Factors that distinguish your local ecology and environment - Essay Example

Factors That Distinguish Your Local Ecology and Environment Introduction In the last few decades as the industry progressed, the climate of the earth changed drastically. As we are consuming the earth’s resources to generate energy, we are polluting the earth’s atmosphere. As the result of this pollution the temperature of the earth is raising, which is affecting habitat of the earth and creating problems for the humans. The rise in the temperature endangered many species like coral reefs, which are highly sensitive to the temperature change. Other problems like melting of arctic glaciers and glaciers at higher regions increased the problems like floods, hurricanes and so on. The main cause of this entire situation is the increased production of green house gases. The major constituent of green house gases is carbon dioxide and plants and trees are able consume carbon dioxide to make their food. More plants and trees means less carbon dioxide but humans cut the trees to make their houses and in some regions it is utilized to cook food. Now, the remaining rainforests on earth cover only 6%, which was 14% once and the remaining rainforests will remain only for forty years (Rain-tree.com 2010). Local and surrounding ecology and environment Canada is rich with forests and is blessed with forest ecosystem, mountainous ecosystem, arctic ecosystem and prairie grassland ecosystem. A vast land of the country is covered with boreal and temperate forests (Natural Resources Canada 2009). Three oceans make the border of Canada. Most of the region has lower winter temperatures. Forests help maintain the natural atmosphere in the region and help to maintain air quality in the region. Country’s economy is dependent on its forestry and agriculture, but mining of natural resources contribute much to the economy of the country. Diamond exploration also contributes to the country’s economy. The specific factors that distinguish the Canada’s local ecology and environment are forests. Forests play an important role in purifying the urban air. Forests are also important in best utilization of water. Rivers and lakes in the country are the source of fresh water but the country also started some wastewater treatment programs to reduce the utilization of water. Mountains are also important in providing the country fresh water and Canada is blessed with mountainous ecology. Human activities and ecology Canada’s ecosystem supports heavily human activities like agriculture. However, human activities, which involve the emission of green house gases, are highly dangerous for the ecosystem. Urban localities cover almost 0.2% of the country. In Canada, urban localities consume most of energy. The large amount of energy consumption means large amount of green house gases emissions. The ecology of the Canada is not only affected by the local human activities but the pollutants from the surrounding contribute much in polluting air and water. Water pollution affects the marine habitat and thus affects the food chain (Environment Canada 2010). The forests near the cities have the capability to reduce the amount of green house gases emissions, as trees consume carbon dioxide to make their food. Forests are also important in reducing the noise and improve quality of air, which saves much energy. The pollutants from the city not only pollute air but also contaminate water but forests play an important role in maintaining the water. Global warming and ecosystem In recent years, the quality of urban air improved but still the air contains traces of certain harmful and toxic chemicals that could harm a person’s health (Health Canada 2006). Results show that the air of the region is contaminated with over 160 toxic chemicals. These toxic chemicals are responsible of 5000 premature deaths in a year in Ontario. Sixty thousand (60,000) patients visit hospital emergency in Ontario and according to Ontario Medical Association 16,000, patients are admitted to the hospital as the result of this pollution (Canadian Environmental Grantmakers' Network 2005). Climate change has a heavy impact on the ecosystem of the Canada. The melting of the glaciers in the Arctic Ocean is increasing the level of seawater and directly affecting the country. As Canada is a colder region, but due to the climate change, there is an impact on the weather of the region. The climate change also influenced water cycle. In water cycle, the above layer of the water and lower layer of the seawater change their places, which is the major source of oxygen to the marine life. The cycle only continues if in winter season, the above layer of water freeze but due to the rise in the temperature, the above layer of water freezes but it do not completely changes to ice. In some regions, the hydrologic cycle is more frequent but forests are able to store more water and prevents flood. The whole scenario depicts a high impact on the environment of the country. The climate change massive endangered marine species. However, as compared to some other regions of the world, which are not blessed with such forests, the impact of this climate change declined. The government of the country has taken the matter seriously and started some programs which are related to alternate energy sources and sewage water treatment. Conclusion The burning of coal and oil produces a large amount of energy but with this large amount of energy, a large amount of green house gases is also released. Green house gasses are responsible of warming up the planet and created a problem of global warming. Therefore, it is a need to say no to the usage of coal and oil and rely on renewable and sustainable resources of energy to produce energy. As renewable sources of energy produce no carbon emissions, it is better option for a sustainable future. Renewable and alternate sources of energy have the potential to meet the energy demand and help save our forests and our planet. References Canadian Environmental Grantmakers' Network (2005). Urban Environment Issues: A Summary of Issues and Approaches. Retrieved on 18th August from http://www.cegn.org/english/home/documents/urbanbrief_eng.pdf Environment Canada (2010). Water Pollution. Retrieved on 18th August from http://www.ec.gc.ca/eau-water/default.asp?lang=en&n=E86BC86A-1 Health Canada (2006). Environmental and Workplace Health: Health Effects of Air Pollution. Retrieved on 18th August 2010 from http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/air/out-ext/effe/health_effects-effets_sante-eng.php Natural Resources Canada (2009). The Atlas of Canada: Ecology. Retrieved on 18th August 2010 from http://atlas.nrcan.gc.ca/auth/english/maps/environment/ecology Rain-tree.com ( 2010). Rainforest Facts. Retrieved on 18th August 2010 from http://www.rain-tree.com/facts.htm Read More