Mihajlo Drajer
16/12/13
IB DP ESS SL
Mrs. Medenica

Current Event #3:

New Material to Enhance Crop Yield

The article was published on 'sciencedaily.com' which was written by A. Mendez. The article was published on the 16th of December, 2013.

In a couple of words, the article is talking about the newly created 'lab material' called "Biochar". By 'lab-material' it's implied that the material was forged in a laboratory environment, meaning it's artificial and not a product of nature/natural causes and occurrences. The article mentions how this new material can and does improve soil quality by making the soil more prone to become moisturized to the extent where it doesn't harm the health/quality of the soil. BY enhancing the soil quality, Biochar also enhances crop yield - which makes crops more available to humans for our needs. Biochar is the ideal material since it can turn a field with bad crops and poor soil quality, into an area which is flourishing with 'green' and is overall healthy. As more and more artificial fertilizers are used , the soil quality is slowly but steadily dropping on a global scale. Due to abusive treatments of farmers and those who grows large quantities of grain/vegetables/plant the soil's physique, texture and quality are being altered over time. Excess amount of water makes the soil more prone to becoming like sand, where it's not thick and composed by is similar to sand grains. This new characteristic is negative for farming since it'll make the water seep right through the soil and into groundwater - whilst dodging the seeds planted for growth. Biochar, of course, will make the soils quality and durability more effective over time. It's still in the process of being perfected, prior to being applied to larger amounts of soil. 

I find this substance to be quite beneficial to mankind, and that it should be bought/purchased and supported by governments. Soil is essential to life on Earth, since it serves multiple purposes such as; being a water filter, being a medium for raising plants, and so on forth. Without soil, or with soil of a really poor quality, the consequences would be severe. People would be affected by the scarcity in crops which are caused by unhealthy soil, which would cause starvation. Crops are essential to the diet of the majority of humans on Earth, and without it turmoil would be evoked. Therefore, biochar plays in perfectly since it will assure that the health of soil is positive - therefore making growing and harvesting crops more reliable to us. 

Link to article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/12/131216080318.htm

“Global water scarcity to increase by 40%”

Mihajlo Drajer

IB DP ESS SL

Mrs. Medenica

19/12/13

                “Global water scarcity to increase by 40%” is the title of the article found on eco-business website (but originally came from “The Sydney Morning Herald”); a page that’s dedicated to informing people on the news between the relationship with ecology and business. The article was chosen because it is strongly tied with what we’ve studied recently in our ESS class. Water and soil pollutions were two major topics that were covered in November/December – therefore this article is very applicable to the Current Event – as a topic.

                Briefly, the article is focusing on a recent study which identified the fact that water scarcity will become more prominent in a short time due to factors such as overpopulation, etc. It’s important to define scarcity before delving into the articles summary. Scarcity can be simply described as a lack, the antonym of a surplus. Also, the title of the article can be misinterpreted. Once you read the article, the title makes a bit more sense. It’s not saying how the current lack of water will increase in certain areas, but that other parts of the world will become affected by water scarcity – those of whom weren’t affected before. Water scarcity is a serious and significant issue since humans, plants, and animals aren’t functional without fresh water. It’s a fact that a person can survive a week without food, but without water you’re lucky if you’re still alive after 3 days. This is not surprising, since around 70% of our bodies are made up for water (humans).  “The Sydney Morning Herald” is the newspaper that the article was published in (without having the name of the author) and in their article they claim that the reason why there will be this ‘boom’ of 40% increase in water scarcity is because of the ever-growing human population. This is no surprise, since the amount of children born every year is overwhelming for countries resources. The term overpopulation is used to define a countries state once their population over exceeds their resources such as; coil, oil, fresh water, and so on forth. Countries such as India and China are facing serious issues with overpopulation to the point where the countries governments have to take serious precautions and control the people more. China implemented laws on having a single child, and no more back in the 80’s. India is supposed to be working on educating women on contraceptives, and safe sex in order to prevent this tremendous growth in their population. Another factor that affects water scarcity would definitely be the Earth’s temperature and climate. As more gases are released into the atmosphere, and as our ozone layer is depleted the suns presence is becoming overwhelming for life on Earth. Heat that’s too high for certain places will cause water to evaporate at a rapid rate, a rate which it didn’t evaporate at before. Regions such as the Middle East, and continents like Europe and the Northern part of the US (the south is excluded since they are already heavily impacted by water scarcity) are all regions which have minimal water scarcity however they are prone to being exposed to water scarcity if water consumption is not controlled (due to overpopulation) and as pollution encourages and evokes global warming and enormous changes in temperature.

                To reflect on the article; I found this article to be quite disturbing. It made me feel really worried since I live in Europe and water scarcity could become prominent on my continent. This is pretty significant for me since I unfortunately live in a place where water is actually taken for granted: where people wash their cars once a week, leave the tap running when brushing their teeth, spend ages in the shower, you get the picture. I can’t imagine my life where only a small amount of water is available; therefore this article did leave a great impact on me. The article made me realize how no-one is safe when it comes down to water scarcity, and that a large number of areas will face this problem other countries have been dealing with for decades.

 

Link to article; http://www.eco-business.com/news/global-water-scarcity-predicted-rise-40/

The article was published on the 19^th on December, in the “The Sydney Morning Herald” and on eco-business.com

http://inserbia.info/news/2013/11/syrian-chemical-weapons-might-be-destroyed-at-sea/

Syrian Chemical Weapons Might Be Destroyed At Sea

I don't know what is worst to destroy chemical weapon on sea or on a land. In any way it will make big changes, on a land it will hurt people and contaminate the soil but if it will be destroyed on a sea it will kill fishes and other animals and pollute salt water which is our future to survive. 

“There are discussions about destroying it on a ship,” one US official told Reuters. is that going to save water? NO

The UN needs to find a new better solution for destroying Syrian chemical bombs. 

Any action will certainly need to be more intricate than when the Japanese government destroyed weapons leftover from World War II in 2004-2006. In doing so, the Japanese set up a disposal plant on a floating platform.

After this a lot of fishes died, just from vibration of explosion. 

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-12-13/chinas-extreme-smog-forces-pilots-to-train-for-blind-landings

China's Extreme Smog Forces Pilots to Train for Blind Landings

Airports in china are dealing with extreme smog, it is so huge that pilots who are landing into china need to processed through training for “blinding landing” or also known as “Cat 1” or that it is impossible to see further than 50 meters. Chinese authorities have mandated that pilots of domestic airlines be qualified to land when visibility falls below 400 meters “Cat 3”.  Chinese officials are targeting to reduce flight delays at Beijing Capital and Shanghai Pudong airports, which are two world’s worst records for on-time flights. The rules apply only to China’s domestic pilots and won’t affect training for U.S. aviators.

The kind of low-visibility approach mandated in China has become common for many U.S. carriers, particularly Alaska Airlines which mastered such landings in Alaska, where fog and rain are frequent. The company says such equipment and pilot training save it about $15 million annually, because cancellations and diversions on flights to Alaskan airports have been reduced.

China Views The Moon as a Pivotal Part in The Earth’s Future.

Title:  Why China is Fixated on The Moon

Author: David Shukman

Publication: BBC News

Source:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-25356603 
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/25141597 

Date: November 29^th, 2013

The moon has always been regarded as a topic of interest by our world’s leading nations. In the past, nations such as the United States and Russia have taken their turns at exploring earth’s natural satellite, however, China has now advanced as the most recent country to begin their decent onto the moon. In an article published by BBC News, Professor Ouyang, acting as an advisor to the recent mission announced by China, gives insight into what exactly has the Chinese so intent on surveying the moon. Within the interview, Professor Ouyang explains the three motives behind the Chinese moon mission. One of the key aims, explains Ouyang, is to further improve knowledge about earth’s neighbors, specifically the moon. He believes that by doing so the Chinese will be able to gain insight into the moon’s origins, as well as its evolutionary process. This motive is regarded as one of the key aims behind the mission.

Furthermore, Ouyang emphasizes the positive effects this mission will have on technological advances in China. The mission is believed to result in vast improvements within various fields, including: communications, computers, IT skills, as well as the use of different materials. Moreover, Ouyang adds that a third and equally important motive behind the mission is the aim to create China’s own intellectual team. When questioned as to exactly what makes the moon so enticing, Ouyang gave reporters insight into some of the various benefits the moon has the ability to provide Earth. The moon is known to hold exotic materials, like helium-3, as well as the potential for solar power. Both of which hold great importance to humankind. In fact, it is believed that the moon is so rich in helium-3 that it very well may “solve human beings” energy demands for around 10,000 years at least .Overall, with numerous motives and various beneficial factors, it is no wonder why China is so fixated on the moon.

I found these two articles very interesting, as I believe it strongly connects to the “Resources” topic which we have studied in class. If we control emissions of dangerous pollutants, and use the moon and perhaps even other planets to our benefit as resource, we may be able to stabilize grand issues affecting the Earth and atmosphere such as global warming and so on. On the other hand, will we display ourselves as selfish once again and take all the resources from the moon before allowing them to be renewed? I hope not. In any case, the exploration of the moon will be a grand advantage and aid in scientific aspects to our society. 

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/energy/2013/11/pictures/131127-manual-oil-drilling-myanmar/
Joseph Eaton

Myanmar, formally known as Burma is a country located in South East Asia that currently has a very large group of independent oil prospectors. This oil prospectors are usually farmers that want to supplement their money from farming by also selling crude oil. They use methods from the 1800's that can sometimes be incredibly dangerous. In a world where enormous oil companies have drilling operations all over the world its very odd that a resource rich country like Myanmar would not have such an underdeveloped oil infrastructure. The reason for this is that over the last five decades there have been extreme sanctions placed on the regime that ruled Myanmar for their conduct in the political and social realms of Myanmar. As of now a large portion of these sanctions have been lifted due to political and social reforms within Myanmar. Oil companies are already lining up for their shot and drilling inside of Myanmar and on the coast with many companies already securing land a ocean drilling rights. It seems that the last days of independent oil prospectors in Myanmar are approaching. This article does not have much of a conclusion when it comes to what this could mean for the environment in Myanmar and in South East Asia. It makes you wonder whether or not this will be a positive for the environment. On the one hand it allows us to continue our dependence on oil rather than looking for new ways to create green energy. It will surely lead to at least a few minor oil spills on land or in the ocean which will kill a huge amount of organisms but could it be better than the current situation in Myanmar? With farmers using methods developed in the 1800's they are surely themselves hurting the environment by not containing the oil that they drill. The same thing has happened in Nigeria where poor Nigerians tap into the huge oil pipelines across the country, causing enormous spills because of their inability to handle a crude oil operation of that size safely. It may actually be safer and better for Myanmar in general to have professionals drill for oil rather than having poor farmers doing the drilling.

Pollution in Mozambique

Norwegian School of Veterinary Science. "Water pollution in Mozambique." ScienceDaily, 6 Dec. 2013. Web. 15 Dec. 2013.


             Olivia Carolina Narcisco Pedro is a woman who's PhD project has helped Mozambique identify their water pollution and establish methods for monitoring it. The majority of the population of Mozambique is generated by cyanobacteria and the production of microcystins. Most people in that developing country lack fresh water because of this. Effluent from agriculture, households and industry are the primary source of pollution, but the exploiting of natural gas, metals and other resource certainly doesn't help. The high temperatures in Mozambique are an issue as well-they can lead to an increase in the runnoff of the nutrients into surface water, which intensifies the eutrophication of lakes and the blooming of cyanobacteria. Many species of these bacteria produce toxic components, so-called cyanotoxins.  Microcystins are the smallest are the largest group an can have a negative effect on human health. According to Ms Narcisco, an effective management of the drinking water systems, which is capable of monitoring cyanobacterial blooms is required. She conducted her studies by taking samples from three areas in southern Mozambique: the Pequenos Libombos dam, the Nhambavale lake and the Chokwe irrigation canal. The first two are major sources of potable water and Chokwe is mainly used for irrigation. She proved that there is a connection between seasons and the amount of cyanobacteria microcystins and the concentration of microcystins in freshwater.
           This PhD project benefited Mozambique greatly and proves that scientific, or any kind of for that matter, research can be very beneficial. Exploration of pollution topics are especially effective, because discoveries can be made and things could be changed for the better.

                               Blooming of cyanobacteria in Pequenos Libombos dam, Mozambique.