WANTED: Sansar Chand

This Indian man, according to the Indian Central Bureau of Investigations, has sold more than 12,000 animal skins to traders in Nepal. He has dealt in 400 tiger and 2,000 leopard skins which have a value of over 10 million dollars.

The illegal traffic of the skins of endangered animals, ivory, and rain forest timbers is growing and proving to be profitable in the environmental crime business. It is estimated that these criminal businesses are profiting over 10 billion dollars as they poach and smuggle illegal natural products into the black markets based around the world. 

Unfortunately, the EIA is doing little to stop this tragic loop of crime. Today, this environmental crime “generates tens of billions of dollars “for criminal enterprises each year, and it is growing”.

 

Source:

http://ecology.com/ecology-today/2008/10/15/environmental-crime-growing/

As we look around our neighborhoods, we will most likely see the common creatures roaming around: squirrels, raccoons, possums, skunks, etc. However it has become known through the IUCN, or the International Union for Conservation of Nature, that “nearly one in four of the world’s mammals are at risk of disappearing forever”. How would it feel if these creatures were no longer around? No only would these mammals would be affected, but so would 1,141 species out of the total 5,487 mammals on earth. And, unfortunately, 76 mammals have already become extinct since the 1500s. 

It is unfortunate that within our lifetime, these mammals can be extinct forever. However, according to the director of the IUCN, we can set targets now for the future “to reverse this trend to ensure that our living legacy is not to wipe out many of our closet relatives”. 

But what causes these extinctions? Habitat loss and degradation affect a large percentage of the world’s mammals. It is most extreme in Central and South America, Africa, Madagascar, and in South and Southeast Asia. Also, “over harvesting” is wiping out larger mammals, especially in Southeast Asia, Africa, and some parts of South America. 

There is something we can do. IUCN has shown that the world’s mammals can recover with conservation efforts. For example, the black-footed ferret moved for the “endangered” list to the “wild” list after a successful reintroduction by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Similarly, the wild horse shifted from endangered to wild after a reintroduction. Different species all around the world are moving up the ladder when it comes to rehabilitating their habitats and ecosystems. IUCN’s main motto states,” The longer we wait, the more expensive it will be to prevent future extinctions. We now know what species are threatened, what the threats are and where-we have no excuses to watch from the sidelines”.

 

Source:

http://ecology.com/ecology-today/2009/02/25/extinction-crisis-emerges-for-world-mammals

How much does the Earth really weigh? Actually, this is a trick question. Because it is an object in space, it is actually weightless! However, it is unusual to think how the mountains and the gigantic ocean and other objects on Earth have a certain weight….

However, scientists have come up with a number…a large number indeed. Earth’s estimated weight is 5.972 sextillion, or 1,000 trillion, metric tons. And quite surprisingly, it is gaining weight! But this number is referred to as the mass of the earth, not the weight. (Partly due to the fact that weight is the result of Earth’s gravitational pull on another object, and Earth can’t pull on itself!!) 

As I have stated before, the earth is gaining weight. One’s initial response may be “Oh wow, there really is a population increase!”. However, the Earth gains this weight from “space debris” that falls to our planet. This can result in anywhere from 40,000 tons each year! But, there are also decreases too. Atmospheric gases escape…but this is such a small percentage it is not a serious consideration. 

Source:

http:/ecology.com/ecology-today/2009/03/18/how-much-does-earth-weigh-2/

Right now the 22,500 cemeteries across America are using:

827,060 gallons of embalming fluid

90, 272 tons of steel

2,700 tons of copper and bronze

30 million plus board feet of hardwoods from casket

1.6 million million tons of reinforced concrete

14,000 tons of steel from vaults

These incredible numbers are increasing as more and more acres are reserved for the dead. However, why not be “environmentally conscience” even when you or a loved one passes away? It has become known that buying a biodegradable casket not only helps the environment, but also has a significant lower price. 

As a society today, we are “squeezed on spending a lot on a funeral”. Hoever by using this method, it cuts many costs of the traditional funeral, including embalming ($445) and a casket ($1,000 and up).Purchasing a biodegradable casket costs as much as $500 or even less. 

Or, why not try a green burial space? This costs as much as $1,495! Spaces are two deep, meaning one person is buried in the bottom space, while the top space can hold either another person, the cremated remains of 10 people, or a memorial tree. This concept is relatively new, but it seems it has become very popular recently. 

 

Sources:

http://www.sptimes.om/2008/01/08/Northpinellas?The_ultimate_green_bu.shtml

www.greenburialusa.com

I have to admit, snowboarding in the powder was AWESOME! But now that I think of it, was that powdered snow bad for the environment? It never occured to me that the snowmaking process could be the source of some pollution! The generators inside the machines produce so much pollution….

BUT! Little did I know my opinion would change! When researching this topic, I did not give up. I knew somewhere someone would really delve into the topic and explain the true process when it came to making snow artificially. I came across an assessment written by toxicologist Dr. Christopher J. Borgert who firmly explained how polyether-modified siloxanes (PEMS) played a significant role in the snowmaking process.

This ingredient that is used in snowmaking has in fact low toxicity. In fact, PEMS are “exprected to degrade under most environmental conditions, including in most soils, streams, and lakes”. In the atmosphere, PEMs photo-oxidize when contracted by sunlight and water vapor. However, PEMS can cause severe toxicity to plants, but only in a large concentration. Only a large accidental spill would be expected to cause any real damage to plants.

Therefore, there is no specific environmental or ecological impact that is expected from PEMs materials, particularly at the rates and “under the intensely aerobic conditions under which these products are used in snowmaking”. That is a relief to hear! Now I can snowboard guilt free!

 

Sources:

APimages.com

www.driftsnow.com/environmental-impact.html?lang=1

Before I begin to explain the process of this paper and the overall effects it has on the environment, I would first like to inform you about the actual elephant…poop. Because of the elephants size and its large diet, a dung collector can receive about 50g of dung per day! This amount approximately makes about 115 sheets of paper! 

Almost immediately people think that this dung smells bad. However, it doesn’t smell bad at all! In fact, the dung is just fibr. Elephants are known to be poor digesters of their food-over 50% of what they eat comes straight out the other end…Surprisingly, the elephants have already completed the first stage of the paper making process. Getting the fibers!

Here are the steps in making elephant dung paper:

1.collecting the dung

2. wash dung and boil for 5 hours

3. to bleach

4.  spin dung to cut fibers for up to 3 hours and add color

5. weigh out into equal weight balls

6. sift evenly into frames

7. dry in the sun

8. sanding to a smooth surface

9. assembly of products

One must remember that this paper does not smell and is 100% bacteria free!

This reduce, reuse, and recycle method is a great way to begin brainstorming abut future ways to recycle. Who would have thought that elephant poop would be a way!

Sources:

www.elephantdungpaper.com/history.htm

www.APimages.com

It was really fascinating to watch this youtube video because unlike talking about large movements, like changing your car or riding your bicycle to work everyday, these companies really focused on the small innovations that could aware people around the world. Their main message really urges people “to engage in the conversation”. In this time of modern technology, people depend on battery operated cameras, computers, and cell phones. These different companies have invented models that will draw peoples attention to the environmental movement because they  will include cameras, Ipods, computers, phones, etc. I really liked this video because I would actually invest in this inventions…To be honest, although I do care about the world, I can not help driving as much as I do and I can do so much about the energy I conserve. So, why not purchase a solar powered charger? These inventions are smart, innovative, and adjustable. If these things were on the market, I think the environmental movement would slowly flourish. It would raise more attention to people! 

SOurces:

youtube.com

 

As you can see in the video, Megaman is “committed to enhance the quality of life and protect the environment at all stages from the manufacturing process and product development to office management. ” I truly believe this company is trying to create a better environment by conservation and protection. They are continuously trying to seek improvement by setting environmental goals and ultimately reaching them. Megaman renews and recycles materials whenever possible to minimize the use of energy and other resources. 

As seen in the movie, Megaman has done a multitude of things to help the environment. All of the plastic components are designed to be recyclable. There is less than 3 mg of mercury in their products. Incredibly, this is”an industry first”. Also, they inhibit environmental friendly and safe silicon sleeves which helps avoid the use of toxic acid. Not only is the product eco-friendly, but so is the packging! Itis of a reduced size-less packagin is required!

What is the Megman Factory known for? They have their own “innovative snap in assembly process and water-based adhesive techniques for easy dismantling to comply with the recycling process”. Not only that, but they have their own glass recycling factory, exhaust gas and mercury recovery treatment plant, and water treatment plant to treat and recycle all used light bulbs.

The Megaman factory is working harder than ever to reduce harmful emissions…and as a factory, I think they are doing great! The Megaman factory is a great example for other companies to mimic for the near future.

Sources:

youtube.com

http://www.megamanuk.com/about/environment.php

Continuing  my journey within the Rocky Mountains, I quickly noticed that most of the trees were dead…Either the trees were completely bare with no green branches with no signs of life whatsoever or there were just bare spots with piles of lumber compiling on the mountain. My immediate thought? Forest fires. However, I learned that this massive tree loss was not caused by fires but in fact insects. Pine Beetles to be more exact. 

Pine Beetles are the pests that currently occupy Colorado’s pine forests. They are infamous for killing large numbers of trees annually during outbeaks. They usually target trees that are not growing vigorously due to old age, crowding, poor growing conditions, drought, fire, root disease, and other causes. Once these beetles infests a tree, nothing practical can be done to save that particular tree. And once a beetle attacks one tree, it simply moves on to another…and another…until all the trees around it are savaged and dead.

Unfortunately, the past couple years have been worse for the Colorado trees.  The number of Colorado pines killed by the beetles has jumped to nearly five times more than it did before. Approximately 4.8 million trees have been killed this year. Also, the acreage the beetles have been covering has doubled, jumping up about 50% from 644,840 to 430,526 last year. Unfortunately, the beetles are not slowing down. Colorado has about 1.5 million acres of lodgepole pines, and as of right now, 43% is infested. 

So what can we do to stop these beetles?

According to some, a weeklong streak of bitterly cold weather could possibly end the beetle infestation  (Temperatures below 30 degrees below zero minimum).  Also, another method of prevention includes forest management. Managing the forest by creating “diversity in age and structure” could result in a healthy forest less vulnerable to the beetles. Also, certain sprays of carbaryl, permethrin, and bifenthrin can be applied to individual trees to help the infestation . 

However, problems with these solution include environmental conditions such as rain that could wipe away the pesticide, the cost of the chemicals, the chemical storage space, and the location of the invasion. The areas in which the beetles are invading such as Cooper Mountain, Vail, and Aspen typically do not reach temperatures below 20 degrees for a week straight. 

Unfortunately, these beetles can not be stopped unless they run out of trees. A new epidemic is rising and our mountain forests will be changed before we know it. Millions of trees have been lost already.

Sources:

www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05528.html

www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_5176428,00.html

APimages.com

On December 20, 2008, I finally arrived at the Denver International Airport. I was waiting for this moment for way too long. I wanted to get school off my mind and just relax… it was the first day of my winter break. As I peered outside of our car to the glorious mountains, something caught my eye as we drifted past the boundaries of the Denver International Airport. A field of solar panels! Shortly before this vacation my AP Environmental class and I had studied the alternative energy sources such as solar power, geothermal power, and hydropower. And now I actually got to witness these alternative energies put into use! My eyes kept following the rows of gigantic panels, glistening in the sun. It was amazing to  realize that a powerful source, the DIA, was using alternative sources to fuel everyday activities. I became very interested in the DIA’s solar panels and decided to research how much energy they are conserving and how this alternative source is affecting the DIA.

The Denver International Airport, the fifth-busiest airport in the country,  has created a 2 megawatt solar energy system to generate 3.5 million kilowatt hours of clean energy each year. This amount is about half the amount needed to run the airport’s terminal-connecting underground train system. This system is considered to be one of the largest airport solar panel systems in the country! It is expected to reduce carbon emissions by more than 5 million pounds each year according to MMA Renewable Ventures and WorldWater and Solar Technologies (the two companies behind the project).

The system contains 9,800 solar panels on 7.5 acres near entrance/exit of the main terminal. These unique panels turn east to west when following the sun. This attribute generates more energy than if the panels were fixed in one position. Also, because the DIA is located at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, the system of solar panels is equipped with sensors to detect high winds and heavy snow in order to stop the panel movement and prevent damage.

However, most importantly, the DIA is more “green” than it looks! The airport uses alternative fuel and hybrid vehicles, recycles glass, plastic and aluminum, and recycles de-icing fluid used on the aircrafts. According to Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper’s, “It’s all part of the plan!” The plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions of course.

No matter how much I wanted to relax and put my mind to rest for two weeks, I couldn’t fight my curiosity at the DIA. Not only did I learn about solar panels in class, but I was seeing them work in action! Whether we know it or not, alternative energies such as solar power are aiding our daily lifestyles, whether it be heating our homes or driving an airport’s underground transportation system! Hats off to the DIA!

 

Sources:

http:/www.vagabond.com