Well... it's about that time of year again.. and the course is coming to a close. Throughout the course, I have learned a great deal about the environment and sustainable practices. I have become more aware of my impact on the environment and the ways in which I can reduce such an impact. I am a person of science, and so, I would have enjoyed more of the science behind what we have learned; however, this is not a science course, and that is completely understandable. It's been a fun course and I learned a lot about our environment.
Over and Out
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Friday, June 1, 2007
Lead Poisoning
School boards are now checking for lead content in their water because lead is harmful to living organisms, especially humans.
Harmful effects for children include:
- reduced IQ
- learning disabilities
- attention deficit disorder
- behavioural problems
- stunted growth
- impaired hearing
- kidney damage
Harmful effects for adults include:
- increase blood pressure
- fertility problems
- nerve disorders
- muscle and joint pains
- irritability
- memory and concentration problems
(http://www.nsc.org/library/facts/lead.htm)
As children are most effected by lead poisoning, Londoners and school boards abroad should be very concerned about such a problem. Because lead poisoning is very harmful to a child’s development, such devastating effect will last the duration of the child’s life. Therefore, water should be tested for lead content to ensure everyone’s health and well-being.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Odd Guy Out - Introducing New Species
One example of an invasive species that has found its way to North America is the “red-tide organism”. As we all know, ships use ballast that controls the amount of water in the ship for balance. It has been discovered that some ships have taken saltwater onboard as ballast from the oceans. They then reach the Great Lakes region and dump their ballast into our lakes. This deposits both, saltwater and red-tide organisms into our fresh lakes. Some effects due to these invasive organisms are respiratory illness in those who live/vacation near by, as well as the degradation of industries of different species (fisheries etc). The Great Lakes could control the introduction of such species by putting laws on the discharge of ballast when in the Great Lakes region, as well as purifying, or cleaning, the water before being discharged.
The Mediterranean Fruit Fly, or the “Medfly”, is another invasive species. It originated in Africa but made its way to Hawaii. Thankfully, California, Florida, and Texas have set up measures to ensure that the Medfly does not migrate further into North America. This organism attacks ripening fruit and lays its eggs inside. These eggs then turn into larvae (maggots) which feed on the fruit pulp. This problem can be solved through three practices: survey, regulation, and control; and the previously-stated states have successfully done so.
Another invasive species is the microbe, Phytophthora ramorum, is causing Sudden Oak Death (which is exactly as the name implies), which is being located in Georgia and California. This invasive species is being transmitted through nursery shipments of plants. Recently, Florida closed their borders to such shipments in order to control the invasive microbe. Currently, the state of Georgia is creating a plan to combat such a threat; this solution involves: education, regulation, survey, and detection.
The Mediterranean Fruit Fly, or the “Medfly”, is another invasive species. It originated in Africa but made its way to Hawaii. Thankfully, California, Florida, and Texas have set up measures to ensure that the Medfly does not migrate further into North America. This organism attacks ripening fruit and lays its eggs inside. These eggs then turn into larvae (maggots) which feed on the fruit pulp. This problem can be solved through three practices: survey, regulation, and control; and the previously-stated states have successfully done so.
Another invasive species is the microbe, Phytophthora ramorum, is causing Sudden Oak Death (which is exactly as the name implies), which is being located in Georgia and California. This invasive species is being transmitted through nursery shipments of plants. Recently, Florida closed their borders to such shipments in order to control the invasive microbe. Currently, the state of Georgia is creating a plan to combat such a threat; this solution involves: education, regulation, survey, and detection.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Canada and SFM (Sustainable Forest Management)
I do not believe that Canada is upholding our end of the bargain in regards to Sustainable Forest Management practices. It is my belief that Canada has good intentions, as we should for the fact that Canada accounts for 30% of the world’s boreal forest; however, we must implement realistic measures in order to maintain our beautiful forest. Not only does the forest provide an aesthetic value, but also produces a great deal of jobs and economic value. In regards to data collection, we must collect true data with which we can examine current trends, as well as extrapolate future trends. Currently, statistics are taken from federal forests such as, land operated by the Department of National Defence or the First Nations. This data is then consolidated for provincial statistics. Therefore, true data is not collected and no analysis can be conducted. This current process appears to serve no valuable function, as it is a mere logistical practice. There is no way to accurately track current management trends when data is not collected. Furthermore, I believe the Canadian government should have stiffer punishments for companies who commit illegal acts (both federal and provincial laws and legislations). Furthermore, I believe Canadian logging businesses should have to acquire more licensing requirements to ensure they are both abiding by Canadian laws as well as conducting business in a moral and ethical manner. No matter how we look at the issue, socially, morally, ethically, or environmentally, it is my belief that Canada has yet to “get in the game” with respect to Sustainable Forest Management. This issue is especially important to us, Canadians, as we depend on the forestry industry in our society.
Friday, April 20, 2007
GMO's & Should they be labeled?
I think that a “genetically modified organism” (abbreviated to GMO which can be more specifically named: genetically modified food) is a concept with which the human race should embrace as it offers new advances and new products that could revolutionize our world. Genetically modified food offers more nutrients in some foods, new resistances to pests, longer shelf-life, and the list goes on.
Before a country can impose a law in which all products that are genetically modified must be labeled, the general pubic must be educated in such an area. Many individuals are unaware of what genetically modified food actually means. A concern out there is that GMO’s are unnatural. But what is natural? Nucleotides are natural, aren’t they? All living organisms on earth contain the exact same nucleotides: adenine, cytosine, guanine, and thymine. Each of these nucleotides is combined with a ribose sugar and a phosphate group and this complex is then coupled with its respective partner (A-T, and C-G). The amino acids that are created are repeated in different orders to form varying proteins. Therefore, if we insert a protein that is indigenous to a certain organism, and insert it into another, we are merely adding a protein (set of amino acids) that the one organism was not fortunate enough to obtain by itself. Once individuals are educated in such an area, we may impose laws dealing with labeling GMO’s.
I do not believe that GMO’s should have to be labeled by law. This law is good in theory as it allows the consumer to know, not only where the food was grown, but how it was grown as well. However, labeling GMO’s would become quite excessive as even cross-pollination in flowers is a form of genetic modification: it does not only take place in the lab, but at farms as well with cross-breeding and cross-pollination. If we were to label every single GMO, the market would be flooded with such labels, and their purpose would, in essence, be obsolete. We could save a great deal of time, resources, money, and unnecessary concern by not labeling GMO’s.
For benefits and controversies concerning GMO’s, visit the following site: http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/gmfood.shtml. For more information on how GMO’s are unique, how they are modified, and the role different individuals have in the process, visit the following site: http://www.ag.uiuc.edu/~asap/expanded/gmo/gmo.html.
A very innovative GMO is called “golden rice”. This rice contains more nutrition, more specifically Vitamin A. This product is then sent overseas to Third World countries where both a lack of nutrition and a significant amount of cased pertaining to child blindness are predominant concerns. There are disputes over the rice’s benefits, but progress is being made in aiding those who are in need of our help (via GMO’s). If we are producing such products today, what may the future hold? For more information on the story of “golden rice” visit the following site: http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn7196.
Visit the following site to read “GMO Labeling: Threat Or Opportunity?”: http://www.agbioforum.org/v1n1/v1n1a07-phillips.htm.
Before a country can impose a law in which all products that are genetically modified must be labeled, the general pubic must be educated in such an area. Many individuals are unaware of what genetically modified food actually means. A concern out there is that GMO’s are unnatural. But what is natural? Nucleotides are natural, aren’t they? All living organisms on earth contain the exact same nucleotides: adenine, cytosine, guanine, and thymine. Each of these nucleotides is combined with a ribose sugar and a phosphate group and this complex is then coupled with its respective partner (A-T, and C-G). The amino acids that are created are repeated in different orders to form varying proteins. Therefore, if we insert a protein that is indigenous to a certain organism, and insert it into another, we are merely adding a protein (set of amino acids) that the one organism was not fortunate enough to obtain by itself. Once individuals are educated in such an area, we may impose laws dealing with labeling GMO’s.
I do not believe that GMO’s should have to be labeled by law. This law is good in theory as it allows the consumer to know, not only where the food was grown, but how it was grown as well. However, labeling GMO’s would become quite excessive as even cross-pollination in flowers is a form of genetic modification: it does not only take place in the lab, but at farms as well with cross-breeding and cross-pollination. If we were to label every single GMO, the market would be flooded with such labels, and their purpose would, in essence, be obsolete. We could save a great deal of time, resources, money, and unnecessary concern by not labeling GMO’s.
For benefits and controversies concerning GMO’s, visit the following site: http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/gmfood.shtml. For more information on how GMO’s are unique, how they are modified, and the role different individuals have in the process, visit the following site: http://www.ag.uiuc.edu/~asap/expanded/gmo/gmo.html.
A very innovative GMO is called “golden rice”. This rice contains more nutrition, more specifically Vitamin A. This product is then sent overseas to Third World countries where both a lack of nutrition and a significant amount of cased pertaining to child blindness are predominant concerns. There are disputes over the rice’s benefits, but progress is being made in aiding those who are in need of our help (via GMO’s). If we are producing such products today, what may the future hold? For more information on the story of “golden rice” visit the following site: http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn7196.
Visit the following site to read “GMO Labeling: Threat Or Opportunity?”: http://www.agbioforum.org/v1n1/v1n1a07-phillips.htm.
Friday, March 30, 2007
To reduce GHG emissions in your community there are many simple and easy steps:
1. Drive less, and when you do drive, drive moderately. If you are traveling to school, work, or the store, walk or bike instead of driving. If you have to drive, use gradual accelerations and decelerations to reduce fuel and emissions.
2. Use less lighting. If it is a bright day out, open the curtains and utilize what nature has to offer! There is no need for wasting energy.
3. Lower your thermostat in your house. By decreasing your thermostat from, let’s say, 25 degrees Celsius to 23, you can save a great deal of energy (and money!).
(http://envirorentals.com/Topic_of_month/reduceemissions.html)
4. Wash your dishes by hand. Personally, I do this as my household does not have a dishwasher, and it doesn’t take that much time, yet it saves a great deal of energy!
5. Buy Energy Star appliances.
6. Turn off the lights when you leave the room
7. Replace incandescent light bulbs with fluorescent light bulbs, which are much more efficient.
8. If you are considering buying a new vehicle, consider a hybrid one.
9. Combine multiple trips into one; if doing errands, do all of them at once, rather than making several trips.
10. Buy local produce as less fuel is required to transport the goods.
11. Plant trees. Trees serve as a carbon sink and use this carbon in photosynthesis, which yields oxygen for us to breathe.
12. Rake your leaves instead of using a leaf blower.
13. Recycle!! It requires much less energy to recycle a product than to create one from scratch.
(http://www.wikihow.com/Reduce-Your-Greenhouse-Gas-Emissions)
1. Drive less, and when you do drive, drive moderately. If you are traveling to school, work, or the store, walk or bike instead of driving. If you have to drive, use gradual accelerations and decelerations to reduce fuel and emissions.
2. Use less lighting. If it is a bright day out, open the curtains and utilize what nature has to offer! There is no need for wasting energy.
3. Lower your thermostat in your house. By decreasing your thermostat from, let’s say, 25 degrees Celsius to 23, you can save a great deal of energy (and money!).
(http://envirorentals.com/Topic_of_month/reduceemissions.html)
4. Wash your dishes by hand. Personally, I do this as my household does not have a dishwasher, and it doesn’t take that much time, yet it saves a great deal of energy!
5. Buy Energy Star appliances.
6. Turn off the lights when you leave the room
7. Replace incandescent light bulbs with fluorescent light bulbs, which are much more efficient.
8. If you are considering buying a new vehicle, consider a hybrid one.
9. Combine multiple trips into one; if doing errands, do all of them at once, rather than making several trips.
10. Buy local produce as less fuel is required to transport the goods.
11. Plant trees. Trees serve as a carbon sink and use this carbon in photosynthesis, which yields oxygen for us to breathe.
12. Rake your leaves instead of using a leaf blower.
13. Recycle!! It requires much less energy to recycle a product than to create one from scratch.
(http://www.wikihow.com/Reduce-Your-Greenhouse-Gas-Emissions)
Friday, March 23, 2007
My Footprint
My results from www.myfootprint.org showed that I needed the following hectares for each area of my life: 3.3 hectares for food, 0.2 hectares for mobility, 1.7 hectares for shelter, 2.0 hectares for goods and services. This results in 7.2 hectares being needed. If each person were to require this amount, 4 planets would be needed to provide us with enough land. The average for a Canadian is 8.8 hectares, and so I require quite a bit less than the average Canadian, which is pleasing.
On my “lifestyle” footprint (http://www.takingstock.org/lifestyle.asp), it was determined that I am a F4: Factor 4. The website states the following about F4: “As people reinvent a new kind of quality of life in local communities, true wealth spreads more evenly. The ecological footprint is reduced overall by a factor of four, by combining increased efficiency, better distribution, and zero-waste closed cycle production and consumption”.
I believe I could reduce my ecological footprint by walking more frequently when weather permits. I actually enjoy walking around town when running errands, and so, this will be more environmentally-friendly, and will keep me active. Furthermore, I can put more energy-efficient techniques to use in my home. We have already converted to using fluorescent light bulbs, and I always make sure I turn off the light when I leave the room. Furthermore, we do not own a dishwasher, and so we wash dishes my hand. More techniques to reducing my footprint could be to carpool more, and to run many errands in one trip.
On my “lifestyle” footprint (http://www.takingstock.org/lifestyle.asp), it was determined that I am a F4: Factor 4. The website states the following about F4: “As people reinvent a new kind of quality of life in local communities, true wealth spreads more evenly. The ecological footprint is reduced overall by a factor of four, by combining increased efficiency, better distribution, and zero-waste closed cycle production and consumption”.
I believe I could reduce my ecological footprint by walking more frequently when weather permits. I actually enjoy walking around town when running errands, and so, this will be more environmentally-friendly, and will keep me active. Furthermore, I can put more energy-efficient techniques to use in my home. We have already converted to using fluorescent light bulbs, and I always make sure I turn off the light when I leave the room. Furthermore, we do not own a dishwasher, and so we wash dishes my hand. More techniques to reducing my footprint could be to carpool more, and to run many errands in one trip.
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