https://padlet.com/18yeagerc/g3440yywq8dy Marking Period Assignment en-us 2017-10-23 20:10:47 UTC 2018-05-02 17:27:38 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Xmastree.png 18yeagerc https://padlet.com/18yeagerc/g3440yywq8dy/wish/199780902 https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/08/23/climate/alaska-permafrost-thawing.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fclimate&action=click&contentCollection=climate&region=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=7&pgtype=sectionfront
Along with the majority of arctic, subarctic, and polar regions, Alaska's permafrost is thawing at an alarming rate. Not only does global warming in general pose multiple known threats to the environment, but the melting of permafrost is especially dangerous. Permafrost is the layer of the ground in low temperature areas that is frozen year round. In these areas, dead matter is stored, and has yet to decompose. If the permafrost continues to thaw, the matter will be exposed to decompose. The threat that it poses to us is the amount of carbon stored within it. The permafrost around the globe is believed to contain twice the amount of carbon that is currently in our atmosphere. If the immense amount of carbon is released, it will prompt further thawing, higher temperatures, and an increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. In order to undertake the issue at hand, scientists have been taking measurements of the current greenhouse gas content in lake samples in Alaska. Scientist Sue Natali states that "in order to know how much is lost, you have to know how much is there," regarding melting permafrost in terms of greenhouse gas content in water samples. Although the total thawing of permafrost will likely take over a millennium, its current state is very unstable. It is important to know what is wet and dry now, and what will be wet and dry in the future. Slowly, Alaska could potentially turn into a carbon sink with the rate at which permafrost is thawing.]]> 2017-10-23 20:42:13 UTC https://padlet.com/18yeagerc/g3440yywq8dy/wish/199780902 18yeagerc https://padlet.com/18yeagerc/g3440yywq8dy/wish/199781077 https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/wilderness-resources/blogs/how-iceland-regrowing-forests-destroyed-vikings
Currently, only about 2% of Iceland is covered in forests. But, when the vikings arrived on the island over a millennium ago, between 25-40% of its total land area was occupied by forests. Researcher Gudmundur Halldorsson stated that "they removed a pillar out of the ecosystem" when the vikings utilized the forests for timber and the land for farming. Additionally, grazing sheep brought over with them made it difficult for the ecosystems to recover. Fortunately, Iceland is working to correct its current state to improve its soil erosion issue and reduce its carbon footprint by planting millions of non-native trees annually. Although the country's effort has helped to save and improve the forests, the progression has been slow, by 2100 Iceland hopes to increase their forest coverage from 2% to 12%. Global warming may in fact help speed up the growing process despite the known threats it sets forth. Even though Iceland may never return to a forest-dominated island, its ecosystems can be slowly restored.]]> 2017-10-23 20:43:04 UTC https://padlet.com/18yeagerc/g3440yywq8dy/wish/199781077 18yeagerc https://padlet.com/18yeagerc/g3440yywq8dy/wish/199800702 https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/10/171013091020.htm
New research from Cardiff University and Stockholm University has concluded that sea clams and worms are producing surprisingly large amounts of greenhouse gases. These gases, methane and nitrous oxides, are commonly released by cows. The gases'  appearances in sea life are contributing to global warming at an alarming rate and are known to be far more dangerous than carbon dioxide. In the Baltic Sea alone, these organisms have been releasing the quantity of such gases equivalent to that of 20,000 cows. Interestingly, the Baltic Sea only makes up about .1% of the world's oceans, leaving it up to debate as to whether these small creatures in the other 99.9%  have just as great of an impact on the atmosphere. The research pertaining to this study consisted of collecting various sedimentary samples from the Baltic Sea. The sediments containing clams and worms produced 8 times more methane than ordinary sediments.  After analyzing the samples taken, scientists have concluded that these creates may have an important role in regulating greenhouse gases.]]> 2017-10-23 22:32:32 UTC https://padlet.com/18yeagerc/g3440yywq8dy/wish/199800702 18yeagerc https://padlet.com/18yeagerc/g3440yywq8dy/wish/199802483 http://www.newsweek.com/america-1200-mountain-glaciers-shrinking-dramatically-disturbing-images-reveal-690773
In recent years, it has been widely known that the American glaciers are melting. But, according to the University of Washington, these glaciers are melting more rapidly than previously believed. A researcher at the university, David Shean, has been using a new high-resolution satellite to measure glaciers. With this satellite, Shean has been able to track the changes in thickness and elevation in 1,200 glaciers in the United States. Results of his research have shown that a 25-foot layer of the ice on top of Mount Rainier in Washington has melted since 1970. Glaciers on average have been losing approximately 1 meter each year, That being said, Mount Everest could be completely melted by the year 2100. On the positive end of Shean's findings, it is now possible to keep track of the melting glaciers with extreme accuracy.This will allow scientists to be aware of the climate change issues before us and find efficient solutions quickly.]]> 2017-10-23 22:45:04 UTC https://padlet.com/18yeagerc/g3440yywq8dy/wish/199802483 18yeagerc https://padlet.com/18yeagerc/g3440yywq8dy/wish/199802834 http://www.newsweek.com/flying-insect-numbers-plummet-ecological-armageddon-688300
Over the past 27 years, the number of bees, moths, butterflies, and other flying insects has decreased alarmingly. The 75% decrease in these organisms is often believed to be caused by weather, climate change, and ecosystem changes. Contrarily, scientists have hypothesized that the rapid decline in flying insect populations may be due to heavy pesticide use. Insects are fundamental to ecosystems; their ecosystem services are valued at $57 billion dollars annually in the United States. If scientists are able to understand the reasons behind the population decline, they would be able to ensure food security. The leader of a recent study, Dave Goulson of University of Sussex has stated that the rate of flying insect loss is unsustainable. He warns that if humans continue to dwindle the populations of these insects could lead to an "environmental Armageddon." Insects make up approximately two thirds of the world's population, without them the future world would be impoverished. Another study leader, Hans de Kroon from Radbound University concludes that the only action that can be taken is using fewer pesticides and allowing these insects access to wildflowers.]]> 2017-10-23 22:47:38 UTC https://padlet.com/18yeagerc/g3440yywq8dy/wish/199802834 18yeagerc https://padlet.com/18yeagerc/g3440yywq8dy/wish/199803745 https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/10/171023132011.htm
A recent study has concluded that the current ways of determining the sustainability and well-being of communities may be insufficient. Well-being is universally understood, but when it comes to its relevance to different groups of people, a definitive meaning is oftentimes missed. The study regarding this topic began when scientists met with various civilians and authority figures in multiple communities. When they met, they discussed prominent issues such as food and freshwater accessibility,  education quality, sustainable tourism programs, and the conditions of terrestrial and marine resources. To undergo the study, the scientists agreed that it was necessary to subjectively chose indicators so that when they are measured, their impacts on sustainability management  can be understood. For example, the typical way to measure the sustainability of of marine resource is to calculate the MPA (Marine Protected Area) coverage. This measure on its own does not take the MPA management capabilities, design, and location into account. The study, in turn urges that these additional measures are considered in order to approach environmental issues in the most efficient manner. Doing so allows large scale environmental efforts to be placed onto a local scale, understanding the needs of all people.]]> 2017-10-23 22:54:29 UTC https://padlet.com/18yeagerc/g3440yywq8dy/wish/199803745