Author: julmalk

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Coal use at U.S. power plants continues downward spiral; full impact on mines to be felt in 2024.

Seth Feaster (2023, November 2) Coal use at U.S. power plants continues downward spiral; full impact on mines to be felt in 2024. Retrieved January 28, 2024, from https://ieefa.org/resources/coal-use-us-power-plants-continues-downward-spiral-full-impact-mines-be-felt-2024

 

The use of coal by big companies in the US has declined greatly this year. The amount of coal has steeply declined due to the increase in renewable energies, as well as more regulations regarding the mining and usage of coal. In July coal was just over 19% of the country’s power and that is a  big step down from 2021 when it was around 25%. This is a great step as countries are beginning to switch to renewable sources.

 

This is related to APES because many people in the U.S use coal for heating in the winter as well as cooling in the summertime. If we can replace the burning of coal for these main uses and can switch to renewable energy sources like wind turbines and solar, then the amount of CO2 going into our atmosphere will significantly decrease. This is one of the many things we can do to help slow the rapid increase in global warming.

 

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Power Plants and Neighboring Communities.

United States Environmental Protection Agency (2023, December 15) Power Plants and Neighboring Communities. Retrieved January 28, 2024, from https://www.epa.gov/power-sector/power-plants-and-neighboring-communities

 

Communities often face bigger exposure to environmental pollutants and suffer from a range of health issues as a result. These include an increased risk of developing heart or lung diseases, such as asthma and bronchitis, as well as encountering respiratory and cardiac symptoms. These populations might also deal with higher rates of emergency room visits, hospital admissions. It is critical to address these environmental injustices.

 

This is related to APES because many times in our environment, there is exposure to many different chemicals that are hoped to be avoided. Some experiments may also go wrong when trying to better our environment. It is important to consider the immediate and lasting effects on the surrounding communities when evaluating a community’s future potential vulnerability for environmental justice concerns. The closure of large fossil fuel-fired plants can have significant impacts on the local economy, employment, and the environment. Accordingly, it is crucial to assess and address these potential concerns to ensure a just transition to cleaner energy sources and mitigate any adverse effects on the affected communities.

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Biden-Harris Administration Announces $150 Million to Strengthen Domestic Critical Material Supply Chains

Department of Energy (2023, September 6) Biden-Harris Administration Announces $150 Million to Strengthen Domestic Critical Material Supply Chains. Retrieved January 27, 2024, from https://www.energy.gov/articles/biden-harris-administration-announces-150-million-strengthen-domestic-critical-material

 

This article talks about the U.S. Department of Energy and how they announced their funding of upwards of $150 million to help the producing and refining of critical minerals and materials within the United States. This funding is with Biden’s ideas of investing in America, helping to create a greener society. The aim is to meet the increasing demand for critical minerals and materials while reducing dependence on offshore supplies, which are more hurtful to the environment. These minerals and materials are extremely important for manufacturing clean energy which includes wind turbines, solar, and even electric cars.

 

This is important for Environmental Science because by investing in this opportunity, the US seeks to create jobs and support communities across the country that have historically relied on mining and energy production. This will ultimately help contribute to less CO2 emissions. This plan reflects the administration’s commitment to ensuring that every community benefits from the clean energy transition.

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Sustainable and Reliable: Securing Resources for the Clean Energy Future.

Nicole Gentile (2023, September 28) Sustainable and Reliable: Securing Resources for the Clean Energy Future. Retrieved January 27, 2024, from https://www.americanprogress.org/article/sustainable-and-reliable-securing-resources-for-the-clean-energy-future/

 

Others’ concerns and shock regarding the suggests mine had significant consequences. The government’s conclusion to disregard these concerns and proceed with the first plan resulted in Rio Tinto no longer having what is usually referred to as the “social license to operate.”. Regardless of the potential effectiveness of environmental mitigation measures or the potential benefits to local communities, the company lost the physical permit for the mine. Even though the prime minister acknowledges the importance of lithium for Serbia’s economic growth, she does not see a viable path to revive this specific project.

 

This is related to APES because there are always new ideas, and these new ideas are helping our climate get cleaner. Batteries play a critical role in powering the transition to cleaner energy and transportation. The production of these batteries relies on a secure supply of critical minerals. Although, it is true that the United States currently does not produce significant quantities of the five minerals critical to lithium-ion batteries: lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite, and manganese.

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Mining is necessary for the green transition.

Bella Isaacs-Thomas (2023, December 1) Mining is necessary for the green transition. Here’s why experts say we need to do it better. Retrieved January 24, 2024, from https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/mining-is-necessary-for-the-green-transition-heres-why-experts-say-we-need-to-do-it-better

 

This article talks about how more sustainable approaches are necessary to lessen the potential negative impacts of the mining industry on the environment, people, and communities. These approaches minimize the ecological footprint of mining activities and promote social and economic benefits for local communities. By using such sustainable practices, we can help create a greener and more sustainable future. 

 

This is related to APES because it talks about the resources that are taken from the earth, and how they play an important role in today’s technology. They are essential parts of various devices and technologies like electrical wiring to phones. Many of these metals such as copper, lithium, and nickel are some of the resources that are mined and used to power cleaner technologies. These minerals are used in renewable energy systems, electric vehicles, and other sustainable technologies that contribute to reducing our use of fossil fuels and ultimately helping our environment in the slowing of climate change. 

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Managing the Risks of Biotechnology Innovation

Global Health Program (2023, January 30) Managing the Risks of Biotechnology Innovation. Retrieved August 27, 2023 from https://www.cfr.org/report/managing-risks-biotechnology-innovation

 

The use of biotechnology in agriculture also has the potential to address some of the world’s biggest challenges, such as feeding a growing global population while also reducing the environmental impact of agriculture. Biotechnology can help crops become more resistant to natural disasters, leading to increased food security. We can help that by improving infrastructure, reduce food waste, and get rid/ fight climate change. Biotechnology can also reduce the need for harmful pesticides (kill, repel, or control forms of animal and plant life) and herbicides (a chemical substance used to destroy or stop plant growth), as well as reduce the carbon footprint of agriculture by improving soil quality and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Overall, biotechnology has the potential to revolutionize many industries and address major global challenges.

 

This article is related to environmental science because it explains how biotechnology is affection our environment in some negative ways. It explains how we can also improve on our environment. The article was explaining the parts that was being harmed, and also how it’ll be a hard challenge to our environment globally. 

 

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Governing biotechnology to provide safety and security and address ethical, legal, and social implications

Genet. F (2023, January 11) Governing biotechnology to provide safety and security and address ethical, legal, and social implications. Retrieved 21, 2023, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9873990/

 

The field of biotechnology has produced a wide variety of materials and products which are rapidly entering the commercial marketplace. With the updated technology and the usage requires safety features including updated security representing the product’s ethical, legal, and social implications. In order to unlock technological capability, biotechnology firms must invest in research and development efforts that are aimed at making the technology more efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly. This may include developing new genetic engineering techniques, improving the efficiency of fermentation processes, or finding new ways to extract or purify biologically active compounds. At the same time, biotechnology companies must also be mindful of the potential risks associated with their products and processes. This may involve conducting risk assessments, designing safety protocols, and engaging in open communication with stakeholders such as regulators, consumers, and environmental groups.

 

This article is related to environmental science because it explains the process of biotechnology which would be benefiical towards our environment. Environmental science is the branch of biotechnology that addresses environmental problems, such as the removal of pollution, renewable energy generation or biomass production, by exploiting biological processes. 

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Lifespan Extension Record Set In Yeast Cells Using Synthetic Gene Oscillator

GenengNews (2023, April 28). Lifespan Extension Record Set In Yeast Cells Using Synthetic Gene Oscillator. Retrieved August 19, 2023, from https://www.genengnews.com/news/lifespan-extension-record-set-in-yeast-cells-using-synthetic-gene-oscillator/

 

A team of University of California San Diego scientists has genetically rewired the circuit that controls cell aging in yeast. The reconnect circut operates like a clock-like device, called a gene oscillator, that drives the cell to periodically switch between two detrimental “aged” states, avoiding prolonged commitment to either and thereby slowing the cell’s degeneration. Human lifespan is related to the aging of our individual cells and cellular aging is a fundamental and complex biological process and is an underlying driver for many diseases.  Many cells including yeast contain gene regulatory circuits that are responsible for many physiological functions, including aging. After researching that yeast includes aging, the researchers genetically manipulated these processes to extend the lifespan of cells. 

 

This article is related to environmental science because it’s through an ecological process through an organic material and dissipation of carbon and energy through the soil ecosystem. Yeast is a cell that is a bacteria and grows from a single cell. 

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Experts weigh medical advances in gene-editing with ethical dilemmas

Stein, R. (2023, March 6). Experts weigh medical advances in gene-editing with ethical dilemmas. Retrieved August 15, 2023, from https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/03/06/1158705095/genome-summit-gene-editing-ethics-crspr

 

Multiple doctors, bioethicists, and patients are debating about an issue reguarding powerful new gene-editing technologies. A big problem and concern is whether scientists should try to make gene-edited babies by modifying the DNA in human sperm, eggs, or embryos again.This could help several families who have been plagued by devastating genetic disorders. Recently, scientists have developed new evidence about the risks and possible shortcomings of gene-editing, while developing more worldy techniques that could be safer. “There are more than 10,000 single genetic mutations that collectively affect probably hundreds of million of people around the world” says Shoukhrat Mitalipov, a biologist at the Oregon Health and Science University in Portland. 

 

This article is related to environmental science because gene editing is an advancement in plant and animal breeding that can support sustainability by helping farmers conserve water, reduce pesticide use, enhance soil health, improve air quality, safeguard animal well-being, and protect wildlife. It’s an advancement in technology that will be beneficial to our planet. 

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For the First Time, Genetically Modified Trees Have Been Planted in a U.S. Forest.

Popkin, G. (2023, February 16). For the First Time, Genetically Modified Trees Have Been Planted in a U.S. Forest. Retrieved August 15, 2023, from https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/16/science/genetically-modified-trees-living-carbon.html

 

Workers have planted poplar trees which have been genetically engineered to grow wood at turbocharged rates. The poplar trees may be one of the first genetically modified trees located in the United States. A San Francisco biotech company that manufactured the poplar trees, intends for its trees to be a large-scale solution to climate change. Scientists are trying to genetically modify plants for maximum sustainability with photosynthesis. The resources are not recovering fast enough but with genetic engineering people can modify the resources to have the most effective and resourceful regenerative period. 

 

This article is related to environmental science because it explains how genetic engineering is helping the poplar trees grow. Poplar trees are a part of the environment as they use products like soil to grow in the ground. They talked about scientists trying to genetically modify plants