ZyAnn Harvin Mr. D. Cooley AP Environmental Science June 2014 After researching informational texts on environmental problems write an essay in which you describe environmental problems. Support your discussion with evidence from your research. Environmental Problems Environmental issues are defined as “harmful aspects of human activity on the biophysical environment.” Today, there are many environmental problems taking place. With this paper, made of compacted research, I plan to describe multiple, major issues pertaining to the well-being of our environment. I will explain how these issues impact humans and other organisms now, as well as in the future. Priority issues affecting North Carolina, as well as the rest of the United States, include: global warming, energy, endangered wildlife, pollution, water, and sustainability. Specific events concerning these broad issues are: the Keystone pipeline (runs from Alberta, Canada to Nebraska, Illinois and Texas); the Dan River (Eden, NC); Elk River chemical spill (West Virginia); and the California drought. These events will be discussed along with other current issues. The Keystone Pipeline Keystone Pipeline is owned by TransCanada, an energy company based in Alberta, Canada. If you were to look at the Keystone Pipeline’s website, you would find very positive things about the pipeline: “Keystone XL Pipeline will be the safest and most advanced oil pipeline operation in North America. It will not only bring essential infrastructure to North American oil producers, but it will also provide jobs, long-term energy independence and an economic boost to Americans.” However, there have been many protest websites dedicated to stopping the production of the Keystone Pipeline. So, what ... ... middle of paper ... ...over for climate, warns leading scientist." The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 20 May 2013. Web. 22 May 2014. . "The Coal Ash Sludge In The Dan River Is Finally Getting Vacuumed Up." ThinkProgress RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 May 2014. . "Environmental Issues and Solutions to Current Environment Problems | NRDC."Environmental Issues and Solutions to Current Environment Problems | NRDC. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 May 2014. Eilperin, Juliet. "The Keystone XL Pipeline and its politics, explained." Washington Post. The Washington Post, 4 Feb. 2014. Web. 21 May 2014. .
“Urge the Senate to Stop the Risky Keystone XL Pipeline”. Letter. League of Conservation of Voters. Change.org. Web. 10 December 2013
The Dakota Access Pipeline and the Keystone XL Pipeline are two pipeline projects that were suspended in the past. These pipelines were stopped because they could have a big impact of people and the environment. The making of these pipelines would cause a great amount of carbon pollution. Recently, President Trump signed the orders to approve the pipeline project. The projects have pros and cons, the people in favor of the pipelines think we would be able to rely less on foreign oil. The people against the pipeline believe that the pipelines would cause the release of gases into the air that could be harmful for other people.
In this essay we will be looking at why the Keystone XL Pipeline should not be built. This is a hot controversial issue that has been in the news for awhile. We will discuss the pros and cons of what will happen if the United States passes legislature to allow the Keystone XL Pipeline to be built. You have to ask yourself if destroying the environment is for our children is worth it to make a few billions richer or maybe little bit cheaper gas. If you agree with building the Keystone XL Pipeline you need to look your children in the eyes and tell them you’re sorry for destroying the environment for them and their children.
The Nebraska State Legislature is a one vote house which is unique for the US. This does not allow for the checks that are in other states. Thus, the legislature is more easily influenced in the decisions made in support of eminent domain for the building of the Keystone Pipeline. Lobbyists spent or contribute over $27.4 million with TransCanada being the top for 2011 to 2012. There is a belief that TransCanada is corrupting the state legislature. The lobbyist for TransCanada is Paul Elliot who was the deputy campaign director for Secretary of State Hilary Clinton.
The Keystone XL Pipeline is a proposed pipeline project, by TransCanada Pipelines Limited, involving the transportation of up to 830,000 barrels of oil per day from Alberta, Canada to the Gulf of Mexico area in Texas. “The United States portion of the pipeline would begin near Morgan, Montana, at the international border of the United States and extend to delivery points in Nederland and Moore Junction, Texas. There would also be a delivery point at Cushing, Oklahoma” (Environmental 5). The delivery points would grant access to multiple other pipelines and refineries located all around the United States. “The Keystone XL pipeline would consist of approximately 1,711 miles of new 36-inch-diameter pipeline, with approximately 327 miles of pipeline
The Keystone XL Pipeline Imagine the world not as how it is now, but as how people wish it could be. There is no pollution, everyone has a job, the world is at peace and a safe place to live, and most importantly, everyone is happy. This is but a mere dream. Now open your eyes and look at it. See the reality of what the world truly is: we are intentionally hurting the environment, many people in the world are unemployed, many different countries are at war and people are dying because of it.
According to Brendan Smith, in his article “5 Reasons Why the Keystone Pipeline is bad for the Economy”, the project will have negative effects on the country’s economy. He argues that, building the pipeline will harm the economy because its impacts on the environment are costly and it will force the citizens and the government to pay the price. He continues by stating that the project will reduce jobs in the country because the fossil fuel industry had slashed its workforce. Smith points out that the effects of the project will be felt mostly by the poor people because they will not manage to cope with the adverse climate brought about by the increased use of fossil fuel. Moving on, he argues that the Keystone Pipeline will not sustain the economy because it cannot create more jobs in the country (Smith n.p). This is because a sustainable economy is one that creates more jobs...
The Keystone XL pipeline continues dividing the opinion of the people and being a controversial issue. The precious “black gold”, represents one of the main factors that moves the economy, nationally and globally. This extra-long pipeline will transport oil all the way from Canada to Texas. Some experts and the private oil corporation, who is the one in charge of this project, point to the benefits of this project, for example, will make the USA more independent from foreign oil, will create thousands of jobs and improve the economy. Nevertheless, are experts revealing how the pipeline is an unnecessary risk and will be negative for the environment, dangerous for the population living close to the big pipes, and long-term negative for the
The Keystone Pipeline started construction in 2008 for the main purpose of connecting Canadian and American oil refineries to transport crude oil from the oil sands of Canada faster and more efficient. So far the first three phases of the pipeline have been completed but the proposed and most controversial is Phase IV. It connects Hardisty, Alberta to Steele City, Oklahoma which requires a presidential permit and it also connects the 485-mile southern leg known as the Gulf Coast Project between Steele City and Port Arthur, Texas, which is now operating (Eilperin). The benefits of the pipeline include an increase in jobs, contribute $3.4 billion to the U.S economy and also save time and money from transporting the oil by pipeline instead of tanks and rails. At the same time it would be a great harm to the environment, making the climate unstable, and could cause possible future oil spills. The articles covering the Keystone Pipeline generally list out the same points, covering the same benefits and consequences of building the pipeline. Sources like Fox News and CNS have more of an opposition towards the pipeline and narrow in on the risks and of the effects it would have on the people. Whereas news stations such as CNN and The Washington Post address both sides of the controversy but are subtle about being in favor of the pipeline. The international sources such as Al Jazeera and Reuters oppose the pipeline and are more open with supporting the environmentalists.
The expansion of the pipeline project affects the social welfare of the Peoples of the Plateau. This First Nation direly involved are the Coldwater Indian Band, the Tsleil-Waututh Nation and the Squamish Nation. As a positive, this issue has "helped build unity among First Nations opposed to expansion". This unity will help generate more support for their cause. Another social impact is their health concerns. The bands are concerned about the expansions effect on their sources of water. Water is important for both drinking and irrigation and a "spill would be catastrophic".
"global warming, climate change, earth and environment news from Scientific American." global warming, climate change, earth and environment news from Scientific American. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Dec. 2013. .
Keystone Pipeline - Partially constructed oil pipeline system that begins in Harbisty, Alberta and ends in Illinois and Texas.
The environment today is not in a good condition, Climate change is evident, and oceans are getting polluted. Rainforrest's are decreasing in size due to deforestation and illegal logging. Animals are getting extinct due to the destruction of their habitats. Natural resources are being consumed at very large amounts, and get wasted. There are different ways these problems can be addressed, one option is environmental management. Environmental management focuses on conservation of natural resources, protection of habitats, and impact of humans on the environment. Conservation of natural resources is the smart use of the world's resources by humans, through this waste production is limited, and there will be less garbage in the world. By conserving
Are you aware of the detrimental impacts that we have had on our environment? Every second, the Earth is being polluted by poisonous gases, waste products and due to human activities, the world’s climate is dramatically changing. In other words, these impacts do not only harm our environment but also our health. It has been scientifically proven that air pollution causes respiratory diseases and cancer, due to the inhalation of all the harmful chemicals. Water pollution can also lead to typhoid, diarrheal diseases and other waterborne disease, due to the intake of bacteria and parasites. Many people have died due to these health-related illnesses. So why are we still living in this awful condition? Air sustains us and water is a basic necessity, so we should do what we can to prevent pollution. In short, we should protect our environment to ensure a healthy life a...
There are lots of environmental issues going on globally. The earth faces problems such as pollution, global warming, waste disposal, and loss of biodiversity. These are just a small amount of issues out of the so many. These environmental problems pose an abundant amount of risk to the health of humans and animals. There needs to be a solution to all these problems and that is by informing others, so that way everyone can make the environment a better place.