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?

Article due 12/11

DDT is a dangerous pesticide that kills and repels mosquitos more effectively than any other known substance. This chemical was used widely in the developing world to prevent malaria, a disease that not only kills the populations of these areas, but the economies, but has been stopped due to pressures from the developed world. The developed world wants use of DDT to stop because it is a chemical that takes years to decompose, and it bioaccumulates in humans, which could be dangerous.
The continued use of DDT would hurt the environment as it is a pesticide that would accumulate in animals, leading to deaths. Also, the discontinued use of DDT would increase the mosquito population, increasing the cases worldwide of malaria.
Should use be stopped now or should developing countries use DDT?

Post due 12/4

In India alone, 140 million people drink water that is contaminated with pollutants, despite measures to improve water quality. Sarvajal is a company that is trying to tackle this problem with water ATMs, created with sensory equipment and cloud technology. This invention not only provides clean water to many rural areas, but allows for the women and children who used to spend their time only retrieving water may now divert their attentions.
The still growing population of India will begin to stress the water supply beyond capacity, creating a detriment to the region as the water table will fall. The fall of the water table will not only hurt the human populations of the area, but all natural habitats as well.
Will the improvement of water in India be enough to halt over use of the area's resources?