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?