All in Environmental Policy
Climate change is arguably the most relevant and impactful current event. Both its effects and countermeasures are felt globally, and many countries have begun implementing policies and goals in hopes of nullifying its impacts. Environmental catastrophes such as rising sea levels and extreme weather conditions are a direct result of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and are on course to continue worsening if emissions don't dramatically decline.
Are fungi a threat to society? Should we be worried about fungi? Fungi do pose a threat to society as fungal diseases can have negative impacts on human health and the economy. The economic burden of fungal diseases in the United States alone was estimated to be around $7.2 billion in 2017, with healthcare costs being a significant contributor. Fungal diseases can also have a negative impact on food safety, as they can lead to food spoilage and potential foodborne illnesses. Additionally, fungal diseases can cause plant leaf fungal disease, which can reduce crop production and lead to food insecurity. However, it is important to note that not all fungi have negative impacts. Many fungi have positive benefits, such as their use in food production, medicine, and bioremediation.
When we think of threats to air quality, our minds often turn to images of raging wildfires engulfing landscapes and billowing smoke into the atmosphere. While wildfires undoubtedly contribute to poor air quality, there’s another player in this complex game that deserves our attention: the annual Saharan dust clouds originating from the African coast between mid-June and mid-August. These massive dust clouds, though often overlooked, have a significant impact on air quality worldwide. “Dust storms and atmospheric dust processes have attracted societal attention for millennia. In ancient Korea, for example, dust events caused concern because they were considered as God’s punishment or a warning to the ruler.” (Knippertz & Stuut, 2014) In this article, we’ll delve into the intriguing phenomenon of Saharan dust clouds and their surprising influence on the air we breathe.
Trees are an essential part of the natural world and play a vital role in our lives. They provide us with the oxygen we need to breathe and the wood we use for fuel and building materials. Trees also help to regulate the climate by absorbing carbon dioxide from the air and releasing oxygen. In addition, trees provide a habitat for a wide variety of wildlife and are an essential food source for many animals. Trees can also have some social and psychological benefits. They can provide a sense of beauty and tranquility and serve as a gathering place for communities. Finally, trees can have economic benefits, increasing property values and making neighborhoods more attractive. Trees are an essential part of our environment and lives, and we should do everything we can to protect and preserve them.
Climate Change is Real— the sooner we realize it, the better our chances are of ensuring a better tomorrow for our forthcoming generations. Although, experts suggest many potential methods for mitigating Climate Change and its branching effects. Renewable or Non-Fossil Energy is one of the most prominent ways that promise a healthier tomorrow. So much so that “A Transition to Clean Energy,” Gloria Reuben admits, “is about making an investment in the future.”
Even if fossil fuels were not affecting our climate, fossil fuels are a finite resource and will eventually run out. If there is no alternative energy infrastructure in place, there will be a severe global struggle when they do run out. Fortunately, through renewable energy sources, we could avert such a global catastrophe while also ensuring a healthy future. However, given our current energy infrastructure is primarily fossil-fuel-based, and such a transition away from fossil fuels will take time, it is important to consider now what kind of new infrastructure we would need to convert to a renewable energy base.
Native American tribes have faced hardship, neglect, and attacks on their way of life since Christopher Columbus arrived in the lands of the Guanahani people (in the modern-day Bahamas) in 1492 on behalf of the Spanish Empire. However, the last few years have proved to be brutal in their own way.
Even if fossil fuels were not affecting our climate, fossil fuels are a finite resource and will eventually run out. If there is no alternative energy infrastructure in place, there will be a severe global struggle when they do run out. Fortunately, through renewable energy sources, we could avert such a global catastrophe while also ensuring a healthy future. However, given our current energy infrastructure is primarily fossil-fuel-based, and such a transition away from fossil fuels will take time, it is important to consider now what kind of new infrastructure we would need to convert to a renewable energy base.
Over the past decade, the Electric Vehicle (EV) market has rapidly gone from proof-of-concept to full manufacturing, and now approaching mass adoption. The economic environment is primed for EVs to flourish. Battery prices continue to fall each year, political climate policies push towards less carbon emissions, and legacy automakers are shifting into the EV space. It is only a short matter of time before EVs become the most common choice for transportation. Both personal and commercial.
The Earth’s average temperature has risen by 0.6°C since the late 1800s (World Health Organization). The change seems minuscule given the time horizon, but even the slightest increase in temperature can have grave effects. Climate change directly affects food production and weather conditions which influence transmission patterns for diseases and infections like malaria. It has already wreaked havoc worldwide as many animal species are becoming endangered with nowhere else to go. With so many warning signs and scientists advocating that the U.S. government should take a stronger position on the issue, it is a wonder why so little change has occurred. A 2019 study by Pew Research Center indicates that the United States ranks 20th in the world regarding citizens’ views on climate change as only 59% of U.S. citizens believe it is a major problem (Fagan & Huang 2019). Given that the government prioritizes issues important to the public, it is no surprise that environmental protection has remained in the shadows of issues more pressing to Americans such as taxation, foreign policy, and more. Nevertheless, the environment has remained a controversial topic as the debate between prioritizing economic success and environmental protection has been a decades-long battle. Due to the lack of prioritization of environmental protection, there has been limited action by the U.S. government and businesses to take steps towards more environmentally-friendly regulations and measures.
