Environmental Issues

Scientists have determined that a number of human activities1 are contributing to global warming by adding excessive amounts of greenhouse gases2 to the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases3 such as carbon dioxide accummulate in the atmosphere and trap heat that normally would exit into outer space.

Greenhouse Gases and Global Warming
While many greenhouse gases occur naturally and are needed to create the greenhouse effect4 that keeps the Earth warm enough to support life, human use of fossil fuels is the main source of excess greenhouse gases5. By driving cars, using electricity from coal-fired power plants, or heating our homes with oil or natural gas, we release carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases into the atmosphere. Deforestation is another significant source of greenhouse gases, because fewer trees means less carbon dioxide conversion to oxygen. During the 150 years of the industrial age, the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide has increased by 31 percent. Over the same period, the level of atmospheric methane has risen by 151 percent, mostly from agricultural activities such as raising cattle and growing rice.

The Consequences of Global Warming
As the concentration of greenhouse gases grows, more heat is trapped in the atmosphere and less escapes back into space. This increase in trapped heat changes the climate and alters weather patterns, which may hasten species extinction, influence the length of seasons, cause coastal flooding, and lead to more frequent and severe storms.

By Larry West 

                                                  Environmental Issues

What Causes Global Warming?

Scientists have determined that a number of human activities1 are contributing to global warming by adding excessive amounts of greenhouse gases2 to the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases3 such as carbon dioxide accummulate in the atmosphere and trap heat that normally would exit into outer space.

Greenhouse Gases and Global Warming
While many greenhouse gases occur naturally and are needed to create the greenhouse effect4 that keeps the Earth warm enough to support life, human use of fossil fuels is the main source of excess greenhouse gases5. By driving cars, using electricity from coal-fired power plants, or heating our homes with oil or natural gas, we release carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases into the atmosphere. Deforestation is another significant source of greenhouse gases, because fewer trees means less carbon dioxide conversion to oxygen. During the 150 years of the industrial age, the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide has increased by 31 percent. Over the same period, the level of atmospheric methane has risen by 151 percent, mostly from agricultural activities such as raising cattle and growing rice.

The Consequences of Global Warming
As the concentration of greenhouse gases grows, more heat is trapped in the atmosphere and less escapes back into space. This increase in trapped heat changes the climate and alters weather patterns, which may hasten species extinction, influence the length of seasons, cause coastal flooding, and lead to more frequent and severe storms.

By Larry Westv

The green cover is rapidly shrinking on Planet Earth and the pollution levels are rising. Well, today, humans have to combat many such manmade effects that have harmed the Mother Nature in many ways over the years. Alarming climatic changes, deforestation, destruction of habitat and extinction of species, rising pollution levels are only some of the current environmental issues we are faced with today.

Global Warming:
Global warming is one of the major issues we are being faced with. The term signifies an increase in the atmospheric temperature near the earth's surface, which is caused by various reasons. Scientists are of the opinion that a rise in the carbon dioxide levels will further aggravate the situation. The greenhouse effect causes the earth's heat to be trapped in the atmosphere, which results in the increase in temperature. Global warming has thus caused a change in the climate of the earth, causing temperatures to rise. This in turn has an effect on various species dependant on the basic laws of nature. A change in the same makes survival a difficult issue. A warmer earth also causes changes in the rainfall patterns and thus affects humans, plants and animals as well.

Ozone Depletion:
CFCs are considered to be the main cause of ozone depletion. The term, ozone depletion, implies a decline of the quantity of the ozone in the Earth's stratosphere. The loss of ozone in the lower stratosphere was first recorded in Antarctica in the 1970s. As we all know, the earth's atmosphere is composed of many layers and ozone forms a layer in the stratosphere. Chlorofluorocarbons or CFCs for short, are used in aerosol sprays as well as air conditioners. These when released into the atmosphere add to the ozone depletion. The ozone hole in the Antarctic is caused primarily due to these CFCs. Due to ozone depletion; humans are faced with various other problems such as the harmful effects of the UV rays, which in turn affect plants and various other species of animals.

Pollution:
Pollution is something that we face on an everyday basis; probably this is something we may even be immune in our fast paced lives. Air pollution and noise pollution are increasing at an alarming rate today. Air pollution occurs with the addition of harmful chemicals into the earth's atmosphere. The main pollutants that cause the same are carbon monoxide, CFCs, nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide. Water pollution is caused when wastes are released into the water that contaminates the same. Soil can even be contaminated due to various industrial activities. Noise pollution is also a current environmental issue that causes harm in various ways.

Loss of Natural Resources:
With the increase in population, one can see the loss of natural resources. This is caused due to various human activities. There are many reasons that cause loss of natural resources. This in turn affects the ecosystems. Activities such as overfishing have even caused many species to be on the brink of extinction. Forests are being cleared to meet the rising demands for the need of paper, wood or even for land. Mining and the burning of fossil fuels have led to further depletion of resources.

These are some of the current environmental issues we are facing today. With an effort from each individual, we can only hope to save our planet from being destroyed.

Biodiversity boosts ecosystem productivity where each species, no matter how small, all have an important role to play. For example, a larger number of plant species means a greater variety of crops; greater species diversity ensures natural sustainability for all life forms; and healthy ecosystems can better withstand and recover from a variety of disasters.

A healthy biodiversity provides a number of natural services for everyone:

• Ecosystem services, such as
  • Protection of water resources
  • Soils formation and protection
  • Nutrient storage and recycling
  • Pollution breakdown and absorption
  • Contribution to climate stability
  • Maintenance of ecosystems
  • Recovery from unpredictable events
• Biological resources, such as
  • Food
  • Medicinal resources and pharmaceutical drugs
  • Wood products
  • Ornamental plants
  • Breeding stocks, population reservoirs
  • Future resources
  • Diversity in genes, species and ecosystems
• Social benefits, such as
  • Research, education and monitoring
  • Recreation and tourism
  • Cultural values

That is quite a lot of services we get for free! The cost of replacing these (if possible) would be extremely expensive. It therefore makes economic and development sense to move towards sustainability. A report from Nature magazine also explains that genetic diversity helps to prevent the chances of extinction in the wild (and claims to have shown proof of this). To prevent the well known and well documented problems of genetic defects caused by in-breeding, species need a variety of genes to ensure successful survival. Without this, the chances of extinction increases. And as we start destroying, reducing and isolating habitats, the chances for interaction from species with a large gene pool decreases. While there might be "survival of the fittest" within a given species, each species depends on the services provided by other species to ensure survival. It is a type of cooperation based on mutual survival and is often what a "balanced ecosystem" refers to.

Did you know that cell phones transmit signals via radio frequency (RF), the same kind of low-frequency radiation used in microwave ovens and AM/FM radios. Scientists have known for years that large doses of high-frequency radiation-the kind used in X-rays-causes cancer, but less is understood about the risks of low-frequency radiation. Studies on the health risks of cell-phone use have produced mixed results, but scientists and medical experts warn that people should not assume no risk exists. Cell phones have been widely available for only the past 10 years or so, but tumors may take twice that long to develop. Because cell phones haven't been around very long, scientists haven't been able to assess the effects of long-term cell-phone use, or to study the effects of low-frequency radiation on growing children. Most studies have focused on people who have been using cell phones for three to five years, but SOME studies have indicated that using a cell phone an hour a day for 10 years or more can significantly increase the risk of developing a rare brain tumor. "Precaution" seems to be the approach recommended by an increasing number of scientists, medical experts and public health agencies, from the French Health Ministry to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). General recommendations to minimize the potential health risks include talking on cell phones only when necessary, and using a hands-free device to keep the cell phone away from your head. I dont know about you but just knowing these facts scares me.

   Hey my name is Tony Gallegos I am a green advertising and Marketing associate, but on my down time I like to garden and clean up the enviornment the best I can. lately I have been helping my grandpa out with gardening planting and all kindsof stuff that will help the neviornment. Last year I did alot of work for the farmers market in Palo Alto their is so much to learn from the people that grow and sell all their crops. An example of that would be if the product they where selling was all pesticide free or how much things have changed.