New! Slowing Cargo Ships more than Halves Pollution near Ports
Cargo ships are major emitters of pollution. But, with the newly posted speed limits, they will slow down and the pollution will lessen greatly. This will improve both the health of the people living near the ports, and the health of the environment- as in the animals, plants, and other aspects. Just recently, all U.S. port cities have been matching this typical 14 mph speed limit within 10 nautical miles of the city. It's helping the environment and the people already! Health has been increasing and water pollution in ports has decreases by more than 50%. The study mentioned in this article had two ships going the same distance, one going faster than the other. The one going faster emitted twice as much as the one going slower. They tested this a few times with different ships, then claimed it completely true and submitted the study. It was a worthwhile investment.
It's studies like this that make me feel better about the scientific world and how much money they spend. Most of the time it seems like crack-pot ideas, but this one was completely beneficial. I would say that they should slow down the ships even more, but I know they have a tight schedule and have to deliver their loads. So lugging them down more would probably cause a revolt, if there hasn't been one already.
It's studies like this that make me feel better about the scientific world and how much money they spend. Most of the time it seems like crack-pot ideas, but this one was completely beneficial. I would say that they should slow down the ships even more, but I know they have a tight schedule and have to deliver their loads. So lugging them down more would probably cause a revolt, if there hasn't been one already.
New! Trying to Agree [on] kyoto 2.0, as the planet simmers
With the expiration of the Kyoto Protocol just around the corner, the nations of the United Nations are looking at devising a "Kyoto 2.0". Two hundred officials came together to decide what should be included in the protocol that would be enacted in 2020. But with the differences between developing and developed countries, there were a few disagreements here and there. The past Kyoto Protocol has helped lower emissions in developed countries, but not so much in developing countries (especially rapidly growing ones like China and India). In the past 15 years, people have become more aware of carbon emissions and we've fought to find alternative energy sources other than the disgusting coal source. Despite European and recent American efforts, China and India continue to use coal because it is the easiest source for them. They are behind us in their development, so if you think about it, they will reach our level eventually. But will it be fast enough? With temperatures rising, the world is in peril. We are close to going over the marked climate limit before disastrous things start to happen, scientists think. The only mentioned change in the Kyoto 2.0 would be to make more things "paperless" and run public transportation on natural gas or another alternative energy source like wind or solar.
This is not enough! The delegates talking about the Kyoto 2.0 are not doing a very good job. They should be regulated China and India because they will be the bain of our existence. Despite the other nations efforts to cut back on emissions, they are doubling everything we've done in the past. The United States has only begun to become more "green", and we need to influence China especially. I feel like they are little bit more developed than India. We could get across to them so much easier than India. But maybe if we get China on our side, India will follow.
This is not enough! The delegates talking about the Kyoto 2.0 are not doing a very good job. They should be regulated China and India because they will be the bain of our existence. Despite the other nations efforts to cut back on emissions, they are doubling everything we've done in the past. The United States has only begun to become more "green", and we need to influence China especially. I feel like they are little bit more developed than India. We could get across to them so much easier than India. But maybe if we get China on our side, India will follow.
Air Pollution
Global warming is a serious issue. Smog is a large contributor to the issue, and it's hard to see; some of it is visible and some it is not. Basically, according to National Geographic, "any substance that people introduce into the atmosphere that has damaging effects on living things and the environment is considered air pollution". The main pollutant responsible to heating up the earth is none other than carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. Most people understand CO2 to be alright because that's what plants breathe in and we breathe out. Wrong. Carbon dioxide can be bad when it's emitted from cars, planes, power plants, and other similar things. In just 150 years, the atmospheric levels have risen higher than ever. Methane and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are also harmful to the atmosphere, specifically the ozone layer. Sulfur dioxide is also making the climate a bit different. It is a component of smog, which is not too pretty, and it causes acid rain. But unlike carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide is cooling the earth. Industries are aware of the risk they are taking with sulfur dioxide and are looking into controlling it more. Recent studies have actually proved that sulfur dioxide is countering global warming, though. The whole world is taking a part in reducing their carbon footprint.
So I'm thinking that sulfur dioxide is perhaps a good thing? If it's making global warming better, instead of making it worse, why reduce it? We need to cool the earth, right? But there has to be a reason why they have decided to reduce it. Therefore, we need to come up with another cooler to counteract global warming.
So I'm thinking that sulfur dioxide is perhaps a good thing? If it's making global warming better, instead of making it worse, why reduce it? We need to cool the earth, right? But there has to be a reason why they have decided to reduce it. Therefore, we need to come up with another cooler to counteract global warming.
Rivers At Risk Worldwide
We are hurting our rivers every day with pollution, urbanization, and construction of dams and reservoirs, and we are losing our water. Degradation, as researcher say from topography maps, precipitation, and habitat changes, is affecting developed and developing countries, so we're all at risk. Ecologist Peter McIntyre says that wealthier and developed countries will be able to control the shortage of drinking supplies, sanitation systems, and agricultural use because they can afford it. But the developing countries will be affected greatly. He also states "Our technology gives us a false sense of security. When we go home at night, we turn on the faucet and have clean running water. [But] we're already at a crisis point". McIntyre hopes that the countries will lessen their efforts to engineer solutions, but instead protect their natural resource.
I agree with McIntyre. We should spend more time saving our freshwater instead of investing more time, and money, in hiring people to come up with nothing for solutions. What have we gotten so far? We're still losing our water supplies, putting us in a crisis. Nobody wants to be short on water, sanitation, and agriculture. Droughts affect water too, but that is out of our humanly control.
I agree with McIntyre. We should spend more time saving our freshwater instead of investing more time, and money, in hiring people to come up with nothing for solutions. What have we gotten so far? We're still losing our water supplies, putting us in a crisis. Nobody wants to be short on water, sanitation, and agriculture. Droughts affect water too, but that is out of our humanly control.
Vocabulary
smog - fog or haze combined with smoke or other atmospheric pollutants
fossil fuels - a natural fuel formed from the remains of living organisms
topography - the arrangement of the natural and artificial physical features of an area
degradation - the condition or process of degrading
emissions - the production and discharge of something; gas or radiation
fossil fuels - a natural fuel formed from the remains of living organisms
topography - the arrangement of the natural and artificial physical features of an area
degradation - the condition or process of degrading
emissions - the production and discharge of something; gas or radiation