Monday, April 22, 2013

whats inside your battery?

Ian Somerhalder Foundation
 
Batteries are objects that store energy. We use them every day in many different objects, from toys and cell phones to cars and computers. Batteries make all sorts of things possible, but they can also be harmful to the environment if we don’t dispose of them properly.
The chemicals which make batteries run are highly toxic, which makes it important to be careful when disposing of them. These chemicals can easily contaminate the water and soil, making them dangerous for animals and people alike.
Instead of throwing away used or leaky batteries, recycle! When you recycle a battery, it gets sent to people who know how to safely deal with the toxic chemicals inside. In addition, the battery goes through a process that separates all its parts so they can be reused in all sorts of different products. Don't just toss your batteries in the recycling bin, though- there are specific places for you to do this.

Plastic Not-So-Fantastic



From cell phones and computers to bicycle helmets and hospital IV bags, plastic has molded society in many ways that make life both easier and safer. But the synthetic material also has left harmful imprints on the environment and perhaps human health, according to a new compilation of articles  authored by scientists from around the world.
Since its mass production began in the 1940s, plastic’s wide range of unique properties has propelled it to an essential status in society. Next year, more than 300 million tons will be produced worldwide. The amount of plastic manufactured in the first ten years of this century will approach the total produced in the entire last century, according to the report.
 Chemicals added to plastics are absorbed by human bodies. Some of these compounds have been found to alter hormones or have other potential human health effects.

Friday, March 29, 2013

Gulf Oil Spill one year later!!

A picture of glowing oil on a Florida Panhandle beach

Glowing Oil

Under UV light, tar from the oil spill lights up orange-yellow on the beaches of Gulf Islands National Seashore, Florida while clean sand glows purple in a long-exposure picture taken in July.
Scientists who are continuing to monitor Florida's and Alabama's beaches still see traces of the oil via UV light.

A picture of tiny tar balls glowing orange in Pensacola, Florida

Tar Balls Aglow

Looking like gold nuggets, tiny tar balls gleam orange in UV light on a beach in Pensacola, Florida, in April.
Overall, at least for the Florida Panhandle, the environmental prognosis doesn't seem as dire as it was last summer.

Wind Power




 

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

#8 Habitat Loss

Habitat loss—due to destruction, fragmentation or degradation of habitat—is the primary threat to the survival of wildlife in the United States.
When an ecosystem has been dramatically changed by human activities—such as agriculture, oil and gas exploration, commercial development or water diversion—it may no longer be able to provide the food, water, cover, and places to raise young. Every day there are fewer places left that wildlife can call home

Arkansas clear cut forest
 
 
 

#8 Earth's Eye

This is an assignment from my English teacher. Earth's Eye reading had alot to do with water and how people take water for grated and dont really realize how big of effect it has on us. I mean without water you wouldnt be able to shower, live, and wash clothes. There are many more ways that water has an inpact on us like the animals that live in the water. Without lakes, rivers, and oceans we wouldnt have frogs, fish, dolfins, pengins, ect. The reading also had to do with land and how properties anymore are just  being pollowed threw knocking down trees and ruiening the habitat for animals that live there! My thought on it is that people anymore dont really care about the nature all they see is dollar bill signs and thinking of themselfs and not how long wildlife has been there!!


Wednesday, March 13, 2013

#7 Pollution in the Ohio River!






For the second time in three eyars, advocacy group Environment America ranked the Ohio River as the most polluted river in the United States. It receives a lot of toxic discharges. The environment group's last report, released in 2009, also found that the Ohio River had the most pollution discharge in the nation. Its more recent report found that pollution discharge in the Ohio River has since increased by 1 million pounds. While some of the chemicals discharged into the water are harmless, others can be dangerous even in small doses. For example, industrial facilities released more than 274 pounds of a cancer-causing solvent called Tetrachloroethylene, often used by dry cleaners, into waterways in 2010. This is really somthing that is hard to belive that its one of the most polluted river in the United States and that we could be drinking that water and not even knowing it. Makes me wonder if half the people that get cancer might just come from the water we drink. It really goes to show that nobody really knows what they are putting into there body. Just because we may think its safe and good for us do we really know? Its scary to think that little by little even tho we dont see it or might not think we are even condributing to the pollution that its going to effect us later on down the road! Everyone should do a little to help the pollution from not spreading even more!!