org/content/96/11/5995.full

Human Dimensions of Global Change

2012-03-13T08:13:00.001-07:00

Human dimensions of global change are surrounded by different questions, some of them without answers. Although it’s true that world’s climate changes naturally due to “the earth’s orbit and the way energy is received from the sun, volcanic eruptions and the way the ocean and the atmosphere work together” (Environment and Cleaner Living) we still can’t forget that human behavior is also one of the main reasons for this cause. By looking at the atmosphere through human history, we can clearly see that concentrations of CO2, methane and nitrous oxide increased rapidly around 1800, mostly due to industrialization. At the same time land use and land cover had also significant changes over longer periods of time. Human causes of changes have been happening over decades and the main reason is because humans need to meet the needs of a fast growing population.

However, and this is what intrigues me the most about this subject, the role of human population as the major cause of land cover, is in fact more complex. Several cases suggest that population growth and/or migration show a relationship with increasing rates of tropical deforestation. At the same time, others suggest that population growth wouldn’t need of deforestation if in fact there would be other process available as alternatives to land clearing such as employment. In addition, there’s supporting evidence that “only at higher population densities does one find more intensive and efficient use of land (National Research Council, pg 305).

On the other hand, political and economic structures limit individual choices on the management of land and resources, leading many peasants to overuse their land, opt for polluting technologies, or cut their forests. Therefore, after considerable understanding of human causes, is clear that there is no simple correlation between population and deforestation, or common property rights and resource degradation. There’s still to develop land management institutions that would act to local needs and diminish global change, such development is difficult to achieve but not impossible. If we can at least follow the Kyoto Protocol and keep the commitment as the European Union has offered, we can still reduce emissions by 2013 and later on in 2020.

References:

National Research Council. (1999). Global Environmental Change: Research Pathways for the Next Decade. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.

(2010). Causes of Climate Change. Environment and Greener Living. Retrieved from http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Environmentandgreenerliving/Thewiderenvironment/Climatechange/DG_072920

(2010). Climate Change. Environment. Retrieved from http://ec.europa.eu/environment/climat/home_en.htm