...There are a variety of methods and innovative ideas that are present to further better the environment that surrounds us. In Hack The Planet by Eli Kintisch, Kintisch outlines four circumstances: collapsing ice sheets, megadroughts, a catastrophic methane release, and slowing of the global ocean conveyor belt. Geoengineering is the main focus the author elaborates on and how it has, and continues, to impact the world today. Geoengineering is the artificial modification of Earth’s climate systems through two primary ideologies, Solar Radiation Management (SRM) and Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR). Climate change is imminent but with man made altering, the process is becoming even more deadlier. In reading this book, it's obvious Kintisch is very...
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...How Geoengineering Works: 5 Big Plans to Stop Global Warming At first blush, geoengineering sounds like outrageous junk science. Surely there's an easier solution to the problem of global warming than technologically altering Earth's atmosphere, its cloud formations and even outer space. But when compared with the alternativedrastically reducing the amount of carbon dioxide blanketing the planet by changing the behavior of billions of people and thousands of industries, not to mention slow-moving governmentssome scientists are beginning to take the seemingly outrageous schemes a lot more seriously. Here are the mechanics behind five plans to jury-rig the Earth. 1. Copy a Volcano (Photograph by Tarko Sudiarno/AFP/Getty Images) A volcanic eruption can bellow many million tons of sulfur-dioxide gas into the atmosphere, creating a cloud that blocks some of the sun's radiation. By injecting the atmosphere with sulfur, some scientists believe they could likewise block solar radiation and potentially cool the planet. Sulfur dioxide reacts with water in the atmosphere to create droplets of sulfuric acid, says Rutgers University environmental scientist Alan Robock. Those droplets are particularly good at scattering the sun's light back out into space. And because sulfur doesn't heat the stratosphere as much as other aerosols, it wouldn't work against the cooling effect. Hydrogen sulfide is an even better candidate for atmospheric seeding than sulfur dioxide, but scientists would...
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...The lack of snow and rainfall in the South West is resulting in the depletion of ground water and overuse of the Colorado River. Evidence suggests that the March 3rd measurement of the statewide snowpack was the water equivalent of five inches, or nineteen percent of the average for that date. “It’s anticipated that the current drought condition will result in a reduction of between ten to forty percent of water flow” (Thebaut, 2008). Without water in the Colorado River, we don’t have energy or crops to grow food and electricity bills will increase tremendously. The best solutions for the California drought issue are water treatments, sharing water and using less ground water, however there are other methods that I believe should be experimented. Desalination, fog catching and Geoengineering are other alternatives that need to be explored. Although some methods are more affective than others, desalination is a method that it is very expensive and cannot be depended on. In Santa Barbara, the desalination plant is being taken out of mothballs at a cost of about $40 million dollars. “Desalination is our absolute last resort,” said Helene Schneider, the mayor. “Unfortunately, given the way the drought is going, we are now at that last resort” (Schneider, 2015). Desalination is not the best option, however it should not be...
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...Melting Point: The Issue of Global Warming What is Global Warming? Well, it is just that, our planet is getting warmer. Due to increased carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in our atmosphere, we are retaining excess heat that usually is radiated into space. This excess heat that is being captured by our CO2 enriched atmosphere is now causing a rise in temperature that could affect nearly every aspect of life. If we do not stop our excessive carbon dioxide output, major changes could happen to our environment and our economic well being. You emit CO2 emissions almost everywhere you go, every time you drive your car, have a fire in your fireplace, and even when you use your gas stove to cook a meal, you are producing green house gases that spread into our atmosphere. When you are using these items they release green house gases such as carbon dioxide, steam (H2O), and methane (Broder). These gases trap the heat in our atmosphere that is usually dispersed into outer space. This is causing our global temperature to rise. But unlike the other green house gases, CO2 stays in the atmosphere for “thousands of years” instead of the “weeks or years” that the other green house gases make residency in our atmosphere. This labels CO2 as the main contributor to global warming (Broder). Initially, for some people the idea of global warming isn’t such a bad idea. But the suspected outcomes of global warming far outweigh the pro’s that some may see. There is evidence that global warming has been...
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...dissociates to produce hydrogen ions. This has alleviated the impacts of global warming to an extent. However, human activities such as burning fossil fuels and urbanisation have caused ocean acidity to increase by 26 % from preindustrial levels till today. (IPCC, 2014). Being terrestrial creatures, our focuses are on environmental impacts occurring on land, and less so in oceans. Yet, oceans are so fundamentally important that ignoring...
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...Imagine a world quite different from what it is today in terms of food. Advancement in GMO food technology has progressed steadily over the last couple of years. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are scientifically altered foods that undergo desired variations to their normal genetic makeup to satisfy certain traits. The ethical issues GMOs produce are well-documented with concerns about genetic mutation and manipulation to favor corruption and the needs of the powerful. However, the social issues they can create are yet to be seen in full effect. GMOs have a history of corporation abuse, and the harm they form in farmlands and the environment, and it is only a matter of time until GMO controversy reaches new levels. The potential long-term...
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...The effects of global warming on the environment and human life are numerous and varied. Scenarios studied by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predict that global warming will continue and get worse much faster than was expected even in their last report. Research by NOAA indicate that the effects of global warming are already irreversible. The IPCC reports attribute many specific natural phenomena to human causes. The expected long range effects of recent climate change may already be observed. Rising sea levels, glacier retreat, Arctic shrinkage, and altered patterns of agriculture are cited as direct consequences of human activities. Predictions for secondary and regional effects include extreme weather events, an expansion of tropical diseases, changes in the timing of seasonal patterns in ecosystems, and drastic economic impact. Concerns have led to political activism advocating proposals to mitigate, or adapt to it. Geoengineering is a further potential response, which could potentially reverse some effects that may otherwise be irreversible. It is notable that many of the effects of global warming are non-linear in nature, with potential for dramatic positive feedback effects. This means that the climate may enter a critical state where small changes can trigger runaway or abrupt climate change. Geoengineering has been suggested as a means of interrupting or reversing these effects. A notable example of a 'runaway' effect is the release of methane...
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...EARTH PERSPECTIVES The biological and geological future of the Earth can be extrapolated based upon the estimated effects of several long-term influences. These include the chemistry at the Earth's surface, the rate of cooling of the planet's interior, the gravitational interactions with other objects in the Solar System, and a steady increase in the Sun's luminosity. An uncertain factor in this extrapolation is the ongoing influence of technology introduced by humans, such as geoengineering, which could cause significant changes to the planet. The current biotic crisis is being caused by technology and the effects may last for up to five million years. In turn, technology may result in the extinction of humanity, leaving the planet to gradually return to a slower evolutionary pace resulting solely from long-term natural processes. Hawking: How Humankind Will Survive the Future Listen, people of Earth: Everything's going to be fine. All we have to do is survive another century or two without self-destructing as a species. Then we'll get off this rock, spread throughout space, and everything will be all right. If this is not your idea of "optimism," then you are not Stephen Hawking. The esteemed physicist garnered headlines, and some eye-rolls, after telling Big Think last week that humanity needs to leave the Earth in the future or face extinction. As The Atlantic noted: He's not knocking climate scientists' attempts to figure things out on Earth-he's just thinking long...
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...GLOBALIZATION THE ESSENTIALS GEORGE RITZER A John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., Publication Globalization Globalization A Basic Text George Ritzer This balanced introduction draws on academic and popular sources to examine the major issues and events in the history of globalization. Globalization: A Basic Text is a substantial introductory textbook, designed to work either on its own or alongside Readings in Globalization. The books are cross-referenced and are both structured around the core concepts of globalization. 2009 • 608 pages • 978-1-4051-3271-8 • paperback www.wiley.com/go/globalization Readings in Globalization Key Readings and Major Debates Edited by George Ritzer and Zeynep Atalay This unique and engaging anthology introduces students to the major concepts of globalization within the context of the key debates and disputes. Readings in Globalization illustrates that major debates in the field are not only useful to examine for their own merit but can extend our knowledge of globalization. The volume explores both the political economy of globalization and the relationship of culture to globalization. The volume is designed so it may be used independently, or alongside George Ritzer’s Globalization: A Basic Text for a complete student resource. 2010 • 560 pages • 978-1-4051-3273-2 • paperback Order together and save! Quote ISBN 978-1-4443-2371-9 GLOBALIZATION THE ESSENTIALS GEORGE RITZER A John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., Publication This edition first...
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...www.pwc.com/pharma2020 Pharma 2020: Supplying the future Which path will you take? Pharmaceuticals and Life Sciences Previous publications in this series include: Pharmaceuticals Pharma 2020: The vision Which path will you take?* Published in June 2007, this paper highlights a number of issues that will have a major bearing on the industry by 2020. The publication outlines the changes we believe will best help pharmaceutical companies realise the potential the future holds to enhance the value they provide to shareholders and society alike. Pharmaceuticals and Life Sciences Pharma 2020: Challenging business models Which path will you take? Fourth in the Pharma 2020 series and published in April 2009, this report highlights how Pharma’s fully integrated business models may not be the best option for the pharma industry in 2020; more creative collaboration models may be more attractive. This paper also evaluates the advantages and disadvantages of the alternative business models and how each stands up against the challenges facing the industry. *connectedthinking Pharma 2020: The vision # Pharmaceuticals and Life Sciences Pharma 2020: Virtual R&D Which path will you take? This report, published in June 2008, explores opportunities to improve the R&D process. It proposes that new technologies will enable the adoption of virtual R&D; and by operating in a more connected world the industry, in collaboration with researchers, governments, healthcare payers and providers...
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