ENVR 1301 - Vivianna Vando

  Definition of Microplastics Microplastics are defined as small plastic particles or fibers less than 5 millimeters in size. These particles are derived from petroleum-based products and are not biodegradable. Microplastics can either be primary, meaning they are intentionally manufactured at small sizes for products like exfoliating scrubs, or secondary, which are formed when larger plastic objects degrade over time due to environmental factors such as UV radiation or oceanic currents. Where Microplastics Are Found Microplastics are prevalent across a variety of environments, with the majority being concentrated in aquatic ecosystems. They are found in oceans, rivers, lakes, and even in wastewater treatment plants. Marine environments, such as beaches and shorelines, are common places where visible plastic waste accumulates. Plastic waste, however, isn’t confined to coastlines—it is also detected in freshwater systems, agricultural soils, and even in the air we breathe. Plastic p...

Air Pollution Basics Sulfur Pollutants : These sulfur gases are usually colorless but have a strong, recognizable odor. For example, hydrogen sulfide is often compared to the smell of rotten eggs. They can stay in the atmosphere for 1 to 4 days, especially if they react with other compounds nearby. Sulfur gases come from natural sources like volcanoes and wildfires—volcanoes alone can release up to 12 million tons of sulfur gases each year. While they’re not usually harmful to plants, high concentrations from accidental emissions can damage nearby vegetation. Nitrogen Pollutants : Nitrogen gases are often colorless and, in some cases, odorless, like nitric oxide. These pollutants can last longer in the air, sticking around for 4 to 7 days. They are rarely toxic to plants, so they don’t usually pose a significant threat to vegetation. Hydrocarbon and Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Pollutants : These pollutants are made up of hydrogen and carbon atoms. They mostly come from natural proc...

1. Exploratory : Mountain Top Removal (MTR) is a type of surface coal mining that's happening in Appalachia. They’ve mined over 1.2 million acres using this method, and it’s not just the landscape that takes a hit. When they blow up the mountains, all that debris ends up in nearby streams, messing up the water supply. People living near these mining areas have drinking water violations at seven times the rate of non-mining communities, and the air quality isn't great either. 2. Diagnostic : MTR only provides about 3% of the electricity the U.S. uses. Even though that’s a small amount, the U.S. has a high energy demand, so the government turned to mining in these areas to help meet it. 3. Cause and Effect : When the mountains get blown apart, streams get buried, leading to both air and water pollution. Tons of metals, sulfates, and chemicals end up in the water, contaminating billions of gallons and affecting the communities around them. 4. Priority : The big issue here is the h...

1. Exploratory Watching that video, it really hit me just how much money, material, and time goes into building a fully functional solar farm in Georgia. Crazy, right? And get this: Georgia has the largest solar panel assembly plant in the entire Western Hemisphere! It’s wild to think something that massive is right here in the U.S. The reading showed how Georgia’s solar projects absolutely skyrocketed between 2015 and 2018 compared to other states. That plant? It’s got 600 people working there, cranking out 10,000 panels every single day. That’s serious business. 2. Diagnostic Here’s the thing: most of our renewable energy is coming straight from the Sun. Solar panels make it so easy for Georgia and the rest of the country to tap into the Sun as our main go-to for alternative energy. It’s a game changer, really. We’re talking about exploring a whole new way of harnessing energy without relying on the usual, outdated, nonrenewable sources. 3. Cause and Effect Now, if we can get more of...

 1. Point of View :  The video from  American Experience  highlights the groundbreaking influence of Rachel Carson's 1962 book  Silent Spring , which completely shifted how people understood their relationship with the natural world. Carson, a biologist and author, used her platform to challenge the reckless and widespread use of chemicals, especially D.D.T., a popular pesticide. Before her work, D.D.T. was seen as a miracle chemical, widely used during World War II to prevent typhus and malaria among troops. It was even used in civilian agriculture, quickly becoming a farmer's favorite for controlling pests. However, Carson's book ignited a nationwide conversation about such practices' environmental and health consequences. Her work raised essential questions about humanity's impact on the planet, prompting people to reconsider that industrial progress could come without severe ecological costs. Carson's warnings showed how the misuse of chemicals could devasta...

 Alternative energy refers to sources commonly used in industrialized countries, often independent of traditional energy systems. This category includes renewable energy, which comes from natural processes that can. Alternative energy refers to sources commonly used in industrialized countries, often independent of traditional energy systems. This category includes renewable energy, which comes from natural processes that can be replenished indefinitely. Proponents of alternative energy frequently argue that it is safer and more accessible, as it relies on natural resources. For example, solar panels can be installed on rooftops to power household appliances like refrigerators and TVs. A key benefit of renewable energy is its sustainability; it can be harnessed for years without depleting the source. Solar energy, in particular, is considered the primary energy source for the Earth, even though only a fraction of the Sun's energy reaches the planet's surface. This energy can be...

Environmental practices like mountaintop removal and mining pose a real danger to health. This method of coal extraction involves blowing the tops off mountains and pouring the debris into the surrounding valleys and streams. The decimation of these ecosystems can only be understood as a public health hazard. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine conducted a study to ascertain just how great a risk this practice is to human health. That study was canceled during the Trump administration. In the more significant context of energy production and climate change, the "clean coal" discussion becomes even more complicated. Coal proponents argue the resource is integral to an essential, balanced energy mix. Vertical supersaturation and biodiversity loss are making it hard for U.S. coal services -- geological services that help insurers manage their risks due to coal -- to get a handle on what "clean coal" might actually be. Critics contend that the ...

  Natural resources are a significant resource in our world today. We use these resources for our everyday lives and for economic gain. All elements in nature and the environment that are used to create resources like food, shelter, and even the things we use in our everyday lives are technically called natural resources.   There are two different types of natural resources, renewable and non-renewable resources. Renewable resources are taken from the natural environment and used for sources that can create energy or that can be replaced and used constantly. For example, wind turbines are designed to generate electricity for light and cause less air pollution. On the other hand, non-renewable sources are used rapidly for heating or creating energy, but they must be replaced as they are used more quickly. For instance, a non-renewable resource is like propane, which can be used for water heaters but cannot be replaced. There is only so much propane that is being produced, where...