The Real World - Environmental Science by Cole

The Real World - Environmental Science by Cole https://padlet.com/18mchughc/83a8wb2l4f1t Cole McHugh Global Change - Pink Pollution - Yellow The Living World - Green en-us 2017-11-13 16:55:50 UTC 2018-05-08 12:38:42 UTC hello@padlet.com Primate Extinction in the Next 50 Years 18mchughc https://padlet.com/18mchughc/83a8wb2l4f1t/wish/206351335 http://www.foxnews.com/science/2017/01/23/primate-study-finds-its-worse-than-thought.html

There are currently 504 species of primates that we know of. Of them, 75% of them are decreasing in population size. Scientist have before predicted that primates were unable to determine when they were to go extinct, but with recent research, there has been information that shows that certain primates could go extinct in the next 50 years. There are many different reasons for the decrease in population, but the main reason is said to be deforestation. Humans are taking away these primates habitats ans giving them no where to live, so they die from attacks of predators and unable to have basics needs. Many of the primates are threatened to go on the endangered species list. If the habitats are not returned to the primates, they will go extinct.

The problem is that the loss of so many primates destroys ecosystems and food chains. We also evolve from primates so it is also a problem of making sure our ancestors don't go extinct. The extinction of a species is usually on humans hands, and we usually don't like that. ]]> 2017-11-13 16:58:31 UTC https://padlet.com/18mchughc/83a8wb2l4f1t/wish/206351335 Think Global Warming's a Fraud? These Scientist Want to Change Your Mind. 18mchughc https://padlet.com/18mchughc/83a8wb2l4f1t/wish/206351413 https://www.yahoo.com/news/m/a4f7fe58-129f-326b-8c0f-e062069bd557/ss_think-global-warming%26%2339%3Bs-a.html

Scientist have claimed that 2016 is officially the warmest year on record. This causes the suspicion of global warming. Scientist have stated that it is not fact, but strongly suggested theory. The scientist have said this because 1 in 5 people doubt that global warming exist. But 61% of people are scared of global warming. Our newest president Donald Trump has said that global warming is a "Chinese hoax". Since there is so much controversy, these scientist have done studies to try to convince people that global warming exist. The scientist have stated that natural causes do cause an increase in climate, but so do human actions. They have said the increase if CO2 could have an effect on the climate, but they can not say for certain since the information does not equally line up. But, the facts that glaciers and ice are melting is a fact, and we don't know if that is due to human activity or natural causes. All we know for certain is that it is getting warmer.

Obviously this is a very controversial issue. The people think that backing up our president is the best situation, while they ignore facts from scientist. There are many ecosystems that are effected by warmer climate, but the most we can do is try to help the ecosystems and lower what we know is heating the planet. The fact that the Earth is getting warmer is not a surprise to anyone, but when someone says there is a way to act on these controversies, people don't act, and that is the problem. ]]> 2017-11-13 16:58:38 UTC https://padlet.com/18mchughc/83a8wb2l4f1t/wish/206351413 Invasive Fern In Florida Threatens To Take Down More Than Just Trees 18mchughc https://padlet.com/18mchughc/83a8wb2l4f1t/wish/206351581 http://www.npr.org/2017/01/23/511218451/invasive-fern-in-florida-threatens-to-take-down-more-than-just-trees

On the Florida Everglades, there is a plant species that is invading the swamps, marshes, and wetlands. It is a fern that takes over all types of ground. The plant usually takes down trees, plants, and anything in its way. The people of Florida have tried to cut the fern with clippers, but there is usually minimal progress. The fern grows back quickly and then takes over different areas. The Fern usually makes a mat like platform on the ground, and then grows up. It is making life for animals and wildlife very difficult to maneuver through and makes vegetation less abundant.

The problem is the harm it is having on the population. There are deer that cannot get through the thick plant. The people of Florida are concerned with outcomes it could have on the wildlife of the ecosystems. This specific invasive species is called the Old World climbing fern. It got its name by taking down trees with its ability to climb the trees and the fact that it is a very old fern. But, there has to be caution on how much of it grows in Florida or it will overgrow an cause a lot of problems for Florida.

]]> 2017-11-13 16:58:52 UTC https://padlet.com/18mchughc/83a8wb2l4f1t/wish/206351581 Ticks Attacking New England Moose 18mchughc https://padlet.com/18mchughc/83a8wb2l4f1t/wish/206351820 https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/19/us/ticks-thriving-in-warm-weather-take-a-ghastly-toll-on-new-england-moose.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fscience&action=click&contentCollection=science&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=8&pgtype=sectionfront&_r=0

The New England Moose lives in the Northeastern parts of the United States. The moose usually are effected by the ticks during the fall, but the ticks are surviving longer. The ticks are becoming able to thrive in warm weather when they used to only be able to thrive in cold weather. The ticks have been recorded to have killed 70% of the moose calves. This is a significant amount of the younger moose population. The University of New Hampshire is studying the epidemic. They believe there has been a mutation in the ticks. 250 moose have been tagged to preform experiments on why the mortality rate is increasing.

The New England Moose is an essential part to the Northeastern parts of the United States economic and recreational hunting activities. Since the current decrease of moose population is occurring, there is a possibility of an endangerment of eventually maybe even an extinction. The moose also plays a role in the environments food web. The moose is prey to many predators in the New England territory. Also, the fact that the tick is being ]]> 2017-11-13 16:59:14 UTC https://padlet.com/18mchughc/83a8wb2l4f1t/wish/206351820 The plastic plague: Can our oceans be saved from environmental ruin? 18mchughc https://padlet.com/18mchughc/83a8wb2l4f1t/wish/206352173 http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/30/world/plastic-plague-oceans/index.html

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch has been described as a giant island of trash and it polluting the ocean. The problem is that it doesn't look that bad, but the main problem is clear plastic. The pieces are small enough to tamper with plankton. Researchers found 750,000 pieces of of micro plastic per square kilometer. If the garbage patch was just a giant mound, it would be much easier to deal with. But, since the there are the micro pieces, it is much harder to deal with and makes the problem even worse. The garbage is having an effect on the marine life, the coastal life, and the entire environment. If it is not dealt with relatively soon, the problem will be the cost to fix it.

The problem with this is the effect it has on everyone. Trash and pollution is never good. The trash is building up in the Pacific and is making the ocean very hazardous. This is an environmental problem because the this effects the fish in the ocean and their entire ecosystem. This could mess up that entire food chain. This food chain also includes humans. It effects the fish we eat and the entire marine environment. This problem was caused by humans, so it is our responsibility to clean it up. But, the cost to clean it is way too expensive. So, either this will be an ongoing environmental problem that we will not fix, or we have to fix it soon because the garbage mound is growing and becoming larger than some islands. ]]> 2017-11-13 16:59:45 UTC https://padlet.com/18mchughc/83a8wb2l4f1t/wish/206352173 World's Largest Marine Sanctuary created in Antarctica 18mchughc https://padlet.com/18mchughc/83a8wb2l4f1t/wish/216763928 http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2016/jun/03/hillary-clinton/yes-donald-trump-did-call-climate-change-chinese-h/

A Marine Sanctuary over twice the size of Texas was recently created off the coast of Antarctica. The reserve was unanimously approved by the CCAMLR during their meeting in Hobart,Australia and it shall go into effect in December 2017. The agreement bans fishing in all cases apart from some for scientific research in the area. This agreement is the first time that multiple nations have agreed upon protecting a large swathe of land outside of the jurisdiction of one of the countries in the agreement.

]]> 2017-12-17 15:07:12 UTC https://padlet.com/18mchughc/83a8wb2l4f1t/wish/216763928 Bees Added To U.S. Endangered Species List for 1st Time 18mchughc https://padlet.com/18mchughc/83a8wb2l4f1t/wish/216763939 http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/10/03/496402620/bee-species-added-to-u-s-endangered-species-list-for-1st-time

As we all know, bees are a very important factor in our environment. Bees pollinate our plants, pollinate our crops, produce honey, and are a huge factor in most living plants. The fact that the bee is endangered is something that is very concerning. The bee makes a lot of money for the economy with the production of honey and the pollination of many crops. Without bees, humans are projected to only live 4 years after their extinction. If the bee is endangered we must do something to prevent extinction.

I believe that as the most powerful species on the planet, we need to do something that prevents the bee from going extinct. No matter what, the main goal should be to make sure nothing extreme happens to the bee population. If the human population actually has a chance of going extinct in 4 years after bees go extinct, then we desperately need to do something about it. Even if we start small, everything counts.

Recently, there was an experiment in South Carolina that attempted to put out a pesticide that stops Ebola. The pesticide killed almost 4 million bees. That is not a large number compared to how many bees there are, but the fact that something can wipe out that many bees is horrific. That is not okay and can not happen. Even if the pesticide was for the right reason, there still needed to be a control on the experiment to make sure something like that didn't happen. ]]> 2017-12-17 15:07:18 UTC https://padlet.com/18mchughc/83a8wb2l4f1t/wish/216763939 Top Scientists Defend EPA Air Pollution Studies As Politicians Attack Science 18mchughc https://padlet.com/18mchughc/83a8wb2l4f1t/wish/216763983 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/epa-air-quality-studies_us_58dc3a27e4b08194e3b71ab3

Pollution is a major problem for the people of today. Top scientist have been hired to do a seven year study on the effects of pollution on humans. The results were terrible. If what was said in the study is true, the people of Earth are doomed. Pollution kills people, and it is not a painless death. The study showed that pollution screws up your entire system. If the pollution builds up, the people are then forced to deal with even worse conditions. The basic point is that humans cannot live in conditions of mass pollution. The studies have shown that people are in terrible situations once they are exposed to mass amounts of pollution.

This is a problem for obvious reasons. The reasons are the DEATHS OF HUMANS. There is no other reason that is more detrimental. If everyone dies, what could be worse. The other reasons are the it kills other things too before it kills us. There are other things living on the earth, and we are killing them by being selfish. We pollute the world and do nothing about it. That is why the study was done and it was to give evidence that we are not doing our part in society.]]> 2017-12-17 15:07:42 UTC https://padlet.com/18mchughc/83a8wb2l4f1t/wish/216763983 Sea Turtles Disoriented on Florida Island 18mchughc https://padlet.com/18mchughc/83a8wb2l4f1t/wish/216764103 http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2013/07/sea-turtles-disoriented-on-florida-island/

Sea turtles have had a rough time in the last couple of years. They are still endangered and the population is decreasing. The sea turtle is one of the most loved sea life in the world. The problem happening as of now is that they are trying to reproduce and nest on shore, but they cannot find their way back to the sea. The turtles can't turn well so it takes them a couple of hours to find the sea. But if they don't find the sea they usually die. Not to make anything better, the eggs are either being destroyed or eaten by predators.

Currently, 90% of the sea turtle population lives near Florida and use their shores to nest. But, since Florida is a very populated state and has popular beaches, the sea turtles are hesitant to nest on the beaches. The sea turtles that do nest on the beaches have a very hard time getting back to the sea, so the people a part of the sea turtle protection group try to assist the turtles and bring them back to the sea. But this is not an easy task. The sea turtles can weigh up to 1,300 pounds.

The people of Florida are trying their hardest to help out the sea turtle. The turtles end up all over the islands and beaches after nesting. They have been reported to be under beach chairs, on rocks, and on the streets. Basically these animals have no idea what they are doing once they have nested. They attempt to make it back to the sea, but just fail miserably which is a main reason they are endangered. The sea turtles just need help and awareness from all people. ]]> 2017-12-17 15:09:09 UTC https://padlet.com/18mchughc/83a8wb2l4f1t/wish/216764103 Last Known Male White Rhino Guarded by Armed Rangers in Kenya 18mchughc https://padlet.com/18mchughc/83a8wb2l4f1t/wish/216764125 http://abcnews.go.com/International/male-white-rhino-guarded-armed-rangers-kenya/story?id=30330411

The White Rhino is down to 5. FIVE! The Northern White Rhino is threatened at the moment, and there is not many left. The fact that there are poachers trying to kill these animals, even thought there are only 5 left, it pains me. The Kenyan people realize that this cannot happen, so they've placed armed guard around these rhinos. I completely agree on this act because there are so little of them left, if the 5 left die they will go extinct, which just adds to the total of animals that have gone extinct due to humans.

The poaching that is happening is due to the fact that people are buying that tusks and hide for a lot of money. The main way to stop this is making it almost impossible to sell those items. When the people who kill the rhinos collect the very rare supplies from the carcass, they immediately try to sell it on the black market. The way we need to attack that is going against all things black market.

Endangered animals is a very serious issue today. When an entire species is getting near extinction because of the human race, it makes us look terrible. We have ways to help protect, and aid these species to keep striving to survive. The White Rhino's do not do anything harmful towards humans and it is not hard to protect them. So, the only reasonable thing to do is help the White Rhino because we are the reason it is endangered.

]]> 2017-12-17 15:09:22 UTC https://padlet.com/18mchughc/83a8wb2l4f1t/wish/216764125 Is there a new human species waiting to be discovered 18mchughc https://padlet.com/18mchughc/83a8wb2l4f1t/wish/216764145 http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/31/health/human-neanderthal-denisovan-dna-equation/index.html

This article talks about the four species that scientist believe we branched from. It speaks on how there are two modern types and two ancient types of species that we came from. The branches are messed up though. Recent studies and research found more ancient human like bones. Now we have room to find the branch or branches that are missing from human history.

Scientist have said that the missing species of human tree has the combination of ancient and modern human genes and tactics. The scientists say that this species is mostly associated with European and Asian populations. They think this was the merge of the more primitive African human species and the more intellectual European human species. The scientists have stated that the people that currently seem to be the most similar to this species we have not discovered is the Pacific Islanders.

Now that scientist have their idea of what this species should be like and what types of bones and material their bodies were made of and associated with, they think they can find more about the species in Africa. The article says that scientist have stated that the African people can give them information on how closely related we are to this species. The species is suspected to be the branch that links modern species with ancient species. Also, the scientist have said that the human species started in Africa. So the most information can be found in Africa on all of the branches of the human species, and now is being researched and further examined. ]]> 2017-12-17 15:09:38 UTC https://padlet.com/18mchughc/83a8wb2l4f1t/wish/216764145 Dozens Of False Killer Whales Mysteriously Strand Themselves In Florida 18mchughc https://padlet.com/18mchughc/83a8wb2l4f1t/wish/237735326 http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/01/18/510484531/dozens-of-false-killer-whales-mysteriously-strand-themselves-in-florida

There has been 95 false killer whales stranded on the coast of Florida. 85 of them have died. The people of the Florida coast have been trying to help assist the animals, but with minimal success, they have not been able to do much. If you don't know what a False Killer Whale is, it is a part of the dolphin family. They can grow up to 20 feet long. Scientist are trying to conduct experiments on the dead animals to determine what happened to them and what they can do to help save the living ones. As of right now, there is not much for the scientist to do, but they are still researching to see what they can do to help.

These animals are mysteries upon themselves. Scientist don't know much about them, except that they travel and live in groups and they live off the coast of Mexico. The fact that they trapped themselves in a shallow watered area off the coast of Florida is totally unpredictable. There has never been an event like this that we know of. It is not like they go to the beaches to lay eggs, because they are mammals. The entirety of the it is very strange and unpredictable, and people are doing what they can to try to help. ]]> 2018-03-03 21:47:46 UTC https://padlet.com/18mchughc/83a8wb2l4f1t/wish/237735326 Fossil Discovery Shows Giant Otter's Size 18mchughc https://padlet.com/18mchughc/83a8wb2l4f1t/wish/237735360 http://www.foxnews.com/science/2017/01/23/stunning-fossil-discovery-giant-otter-was-size-wolf.html

Recent discovery in China shows that millions of years ago Giant Otters used to roam the planet. They were the size of wolves and weighed about 110 pounds. They lived 6.24 million years ago. The fossils of the gigantic mammals were found in a mine in China. The otter was predicted to live in a swampy area. It also was predicted to eat shellfish and mollusks. The discovery of any ancient species is a very cool discovery, and the fact that the people found the fossil disoriented and could fix it is very impressive.

The ability to fix fossils to make them look how they would in ancient times is very interesting. It helps all sciences figure out the history of the field. When you fix a fossil you don't exactly know if what you are doing is correct, but today we get the closest comparison possible. The technology to figure this out is extraordinary. Also, the finding of the fossil is very interesting. While mining, Chinese people stumbled upon an in tact fossil which is very rare.

]]> 2018-03-03 21:48:18 UTC https://padlet.com/18mchughc/83a8wb2l4f1t/wish/237735360 Devastating Floods in Peru Displace Tens of Thousands 18mchughc https://padlet.com/18mchughc/83a8wb2l4f1t/wish/237735590 http://www.nbcnews.com/slideshow/floods-mudslides-hit-peru-displacing-tens-thousands-n739846

In Peru, there are terrible floods that are causing lots of problems for the people of Peru. The floods are caused by down pours and El Nino. This is all happening in Peru and making people displaced all over Peru. It is also ruining roads, houses, and hurting people. There were many injured but no reported deaths. The people of Peru felt that this was out of the blue and had no warning. The news stations did not warn of dangerous down pours and the people were caught off guard. The people were expecting a later El Nino, but didn't think it was coming now, on with the heavy rain. So, the people were caught off guard and it made many of them displaced and potentially ruined by the disasters.

This is a problem because the El Nino came before it was predicted. This means that there is a problem somewhere else that is causing the El Nino to act unordinary. This could potentially be to many different things. It could be from global warming, pollution, or something that humans have done. In any case, it is a situation that should scare people because all have bad outcomes. In this case, the bad outcome was a flood. A flood is bad on it's own, but it could have also been a hurricane, tornado, or earthquake. The possibilities of all of theses outcomes are scary. In anyway, it could have a very bad outcome.

]]> 2018-03-03 21:49:19 UTC https://padlet.com/18mchughc/83a8wb2l4f1t/wish/237735590 Landmark Climate Treaty Could Be in Jeopardy 18mchughc https://padlet.com/18mchughc/83a8wb2l4f1t/wish/237735601 http://www.livescience.com/56524-senate-could-block-landmark-climate-treaty.html

In October UN officials finalized a deal to tackle HFCs a common chemical used in refrigerators. The deal was designed to force a shift in the use of HFCs to other substitutes to protect the earth from some of the most dangerous greenhouse gases. This agreement seems difficult to pass through in the United States because of the fact that the US congress is held by republicans and there is potential that it will remain that way after the election as well as there is potential for Donald Trump to be president which will almost certainly make this deal virtually impossible to pass

]]> 2018-03-03 21:49:24 UTC https://padlet.com/18mchughc/83a8wb2l4f1t/wish/237735601 Global Warming Is a Matter of Survival for Pacific Islander Women 18mchughc https://padlet.com/18mchughc/83a8wb2l4f1t/wish/237735615 http://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/global-warming-matter-survival-pacific-islander-women-n739581

The women of Fiji depend on the marine life to give them things they need. The ocean gives them food and provides them with other things. The women have said that global warming has changed their environment and what they are able to eat and it affects their health. The women have said that the fish is now an issue, they are having more health problems and are having issues with basic survival since they are poor. The pacific island women are not wealthy people, so they depend heavily on the ocean to provide for them and to give them what they need to do basic things like eat. Women have also said that it has tampered with their sexual reproductive lives.

This effects the rest of the world because soon it won't just be the pacific islanders. Soon it is going to be a global problem that everyone is having problems with how they are going to get food and how it effects the rest of their lives. We should start caring more about what is happening to our environment and how global warming is going to effect us all one day. The people today are thinking to only fix the problem once the issues become relevant, but actually, the issues are relevant right now. It will come upon us and the best way to stop it is prevention. If we don't give the problem a reason to happen, it won't. ]]> 2018-03-03 21:49:45 UTC https://padlet.com/18mchughc/83a8wb2l4f1t/wish/237735615 Polluted Smog Covers Pakistani City of Lahore 18mchughc https://padlet.com/18mchughc/83a8wb2l4f1t/wish/237735679 http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/polluted-smog-covers-pakistans-city-lahore-43322227

Pollution in the air is not good for anyone. In the Pakistani City of Lahore, there was an entire smog that covered the city that was polluted and dangerous. The smog contained toxic air that was harmful towards everyone that was breathing it. It covered 265 miles of land and almost the entire city. Doctors in the area are saying it is mainly harmful to those with a respiratory disease called asthma.

Pollution is an environmental problem that is occurring all over the world. Since the entire world has a surplus of pollution, there is many situations like this one, where people are at risks of being harmed by pollution. The article says that doctors have told them that people could be experiencing itchiness in arms and eyes since the air is getting all over the people. If the air is getting so disgustingly terrible, there should be a limit to the pollution allowed in an area. The citizens of Lahore are experiencing the worst recorded situation with polluted air.

I believe that there should be restrictions and limits on pollution in all areas. Obviously the city of Lahore does not have a limit if they pollute enough to create an entire smog that covers the entire city. This also affects the entire world with the ozone layer. The ozone layer is being destroyed by by bad air and pollution. If the ozone layer gets so bad it goes away, then global warming will be more of a problem for our world. The entire occurrence of over pollution and acid air is disgraceful. ]]> 2018-03-03 21:50:38 UTC https://padlet.com/18mchughc/83a8wb2l4f1t/wish/237735679 Alabama Drought Is Worsening, Killing Plants, Drying Creeks. 18mchughc https://padlet.com/18mchughc/83a8wb2l4f1t/wish/256867923 http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/extreme-drought-worsening-quickly-alabama-43277697

There is a drought in Alabama that is causing problems for all of the citizens and environment around it. The drought makes the environment unable to be as fertile as it was before which ruins plants. The soil now is dry and the soil is not as mineral filled as it used to be. The worst part of the problem is the farming in Alabama. The crops that were planted in the area that has a drought are now dying, which kills business and also attacks our economy.

Typically the land in Alabama doesn't hold much water, but now it holds even less. The soil is usually bad, but at the moment, it is just terrible. Barack Obama said that he would do whatever he could to help the farmers struggling at the moment with the drought. The state government have banned outdoor fires for now because of the terrible drought happening. People say that the cool weather will be coming soon, but for the time being, there is not much the people can do.

I think that Alabama shouldn't be farming in the first place. If their land isn't meant for farming, what do you think would happen if something happened to make it even worse? The soil is probably the worst in the United States at the moment, and I believe that this issue could have been avoided by not farming in the first place. Droughts are natural occurrences, you can't do anything to stop them, so you have to prepare yourself for them before they come. ]]> 2018-05-01 14:26:33 UTC https://padlet.com/18mchughc/83a8wb2l4f1t/wish/256867923 Table of Contents 18mchughc https://padlet.com/18mchughc/83a8wb2l4f1t/wish/258860532 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1o4WtO_Gz_iWuHcy5qsJesjttRWYSu8kmyqaw9LJGxqs/edit

]]> 2018-05-08 11:50:21 UTC https://padlet.com/18mchughc/83a8wb2l4f1t/wish/258860532 Environmental Current Events Essay 18mchughc https://padlet.com/18mchughc/83a8wb2l4f1t/wish/258860704 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IdSucrQRpWU1K6Gng6c3g1SK6oOEEPSYqePlTafZxag/edit

]]> 2018-05-08 11:51:08 UTC https://padlet.com/18mchughc/83a8wb2l4f1t/wish/258860704