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Save Greenery : Save Earth   [Report Abuse]  

Posted by: earthcast     
At the beginning of civilization earth had an abundance of natural resources. But with the development of technology humankind started destroying natural resources, without realising the effect it had on the earth. The majority of inventions, which make our lives easier, are also threatening the existence of life.
Take paper as an example. Without it, communication would come to a standstill. But tons of paper is mindlessly wasted year after year. For many, this is considered cruelty by mankind on the environment. Recycled paper is of course available, but its usage is still minimal.
Image By: ralphandjenny
The reduction in greenery has direct and indirect effect on our environment. The ill effects of an unbalanced ecosystem can cause low rainfall, global warming, and holes in ozone layer. The roots of the trees hold soil and prevent soil erosion. When large numbers of trees are cut, the soil gets carried away with rain water and deposited in rivers. This then raises the bottom of these rivers, which in the course of time causes flooding.
Saving the environment is not one man's job. It has to be done collectively and each person's contribution, whether small or big, makes a difference. Both urban and rural populations have their roles in saving the greenery. People in cities can contribute by not wasting the natural resources and planting more trees wherever possible. Those in the countryside can make a big contribution by not cutting trees in the forests and damaging more wildlife.
Here are a few tips which anybody can use to contribute towards saving the environment: only use paper when it is unavoidable, don't cut trees unless it is essential, do not encroach on forest areas, grow as many trees as possible in the surrounding areas, use natural resources for day to day requirements, use solar heat for cooking, heating water and other domestic purposes wherever possible, use windmills to generate electricity, and use solar lighting instead of electrical.
Saving our forests is no different to saving ourselves and our futures.

Tags: Resources, Global Warming, Destroy, Solar, Energy
  

Modest Use of Groundwater   [Report Abuse]  

Posted by: earthcast     
Water is one of the basic necessities for any living being. Due to many factors, including global warming and continuous usage, natural supplies of water have started to dwindle, threatening the existence of the human race. At this point in time, man is faced with various options. One of these is to extracting water from the ground.
When rain water falls on earth, it absorbs into the soil and collects underground. Over the years, civilized societies have learnt to extract this groundwater by constructing and operating extraction wells. This acts as a supplement for the requirement of fresh water during draughts, hot summer months and when no other fresh water source is available. About 20% of the fresh water used on the planet is ground water.
The reservoirs which contain groundwater are generally refilled by natural means. The usual cycle causes no problems, but it is often interrupted by the growth of civilization. More areas of the globe are becoming covered with concrete and this disrupts the absorbance of surface water into the soil, causing depleting ground water levels. Agriculturists, who depended on natural water sources like rivers and rain, have started using more and more ground water which, in turn, has been a major contributor for groundwater depletion. Pollution is another factor that has contributed to reduced ground water levels.
The problems continue, as when the ground water level reduces beyond the optimum level, it affects the eco-balance, increases global warming, and can cause collapsing of the ground. But there are options to reduce this, including reviving old water systems like ponds and lakes, reducing water usage for agriculture by using water-friendly methods, and maintaining available fresh water resources by not polluting them, and rain water harvesting where rain water is collected and stored.
With all of this information in mind, everybody should do their part to top the depletion of our natural resources. Without water, we would be nowhere.

Tags: Depleting, Recharge, Eco-Balance, Rain, Harvesting
  

Plastic: The Slow Poison    [Report Abuse]  

Posted by: earthcast     
In 1856, the manufacturing industry underwent a big revolution and saw the invention of parkesine, the first synthetic plastic. Since then, plastic has undergone tremendous changes at a very rapid pace. It has taken many forms and many reformations. Finally, it has evolved into today’s plastic, which is a polymer with high molecular mass. The world has become so dependent on plastic that it is now a part and parcel of life.
Plastic was once manufactured from natural materials like shellac. With continuous research and improved technology, the modern day plastic, which is derived from synthetic material and is more durable, was invented. Plastic now contributes to nearly every aspect of our day-to-day lives. Life without plastic has become unimaginable and the dependency on plastic and nylon is alarming. It is time to say no to plastic- the Slow Poison. Otherwise, we could face disaster.
The dependency on plastic is due to the convenience that it offers. From toothbrushes, to the car accessories, plastic is everywhere. The fact that it is light-weight, durable and easy to handle, has made it the most economic option for many uses. Plastic is used to form different fabrics, parachutes, paper clips, airplanes, and so much more. Carrier bags are one of the most well-used plastic creations. They are suited to packing shopping and other materials due to the fact that they are water and heat resistant and they do not get damaged easily.
The molecular bonds in plastic are highly durable and are resistant to natural processes of degradation. This can certainly be a benefit as well as annoyance. On the plus side, you have ease of use, durability and cheap cost. But the detriments include the huge mass of plastic waste, which is piling up everywhere due to it not being bio-degradable, as well as the potent toxic it sends out, which is harmful to the environment. The negativity continues, as plastic waste is found to be carcinogenic. The more we use plastic, the more harmful waste piles up. Though bio-degradable plastics are available, they are not as economical as other forms of plastic.
Considering the negative factors that come with plastic, we should be careful in using both plastic and nylon. Minimising our usage and using bio-degradable plastic are possible options, to save both ourselves and the earth. It is of course impossible to go back in time and stop the usage of plastic. But reusing and recycling, which are both certainly possible, should be on everyone’s agenda.

Tags: Plastic, Nylon, Alarming, Disposal, Biodegradable
  

Water and the Human Body    [Report Abuse]  

Posted by: earthcast     
Is there any other substance useful in the world apart from air? The answer is yes, water. Water is very important to every mankind. It is one of the most essential elements in the body as it prevents dehydration to ensure survival. The human body weight is made up of more than 2/3 of water. Most people wonder if it is true that there is water in the human brain. They should not bother anymore as the answer is right here. The brain of a human being consists 95% of water, the blood also has 82% of water and the lungs 90% of water.
An estimation that was done recently shows that water is the most essential component to the human bodily functions. That means that the quality of water is of great importance just as its quantity. Water that is meant for drinking should always be clean for a proper health. The same way a train cannot move without an engine, this also applies to water in our body. It is the most important mechanic in the human body. More so in the daily maintenance of our bodies it is water that plays an important role. That is why people are always advised to drink at least eight glasses of water every day.
It is only water that can reduce the risk of colon cancer, bladder cancer and breast cancer by a very high percentage. Water can aid the prevention and even cure of many diseases, ailments and disorder in the body systems. Research shows that most adults lose between 2 to 3 litres of water per day for normal body functioning. Athletes on the other hand, are required to drink enough water as this will help them balance their bodily fluids. People, drinking more water always make up for bigger loss of water they have through perspiration, not only is water meant for quenching thirst but also for regulating the body temperature. The best indicator that has been used to show people who drink enough water is through the pale yellow. A dark yellow urine colour is however a sign of dehydration that has concentrated in the urine.
The earths as big as it is covered by 3/4ths of water on its surface but only 1% is usable as the rest are salty water. Examples of salty water bodies are; Great salt lake, Aral Sea and the Dead Sea. Water also helps in the generation of electricity. The main sources of water are rain water, sea, lakes. If the level of water was to reduce quite a number of people would die. Water is known as the only means of survival. One can survive with water for so long without even having to eat but without water they would immediately die. Therefore one should ensure that the water he or she is drinking is free from contaminants for proper health and disease free. For people to minimize and reduce the risks of heart diseases taking water is not just enough but one needs to take clean and enough water if possible treated water would be better.

Tags: Water, Disease, Body, Urine, Cancer
  

Famine in the 21st Century    [Report Abuse]  

Posted by: earthcast     
Famine still persists even in this, the 21st century. However embarrassing this may seem to be, it is still a fact. Scientists have tried to coming up with different ways, that even led to the introduction of genetically modified food, but famine still persists in most parts of different countries. One might be asking what causes famine: it is caused by severe shortage of food. It is among one of the top three threats of the world along with drought and flooding. After the cold war was over most people had increased hope of the world’s political and economic system would changing for better. There are several factors that might cause famine these are; overpopulation, government policies, crop failure and even poor infrastructure. This event is usually followed by malnutrition, starvation, epidemic diseases, and an increase in the number of deaths. In history every continent in the world has experienced famine. But still many countries in the world have continually been having extreme cases of famine.
Difficulties in food distribution and lack of food are the major factors that can cause food shortage. One might be asking what makes it worse. Food shortage is worsened by natural climate and political conditions as a result of oppressive government and warfare. The largest historical famine was in Ireland it started in 1845 due to potato disease. Volcanism are also results of famine, in 1815 an eruption occurred on mount Tambora that was in Indonesia this eruption was caused by crop failure. Failure of harvesting in good time or the change in conditions such as a dry period of weather can bring up circumstances in which a big number of people continually live in temporary lands that have drastically dropped. Famine is mainly associated with subsistence of agriculture. Total absence of agriculture in an economically strong area can not cause famine. Some places like Arizona and other wealthy regions depend on imported food. Majority of their food is produced by sufficient economic trade.
Due to imbalance in food production compared to the largely populated countries whose population has exceeded the regional carrying capacity. Famine has been brought about by, due to agricultural problems like long periods of dry weather, crop failure, or plague. Changing climatic conditions, incompetence of governments in dealing with crisis, wars, and pandemic diseases has brought about the death of hundreds of people from different races. Crop failures and pandemic diseases have reduced the population by almost two-thirds in some worst hit countries.
Long term measures have been taken to reduce famine such as modern agriculture techniques such as use of fertilizer, improvement in irrigation schemes this has largely eradicated starvation in the developing world. The famine relief representatives have been used by different aid groups give cash or even vouchers to the people affected by hunger. There are also emergency measures that have been taken which include provision of deficient micronutrients like vitamins and minerals. These nutrients are therefore packed in fortified sachets powders. Emergency methods that have been used in stopping famine mainly include providing micronutrients, such as vitamins and minerals. These nutrients have been packed in sachets in form of powder.

Tags: Famine, GM Food, Causes, Distribution, Crops
  

Ecosystem and Biodiversity    [Report Abuse]  

Posted by: earthcast     
It is possible for the world to be changed. This can be done by simply doing one good deed each day. This is especially true when it comes to decisions we all make. It is hard to remember and do all good for the environment every day. In fact it is difficult to do that consistently, but you will realise that by following general outline in order to preserve it, it is very possible. It is good to at least make a variation without getting brought down or getting discouraged. In addition we do not have to transform our lifestyles. Different governments have come up with education on concerning the preservation, it is advisable to take a look at what they lessons teach. Ignorance has never and will never be a good teacher.
It is with no doubt that the ecosystem is the biggest benefit of biodiversity. Recent research actually shows that diverse ecosystems are the best when it comes to supplying vital amenities ranging from water to food. In addition, these ecosystems are well known for making quick recovery in the event of calamities. It is amazing because some of the calamities are very complicated. For instance, look at calamities such as hurricanes, they are very dangerous but the eco system has a way of dealing with that. Biodiversity is actually the consequence of 3.5 billion years of complete evolution. In addition it produces vital life elements. The available witness is the medicines and technologies that for years have found their inspiration from plants and animals.
The ecosystem should be well taken care of because the food sector in every part of the world is dependent on it. It therefore goes without saying that biodiversity and human beings are the known to be the main beneficiaries. It is evident in the way in which man consumes a lot of species from the thousands available. Therefore, food security should be enhanced and that is why in the event of pests, new diseases, weather patterns as well other factors, adequate measures to enhance, food security is needed. Generally human beings should stop activities that influence global warming. This is because; it has become a general consensus among scientists that climate change is occurring as a result of human activities. Why should we do activities that will directly affect the environment? The future generation needs to find good habitats; for instance, would you wish to see your grandchildren suffer as a result of something you could have prevented?

Tags: Ecosystem, Environment, Education, Biodiversity
  

The Environment is our Life    [Report Abuse]  

Posted by: earthcast     
Land dereliction has the ability to cause vast forests becoming limited. This is a result of continuous human activities that make the environment become weak. Most human activities trigger desertification and it has become a common occurrence to see, deserts increase every day. The deserts completely have no mercy when it comes to biodiversity. This is because instead of preserving, they cause danger to organisms inhabiting them. Habitation of desert regions is very difficult as the weather conditions are extreme. Only in very minimal cases, can the deserts be turned into usefulness. This is only possible when the organisms habiting the deserts are suitable and adapted to such conditions. Anyway, reclamation can be done but it takes long make a desert becoming useful.
People like the late Wangari Maathai are heroes and should thus be celebrated. This is because they have made efforts to preserve the environment by encouraging the planting of trees. That means that forests have been well taken care of hence do not run the risk of depletion. One should realize that when we promote tree planting, we significantly reduce the chances of global warming affecting the universe. If there is no global warming, the ozone layer will remain intact and therefore, the environment will be a good place to practice farming which inturn makes food available all times.
In short, we are responsible for making the environment the way it is. It might be degraded and unsuitable for survival, but if we join hands and declare war on tree cutting and other activities that affect the environment, then why should we worry? The environment will be very conducive for habitation. Forests are our beauty and splendor and doing away with them may make then mechanism of survival for the fittest be upheld. The human races will be swept and reduced almost to nothing.
In many countries, the main authorities tend to be the government. The governments should come up with policies to preserve the environment. For instance, penalties should be given to those who infringe the natural law of humanity by recklessly felling trees. The governments should also create and pass some bills to protect the environment as well as come up with regulatory policies especially giving incentives to those who preserve the environment. Generally, if all the preservative measures are taken into consideration, the environment will be enhanced and make it suitable to live in.

Tags: Dereliction, Environment, Deserts, Deforestation
  

Technology and the Environment   [Report Abuse]  

Posted by: earthcast     
It is a fact that technological advancements have brought a lot of changes to the world. These changes range from positive to negative. Thus that means that technology is like a blade, it cuts with both edges. Therefore, with it being is a double blade, it has the ability to make work easier and also make diverse effects on the ecosystem. For instance, with great advancements in technology, industries have shifted into using lethal machines. The machines excrete a lot of heat which in turn raises the temperatures of the atmosphere. Some of these industries dispose waste materials into rivers without thinking twice about the organisms' life security.
Furthermore, the environment that looked wonderful in yester years has now gone through numerous effects. The most notable effect is degradation. These lands are almost useless because of man's negligence because they have suffered a lot of degradation. If you want to prove this, you can as well take a visit to the industries as well as construction sites, you will be astonished. This is because you will find a lot of complicated machines which spell the word danger to the environment. The machines emit massive amounts of smoke which increases the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the environment. The result of this is depletion of Ozone layer and subsequently high temperatures hence global warming.
Global warming is an enemy to farming activities In addition; the machines pose a great pitch of sound to the surrounding creatures including human beings. They in turn cause the earth to tremble as though an earthquake was taking place. The trembling weakens the environment hence making it prone to common effects like soil erosion and also degradation. These effects also have the ability to interfere with the daily activities of the creatures. This is because the noise almost goes for 24 hours and thus the animals become even more devastated and worried as the noise goes on.
The health conditions of the operators are also another concern because it is very evident that the industries as well as the construction sites have a lot of health hazards. Even the operators of the machines get accustomed to such kind of noises and the chemicals excreted in these industries. Hearing becomes an issue and the chemicals affect the lungs which lead to breathing problems. Generally, technological advancement is not discouraged because it is really great. However, mechanisms should be put in place to tackle these negative effects towards the environment.

Tags: Technology, Industry, Disposal, Degradation
  

Humans and the Environment   [Report Abuse]  

Posted by: earthcast     
Man can change his life by simply altering his way of handling things. Instead of burning up trees for charcoal or using them for firewood, he can use electricity or solar driven ovens to make his activities even simpler. Modern technology has come with very eco-friendly ways of energy provision. All are to make man protect and care for his surroundings. He can only do this by putting the new technologies in place. The world's governments also need to play roles in ensuring that new developments are embraced and that measures are taken to curb environmental degradation. The media is the best way to educate and thus television stations are there to inform and educate. This is the home of all tips regarding environmental care.
The trait that is very common to human beings is ignorance, having said that it is vital to note that there are common cases of ignorance. That means that, the human beings greatly affect the ecosystem by doing some bad things. For instance, some of them go to the extent of bathing in rivers, lakes and even worst of all in fish rearing points. Soap is comprised of scum and is manufactured by organic ways through organic chemistry. It is worrying to see people do these things. Not once but repeatedly have they disregard the chemical effect of soap and deodorants dispose into these water bodies, it is worrying. By doing that, the organisms with their homes as these water bodies are at great risk. These things can be avoided and therefore before you jump into a water body when you feel like next time why don't you think of the effects it will have on these creatures and organisms? We should really worry when it means that these wonderful creatures are at risk due to our own causes and ignorance.
The ecosystem is complex and that is why educative programs have been put in place in order to enlighten the human races on friendly ways of dealing with aquatic life, so as to keep their large numbers as they should be to maintain the ecosystem. Generally, it is all about individual efforts and therefore if every individual gets to know about the importance of maintaining a constant biomass in the ecosystem, then they would not do negative things that would affect the environment and would instead do all that's possible to ensure that the fish species as well as the organisms are protected. Generally, it is a fact that the way human life is important, aquatic life is also important in the same way. Even though the industries modify and manufacture our produce, we have to give it a second thought. We need to device a way in which the emissions of smoke can be limited or completely done away with. In addition, we should not dispose waste materials into water bodies because it will endanger aquatic life.

Tags: Environment, Eco-Friendly, Technology, Energy
  

Maintain Our Greenery   [Report Abuse]  

Posted by: earthcast     
Forests are diverse systems biologically. Nonetheless, forests are adversely affected by cases such as deforestation, inhuman activities like tree felling, fragmentation and other related stressors to human activities. Climate change also affects the way forests develop. Forests are supposed to protect the soil and water. Any climate change comes with diverse effects on the way the forests biodiversity interacts to the surrounding. Human activities like fire, land fragmentation and quest of firewood have made the present forests vulnerable. The existing forest types like mangroves, dry forests and tropical forests have been impoverished. That makes them inadequate as they are not able to serve their purpose. The forests are the homes of many animal species. Forests also serve as water catchment areas. Mostly the indigenous animal species and trees are found in natural forests. But in the event of the land being derelict, maybe due to agricultural activities or simply mining activities, the indigenous trees and the endangered animal species hit the point of extinction. They are completely done away with as they have nowhere to locate as their homes.
Land dereliction causes the forests that were vast to be limited. Continuous human activities make the stretches of deserts to extend. As in common cases, deserts are almost of no value as far as biodiversity is concerned. They instead cause danger to organisms inhabiting them. Habitation of desert regions is very difficult as the weather conditions are extreme. Only in very minimal cases, can the deserts be turned into usefulness by reclamation. That means that we should save our forests from getting depleted. When we promote tree planting, we also reduce chances of global warming. In effect, we make the surrounding conducive for habitation.Forests are our beauty and splendor and doing away with them may make then mechanism of survival for the fittest be upheld. The human races will be swept and reduced almost to nothing.
The whole human race will be living in the deserts which have very harsh conditions. While in deserts, you cannot take more than a couple of months as some deserts are utterly small “hells” on earth. Honestly, it should be a collective responsibility to care for the forests. If every individual plays the role of planting three to four trees for every single one cut, then the current forest cover percentage which is about 30% will increase. Our environment’s beauty can be restored by doing this.The extent of desertification greatly depends on our effort. If we act properly, then the level of desertification is reduced.Educating those living in rural areas can also reduce the level of desertification. They need to also participate in tree planting and other environmental conservation techniques.Up scaling forestryand making it our major concern, can give value and resuscitate our long impoverished forests. The natural heritage and beauty of our environment should have a greater impact on the human life. That means that we have just to diversify a lot of our effort towards replenishing any trees cut. Conclusively, if you are reading this article, you should be able to uphold our forests beauty!

Tags: forests, climate, agriculture, extinction, deplet...
  

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