https://padlet.com/18pryorf/agq80xw2hvig en-us 2017-01-19 13:54:11 UTC 2017-05-17 08:18:36 UTC hello@padlet.com 18pryorf https://padlet.com/18pryorf/agq80xw2hvig/wish/148073405 2017-01-19 13:54:38 UTC https://padlet.com/18pryorf/agq80xw2hvig/wish/148073405 18pryorf https://padlet.com/18pryorf/agq80xw2hvig/wish/148074842 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.

]]> 2017-01-19 13:58:45 UTC https://padlet.com/18pryorf/agq80xw2hvig/wish/148074842 18pryorf https://padlet.com/18pryorf/agq80xw2hvig/wish/148076441 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.

]]> 2017-01-19 14:02:21 UTC https://padlet.com/18pryorf/agq80xw2hvig/wish/148076441 18pryorf https://padlet.com/18pryorf/agq80xw2hvig/wish/148078089 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.


]]> 2017-01-19 14:05:33 UTC https://padlet.com/18pryorf/agq80xw2hvig/wish/148078089 18pryorf https://padlet.com/18pryorf/agq80xw2hvig/wish/148078816 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%]]> 2017-01-19 14:07:33 UTC https://padlet.com/18pryorf/agq80xw2hvig/wish/148078816 18pryorf https://padlet.com/18pryorf/agq80xw2hvig/wish/148197073 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.]]> 2017-01-19 18:50:37 UTC https://padlet.com/18pryorf/agq80xw2hvig/wish/148197073 18pryorf https://padlet.com/18pryorf/agq80xw2hvig/wish/148595909 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.]]> 2017-01-22 21:20:34 UTC https://padlet.com/18pryorf/agq80xw2hvig/wish/148595909