When we chose to or don't chose to eat products that contribute to phosphorus output, we make a choice that greatly impacts the global phosphorous footprint, according to Frontiers in Nutrition. Mined phosphate rock is a non-renewable global resource that is nowadays becoming increasingly scarce which poses a severe problem to the farming industry: it needs phosphorus in the form of fertilizers to sustain crop productivity. The loss of phosphorus can lead to serious water degradation, whether it is caused by agricultural runoff or sewers. As the human population increases, our long-term food security and water quality are therefore threatened by the increased demand for phosphorus fertilizers. Therefore, scientists say that transitioning to a plant based diet can reduce mined phosphorus. This shows that the way we eat can contribute to the overall condition of the environment. I see this article as a way to show readers that despite the commonly shared belief that individuals cannot improve or harm the environment on their own, things as simple as the way they eat or products they chose to buy have an effect on a bigger scale. This concept is important to grasp in order for there to be a healthy amount of phosphorus in our environment. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/11/161103124536.htm
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Since the mid to late twentieth century, built up areas on Earth have increased over 2.5 times. However, out of the entire globe, the 7.3 billion people that call Earth home live and work on a mere 7.6% of the global land mass. Research and statistics have shown that a large majority, 90% to be exact, of the most heavily populated urban centers are located in Asia. Additionally, 50% of the largest urban areas are located in the United States. This shows that the concentration of people living in rural areas is decreasing, and urban centers are thriving. These statistics, coming from European Commission's Joint Research Centre at the United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III), also show us that these heavily populated urban centers are mainly located in low income countries, whereas the biggest built up urban centers are located in high income countries.
I think that these statistics are important because they give us insight into the dynamics of the current population. I also was able to make a connection between this article and the previous unit regarding population pyramids and trends. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/10/161018132405.htm Over the past few weeks, a storm system on the east coast near the southern tip of Florida has been forming, causing many climatologists to predict that we may have a serious storm on our hands. What has now been named Hurricane Matthew is predicted to go from the Bahamas all the way up to New York State and New Jersey. However, with the recent rises in our climate due to global warming, there are perfect conditions available for storms to become significantly more dangerous. The warmer the atmosphere, the more energetic it is, and warmer sea levels increase the severity of storms. There is no guarantee that Hurricane Matthew will be effected by this, but, the evidence shows us that there definitely are chances of it. Some climatologists, like David A. Robinson from Rutgers University, say that storms impacted in this manner could be deadlier than Hurricane Sandy. I fully believe in the theory that Rutgers presents. The warmer climate will create an environment in which storms can stay stable for longer and can effect more areas. I also think that individuals should make effort to be educated on the intensity of storms like this in order to prepare for its effects. The latest storms we have seen have impacted so many lives; it is necessary that all individuals are informed and prepared for these natural disasters. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/10/161006115959.htm |
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November 2016
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