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Climate change health effects essay
Global warming and the effects on human health
Global warming and the effects on human health
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In this paper we will discuss and argue the effects of pollution on the world as a whole, and how addressing the problem at the source is the key to mitigating climate change in the arctic. The growing fear of climate change has led to more focus on the state of the arctic, which is no more contaminated than most places in the world. Nearly all forms of pollution emanate from foreign anthropogenic activities and are then transported by natural means to the arctic. The belief is that the remote, inhospitable environment to most organisms consisting of cold, dry winter air, and icy waters make it the most pristine environment in the known world. The truth is, the arctic may not be in our backyards, but is still a victim of pollution that originates …show more content…
Russia was one of the main culprits of nuclear testing. Novaya Zemlya is an archipelago, north of Russia, consisting of two islands ~450 km from the Arctic Circle. The islands were home to the native nomadic people (roughly 500 people within the population) and wildlife such as reindeer. Russia determined that its testing site in Kazakhstan was too close to populated regions, therefore, the native people and wildlife had to be relocated after Novaya became the primary testing site. (CTBTO, n.d) Sadly, most of the reindeer and other wildlife perished in the relocation process. The nomadic people were still affected by the fallout of the detonation, and the foods they hunt, for example, reindeer, were contaminated with radioactive lichen, causing high levels of strontium within the animals. Novaya is the only weapons testing area near the arctic, which is why there is a high concentration of 137Cs found in the sediment of that region. Ocean currents take about 5 to 7 years to transport the contaminants to the arctic. (Gordeev, 2002) The tests performed on the archipelago represents the greatest single source of radioactive contamination in the arctic. 130 nuclear tests were performed in the atmosphere above Novaya between 1954 and 1990. The high yield of atmospheric tests resulted in radioactive contamination that not only affected Russia but Alaska and northern Canada. The combination of atmospheric and underground testing increased the radiation level from fallout across Europe as well, mainly in Norway and Finland. Norway, which is 900 km away from the islands, received considerable radiation fallout and concerns rose over the Barents Sea (main fishing region of Norway) being contaminated. Cases of 131I (Iodine), known for causing thyroid cancer in people with weak immune systems, such as children and the elderly, was found in contaminated milk. The
Blacksad: Vol 2 Arctic Nation is written by spanish author Juan Díaz Canales and drawn by spanish artist Juanjo Guarnido. The story and setting is film noir style, in late 1950s Americana with all anthropomorphic characters. The story begins when private investigator Blacksad sees a lynching of a black vulture, where he meets a reporter named Weekly (weasel), his future sidekick. It is revealed that Blacksad is working for Elementary school teacher Miss Grey, who asks to look for a missing girl named Kaylie, and tells him her suspicions that the girl was kidnapped by white supremacist group Arctic Nation. After befriending Weekly, they go to local dinner joint, where they are harassed by members of Arctic Nation. After this encounter, they are at the police station, where it is revealed that the leader of Arctic Nation
Throughout this exhibition the term exploiting will refer to benefiting from. Also, this exhibition will explore some of the ways, that people have been exploiting Arctic resources, for the last 4500 years. It will begin by explaining the location of the Arctic, and what indigenous people did to survive. Followed by, why Europeans went there, and what Arctic states are doing at present.
The industrialization of Canada is severely affecting the nations lakes, streams, and rivers. If something is not done to improve the situation it is going to have some severe environmental problems in its future. The following essay will be looking at the factors that cause pollution, and the effect that pollution has on the environment of Canada. It will also explore some of the methods used to treat and clean-up wastewater, and oil spills.
The tundra is located at the top of the world near the North Pole. This huge habitat covers one fifth of the earth's surface.
"Estimated Exposures and Thyroid Doses Received by the American People from Iodine-131 in Fallout Following Nevada Atmospheric Nuclear Bomb Tests National Cancer Institute (NCI). 2002. June 2004.
Chernobyl (chĬrnō´byēl) is the uninhibited city in north Ukraine, near the Belarus boundary, on the Pripyat River. Ten miles to the north, in the town of Pripyat, is the Chernobyl nuclear powerstation, site of the worst nuclear reactor disaster in history ("Chernobyl", Columbia Encyclopedia). To specify, On April 26, 1986, Unit Four of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor exploded in Ukraine, injuring human immune systems and the genetic structure of cells, contaminating soils and waterways. Nearly 7 tons of irradiated reactor fuel was released into the environment—roughly 340 million curies. Included in the release were radioactive elements with a half-life of 16 million years. Yet, we humans cannot defe...
Since the rise of the Alberta oil sands, the contribution of greenhouses gas emissions has been increasing dramatically. Alberta has only 10% of Canada’s population but emits the most greenhouse gases than any province. Also, the oil sands are the largest source of carbon dioxide emissions in Canada ("Oil Sands Truth." Para 4). Additionally, although it takes a lot of energy going into producing the bitumen from the oil sands, the energy output is relatively low. A about three times water is needed for one portion of bitumen when it is being processed after being accessed from the oil sands. Not only is water wasted, but the water supply n the area is heavily polluted. There is more than three million gallons of toxic run off from the plants every day. To contain this, majority of polluted water and tar is segregated and turned into toxic pools which are deposits of a combination of chemicals and polluted water. These pools now cover about fifty square miles in the oil sands location ("Tar Sands Oil: Pros and Cons." Para 1). To make room for the industry, the boreal forest is being cut down at a rapid pace. This not only depleted forest cover but the boreal forest counters the carbon emissions from the sands but with less forests, there will be an even greater rise in carbon emissions. The land is also being harmed due to the construction of large pipelines to access consumers far away. Not only do the oil sands harm the inorganic aspects of the environment in the location but animals are harmed due to their habitats being destroyed both on land and in the water ("Pros and Cons: Alberta Oil Sands." Para 4). The rivers and streams near the oil sands are being polluted and more fish and other aquatic animals are getting sick and dying. This in turn affects the individuals who fish for a living or acquire the fish as a main dietary source. With less fish to obtain,
The Arctic Tundra The Tundra is located in the northern regions of North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. as well as a few regions of Antarctica. The Tundra is the second largest vegetation. zone in Canada. It can be divided into three different sections: the High Arctic Tundra, the Low Arctic Tundra and the Alpine Tundra.
Canada’s arctic has evidently suffered from substantial climate change, resulting in devastating impacts on all systems in the north. Many climate models indicate that these significant changes will only progress in the future. The monitoring of temperatures in the Arctic have demonstrated that, over roughly the past 50 years, there has been a warming of about 2 to 3°C as of 2009. The average temperature in the arctic has increased almost twice as fast than the rest of the world. In 2020, the projected increase is up to 4°C as well as 8°C by 2050. A numbers of studies have shown that, based on previous climate records, there has been issues of rising sea levels, alterations in sea-ice dynamics, and permafrost degradation. Though there have been multiple strategies posed and adopted, the government of Canada needs to develop an arctic strategy that is more proactive and systemic than previous actions. This strategy needs to be global in its goals for mitigation while still monitoring social, cultural, and economic aspects
As the world becomes continually warmer, the effect of climate change in the arctic regions becomes more intense. Within the past 50 years, arctic regions in Canada have experienced warming of 2 to 3 degrees Celsius (Fergal & Prowse, 2007). One of the most important areas in the Canadian arctic is the Cryosphere (Appendix A), which is the area consisting of season snow cover, permafrost glaciers, and sea ice (Fergal & Prowse, 2007). This area is significant because it has provided a stabilized surface for building pipelines, as well as provides access to northern communities (Fergal & Prowse, 2007).
It is an unquestioned fact that the climate is changing. There is abundant evidence that the world is becoming warmer and warmer. The temperature of the global land average temperature has increased by about 8.5 degrees centigrade from 1880 to 2012 (Karr, et al 406). The one or two degrees increase in temperature can cause dramatic and serious consequences to the earth as well as humans. More extreme weather occurs, such as heat waves and droughts. The Arctic Region is especially sensitive to global climate change. According to the data in recent decades, the temperature in the Arctic has increased by more than 2 degrees centigrade in the recent half century (Przybylak 316). Climate change has led to a series of environmental and ecological negative
The evidence clearly provided in this essay strongly supports the argument that greenhouse gases caused by air pollution are the main cause of anthropogenic climate change. The tables and graphs demonstrate just how greenhouse gases contribute to climate change. As is evident, climate change is an ever growing problem globally. Due to the increase in anthropogenic air pollution, greenhouse gases have amplified also, as shown by table 2. Figure one shows how carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increased exponentially, mirrored by anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide. The various examples described clearly support the argument that greenhouse gases caused by air pollution are the major anthropogenic causes of climate change.
According to World WildLife Fund, many ecosystems around the world are being destroyed, eliminating many plant and animal species that inhabit them (“Pollution”).
The burning of fossil fuels has greatly harmed our environment and is a leading cause as to why climate change has become such a threat to our way of living. In May of 2013, the carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere reached 400 parts per million, an increase of more than 40 percent since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. This could cause the Arctic Ocean to be nearly ice-free during the summer by 2020(Overland and Wang, 2013).
Everyday, alarming amounts of toxins are released into the atmosphere. Over the recent years global climate change, better known as “global warming” has become a worldwide problem facing our planet, and as the world becomes continuously warmer, the effects that climate change will pose to our planet and to the people who live on this earth, will be detrimental.