Guerin, E. (2017, February 24). Environmental Groups Say California’s Climate Program Has

Not Helped Them. Retrieved March 12, 2017, from

http://www.npr.org/2017/02/24/515379885/environmental-groups-say-californias-climate-program-has-not-helped-them

While California’s Cap-and-Trade system has great potential, many people from small towns have seen no decrease in emissions. One of these towns is Wilmington, where the chances of getting cancer are 2x that of other places; studies even show that emissions have increased since the implementation of the system. The problem with this is that people question whether change is actually happening for the good of the people. If there are no improvements in smaller towns, how can they know other people are getting the support they need?

This article relates to environmental science because the system that was implemented to combat climate change is currently being questioned. People in this one town are constantly driven past by diesel trucks, and family members have died of cancer due to this. I think it is sad to see how people in harm’s way despite there being regulations set to prevent this type of thing from happening. Hopefully there can be more help given to the people who need it the most.

Can Someone Just Tell Us Whether The California Drought Is Over Or Not? (2017, March 10).

Retrieved March 11, 2017, from https://www.good.is/articles/the-california-drought-persists

While it looks like California has more than enough water, it is not out of the drought yet. The reason for this is with the millions of people using water everyday, there is a hidden “overdraft” that adds up. Californians simply use more water than they get back. After the drought depleted many water sources, it takes a while for them to recharge. Worst of all, the water usage is expected to double by 2050. Regulations need to be implemented to stabilize the water supply in California.

This is directly linked to environmental science because climate change has essentially screwed California over. It may look like California is free now, but below the surface, the water problem is going to get worse with the growing population. I think it is scary that the state we live in is facing the largest problem with climate change and water supply. Thankfully, it is also the state that is taking a lead in conquering it.

O’Connor, L. (2017, March 05). California’s Wild Climate Will Only Get More Volatile As

Temperatures Rise. Retrieved March 12, 2017, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/california-climate-temperature_us_58a49f38e4b03df370dca5cf

As California has almost come out a severe drought, researchers can see this is only a warning sign. Climate change is having an extreme effect on weather, and especially in California, with its large population. One recent example of the dangers of climate change is the failure of the Oroville Dam. This source of water was extremely dry and when heavy amounts of precipitation hit California, the dam overfilled. The problem is Oroville is not the only dam that is not fit for situations like this. Thankfully, California is ready to spend $400 million on fixing up dams and preventing more destruction.

This is related to environmental science because climate change is having a direct effect on weather patterns, causing unexpected amounts of water and costing millions of dollars. I think that we could definitely learn from this and hopefully people will see that climate change is real and ready to destroy. While it is good that we are almost out of the severe drought, we will only see lengthier and deadlier dry spells.

California won’t meet its climate change goals without a lot more housing density in its cities.

(2017, March 6). Retrieved March 11, 2017, from http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-ca-housing-climate-change-goals-20170306-story.html

Last year, California pledged to get its emissions down to 40% below 1990 levels by 2030. This is an extreme challenge to face, but many people stay hopeful. According to Los Angeles Times, the only possible way to do this is to increase the amount of homes in urban areas so people will be able to use public transportation. Another goal is to have 40% of new cars be electric, which will be extremely hard seeing how costly it is but if regulations are put in place, it may happen.

The reason this is related to environmental science is because california is one of the largest states, and it must follow its pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which are polluting the environment. I think it is cool that California is taking a stand, but the people are not going to be happy. It is going to get fairly compact in the coming years and we are not going to be comfortable. I truly believe we can reach this goal, but we will need everyone’s participation.

Waymouth, B. (2017, March 09). Climate change puts California’s snowpack in jeopardy in

future droughts. Retrieved March 11, 2017, from http://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/climate-change-puts-california-s-snowpack-under-the-weather

According to a UCLA newsroom article, California has limited time before one of its major snowpacks melts completely. The Sierra Nevada snowpack is an extremely important source of water; this particular snowpack provides over 60 percent of the state’s water through dams and reservoirs. As climate change becomes an increasingly dangerous topic, California needs to find a way to preserve its snowpacks disappear during droughts because with the current rates of emissions, the snowpack is said to decrease by 85% by the end of the century. One idea that could potentially solve this problem is to use groundwater aquifers as a storage mechanism.

The reason this is linked to environmental science is because humans need snowpacks and sources of water to live in places that we call home. If we do not stop emitting greenhouse gases, we will no longer see snowpacks during droughts. I believe that this is a massive problem that we need to overcome as soon as possible, and we can all help by decreasing our output. Hopefully we can get out of this drought and see the water sources back to a healthy level.

James, I. (2016, October 06). Unchecked climate change raising risks of mega drought in the Southwest – USA Today. Retrieved November 18, 2016, from http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2016/10/06/unchecked-climate-change-raising-risks-megadrought-southwest/91681306/

According to researchers, there is a 70 to 90 percent chance of a decades-long drought in the Southwest. They are not sure when, but if the precipitation continues to stay the same, they will stick to their data. The scientists stated that if more steps were taken to reduce greenhouse gases, the probability of the 35-year or longer drought could be cut in half. The problem is that even if precipitation increases, the risk of the drought can still possibly go up.

This sounds like a worst-case scenario and we should clearly try to stop this disaster. From all of the data and evidence to show that climate change is real, it should be our number one priority to focus on restricting the emissions and such that lead to climate change itself. If scientists can predict these disasters right now, what other disasters can they predict in the near future?

Daly, M. (2016, November 15). US finalizes rule to limit gas ‘flaring’ at drilling sites The Washington Post. Retrieved November 16, 2016, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/us-finalizes-rule-to-limit-gas-flaring-at-drilling-sites/2016/11/15/49e275de-ab5a-11e6-8f19-21a1c65d2043_story.html

On November 15, 2016, Obama set a new restriction on gas flaring at drilling sites. This is a step towards stopping climate change, as the gas flaring created harmful waste and methane emissions. The reason energy companies do this is to burn off large amounts of natural gas due to the fact that it “makes less money than oil”. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell says that this restriction is a positive because it is economically and environmentally friendly at the same time.

Although these restrictions may not prevent climate change right away, if more and more of them are placed on various dangers to the environment, it can make a massive difference. I think that this it is great to see Obama making important changes even in his last few months of office. Sadly, many people believe that Trump can simply tear all of the restrictions away because he “does not believe in climate change”. Hopefully this does not happen.

Revesz, R. (2016, November 17). Children have right to live without fear of climate change and can sue US government, judge rules – Independent. Retrieved November 17, 2016, from http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/children-win-right-sue-usgovernment-president-obama-climate-change-fears-danger-personal-safetya7422926.html

After the Louisiana floods in August 2016, some children decided enough was enough. In a new case created by 21 young plaintiffs aging from 8 to 19 years old, they stated that the floods led to the exposure of raw sewage to many families, which created a massive health hazard; many other children also lived in fear of floods and forest fires. The case, now named Juliana vs. United States blames the dangers on climate change and is attempting to force the government to focus more on preventing climate change.

I think it is awesome for young people to be focusing on the health of our world, especially because they are being directly affected by it. Hopefully this case will end up as a slap to the face for the government, so they can prevent any more harm. It is even said that Juliana vs. United States could reach the Supreme Court, which is extremely surprising because that means the case will be noticed.

Botkin-Kawachi, E. (2016, November 17). Can mutant plants save us from climate change? – The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved November 17, 2016, from http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2016/1117/Can-mutant-plants-save-us-from climate-change

A key cause of global warming is the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide, and there may have been a discovery that can lessen the intensity of it. The idea came from the Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, where scientists found that photosynthesizing organisms could change carbon dioxide into biomass. The leader, Dr. Tobias Erb, said that he and his team got the idea from nature itself. So far, they have successfully built a synthetic pathway that worked in a test tube; they have not yet tested larger quantities.

With all of these new discoveries and technologies, I believe that we could definitely stop climate change in its tracks. If this study was funded and given access to more resources, it could greatly improve our knowledge of climate change and prevention itself. I remember this other project that converted carbon dioxide into large solid blocks, so that shows even more success. I hope that these discoveries will actually be able to stop global warming.

Davis, J. H., Landler, M., & Davenport, C. (2016, September 08). Obama on Climate Change: The Trends Are ‘Terrifying’ – The New York Times. Retrieved November 13, 2016, from http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/08/us/politics/obama-climate-change.html

As climate change begins to become a more and more severe problem, more people are beginning to notice and acknowledge its dangers, one of these people being the President himself. Obama describes climate change as “…a slow-moving issue that, on a day-to-day basis, people don’t experience and don’t see.” Without a doubt, he has also tried to implement various acts/bills, such as the cap-and-trade bill (which would set a limit on greenhouse emissions), but they were turned down. This leaves the power of climate change rules in the hands of the Supreme Court, but it is clear that some high-powers even still believe it is non-existent.

While people won’t directly feel or notice the changes of climate change, if one were to look at charts that illustrate the changes in temperature or even the loss of habitats, they would realize that this is one of the biggest problems the world faces. Personally, I believe that the first step to facing this problem is to spread knowledge and proof around. Then maybe, people will begin to change their ways. It is just scary to think that people ignore this type of stuff even when although it might not affect them now, it will definitely will in the future.