Environmental Science
Environmental fundamentals
Defining environmental science: The quest for sustainability
Environmental science or environmental studies are defined as the "study of a range of environments, from the bodies we live, to the physical structures, institutions and industries we build, to the politics, languages and cultural practices we use to communicate, and to the earth and its complex multitude of animals, flora and bio-physical elements and processes" (What is environmental science, 2012, York University). The word derives from the French world 'environs,' which means everything around us (What is environmental science, 2012, York University). A critical component of environmental studies has become how to enhance the sustainability of human life in conjunction with the environment. Humans today are not seeking simply to understand the environment but to live in harmony with it. Environmentalism seeks to acknowledge that humans are part of the environment, not merely consumers of it. "Sustainability creates and maintains the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony, that permit fulfilling the social, economic and other requirements of present and future generations" (What is sustainability, 2012, EPA).
Human technological development, until recently, has largely been to the detriment, rather than the enhancement of the natural world. The rise of global warming is clearly correlated to the rise in industrialization. "In Earth's history before the Industrial...
Most often, global climate has changed because of variations in sunlight... These natural causes are still in play today, but their influence is too small or they occur too slowly to explain the rapid warming seen in recent decades" (Global warming, 2012, NASA: 4). Since 1950, the process of global warming has rapidly escalated and changed the earth in a permanent fashion. "Warming modifies rainfall patterns, amplifies coastal erosion, lengthens the growing season in some regions, melts ice caps and glaciers, and alters the ranges of some infectious diseases" (Global warming, 2012, NASA: 4).
Sustaining the environment in a positive fashion is necessary for humans to survive, as well as the animals, plants, and other living organisms dependent upon the planet. Many hope that just as technology 'got us into this mess,' it can also extricate us. 'Greening' technology has become not simply a popular buzzword amongst politicians but also an industry. One notable success in recent years that seems promising is hybrid technology for cars. "We need to focus on battery technology to solve consumer concerns about charging time, travel speed, and distance. We also need to improve the effectiveness of mass transit, and take a closer look at other alternative fuel technology on the horizon, such as hydrogen" (Leech 2009). Toyota was originally mocked for its introduction of the snub-nosed Prius, but now it is considered a prescient step on the part of the Japanese automotive firm.
However, overall trends in the developing world, where car ownership is expanding at the most rapid rate, show that cultural associations of large cars with affluence remain difficult to eradicate. In China, "2010 SUV sales are up 108% vs. The same period in 2009, with 372,527 units sold" (SUV boom underway in China, 2012, Auto Blog). The short-term desire to impress one's neighbors often outweighs any sense of commitment to the health of the planet. Although in the U.S., hybrid sales experience a spike when gas prices increase, they are far from dominant.
And even more fundamental lifestyle changes are required…
Environmental Justice in the United States: Policies, Beliefs & People/Places Involved During the course of my college career, my interests and passions have changed, gradually evolving to an intensified mix of all that my Interdisciplinary Studies major encompasses. I began my college career seeking a Mass Communication degree; a course of study that focused primarily on community organization and mobilization. After feeling the harsh reality of advertising and public relations evils, I
LD50 values are not always given on the pesticide label; rather, the relative toxicity of a pesticide product is exposed by one of three signal words: DANGER, WARNING, or CAUTION. The rationale for signal words is to alert the user to the level of toxicity of the product. The signal word is usually assigned based on the pesticide's inhalation, oral or dermal toxicity, whichever is the most toxic" (Lethal
Environmental Issues Faced in 21st Century Aviation Reducing Communication and Coordination Tools and Metrics Technology, Operations and Policy Demand Aviation and the Environment Effects on the health Local Air Quality Climate Change Total Climate impacts from aircraft Interdependencies Mobility, Economy and National Security Interactions between Government, Industry and Groups Aviation Greenhouse Gas Emissions Economic Impact SPCC Regulations Local Airport Issues De-icing Fluids A Framework for National Goals Realities and Myths Metrics Recommended Actions Environmental Issues Faced in 21st Century Aviation Environmental awareness in regards to 21st century aviation among the public and politicians has
. . political and law enforcement cronyism and corruption. . . And last, an surprising astonishing level of incompetence which symbolizes much of the authorized intelligence- meeting and investigative developments (Block, 1985, p.310). This lack of enforcement taking part in helping with the waste especially after a natural disaster such as a tornado will possibly allow such practices as illegal dumping to last unchecked. "The ideal answer to hazardous waste problems
Although the research tools provided by the ISO 14001 framework are both qualitative and quantitative, this approach is consistent with the guidance provided by Neuman (2003) who points out that, "Both qualitative and quantitative research use several specific research techniques (e.g., survey, interview, and historical analysis), yet there is much overlap between the type of data and the style of research. Most qualitative-style researchers examine qualitative data and vice
Essay Topic Examples 1. The Role of Dystopian Worlds in Science Fiction Narratives: Explore how science fiction stories use dystopian settings to critique contemporary social, political, and technological trends. Examine the effectiveness of this narrative tool in both its warning and didactic capacities by analyzing specific examples from classic and modern sci-fi works. 2. The Evolution of Science Fiction Space Travel: From Early Speculations to Modern Depictions:
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