...in this essay, many of which can be executed by any one. Environmental problems have become so complex that many individuals feel they can have no effect on them. Problems like oil spills, hazardous waste, loss of rain forests, endangered species, acid rain, the ozone layer, the municipal waste crisis can feel out of our control. At the very least, these problems require group and corporate action or government intervention. However, there are some things the individual can control. Our waste reduction and recycling activities can make a difference. That's why so many communities began voluntary recycling programs. There are some household items that are dangerous if they are just thrown away with the regular garbage these items can damage the environment and injure plant and animal life some of these may include moth balls, spot removers, aerosol cans, fluorescent light tubes and shoe polish. Your local waste management agency has information on how to properly dispose of these items. A compost bin may be set up in your yard. Compost bins return plant and some food materials to the soil through decomposition so it can be used as a natural soil additive, called compost. Compost improves soil texture, increases the ability of soil to absorb oxygen and water. Compost also suppresses weed growth and reduces the need to add chemicals and pesticides to plants, which may be harmful to the environment. Keeping recycle bens in the kitchen may help to stop people from accidentally...
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...Is Global Warming Skepticism Just Smoke and Mirrors? Dependence of Man on the Environment Greenhouse warming has always been a talk of the future and the talk of skeptics, well it is happening now. Representatives from countries all over the world will meet in July, 2011 to discuss slowing down global warming by setting the limits on the countries' greenhouse gases emissions, which include the emissions of carbon dioxide the industries, machines, and cars produced. (Reis, 2011). Despite of the current evidence of global warming, people still believe that this is something that is completely made up and blown out of proportion. Global warming has a direct affect on everyone and everything on this planet. Global warming affects not only our weather when it comes to heat but also precipitation to include snow, rain and hail. Global warming also causes a negative effect on animals. Animal species have no longer populated certain areas due to the climate change and in due to the climate they need to survive are migrating to where they can get that. Scientist and professionals say that the sea levels have increased due to the melting of the glaciers. (Cunningham & Cunningham, 2009, p. 207) Global warming is commonly referred to as an increase in the temperature of the lowest layers of Earth's atmosphere. Global warming has occurred in the distant past as the result of natural influences, but the term is most often used to refer to the warming predicted to occur as a result...
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...Companies and people are making efforts to sustain the environment by taking small steps to recycle and have even started using fuels that are safer for the environment. Car manufacturers are making cars that run on very minimal amounts of fuel by running electrically. As you pull up to many locations now you will find the electrical plugs to plug in your car for a charge while you are refueling your body. The reading material in Chapter Ten of Business and Society: Stakeholders, Ethics, Public Policy states that human activity affects three major forms of natural resources: water, air, and land. Resources can be renewable or non-renewable states the material with fossil fuels being non-renewable because once they are used they are gone. Some items are renewable such as forests and fresh water because these things can be replenished. With these areas in mind: water, air and land one needs to focus their efforts on the sustainability of the environment. At the rate we are going we could soon be faced with a drastic decrease in the availability of fresh water and eventually food. As the world grows at an astonishing rate so does the rate at which we diminish the viable resources available for sustainability. The graph in our reading material shows these increases and goes on to say that a person born in 1950 who lives 75 years will have seen the world’s population grow by more than 5 million people. These rates and others can be found at www.un.org/esa/population. The reading material...
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...and the melting of the polar ice caps. One of the worst environmental problems, if not the worst, that the Earth is currently facing is global warming. Global warming is the gradual increase of the Earth’s surface temperature, mainly due to the effects of certain greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide emissions from either deforestation or monoxides found in pollution. These gases would trap the heat that would supposedly escape from the surface of the Earth, which would effectively increase the Earth’s surface temperature. From the name itself, we can already know the main effect of global warming to the Earth. There is this gradual change in temperature, more specifically, a rise in temperature of the Earth’s climate system. From this rise in temperature, more side effects would be branching out. Some of these include the depletion of different bodies of water, forest fires, unpredictable weather, and the melting of the polar caps. It would be fair to say that humans must reap what they sow, that because we have been burning fossil fuels and cutting down trees, we deserve to suffer the consequences given by global warming. Although, it is not just humans who are experiencing these side effects, plants and animals alike also pay for the cost of our negligence to our environment. Let us first take into account the depletion of water in different bodies of water. This phenomenon tends to deprive aquatic plants the space to grow, therefore a chain reaction will occur in the...
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...residential level, it becomes more personal. Residential energy efficiency is considered a human-environment issue. It involves humans in several ways. For example the human decision-making process can shape and change the natural environment. In this case, whether a person decides to be energy efficient and sustainable or not can affect the environment that they live in. If a person uses an excessive amount of fossil fuels by have several cars instead of using public transportation it can cause the air around them to become polluted. One third of the carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides in our atmosphere is produced simply from on-road vehicles (“Cars, Trucks, & Air Pollution”). Just as humans affect the environment, the environment affects humans as well. If the environment is better, in turn the quality of human life will be better. When there is less pollution the air that humans breathe is cleaner. Also when the environment is more sustainable, it is then better for future generations. The effects that the environment has on humans and vice versa are an ongoing cycle. Energy efficiency is important for countless reasons, all of which will make the world that we all live in a much better place. Energy efficiency saves money; the average household spends about $5,550 per year on energy. Just by making energy-efficient home improvements and taking action will save hundreds of dollars. Being energy efficient also improves the economy by saving money on energy...
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...GLOBAL WARMING Global warming is commonly referred to as an increase in the temperature of the lowest layers of Earth's atmosphere. Global warming has occurred in the distant past as the result of natural influences, but the term is most often used to refer to the warming predicted to occur as a result of increased emissions of greenhouse gases. Primary greenhouse gases include water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone . Carbon dioxide, as well as other greenhouse gases, is a very important factor in the vital cycles which sustain life on this planet, plants use carbon dioxide in photosynthesis and release oxygen necessary to maintain the lives of animal species, who through exhaling return carbon dioxide in atmosphere, completing the cycle .Greenhouse effect is a natural process which made life on Earth feasible. Our planet's surface temperature would have been 33 degrees Celsius cooler, -18 C instead of present 15 C, if not for naturally occurring greenhouse gases . The temperature of Earth's atmosphere is regulated by a process in which the quantity of energy Earth gets from the Sun is poised by the amount returned back into space. Greenhouse gases in atmosphere let the energy in and prevent it from escaping, directing it back to Earth's surface . By the greenhouse effect, in the discussions of the global warming and other environmental problems, people mean "the enhanced effect which is caused by the increase of greenhouse gases from human sources”...
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...Inquiry | Resources | How can sustainable living reduce our carbon footprint? | Secondary SourceInternetWebsite:http://homeguides.sfgate.com/using-sustainable-resources-reduce-carbon-footprint-78811.html | Why is sustainable living very important to adapt at this period of time? | Secondary SourceInternetWebsite:<http://www.unfpa.org/6billion/populationissues/generation.htm> | Is recycling important? Why? | Secondary SourceInternetWebsite:http://www.benefits-of-recycling.com/whyisrecyclingimportant/ | How can we conserve our non-renewable resources? | Secondary SourceInternetWebsite:http://www.preservearticles.com/201012251666/conservation-of-non-renewable-resources.html | What are earth resources? | Secondary SourceInternetWebsite:http://www.ecofriendlykids.co.uk/naturalresourcesearth.html | How can sustainable resources aesthetically pleasing? | Secondary SourceInternetWebsite:http://www.steelconstruction.info/Sustainable_steel_bridges | First of all carbon footprint is a measurement of the amount of greenhouse gases produced by the activities in your daily life. One main source of greenhouse gas is burning fossil fuels. That includes the gas in your car and the coal burned at your power plant. Scientists have concluded that humans are producing more greenhouse gases than ever before. These gases trap heat in our atmosphere, causing our planet to warm up and changing our climate. (See References 1) Your carbon footprint, therefore, measures the amount of...
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...INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................ 2 2. DEFINITION GLOBAL WARMING .................................................................................................. 3 3. WHY DOES GLOBAL WARMING OCCURE? ............................................................................................ 3 5. CAUSES OF GLOBAL WARMING ................................................................................................... 5 6. EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING .................................................................................................. 9 How will climate change affect you? Your community? The environment around you? .................... 12 4. SOLUTIONS FOR THE GLOBAL WARMING ............................................................................... 13 5. OTHER EFFECTIVE WAYS TO PREVENT GLOBAL WARMING ............................................. 15 1. Plant Trees and Bamboo................................................................................................................. 16 2. Ride a Bike ...................................................................................................................................... 16 3. Buy Less Stuff.................................................................................................................................. 17 4. Get a Tune Up ..............
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...take advantage of what earth has to offer, this includes animals that are now endangered species. According to Richard T. Wright, “endangered species is a species that has been reduced to the point where it is in imminent danger of becoming extinct if protection is not provided (page 254). Although some animals may seem unimportant to most, many of these animals are what help keep the earth’s ecosystem in equilibrium. There is much controversy on endangered species and the devastation of their habitats. Before someone establishes their own opinion on the subject matter, it must be understood what an endangered species is and how it came to be, along with the controversy between it. Endangerment is a very broad issue that involves habitat, the surrounding environment and the interaction between other species. There are many factors that have lead to endangerment and possible extinction to earth’s animals. One of the biggest factors is habitat destruction. Habitats are constantly changing due to the earth’s constant change in climate and movement, although that is only a slight change. The biggest component to habitat destruction is the result from human activity. Human activity within the last century has been the driving force in destroying habitats through pollution, greenhouse gases, urbanization and abuse of natural resources. Through marine pollution many of the aquatic animals are unable to survive and are driven out of their environments. In addition the greenhouse...
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...Global Warming. Is it caused by us? “…Climate change is now with us. It will not go away.”(Musil, 17) Many of us have noticed that our Earth is getting warmer. We seem to ignore what is going on and just continue with our everyday life. There is evidence that our climate has been getting warmer ever year. Some scientist believe it is because of green house gases. Green house gases include the carbon dioxide from gases that our industry produces, methane gases that cows put off, and some believe it has nothing to do with things living on Earth. The scientist that believe we have nothing to do with global warming believe that the sun’s temperatures has something to do with it. There are some people who think that global warming is not a major crisis. The fact is that the planet is getting warmer. No scientist dines that fact, but reason why varies. We the people of the United States can also do things to help stop global warming. Global warming is define as “an increase in the earth's average atmospheric temperature that causes corresponding changes in climate and that may result from the greenhouse effect.”(www.dictionary.reference.com) Over the last century the average temperature on Earth has increased by one degrees Celsius. One degree Celsius may not seem like much, but it is. Earth’s temperature depends on that giant glowing ball in the sky known as the sun. Most energy from the sun is reflected back into space, but some is trapped in by our atmosphere because of greenhouse...
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...Atmospheric Issues Global warming is an issue that needs our immediate attention and will explain problems that have already taken place within our planet, ways we can help prevent any further damage to our planet from occurring, and methods that can be used to heal the earth from damages that have already been done. Temperatures are rising, glaciers are melting and land is eroding due to global warming. There are many things in this world that we are affected in a negative way as a result of global warming. According to Rodolfo and Siringan (2006), “Groundwater over-use and the land subsidence is another key issue for our regional sea-levels to have increased”. Groundwater over-use and land subsidence is the extraction of freshwater from the earth. Once the water is extracted, the land below will start to shift, therefore changing the lands natural formation. When this occurs, the ocean in certain regions will rise due to the ground levels dropping lower than normal. Storms such as tornados, hurricanes, avalanches, mud slides and lighting storms that all increasing in regularity and size due to the unstable atmospheric conditions and to the rising of warm moist air being mixed with cold air which causes tropical storms such as hurricanes and tornados. As in the current tornados in Oklahoma that have occurred repeatedly. Warm air in the mountains will cause avalanches and mud slides and promotes other increasing problems for certain cultures. People 50 years ago who...
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...such as our forests. According to recent surveys by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 32 percent of municipal solid waste has been recycled by American households. That translates into over 79 tons trash that didn’t need to be incinerated or dumped in a landfill. (http://life.gaiam.com/) For example, a soda can is usually made of aluminum. A recycled aluminum can uses 95 percent less energy needed to made the can from the beginning. Conservation usually deals with saving energy, and wildlife. How this works in the workplace deals with acting as if you were at home. Some examples are replacing light bulbs with the florescent light bulbs, turning off all lights, computers, monitors, and copy machines. Close all windows and blinds to block direct sunlight, this reduces the need to use cooling and heating units. Recycling in the workplace is also feasible. To save paper, only copy what you need and if possible use both sides of the paper. Instead of using disposable cups for the coffee drinkers in the workplace, have them bring in their own coffee mugs. (http://www.enwin.com/) If we incorporated our own personal habits into our workplace habits this would help conserve energy and resources as well. Like, for instance, walk, ride a bike, carpool, or take public transportation to...
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...Elise Miller May 7, 2014 Public Address M/W @9am Speech 4 Surfrider Foundation: Save our Oceans! Attention Step (Introduction)- Attention Getter: I want everyone to think about something they love. Something that gives you enjoyment. Now imagine that something taken away from you and there is nothing you can do to bring it back. BUT there was something you could have done to prevent its extinction. That something for me is the ocean. It is my playground, it is my place of solitude, it is my home. Psychological Orientation: Now I understand that not all of you are lovers of the ocean. Some may even be scared of its power and the uncertainty that it radiates. But what you may not realize is that you don’t need to like the sea or live near a beach to be connected to the ocean. Oceans and coasts affect people’s lives every day, around the world. People need air to breathe, water to drink, food to eat, new medicines, a climate we can live in, beauty, inspiration and recreation. We need to know we belong to something bigger than ourselves. We want a better future for those we care about. Because the oceans are the largest ecosystems on Earth, they are the Earth’s largest life support systems. To survive and prosper, we all need healthy oceans. ‘Oceans generate half of the oxygen people breathe. At any given moment, more than 97% of the world’s water resides in oceans. Oceans provide a sixth of the animal protein people eat’-I bet you didn’t know that. (Huber, 2010)...
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...Environmental Pollution Pollution has been an issue for years. As time has gone on, the need for clean air has never been more of a necessity than it is today. Cities are growing every minute and the amount of space for the increased population has done but decrease. Living in a city means travel. Everyone wants a vehicle to pack of their family and friends to go on road trips or to make it to work on time. The problem with this is that there simply is not enough to go around. Congested roads doesn’t help anyone. The longer a car sits idling it is emitting fumes into the air that contributes to air pollution. Air pollution affects everyone within a small radius and even further. Cars that are not properly maintained can also release even more bad fumes into the air. This contributes to global warming on wide scale. There are a number of ways to help reduce the amount of fumes that enter the earth’s atmosphere and also gives people a way to get around. Saving our community, getting people to work on time, and giving our earth back just as much as it’s given to us is the least we can do. Making small changes to our routine can impact our community and environment. Changes do not need to be radical, instead they need to be simple so that everyone can get on board. Change one: Random emission testing. Every person who has a vehicle understands that it needs basic maintenance to keep it running smooth. Regular oil changes, proper fuel, and good tires will make the car run for years without...
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...| | | | | | | | | | | |Why is the environment a social issue? |...
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