AP Environmental Science by Briana Mateo https://padlet.com/17mateob/gotp8gmfj8it Current Events MP1 en-us 2016-09-14 20:12:47 UTC 2017-05-17 03:11:02 UTC hello@padlet.com Greenhouse Gases 17mateob https://padlet.com/17mateob/gotp8gmfj8it/wish/125261189 The airline industry is one that consumes an unimaginable amount of fuel; fuel that is a significant contributor to greenhouse gases. Environmental advisors in the industry feel as though it is time for airlines in the United States to add sustainability and the environment to the broader picture. JetBlue recently announced the largest biofuel purchase agreement yet in an effort to lower greenhouse gas emissions. Their action comes during a time when looming regulation on airlines’ greenhouse gas pollution becomes closer to reality. Regulation already exists for gasoline where at least 10 percent ethanol, which typically comes from corn, is required. The airline stated that it plans to buy 330 millions of gallons of renewable fuel over the next 10 years. Biofuel blends, made from organic matter combined with traditional fuel, is a revolutionary idea that encourages airlines to diversify their fuel supply and create efficient aircraft. JetBlue’s plan is highly controversial, as many companies argue that the use of biofuel could potentially compromise safety or other disadvantages for the airlines. The issues is also highly divisive on the global stage; Europe for example, has threatened to charge United States airlines a fee if lower emissions are not accomplished. Environmentalists have pushed for more stringent EPA standards and international restrictions, but most change will only be possible when airlines see cost effectiveness in converting to biofuels. The airline industry has the money to invest in this emerging technology, but for now, biofuels and wind used for electric energy remains an emerging possibility in the future. 


]]> 2016-09-21 00:09:52 UTC https://padlet.com/17mateob/gotp8gmfj8it/wish/125261189 'Great Pacific Garbage Patch' 17mateob https://padlet.com/17mateob/gotp8gmfj8it/wish/128674108 It has long been speculated that a large portion of the Pacific Ocean is completely polluted with plastic; and this speculation is not longer a myth. An aerial survey was completed that confirmed the presence of a large amount of floating ocean plastic. Observers reported to have seen more debris along the Northern boundary of the patch than what is assumed to be in the accumulation zone. Scientists intended on determining a more realistic estimation of just how much plastic there is in an effort to develop effective cleanup technology. The clean up effort will require a plan to bring the plastic to shore, recycle the plastic properly, and a significant amount of funds. In August of 2015, The Ocean Cleanup, a Dutch foundation, surveyed the patch as part of an operation named the Mega Expedition. The operation included the sampling of a many debris and other data collection, “The Mega Expedition successfully measured plastic up to 0.5m/1.5' in size, but there were signs of a significant mass of plastic even larger than that.”The Ocean Cleanup approach is unique in that it is much more cost effective and plans to use the ocean’s natural currents to concentrate the plastic within “long floating barriers.” 
Both the aerial shots taken earlier this week and the information collected from the Mega Expedition are significant steps toward resolving the devastation of ecosystems caused by the Pacific Garbage Patch. It is imperative that action be taken now and that society think twice before their bottled water in the trash. 


]]> 2016-10-06 02:06:58 UTC https://padlet.com/17mateob/gotp8gmfj8it/wish/128674108 Hurricane Matthew 17mateob https://padlet.com/17mateob/gotp8gmfj8it/wish/129349867 Public safety concerns have escalated in the United States as powerful Hurricane Matthew threatens to rip through the Eastern coastline extending from Florida to North Carolina. Nearly 300 people have been reported dead since the onset of the storm in Haiti. The destruction of the storm is becoming more of an normality as storms become the future of climate change. The article points the blame for such severe storms to the use of fossil fuels saying, “And if we want to stop storms like this from getting even more intense, we need to do everything we can to rid the economy of fossil fuels” (Sutter). Michael Mann, a professor at Penn State University, indicated that data shows that oceans reported temperatures higher than any other on record. As human activities continue to heat up the atmosphere of the Earth, one can expect to see stronger hurricanes resembling Hurricane Matthew. The price tag for hurricanes and other coastal storms is expected to reach nearly $35 billion within the next 15 years. These startling realizations should serve as a wake up call for the world’s population to take measurable steps toward a more sustainable Earth. Many scientists, for example, are hopeful for the success of sustainable energy options that could lower the risks of storms such as Hurricane Matthew. Sutter leaves us with his words of wisdom, “The decisions we make about our energy use today will define how deadly and costly hurricanes like Matthew will be for many generations to come.” The smallest effort has the potential to make a large impact. 


]]> 2016-10-09 18:17:09 UTC https://padlet.com/17mateob/gotp8gmfj8it/wish/129349867 Air pollution in the Artic 17mateob https://padlet.com/17mateob/gotp8gmfj8it/wish/131799931 Despite having the appearance of a thriving and beautiful environment, the Arctic is in the midst of rapid changes. Scientists are intrigued by the chemistry behind the observed environmental changes and have hypothesized that sea salt could potentially play a significant role in the amount of  local atmospheric pollutants. According to data reported by NASA, the air in the Arctic is warming and wintertime ice in 2016 hit a record low. The American Chemical Society says, “Previous research has shown that pollutants, including gaseous nitrogen oxides and ozone, have at times been recorded at levels similar to those one would see in more polluted areas.”
The nitrogen cycle is a cycle within the biosphere which involves the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere. Nitrogen oxides lead to the formation of ozone in sunlight and can be stored as nitrates in snow. Scientists James Donaldson and Karen Morenz sought to determine how salt and and nitrate found in snow could affect the amount of pollutant nitrogen oxides under common weather conditions.The experiment involved the testing of artificially made snow containing nitrate alone or nitrate and salt. The sea ice and snow present in the Arctic contain salt; thus altering the efficiency of the process in which snow can transform nitrates back into nitrogen oxide gases when exposed to sunlight. Researchers found “that under simulated sunlight, about 40 to 90 percent more nitrogen dioxide (NO2) was reformed from the snow with low levels of salt at environmentally relevant concentrations than snow with no salt.” The greatest effect was noticed when realistic sea salt was used in the experiment. The data collected indicate that sea ice and salty snow in the Arctic should be present in future models relating to the balance of ozone-forming atmospheric chemicals. Sea ice and salty snow were not previously considered pollutants, but the new findings leave scientists wondering how to reverse the effects of their findings. 


]]> 2016-10-19 14:33:22 UTC https://padlet.com/17mateob/gotp8gmfj8it/wish/131799931 The Secret Life of Krill 17mateob https://padlet.com/17mateob/gotp8gmfj8it/wish/132433178 Floating at the bottom of the world, krill represent the basis of the Antarctic ecosystem. Oceanographer Christian Reiss listened closely for signals indicating the presence of a “pinkish, feathery-limbed crustacean.” Dr. Reiss experienced clear waters in the South Shetlands Islands on an August morning during the last month of the Southern Hemisphere winter. The clear waters allowed for undisturbed testing and data collection. Unlike in previous years, low levels of ice allowed the team to access the bays. Dr. Reiss and his team were studying the krill in order to better understand the effects of melting ice on the ocean organism. Seas ice is essential to krill by supporting the formation of schools of the “ocean’s largest biomass” to “gather to feed off the algae that live on the underside.” Krill are desired both by other animals and commercial fisheries. For example, whales and squid feed off krill and krill are sold to make omega-3 fish oil. Scientist and policy makers alike, see Dr. Reiss’s findings to be critical. Krill remain in the open ocean and the two hundred and fifty people gathered for  an annual conference. The Antarctic is an “area of dispute for conservation and commercial fishing interests.” The conference revolved primarily around the management of Antarctic marine life. Also, limits should be made on “how much krill large commercial trawlers can vacuum from each of four designated zones of the South Atlantic.” Limits would force fishing companies to take precautionary efforts and extend fishing activity across larger areas, and thus reduce the impact of a centralized area. If policymakers fail to create effective regulation to preserve the krill populations, animals that depend on krill for food could be at risk of undernourishment. This could result in impacts that extend far wider than just the krill population; an entire ecosystem could potentially be at stake. Scientists urge that more research must be conducted in order to better understand why krill migrate and the importance of sea ice. The stability of the winter season is no longer reliable Dr. Reiss shared saying, “Sitting on top of regional variations is this long curve of climate change that is going on,” and unfortunately the long-term outlook remains uncertain. One fact remains however, oceanic ecosystems are intertwined and krill can not be forgotten, for they make up the foundation of a critical ecosystem. 


]]> 2016-10-21 18:28:22 UTC https://padlet.com/17mateob/gotp8gmfj8it/wish/132433178 Wild Horses 17mateob https://padlet.com/17mateob/gotp8gmfj8it/wish/135617333 Since 2012, the population of wild horses has nearly doubled. For instance, the Bureau of Land Management hold public lands for horse populations that can sustain up to 27,000 horses, but there are currently 77,000 horses on the land. As the population continues to rise, scientists attempt to manage their population through adoption and birth control. If the populations are not managed correctly, extreme pressure will be placed on the rangelands, and could eventually lead to starvation. ‘“They have to be managed, so that there’s enough food and water to go around,’ says Jason Lutterman, a spokesperson with the BLM’s National Wild Horse and Burro Program.” Members of the American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign are on the hunt for young horses in order to shoot the horses with “a contraceptive vaccine that triggers her immune system to reject fertilization” (Morell). Organizations involved in the effort are faced with tough choices; develop a more effective “single shot” contraceptive, allow the population to manage themselves, or continue to invest millions of dollars into areas for the horses to roam. Those opposed to the birth control worry the contraceptives could be detrimental to the behavior and communities of the horses. Ultimately, horse populations should be protected will also maintaining their health and wild nature. ]]> 2016-11-06 17:30:35 UTC https://padlet.com/17mateob/gotp8gmfj8it/wish/135617333