Summary: The Scientific American's article on Used batteries is about the usage of electric car batteries to help store energy for other useful tasks for Americans. Though most EV batteries have a 8-10 year life span there is a big possibility energy companies can use them for renewable energy. The study said,"Instead of recycling them immediately, the thousands of batteries that will be coming out of electric vehicles in the coming years could be re-purposed, leading to a flood of inexpensive batteries that can provide energy storage services for customers, utilities, and grid operators" (page 1). Car companies such as Nissan and Tesla are considering this offer too because there would be a profit for them and their consumers. Consumers of the EV cars such as the Nissan LEAF, could turn in their old batteries for a profit of at least $2,400! California's energy standard is quite high and would take a while for the amount of batteries it would take considering the life span. California has been "pushing" for more energy storage and has passed 100,000 energy sufficient cars; this would make California a good test subject for using refurbished batteries. Doing this recycling is a good option to see what the "secondary market" development will look like. Using old electric car batteries is an amazing option for renewable energy especially in a huge state like California.
Reflection: In this article I was curious to see what exactly they meant by used batteries helping California. After reading I felt like I needed to go buy an electric car just so I could help! Though I cannot this is a very neat idea and believe the companies should go through with it. As big as California is we need all the energy we can get. Also, knowing California has the biggest statistic for purchased electric cars we should use this to our advantage and test it out. I think that even with a long life span for the batteries the idea should not leave the table. If we can use used car batteries to fuel other activities or buildings and such then, do so because energy is something most people cannot go with out. This way we are not throwing these hazardous waste material away so quickly thus, reducing pollution. Money is always a big topic when doing something like this and it isn't that bad of an investment. CEO's and consumers would make a profit just by selling and giving these precious batteries. I believe this article should be read by everyone, maybe it'll spark great ideas just like this one.
Summary: University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science has a group of scientists who have developed a new tool using genetic analysis and modeling approaches. This tool is used to see how the plants and tree species are reacting to the Earth's rapid climate change. These scientists took samples from the northern North America and analyzed how each tree species is reacting to the warmth. Lead author Matt Fitzpatrick of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science's Appalachian Laboratory stated, "When climate changes, organisms have three choices: migrate, adapt, or go extinct"( Para. 2). Trees and plants cannot just get up and leave when their environment changes like humans can, they have to withstand the change or die. Plant species also do not all react the same, most people think they are identical, but they are not. Some survive better than other just like some humans survive diseases better than others. The scientists have used the genetic analysis and modeling approaches to test "balsam polar" trees, the sampled 400 trees from 31 different locations. The group from the University want to know how important and the difference in genetic variation. This is telling the scientists where and where not trees will be pre-adapted to climates in the future.
Reflection: ScienceDaily's article on climate change affecting species that cannot get out of the way is very intriguing. Conducting experiments on a molecular level is a deep analysis on fixing this issue. I believe the University is making real progress in helping our fellow organisms around us. We human beings are a big part of the increase in climate which is causing the extinction of not only trees/plants but also animals. Animals including us are adapted to certain environments and are not able to adapt which is very upsetting. Genetic analysis and modeling on maps is a step forward in the right direction but there is still so much to be done to save these amazing living things.
Summary: Every day higher ozone level are occurring. Rising levels can potentially harm plants, vegetation, and people. Even with reduction in omissions of greenhouse gases this developing issue can still harm what is below it. Without the education more people need on this issue it can be detrimental to human health. Ozone levels skyrocketing will not only affect USA it will affect the whole world; most people are narrow minded and tend to think global issue will only affect them or their country. Dr. Val Martin explains,"'Ozone affects photosynthesis, causing pigmentation on leaves, stunting growth and reducing yield'" (P.7). Being more stringent on levels of methane and greenhouse gasses will reduce ozone levels will help keep humans, crops, and plants healthier.
Reflection: The future air quality is in our hands and it is diminishing. The ozone layer is depleting every year and is starting to show results that it can be potentially harmful to humans and the vegetation all around us. With global warming an issue, the summer months which show high ozone levels, this will only help increase the damage it can do. Daily human activities all cause emission or waste of some sort which also is in the cycle of high ozone levels. Dr. Val Martin's idea and opinion on the ozone affecting photosynthesis is true and affecting pigmentation and photosynthesis will in turn ruin our crops, air quality, and overall health for animals and people. I think that if we do not improve our release of emissions faster, we are setting our selves up for doom.
Summary: Rachel Carson's success has been a tremendous help to those in the environmental force today. Her discoveries with the distress of many creatures in our world including people made humans more aware of what is really going on. Carson's books are eye openers those who read her words are awakened and automatically want to do something about these huge problems. Rachel's many health problems along with being a quiet person did not stop her perseverance in putting out her voice. Carson died trying to save the environment and releasing the mistakes the population is making. The writer's findings on the use pesticides became a revelation to those around her and now the world. She continued to write "Silent Spring", "while serving both a breadwinner and a caregiver" (Pg2). Carson's many health problems including several cases of breast cancer, pneumonia, and an eye inflammation that kept her from writing for a long time. Though these obstacles interfered with her research and publishing she kept going because she wanted everyone to know we are destroying the very ground we are living on.
Reflection: Carson's advanced research which got her ahead of many positions in a man's world during the 30s-60s has endured passed her death. "Silent Spring" as well as her earlier books about the environment conservation levels are staples in saving the planet. Each page she wrote holds secrets and problems that many people fail to realize that they do day to day. Her research sends a powerful message to the world that helping, reducing, and educating those around us there will be a better earth. Rachel and her battles with extensive breast cancer including other problems made her life that much more interesting. Because of her articles, novels, books, and speeches many acts were passed in order to better society like the Clean Water Act/Clean Air Act. I think that if Rachel Carson never did the amount of research and hard work she put forth in the news room or in her own writing then what we know now would have taken longer to understand.
Summary: Lead exposure is a huge issue occurring not just in developing countries. Developed countries such as the United States encounter health problems relating to lead exposure. Though lead based paint, gasoline and other municipal items containing lead were banned 1976-1978, the exposure is still rampant. Because lead does not degrade it stays in our environment, and levels that are considered "safe" are actually still too high. Excessive exposure can cause a number of illnesses: ADD, lower academic scores in children, impaired cognition, and increased blood pressure as well as other disorders. As we grow older our bones begin to demineralize in which releasing calcium; and with lead also being in, "the bones also release lead" (1). More research is needed to understand leads full capability and how else the body can adapt to it because as Schwartz said, "we do not know if the brain can adapt to higher levels" (1). Lead exposure is something we have created in our community and affects many aspects we use to live like water and food. Developing countries have things worse because of lack of resources to rid of lead based items and many factories release lead emissions also in America and other developed countries as well. In order to reduce lead exposure and its problems, is to have tougher emission laws.
Reflection: Health problems related to lead exposure are a handicap or even lethal exposure. This frightens me and often makes me wonder how much lead really is in the air or being used day to day. Lead exposure being different from Lead poisoning, is a serious issue more people need to research because having an older population with dementia, high blood pressure, or even cancer is a sign of a crippling population. Knowing that we have caused the unsafe levels of lead in our environment is very disappointing; our factories, military, gasoline, and other items spread their debris around in the water, air, and food which in turn enters our body. Research needs to be extended to immediately stop the use of lead and other hazardous metals related to it.