Post Due 4/23

While climate change has become the focus point of environmental debate, world land use deserves just as much concern. Thirty percent of non-ice land on earth is used for agriculture, and the practices we use are degrading the quality of these ecosystems, if not completely destroying them. Current agricultural practices have fundamentally affected the chemistry of the earth, distributing phosphorous and nitrogen where it is not usually found, creating dead zones in my waterways.
This pollution affects ecosystem balances and their function, leading to degradation of their services. Also, one third of the three top green house gas emissions result from agricultural practices, including deforestation.
Is it possible to balance environmental concerns with production needs?

Post due 4/16

As global climate change continues, we are able to observe trends that result from warming temperatures. One such trend is a rise in sea level, an estimated eight to ten inches since 1880. This pattern is predicted to continue, and possibly accelerate, over the coming decades.
This rise in sea level will cause a destruction of current coast lines, destroying already formed habitats. The covered coast line will no longer support the same amount of plant life, leading to a decrease in carbon depletion from the atmosphere, adding to the problem.
Can this process be reversed?

Post due 4/9

VICE magazine has begun to cover climate change, to an audience that does not normally hear it. They are specifically focused on Greenland, and the ice melting there. This is personal to them because the ocean level is rising, affecting the entire globe. 

Greenland's ice is melting rapidly, destroying habitats of that country. Also, the ocean's water levels are rising due to this added water, which is affecting coastal habitats all over the world. 

Can this process be reversed? 

Post due 4/2

Air pollution is greatest preventable killer. Air pollution caused 7 million deaths in 2012 alone, greatly affecting South East Asia and the Western Pacific. Exposure happens indoors and outdoors, due to fumes from burning fuels and industry emissions.
Air pollution also affects the environment, as it lowers plant function, cutting the bottom of the food web down considerably. This rocks entire ecosystems, as well as affecting the lung function of many animals.
Can this process be reversed?

Post Due 3/26

As the global population rises, so does the demand for food. This in turn increases the agricultural cow population, which has been contributing to green house gasses due to their methane production. This methane production is potent and has been adding to the greenhouse effect.
The added greenhouse effect increases the heat trapped inside the earths atmosphere. This affects plant life as well as water evaporation rates.
Can a food source be developed for cows that will reduce or eliminate their methane production?

Post due 3/12

There is a mass of garbage floating in the pacific ocean, which has begun to distress environmentalists. Most of the garbage is undetectable to the human eye because it is broken down plastic. This heap of garbage is growing and negatively impacting the environment.
Many animals are dying because they are mistaking the garbage for food and consuming it. Also, the break down of plastic releases toxins into the area, harming all wildlife.
How can this mess be cleaned up?

Post due 3/5

The greater Houston area depends on waste water from north Texas to supplement its water supply. Though, north Texas cities are starting to recycle and reuse their own waste water, in preparation for another drought. This may cause an even more damaging dry spell to Houston. 

If Houston looses that much of its water supply, local plans will die due to lack of water. This mass death of vegetation will increase erosion of land as there will be nothing to hold it down- changing the landscape. 

Will Houston be able to recycle it's own water waste?