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? 

Post Due 2/25

The United States' current energy use will not be sustainable in the future with current methods of fossil fuel consumption. One option to this problem is the use of Hydrogen as a medium for storing energy created from renewable resources, expanding their potential. Hydrogen is a practical option because the infrastructure for transport is already built, and it is an abundant element that is not difficult to manufacture.
Hydrogen is a clean fuel that will not contaminate the atmosphere when it is used, not contributing to the green house effect. Also, manufacturing of hydrogen does not damage the environment like mining for coal or drilling for oil does.
When will these processes be implemented on a larger scale?

Post due 2/12

American oil dependence has moved beyond an environmental issue, due to the global conflict it creates. This article claims that an Apollo level program is needed to move into hydrogen energy. This would be a game changing decision that would make us energy independent, and much closer environmentally sustainable.
The end of dependence on fossil fuels would dramatically decrease CO2 emissions in the atmosphere, lessening to the greenhouse effect. Also, the environmental damage caused at drill sites would decrease as the demand for more drilling decreases.
Is this entirely feasible with the current economic condition of the United States?

Post due 2/5

Green technology advancement is being hindered by a shortage of rare earth metals. These metals are used to build things such as lithium batteries which would decrease the need for fossil fuels. The increasing demand for exotic metals is creating its own environmental harm.

The mining of rare earth metals is causing harm to the environment as all mining does, even though it is for a green purpose. This nearly counterbalances the positive effect they would have.

Will we be able to find an alternative to rare earth metals?

Post due 1/29

Our current ways of mining and manufacturing are adding mercury pollution to our environment. Mining, steel production, and coal power plants are contributing to this problem. Mercury pollution is especially problematic for humans as it can become toxic due to consumption of fish that contain higher amounts of mercury.
This pollutant is altering normal environmental patterns, and leading to bioaccumulation of a toxin. This will be harmful for any organism higher up in the food chain.
Is it possible to reverse the damage of mercury pollution?

Post Due 1/22

The Yellow River, a water source for 150 million people, has been contaminated by China's refining processes. Chemicals have leaked into the river over the span of twenty years. Also, in south China, many places have been illegally strip mined, adding to the countries pollution.

The pollution of the Yellow River will have adverse effects on the environments it serves. These effects will almost surely decrease ecosystem function.

Will China be able to revers the damage that has been done to the Yellow River?

Post Due 1/15

The salinization of rivers is becoming an increasingly problematic issue. Not only does it increase economic and environmental cost, but it hurts global health. Human activities such as mining are increasing salt concentrations, along with global warming.
The increased salinization of rivers will disrupt current food webs as it harms many species that depend on the water. This disruption will hurt ecosystem function.
Can the increased salinization of rivers be reversed?