APES Current Events

 Nolan Miller Heagerty  Period 1     A rare bee species has recently been found in Australia. Only 6 individuals of this species have ever been found, and the last recorded instance was in 1923. The rarity of this bee, which was thought to be extinct, is largely due to the fragmented habitats where they live, with 40% of forests having been cleared. If this continues, the species may very well become extinct.      I think it is very amazing that there are only six times that this species has been found, and the last one was nearly 100 years ago. It is quite amazing to think that these bees have been living somewhere for all that time without anyone finding them. I also think it is a bad thing that they may very well go extinct as a result of habitat loss.  https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/02/210225143923.htm

    The evidence towards a 9th planet at the edge of our solar system might be fake according to more recent studies. Previous findings showed that a bunch of objects in the edge of our solar system are being drawn into a cluster by an invisible planet around 10 times the size of Earth. This unseen planet has been named Planet 9 or Planet X. However a new study of 14 of these remote objects shows no evidence of clustering, which removes the main reason to believe in a 9th planet.  Caltech planetary scientists Mike Brown and Konstantin Batygin used some these objects to help find some of the properties of this planet and found its orbit to be between 500-700 times the size of Earth's, or between 16-23 times larger than Neptune's orbit. Old studies only relied off of a handful of objects we found where we looked, Gary Bernstein states "Its important to know what we didn't see, in addition to what we did". Bernstein's team then ran 10 billion simulations with the...

 In order to avoid catastrophes regarded our climate, the amount of emissions produced would have to be cut in half by 2030. New pledges submitted by United Nations would only cut it down by 1%, which is nowhere close to good. It's far from the promises made by many countries. Paris fell back and didn't reach their goal of limiting global temperature increase which was expected by the end of 2020. The United States was pulled out from this plan by Donald Trump, but is now back in and planning on submitting their 2030 goals by April 22. The US is a huge issue, producing more greenhouse gases than any other country. China is also a huge issue in emission production and has not yet submitted their goals either. China has expectations of being carbon neutral by 2060. Some countries submitted plans without change, and Mexico seems to be retreating from their original clean energy plan. On the brighter side, 63 countries raised their targets. The Paris Agreement is not allowed to dic...

In this study it explains how air pollution affect children in the long run. If a child is exposed to any type of air pollution (wildfire smoke for example), even for one day, they have a high risk of getting heart disease or any other illness in adulthood. Researchers explain how air pollution affects children's immune and cardiac system. Researchers have found out that exposed air pollution correspond with white blood cells, this increases the ability for a child to get heart disease when they're an adult. Air pollution affects everyone, more and more Americans are dying from this. Death caused by a respiratory disease is the second most common way to die globally.  https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/02/210222124613.htm

A research team from Princeton University created a new sensor that could be an important asset to the oil and gas industry. The research team demonstrates their new sensor, which is detecting methane concentrations. This sensor uses cascade light emitting device, where wavelengths can measure chemicals. With this sensor, the research team is hoping that this would lead to more accurate methane measurements. We can have a better understanding of how methane emissions work from livestock and from dairy farms. We can also get a better understanding of climate change with this sensor. Methane sensing has been used with mid-IR LEDs but the performance of it was limited because of low light intensities. When the research team used ICLED (which was by far more powerful), the performance for methane sensing was improved. To see how the sensor works, the sensor measures infrared light through pure air, and then measure it through a methane contained room. The researchers tested out the new sen...

 Industrial Agriculture creates major pollution, which can cause public health problems and have a bad impact on the environment. This is actually the leading cause of water pollution in the United States. This can have negative impacts on people, animals, and the environment. The pollution in the water comes from the contents in the fertilizers. For instance, Nitrogen fertilizer is used for farm fields in the Midwest, and will eventually travel into the gulf of Mexico, contaminating the water. It will create what is called the Dead zone. No fish or other organisms can survive in this area. I think this is a major problem and more should be done to control it. Especially since this is the leading cause of pollution in the US, it should be a wake up call to make a change.  https://foodprint.org/issues/how-industrial-agriculture-affects-our-water/ 

     Recently, the discovery of an increased amount of hydrocarbons found within oceans, specifically the Gulf of Mexico has been made. These increases in material found may indicate a different type of organism spawned, and it a large detriment to the immediate surrounding habitable area. This is because the amount of hydrocarbons found is roughly 500 times more than the sum of all other types of petroleum inputs to the ocean, manmade or otherwise. This stunning uncovering may mean that manmade intervention, in order to prevent the damage that these hydrocarbon-producing organisms are creating. I feel that this relates directly to our work in class, as it makes main focal points on manmade pollution being a cause for concern, but overall takes a look at how the environment can be harmed because of a simply overproduction of one material. Source Used

 With Covid-19 shutting nearly anything indoors down, many more people are enjoying nature. The number of people to visit state parks increased by almost 26% having more than 47 million people attending. With that being said, there have been many complaints about the restrictions on pets. A lot of people want to be able to bring their pet along with them as they are getting exercise, they can't get out much either. Because of that, pets will be permitted at 130 new sites in the year 2022. Now, pets will be allowed at 2,556 parks out of 6,277. With the parks opening up more to animals, more people will be persuaded to go. Some people might prevent themselves from going to the parks that don't allow them because they don't know what they will do with their pets. The pets will be just as happy, if not happier, than the humans being out there. This is beneficial for everyone. The parts will get more funding from the more people that go; the parkgoers will feel more obligated to...

 Multiple types of bacteria living just millimeters away from sea stars are depleting oxygen from the water around them and the sea stars. These microbes thrive in warm waters with high levels of organic matter As a result of insufficient oxygen, sea stars begin to "melt" into a puddle of slime. This phenomenon was previously named the Sea Star Wasting Disease, identified as lethal symptoms of decaying and loss of limbs in sea stars. It was first noticed in 2013 when sea stars off the U.S. Pacific coast were dying off in large numbers. Though it was originally thought to be caused by a virus or bacterium, no link was ever found between the suspected virus (the subject of another 2014 study in a virus making various animals ill) and dissolving sea stars. The truth was discovered by a team of marine biologists at Cornell University that examined the types of bacteria living around healthy seas stars as compared to those living around ones with wasting disease. Seas stars were f...

      A missive wildfire burnt through San Lorenzo Valley in August, destroying almost 1,500 structures and exposing many others to high heat. Before the fire was put out benzene levels in the water were measured at 9.1 parts per billion in residential water, which is around 9 times higher than the maximum safety level. When plastic drinking water pipes are exposed to heat high enough to melt and damage the pipes, but hot enough to destroy them, the dangerous chemicals in the plastic flow into the drinking water. Andrew Welton is an environmental engineer at Perdue University, he exposed 11 different types of pipes to 200 degrees Celsius to 400 degrees Celsius. They then put the pipes in water and found that over 100 harmful chemicals (including benzene) leached into the water from 10/11 pipes. Benzene can cause skin and throat irritation, and even leukemia in the long term.     I was always aware that there were some chemicals slipping into...

  Over the past summer, a group of doctors, including Dr. Michael Mina, had gotten together to collaborate on the Global Immunological Observatory. Together, they're planning to develop a technique in which they will be able to collect blood samples from all over the world to test for the antibodies of hundreds of viruses. Their collection of samples dates begins back in January of 2020. This is beneficial in tracking new viruses before they are spread. It will give the scientists insight on the patient's reaction to the virus and how they may have been infected - things that would have been good to know about the Coronavirus before it became a pandemic. They're able to look far back into the history of your body's  viruses through this little vial of blood. This type of testing is called serology which is different than just virus testing. It provides information in which they are able to see the amount of immunity a given population has to a virus.  It's crazy tha...

 Colin Schaller  Summary:  This article is about the benefits of switching from gas powered cars to electric powered cars. It goes into the rising price of gas in the last moth, and talks about if this continues is the switch to all electric really worth it. It talks about how electric cars do cost more than gas powered cars, but in the long run it is well worth it. Especially since you do not need to pay for gas to fill up the tank every week or two, depending on the type of car you own. I personally believe that we should do our best to help the environment. However I am very skeptical about how long these electric cars last compared to gas cars. Also the maintenance keep on them. It relates to our class when we were talking about how the pollution of pesticides can effect our environment and atmosphere.   Link:  https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/16/learning/gas-or-electric-thinking-algebraically-about-car-costs-emissions-and-trade-offs.html

       A group of scientists have found that fermented foods can boost bacteria and increase crop growth. After doing this, they have also descovered that it will make planst more resistant from pathogens which will reduce carbon emmisions. In this situation, they are using good kinds of bacteria from the fermented foods and waste. The scientists tested this experiment out first in a greenhouse, so they were preserved within a closed watering system area. A main point of their research was to creat a sustained cycle where the water was contained in a irrigation system while being added to the crop growth in order to complete it.      I found this process to be incredibly intersting because they are using old food to create new food. I think that this is a good way for humans to use our non-renweable resources in order to create something that we need in order to live. It also just uses our wasted food that may have been trasted anyways, so it helps wit...

 California has a rainy season every year where it just, rains for days upon days. Around 60 years ago, this rainy season normally occured late in the year around November/December. Except this year, it happened about a month later. This year California's rainy season hit during January of the new year.  I believe that the rainy season has occured late in California due to global warming, and how it is altering the atmosphere in ways that will allow less precipitation. Also due to these changes, California could potientially not even have a rainy season in the upcoming future.  https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/02/210204101651.htm  

      Research has shown that the Covid-19 pandemic may actually result in the shortening of life expectancy. For blacks, this reduction is ~2 years to 72, for Latinos, ~3 years to 78, and for whites ~0.6 years to 77. The last time a drop in life expectancy this drastic occurred was during the 1918 influenza pandemic, in which it dropped 7-12 years. A majority of the change occurring now is largely thought to be as a result of living conditions, and as mortality rates seem to rise, it is predicted that this drop in life expectancy may continue.  To me, this is a bit scary, but I also feel like it is a bit untrustworthy as well. Data on Covid-19 has been largely skewed and so studies based on this data may ultimately be flawed in one way or another. Of course, the thought of a lowered life expectancy is a bit scary as well, but that just gives you more reason to make the change to healthier life habits.  Link

Moun t  Pinatubo is home to many species, including the  Pinatubo Volcano Mouse.  This volcano erupted on June 15, 1991, in the  Philippines. There were avalanches, toxic gas, debris, a destroyed forest and a 1.5 mile hole.  Many people thought this species of mice, which lived on the top of the volcano, didn't survive.  The  Pinatubo Volcano Mice survived and thrived, even though the volcano exploded.  They decided to research into why this occurred.  Traditionally, invading rats from the lower elevations of the mountain would invade the higher elevations.  This was not the case.  The mice went in small patches of woodland that survived, and eventually came back out.  It is thought that these eruptions had happened in the distant past, and the mice now thrive. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/04/science/volcano-mice-pinatubo.html I think this is really interesting because these mice found a way to survive so...

 Researchers have found that the cost to transfer to net zero carbon emissions is lowering with the lowering cost of the technologies required to clean energy. If we start our reduction of carbon emissions by 2030 we will be able to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050. If this is achieve the main effects of global warming will be avoided. In order to reach this goal massive transfers to clean energy would be required and the changing of the infrastructure of oil companies as well as others. Individuals would need to transfer to clean heating and clean electric. This is important information to know and understand. We need to change the course of global warming in order to stop its catastrophic effects. Knowing that the cost of transferring is lowering is greatly important as it can assist many peoples and the worlds transfer to clean energy.  Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/01/210127122410.htm

 Link Logan Scholl Heagrety Feb, 5 2020 tied for the warmest year on record     2020 being the warmest year on record is not good because eventhough corona was a huge part of the year, global warming still was very bad. The article states " The last seven years have been the warmest seven years on record, typifying the ongoing and dramatic warming trend." With Joe Biden becoming president and him wanting to convert everything to eco friendly we have to hope he sticks to his word. If he does not I do not know if the human race will see 2100. The more time we wait the harder and longer it takes to reverse the actions.

      As climate change worsens, & temperatures & weather become more unpredictable, it's important to find things that lessen the damage. One discovery on this topic has been that dams are able to decrease the amount of flooding due to climate change. After researching dams, scientists have found that they reduce the number of people exposed to floods by 15%. Since floods are only expected to get worse within the upcoming years, this information could be helpful in keeping them at bay.     I think this could be useful if we know how to use it to our advantage. If we build more dams in places where they won't be inconvenient, it could help prevent people from facing damage due to floods. We could also strengthen existing dams in anticipation of future climate disasters. This is just one way we can try to withstand against climate change while we work to fix the damage we've already caused. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/01/210122084954.htm

Wetlands are important for several reasons. For some Indigenous tribes, like the Manobo, marshes supply food and a place to live. Also, wetlands are a place for biodiversity to thrive. Mindanao Island is home to more than 200 species of birds. Pollutions and destruction affect these precious lands in several ways. Pollutants affect the water's quality, and many wetlands are drained to make more room for industry. While some countries have taken steps to preserve wetlands, they haven't been very affective. Today, people are trying to show that they plan hasn't done enough, and we are losing a major source of freshwater. Along with natural benefits from wetlands, they also happen to be a protective factor. They can lesson damage from a costal storm on a town. Also, wetlands act like a filter for water pollutants. This article is important because I don't think a lot of people know how important these areas are. When you think about conserving land, you probably think of f...

Strictly environmental impacts

While you are learning about the food you eat and it's environmental impact, I wanted to share this about the fashion industry.  If you do not know what fast fashion is I recommend you watch this and learn.  The fashion industry has a HUGE environmental impact, and in some areas even more than food production.  Names you will recognize, Zara, Forever 21 and H & M.    

      Major Jim Kenney stated that Philly will try to become carbon neutral by 2050. This goal is going to align with Joe Biden's plans to help decrease global warming. Biden's goals, like rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement will help Philly in achieving these goals. Christine Knapp states that, "Climate does not exist just in one department." I am inclined to agree with that statement. Climate effects almost all of what we do in our daily lives, and in the government.  Link!

The mega-warehouse king? Pa. corridor that includes Lehigh Valley landed most 1 million-square-foot leases in U.S. in 2020 Did the other communities where they were built have issue like the residents do around here?