Reflections on the Environment - Research Paper Example

? REFLECTIONS ON THE ENVIRONMENT and Entry Website Source: Centre for sustainable economy. Ecological Footprint Quiz. Accessed January 24. Word Count: 290 My ecological footprint reveals a very startling situation. The provided figure suggests that if people living in this world adopts my living style on this planet, we all be needing 5.21 earths in order to live and sustain life on this planet. However, for a number of years, the scientists have been failed to locate any earth related planet in the entire universe. This means, we all have to be very responsible and must live ethically, socially and personally responsible. However, my carbon footprint comparatively remains lower than the country average. But, food, housing, and goods and services footprint remain largely equivalent or less than the country averages. This highlights that I am taking lesser those activities that produce carbon, and more activities that are generating food, housing and goods and services footprint. However, it does not mean my carbon footprint in any way acceptable when taking into account my ecological footprint. The measure to reduce carbon and footprint includes for example, I should walk and use bike instead of using a vehicle. For the food footprint, I should eat green. This means I should become a vegetarian eating more vegetables. By eating vegetables, I will reduce my footprint considerably. In addition to that, I should avoid eating cheese burger and meat and other heavy food items that are directly responsible for the increase in the food footprint. And, for the housing footprint, I should search out green designs and the similar features for my building as it will consume less energy and enable the building to remain appropriate to the home needs. In addition to that, I should start planting trees and should make some plantation. This would offset the impact of my carbon footprint in an appropriate manner. Entry 2: Peer-reviewed Article Source: Bellie, Sivakumar. 2011. “Global Climate Change and its Impacts on Water Resources Planning and Management: Assessment and Challenges.” Stochastic Environmental Research and Risk Assessment, 25 (2011): 583-600. Word Count: 228.The climate change has become a major issue affecting each and everything living or existing on this planet earth (Sivakumar 2011, 583). And, its impacts have far-reaching consequences and possess a possibility to exterminate the biological existence from the planet earth. The author maintains that the global climate change is and will be impacting on the water resources and environment both at the local and regional level, and at the global level as well. This will affect the entire population as well as the magnitude of the droughts, floods will be highly increased; in addition to that, the aggregate sea levels will not remain the same but will rise posing an imminent threat to the coastal cities and areas of world; and, it will require relocation of people living nearby seas. In this regard, I support the view that we need to take certain steps reducing the carbon footprint and other activities spreading pollution and damaging the ecological system. I personally believe that my contribution will not be enough however, that does not mean I should not be doing anything about the ecological system and climate change; but, the steps such as the implementation of going green, meaning encouraging forestation, plantation, responsible living, and maximum efforts must be put in practice towards minimizing the causes that are generating the pollution and exacerbate the problem of the climate change. Entry 3: News Article Source: Mark, Kinver. 2012. “Accumulating ‘micro-plastic’ threat to shores.” BBC News Science & Environment, January 27. Accessed January 27 2012. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-16709045 Word count: 221 Microscopic plastic debris from the process of washing clothes is amassing in the marine environment and it could be entering into the food chain (Kinver, 2012). The British Broad Casting (BBC), on its official website, maintains this latest piece of research. In which, the researchers traced the ‘micro-plastic’ back to the synthetic clothes, releasing up to 1,900 tiny fibers per garment every time they were undergone the process of washing. Moreover, Dr Browne, who is the member of the US-based research network known as National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis, informed that the tiny plastic was a concern as the evidence suggests that it was directly converted into the food chain (Kinver, 2012). And, in the same report, it is mentioned that a team has collected samples from 18 beaches around the world to identify the level of the presence of micro-plastic on the shorelines. This does not look a good sign. We humans have not left any effort to mistreat the ecological system and its members. We are doing everything in every way to endanger the existence of life on this planet earth. In my opinion, the entrance of microscopic plastic into the food chain will increase the spread of new and strange diseases in humans and at the same time fasten the extinction process of the marine life. Entry 4: University Website Source: Arizona State University. 2012. “Waste Management, ASU aim to eliminate solid waste.” January 26, accessed January 27 2012. https://asunews.asu.edu/20120126_zerosolidwaste Word count: 227 Recently, the management of Arizona State University and Waste Management of Arizona have collectively announced their program ‘Roadmap to Zero Solid Waste’, aiming to eliminate at least 90 percent or more of ASU’s solid waste by the end of 2015. In this regard, Waste Management has already began working with an ASU team assessing the University’s complete waste generation and waste-collection processes; in addition to that, with the guiding support of two student interns, the program will observe its execution of the waste-elimination plan under the additional support of an on-site project manager In my opinion, this type of collective activities is showing a responsible and ethical participation of the societal members towards the betterment of the environment. The participation of the ASU for managing and eliminating waste from the University will at least create a sort of awareness for the students and other faculty members about the significance of the interactions between the society members with the environment as well. Under current situation, the environment is under severe pressure from the human activity and losing its natural functional characteristics. Already, we are observing and experiencing the impacts of climate change and any subsequent exacerbation in the environment would threaten the existence of life on this planet earth. Entry 5: File Source: The Future of Food. 2004. “The Future of Food: A documentary by Deborah Koons Garcia.” directed by Deborah Koons. Garcia Accessed January 28, 2012. http://www.thefutureoffood.com/About.html Word count: 248 The future of Food documentary movie is directed and produced by Deborah Koons Garcia and released it in 2004. The movie reveals startling facts about the greed of the corporations in the food industry. This movie carries out in-depth investigation into the truth behind the use of unlabeled Genetically Modified Organisms, known as GMOs, products. Throughout the film, from the farm field, to the test tube and to the supermarket, the film follows the personal stories of the farmers in the United States and in Canada who have been sued by the large multinational companies working in the food industry for continuing the time-honored activity of saving seeds. And, in the Europe and the U.S., the corporations also prosecute the scientists who intend to inform public about the serious and environmental health concerns; finally, the film provides the accounts of those consumers who are going to raise questions about the role of the federal agencies and the media highlighting the issue of GMOs. In my opinion, the film exposes the real face of the greedy, selfish and inhumane role of the corporations. The corporations see nothing but the control over the food supply and want to introduce every method that only benefits them even if it is at the cost of the greater public interests particularly in the food items. I personally believe that role of the federal agencies must be there to support the greater public interest not the interests of a few greedy multi-national corporations. Entry 6: News Article Source: Rudolf, John C. 2010. “Is the Tide Turning on Deforestation?” New York Times, July 16. Accessed January 27 2012. http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/16/is-the-tide-turning-on-deforestation/ Word Count: 218 This article highlights the issues surrounding the deforestation. First, this highlights the grave realities about the deforestation particularly the Brazilian Amazon, often called the ‘earth’s lungs’ (Rudolf, 2010). However, the author describes that roughly 20 percent of the rain forest has been eliminated and turned into either ranchland or farms. The authors maintain that a number of countries have curbed and legally banned deforestation and as a result, illegal logging is being declined in countries like Cameroon, Indonesia, Ghana, and so on. The author quotes the Lacey Act, first of its kind a federal conservation law, making it a crime to even import the illegally harvested timber into the U.S. in the year of 2008 (Rudolf, 2010). Unfortunately, according to John Collins Rudolf quoting Sam Lawson saying that until then, there was nothing to stop illegally sourced timber from being imported and consumed. I believe that two steps can be taken: first, individually, I must understand the significance of forestation and their presence; subsequently, I should plant more trees and make sure that they are given water and proper care so that they become fully grown. Second, the law pertaining to the deforestation must be enforced in its true spirit; the relevant regulatory authorities must face justice if they fail to implement the provisions of the Lacey Act. Entry 7: Website Source: Shah, Anup. 2012. “Environmental Issues: Biodiversity.” Global issues.Org. Accessed January 27 2012. http://www.globalissues.org/issue/168/environmental-issues. Word count: 224 Anup Shah says that the variety of life on Earth is commonly called as biodiversity (2012). The number of species of animals, microorganisms, plants and the substantial diversity of genes in these species and a variety of ecosystems on this planet such as rainforests, deserts, coral reefs; are aggregately identified as the components of the biologically diverse earth. Why is important? The biodiversity supplements ecosystem productivity where each species, regardless of its size and structure and role for the diversity, have to play its part in maintaining the smooth functioning of the ecosystems on this planet. However, the author highlights that human activity is mainly responsible for the extinctions of a number of species that could severely damage the smooth functioning of the existing ecosystems. And, the humans cannot remain immune from its impacts as well. I believe this article has highlighted another serious threat to the ecological systems on this planet earth. A number of species are being hunted and killed by the greedy individuals for their material gains. I may contact with the animal saving organizations and gain more information about the issues; and, I will offer my voluntary services in this regard and will take every feasible action that protect the presence of biodiversity. But, I think I will be focusing more on those species facing the threat of the extinction. Entry 8: Journal Article Source: Fuhrer, Jurg and Booker, Fitgerald. 2003. “Ecological Issues related to ozone: agricultural issues.” Environmental International 29: 141-154. Word count: 204 The article focus on the severe issues related with the ozone and its damaging impacts over the agriculture and ecosystems. Research on the effects of ozone on agricultural crops and agriculture based ecosystems is highly needed (Fuhrer and Booker 2003, 141). In addition to that, the research will further pave way to develop regional emission reduction strategies in order to tackle the issues that are being faced by the agriculture and ecosystems from the damaged ozone. Moreover, authors suggest that the research will highlight certain long term implications of ozone effects on the whole ecosystem level processes and community as well along with a particular focus on the crop quality, carbon sequestration, element cycling and biodiversity of pastures. Undoubtedly, the food we consume is also important to maintain its natural look and natural taste as well. I don’t think that I can offer much in this regard as well. But, as a matter of fact, I do understand that aggregately, all these factors are inter-related. This means, if I am working on the protection of forestation and raising my voice against the deforestation would directly or indirectly put my contribution towards the protection of the ozone layer and ecosystems on this planet as well. Entry 9: News paper Article Source: Duhigg, Charles. 2009. “Toxic Waters: Clean Water Laws are neglected, at a cost in suffering.” New York Times, September 12. Accessed January 28, 2012. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/13/us/13water.html?pagewanted=all Word count: 247 This article reveals a painful reality about the impacts of the toxic water on the son of Jennifer Hall-Massey, a resident in Charleston (Duhigg 2009). She has decided not to even touch the tap water as her youngest son has scabs on his legs, arms and chest, which are mostly caused by the bathwater polluted with nickel, lead and other heavy metals (Duhigg 2009). Up to 264 neighbors along with Mrs. Hall-Massey sued nine nearby coal companies, making them responsible for putting and mixing dangerous waste into local water supplies. Unfortunately, the state regulatory authorities never noticed and never penalized those companies violating the pollution laws in the West Virginia. However, the legal authorities failed to punish a considerable number of polluters who caused the substantial damage to the local residents and put the entire population in the risk of the numerous dangerous diseases. The matter is not the contamination of the water in this area of my country. But, it is the issue of the law enforcement. If the regulatory authorities do not play their assigned role, then, more similar cases would appear and damage other residents as well. I personally believe that a number of such problems would not appear if the personnel working at the regulatory capacities fulfill their due part and arrest those individuals and companies violating the water related laws. Entry 10: Blog Source: Hunt, Tam. 2011. “Why Electric Vehicles Will Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions.” Renewable energy world.com. January 11. Accessed January 29, 2012. http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2011/01/why-electric-vehicles-will-significantly-reduce-greenhouse-gas-emissions Word count: 219 Tam Hunt speaks in the favor of the electric vehicles in responding to the article by John Peterson arguing that electric vehicles will take us backward in our efforts reducing the greenhouse gas emissions (Hunt 2011). In order to support his point of view, Hunt indicates that the mentioned figure in the blog posit ‘low carbon scenario’ of 200 g/CO2 in the aggregate electricity sector; in addition to that, electric vehicles would diminish about half the emissions of hybrid cards. For instance, ‘PHE 90’denotes a plug-in electric vehicle that can move 90 miles on batteries alone; however, it is still a remote reality, but feasible one in a few years time. In the graph, CV represents conventional vehicles and HEV to hybrid vehicles. I think John Peterson is trying to protect some vested interests by going against the introduction of the electric vehicles. In addition to that, I understand that the currently a large volume of conventional vehicles are on the roads, if they are replaced by the electric cars with the application of renewable energies, the sale of the conventional vehicles would not be eliminated but also the existing conventional vehicles would be instantly replaced by the electric vehicles, which have high potency to reduce green house gases. Right now, we need such vehicles that are environment friendly. References Arizona State University. 2012. Waste Management, ASU aim to eliminate solid waste, last modified January 26, 2012. https://asunews.asu.edu/20120126_zerosolidwaste Bellie Sivakumar. 2011. “Global Climate Change and its Impacts on Water Resources Planning and Management: Assessment and Challenges”. Stochastic Environmental Research and Risk Assessment, 25: 583-600. Centre for sustainable economy. 2012. Ecological Footprint Quiz. Accessed January 24. Duhigg, Charles. 2009. “Toxic Waters: Clean Water Laws are Neglected, at a Cost in Suffering.” New York Times. January 28, 2012. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/13/us/13water.html?pagewanted=all Fuhrer, Jurg, and Booker Fitzgerald. 2003.” Ecological issues related to ozone: agricultural issues. Environmental International 29: 141-154. doi: 10.1016/S0160-4120(02)00157-5 Hunt, Tam. 2011. “Why Electric Vehicles Will Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions.” Renewable energy world.com. January 29, 2012. http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2011/01/why-electric-vehicles-will-significantly-reduce-greenhouse-gas-emissions Mark Kinver.2012. “Accumulating ‘micro-plastic threat to shores.” BBC News Science & Environment. January 27. Accessed January 28, 2012. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-16709045 Rudolf, John C. 2010. “Is the Tide Turning on Deforestation?” New York Times, July 16. Accessed January 27 2012. http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/16/is-the-tide-turning-on-deforestation/ The Future of Food. 2004. The Future of Food: A documentary by Deborah Koons Garcia, directed by Deborah Koons. Garcia Accessed January 28, 2012. http://www.thefutureoffood.com/About.html Shah, Anup. 2012. “Environmental Issues: Biodiversity.” Global issues. January 29, 2012. http://www.globalissues.org/issue/168/environmental-issues Read More