Month: February 2021

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Biodiversity and endangered species

Having a ropeless fishery in California was a recent bill that was introduced with the idea to be completed by 2025. Social Compassion in Legislation and the Center for Biological Diversity were the two cosponsors for this bill. Climate change and an intense marine heatwave that triggered ecosystem changes and habitat compression have been attributed to the increase in whale entanglements through the past years. They are trying to find a way to mitigate depredation by charging the equipment they use with the help of scientists from the California Ocean Protection Council and National Marine Fisheries. When researching the longer-term cost we are looking at about 1 million dollars for all this gear. There is also lots of testing going on regarding the technology and how it will all work. 

 This seems like an ambitious but necessary issue because it could lead to a decline in biodiversity and an increase in endangered species in California.   Having and making these new supplies and gear are things that will take time and effort but be crucial for these ocean animals. With all the new technological advances going on right now this is not too far away in terms of technological advancements so I’m optimistic that they will be able to accomplish this goal through all the organization and bills. Overall, these new ways of fishing will be very beneficial to our ecosystem. 

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Davies, A. (2021, February 13). Toxic blooms and Local fury: What’s going on AT Menindee lakes? Retrieved February 23, 2021, from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/14/toxic-blooms-and-local-fury-whats-going-on-at-menindee-lakes

In the town of Menindee, the drinking water is green and filled with algae. These toxic blue and green algae blooms make it so that people cannot go near the water for fear of poisoning. There is good rainfall, yet the sludge and algae still has not cleared. If nothing changes, experts predict that the river will be in as poor a condition as it was last year, when hundreds of thousands of fish were killed in the Darling River. Residents think that the problem is in the unsuccess of the government to stop over extraction by the upstream irrigators. This has led to a substantial decrease in the level of water that actually make it downstream.

These algae blooms are very bad for the ecosystem and environment, as they take vital oxygen out of the water. This can have a rippling effect on the food web, and can lead to many problems in addition the drinking water for humans issue. The drinking water in Menindee is in such poor condition, and I think that the government needs to take actions and start restricting the amount of water that can be withdrawn from upriver.

 

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Hurts, S. (2021, February 15). ‘Am I going to regret it?’: Forever chemicals dilemma for breastfeeding mothers. Retrieved February 23, 2021, from https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/15/forever-chemicals-breastfeeding-contamination-pfas

In 2015 a chemical called PFOA was found in Hoosick town’s drinking water. Unfortunately, this chemical has caused serious diseases, and it is one of many “forever chemicals”, named because of how they stay in your body forever. A woman who was pregnant with a son was drinking the water, and she thought that he would be protected. Through breastfeeding, she passed the carcinogen to her son, Oliver. This was due to a French factory using these PFOA’s and carrying them downriver. More than 200 million Americans drinking water could be contaminated with these carcinogens. Citizens in this town suffer from cracking teeth, lumps, and other illnesses that could be caused from these PFOAs.

This water pollution is causing serious harm in many of these cities and towns across the US. I’ve said it before, every person should have the right to clean drinking water, and it’s especially disheartening that in the richest country in the world, people still do not have what should be universally available. Whole families are effected by carcinogens in drinking water, and kids should not be forced to suffer through water pollution caused illnesses. 

 

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Oakes, B. (2020, December 3). Increasing Ocean Pollution Poses Threat To Human Health. Retrieved February 22, 2021, from https://www.wbur.org/earthwhile/2020/12/03/ocean-pollution-health-philip-landriganc

As the oceans continue to become more and more unhealthy, humans will also be affected by this. A report that was published in the Annals of Global Health indicated that human caused pollution will lead to an increase in sea food contamination, infections, and a decrease in oxygen in the atmosphere. Plastics in the ocean carry carcinogens, fire retardant, and other chemicals that can have terrible effects on human bodies. These substances can interfere with the endocrine system.

Water pollution is dramatically affecting our environment, and is changing sea life as well as beginning to effect humans. Luckily the ocean is not past the point of saving, although we are at the turning point. Action needs to be taken now in order to protect our oceans, and at the end of the day, every organism on earth will pay the price if nothing is done.

 

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Electronic Waste

Evans, D. (2020, December 26). Tech companies aren’t doing enough to keep their devices out of landfills, and neither are we. Retrieved February 15, 2021, from https://www.cnbc.com/2020/12/26/tech-companies-arent-doing-enough-to-fix-the-e-waste-problem.html

 

The article talks about how regardless of what tech companies are doing, they simply can’t do anything about the pressing electronic waste issue. They have to remain profitable and make money, while at the same time combating their waste issues. An example of this is how Apple no longer includes charging blocks. While they do this, they’re also releasing a host of new iPhones every year. Contributing to our growing electronic waste issue and showing that they aren’t truly doing anything.

 

I wholly agree with the author’s point of view. No matter what companies like Apple may do, we don’t have a solution to magically turn old electronic devices into new tech by efficiently recycling them. Recycling is energy-intensive and it’s not feasible to rely on recycling for smaller players in the electronic industry. Especially with all the factories in East Asia producing electronics without any sort of recycling commitment or quota. It’s just hard for companies to really make a difference.

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Sengupta, S. (2021, February 1). Jal Jeevan Mission Urban launched in Union budget 2021-22. Retrieved February 22, 2021, from https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/water/jal-jeevan-mission-urban-launched-in-union-budget-2021-22-75294

Union budget announced the Jal Jeevan plan to bring clean water 2.86 households in India. Unfortunately, this is India’s 12th attempt at attempting to bring clean, good drinking water to all the households in the country. It is expected to be finished by 2024. The current budget gives Rs 9,994 crore for the toilet ++ program which was started in 2019. This is significantly higher than the budget of last year, which was Rs 6,000 crore.

Water is crucial to any ecosystem, so it is very important that it is clean. Having access to clean drinking water should be a guarantee to every citizen, and it’s shameful that so many people around the world are not guaranteed this. It’s good to see that India is taking more aggressive action, and I hope that their efforts work out this time unlike the past twelve attempts.

 

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Tan, S. (2021, February 20). China’s carbon Neutral push gathers pace as coal power plants drop below half. Retrieved February 21, 2021, from https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3122419/chinas-carbon-neutral-push-gathers-pace-coal-fired-power

China’s coal-fired powered plants composed less then 50 percent of its total power generation mix. However they still produced 60 percent of the nations energy needs. This sharp change was driven by wind power plants use rising by 178 percent and solar capacity by 60 percent. However, the overall contribution of coal to energy is not expected to drop very rapidly in the short term, but it is expected that more renewable energy sources will continue to be pursued and installed. The use of fossil fuels to provide energy causes the water on earth to heat up, and can have devastating consequences like increasing acidity and extinction. Because water molecules are moving faster, they can accept more gases that increase the oceans acidity. This can cause coral reefs to become bleached, as we are seeing all across the world.

The ways that we get our energy play a huge role in the environment. A lot of the global warming we see today is caused by factories and power plants that use coals, and this expels greenhouse gasses that trap heat in the atmosphere and earth. This is a good sign that China is developing plants that use renewable resource, but I would like to see more of that, as global warming is an immediate issue, especially for the ocean.

 

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Electronic Waste

Conversation, T. (2021, January 11). E-Waste management is not keeping pace with consumer electronics. Retrieved February 15, 2021, from https://www.ecowatch.com/ewaste-consumer-electronics-2649872499.html?rebelltitem=10#rebelltitem10

 

The article states as history have progressed technology has gotten leaner, and so has electronic waste. Meaning we’re producing less electronic waste, but we’re still producing it regardless of what we may think. This is because we have stuff like smartphones to replace other electronics and they reduce the need for a bunch of other consumer electronics. This makes it so our impact is a lower level as we aren’t buying things like mp3 players or cameras to go ahead and throw them away.

 

In my opinion, even though our tech has gotten more advanced and consolidated, we’re still buying more electronics. The culture of buying the next best thing or the new iPhone is very much a real issue. Regardless of how consolidated our tech gets, people will still be ready to buy the next generation. It doesn’t help that our culture relies on payment plans and financing to make it ultra-accessible to the people who may not have the wealth to frequently upgrade on cash. 

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Electronic Waste

Paben, J. (2020, December 24). Stores pay millions in California hazardous waste disposal suits – E-scrap news. Retrieved February 15, 2021, from https://resource-recycling.com/e-scrap/2020/12/24/stores-pay-millions-in-california-hazardous-waste-disposal-suits/

 

The article highlights the present issue in our state regarding the irresponsible disposal of electronic waste. Companies like Walgreens who advertise responsible recycling services are in fact cheating customers and the environment. Walgreen’s is said to have dumped electronic waste in landfill trash rather than dismantling or outsourcing to a waste processing facility. This is dangerous and really bad for our environment.

 

This appalling article relates to the study of environmental science as it covers the bad players in keeping our environment clean. Companies like Walgreens contribute to the big picture of climate change and most of it is because of how they’re handling their electronic waste. I think the lawsuits were a proper solution to the issue, as it teaches them not to be lazy. I think the fines and reparations should be put towards cleaning the environment though.

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Electronic Waste

Callie W. Babbitt, S. (2021, February 01). Electronic waste in the US is changing. Retrieved February 15, 2021, from https://thehill.com/opinion/energy-environment/536768-electronic-waste-in-the-us-is-changing?rl=1

 

As society starts adopting new tech, people have to get rid of their old tech. A result of this is e-waste. The article states that there’s a fundamental issue with federal legislation on setting e-waste collection standards and regulations. Because of this, states like California with more progressive and green governments see stricter policies curbing e-waste. In California, we’re taxed on electronics like televisions, unlike other states. The article calls for a unification of e-waste legislation in the hope to curb the issue.

 

I honestly think the best way to combat e-waste isn’t legislation on a federal level. Rather an incentive to those that recycle responsibly. This would make it so people are more likely to recycle responsibly. Another solution would be to tax newer devices at a high level, encouraging people to sell their old electronics and give them new life. That way, on either side of the issue, introducing new devices or getting rid of old ones. People are acting right.