https://padlet.com/17chaudhrya/76ofwb677tkk en-us 2017-01-20 14:58:24 UTC 2017-05-11 13:48:57 UTC hello@padlet.com 17chaudhrya https://padlet.com/17chaudhrya/76ofwb677tkk/wish/148605061 Discarded electronic waste has reached dangerous and concerning levels in East Asia. China is the biggest culprit, yet nearly every country has had an increase in electronic waste from 2010 to 2015. It has increase by about two thirds for 12 countries in the past five years. Many factors influence this ongoing threat to the environment including changes in fashion, illegal global trade in waste, and rapid obsolescence of products due to technological changes. Overall consumers, especially in Asia, replace their electronic products more frequently.  However, there are not necessarily easy methods of recycling in many areas. Only Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan  have established recycling methods. In other countries there have been open dumping of of lead and mercury components and open burning of plastics which release encased copper and unsafe fumes.]]> 2017-01-23 00:35:02 UTC https://padlet.com/17chaudhrya/76ofwb677tkk/wish/148605061 17chaudhrya https://padlet.com/17chaudhrya/76ofwb677tkk/wish/148897785 The Islamic State left oil fires after fleeing forces in August. These fires are still raging across northern Iraq while people are wheezing under the massive cloud. This cloud has been over the town of Qayyara for months. More than 155 square miles were covered in smoke for almost a month. These fires release toxic and sometimes deadly substances into the air, water sources, and soil. Local doctors have seen many more patients with respiratory problems recently.The fires are even harming farm animals and have caused many to die. The United Nations as well as many environmental groups and charities have pushed for the fires to be extinguished. 
Other environmental issues are harming residents in Qayyara including a gas leak in October. A further toxic cloud formed as sulfur dioxide nearby caught fire. ]]> 2017-01-24 00:14:57 UTC https://padlet.com/17chaudhrya/76ofwb677tkk/wish/148897785 17chaudhrya https://padlet.com/17chaudhrya/76ofwb677tkk/wish/148899910 Scientists have recently found one of the largest peat lands in the tropics. Located in Central Africa in the Congo Basin it is larger than New York State. 
The vegetation of a peat land is a natural storehouse of carbon taken from the atmosphere. This particular peat contains 30 billion metric tons of carbon and is about 20 feet deep. Peat's store carbon over a long period of time and are mostly located in northern regions including Alaska, Canada, and Russia. The drainage of peat's for oil-palm can cause rapid carbon release and fires. Fortunately, the Congo Basin peat's are relatively inaccessible. ]]> 2017-01-24 00:47:16 UTC https://padlet.com/17chaudhrya/76ofwb677tkk/wish/148899910 17chaudhrya https://padlet.com/17chaudhrya/76ofwb677tkk/wish/148913401 The Hong Kong government has warned its residents of very high health risks within the atmosphere. There are currently very dangerous levels of smog push bad air into their region. The pollution particles that pose the greatest danger to their health exceed 190 micro grams per cubic meter. Levels  above 150 are considered unhealthy. 
The Environmental Protection Department of Hong Kong blames the weather patterns for the high amounts of pollution. The shifting of weather from sunny to dry has essentially trapped haze over the area. The sun enhances the photochemical smog while the light wind disperses air pollutants. 
However, air quality in Bejing has generally improved, yet it is a slow process. ]]> 2017-01-24 03:58:15 UTC https://padlet.com/17chaudhrya/76ofwb677tkk/wish/148913401 17chaudhrya https://padlet.com/17chaudhrya/76ofwb677tkk/wish/148914786 Louisiana environmental groups are still fighting the battle against a proposed 163-mile oil pipeline across south Louisiana. A second hearing is set February 8th for a permit needed from Louisiana's Department of Natural Resources. 
The opponents of the pipeline expect to have a big turnout because people are very motivated and passionate about the issue. The pipeline would link refineries to a major oil and gas hub in Texas. This connects to larger pipelines throughout North America. The supporters argue this would boost the economy, yet many think it is still not safe and a major environmental issue. ]]> 2017-01-24 04:19:30 UTC https://padlet.com/17chaudhrya/76ofwb677tkk/wish/148914786 17chaudhrya https://padlet.com/17chaudhrya/76ofwb677tkk/wish/148915316 Most of America want to a strength in the Environmental Protection Agency during Donald Trumps presidency. 
Trump's plan to boost energy development by slashing environmental regulation is something that many citizens disagree with. About 40% of Americans would like to see the EPA strengthened or expanded. 
However, 35 % want it to be weakened or eliminated. Some people argue that Trump is just a businessman, therefore that is all he thinks about. This is why he wanted to drastically reduce environmental regulations to create jobs. People believe that this is what will make the economy of America better. Others hope that this will change when it comes to wildlife and the environment.]]> 2017-01-24 04:27:07 UTC https://padlet.com/17chaudhrya/76ofwb677tkk/wish/148915316