Davie Landfill

The Davie Landfill is located in Davie, Florida with it’s 210 acres and began operation in 1964 with the startup of the county’s garbage incinerator.  Ash from the incinerator, construction debris, and demolition debris, was placed in the landfill. The sanitary landfill also accepted construction debris, tire, and other wastes. The landfill was used for the disposal of grease trap material, septic tank sludge and treated municipal sludge.

In 1975, the incinerator was closed, because it’s emissions failed to meet the new regulations. In the early 1980's, EPA confirmed that cyanide and sulfide were present in the sludge in the basin area. All landfilling activities were shut down in 1987.

In 1988, the Broward County Public Health Unit found vinyl chloride contamination in private wells nearby and in the early 1990's, further sampling by Broward County, confirmed that vinyl chloride and antimony had contaminated the groundwater in the area. EPA required Broward County to remediate the contaminated sludge and groundwater at the landfill.

The closure of the landfill was completed in 1995.
Currently, the most recent groundwater data shows, that antimony and vinyl chloride are not present in the groundwater anymore.
Therefore EPA and FDEP(Florida Department of Environmental Protection) deleted the process from the "Superfund" or National Priorities List.

V.J.


Source: http://www.epa.gov/region4/superfund/sites/npl/florida/davlffl.html

Naval Weapons IndustrIal Reserve Plant (NWIRP)

The NWIRP is located immediately north of Hanscom Air Force Base and it is part of a huge industrial plant. The Naval Weapons IndustrIal Reserve Plant was established in 1952 when a missile and radar development laboratory was built. The Town of Bedford conducted an investigation that determined that NWIRP was a likely source of the well field contamination. The dangerous wastes generated at NWIRP include VOCs, photographic fixer, waste oil and coolants, lacquer thinner, unspecified solvents and thinners, Stoddard solvent, waste paint, and chromic, sulfuric, nitric, hydrochloric and phosphoric acids, which of most have been found in three water supply wells operated by the Town of Bedford (the wells have been closed since the chemicals have been found. For prevention of further harm their is tons of work put in a long-term cleanup focusing on the entire site.

Link: http://yosemite.epa.gov/R1/npl_pad.nsf/31c4fec03a0762d285256bb80076489c/7027d39ddd5fe3608525691f0063f6da!OpenDocument

B.K

Cleaning-up in the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands

PCB waste site is a complexional organization that consists eight separate locations scattered throughout US-administered Trust Territory and several independent islands of the Pacific. Its aim is to clean up contaminated solid and waste that exist in underground storage tanks.

After an investigation in 1982 Poly chlorinated biphenyls was founded in drums and transformers. In addition pesticides and chemicals were stored and an oil speal was obvious at one area that was used for transformers storing.

Intact transformer oil containers were stored in some subsites and were threatening public health and the environment as well. Soil was contaminated with PCBs, pesticides and other chemicals, the risk for people who came into direct contact with the soil increased and the need for a clean-up action was more necessary than ever.

This action happened in 1984 and 31 areas throughout the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands were totally clean. After some removal actions of soil, no PCBs was found and that means that the cleaning was successful .The site was safe for nearby residents and for the environment also.

N.G

Broderick Wood Products, Colorado

Although the case below hasn't received media and public response, it is still important. Broderick Wood Products site was located in Adams County, Colorado. It functioned from 1947 to 1982, and according to the EPA, BWP used several harmful substances, like creosote or pentachlorophenol. Pentachlorophenol is basically used for pesticide and it can cause cancer in human body. It is also contaminated the surrounding waters, and the underground waters too. In August 1980, BWP submitted a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, so the company could continue its operation. However no dramatic changes happened in their policy. Soon, BWP was investigated by EPA, because of their waste management practice. In 1982 BWP was closed and its assets were was transferred to a found named Broderick Investment Company (BIC). In 1984, the site was added to the National Priorities List.

In mid-90's, EPA and BIC did the cleanup progress which included the followings: „Placement of a one-foot soil cover throughout the property „, „Collect and treat contaminated groundwater” and „Demolition and removal of buildings and structures in the former process area „.

B.J.

U.S. EPA Region 5 - Fox River

I am personally attached to The Fox River Superfund site. Seeing that I spent four years in De Pere, Wisconsin, I witnessed the efforts of the authorities to clean this river, which was highly significant to the local community.


The river portion of the site extends from Lake Winnebago outlet and continues downstream to the mouth of the river in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The site also includes all of Green Bay, from the city of Green Bay to the point where the bay enters Lake Michigan. The entire site is divided into five operable units (OU), for the purpose of analyzing and implementing remedial actions on the basis of similar features and characteristics (e.g. physical and geographical characteristics).


This river is on the NPL because it is contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). PCB is hazardous substance and probable human carcinogen. The river sediment contains around 51,000 pounds of PCB's, and Grenn Bay sediment has additional 154,000 pounds of this substance. The Fox River was previously a traditional spot for fishing and recreation, and since fish in this waters contains PCB, people in this area may suffer adverse health effects. Due to such situation, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) issued fish consumption advisory in 1976 and State of Michigan did the same the following year.

This project has been the largest sediment cleanup ever, and so far it has been successful. The level of PCB's is lower than it was before the clean up started, and if the trend continues, the fish advisories may be relaxed soon. The results are visible on every step: there has been an increase in fishing boats and people finally started to enjoy the river daily. The estimated cost of the project is $400 million, and the expected year of completion is 2017.

B.T.

Bennington Municipal Sanitary Landfill.

The Bennington land site fill can be found off the Houghton land in Bennington United States of America. The site served as a dumping area for most industries around it for almost 6 years between 1969 and 1975. Due to this dumping of dangerous waste from industries, the passage of water through underground level drainage system got contaminated.

This posed a threat to most of the rural inhabitants of Bennington as most of them had dug well in their houses. The site of the land fills included lead and other deadly and poisonous compounds from the toxic waste poured on the land.

However, the approach to clean up the site was focused on two different phases. The first was a process called the NTCRA (Non Time Critical Removal Action) this process involved the close fitting of the surface of the Landfill site, the deviation of both ground and surface water and finally, the removal and cleaning of the toxic wastes. Although the second phase was just to make sure that the removal of waste was no longer needed again I.E. first phase.

The E.P.A responded to the Bennington Landfill site in 1994 with an interim idea of reducing the bringing in of anything that can infect the landfill site and the underground water beneath it. However earlier in 1991, a team accessed the amount at which the landfill was contaminated and how dangerous it could be to the people around it.

In final attempts to rid this area of toxic waste chemical from the landfill site, a multi barrier cover was placed over the whole Bennington site landfill to make it safer. Also in 1998, the E.P.A signed and agreed that not further steps should be made on the site since all necessary steps have been taken to ensure safety. However, an inspection of the Bennington site takes places every 5 years to ensure safety.

Landfill and Resource Recovery

The Landfill and Resource Recovery is a site plenty of landfill from commercial, municipal and industrial wastes, therefore the air is contaminated and polluted. The groundwater is also contaminated from waste liquids and from rainwater which enters the landfilled wastes. The surface water of the site is also contaminated with lead. Many thousands of people live around the site which are surrounded by uncontrolled gaseous emissions from the landfill.
One of the most important environmental threat was to the wetlands around the site, nevertheless the clean-up action succeed into reducing the soil erosion from the landfill.
A fence was built in order to limit gaseous emissions and to reduce the potential of being exposed to dangerous materials. Also, a construction of a cap which will prevent the access of any gases under the cap was one idea which came true.
Nowadays, the EPA and the State are working on coming up with new restrictions and regulations at the site for its land and groundwater.

C.C.

Aberdeen Proving Ground in Edgewood, MD

Aberdeen Proving Ground is located in Edgewood, MD, where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Susquehanna River. As a native Marylander, I have heard many controversies over this location. The site is  the location of a military base, and used to house chemical weapons, however, these weapons were reportedly destroyed following September 11th. According to the EPA, this site is designated as one of the most contaminated sites in America on the National Priority List, which is was officially added to in February of 1990. Cleanup began in 1991.
In addition to the storage of chemical weapons, but since 1917 the site has been doing various chemical research and testing, which has led to the area being highly contaminated.The EPA has identified over 100 sites in this area that are needing of cleanup.
Because the military base is located in this area, the US Army is funding this cleanup.
What concerns me is the location of this site. It is located right on the bay, and there have been issues with potential chemical contamination of the water there. This area is also fairly populated, which makes me worry about the ramifications of these sites on the residents.

-L.J.

Rachel Carson's Silent Spring: Educating the masses on DDT

 The book silent spring, can be said to be one of the major factors pushing and encouraging the American environmental movement during the 1970, and also credited for the facilitation towards the ban of the pesticide DDT(dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane). The book was written by Rachel Carson a well-known writer on natural history, and the book was published by Houghton Mifflin on 27th September, 1962. 

The book "Silent Spring" was used by Rachel Carson as a means of sharing the effect of this pesticide on the environment, humans(when consumed) and on birds whom are one of the biggest species of pest affected by the chemical component of the pesticide. The book described in details the history and effect of those various chemical pesticides which were at that time, being widely used on American farms and lawns with lots of it mostly focused on the toxic DDT. She was able to describe this dangerous chemical starting from the way it was being mad, to the way it was being used, and finishing with the way in which it affected the environment. This lead to raising the biggest ever reactions by citizens over an issue concerning the environment.

The book was a hit not because of the writers popularity, not because because of the show about Carson which were aired on CBS which also helped in increasing her popularity in some ways, but mainly because of supinely amazing contents which lived in it. The book is still important until tomorrow and deserves to be put among the list of most important things in Human history, because the book did not just come out and stop the use/production of the pesticide DDT, but also it can also be said to be one of the leading factor behind Environmentalism as we know it today.
K.M.J

Now even big car brands start real work on the electronic car market.

Almost two weeks ago the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show was hosted and BMW’s stand had one of the biggest audience as the introduced two of their new concept electronic cars. The small city car is on sale this year and its actually locks fabulous it is the new i3. The big attraction is on sale next year. This is the i8 which brings electric sport cars onto the streets. Not to forget both the i3 and i8  statistics beat most cars in their size category.

To read more about these fantastic cars follow the link: http://www.evcarco.com/evcarco/tag/bmw-electric-car/

B.K.

Mammoth skeleton found in Siberia

In the spotlight of media headlines was again the “prehistoric elephant” Mammoth as a fisherman in Siberia has discovered a complete skeleton of the animal.

Russian experts characterized the discovery as very rare. Alexander Kerzhayev (deputy director of the museum in the small town of Novoselovo) has been in the area around 14 years and that was the first time that he had to deal with such a discovery.

Experts estimate that Mammoth died in the age of 50 as they observed by its backbone, skull, teeth and tusks.

The bad news is that Mr. Alexander’s small museum has neither the equipment nor the money to dig out the mammoth and nobody seems to care. It is remarkable that the experts are waiting for more discoveries as the climate changes and the ice melts, probably more extinct species will appear to the surface.

N.G

You can read more here : http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5008664.stm

“Silent Spring” A priceless treasure in our book collection

“Man's attitude toward nature is today critically important simply because we have now acquired a fateful power to alter and destroy nature. But man is a part of nature, and his war against nature is inevitably a war against himself “Rachel Carson. These wise words are enough to realize the majesty of a woman who devoted her life fighting for humanity’s common good.

At a time where technological development dominated the world and nobody was cared about nature even if it was threatened, Rachel Carson by her book Silent Spring(was published in 1962) fired up the beginning for the environmental movements. She analyzed the damage that DDT insectide can produce to the whole nature, how it is transmitted and in what ways can affect our life.

In addition, the evidences that she present for DDT’S responsibility for human deaths, sensitize even the U.S president John F. Kennedy who ordered to examine the issues the book raised. After a closer supervision of the topic by the Government, DDT was eventually banned improving that Rachel was right.

Silent Spring emerged the need to regulate the industry in order to protect Nature. Environmentalism was born as this book awakening the human conscience, reminding us that by destroying environment is like we destroy our first home.

N.G

http://www.nrdc.org/health/pesticides/hcarson.asp

Why DDT was banned

This picture was published in an advertisement in 1947 in the Time Magazine, claiming DDT was good for people, homes and farms. It took 20 years for scientists to realize how dangerious it was.

DDT is a synthetic compound used as an insecticide and pesticide to fight human illnesses and agricultural pests,but it was banned in the seventies, because it was proven toxic and dangerous.

Despite being prohibited as a pesticide, its medical use continues, especially to control malaria.

Dicloro-Difenil-Tricloroetanol (DDT) is a compound soluble in oils and organic solvents, although insoluble in water.

Despite having been synthesized in 1874, its amazing insecticide properties (it was defined as the "miracle compound", given its effects) weren't discovered until 1939, coinciding with the beginning of World War II, where it was used successful to combat typhus, malaria and other illnesses transmitted by mosquitos and other insects, among both the troops and the civilian population.

After the war, the efficiency of DDT extended its use as a pesticide and its production increased dramatically. DDT was used in a generalized manner to protect crops from pests worldwide, until the 1970s when the public learned about the environmental effects of using this synthetic compound.

Some examples why DDT was banned and what changes it can do in the environment:

When birds like the peregrine falcon ate several different contaminated prey animals, they suddenly had huge concentrations of DDT in their body. Consequentially, the chemicals damaged their eggs so, that the shells were too thin to protect the chicks, and the eggs would easily break at the slightest touch.

The grass that the cows eat is sprayed with DDT and the cow eats it. Then the cow's milk is infected with DDT. The people drink the milk and get DDT in their system and as the DDT moves up the food chain, it gets increasingly concentrated and more dangerous.

The impact on birds and many other animals led to the banning of the pesticide. Now modern pesticides are water-soluble and the human body does not store them, people pee them out.

V.J.

Rachel Carson's Silent Spring

The book that started the environmental movement as we know it

Many books, be they academic or not, have changed the world as we know it today. These books have had the great impact on masses, and will never be forgotten. Every sphere of life has at least one book that changed the way we think about it, and the environment is no exception. The environmental movement today is very strong, and challenges politicians and corporations to take care of the environment that we all share. But 50 years ago the situation was completely different. No one believed that humans can create something that could harm the "Mother Earth". And then everything changed when, in September of 1962, Silent Spring hit the shelves.

Rachel Carson, the author of Silent Spring, is one of the most important individuals of the movement even today. A scientist with a fine writing touch was the first one to warn the public about the dangers of chemical pesticides. In her book, she wrote extensively about the history and effect of the chemical pesticides that were widely used on American farms and lawns. It mostly focused on the toxic DDT, which she described in tiniest detail, from the the way it was made, over the way it was used, to the way it affected the environment. It raised the biggest citizen reaction over environmental issues as never before.

The book became an instant success, partly due to the serialization in the New Yorker, partly because of the show on CBS about Carson, but mostly because of its amazing content. No other author had attacked chemical industry, and farmers as directly and aggressively as Rachel Carson did. The biggest impact on the citizens in the U.S. made the fact that the synthetic pesticides cannot only endanger our environment, but that they also pose a great threat to our health, and the health of our off-springs. This knowledge directly, in combination with the social turmoil of the time, led to the first Earth Day in 1970, the most massive single  environmental protest in the U.S.

Having been diagnosed with cancer, Rachel Carson has shown to us that what we produce can greatly and very negatively affect the environment. Her book, her attitude, as well as the ideas she endorsed regarding the environment preservation have ignited the environmental movement as we know it today.

BT

Insecticides and Pesticides - killing unwanted plants or killing us?

Nowadays many kinds of insecticides and pesticides are made in order to prevent a huge loss of agriculture production for example. Insecticides are used against the insects in agriculture, medicine and industry. On the other hand, the pesticides are chemicals used to protect the plants and destroy any pests.

Humans every day produce more synthetic chemicals that can enter into our bodies. Enzymes are the proteins that are doing all the functions needed in our body, but some of the insecticides have the ability to destroy our enzymes. By using the typical house cleaners and sprays we put ourselves in danger. Many deaths were caused by this chemicals. Even if everybody knows the danger of these chemicals, every year there are new ones made by humans that can harm and destroy not only human bodies, but also animals, birds and plants. By living in an environment full of chemicals and pollution, the human body absorbs them without realizing it, the new born baby receives the toxic chemicals from his mother. It is like a cycle which started many decades ago and impossible to stop taking into consideration the fact that those toxic chemicals are to be found everywhere.

DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) is one insecticide which toxic for human beings, birds, animals and plants. Birds are the one who are the most in danger. Many species died after entering into contact with this toxic.
Several other chemicals are used widely, thousands of deaths are registered per year and we still use them in our daily life.

The desire to kill the unwanted pests, insects in agriculture and industry made us to invent new chemicals which at the end of the line are killing us and the entire ecosystem.
Is it hard to come up with a new idea concerning this and to think about other solutions when everything seems to work. Indeed, we just take in consideration the fact that those chemicals kill the unwanted plants, but we do not pay attention to other harms produced by them.

C.C.

FIGHTING ILLEGAL POACHING.

Everyone knows how important animals are to this planet and the environmental ecosystem in general. They help to keep a balance in nature. Even as we humans like to adore their beauty, some people are also causing damage to the lives of these animals. Animal poaching as referred to is the illegal killing or taking away of wildlife. Animals like the Elephants and the Rhinoceros are among the animals affected by poaching.

According to the council for scientific and industrial Research in south Africa, the number of Rhino poaching rose to about 668 in South Africa this year. The number has ever since been increasing since 2011 in south Africa. The reason for this increase is because of the Ivory which the tusk of these animals possess. Surprisingly, the demand for the use of ivory is ever increasing in many countries in different parts of the world most notably Vietnam.

Although the issue of poaching has gained recognition in different parts of the world yet, stricter measure need to be put in place to protect the community of wildlife. Just last week, a very wealthy man was from Vietnam was arrested. According to the WWF he was said to have a driving force for Rhino Horns because he believed the horns symbolizes wealth and power. More actions needed to be put in place, in order to silence such believes like this one. In some parts of Africa today the Ivory from the tusk of these two animals; the Elephant and the Rhinoceros are worth more than gold itself.

However we have organizations tackling the issue of illegal poaching, but more actions needed to be done. A driving force against poaching of rhinoceros and Elephants in Africa Clive Stockil , was able to raise the amount of the 20 black African Rhinoceros which were endangered to 143 presently. The numbers are still growing, but this shows that there is a future against illegal poaching of these animals. Another organization against this is the Tusk Foundation spearheaded by the duke and duchess of Cambridge. Our animals do have a future and lets give hope to them by putting an end to illegal poaching!

S.O.O

DDT: deadly poison or life saver?

The DDT is one of the most famous and disputed insecticide which was discovered in 1939 by Paul Müller. Its was used to solve the malaria and typhus problem. At the beginning scientist welcomed the new compound and Paul Müller won the Nobel Prize. However later they realized that it is much more harmful than helpful.

In Rachel Carson's book we can read several statements about DDT's harmful effects. The most unequivocal finding is that, the compound kills useful insects as well as baleful insects.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency introduced restriction actions, thus the compound was banned in 1970. In Hungary DDT was banned in 1968 first in the world.

There is no argument about that the DDT is the most effective insecticide according to our knowledge. “In terms of efficiently, there is no other insecticide which could compete with DDT” said Don Roberts, tropical diseases expert of Uniformed Services University, to National Geographic.

He also thinks that, in malaria-stricken areas, basically in the developing world, DDT should be used once a year.

The Sierra Club environmental organization has recognized the effectiveness of DDT in the fight against malaria. “We do not oppose the use of DDT in the developing world” said Ed Hopkins, head of Sierra Club.

Where the malaria situation is serious it might be important to consider to use it. But the main problem is that scientists have no idea how to use it so that the usage does not effect the environment. In its current form DDT is life-threatening. Experts recommend that DDT should not scatter everywhere, but to “dusting” it in little quantities on the house walls. This method could be less harmful on the human and natural environment.

For more information, please visit

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/08/060801-ddt-malaria.html 

B.J

Peaceful Protest in the Digital Age

Last week, the United States House of Representatives Subcommittee on Energy and Power held a meeting discussing the details of President Obama's Climate Action Plan. In the audience were members of an organization called "Polluter Watch," a group dedicated to taking action against "corporate polluters [and] their influence peddlers." However, these members garnered a great deal of attention as they all wore tinfoil hats to the hearing. This was a jab at Committee Chair Fred Upton, a Conservative who is viewed to be an "enemy" by many environmentalists. This stunt got even more attention when the Sierra Club tweeted: "Hey, @RepFredUpton - these folks at the hearing have your hat for you when you are done. #ActOnClimate" (for those that don't understand, tinfoil hats are worn by people who believe it will prevent mind control by outside forces, thus implying that Upton is being manipulated by corporate interests). 
One historic way environmental organizations have gotten their voice out is through peaceful, yet attention-grabbing demonstration. With social media, these stunts can spread across the world in a matter of minutes. Polluter Watch has only 717 Twitter followers (no word on how many followers were before the stunt), but being tweeted by The Sierra Club, who has over 81,000 followers certainly got their name out there. The other thing that makes this stunt interesting is that it uses humor. In politics, debate is often a process of push and pull, and these forces eventually cancel out. But humor is a great way to transcend the dullness of debate, and can often be a very effective way to make a point, when used properly. 
One drawback of this stunt is that some people may have a hard time deciphering what exactly Polluter Watch is trying to say, but this small environmental organization did manage to successfully get their name out there.

L.J.

DICHLORODIPHENYLTICHLOROETHANE.

DDT meaning Dichlorodiphenyl Trichloroethane was one of the major organic chemicals that sparked  debates in the mid 20th century. Most especially because of the cure of malaria and some other health problems. According to Rachael Carsons's book, DDT causes damage to the man's body and other mammals both on land and on the sea and further spreading to some agricultural product we consume.

Despite the fact that a Swiss chemist in 1939 discovered the chemical could used as an insecticide and  to also cure malaria, the use of DDT was later banned in some countries in different parts of the world. Rachael Carson proposed that the chemical even though it had the properties to cure diseases and other things,  could also cause damage to man's organ and his body. Organs like the Liver, kidneys and lungs are among  the ones vulnerable to this chemical if come in contact with and could further result into cancer. She further mentioned that the chemical also affected the ocean life and threatened the US bird extinctions. However  these claims by Carson were also addressed by Robert Zurin in his book The truth about DDT and the  silent spring.

For example, about the case of DDT causing cancer in the human, Robert explained that between 1960 and 1970, a normal American can ingest DDT in food at around 30 micrograms per day ( 1gram=1,000 kilograms=1,000,000 micrograms). Elaborating on this, he mentioned that the evidence of this fact of cancer are false as many studies on different kinds of cancer like lungs cancer, breast cancer, liver cancer and more did not show a relative association between the exposure to the chemical DDT.  This meant that even if some one had consume food that contains DDT chemicals in them, the results of the test carried out showed that other factors caused these factors and not the DDT chemical itself.

DDT was a very useful chemical in fact when the chemical was banned, the increase in death rate from malaria alone increased immediately in different countries in Africa. Although DDT can be dangerous, according to what Carson Proposed, but it can also be useful in the same way.

For more on Robert Zurin's points about the DDT and its use, Please visit http://www.thenewatlantis.com/publications/the-truth-about-ddt-and-silent-spring

S.O.O

Rachel Carson and DDT: Conflicting Information

Despite how long the debate has raged over DDT, the scientific community has still not come to an unanimous decision over whether the risks outweighs the benefits. DDT was applauded as a miracle pesticide at its invention, but slowly evidence of the harm it can cause came to the surface, culminating in a ban on its use in the United States in the early 1970's.
However, in some countries, DDT's use is being debated, particularly because of its potential to kill malaria spreading mosquitos in places like Africa. Opponents of DDT bring up the heath risks that DDT creates, such as fertility issues. (http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=ddt-use-to-combat-malaria)
This debate reminds me of the debate over GMO's. GMO's were applauded when they were created, but, much like DDT, concerns began to be raised about their safety. However, since certain GMO products can assist greatly in countries that have food shortage issues, so this is also a cost/benefit analysis between a major worldwide cause of mortality versus scientific manipulation that does not have completely substantiated proof of the harm it causes. However, GMO's have not been around as long as DDT which concerns me. One of the main points in the debate over GMO's is that there have not been enough studies of the harm GMO's cause. I'm sure this point was raised when people initially became concerned about DDT, and since it has been proven to be harmful, I am skeptical of what GMO studies will eventually conclude.

L.J.

Pollution in the world

Pollution has its origins from the prehistoric times when men first invented fires, since then it became a major problem in all countries from the world. It began to draw the attention of many people around the world. Big cities like

 New York, Tokyo, London or Johannesburg are faced to this problem every day. Pollution can be caused by men but also by natural actions.

Natural catastrophes which cause pollution are pollen dispersal, volcanic eruptions, forest fires caused by high temperature. The Chernobyl accident,the result of a flawed reactor is one of the most famous radioactive accidents which caused an enormous pollution to many victims in Ukraine and in its neighbor countries. Everyday, all human actions cause pollution without realizing it. Starting by driving a car in the morning, and ending up throwing a cigarette not in the right place can lead to serious environmental destruction. Almost 35% of the carbon monoxide emission is produced by the use of private cars in cities. The other 65% of emissions are from the industries and manufacturing activities. Manufacturing industries and power plants are the ones who emit the most of carbon monoxide and other chemicals into the air. Even the products we use at home, such as household cleaning products are not just emitting chemicals into the air, but also we breathe them, which is not the best for us. If breathing those chemicals can cause health problems for humans, then imagine how much harm they can produce to the environment? 

Marine pollution is another major problem nowadays. We don't really see it so we don't really think about it every day, this being the first problem. Everyday, different kinds of oil, agricultural pesticides or plastic products are thrown in water. With the international commerce, each day we find ships and different vessels on the sea exporting industrial products from one country to another.  Almost seven hundred million gallons of oil enters annually in seas and oceans. Chemical products from the industrial waste kills and shortens the growth of shellfish and other fish reproductions.

Some of the world cities are doing the "car free day" which is a way to stop and reduce air pollution and prevent environmental destruction, yet not all of humans respect that day. Also, there are other government ideas to stop pollution like the "bike to nature", the day when people are suppose to bike instead of using their cars or public transport. Humans have to start thinking about the environment. The marine, land and other industrial societies should not be comfortable with the earths pollution but instead think of a way to stop them.

C.C.

Large Aquifers found in Kenya

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/12/world/africa/aquifers-discovered-in-drought-ridden-kenya.html?ref=science&_r=0
There was a major discovery this week of several underground aquifers in Kenya, which were found in a joint effort by the United Nations Educational, Cultural, and Scientific Organisation (UNESCO) and the Kenyan government. One aquifer, the Lotikipi Basin, is estimated to be the size of Rhode Island, and several smaller aquifers were also found. Together, these aquifers are estimated to contain over 66 trillion gallons of water reserves. In a country where almost half the population has no access to drinking water, and even more people do not have properly sanitised water, this discovery could be crucial.
However, aquifers are not an entirely renewable resource. For example, many aquifers found in the United States were depleated faster than they could naturally replenish. When these aquifers run out, you are left with a potential lack of water in an entire community, as well as negative geological repercussions such as sinkholes. Although the article stated that the aquifers are estimated to replenish 898 billion gallons of water yearly, will that replenishment rate be enough in a country where these aquifers will be so heavily relied on for drinking and agriculture? 66 trillion is such an incomprehensibly large number that it would be easy to be ignorant of the fact that the aquifer may not last forever. With a discovery of this magnitude in a country that so desperately needs water, it would be detrimental to Kenyan society if this water basin was depleted. I hope that UNESCO realises how important is it to utilise proper environmental management in this situation in order to preserve these aquifers before they become over-exploited like so many in the United States. However, if managed properly, this aquifer could be a cruical factor in greatly improving the lives of many Kenyans.
 Hopefully, UNESCO can continue to carry out similar efforts in other areas where access to water is a concern.

L.J.

Greenpeace protest at Shell's Formula One

Greenpeace continued its publicity war against Shell with a great mischief at the Belgian F1 Grand Pix (August 28, 2013) event sponsored by the oil company. The Greenpeace broke into the Shell Belgian Grand Pix site, created banners as SaveTheArctic.org, they simply wanted to awake people's interests against Shell's plans to study Arctic drilling. 

During the trophy ceremony, Greenpeace activated a banner, a man in a suit climbed on stage to take it down as the German national anthem played behind him. When the man finished pulling it down the environmentalists released the second one. 

The video drew 240,000 views on YouTube before Formula One asked that it be taken down for copyright reasons. Shell later cancelled its 2013 Arctic drilling plans, but it has since  filed permits to study oil prospects in the region.

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/video/2013/aug/27/shell-belgian-f-1-grand-prix-greenpeace-protest

Virag Kiss

Another 668 were killed

2012 was the year of a new record in the animal world, poachers killed 668 rhinoceros in South Africa. The reason is simple. The price of a rhino horn on the black market approximately costs 65 000 dollars. The 668 also a shocking data because only 20 000 rhinoceros live in South Africa and this number is the 90% of the worldwide rhino population. The number of killed animals has nearly doubled compared to last year. The half of the cases happened in the Kruger National Park. The South African authorities ordered the deployment of military forces which includes aircraft forces and increased number of soldiers in the territory. U.S President Barack Obama himself deals with the problem. He offered 10 million dollars to roll back the poaching.

B.J

http://worldwildlife.org/press-releases/rhino-poaching-toll-in-south-africa-reaches-new-high

United Kingdom's plans on nuclear reactors.

In the U.K. there have been lot of work in deciding on its issue of the 8 nuclear reactors closing down in the next 10 years. The government of U.K has now decided to build new rectors and to keep the old ones running for some more time. This was very important to keep the lights of U.K on. Most of the debate was held on that how would the cost of these changes work out for United Kingdom as the old reactors would cost no more than 1 billion British Pounds although it was sold for 12.5 billion.

To read more about this issue here is the link: 

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=uk-keeps-old-reactors-and-plans-new-ones

B.K

US to destroy ivory stocks in effort to stop illegal elephant poaching

Obamas government shows again its efforts to stop the illegal ivory trade which is a huge threaten for elephant specie. Obamas administration has announced on Monday  that 6m tons of seized ivory will be destroy in public which is going to take place at white house on 8th October.

This event steps up the efforts to crush the ivory trade and send also a caution to its traders that humanity is going to act against them. Around 35.000 African elephants were killed for their tusks last year. If this fact is going to be continued, in the next 10 years African forests elephants will be extinct.

N.G.

If you want to read more about this article click on the link below: http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/sep/09/us-ivory-stocks-illegal-elephant-poaching

Monsters of the Deep: Jellyfish Threaten the World's Seas

Jellyfish infestations along beaches worldwide are troubling tourists and scientists alike. It is a creature that thrives on over-fishing and pollution. But how dangerous is it for the ecosystem?

In the last few years the beaches of seas and oceans are covered often with dead jellyfishes which came with the waves, but there is no real answer where from.

A researcher and oceanographer from Barcelona, Maria Gili tells in an artcile that jellyfishes are a mysterious species amd they are hard to study.

The "Jellyfication" is a global problem and it's cause is probably the over-fishing of the seas and oceans and its's threathening for a lot bathers at the coasts of popular beach places around the world.

More and more scientists are trying to find an answer for the jellyfish issue, but it is probably the cause of pollution.

V.J.

Shell to Negotiate With Nigerians Over 5years Old Oil Spill

          After 5 years of what can be described to be the worse ever Oil spill in the histroy of Nigeria as a crude oil producing nation, that affected 15,000 fishermen and 31,000 inhabitants of 35 villages in and around the Bodo lagoon and its associated waterways, the Royal Dutch oil company(Shell) has began having talks with the representatives for the Bodo community on compensation and cleanup plans/conditions which would help in overseeing this project. The oill spill's (there were two oil spills) that started in 2008, led to the largest  ever recorded loss of a mangrove habitat which was ever to have been caused by an oil spill, and it also affected about 30,000 people in the Niger Delta area since that time according to a London based law firm "Leigh Day."

          The news of this developnment can be said to be a very welcoming news, as since the occourance of the oil spill in 2008, life for this people as been hell as they have had to live on creek of oil. According to lawyer Daniel Leader of Leigh Day that is representing about 15,000 people from the community that filed a lawsuit in 2012, stepping out of the doors of this people's house, first thing on your sight is oil, when breating in you breath in oil and toxic fumes. The talks which began on Monday the 9th of September, 2013, is not expected to go any easy on both side as their is still a large dispute over the quantity of oil that spilled into the area which Shell claims to be around 4000+ and the amount on compesation which Shell is offering $20million with Leigh Day and her clients sueing for $200million.

          To read more on this story, please visit the links below. Thank you

  http://www.ibtimes.com/five-years-after-devastating-oil-spills-nigeria-shell-may-finally-cough-millions-1404212

 http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/shell-negotiate-nigerians-oil-spill-20197246

 http://leadership.ng/news/110913/tackling-environmental-challenges-oil-pollution-nigeria

     K.M-J

SHINE THE LIGHT!!!

                                                        SHINE THE LIGHT!!!

                                        

            Everyone knows how important light is to human and other living organisms in the world.  Thinking about a bottle of water, the first and probably the only thing one can think of is to consume the water from the lifeless bottle itself. Well it appears there is more to a bottle of clean water than it seems. With the use of bleach, it actually turns out that one can create electricity or light in a dark room. Different people from parts of the Philippines, Kenya, Tanzania,Uganda and alot more other countries are beginning to witness the power of these three things i.e the bottle, water and bleach. The Idea which was introduced by some MIT students and developed by My shelter foundation is now paving way for a new way of creating a greener environment. It has also offered and created hope for living with people without access to electricity.

            It might sound weird at first but how does this works? First you get a clean bottle and fill it up with clean water. Add a little bit of bleach into the bottle of water in order to prevent algae from growing. When this process is done, you cut a hole in your roof and place the bottle through the hole in such a way that half of the bottle is inside the house and the other half is outside the roof. Seal the bottle with glue or an adhesive in order to hold it firm. Immediately the sun hits the bottle, it sends and the tilts the light from the sun through the bottle in to the dark room to make light!

            Organizations like the daylight project in Kampala Uganda are distributing this idea freely to give light to houses during the day temporarily. For sure this is a really green innovation and it help to provide light to dark stricken slums and communities all over the world. The video below further explains how the whole process can be done.

http://edition.cnn.com/video/?/video/international/2013/09/09/spc-inside-africa-innovation-uganda-b.cnn

 For more reading on this click on the link below:

http://www.treehugger.com/sustainable-product-design/myshelter-foundation-lighting-up-homes-with-a-plastic-bottle-and-some-chlorine.html

http://phys.org/news/2011-09-bottle-brighten-millions-poor-homes.html

S.O.O.

Again with the Apologies

The incredible rise of the Chinese industry didn't come without cost. It is fallowed by equally incredible rise of the environmental degradation. The level of this degradation was obvious to everybody that came to see the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008. For many visitors coming outside of China, stepping outside of sporting arenas came with the shock that almost spoiled otherwise excellent show put up by the Chinese Government. People complained that they can actually "smell" the level of pollution in China's capitol. This shock is unfortunately a part of the everyday life for Chinese citizens. Five years later, the situation hasn't improved at all, if not even worsened. The incident on the Fu river is just one of many examples of terrible environmental situation in China.

What strikes me most about it, is that one simple public apology by the company who spilled toxic material into the river and killed fish and other living organisms, and the promise that the workers responsible will be punished was enough for the Chinese government. As if the workers themselves decided to spill the toxic material into the river. We see this happening in most of the rising third world countries. Local governments give international and national companies free rein to pollute in order to keep profits and jobs in their provinces. What is even worse, the company found that many other entities, even farmers who live of the clean water form the Fu river are also heavy polluters of it. As long as the potential for economic growth and profit has the higher priority than the planet on which we live on, things like this will continue to happen. The Chinese Government and its local governments need to strike the balance between profits and environmental protection, or that same profit will be in vain.

BT

Baby Wipes Threaten DC Sewer System

In the past two decades, America has spent hundreds of millions of dollars improving Washington D.C.'s antiquated sewer system to bring up to the standards of contemporary environmental regulations. Now, that system is under threat--from baby wipes.

Disposable baby wipes, dental floss, paper towels, and many other consumables lead to 'ragging', clogging the interior pipes of the D.C.'s sewers. Products labeled 'flushable' are in reality not. D.C. has spent over $1 million in the last year on heavy-duty grinders as well as over 500 man hours of labor that could have gone elsewhere to clear the system of clogs created by wipes and similar products--suggesting that regulation might now be aimed at product labeling.

M.A.