Global Warming

Source - http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/GlobalWarming/page2.php

Summary - Earth has warmed and cooled over time. Climate has changed when the planet received more or less sunlight due to subtle shifts in its orbit.. But in the past century, another force has started to influence Earth’s climate: humanity. Global warming is the rapid increase in Earth’s average temperature over the past century primarily due to the greenhouse gases released as people burn fossil fuels. The global average surface temperature rose 0.6 to 0.9 degrees Celsius between 1906 and 2005, and the rate of temperature increase has nearly doubled in the last 50 years. Temperatures are sure to rise even more. Despite increases and decreases from year to year, global average surface temperature is rising. Earth’s temperature begins with the Sun. Roughly 30 percent of incoming sunlight is reflected back into space by bright surfaces like clouds and ice. Of the remaining 70 percent, most is absorbed by the land and ocean, and the rest is absorbed by the atmosphere. The absorbed solar energy heats our planet. As the rocks, the air, and the seas warm, they radiate thermal energy. From the surface, this energy travels into the atmosphere where much of it is absorbed by water vapor and greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane. When they absorb the energy radiating from Earth’s surface, microscopic water or greenhouse gas molecules turn into tiny heaters. They radiate in all directions. The energy that radiates back toward Earth heats both the lower atmosphere and the surface, enhancing the heating they get from direct sunlight. What has scientists concerned now is that over the past 250 years, humans have been artificially raising the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere at an ever-increasing rate, mostly by burning fossil fuels, but also from cutting down carbon-absorbing forests. Since the Industrial Revolution began in about 1750, carbon dioxide levels have increased nearly 38 percent, as of 2009 methane levels have increased 148 percent. The atmosphere today contains more greenhouse gas molecules, so more of the infrared energy emitted by the surface ends up being absorbed by the atmosphere. Since some of the extra energy from a warmer atmosphere radiates back down to the surface, Earth’s surface temperature rises.

Opinion - 
This information surprises me because I didn't know how bad global warming was. I didn't know that the amount of methane that we have put into the air has increased by 148% since 1750. I think we need to stop producing harmful chemicals at such a high rate before the Earth gets even worse.

Questions - 
1. How do you feel about global warming?
2. Do you think there are any ways to stop global warming?
3. What do you think can be done about global warming?

2 Nuclear reactors

 Article: http://gulfnews.com/business/investment/uae-argentina-sign-mou-on-peaceful-nuclear-energy-1.1132116, title: UAE, Argentina sign MoU on peaceful nuclear energy, author: unknown. 

Summary: Yesterday In Argentina they held a conference, on how to better the relations of foreign countries with Argentina  They talked about many things but 1 thing that stood out was the talk about nuclear energy and renewable energy. They talked about renewable sources of energy like dams, and solar energy, etc. At the end of the day though what stood out the most was the talk of nuclear energy.  Nuclear energy is very dangerous, and radioactive. Countries are trying to make it safer. Argentina signed treaties with a few Arab nations, on the subject of nuclear energy. They now have much more strict restrictions and laws regarding disposal and management of nuclear energy and the overall use of it. 

Opinion/Reflection: I believe we should have stricter laws regarding nuclear energy. It is highly toxic, and radioactive. This can lead to severe health problems, if people are exposed to it. I believe it is smart Argentina, and other countries are trying to help solve the problem of exposure to nuclear waste. We must all be cautions of radioactive substances and materials, no matter where we live. 

Questions: 1. Should we have stricter laws regarding the use of nuclear energy. Why or why not? 

2. Do you think exposure from nuclear energy, can cause problems and affect everybody in the world? 

3. How seriously should we monitor use and disposal of nuclear waste? 

Roman Dolinay

Website:http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090721091837.htm

Picture: http://www.stuffintheair.com/images/control-pollution-and-save-planet-21304647.jpg

This picture is just showing all the pollution that is released from these factories. 

 Industrial vs. Traffic 

In the article I read about it was about children all over having increased respiratory problems. People were wondering if the problems were from the cars polluting the areas or was it the effects from the industrial companies polluting the areas. There were test put out to see what was the source of the problem. To see what the source they tested the air to see what particles were in the air. The also tested the tested the children to see what kind of symptoms they were having. The stronger source of the pollution was industrial which was causing the problems for the children. 

Opinion/Reflection: I think the industrial pollution needs to be controlled in some way. It is not fair to a child to have those problems. All industrial companies need to be aware of the pollution they are creating. A big reason they are developing these respiratory issues is because they live near these industrial areas. There waste need to be controlled and limited. 

Questions: 

1.How are ways to limit the pollutions?

2. Do you think the industrial companies can help the way they are impacting everyone especially  the children?

3. What are some other air pollutants that are like industrial pollution and have the same effect?

Liz Milbourne 

Air Pollution

Any Decrease in Air Pollution Leads to Longer Lives, Study Finds

By: David Gutierrez

Date of Publication: 12/8/12

URL: http://www.naturalnews.com/038259_air_pollution_longevity_study.html

 

Summary:

According to a study done by researchers at Harvard University, it was concluded that with even the smallest decrease in air pollution that it could increase our life expectancies. Although we are currently seeing a decrease in air pollution levels compared to 30 years ago, it was found that with even further reductions that health benefits could come along from them. This is due to the fact that improved air quality has resulted in lower health problems and longer life expectancies. The only problem with these health benefits that are supposed to occur from a decrease in air pollution is that researchers feel that since the studies conducted to find these results were done between 1980 and 2000, that they might not apply to us currently because we are currently expereincing much smaller levels of decreases in pollution then we were at these times. Even though they are still unsure if benefits will still occur today, they still feel that the change in decreases now won't make much of a difference. If health benefits do occur from decreases in air pollution though, it was also found that it would be more impactful on more urban areas compared to rural areas. Although they are still unsure why this is, they believe it is due to the stronger levels of pollution found in urban areas. These studies show that if decreases in air pollution continue to occur, then significant benefits for human health and life span will begin to show.

Opinion/Reflection:

In my opinion, I feel that we should put more efforts into reducing our amounts of air pollution to try and introduce more human health benefits and longer life spans. With pollution becoming a much greater problem impacting our health today, it is important that we try to reduce our pollution to lead to better health. I can easily relate to this topic as many of my ancestors were coal miners. Working in the coal mines everyday, they were exposed to high levels of air pollution. This greatly affected their health and led to their early deaths as their lungs grew bad due to the over exposure of air pollution from the mining of coal. Knowing this, I greatly support the idea of decreasing our air pollution to bring upon more health benefits and longer life spans.

Questions:

Now knowing that decreases in air pollution can lead to health benefits and longer life spans, would you make an effort to help decrease our amount of pollution?

Can you make any connections to air pollution affecting your life in any way?

Have you seen any recent news having to do with air pollution? If so, what about?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





Global Warming http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/science/topics/globalwarming/index.html

 Picture: This picture shows how the icebergs are melting due to global warming.

Summary: Global warming is the process of carbon dioxide and other global warming pollutants collecting in the atmosphere like a thickening blanket, trapping the sun's heat and causing the planet to warm up. Global warming impacts our water resources, energy supply, transportation, agriculture, and ecosystems, the United States Global Change Research Program concludes that climate change also poses unique challenges to human health. Global warming can cause death if the heat gets extreme in some countries and some diseases transmitted by food, water, and insects are likely to increase.These impacts will result in significant costs to our families and the economy. In January 2013, the National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, N.C., announced that 2012 was the hottest year ever in the contiguous United States since records began in 1895. The year 2012 brought a blistering March heat wave, a severe drought in the Corn Belt and a massive storm that caused broad devastation in mid-Atlantic states. The temperature differences between years are usually measured in fractions of a degree, but 2012 blew away the previous record, set in 1998, by a full degree Fahrenheit.

Opinion/Reflection: This information really surprised me because I knew how serious global warming was but I never thought that it can kill people. I was surprised that 2012 was the hottest year ever and I never would of though that I would be facing these natural issues in my life time. I think that we need to take global warming really seriously and do something about it because it's only going to get worse.

Questions:
1. Do you think that global warming is a big issue? Why or why not?
2. Do you think we should be more concerned about global warming or water/air pollution?
3. How do you think we can prevent/stop global warming? When should we start?

Hydraulic fracking in California

This shows a brief summary of the hydraulic fracturing process.

Article name: http://www.npr.org/2012/12/20/167712186/next-in-line-for-a-fracking-boom-california-looks-at-the-rules, author Lauren Sommer,

Title: Next In Line For A Fracking Boom, California Looks At The Rules

Summary: This article talks about hydraulic fracking, which is when we receive many resources that are useful by drilling into the ground. Hydraulic fracking is very controversial and many people believe it should be stopped. It has caused a oil boom is PA, TX. The oil companies in Texas have been spending 1 billion dollars a month on drilling. The arguments people have to why it is bad, is because it can cause health problems to the people that live in the area. California could be the next big area for fracking and companies would have to test before and after fracking. Drillers are not required to tell the state that they are fracking in and area, but with the new laws placed in California they would have to tell where and when they are fracking. 

Opinion/ Reflection: I believe hydraulic fracking should continue, if companies take care of the areas they are fracking in. We need to get our resources some how and we will eventually run out of oil etc., so we should receive as much of that resource as possible. It is a very controversial topic and people have different opinions based on moral and religious views, but I think we should keep fracking. This topic will be a big environmental issue and it reminds me of the controversial topic of offshore drilling, which is  still being discussed, and people still argue whether or not we should continue off shore drilling. I believe as long as we get what we need, we should continue with getting our oil etc., but we need to monitor the companies to make sure that they are being as environmentally friendly as possible.  

Questions: Should we stop hydraulic fracking? Why or why not? 

Is hydraulic fracking an important issue to you? Why or why not? 

Do you believe Pennsylvanians should be worried about health problems in there area from hydraulic fracking? Why or why not?

Picture: This show what kind of label you would see on your food if it was labeled to let you know it has a GMO in it or it does not.
The Labeling of GMO's on Food Products
By: Liz Milbourne
Sources:http://thinkprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/GMO-label-shutterstock-300x228.jpg
http://www.triplepundit.com/2011/04/gmos-gmos-label-label/

A GMO is a genetically modified organism. They are in about 60-80% of the packaged food you buy. Most people want a label on their food informing them if their is a GMO in there food. If their is a label on their food letting them know it contains a GMO the price of their food will get higher. In other countries like Australia, Japan, and China there was a law passed that makes them label all of their GMO food. Other than that law passed in those countries, there has been a push to get get GM food labeled. Most people think that they deserve to know what is in there food. There are a few projects and associations pushing to have our food labeled on not labeled. Overall the issue is that people defied to go on eating what they are eating with no information on what’s in it or they know what’s is in and decide if they will eat it or not.

Opinion: I think we should know what is in our food. Personally I don't they are benifiting us in a healthy way. Also I do not think the labeling of GMO's should increase price. They already labeling the ingredints and a GMO is practically one. I think labeling them will keep us aware of how many of these chemicals we are putting into our body. 

Questions:

1. Do think GMO's should be labeled on a food? 

2. Do you think if they are labeled do you think the purchase of the products will go down.

3. If they decided that GMO's will not be labled and that was the final decision, do you think there would be any effects of that?