https://padlet.com/18pryorf/2laan4t6br4x en-us 2017-04-27 13:47:57 UTC 2017-05-11 14:13:14 UTC hello@padlet.com 18pryorf https://padlet.com/18pryorf/2laan4t6br4x/wish/135617533 http://www.newsweek.com/lab-bred-coral-reproduces-wild-first-time-421835
This article is about how scientist used elkhorn coral, an endangered species, to help save the coral reef in the Caribbean. They determined that if they gathered egg and sperm cells and put it where the coral reef was dying it can reverse the destruction. The germ cells were put in a lab to become fertilized free-swimming larvae. The product was released in the coral reef which later settled and began to grow. The new coral thrived in the coral reef more then it did in a lab and opened doors for more genetic variability experiments. To regenerate more coral reefs, scientist discovered coral "gardening". This technique takes coral found in these reefs and brings them to a laboratory. Here they grow the coral in a controlled setting so it an grow to full length. The coral is then returned to the reef thus allowing more sea plants and animals to use the coral. This technique does work, however, scientist prefer to keep the coral in its natural habitat and have it breed there. ]]> 2016-11-06 17:33:02 UTC https://padlet.com/18pryorf/2laan4t6br4x/wish/135617533 18pryorf https://padlet.com/18pryorf/2laan4t6br4x/wish/171260510 http://www.nytimes.com/1987/04/17/opinion/l-endangered-habitat-endangered-species-131687.html
The article discusses the importance of wildlife in the New York state. Animals in the wild have a tremendous affect on humans because we are interconnected in a food web/chain. A animals habitat effects the health and stability of the animal. The author argues the laws help endangered species but it does not protect their habitats. The laws state that if one was to kill any specific animal that is endangered or threatened they would face legal charges. However, if someone was to destroy an endangered or threatened animals habitat and in result the animal dies they aren't charged. A bill was proposed to ensure that the protection of habitats involved with endangered and threatened species. The bill would stop hunters or other people from destroying the habitat or disrupting it in a way the animal would use it. The bill did not come to a vote in the state senate because developers argued against the bill and found a way to keep senate from voting. ]]> 2017-05-11 14:07:55 UTC https://padlet.com/18pryorf/2laan4t6br4x/wish/171260510 18pryorf https://padlet.com/18pryorf/2laan4t6br4x/wish/171261487 http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2016/11/02/us/ap-us-firefighting-foam-water-colorado.html
This article talks about the tainted water found in an Air Force base. The water was used for firefighting drills and was drained into into the city sewer city. The water had toxic chemicals because of the firefighter foam in it and this could contaminate. The foam has PFCs which can cause a wide variety of cancers. This caused a full on investigation to see if chemicals were leaked into the sewer system and why. It reported that 20,000 gallons of the water was lost from evaporation and not exposed to the sewer system. However, the Air Force base made the decision to use a foam that did not contain PFCs and to take better care of their water. ]]> 2017-05-11 14:10:34 UTC https://padlet.com/18pryorf/2laan4t6br4x/wish/171261487 18pryorf https://padlet.com/18pryorf/2laan4t6br4x/wish/171261521 http://www.newsweek.com/there-are-270000-tons-plastic-garbage-floating-atop-worlds-oceans-290886
A scientist named Marcus Erickson sailed around the world to find trash in the ocean. it took him six years and 24 expeditions to comb the ocean for plastic. They found 5.3 trillion pieces of plastic weighing in at 270,000 tons. Most of the trash is being found in the gyres of the ocean where swirling patterns in the ocean tear the plastic part making small pieces of plastic. This is worse then the plastic clumping together because the small plastic sinks. Also, it is harder to clean up the small pieces because they are spread apart. When the plastic sinks It reaches the ocean currents and is transferred throughout the ocean causing sea life to eat the plastic. The plastic also holds on to toxic chemicals and collects more toxins that are in the ocean. The chemicals are assimilated into animals that eat it and become sick. This is extremely dangerous because if a human was to eat this fish they would receive the toxic chemicals and become very sick. ]]> 2017-05-11 14:10:39 UTC https://padlet.com/18pryorf/2laan4t6br4x/wish/171261521 18pryorf https://padlet.com/18pryorf/2laan4t6br4x/wish/171261567 http://www.nj.com/bergen/index.ssf/2016/08/the_plan_to_encase_a_century_of_pollution_in_concrete_along_the_hudson_river.html
Edgewater is a place in NJ that was polluted for more then a century. The tar manufacturing oil recycling polluted the area. The byproduct of these manufactures were arsenic, coal tar, and waste oil. EPA and Honeywell worked together to clean the pollution for the first time. They planed to fix the area so it can be used for further development. The soil and groundwater were mostly affected by this pollution. The soil was contaminated extremely and instead of getting rid of the soil which would take very long they decided to solidify the soil with cement to keep the contaminated material in its place. It is the safest way to protect the environment and people from exposure to the toxins. To solve the groundwater issue, they dug four collection wells that would collect any contaminates in the ground water and develop a barrier to keep the water from reaching the Hudson bay. ]]> 2017-05-11 14:10:46 UTC https://padlet.com/18pryorf/2laan4t6br4x/wish/171261567 18pryorf https://padlet.com/18pryorf/2laan4t6br4x/wish/171261620 http://money.cnn.com/2009/07/01/smallbusiness/american_ecology_garbage_inc_profits_out.fsb/index.htm#feature
In the article, it describes the profit that can be made in the business with trash. It mainly focuses on oily-refinery sludge contaminated protective gear and materials. Disposal of these products and nuclear waste is not easy. Companies involved with waste management have to follow the EPA strict regulations on how the disposal must happen. The start of business in waste was when laws were passed to help the environment and ignited many people to think of ways to get rid of the waste. The booming business of waste eventually declined because sites cleaned up and safe disposal practices were made. The article describes one company that is still in business and is doing well in burying materials or recycling for profit. Sale of recycled material is growing and new ideas for recycling is making these company rich.  The amount that can be recycled is not a lot but it makes a difference in the environment because it is less material being buried]]> 2017-05-11 14:10:54 UTC https://padlet.com/18pryorf/2laan4t6br4x/wish/171261620 18pryorf https://padlet.com/18pryorf/2laan4t6br4x/wish/171261744 https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/26/opinion/states-will-lead-on-climate-change-in-the-trump-era.html 

The article, "The states will lead on climate change in the Trump era" has very interesting and reassuring information on how we can continue to protect the environment. Pres. Trump has stated that he does not believe that climate change and global warming has been caused by people and our misuse of energy.  He has called this theory a "hoax". More worrisome, Pres. Trump has headed the three most important environmental agencies, the EPA, The Dept. of Energy and the Dept. of Interior with leaders that agree with his view of climate change. Concern is very real that a Trump government will not only remove all the regulations in place to help protect the environment, but that there will be no advancement in the field. In addition, there is concern that all financial incentives to regulate energy and improve energy efficiency will be removed on a state level from the government. There is concern that The Clean Power Plan, and fuel economy regulations for cars and tax incentives for cutting energy consumption will be removed. Research spending on energy efficiencies will be in jeopardy too. Therefore, it is very important on a state level that programs, regulations, incentives and goals for energy efficiency continue to be supported and advocated for.

]]> 2017-05-11 14:11:16 UTC https://padlet.com/18pryorf/2laan4t6br4x/wish/171261744 18pryorf https://padlet.com/18pryorf/2laan4t6br4x/wish/171261779 http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/04/20/eco.waterpollution/index.html 

The article, "Water pollution:Dawn of the 'Dead Zones', discusses the real threat of marine life in the Gulf of Mexico due to the dead zone. the dead zone refers to an area of water that is severely lacking sufficient oxygen levels. This causes marine life, like sharks, to swim closer to the shores. Because of this, shark attacks on humans has increased, resulting in increased morbidity and mortalities from these attacks.
The cause of the depleting oxygen levels is the dumping of agriculture nutrients into the sea. These nutrients cause algae to grow, the algae consume the oxygen levels, leaving less for marine life and plants.
Dead zones exist all over the world. The Phillpines is in danger. The increase use of agriculture fertilizers has caused water pollution, a hazard to marine and human health.
In China, the exploding population has driven the use of agrochemicals, leading to more water shortages because 44% of rivers are polluted.

Politicians and leaders are now looking for solutions to help the agricultural industry while protecting the environment. One solution is to increase incentives for organic farming, which promotes less use of toxic chemicals. This remains a work in progress and is slow moving at best.

]]> 2017-05-11 14:11:22 UTC https://padlet.com/18pryorf/2laan4t6br4x/wish/171261779 18pryorf https://padlet.com/18pryorf/2laan4t6br4x/wish/171261813 https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2017/01/05/just-about-everything-you-buy-came-at-the-expense-of-an-endangered-animal/?utm_term=.ab8629700d42

In 2012, "scientist estimated that trade and exports accounted for a third of all threats to wildlife."  Now researchers in Japan and Norway are looking closely at the species and their habitats affected by trade and export. The research "identified areas the scientists call threatened biodiversity hot spots."
"Because human encroachment on animal habitats has pushed wildlife together, a small degree of impact resonates widely." It has to be mentioned that species do not become threatened and affected only by industrialized countries actions. Wildlife is affected by disease, weather, habitat changes and other life forms.
What we need to be aware is how every product made for the US and Europe is at the expense of an endangered species and habitat. These losses become irreversible.]]> 2017-05-11 14:11:28 UTC https://padlet.com/18pryorf/2laan4t6br4x/wish/171261813 18pryorf https://padlet.com/18pryorf/2laan4t6br4x/wish/171261848 https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/01/world/australia/great-barrier-reef-coral-bleaching.html

The Great Barrier Reef in Australia is in peril of its survival because of climate change and agricultural chemicals. The cost of preserving the reef is astronomical because of its sheer size of nearly 1.400 miles long.
The reef is in further danger from the governments plan to build a coal mine thats only  200 miles from it.
In March 2015, the Queensland government released its Reef 2050 Plan. The plan covers 35 years and 151 planned measures to protect the reef and environment. Despite this aggressive and progressive plan, climate change continues to present a real threat and challenge to the preservation of the reef. sediments and poisonous gases inflict irreparable damage.
The reef suffered bleaching this year from the too warm temperatures of the waters. However, the Queensland government seems confident that it can recover from it. 
The Paris agreement was signed a month after this to cut on greenhouse gases to 28%]]> 2017-05-11 14:11:34 UTC https://padlet.com/18pryorf/2laan4t6br4x/wish/171261848 18pryorf https://padlet.com/18pryorf/2laan4t6br4x/wish/171261877 http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/31/nyregion/nyregionspecial2/31pollutionli.html

This article was about the toxic soil contamination of a city on Long Island called Bay Shore. Citizens found sheen in pools, storm sewers or basements which was the pollution The pollution also can take chemicals like driveway sealer of the driveway and leak it. It was a result of the use of manufactured gas in the 1800s to the mid 1900s. When natural gas was found it replaced the manufactured gas.
However, the toxic residue and vapors of the manufactured gas arise from the soil and are hazardous to human health. Because the contaminates are in the soil their is a possibility the groundwater is also contaminated.
Several gas companies from NY State have been in charge of the clean up, the latest one is National Grid. They have excavated 85,000 tons of contaminated soil. They are also dumping chemicals and oxygen into the soil to help decontaminate the soil.
Coal tar is what is left behind after the manufactured gas is processed. It has a toxic makeup of over a dozen dangerous products. These harmful toxins can contaminant a human through skin, air and water source. The concern and argument tis why it has taken so long for the smatter to be addressed by the state.]]> 2017-05-11 14:11:39 UTC https://padlet.com/18pryorf/2laan4t6br4x/wish/171261877 18pryorf https://padlet.com/18pryorf/2laan4t6br4x/wish/171261915 http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/10/world/rewilding-carnivores/index.html

For over 1,000 years Great Britain has not seen a Lynx due to deforestation. Lynx also fell victim to the fur trade. Scientist are now deciding to use rewilding, that is the theory of "restoring natural function to ecosystems across the continent" by introducing new predators to prey.
The limitation to rewinding is finding a large enough space that can be untouched by human pressure and presence. Lynx are in desperate need to support ecosystems that have struggled since they were killed of. Like most ecosystems, without a predator, populations can grow at extreme rates and destroy the tropic level. Lynx are needed to control the deer population to stop overgrazing which has negatively affected the forests. The forests are important habitats that sustain bird and mammal species. Deer populations grow to the extent that deer are forced to roam outside their habitats which are occupied by humans. This is the major cause for damage to cars and property.
Although many support introducing Lynx again, farmers are concerned for their livestock. Lynx mostly prey on deer but are known to eat livestock. Scientist have reassured farmers that the chances of an attack are slim to keep the public supporting this reintroduction.
The article uses the grey wolf reintroduction to Yellowstone park as a comparison and a world view to the positive results from reintroduction. 

Scinetist want to continue to bring species back to Britiain but are constrainted by space. Populations need large spaces in order to live properly. However, if so many species are brought to one area, ecosystem will not be able to function properly.


]]> 2017-05-11 14:11:44 UTC https://padlet.com/18pryorf/2laan4t6br4x/wish/171261915 18pryorf https://padlet.com/18pryorf/2laan4t6br4x/wish/171262010 http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/27/nyregion/nyregionspecial2/27mtbeli.html

Long Island's sole source of water comes from underground, extracted through the use of well and aquifers. This dependence on one source of water has now shown to be less beneficial to the population of Long Island due to recent findings by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. A federal survey that was conducted over four years found that 32 out of 52 gas stations have unidentified petroleum leaking into the Island's aquifers. 

Chemicals from the petroleum spills that leaked into the aquifers include methyl tertiary butyl. This toxic chemical that is added to fuel saturates the soil. The health consequences of being exposed to this chemical is the increased risk of cancer. 

The extent of the pollution and the amount of work and money to fix the issue is great. When the fuel tanks leaked into the soil, they created form plumes. Form plumes are bubbling pockets of petroleum that are absorbed by the soil. As time of absorption increases, the size of the plumes increase as well which causes more harm to the 85 foot deep aquifers. 

In the state of New York, there has been 5,262 spills from 1978 to 1998. Long Island's spillage accounts for 24 percent of the spills that occur in New York. This new information has prompted the E.P.A to invest more money into a larger survey of the 1,100 gas stations on the Island. 

Based on investigations and tests conducted by the Long Island Water Conference, the contamination poses no current threat to the health of people who reside on the Island. Even though the spillage does not pose a threat now, it will eventually hurt the residents when the plumes continue to grow into large sizes. 

Walter Hang is the president of Toxics Targeting, a company that creates reports on contamination sites. Hang believes that the Department of Environmental Conservation failed to take action and as a consequence, it will cost billions to fix this spillage. ]]> 2017-05-11 14:12:01 UTC https://padlet.com/18pryorf/2laan4t6br4x/wish/171262010 18pryorf https://padlet.com/18pryorf/2laan4t6br4x/wish/171262041 http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/15/africa/ethiopia-trash-landslide-death-toll/index.html

A massive landfill outside of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia has killed 113 adults and children. They are expecting an increase in the death toll due to the extent of the collapse. 

At least 60 people, who were killed in this collapse, resided on the garbage in makeshift houses. 

The landfill named Koshe has been in the capital for decades. Due to poverty, some residents have establish a makeshift home on top of the landfill even though the government has been trying to relocate them. 

In addition to the instability of the landfill, its smell affects near by areas and small fires erupt due to the methane gas that is produced by the decomposing trash.

Fisseha Tekle, a researcher a the Amnesty International in Ethiopia, believes the government should be held responsible for this accident and should do an accountability investigation as well as relocate people leaving on and near this landfill.

]]> 2017-05-11 14:12:06 UTC https://padlet.com/18pryorf/2laan4t6br4x/wish/171262041 18pryorf https://padlet.com/18pryorf/2laan4t6br4x/wish/171262067
http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/11/health/toxic-tap-water-flint-michigan/

Flint, Michigan is close to the Great Lakes which provides freshwater for the state and other areas. However, Flints tap water was polluted with Lead. This occured due to the state trying to save money by switching their water supply from Lake Huron to the Flint River. Although this switch was supposed to be temporary immediately residents noticed their tap water was not tasting, smelling, or looking clean. The Flint river was highly corrosive an contained the metal iron. The River was supposed to be treated for being corrosive but the state never did it. Furthermore, the water became more polluted due to led pipes carrying the water to residents which is not noticeable with the naked eye. 

The state assured residents that the water was fine and disconnected testing on the river. However, further testing by students revealed there were high levels of lead still in the water. Families were distraught over the results and filed a lawsuit over the contaminated water and the harmful medical effects that result from drinking the water. 

Doctors took blood samples from children in Flint and compared their Lead levels to the Lead levels taken from birth and found the level doubled.  

]]> 2017-05-11 14:12:11 UTC https://padlet.com/18pryorf/2laan4t6br4x/wish/171262067 18pryorf https://padlet.com/18pryorf/2laan4t6br4x/wish/171262088 http://www.newyorker.com/business/currency/can-we-slow-global-warming-and-still-grow

The International Energy Agency announced on March 17th that 2016 marked three consecutive years where global carbon emissions stayed the same while the world's economy grew. While the economy grew by 10 percent, the annual carbon emissions have not changed and therefore has shown that the relationship between the two has ended. 

The United States have been the leading country in decreasing the amount by carbon emissions. There has been a reduction of usage by 3 percent in the United States. This decrease did not have an affect on the US economy. Wealthy countries, like the US, have started to deviate from an economy that depends on manufacturing and instead depend on finance and services, which then reduces pollution. However, they still are the cause for carbon pollution by accepting products from other countries that pollute through manufacturing. 

The Global Carbon Project estimates that the US emissions should be adjusted to up to 10 percent however they still have made many achievements by burning less coal and more natural gas. It is expected that the Paris Agreement will be met at its target date of 2030. 

There has been debates on whether economic growth and sustainable environment are incompatible or not. Decoupling economic activity from its ecological consequences is one of the main goals in sustainability and development. 

The new Trump Administration will halt or reduce any progresses made by countering global warming. The Keystone XL oil pipeline, coal industry and reducing carbon emission standards are all favored by the Administration and the consequence will be an increase in carbon emissions. 

Despite the progress the US has made in decoupling, there are still the majority of countries who have not done that yet. For many countries, it has been happening at a low pace. 

China is the world's biggest polluter and has the right to continue because they have to catch up developmentally to other countries. India is in a similar situation where they have to develop and in order to do that, they have carbon emissions. 

Carbon emissions needs to be cut by half in order to prevent accumulation. Decoupling will eventually get harder to do when solutions run their course and new ones have to be created. 

]]> 2017-05-11 14:12:16 UTC https://padlet.com/18pryorf/2laan4t6br4x/wish/171262088 18pryorf https://padlet.com/18pryorf/2laan4t6br4x/wish/171262108 https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/mar/26/trump-executive-order-clean-power-plan-coal-plants

An executive order signed by President Trump will undue efforts created by Obama to conquer global warming. The Administration believes that the Paris agreement was a "bad deal" and efforts in place are not working. 

The executive order is going to undo the clean power plan which was implemented in 2015. This plan reduced the amount of gas emissions produced by power plants run on coal. 

Trump is stoping the clean power plan in order to boast the coal-mining industry by creating jobs and decreasing the cost of electricity. The Administration promises that they are not against the environment but holds increase in jobs at a higher priority. 

Democratic dominated states and environmental advocates believe they can promote job growth and reduce the amount of carbon emissions. 

The Administration does not support the Paris Deal because they believe it is unfair that China and India do not have to reduce anything until 2030. ]]> 2017-05-11 14:12:20 UTC https://padlet.com/18pryorf/2laan4t6br4x/wish/171262108 18pryorf https://padlet.com/18pryorf/2laan4t6br4x/wish/171262134 http://lancasteronline.com/sports/outdoors/bumble-bee-once-common-in-lancaster-county-now-an-endangered/article_e7b9ba08-10a7-11e7-88b6-93bbf653d913.html

In Lancaster County, the rusty patched bumble bee are the first ever to make the endangered species list on the mainland. This was caused by numerous factors including pesticides. 

The rusty patched bumble bee was found in Pennsylvania and 30 other states but now they are only found in 13 states. 

The Entomology Society of Pennsylvania voted to support the new endangered species. While there are three other bee species left to pollinate, they are also at risk for endangerment. 

In order for farmers to make up for the lost of bees, they have bee colonies delivered to their farm in order to pollinate their crops.



]]> 2017-05-11 14:12:25 UTC https://padlet.com/18pryorf/2laan4t6br4x/wish/171262134