Climate Change Increased the Number of Deaths!!!

This article talks about the relation of deaths and climate change, which is an extremely interesting correlation to make. It talks about climate change not only being a change in the temperature of the weather, but also having longer and increased heat periods that our bodies are not used to. 

Researchers at the Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine investigated what mortality rates have to do with extreme temperatures. They found out that from 1980-2009, in Stockholm, there was a significantly larger amount of extremely high temperatures, and during these heat waves, there was 300 deaths, that were purely discovered to be deaths associated with climate. These heat waves are not something that are bodies are used to, and even though we have had heat waves before, they were never as long and as strong as now. 

Stockholm was known for it's strong and cold winters, which have over the years become much milder due to global warming. Even though these extra deaths might not seem like a lot, they are rapidly increasing, and there is a danger of them becoming more severe. The findings of these researchers suggest that the bodies of people, not just in Sweden, but all over the world, are not adapting well to these changes,  and may be in a problem if the temperature continues going up, and the heat waves increase in length and strength. 

It would be interesting to study the effect climate would have in some other places over the world, where the temperatures are not as drastic as in Sweden. Overall, everyone is aware of the dangers of global warming, but are we aware that it might be having an effect on our life span?

Baby Gap

How to Boost Birthrates and Avoid Demographic Decline

By Steven Philip Kramer

(Professor of Grand Strategy at the National Defense University’s Industrial College of the Armed Forces)

Foreign Affairs, May/June 2012

This article focuses on the decrease and sustainability of population growth in economically developed countries and policies that those countries are implementing to increase their fertility rate. Keep in mind that this essay is opinionated even thou it contains mostly facts. This article starts with clearly stating the dangers of low fertility rates causing lower birthrates with leads to each generation being smaller than the last one and with life expectancy reaching record highs it will lead to an increase in dependency ratio. Mentioning the age distribution will look like a upside down pyramid, with more elderly people depending on the young. All of that will lead to unpleasant policies like “cutting benefits, raising the retirement age, or hiking taxes”. Steven Kramer believes that “Low birthrates threaten not only the viability of the developed world’s welfare states but also developed countries’ very survival.”  Many countries are close to falling in what demographers call “the low fertility trap” what Steven Kramer describes as “a vicious cycle whereby fewer and fewer women have fewer and fewer children, leading to an accelerating spiral of depopulation.” Some countries like Austria and Germany may have already fallen in to the trap. A solution to that problem might be mass immigration to meet their economies’ labor needs, but immigration on such a scale is unacceptable. By looking at history it is proven that the government can increase or stabilize its birthrates by implementing the right pronatalist policies, such as “available high-quality and affordable child care, offering families financial support, and supporting mothers who pursue careers.” The article goes on in a section titled “MAKING MOTHERHOOD WORK” that looks at the successful examples of France and Sweden that have increasing birthrates. Making motherhood work looks at how France and Sweden implemented policies to deal with the change in women’s role in society and economy, Seven mentions Gunnar Myrdal and his book that was published in 1934 saying “If Sweden was to boost its low birthrates, women had to be able to both raise children and have careers- a revolutionary idea at the time.” France and Sweden fully support families and gives women the opportunity to peruse carriers thru social support. For example “The Swedish model provides new parents with over one tear of paid leave based on their salaries” Sweden offer’s public preschool, and allow women return to their job after a maternity leave. In France they provide more financial incentives and provide a free preschool. The French and Swedish systems are supposed to make it easier for parents to balance work and family. The Second part of the article is titled “GONE BABIES GONE” and focuses on Japan, Italy and their failure to increase their fertility rates. Italy for example has a problem where its “welfare state was already stretched to capacity” when the problem of low birthrate was identified. Italy also has the Catholic church supporting the stay at home motherhood, and because of the economic crisis younger people have harder time finding jobs and stay in their parents’ house till they are 30 years old. Therefore thy have fewer or no children and start families later in their lives. Similar issues are happening in Japan, where women have to choose between career or family and therefore postpone or never have a family and if they do they have fewer children. And the laws like “the 1994 Angel Plan, the 1995 Child Care and Family Care Leave Act, and the 1999 New Angel Plan” that are meant to help are often unenforced. The third section of the article is titled “DEMOGRAPHICS AND DESTINY”. Steven Kramer explains that there is not jet a population crisis, because we are still not beginning to feel it's effects and therefore politicians have no interest in to fixing the low birth rates. Some even think that lower birth rates might be good for the environment but Steven Kramer believes that “That they would admittedly do, but environmental degradation is a lesser threat than depopulation.” Other believing that the government should not regulate such a privet matter or that the problem will fix it self. For Courtiers to increase their birth rates they need to implant population policies and for those population policies to be successful they need finical support, the same way Sweden and France give 4% of their GDP to supporting families, and they need to be implemented in time as a long term investment, because “when it comes to population policies, there is no such thing as short term success.” Another important factor is Gender equality, immigration regulation, and acceptance of non-traditional family structures. And as a last warning from Steven Kramer “Time matters. If they (Nations with low birth rates) wait too long and get caught in the low fertility trap, they could find themselves in an uncharted era of depopulation that will be eerily different from anything before. And escaping that scenario will be difficult, if not impossible.” 

Red Smog alert chokes northern China

Name: Red Smog alert chokes northern China
Publication: Environmental News network
Author: Robin Blackstone
Date: 21.10.2013.

A red alert - the highest level possible, which indicates serious air pollution for a minimum period of three days in a row - has been issued for a number of cities in Northern China. 17 provinces, with a   population of 600 million were affected. In the city of Harbin, visibility decreased to less than 50 meters and Xinhuanet News report pollution of "the density of PM 2.5 -- airborne particles measuring less than 2.5 microns in diameter, exceeded 500 micrograms per cubic meter on Monday morning." The locals have been advised to stay at home and avoid going outside.

 The main reason for the pollution is related to emissions produced by the heating systems which use coal. There is some work being done to help already ( ie. the Yu Hua Thermal Power plant in Shijiazhuang is in the process of setting up updated equipment in order to reduce the emissions by around 8 000 tons) but the Chinese environmental officials do not want to rely on foreign imports which is slowing down the process.

The Beijing Municipal Government will most probably issue different driving days for cars based on the numbers of license plates (odd/eve) and keep local schools shut down until the situation improves and the smog levels change. There have also been restrictions at many restaurants as 15 - 20 % of readings in Beijing are due to poor kitchen exhaust systems, and the National Development and Reform Commission increased fuel prices in order to discourage people from driving. In total,
1.75 trillion-yuan ($284.2 billion U.S.) were decided to be used for improving the situation i the next five years.

I found this article particularly interesting since we just talked about China in class, and we specifically mentioned that they polluted more than any other country - which directly relates to the article. It's really scare how the situation got so serious in the meantime. I can't even imagine being told I shouldn't leave the house because the air is too polluted..

Genetically Modified Bacteria Became Efficient Sugar Producers

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131017080348.htm

October 17, 2013

Recently rare natural sugars are widely used in consumer products as well research for anti-cancer and antiviral medicines. These rare sugars are very difficult to find and cannot be taken directly from nature. This is why their production has been increasingly expensive. However, recently a study showed that these rare sugars can be produced more efficiently and for a much cheaper price using genetically modified bacteria.

"We added certain genes to the bacteria, making them produce the enzymes that we wanted, and with their help, the desired rare sugars. The results were promising. The production of xylitol was considerably more efficient than what has previously been achieved by using bacteria, and L-xylose was manufactured for the first time without large amounts of by-products. Compared with chemical synthesis, bacteria proved to be significantly better in the production of l-xylulose and l-xylose," said Anne Usvalampi, the researcher who made the initial finding and study. Usvalampi noted that although the process of genetic engineering seems simple, things do not always go like one would expect. In spite of this, she is confident that there will be better and more uses for these rare sugars in the future, especially in the pharmaceutical industry. There has already been proof that mannose, a rare sugar, can be used in the treatment of certain wounds and infections. 

I believe that although this may seem like a small accomplishment in the field of science, small steps like these are what will eventually lead to more profound discoveries. Also, this shows the application of genetic engineering and how it can have positive effects as well. Many people have a negative view of genetic engineering because it seems unethical and unnatural, however there are certainly positive sides to it as well, especially in the case of biomedical engineering. When these genetically modified organisms are contained and isolated, they are unable to effect other population and ecosystems. This article demonstrates the possible benefits of genetic engineering.

Wood Energy as an Alternative Energy

Cleaner than Coal? Wood Power Makes a Comeback
by Katherine tweed
ScientificAmerican.com

Ontario's Atikokan Generation Station has transitions from being powered by coal to wood pellets. This switch to biomass energies has been very popular recently, in particular, in Europe. the European Union Renewable Energy Directive issued a goal of establishing biomass energy as a major alternative energy source, with an aim of having 20% of the worlds energy be renewable. Research has concluded that wood burning creates 65-95% less greenhouse emissions, as compared to fossil fuels. Also, because it originates from biomass, this energy form is considered carbon-neutral. Unlike fossil fuels, wood burning also leads to a reduction in sulfur oxide, nitrogen oxide, and mercury emissions. However, some are concerned about how this form of alternative energy will impact ecosystems, as well as atmospheric carbon concentrations. Some scientists fear that this could lead to major upsets in carbon stocks in forests, while many environmentalists are concerned about protecting ecosystems and preventing deforestation. Also, some are worried that the rise in the wood pellet international export market could damage the environment with excess greenhouse gas emissions.
Wood burning as an alternative energy source is an incredibly fascinating and complex issue. Both sides of

The Atikokan Generating Station

the argument make excellent points as to why wood burning should or shouldn't become a major source of alternative energy. Personally, I do not think that it will have long-term success. Though safer than coal burning, it causes many issues relating to the global carbon cycle, as well as forest ecosystems which should be preserved. I also think that other forms of alternative energy, like hydro power, solar power, and wind energy offer more promise as long-term solutions to the issue of climate change. However, I think that wood energy could be an instrumental tool in our transition towards more environmentally-friendly energy systems. This could be an important element of our transition phase from fossil fuels towards green energy, since it offers some short-term and economic benefits. 

Diesel Exhaust Stops Honeybees from Finding the Flowers They Want to Forage

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131003093035.htm

October 3rd, 2013

Research from the University of Southampton has shown that pollution from the burning of diesel has caused honeybees to be disoriented when searching for floral odors. Honeybees are known to find flowers to pollinate based on scents they are able to pick up in the atmosphere. The recent study shows that chemical compounds found in diesel fumes are interfering with these scents and are making it almost impossible for honeybees to find flowers to pollinate.

            The study showed that not only does diesel interfere with the odors, but it changes the chemical makeup of the odors completely. The study wanted to see the effects that diesel exhaust had on flower odors. Two gas chambers contained chemicals found in rapeseed oil. One chamber was then fed clean air, while the other chamber was fed diesel exhaust. In the chamber with the diesel exhaust they saw that 6 of the 8 chemicals, which composed the odor, decreased in pressure and the remaining two compounds disappeared completely. They then subjected this odor to honeybees and found that they did not recognize it. They speculate that NOx, a main component of diesel exhaust, is what causes this change in the chemical makeup of the floral odors.

            Dr. Tracy Newman of the University of Soutampton commented that “Honeybees have a sensitive sense of smell and an exceptional ability to learn and memorize new odours. NOx gases represent some of the most reactive gases produced from diesel combustion and other fossil fuels, but the emissions limits for nitrogen dioxide are regularly exceeded, especially in urban areas. Our results suggest that that diesel exhaust pollution alters the components of a synthetic floral odour blend, which affects the honeybee's recognition of the odour. This could have serious detrimental effects on the number of honeybee colonies and pollination activity."

            This is an extremely important finding because our existence and sustainability very much depend on the honeybee population. They are what pollinate our food and enable plants and certain crops to grow. In certain parts of the world this is already proving to be a problem. I some rural parts of china, farmers are forced to hand pollinate some plants to enable them to reproduce. In a way I’m glad that this study shows that exhaust fumes are affecting bee populations because it will force us to find better alternatives to using gas powered cars. This may act as a push forward. 

Population Growth Forecast From the U.N. May Be Too High

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/21/business/uns-forecast-of-population-growth-may-be-too-high.html?_r=0

The text is really good because it shows us the population situation from a perspective of a big human organization.

The U.N is worried because the population increase (natality rate is not going down). So on the end there will be too much people on the planet. And the places were natality rate isn't decreasing are poor or LEDCs like countries from Africa and South America. Fertility rate would need to be at 2.1 children per woman per her lifetime so that the planet would not become overcrowded. Which is in the real world impossible target? Especially because in poor and less economically developed countries, people don’t know for condoms and for pregnancy pills. The problem that they are making is that planet Earth will have more people who are not educated. And who will be unemployed or work for a minimum wage. The only thing that we can hope for is that in those countries where natality rate is going to stay at the high level that U.N will help them with educating people about condoms and pregnancy pills or that governments will put higher taxes for the families with more children.