Environmental Challenges - July
- Jessica L
- Jul 24, 2020
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 12, 2020
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I thought pollution and the condition of the environment should be dived deeper a bit more, so this will be this month's article. This article will be added on to during the month of August too.
All of this information I have learned is from "Buzz Online" 's Environmental Challenges and Research Class (w/Serena Zhao and Samantha Chen). Be sure to check out Buzz Online in the relations tab of this "Cause Detector" website. Here is the link to their website: buzzonline.org. Big credits to them!!
TOPIC #1 ATMOSPHERE ( FOSSIL FUELS, ENERGY CONSUMPTION)
FOSSIL FUELS AND ENERGY CONSUMPTION
First, I wanted to talk about fossil fuels. How can we reduce the amount of coal, oil, wood burning, etc?
First, I want you to look at this graph from the link above. You can see that the energy consumed over the years has increased by quadrillions! But, why is this such a big deal? Why are you mentioning this?
HOW ENERGY CONSUMPTION/FOSSIL FUELS AFFECTS
HOW WILL THIS AFFECT THE ENVIRONMENT?
Why does energy consumption affect the environment, and why is it a challenge? Well, burning fossil fuels emits air pollutants harmful to the atmosphere. This also will affect animals, and public human health.
(If you would like to dive deeper on how it will affect animals and humans, check out this interesting article by News Feature: https://www.pnas.org/content/117/25/13856#:~:text=%E2%80%9CThe%20health%20effects%20of%20air,they%20don't%20travel%20alone.)
These emissions also contribute to acid rain (also, each PH level can have a big difference between each number, check the first graph of this article: https://www.fondriest.com/environmental-measurements/parameters/water-quality/ph/) and the forming of harmful, particulate matter.
HOW WILL THIS AFFECT THE FUTURE?
Fossil fuels leave lasting impacts on our planet earth/environment. Ever since fossil fuels came along in the 1800s, global warming quickly became a big problem (becoming worse and worse). Also, since we are using these resources so quickly, it is estimated/predicted that these certain fossil fuels will run out between 50-100 years later. By then, we would have to change our actions, and find alternate ways of energy. This is a big deal.
SOLUTION TO THIS ISSUE/WAYS TO HELP
There is no guarantee that everyone will be heartfelt about this and realize this importance. See this graph: https://e360.yale.edu/digest/americans-who-accept-climate-change-outnumber-those-who-dont-5-to-1. Many people realize that global warming is happening, but some don't think this way, which is where we will help people be more aware of this.
Here are some ways to help:
conserve your electrical use at home (reduces energy waste and electrical demands)
use alternate transportation (less energy used from vehicle transportation, use a bike, or carpool to reduce amounts)
green your car! (if available)
use alternative energy (you could use solar energy, wind energy, and even save water too from the rain)
raise awareness (make a website like I'm doing, share your thoughts on social media, form a community group, talk about these issues to your family, friends, coworkers, boss, teachers, etc. and let them know)
(These ways to help can also be used for helping the hydrosphere's acidification and sea levels. You will understand in the next article.)
TOPIC #2 HYDROSPHERE (OCEAN ACIDIFICATION)
What is ocean acidification? What does it do to the ocean? How can this affect us humans?
Ever since we have started burning fossil fuels, there are other consequences too. This CO2 is absorbed into the ocean (also known as the world's biggest carbon sink), which has decreased the carbon in the atmosphere. But, that causes problems for the hydrosphere.
To start off this topic, there are many sea creatures with shells in the ocean that need carbonate ions which are used to strengthen their shells (also the building blocks). When CO2 reacts with sea water, they form a new chemical: hydrogen ions. They compete with shells for carbonate ions, which means weaker shells, less energy to find food, and the population to die off. This means less food for the predators, and us. Some people heavily rely on seafood as their food source.
Here is an overview video about everything I have explained about ocean acidification (by ACE, Alliance for Climate Education): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SMWGV-DBnk
SOLUTION TO THIS ISSUE/WAYS TO HELP
As you can tell, ocean acidification is related to fossil fuels and the air pollutants they release, especially carbon dioxide. So many solutions, ways to help for this are connected with the ones in the topic above.
conserve your electrical use at home (reduces energy waste and electrical demands)
use alternate transportation (less energy used from vehicle transportation, use a bike, or carpool to reduce amounts)
green your car! (if available)
use alternative energy (you could use solar energy, wind energy, and even save water too from the rain)
raise awareness (make a website like I'm doing, share your thoughts on social media, form a community group, talk about these issues to your family, friends, coworkers, boss, teachers, etc. and let them know)
use environmentally-friendly and biodegradeable household products
try not to overuse pesticides and fertilizers in gardens
DO NOT LITTER!!
don't throw paints, oils, or other non-dissolvable, non-degradable materials down the drain
avoid using one-time disposable plastics
eat more organic food!
sign petitions that you believe in helping and contributing to
support environmental charities
vote (be sure to be of age, 18 years or older)
make a pledge to follow (pledge yourself to follow these small solutions)
educate others around you (family, friends, teacher, guardian, community, neighbors, etc.) and yourself (of course!!)
SPEAK UP in your community and town (make a difference! this spreads a lot of awareness)
Take action! Subscribe/donate to these sites below that help ocean conservancy, fund acidification research, etc:
1. Fill out your personal information, and take action to keep our oceans healthy. Tell your senators to fund ocean acidification research: https://takeaction.oceanconservancy.org/page/26446/action/1/?ea.tracking.id=20HPXGJAXX&gclid=Cj0KCQjwvIT5BRCqARIsAAwwD-RHiv7KX7Gt6pc-e7Uze61fJhnMMPa9nLGtBKUmCcljhsghbpB9RSUaAlfaEALw_wcB
2. An organization you can join that promises to protect marine animals and their habitat areas: https://marine.wildaid.org/
3. This is an alternate search engine I recommend!! This has nothing to do with acidification, but trash is still polluting the waters, also causing problems for marine animals. Although this search engine may not search up the best results you can ask for, you are still helping clean up trash while simply searching up from the web. Every 5 searches you make, you help recover one-ocean bound plastic bottle. You can even turn it on to ocean mode! How cool is that!! What are you waiting for? https://oceanhero.today/
You can also find other ways to help out by simply searching the web!!
TOPIC #3 GEOSPHERE
(WASTE DISPOSAL, NATURAL DISASTERS/EROSION, SOIL POLLUTION, ETC)
After learning all about the atmosphere and hydrosphere's problems, let's move on to the geosphere. The geosphere is affected by many things too, including the subjects above.
Why is waste disposal such a big deal to worry about? Well landfills take up big areas of space, made to allow the decomposition of waste, preventing the waste to contaminate the environment. But this also affects the atmosphere too! When waste decomposes, there may be many byproducts including methane, CO2, and leachate (rainwater (hydrosphere) that picks up toxins in a landfill). Leachate remains an ongoing obstacle as it must be prevented from entering groundwater supply. Do you think there are other ways of disposal? If so, what are your thoughts?
(still adding onto this section)
Adding on more topics next week and in August! I will also add environmental challenges in the hydrosphere, biosphere, and geosphere. Stay tuned!
All of this information I have learned is from "Buzz Online" 's Environmental Challenges and Research Class (w/Serena Zhao and Samantha Chen). Be sure to check out Buzz Online in the relations tab of this "Cause Detector" website. Here is the link to their website: buzzonline.org. Big credits to them!!
OTHER GREAT SITES TO CHECK OUT
TED Talk - Ocean Acidification - The Evil Twin of Climate Change w/Triona McGrath - TEDxFulbrightDublin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8m1X26Auw6Q
SOURCES
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