Month: September 2018

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Environmental Related Diseases

 

Sina  Kibrom

9/3/18

Environmental Science 6th

Adopt a Topic: Environmental Related Disease

Geography: The World

 

K., MJ, C., & S. (2018, February 6). School of Nursing, University of Texas at El Paso, Health Science and Nursing Building, Room 359, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, TX, USA. Electronic address: Holvera@utep.edu. Retrieved from https://europepmc.org/abstract/med/29874545

https://europepmc.org/abstract/med/29874545

 

Abstract: In this publication, it goes over the problems we must face with all these environmental diseases. Many measures can indeed be taken to reduce this environmental disease burden. Some examples include the promotion of safe household water storage and better hygiene measures, the use of cleaner fuels and safer, more judicious use and management of toxic substances in the home and workplace. At the same time, actions by sectors such as energy, transport, agriculture, and industry are urgently required, in cooperation with the health sector, to address the root environmental causes of ill health.  Starting since years ago we have been affecting the environment negatively. Through these new studies made by scientists, we are able to find ways to prevent environmental related diseases. By conserving water, using less energy, and recycling we can help the environment to stay healthy. My article is related to Environmental Science because it discusses the big topic on how we must save our environment as well and preserve our resources. My article also discusses the many ways that we can help our environment by finding alternative methods.

  1. K. (2018, May 20). Why antibiotic pollution is a global threat. Retrieved from https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/why-antibiotic-pollution-is-a-global-threat/3009021.article

Aquaculture is rapidly affecting us. The need for antibiotics has increased and so has the amount of excess from  these antibiotics to enter  rivers and  oceans, which causes a negative affect on the fish. These manipulations decrease the effectiveness of the fishes immune system to clear up bacterial colonization and infection. The antibiotics are small and have the ability to swept up in waters as well as being eaten by fish.”There are a number of important studies that indicate that the bacterial flora in the environment surrounding aquaculture sites contain an increased number of antibiotic‐resistant bacteria.” Experiments have been done by testing the bottom surfaces of water and looking for antibiotics and mutated fish.  Another dangerous factor the risk of the mutated fish is being eaten. Once consumed, the person can suffer health issues causing them to risk their lives. By doing this they can find where it’s coming from and preventing it from coming in the water. More of this antibiotic is being created with some positive, but many negatives. The increase in growth of aquaculture is drastically affecting humans and as well as the environment. This relates to the environment because it’s discussing the importance of keeping our waters clean in order to stay safe.

 

Warnings Over Pollution Met With a Shrug in Coal Country. (18, September 4). Retrieved September 3, 2018, from https://www.usnews.com/news/news/articles/2018-09-04/warnings-over-pollution-met-with-a-shrug-in-coal-country

 

Trump’s Affordable Clean Energy program would dismantle President Barack Obama’s 2015 Clean Power Plan, which has been caught up in court battles without yet being implemented. In places such as West Virginia, it’s being argued, that the air in the coal mines is safe, but really contains toxic air that is being breathed in. Exposing their lungs to these toxins will lead to future health problems. Examples of this include asthma, heart attacks, and so on. This article relates to environmental science because it discusses the health and risks of exposure to nitrogen and other toxic chemicals. Just as I learned about the good and bad of the environment this article also discusses the side effects of harmful exposure and the damages caused to these worker’s lung. I found this article to be really interesting because the topic has previously been discussed before about the risks coals miners take and ways to prevent other mishaps from happening.

Schwartz, J., Friedman, L., Lipton, E., PIERRE-LOUIS, K., Sengupta, S., Popovich, N., . . . LESCAZE, Z. (2018, August 30). Climate and Environment. Retrieved September 3, 2018, from https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/05/climate/what-are-schools-doing-to-go-green.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fclimate&action=click&contentCollection=climate&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=9&pgtype=sectionfront

 

Abstract: Many schools are trying new methods to go greener. Due to the price drop in solar power, more than 5,500 schools are now using solar power energy across the country.  For example, Tiny creek school started using solar power and saved thousands of dollars. It is now be used for other school materials. Even the kids from the school participated in helping. Students asked their school board to explore alternative energy options. The Tri-Creek district issued bonds to cover installation costs and has also used a system that allows users of solar energy to sell the excess electricity back to the local utility. But Indiana, along with several other states, is phasing out that program. This relates to the environment because this article discusses ways to reduce energy and save power. If more people begin to try these methods of saving energy and using less water,  then we can improve the environment. The Tri-Creek district issued bonds to cover installation costs and has also used a system that allows users of solar energy to sell the excess electricity back to the local utility. By having help from friends we can all improve he environment together.

 

The Islamic State’s toxic farewell: Environmental sabotage and chronic disease. (2018, February 04). Retrieved September 3, 2018, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the-islamic-states-toxic-farewell-environmental-sabotag

 

Abstract: Ahmed Jassim is a young teen from Iraq who can’t go outside due to his heart condition. Ahmed had been in his condition since being exposed to toxic fumes. Those fumes affected his lungs, making them weak. Now Ahmed will never be the same for his lungs are too weak to allow him to go outside. This cased physical and psychological damage. Currently, in Iraq, there are no longer edible crops, drinking water and most of the children have breathing complications due to the oil well eruption during the war. Studies shows the government’s urgency to clear out the bombs and explosives in the area. By doing this it will prevent more lives from being lost, it will stop the pollution in the air, and prevent contamination of water. This relates to the environment because it points out the effects of other countries environmental footprint and the big role we play in the environment.  The articles also use a lot of examples that discuss the risks and dangers of the exposure of gas and chemicals from the air, resulting in a lot of deaths.

 

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Trump’s EPA Concludes Environmental Racism Is Real

Vann R. Newkirk II. ( 2018, February 28).

(2018) From. https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2018/02/the-trump-administration-finds-that-environmental-racism-is-real/554315/

summary: The people of color are struggling with air pollution more than others because they live near polluters. Pollution Industries usually put themselves near or in communities that have high poverty, low education and unemployment. The air that they are breathing causes cancer, asthma, and the water premature death. Trump and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) got together to try to dismantle Industries that would cause damage to the people in the areas that don’t have as much money as rich areas. EPA argued that the poor areas are more exposed to toxins in the air, and found it to be associated with racial segregation.

Opinion: The air quality may be worse in poor places, but I believe that if one area has air pollution than the town next door will  also have air pollution, no matter what, the rich and the poor  all share the same air, the pollution industries can choose to put them selves anywhere and it will cause damage to all places. The difference between the two is money, The rich are able to pay for damages being caused to their environment while the poor are struggling to save themselves. Yes they may protest sometimes but without money I believe that there wont be that much progress. People say that this can be a racial problem, but is it really? I don’t think it depends on race I think it depends on where you live. Many may disagree with me but here is an example, you may live a rich community and still get cancer and asthma because of the air or natural causes same with the poor areas. I think it just depends on where the industries choose to put themselves.

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Global warming is killing the Great Barrier Reef, study says

https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/18/world/great-barrier-reef-coral-dying-climate-change/index.html

According to Terry Hughes, study author and director of the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies at James Cook University Between March and November of the year 2017 about 30 percent of the corals were lost, a period of nine months in total. AS well as half of the corals on the Great Barrier Reef killed by climate change in just two years. Under the best conditions, the fastest growing corals take about 10 to 15 years to come back. This making it difficult to make up for the damage that has already been done from the past years.

This study demonstrated that the coral reefs that have been least affected by heat stress in the past are more sensitive to heat stress than we realized. It also shows climate change threatens the diversity that is the hallmark of coral reefs. The coral die-off has caused radical changes in the mix of coral species that are being transformed into more degraded systems, with just a few tough species remaining. Coral reefs do in fact get negatively impacted but it also affects other organisms which are the worst part. It causes an increase the risk of part of the marine life to possibly suffer and go extinct as well. The rapid decrease of coral reefs is a sign that humans must change with the way that reefs and ecosystems, in general, are treated throughout each year.

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Why is so much of the world’s coral dying? The Economist

https://www.economist.com/the-economist-explains/2018/03/21/why-is-so-much-of-the-worlds-coral-dying

 

The biggest cause of coral reefs decline is the warm temperature. The heat of the water results for corals to become significantly vulnerable to many other viruses. In a closer look, warming can provoke a damage in the symbiosis between the coral and its main food. The microalgae over produce sugars and toxins, these microalgae live inside the tissue of the coral reef. Also leading for coral polyps to spit them out. But because the polyps need these microalgae in order to survive, without them they turn white, a process knowns as bleaching. The bleaching does not fully kill the coral but it does increase their possibility of soon dying. Finally, the continuous build-up of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere also causes an increase in acidity of seawater, which makes it harder for coral to generate the calcium carbonate it needs for its own skeletal structure.

This article relates to environmental science because of the effects that coral reefs have on the entire marine ecosystems. Because of how major the impact of extinct coral reefs is on marine ecosystems it is categorized as a major problem. One of the roles of reefs it is that it builds support for the entire marine ecosystems. In other words, it provides the marine life with homes, food, etc. It can be considered as the main resource for some organisms that are apart of the marine life. Due to the amount of harm that coral reefs are being exposed, humans should make it one of their priorities to put at as many restrictions as possible in order to help them survive and not go extinct. The fact that a fifth of all coral in the world has died in the past three years is upsetting and difficult to process. Knowing that we ourselves are putting these animals in constant danger should be used to motivate humans to help reefs survive and stop the cruelty.

 

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.Billions of pieces of plastic on coral reefs send disease soaring, research reveals

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jan/25/billions-of-pieces-of-plastic-on-coral-reefs-send-disease-soaring-research-reveals

Coral reefs are being severely affected by small pieces of plastic which result in an increase in global warming as well. The scientist was only able to record items of plastic more than 5 cm in length, so did not assess the impact of microplastics. Not taking in mind the other mutuelle toxins that live in the ocean that affect the coral reefs. Aside from coral reefs being considered a home to multiple creatures many humans also rely on them for food, coastal protection from storms and income from tourism. By constantly damaging coral reefs through plastic they are more damaged by being considered a resource for humans, slowly killing the population of coral reefs around the world. Therefore it is crucial to cut plastic pollution.

Coral reefs are not being taken in mind when it comes to the areas in which humans throw away plastic. Coral reefs support multiple ecosystems, ecosystems that are important to take care of in order to let mother nature work well and efficiently. By not taking in mind the server damage that humans are causing with elastic to coral reefs it’s causing a huge barrier for many ecosystems to function at their fullest potential. Eventually leading for coral reefs to slowly be extinct and cause unintentional harm to other ecosystems. This article made me feel frustrated with how ignorant wear being with the constant damage that coral reefs and many other organisms have to face now in days because of humans. They are the ones suffering the consequences.  

 

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Low Oxygen Levels, Coral Bleaching Getting Worse in Oceans

https://www.usnews.com/news/news/articles/2018-01-04/low-oxygen-levels-coral-bleaching-getting-worse-in-oceans

Global warming has caused the world’s oceans to get sicker, depleting them of oxygen and extremely harming coral reefs. The lack of oxygen which turns the waters into warm waters develops this type of bleaching that targets coral reefs. The bleaching is slowly killing them. Although, the word ‘killing’ isn’t quite right. The bleaching makes the coral reefs sick by breaking down the crucial microscopic algae living inside the coral. In other words, it is ripping out the coral’s guts, according to co-author Mark Eakin, coordinator of the coral reef watch program for the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

 

This article shows a common, yet very unknown issue in environmental science. The decrease of oxygen and increase of temperature in the waters is the most unknown natural climate change. Oxygen loss is a real significant issue in the oceans. The warm waters and loss of oxygen are causing for many sections of multiple oceans to become what are all “dead zones.” Dead Zones are being, more specifically, coral reefs become completely white and no longer have a life. Since it has such a huge impact and treats all coral reefs it results in a total wipeout. If humans have the ability to control this unique climate change, as well as, constantly gather information to know what provokes it, it is significant to be one of the main focuses of the world.

 

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Marine reserves are vital but under pressure.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/06/180621101414.htm

Coral reefs have been on warning of being extinct for multiple years. The struggle of keeping coral reefs alive or at the bare minimum keeping coral reefs from being extinct has been a constant struggle for humans. Thus, leading many scientific teams to arrange many studies of exploring new and improved ways to help improve the population of coral reefs. As a result of multiple studies,  Professor Josh Cinner from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies at James Cook University in Australia has discovered that 1800 tropical coral reefs around the world have found that marine reserves near heavily populated areas struggle to do their job. Fish stocks were extremely depleted on reefs that were accessible to large human populations. Compared to marine reserves far from these human pressures, reserves near high human pressure had only a quarter of the fish and were a hundred times less likely to have top predators such as sharks

This article relates to environmental science because it demonstrates how humans are affecting their own environment by damaging coral reefs. The constant overfishing, pollution, and invasive species continue to be a risk to coral reefs. Aside from damaging an object that keeps our ecosystem diverse, we are getting rid of protection. One of the many benefits that coral reefs provide for humans and the environment is it protects coastlines from the damaging effects of wave action and tropical storms. As well as it provides habitats and shelter for many marine organisms. Studies that help cooperate with helping find many other reliable ways to help coral reefs should be fully supported. Protecting our environment and ecosystems come first than human necessities. As well as limiting by establishing restrictions is a positive and effective way to help reefs.

 

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Vehicles causing conflict

The Guardian (Feb 4,2018) Vehicles are now Americas biggest CO2 source but the EPA is tearing up regulations

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jan/01/vehicles-climate-change-emissions-trump-administration

 

Abstract: The carbon emissions from vehicles are doing untold damage to our environment, they are America’s biggest C02 source. However, the EPA is making attempts to make more regulations with little success.Unfortunately, the Trump organization making it even more difficult to pass laws for carbon emissions.Even worse the article mentions that we are taking a step in the wrong direction, carbon emissions are increasing each year because we are not reinforcing better regulations.

 

Many aspect of environmental science study carbon and its effects on the environment,plus environmental science is there to help use learn how to prevent some climate change and other environmental issues.  This article just delivered the harsh truth which is what we need in a time of crisis in the environment. I found this article to warn others of the dangers of carbon emissions.

 

 

 

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Bad news for Environmental laws and regulations

The Regularly review.(Feb 7,2018) Farewell to Fracking regulations.:theregreview.com

Retrieved August 10 2018

A Farewell to Fracking Regulations

 

Abstract: During this last year the Trump administration has tried to lessen many environmental restriction for their own profit. Trying to get rid of the regulations established under Obama. THe Trump organization claims that eliminating some of these orders will save millions of dollars each year rule included several regulations for gas and oil. However, the BLM is fighting against this and trying to keep the laws and regulations that.

 

 

I absorbed plenty of good insight from this article about, how the Trump administration doesn’t care about the environment. This greed and corruption will lead to the depletion of our natural resources. The article brought to light what the lengths the Trump organization will go to for money even if that means destroying our planet.

 

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Clean air act

University of Berkeley.(August 9,2018).Environmental regulations drove steep declines in US pollution factory:Science daily.com

Retrieved August 10, 2018

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/08/180809093515.htm

 

Abstract: The article describes the Federal clean air act and how it has worked to decline pollution emission. It gives background back to the 1960-1970’s as many feared for the pollution in New York as well as Los Angeles, resulting in new regulations that actually benefited the output. Then the author related the Federal clean air act to more current times and compares statistics from the last ten years, showing yet again another increase in output. Despite the laws being more regulated about the procedures they can do.

 

This article nicely demonstrated how environmental laws/regulations can improve both our environment as well as economy. Many people show no interest in environmental science unless it relates to their life in some way, like the pollution. This article gave the perfect example of people using science to predict a future with unbearable pollution and took actions to prevent it in the form of the Clean air act. I found this article to be interesting and uplighting, basically alerting the public that changing our harmful ways doesn’t always have to hurt our wallets.