www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/09/21/flints-lead-poisoned-water-had-a-horrifyingly-large-effect-on-fetal-deaths-study-finds/?utm_term=.8d21896041acEvidence has surfaced of an increase in infant mortality, and a decrease in fertility rates, in Flint, Michigan since the start of their water crisis in 2014. During the April of that year, it was decided that the community would temporarily draw its public water supply from the Flint River while the city worked on a pipeline at Lake Huron. Residents noticed a strange odor and color in the water right away, but officials insisted that it was safe until September 2015. It was during this time that studies began finding lead levels higher than the safety threshold in the water, and it was switched back in October 2015. However, it seems that it was too late as many children were affected, including those still in the womb. Maternal lead exposure can cause fetal deaths, reduced birth weight and even prenatal growth abnormalities. According to a study conducted by Daniel Grossman and David Slusky, fetal death rates increased 58% in the Flint area, and no other surrounding areas had the same change. Not to mention, those who survive, and the older children who have been exposed, are likely to have a range of issues that include cognitive deficiencies and increased antisocial behavior.
This is important because not only do half of Flint, Michigan's residents live in poverty, but the plan to overhaul water infrastructure there could take years. This community is still without water that is completely safe and clean, and their population is likely headed towards a decline due to the increase in fetal deaths. The effects of this will likely unfold soon unless Flint, Michigan receives the support it needs to fix the problem fast.
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newrepublic.com/minutes/144924/three-million-americans-suffering-hurricane-mariaHurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico Wednesday with 140 mph winds and rain that caused major flooding. Although the full extent of the damage is unknown due to a complete power outage, there are a few effects that we do have knowledge of. Some areas, like Cucharillas and Puente Blanco in Catano, are completely destroyed. Also, evidence of raw sewage leaks are already starting to materialize considering Puerto Rico's sewage pumps run on electricity that currently is not available. The most unique form of pollution that people are worried about though is the five-story pile of contaminated coal waste out in the open of Guayama. Applied Energy Systems refused to cover it before Hurricane Irma hit, and it has not been determined whether they took the time to secure the ash this time. Flooding has also been a major effect so far, placing Rio Grande practically underwater. President Trump has declared the region in a state of emergency. However, he has not declared it a disaster zone which would free up federal funding for recovery.
Many people fail to realize that the citizens of Puerto Rico also happen to be living on US territory. Because they are on US territory, we can say that over three million Americans have already been effected by Hurricane Maria. This is not something that Americans should turn the other way from because they feel like it does not concern them. The people of Puerto Rico are going to need our help, and I hope that everyone will be just as generous in regards to support as they were with Harvey. www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-california-mexico-earthquake-20170908-htmlstory.htmlWhat with all of the devastating natural disasters that have been occurring around the world, especially the earthquake in Mexico last Thursday, scientists have been discussing the possibility of an 8.2 earthquake along the San Andres Fault. This earthquake could be catastrophic for every city in Southern California, and could prove to be far more destructive than Mexico's. The San Andres Fault runs extremely close and underneath populated areas whereas Mexico's earthquake started about 450 miles from Mexico City and about 43 miles under the surface. A ShakeOut report explained the potential effects that the earthquake would have on any given day. It included the potential for extreme level 10 shaking, up to 100,000 landslides, and all of the western U.S. losing power. It also spoke of the chance of buildings being destroyed from fire and collapsing which could in turn lead to many deaths and injuries. A seismic warning system has been under development for the west coast; and despite Trump's budget almost getting rid of the system, bipartisan complaints and a congressional committee were able to keep the funding.
This is extremely important for anyone living in the West, and especially for those in California. For years, it has been said that we would have another earthquake, and at this point we are overdue. It could happen any day now, but instead of just sitting by it is in everyone's best interest to prepare. Put together a bag, secure the house, and encourage others to do the same. That way, everyone will be knowledgeable enough to survive when the day finally comes. www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2017/08/25/study-reveals-the-big-climate-impact-of-the-way-drought-kills-treesA study was recently conducted to understand how drought, which is increasing globally, causes tree death. This study from the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution was headed by Henry Adams, lead author and assistant professor at Oklahoma State University, and discusses the differences between the function of a healthy tree and one deprived of water. A healthy tree transports water throughout itself by pulling it from the soil through its roots and xylem, a transportation tissue. When there is less water in the soil from a drought, the trees pull harder and end up breaking the column of water in the xylem, creating air bubbles and causing “hydraulic failure”. Another way that the tree can die during a drought is from carbon starvation, which 60 percent of cases did according to the researchers. To prevent losing stored water the trees close their stomata or pores. This prevents them from taking in carbon dioxide and carrying out photosynthesis. Not only that, but the possibility of running out of stored food if the drought is long arises. Those conducting the study fear that the time between each drought is becoming too short for trees to recover, and that there is a possibility for a “carbon death spiral”. They defined this as a point at which trees suddenly flip their function and begin emitting carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Although nobody has decided on a definitive solution, people now have a better ability to predict which forests are most vulnerable and which to pay the most attention to.
The term “carbon death spiral” should be enough for anyone to realize the implications of increased drought which was likely heightened by climate change. Trees releasing carbon dioxide instead of taking it in is hard to fathom, but even the death of a multitude of trees can increase the amount of carbon dioxide in the air. Trees constantly dying could affect not only us, but several ecosystems in the process. The researchers mentioned in the article that these drought induced deaths could also lead to “widespread degradation of the carbon land sink, the worldwide reservoir of soil that stores three times more carbon than vegetation and the atmosphere combined.” None of this is good news for the environment; and the best thing we can do right now is make sure that we are not feeding fuel to the fire by taking care to treat our planet right. |
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