Environmental Science

Imagine a future (probably a long time from now) in which human beings have achieved environmental sustainability on a global scale. That means that we as a species have figured out how to maintain a lifestyle that can go on indefinitely. Humans will exist in harmony with their environment, not needing more resources than can naturally be replenished. What would such a world be like? How might we get there from here? Must Include the following 4 terms within the paper. : Clean Water Act, Composting, Ecotourism and Biodiesel Paragraph 1: Describe how the human relationship to nature will be different from what it is at present. Examine how humans will cope differently with the ways that natural phenomena like hurricanes affect lives. Paragraph 2: Describe what Earth’s biodiversity and ecosystems will look like in a sustainable future. Explain what humans have done differently to enable biodiversity and ecosystems to function sustainably. Paragraph 3: Examine how agricultural production will be different in a sustainable future. Paragraph 4: Differentiate between how humans will manage water resources (fresh water and ocean) in the sustainable future compared to how it is done now. Paragraph 5 Examine how humans will meet their energy needs in the future in a way that will enable maintenance of a sustainable, habitable atmosphere and climate. Indicate the changes that humans have made that are enabling them to maintain a healthy atmosphere and climate for all. Paragraph 6: Describe how waste management will be different in a sustainable future. Indicate the changes have been made to how humans think about and treat what is currently called “waste.” Paragraph 7: Summarize some of the major social, economic, political, and ecological choices and tradeoffs that will need to be overcome for this sustainable future to arrive. What are some of the major issues and challenges humans will have to face in order to achieve sustainability on a global scale?

As you have figured out by now this class is going to be even more dynamic than usual. It goes without saying that any sudden and extreme change will have an impact. Start collecting data on the cause and effect of the various epidemics and pandemic over the course of the last 100 years. Currently, what brings this to mind is the reported extent of haphazardly discarded single-use mask, Clorox wipes, and gloves. For example, if any of you have gone to the local supermarkets lately look around in the parking lot. People discard their bodily trash out in the parking lots and shopping carts. This doesn’t just create a trash issue, but a biohazard one as well. And to think people spun out of control over plastic straws. Other things to take into consideration would include our sewage treatment and plumbing systems. Flushing paper products that aren’t supposed to be flushed cause plumbing problems. So as you can see there is quite a diverse range in which this project can be taken. Be as inclusive as you can and take into note different impacts over history relative to the technology and lifestyles of the time.  Prepare and present data using text, tables, and graphs. This is a report. As I have indicated, I will reiterate human disease, transmission, and treatment can and does result in a huge diversity of environmental impact. It is your task to explore this to the fullest. 

Throughout this course, various elements have been discussed/offered, including PARTNERSHIPS with individuals, households, local officials, first responders, researchers, and others ENGAGEMENT of those at risk in communities, especially those with social capital RESILIENCE and RISK REDUCTION STRATEGIES Write: You are not only an emergency manager in your county, but also a graduate student completing your Masters in Emergency Management. After this class you discover that your office does not approach social vulnerabilities in your community in a complex way. How would you talk to your Director about the lack of attention to diverse populations before, during, and after a disaster? What items would you use from the textbook and other sources to make a persuasive argument?

Communications are critical to emergency management operations. An effective disaster communications strategy has to be in place. The mission of an effective disaster communications strategy is to provide accurate information that is timely. There is also the challenge of developing an effective emergency management media strategy that embraces new forms of media. These new forms of media have changed the way disaster information is shared with the public. For this assignment, review the media National Emergency Communications Plan. Consider a media strategy for your Final Project and how you might apply this strategy to different audiences. The assignment: (2–3 pages) Explain how emergency managers might alert the community to risks and hazards. Explain how the media strategy for the selected community incorporates different audiences (i.e., diverse stake-holders and socio-economic groups across the community). Explain how the media strategy meets the mission and assumptions of effective disaster communications.

You are the emergency manager charged with relocating and providing temporary housing for thousands of people who have just experienced a massive earthquake. Electricity is lacking, water and food resources are scarce, and more victims are approaching you for help. Many factors influence housing strategies after an incident takes place. These might include the state of the economy, real estate conditions and availability, and whether the areas are safe for residents to return to after the incident is over. Amid all the chaos, it is incumbent upon the emergency manager to coordinate the transportation, housing, and basic needs for the victims who have experienced the disaster event. For this Discussion, review the Learning Resources for this week. Think about the benefits and challenges related to the permanent relocation of residents. Consider the steps the government takes to deliver temporary and permanent housing relief. By Day 4 Post an explanation of one benefit and one challenge posed by the permanent relocation of residents. Then take a position on the appropriateness of the role of government in providing housing relief after a disaster. Justify your position. Be specific and provide examples.

Please watch this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0ikFMTuS9c Read these 2 articles http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/reports/greener-electronics-2017/ https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2017/mar/01/samsung-greenpeace-what-you-need-to-know-e-waste-smartphones-recycling Answer these questions Define the e-waste problem. What is happening and why is this an issue? What can manufacturers do to improve the situation (health, hazardous materials, recycling, refuse, etc.)?

For this assignment, you will write an essay that discusses the following components: the four characteristics of a hazardous waste, of which ignitability is one; the four lists of hazardous waste, of which one is the P list; the manifest system of tracking hazardous waste; treatment, storage, and disposal facilities in your area; two features of a hazardous waste landfill that are not in a municipal solid waste landfill; and progress made by the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)—otherwise known as the Superfund. Your paper should flow smoothly from topic to topic with thoughtful transitions. Your essay should be at least three pages in length, not counting the references page.

In addition to government support structures, the nonprofit sector also has a great deal of influence in how well disaster-affected areas recover. The American Red Cross has been instrumental in disaster recovery and response for decades. It is important to note that while there are similarities between government and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), the capacity for nongovernmental organizations to provide recovery to disaster areas may be greater than government organizations. NGOs may not be restricted by law, policy, politics, or the negative effects of bureaucracy. For this Discussion, review the Red Cross media located in this week’s Learning Resources. Consider similarities and differences between emergency recovery responses by government organizations and non-governmental organizations. With these thoughts in mind: By Day 4 Post a brief explanation of at least two similarities and two differences between emergency recovery by government organizations and nongovernmental organizations. Explain what insights you gained or recommendations you might make regarding government and non-government recovery responses and efforts as a result of doing the comparison.

Suppose a massive flood has caused large amounts of debris to block relief vehicles from reaching affected households in a community. In order for disaster relief to reach these victims, emergency managers must first coordinate debris removal to allow for delivery of relief aid. Coordinating and considering the types of debris removal is not an easy feat. For example, many emergency managers are required to estimate debris amounts before a disaster strikes. In order to facilitate debris removal, emergency management officials must have standing agreements with local cleanup crews, sanitation professionals, and other organizations that will execute the debris removal efforts. The Assignment (1–2 pages) For this Assignment, consider the development of debris estimates and the challenges faced during debris removal efforts. Then consider key stages of the debris management process. Finally, using the natural disaster that you selected for your Final Project, submit a paper on the following: Describe the types of debris that might be generated by your disaster. Explain how the amount of debris might be estimated. Explain any safety concerns that will need to be addressed. Describe the steps for the removal of debris related to your disaster. Explain how this process will be executed in your community.

Give two reasons (one per each body paragraph), Explaining either the “benefits” OR “detriments” of following a vegan diet. The essay should contain 4 parts 1. Introductory Paragraph, (This paragraph will be about 7-9 sentences in total) 2. Body paragraph 1 (This paragraph should be about 9-12 sentences in length) 3. Body paragraph 2 ( This paragraph should be about 9-12 sentences in length) 4.The Concluding Paragraph. (This paragraph will be about 6-8 sentences in total)The Veganism Effect on the EnvironmentAdapted from an article by Olivier PetterEating a vegan diet could be the “single biggest way” to reduce yourenvironmental impact on earth, a new study suggests.Researchers at the University ofOxford found that cutting meat and dairyproducts from your diet could reduce an individual’s carbon footprint fromfood by up to 73 percent.Meanwhile, if everyone stopped eating these foods, they found that global farmland use could be reduced by 75 percent, an area equivalent to thesize of the US, China, Australia and the European Union combined.Not only would this result in a significant drop in greenhouse gasemissions, but it would also free up wild land lost to agriculture, one of the primary causes for mass wildlife extinction.The new study, published in the journal Science, is one of the mostcomprehensive analyses to date into the detrimental effects farming can have on the environment and included data on nearly 40,000 farms in 119 countries. The findings reveal that meat and dairy production is responsible for 60 percent of agriculture’s greenhouse gas emissions, while the products themselves providing just 18 per cent ofcalories and 37 per cent of protein levels around the world.Researchers examined a total of 40 agricultural products in the study,covering 90 percent of all food that is eaten. They looked at how each of these impacted the environment by analyzing climate change emissions, water pollution and air pollution. Lead author Joseph Poore said “A vegan diet is probably the single biggest way to reduce your impact on planet Earth, not just greenhouse gases, but global acidification, eutrophication, land use and water use. It is far bigger than cutting down on your flights or buying an electric car,” he explained, which would only reduce greenhouse gas emissions.“Avoiding consumption of animal products delivers far better environmental benefits than trying to purchase sustainable meat and dairy,” he added.The research also looked into the different techniques used to produce the same foods and found vast distinctions in terms of environmental impacts.For example, beef cattle reared on natural pastures used 50 times less land than those raised on deforested land. The latter can lead to up to 12 times more greenhouse gas emissions by comparison. This starklycontrasts with emissions of greenhouse gases released as a result of plant-based protein production for items such as tofu and peas.Poore also explained that even production methods which are thought ofas sustainable, such as freshwater fish farming and grass-fed beef, canpose environmental problems.“Converting grass into [meat] is like converting coal to energy. It comeswith an immense cost in emissions,” he told The Guardian.Poore’s research is the result of a five-year-long project, which initiallybegan as an investigation into sustainable meat and dairy production. Hestopped eating animal products altogether himself after the first year.The next step, Poore told The Independent, is to find ways to test hisproposed approach in practice. “The problem is, you can’t just putenvironmental labels on a handful of foods and look to see if there is someeffect on purchasing,” he said.”Consumers take time to become aware ofthings, and then even more to act on them. Furthermore, the labels probably need to be in combination with taxes and subsidies. My view is that communicating information to consumers could tip the entire food system towards sustainability and accountability.”