Warming waters leading to smaller fish
In an article from scientific American, it has come to my attention that the world has a growing problem with the warming of its oceans which is causing in a size reduction to the fish who live there. You see fish are as we know fish are cold blooded creatures and when the waters heat up the metabolism of the fish speeds up meaning that their bodies will require more oxygen from the water which will now have less of it. Now on average a change of just two degrees Celsius can reduce the size of fish by an alarming 45 percent. Now if this stretches further for any reason fish could begin shrinking sooner, some scientists are saying that they could adapt by expanding their gill system, but its a problem of dimensions there is only so much space on a fish.
Now you may wonder why you need to be concerned with the idea of fish getting smaller, right? I thought the same thing, you know it's not like this is going to have an affect on me or an affect on my life so why should I care, but what I didn't consider were the ecological consequences of this occurrence. This means that large species of fish could soon top out well before their current sizes. This can also lead to shrinking fisheries and problems further up the food chain. So in conclusion this is a serious issue that isn't currently seen as a big problem by the general public that I believe needs to be getting more attention so we can prevent this disaster.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/warming-waters-could-mean-smaller-fish/
Now you may wonder why you need to be concerned with the idea of fish getting smaller, right? I thought the same thing, you know it's not like this is going to have an affect on me or an affect on my life so why should I care, but what I didn't consider were the ecological consequences of this occurrence. This means that large species of fish could soon top out well before their current sizes. This can also lead to shrinking fisheries and problems further up the food chain. So in conclusion this is a serious issue that isn't currently seen as a big problem by the general public that I believe needs to be getting more attention so we can prevent this disaster.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/warming-waters-could-mean-smaller-fish/
Climate change affected Hurricane Harvey?
In an article by livescience.com is discussing the possibility that the Hurricane ravaging Texas could have been much worse due to climate change. Research into the possibility of climate change having an impact of hurricanes was spurred by hurricane Katrina over ten years ago. However according to the article the major problem with proving that is their simply isn't enough evidence yet. You see researchers detect hurricanes more than they did before the advent of satellites. As well the way scientists measure hurricane intensity has changed in that time. So in conclusion as of late there isn't definite confirmation that climate change correlates with hurricane intensity, but it is something that must be researched further.
Of course what you need to get down to is why your average person on the street should care about this article or the research being done. Well it's very simple, that if this can be proven every possible action should be taken to limit climate change so that the immense disaster that has been occurring in Texas as a result of hurricane Harvey. You never know they next one could come right at you. Which is why we need to all be working hard to combat climate change so that we can hopefully limit its impact on deadly hurricanes such as Katrina and Harvey.
https://www.livescience.com/60269-did-climate-change-intensify-harvey.html
Of course what you need to get down to is why your average person on the street should care about this article or the research being done. Well it's very simple, that if this can be proven every possible action should be taken to limit climate change so that the immense disaster that has been occurring in Texas as a result of hurricane Harvey. You never know they next one could come right at you. Which is why we need to all be working hard to combat climate change so that we can hopefully limit its impact on deadly hurricanes such as Katrina and Harvey.
https://www.livescience.com/60269-did-climate-change-intensify-harvey.html
The Solution to China's Terrible Air Quality
In an article by Science Daily, agronomists from the university of Illinois believe they have found the solution to China's terrible air quality. The air quality of China is caused by two things the large amount of coal burning and large amounts of soil erosion. More specifically soil erosion in the Loess Plateau which has been called the most erodible in the world. The solution the agronomists say is switchgrass. Switchgrass can be used to reduce both forms of air pollution in China. First switchgrass produces a lot of biomass that can be harvested and burned as a cleaner source of energy. Secondly switchgrass will hold the soil together reducing the soil erosion the region which will of course greatly help with China's increasing problem of air pollution.
Now of course as always the question after that is, why should we care? Even though I feel i say it every time the answer is very simple. China is one of the world's leaders in air pollution. So if we can help china by finding a solution to their air pollution problem we will be greatly limiting the amount of air pollution we have. Therefore if the this switchgrass is the solution to China's air pollution then we should be making every effort to assist china with this important issue, because this is planet is for all of us so if we help one nation with their air pollution we will be helping everyone by making our planet a much better place to live.
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/09/170905134503.htm
Now of course as always the question after that is, why should we care? Even though I feel i say it every time the answer is very simple. China is one of the world's leaders in air pollution. So if we can help china by finding a solution to their air pollution problem we will be greatly limiting the amount of air pollution we have. Therefore if the this switchgrass is the solution to China's air pollution then we should be making every effort to assist china with this important issue, because this is planet is for all of us so if we help one nation with their air pollution we will be helping everyone by making our planet a much better place to live.
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/09/170905134503.htm
Following Germany's Example in Renewable Energy
In the article Germany's transition From Coal to Renewables Offers Lessons For the World, from scientific american describes how the country is starting on a path to renewable energy that will have them using 80% renewable energy sources by 2050. This is a stark contrast to the country's previous reliance on coal and other forms of fossil fuels. According to the article nearly all of the coal mines have been shut down with the exception of two that will be shut down by the end of 2018. This is a monumental step for the country by starting on the path to get away from fossil fuels they are setting an example that should be followed the world over.
Moving on to the important aspect of this article of course, why should we all care. You know I'm getting really tired of explaining how simple it is. Germany is a large country and great European power, and by doing this they are not only limiting their own pollution and saving the precious amount of fossil fuels we have left on our planet. This is also a major step because they are proving it is possible for first world nations to easily follow their example and move towards using less fossil fuels instead using for renewable energy sources, and Limiting pollution the world over.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/germany-rsquo-s-transition-from-coal-to-renewables-offers-lessons-for-the-world/
Moving on to the important aspect of this article of course, why should we all care. You know I'm getting really tired of explaining how simple it is. Germany is a large country and great European power, and by doing this they are not only limiting their own pollution and saving the precious amount of fossil fuels we have left on our planet. This is also a major step because they are proving it is possible for first world nations to easily follow their example and move towards using less fossil fuels instead using for renewable energy sources, and Limiting pollution the world over.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/germany-rsquo-s-transition-from-coal-to-renewables-offers-lessons-for-the-world/
Plastic Replacement not far off?
In the article from Science Daily, New biomaterial could replace plastic laminates, greatly reduce pollution. The title is kind of self explanatory, but the big picture to this is an inexpensive biomaterial being developed by Penn state that is can be sustainably created and soon become an alternative to plastic laminates. The material is comprised of a polysaccharide polyelectrolyte complex -- is comprised of nearly equal parts of treated cellulose pulp from wood or cotton, and chitosan. There are many applications for this material already such as water-resistant paper, to coatings for ceiling tiles and wallboard, to food coatings to seal in freshness.
Now As always the important facts to think about are what can this do and why should we care. Now the global production of plastic is approaching 300 million tons per year. In a recent year, more than 29 million tons of plastic became municipal solid waste in the U.S. Based on this you can see how this increased production and consumption of plastic could have on our environment. Therefore this material is renewable, it is cheaper than the plastics we use now, and it is overall just better for our environment. So in conclusion we should make every effort to begin replacement of our current plastics with biomaterials such as this one.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/09/170920144704.htm
Now As always the important facts to think about are what can this do and why should we care. Now the global production of plastic is approaching 300 million tons per year. In a recent year, more than 29 million tons of plastic became municipal solid waste in the U.S. Based on this you can see how this increased production and consumption of plastic could have on our environment. Therefore this material is renewable, it is cheaper than the plastics we use now, and it is overall just better for our environment. So in conclusion we should make every effort to begin replacement of our current plastics with biomaterials such as this one.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/09/170920144704.htm
No More Pandas?
In the article from scientific American titled Roads are Slicing up Giant Pandas Habitat the author talks about the continued dwindling of panda habitats in China according to the article while conditions for the pandas has been improving in recent years with large amounts of their bamboo forest habitat being protected other large threats have emerged to threaten the pandas. Over the past 40 years more and more roads have begun dicing up the bamboo forest pandas call home. Now scientists insist that in order to prevent greater panda population decline we need to cease such operations.
Moving on there is always the matter of why should we care? Now we should consider it important that all species are protected therefore we must do our part to protect their habitat and therefore protect the panda population overall. So It is of the utmost importance that the destruction of their habitats is stopped to prevent further panda population decline.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/roads-are-slicing-up-giant-pandas-rsquo-habitat/
Moving on there is always the matter of why should we care? Now we should consider it important that all species are protected therefore we must do our part to protect their habitat and therefore protect the panda population overall. So It is of the utmost importance that the destruction of their habitats is stopped to prevent further panda population decline.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/roads-are-slicing-up-giant-pandas-rsquo-habitat/
Hurricane Irma and the endangered turtles
In the article by science daily Hurricane exposes and washes away thousands of sea turtle nests. The sea turtle populations in south Florida took quite a hit when hurricane Irma hit there a few weeks back and along with causing massive amounts of destruction it also devastated the sea turtle populations in the area. According to the authors they got lucky when hurricane Mathew hit because that was a low year for sea turtles. Not so when Irma hit with this one it is believed that the hurricane took over half the green turtle population and roughly a quarter of the loggerhead turtle nests.
Now this is important because both the species of turtles that were affected when hurricane Irma hit were both on the endangered species left meaning this hurricane decimated the possible population growth for two species in dire need of such growth. Which means that greater measures should be taken to ensure that the sea turtle populations are protected in the case of another hurricane.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/10/171004120435.htm
Now this is important because both the species of turtles that were affected when hurricane Irma hit were both on the endangered species left meaning this hurricane decimated the possible population growth for two species in dire need of such growth. Which means that greater measures should be taken to ensure that the sea turtle populations are protected in the case of another hurricane.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/10/171004120435.htm
Save Monkey Island
In the article Researchers Rally to Save Monkeys on Hurricane-Ravaged Island, from scientific american the author brings up the topic of an island called Cayo Santiago off the cost of Puerto Rico which was recently ravaged by hurricane maria is home to a large population of monkeys often used for scientific research such as those done for autism. As the hurricane hit bark was ripped off of trees, water preserves, and corrals have all been decimated following in the aftermath of the deadly storm.
The importance of this cannot be understated as these monkeys as I previously stated are relied on for important scientific research being done, but with reconstruction efforts and aid being rushed to Puerto Rico it has proven difficult to get help out to Cayo Santiago. Which is imperative if the island's large monkey population is to survive such an ordeal.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/researchers-rally-to-save-monkeys-on-hurricane-ravaged-island/
The Future of Our Earth as We Know It
What will happen to Earth when, in a few billion years' time, the Sun is a hundred times bigger than it is today? "Five billion years from now, the Sun will have grown into a red giant star, more than a hundred times larger than its current size," says Professor Leen Decin from the KU Leuven Institute of Astronomy. This metamorphosis will have a dramatic impact on the planets of our Solar System. The researchers used the ALMA radio telescope, which consists of 66 individual radio antennas that together form a giant virtual telescope with a 16-kilometre diameter. 300 million kilometres from L2 Puppis -- or twice the distance between the Sun and the Earth -- the researchers detected an object orbiting the giant star.
A deeper understanding of the interactions between L2 Puppis and its planet will yield valuable information on the final evolution of the Sun and its impact on the planets in our Solar System.
This is an important topic to know about because the planet we can only live in is Earth. Without Earth, other species including ourselves will no longer exist. We need to listen to what our scientist are telling us and pay attention more to what they are saying. We need to stop ignoring the facts and start listening to the experts. Our next president showed be aware and should try to make anything possible for the scientists to complete thier jobs. The more research they can do the more information they have to complete their job in keeping or Earth healthy and strong
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/12/161208090444.htm
Fossils Fossils Fossils
There has been tiny structures uncovered in ancient Canadian rock. It is so small they classify it as a "microfossil". Scientists predict that this fossil was some form of life from 3.77 billion years ago. If this is proven true then it will be the earliest evidence of life on Earth that we have found. In addition to this microfossil found in the rock, the rock contained chemical compounds that is almost certainly the result of biological processes.
I think this is fantastic news. I hope that they are proven right and that we have officially found the earliest evidence of life on Earth. It is crazy to see how far we come and sometimes I forgot how much farther we have to come. Articles like this make me realize that we have yet to discover and uncover all the secrets of the world. It intrigues me to wander how much more we will discover with this newfound fossil.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2017/03/01/newfound-3-77-billion-year-old-fossils-could-be-earliest-evidence-of-life-on-earth/?utm_term=.e6f492730307
I think this is fantastic news. I hope that they are proven right and that we have officially found the earliest evidence of life on Earth. It is crazy to see how far we come and sometimes I forgot how much farther we have to come. Articles like this make me realize that we have yet to discover and uncover all the secrets of the world. It intrigues me to wander how much more we will discover with this newfound fossil.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2017/03/01/newfound-3-77-billion-year-old-fossils-could-be-earliest-evidence-of-life-on-earth/?utm_term=.e6f492730307
Death to Plastic Bags
Schoolchildren inspired Palm Beach commissioners to be in support of banning plastic bags in retail stores. One of the bills in the making would enact a plastic bag ban on coastal towns with fewer than communities of 100,000. As The Benjamin School tells commissioners about how bag plastic bags are in the ocean, the Florida Retail Federation opposes giving local boards the ability to ban plastic bags. They argue it would create inconsistent regulations.
I think it is good to hear about how certain areas want to enact this law. It shows how we are slowly looking for a better tomorrow. I don't think plastic bags should be allowed in retain stores and there are alternative methods such as using reusable bags. People seem to look to what's going on now instead of to the future where our plastic bag use could gravely effect us as well as animals.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/palm-beach/fl-pn-bag-ban-passes-20170222-story.html
I think it is good to hear about how certain areas want to enact this law. It shows how we are slowly looking for a better tomorrow. I don't think plastic bags should be allowed in retain stores and there are alternative methods such as using reusable bags. People seem to look to what's going on now instead of to the future where our plastic bag use could gravely effect us as well as animals.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/palm-beach/fl-pn-bag-ban-passes-20170222-story.html
Living with Climate Change
Residents among the Pacific Islands are facing the effects of climate change, but are learning to adapt to these changes. As sea levels rise, threatening islanders' homes, water sources that are being contaminated with salt water, and destroying crops, these residents are enduring these consequences because they are not willing to leave their native land. Climate change is also causing coral reef bleaching and cyclones to form, one of which hit Fiji. In order to adapt to these changes, one community that contains 350 residents built a wall 5 meters in height to prevent the rising sea from destroying their land.
It astonishes me how resilient these islanders are, the commitment they are sustaining to their native land has driven them to adapt to the climate change caused by developing communities. The conditions these residents face are an endangerment to their entire community, which is why global action must be enacted to prevent the furthering damage of communities by greenhouse gases.
www.nationalgeographic.com/photography/proof/2017/02/climate-change-pacific-islands/
It astonishes me how resilient these islanders are, the commitment they are sustaining to their native land has driven them to adapt to the climate change caused by developing communities. The conditions these residents face are an endangerment to their entire community, which is why global action must be enacted to prevent the furthering damage of communities by greenhouse gases.
www.nationalgeographic.com/photography/proof/2017/02/climate-change-pacific-islands/
How to Save our Solar Energy
California's growing community of solar energy is increasing at a rate that is satisfying the demands of energy consumers, but is also becoming excessive. A surplus of solar energy is not being utilized by Californians, which is why some groups are advocating for the integration of this excess renewable energy to generate the entire West of the USA. In order to do so, legislation must be passed to integrate this transfer of energy. So far, Governor Gerry Brown is advocating the idea. If this procedure is put into effect, the West will reap the economic benefits of cost efficient renewable energy and the use of clean energy that does not pollute the atmosphere with excess carbon and methane emissions.
The West must recognize the long term benefits that will result if they begin to integrate renewable energy within their region. Not only is is beneficial for the environment as a whole, but for the consumer's finances as well.
www.nrdc.org/experts/ralph-cavanagh/how-california-can-avoid-throwing-away-solar-energy
The West must recognize the long term benefits that will result if they begin to integrate renewable energy within their region. Not only is is beneficial for the environment as a whole, but for the consumer's finances as well.
www.nrdc.org/experts/ralph-cavanagh/how-california-can-avoid-throwing-away-solar-energy