#PowellsClass #5thperiodAPES

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Missing MH370: New plane tracking will be trialed after Malaysia plane mystery

The Associated Press (Ed.). (2015, February 28). Missing MH370: New plane tracking will be trialed after Malaysia plane mystery. Retrieved February 28, 2015, from NBC News website: http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/missing-jet/missing-mh370-new-plane-tracking-will-be-trialed-after-malaysia-n314981

 

The disappearance of the Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 last year catapulted a wide range of technological advances concerning the safety of planes. Since Flight 370 “vanished last year on a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 people on board,” Malaysia, Indonesia, and Australia have begun a trial to “enhance the tracking of aircraft over remote oceans, allowing planes to be more easily found.” This new system of tracking will increase the rate at which planes are tracked from every 40 minutes, to every 15 minutes. The new technology will use “satellite-based positioning” onboard aircrafts to transmit the current position.

 

This article relates to environmental science because it shows how transportation is evolving to better the safety of people. In this case, Australia, Malaysia, and Indonesia are fighting for another solution to better track planes to prevent another plane disappearance losing a large number of people. It’s about time that someone has stepped up to the plate and tried to come up with a plausible solution for increasing the safety of our planes. There should be stricter air safety regulations to extensively track planes from air traffic controllers and I think this is a step in the right direction.

 

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Solar Fun in the Sun

“Northern California Solar Regatta.” SMUD Community Solar. SMUD,

n.d.Web. 18 Feb. 2015.

 

https://www.smud.org/en/about-smud/environment/renewable-energy/solar-regatta.htm

 

This is a boat racing event where teams from different high schools and colleges compete to build the fastest boat. There is a twist however, these boats are powered by solar energy that they collect as they race, meaning that the efficiency of energy collection is what is really being tested. This competition is open to all schools north of Fresno and is held in the Rancho Seco Recreational Area. SMUD loans out the solar panels to schools, due to the large price tag that is still associated with these products.

 

This is an incredible thing for the future of solar power. It is undeniable that very often seeing is believing. Having a program where young people can work with solar panels and build a machine that they can use to compete with other schools allows them to see solar energy at work directly. This in turn cements the concept to them as not only feasible but as an immediate solution to the energy problems of the future. These young people will go on carrying these ideas into their adulthood, spreading the idea and in all likelihood being more likely to install solar panels of their own.

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NASA’s US moniter

http://www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/new-nasa-images-highlight-us-air-quality-improvement/#.VHLE_vl4pcQ

 After ten years, NASA’s satellite which monitors six particularly dangerous pollutants found that people living in big United States cities are breathing nitrogen dioxide (a yellow gas which can cause respiratory problems). The gas is produced during the combustion of gasoline and is a very strong proxy to the overall health of air. Many graphs are depicted which go to show that air pollution in America is decreasing, however in major cities, Nitrogen Dioxide is increasing. This provides a gaping difference between the air quality for those living in rural and suburban areas of America.

The graphs and pictures shown on this website of NASA’s satellite goes to show how air pollution in America as a whole is improving, but the quality of air in big cities is more unhealthy than it has ever been. These pictures give great visual representation as to what exactly is happening in the Unite State’s atmosphere and levels of Nitrogen Dioxide. The purpose of this article was to educate those who live in big cities of their increased medical risks due to this very dangerous pollutant.

NASA. NASA, n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2014.22

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Almost Half Living in Dangerous Conditions

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/air-pollution-dangerously-high-for-almost-half-of-us/

A little under 50 percent of Americans are living in unhealthy air conditions. This number has increased five percent from last year, 42 to 47 percent. The five communities with the worst air pollution in the United States were all in the state of California.  Los Angeles-Long Beach had the highest ozone levels, while Fresno-Madera was found to have the most particle pollution. Both of these cities are located in California which is particularly alarming as Californians. This being said, things are not all bad as Salinas California is the least polluted city in the United States.

 This article gave lots of statistics on the health of the air in the United States, particularly the odd trends in California. California has both the five highest rates of air pollution, and the lowest overall rate. This report also goes to scare Americans as over 140 million Americans live in areas with high ozone layers. High ozone layers puts people at risk of premature death, aggravated asthma, difficulty breathing and future cardiovascular problems. This report further goes to show how American cities’ pollution levels have changed throughout the last four years and shows both many promising positives and alarming negatives.

“Air Pollution Dangerously High for Almost Half of U.S., American Lung Association Reports.” CBSNews. CBS Interactive, n.d. Web. 21 Nov. 2014.

 

 

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Nations Air Quality Worsens

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/04/30/nations-air-quality-worsens/8466889/

 The 2014 state of the air report for the United States came out just a few weeks ago and shows many positives and negatives about the pollution levels here in the United States. The most substantial piece of information given was that 147.6 million people live in areas where air quality remains unhealthy. This number is absurdly high and has increased by 16 million since 2013’s report, despite all the regulations that had been put into place. On the brighter side of the spectrum, of the twenty five cities with the highest air pollution rates, 18 of them have dropped. With this being said, all twenty five still have air which does not meet standards of living.

This article’s purpose was to inform and scare readers living in United States that although air pollution levels are getting better, the country still has a long way to go in terms of having healthy air. With regulations and the issue becoming more prevalent, United States citizens should be alarmed to the increase in millions of people living in unhealthy cities. While individually we cannot do a lot to stop this world-wide issue, each of us can play a role. This report helps educated Americans of a great danger we are still facing as a country.

Bowerman, USATODAY Mary. “Good News/bad News for U.S. Air Quality.”USA Today. Gannett, 30 Apr. 2014. Web. 24 Nov. 2014.

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Smog Worsening in California

http://www.sci-tech-today.com/news/Heat__Drought_Worsen_Calif__Smog/story.xhtml?story_id=023001AFX3S4#

The extreme drought in California has dramatically slowed down efforts to remove smog from Southern California air. The prolonged dry spells has translated to a layer of heat trapping cooler air lower to the ground. This action causes pollution’s main concentration to occur closer to the ground. The air pollution in southern california is an extreme burden on citizens and also puts them at health risk. Hot conditions have also led to more forest fires, which increase air pollution with the levels of smoke being released into the atmosphere.

This article speaks to how the extreme drought in California has affected the air pollution. With California being in one of it’s worst droughts ever, the temperatures have increased making the smog’s level of concentration to drop significantly and further impacting humans. This is alarming and particularly scary as there is no clear solution. With this being said relief could come as soon as winter with storms and rain stirring up the air.

“Heat, Drought Worsen Smog in California | Sci-Tech Today.” SciTech Today RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Nov. 2014..

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Children With ADD

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2014/11/06/link-found-between-mothers-exposure-to-air-pollution-and-adhd/

More than eleven percent of children born in the United States have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. In a study conducted by Columbia University, children exposed to air pollution during pregnancy were five times as likely to have this disorder by the young age of nine. “During the fetal period and early childhood years, the brain is rapidly developing and vulnerable to neurotoxic insults that may manifest as adverse outcomes in childhood and adulthood.” Previous to this study, air pollution has been linked to other severe issues such as developmental delays, reduced IQ and symptoms of anxiety depression, and even cancer.

This article suggested that air pollution has a direct correlation with children being born or obtaining Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder at a young age. This study was conducted using only United States born children living in urban areas whose parents were nonsmokers. These figures are extremely alarming and further goes to show the danger of air pollution in today’s society. With the rate of this disorder being five times as likely to occur for children whose parents work in urban areas in the United States, the effects on Children living in India and China (world pollution leaders) is extremely scary.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2014/11/06/link-found-between-mothers-exposure-to-air-pollution-and-adhd/

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Air in China Labeled Hazardous

“China’s Air Pollution Reaches ‘crisis’ Level.” The Globe and Mail. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Sept. 2014.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/chinas-air-pollution-reaches-crisis-level/article17107203/

The United States embassy in Beijing China labeled the city as being hazardous only a few months ago. The air in China was also called “barely suitable for human life.” Although not having the worst air in the world, thanks to India, the pollution in China is so bad that officials have recommended not traveling to the country as it is hazardous. The Chinese government is doing everything in their power to reduce the air pollution, but due to the monumental numbers of industries, China’s air is not on a speedy recovery course. The smog in China has been called indefensible at this point by newspapers, who are also calling the atmosphere surrounding China an invisible killer. The current government in China has promised change, but are not fulfilling their promises.

The air in China has gotten so bad it is uncontrollable. The author criticizes China’s government for not taking the necessary precautions to eliminating this titanic issue. This article was written to warn those visiting China and also alarm Chinese citizens that the current government isn’t fulfilling the promises they made to the country about eliminating air pollution. By calling Beijing barely suitable for human life the author is making a powerful statement which alarms readers on the severity of this conflict. Air pollution in China is taking years off of many people’s lives and the issue has to be addressed with more urgency.

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Delhi-Dirtiest Atmosphere in the World

“India Admits Delhi Matches Beijing for Air Pollution Threatening Public Health.” Theguardian.com. Guardian News and Media, 09 May 2014. Web. 08 Sept. 2014.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/08/india-admits-delhi-matches-beijing-air-polllution-world-health-organisation-cities

According to recent studies by the World Health Organization, India’s capital of Delhi has the dirtiest atmosphere in the world. The atmosphere in Delhi, which slightly beat out Bejing for the most polluted city in the world has a 10 times dirtier atmosphere than London, which was deemed unhealthy for human life. “The latest urban air-quality database released by the World Health Organisation reconfirms that most Indian cities are becoming death traps because of very high air pollution levels.” In a 2014 study of the worst air pollution in the world, 13 of the 20 most polluted cities in the world were in India. Delhi holds the world’s highest yearly concentration of airborne particles of 153. These microscopic particles in the air are associated with lung cancer and heart disease as they enter ones bloodstream.

 

This article gave lots of statistics on the concentration of airborne particles and comparing different international cities. It shows that India has by far the worst air pollution in the world throughout the country, and even has the air pollution leader of Delhi. The article also says that India is becoming a death trap due to the air conditions being so horrendous. This is one of the main reasons why the average life of human beings is much lower in India then in a majority of other countries worldwide. Unlike many other countries, India is not taking as serious an approach to stopping the pollution and it is continuing to grow from already having 13 of the 20 most polluted cities in the world according to the World Health Organisation.

 

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European Air Pollution Harming Health

“Air Pollution Still Harming Health across Europe.” — European Environment Agency (EEA). N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Sept. 2014.

http://www.eea.europa.eu/media/newsreleases/air-pollution-still-causing-harm

According to current standards, a majority of people living in Europe do not live in a healthy environment due to air pollution. “Around 90 % of city dwellers in the European Union (EU) are exposed to one of the most damaging air pollutants at levels deemed harmful to health by the World Health Organisation (WHO). This result comes from the latest assessment of air quality in Europe, published by the European Environment Agency (EEA).” This pollution is not restricted to only those living in cities however, as many people living in rural areas have significant amount of air pollution and are over the standard for living. Over the past decade, European cities have taken steps to reduce air pollution by cutting emissions of air pollutants.

 

This article’s purpose was to inform and scare readers living in European cities that their living in below standard air. Although precautions are being taken to help reduce the air pollutions by cutting emissions of air pollutants among other obvious things such as suggesting carpooling and public transportation, the air in European cities is still in bad shape. This article also states that most European citizens are unaware that they have a pollution problem; by alerting them and gaining their attention many citizens will takes strides to help control the air pollution. Everybody needs to be aware, and everyone needs to play a part in getting the air above the standards for what is healthy to live in.