Month: December 2015

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). Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability News: Food industry focuses on sustainable sourcing to mitigate climate change

Michalopolous, S. (2015, November 20). Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability News: Food industry focuses on sustainable sourcing to mitigate climate change. Retrieved November 23, 2015, from http://www.enn.com/business/article/49169

The global population is expected to rise to 9.7 billion in 2050 according to the UN. This rise will necessitate a 60% increase in the food supply, as well as a 30% increase in the global agricultural demand for water. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change was stated that global warming affects “all aspects of the food security”, and warns of the threat CO2 emissions pose to the future of food. These dangers have led some in the food industry to set up partnerships with farmers who farm sustainably. American food and drink manufacturers are taking other steps towards sustainability as well. They are encouraging their agricultural suppliers to farm sustainably, as well as using recyclable raw materials. Kellogg has said they will support 15,000 small rice farms by 2020, while Pepsico has promised to increase the use of organic fertilizers.

This relates to environmental science because it shows how the interests of the market can align with the interests of the environment. These companies want to continue functioning effectively, and know they cannot do so without sustainable methods of acquiring their raw materials. In order to remain in business and be able to supply coming demand, these companies must find alternative methods. Sustainability is not something that needs to be forced on companies; it is a foregone conclusion that almost all will eventually realize. We have overshot our global carrying capacity, and if these giant companies are successful in obtaining low-cost sustainability, there is hope that the entire United States can as well.

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Everglades’ alligator numbers drop after dry years

Everglades’ alligator numbers drop after dry years. (2015, October 30). Retrieved November 23, 2015, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/10/151030161345.htm

Researchers from U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the University of Florida have collected data showing that the populations of American Alligators have decreased after the passing of dry periods, but recovered after the climate has become more moderate. Alligator behavior and habitat may change depending on the abundance of water. If there is a lack of water, males must use more energy to locate females to mate with, females may lose nesting abilities, and competition for resources will increase. There is a population present in the Everglades, a wetland restoration area stretching from Orlando to Florida Bay which aims to regain biodiversity.

The change in climate is clearly a major disruption to the normal function of the alligator. The populations of alligators could be severely reduced if the earth continues to warm as a result of the excess amounts of greenhouse gases that continue to be released into the atmosphere. As resources and ability to produce offspring lessens, so does biodiversity. The alligators in the Everglades are used to assess the overall health of the wetland ecosystem as it responds to the restoration project.

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Current Plight of Honey Bees

Don’t Worry, Honey, The Other Bees Have Your Back. (2015, August 24). Retrieved November 23, 2015, from http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/08/12/431689745/dont-worry-honey-the-other-bees-have-your-back

The plight of honey bees has been a focus of scientific inquiry and news reports over the last decade. The reason for the population’s decline is that these bees are transported all over the United States to pollinate different fruits and vegetables. The tremendous amount of diseases, stress, parasites, and pesticides has had a negative impact on the health of the bees. Much bee science has a pessimistic outlook; however, this article describes an instance of species diversification as a solution to bee population decline.

Bees have a critical function in the foundation of agricultural reproduction which supplies the growing human population. Disintegrating health of bee populations has been a topic of great concern amongst many agriculturalists and state economists. By exploring an alternative species that could be used for pollination, farmers are given hope. This is exemplified by researcher Shelby Fleischer’s perspective, “I think the key to remember is resilience,” he says, “So don’t just aim for any one species. Historically, there’s been a lot of emphasis on making honeybees our pollinator, and resilience suggests that we should try and support a community of bees”.

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Plastic Eating Worms Could Solve Pollution

‘These plastic-eating worms could be the solution to pollution’. – Seriously, Science? (2015, November 5). Retrieved November 23, 2015, from http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/seriouslyscience/2015/11/05/these-plastic-eating-worms-could-be-the-solution-to-pollution/#.VlKnW6I5RRk

Waxworms, otherwise known as Indian mealmoths, have been discovered as being capable of chewing and digesting Polyethylene films. These worm’s stomachs contain two bacterial strains, Enterobacter asburiae YT1 and Bacillus sp. YP1. Over a 28 day period, these bacteria degraded a microscopic amount of the plastic films, which demonstrates their ability to degrade the previously dubbed “unbiodegradable plastic”.

After reading about all the pollution in the world, and how it is negatively effecting sea creatures and their ecosystems, discovering the existence of these worms was a relief. Although the research conducted upon them is just beginning, the bacteria in their guts may hold a solution to at least some of the world’s plastic pollution problem. Hopefully, researchers can learn more about these bacteria and discover a way to use them on plastic in order to degrade it, so it doesn’t sit in the ocean, getting eaten by animals, ruining the environment.

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Obama Administration Approves Arctic Drilling by Shell Oil

Obama administration approves Arctic drilling ahead of president’s visit to Alaska. (2015, August 18). Retrieved November 23, 2015, from http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/approval-arctic-drilling-comes-just-obamas-visit/

There is controversy over the Obama Administration’s approval of Shell’s permit to do exploratory drilling in Alaska’s arctic. Environmentalists say he is being too permissive in an area of high and unique biodiversity. He acknowledges the environmentalist position, but defends his decision by stating “I would rather us, with all the safeguards and standards that we have, be producing our oil and gas, rather than importing it, which is bad for our people, but is also potentially purchased from places that have much lower environmental standards than we do.” Critics also say that he is sending a contradictory message to other countries, which the Obama administration has been encouraging to lessen their environmental footprint.

This decision is indicative of the situation that many global leaders with face in the immediate future. Many countries must limit their exploitation of natural resources in order to prevent further destruction of the global environment. Obama’s short term decision could have severe environmental impacts on the species habitats living in Alaska. Possible oils spills could be fatal to many species, and therefore decrease species diversity. In addition, the pollutants that result from producing Alaskan oil will accelerate climate change destruction by releasing increased levels of methane and carbon dioxide. The furthering of climate change imbalances will have detrimental effects on species heath.

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Genetically Engineered Salmon Approved for Consumption

Pollack, A. (2015, November 19). Genetically Engineered Salmon Approved for Consumption. Retrieved November 22, 2015, from http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/20/business/genetically-engineered-salmon-approved-for-consumption.html?rref=collection/sectioncollection/science&action=click&contentCollection=science®ion=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=2&pg

Federal regulators from the FDA approved a genetically engineered salmon from Aquabounty Tech for consumption on Thursday. The approval was aggressively opposed by environmental activists who argued that studies were inadequate and that the genes from genetically modified salmon could contaminate wild salmon populations. FDA officials say that the approval process took so long because it was the first approval of its kind. The fish will not have to be labeled as genetically engineered, a precedent set when the FDA approved genetically engineered crops. However, companies can voluntarily label salmon as genetically or not genetically engineered. The approval could aid in other’s efforts to gain approval for genetically modified animals.

This article relates to the biological aspect of environmental science, since the fish are being genetically modified. It will be incredibly interesting to see the long term effects (and perhaps ramifications) of this decision. On one hand, the fish alleviate the environmental concern of overfishing by providing a fish that grows to market weight within 18 months (it typically takes 3 years). However, the consequences could be dire. If only a few of the genetically modified salmon mix with wild salmon populations, they could outcompete and pollute the gene pool. The consequences would be astronomical. The FDA didn’t incorporate this risk into their analysis, and it could cost the United States in the long term.

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Sea Birds Consuming Plastic

CSIRO Australia. (2015, August 31). Plastic in 99 percent of seabirds by 2050. ScienceDaily. Retrieved November 22, 2015 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/08/150831163739.htm

In a study conducted by Dr Chris Wilcox, Dr Denise Hardesty, and Dr Erik van Sebille, over 60% of seabird species were found to have plastic in their stomach. Back in 1960, plastic was only found in the stomachs of less than 5% of individual birds, which rose to 80% by 2010. Based on this data, researchers predict that by 2050 approximately 99% of the world’s seabird species. Birds eat plastic because it is brightly colored and so is mistaken for food, and once it has entered their system can negatively affect the seabird’s health and the health of the ecosystem.

It’s unbelievable how many birds have consumed plastic, as well as how much plastic there has to be in the ocean for this many animals to consume it. This phenomenon is similar to that of the many species of sea turtle that are also eating plastic litter in the ocean. This pollution will eventually loop back to humans, harming us as we destroy the environment and eat animals who have ingested plastic. This shows the need for international laws about production and consumption, which will at least begin to limit humans’ pollution.

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Hunting of Florida Bears Threatens Gene Pool

Alvarez, L. (2015, October 10). Florida’s Bears Go From Near Extinction to Cross Hairs. Retrieved November 23, 2015, from http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/11/us/floridas-bears-go-from-brink-of-extinction-to-rifles-crosshairs.html

A recent ruling in October by Tallahassee has permitted the hunting of the Florida Black Bear. There have been reports of bears causing “a nuisance” in the suburban areas of central Florida. Many Floridians are against this ruling, saying it is a premature and ineffectual solution. Over the last decade, the bear population has been listed as threatened by increasing urban development.

The real issue is the biological diversity of the bear population. Science is aided when genetic blood testing is done of any members of the wild bear population. Such blood testing tells scientists whether the Florida bear population is too far inbred, or is actually a viable breeding stock. If the bear population has already become too inbred, the proper action is to expand the gene pool by bringing in bears from matching bear species from other locations in the United States.

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World’s Sea Turtle Population Consuming Plastic

University of Queensland. (2015, September 14). World’s turtles face plastic deluge danger. ScienceDaily. Retrieved November 22, 2015 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/09/150914102741.htm

According to an international study conducted by the University of Queensland, Australia, about 52% of the sea turtles in the world have ingested plastic or another kind of human generated garbage. Plastic ingestion is a serious health issue for sea turtles, whose guts can be blocked or pierced by litter, leading to their deaths. The amount of pollution entering the ocean leads to a higher amount of turtles that ingest the trash. This high ingestion rate could also spread to other marine animals, such as fish.

It seems that pollution, and the capitalist/consumerist economy and society that leads to high levels of waste, is not only clogging the ocean and creating islands of garbage, but is also beginning to intensely effect multiple species of sea creatures, including the world’s sea turtle population. This study is shocking, because it shows how the Western lifestyle especially is killing specific species, killing the food web, and killing the ecosystem. The study above should serve as a wake up call to individuals as well as governments, who need to waste less, and pass laws ensuring that pollution is curbed in order to stop contributing to these animals’ deaths.

 

 

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Bush says he’d repeal signature Obama environmental regulations

Feldscher, K. (2015, November 21). Bush says he’d repeal signature Obama environmental regulations. Retrieved November 22, 2015, from http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/bush-says-hed-repeal-power-plant-water-rules/article/2576075

Former Florida Governor Jeb bush stated during the fourth Republican presidential primary debate that he would repeal both the Clean Power Plan and the Waters of the United States regulations. The Clean Power Plan limited the amount of carbon dioxide emissions that power plants could produce. The Waters of the United States protects streams and wetlands that contribute to overall water quality and more precisely defines waters protected by the Clean Water Act. Critics of both plans state that they impede business by imposing bureaucracy and unneeded costs and fees on utilities. They call both laws an unconstitutional overreach by Obama and the EPA. Other Republicans have made similar promises to repeal Obama’s environmental legislation.

This is yet another example of the modern regulation conflict that is faced by environmentalists in the United States. There is a certain sect of American politicians that will refuse to vote for any environmental regulation. They believe that any regulation is an impediment to business, and therefore to the American economy. Many of them don’t believe in or are undecided about the existence of global warming. While they have a point that the United States must balance the interests of business with the health of the environment, these are common-sense regulations. Cutting carbon emissions and maintaining stream water quality are sensible goals. The Waters of the United States also makes it easier to define what is water, making the Clean Water Act easier to enforce. The effect on industry is minimal at best, and the effect on jobs is negligible. The United States should keep these laws on the books in order to preserve our environment and prevent pollution.