Alternative Energy Sources

Three main sources of alternative energy are wind, solar and hyrdo-power.

• Hydropower is generated from the flow of water, and the most common source of hydropower are dams. As power plant capacities can be added to already existing-dams, there is usually no further harm to the environment, save for the impact the dam already made. The second type of hydropower comes from tide turbines/generators and they have significantly less of an impact on the environment. They are, however, a new technology, and are being constantly being experimented with, and changed, and as they continue to improve the technology, tide turbines will probably see a surge in popularity.
• Wind Energy is generated by wind pushing turbines at a fast enough speed. Right now, they are the greenest alternative available, because they can easily generate enough electricity to cancel out the resources needed to make, transport and maintain the turbines. The major downside to turbines, besides relying on the wind, is the aesthetics. Many people refuse to endorse the technology in their area because they are afraid that it will ruin the view. While this is true, wouldn't you rather lose a bit of your view, and gain a source of renewable energy?
• Solar power is generated by solar radiation and heat being transformed into electricity via a photovoltaic cell (photons of light knock electrons into a higher state to create electricity). This is known as active solar energy, as opposed to passive generation which simply takes advantage of light, temperature, and energy-efficient building materials.

Passive solar energy and other passive technologies are what individuals can do reduce energy usage. Short of changing one's lifestyle, simple architectural details like aligning the house so it gets the most sunlight, a roof overhang, a skylight, and using building materials with more thermal mass can reduce energy usage.

Pesticides and their Effects

What is a pesticide?

How do pesticides affect people?

Pesticides cannot be contained to a designated area.

- It is common place to overuse pesticides because of the common belief that pests are the largest enemy of farmers.

- Pesticide Treadmill

- Picture below: Coffee Beans

o The coffee beans on left are a result of the overuse of pesticides.

o The coffee beans on the right were grown without the aid of pesticides.

Sources:

"About Pesticides." Environmental Protection Agency. May 3, 2010.

Berg, Linda, and Peter Raven. Environment. United States of America: John Wiley &

Sons, Inc., 2006.

"Environmental Impacts." Equita. May 3, 2010.

Pesticides and Your Everyday Life: Why Should You Care?

- We still use pesticides which we know cause cancer, and pesticides developed as a nerve gas

- The US uses about 1 billion pounds of pesticides each year

- Increased Use

- The 2006 USGS report found that pesticides were in every stream that they sampled.

- Many of these pesticides are found not only in water, but in food sources

- Developed countries have more pesticides in their water systems than developing countries

Sources:

"Migrant Farm Workers and Pesticides: The Health Danger." May 3, 2010.

"States Battle Pesticides in Groundwater." ABC News. May 3, 2010.

How Do Pesticides Affect Our Lives?

- Pesticides are known to cause illness among the farmers
- Studies show that exposure to pesticides increase sex linked cancers
- Pesticides affect nursing mothers and babies
- Children and their mental development
- Pesticide Poisonings
- Water’s role in transporting pesticides

Sources:

"Baby Suffers Due To Mother Being Exposed to Pesticides." Pesticides: useful and harmful
effects. May 3, 2010

Berg, Linda, and Peter Raven. Environment. United States of America: John Wiley &

Sons, Inc., 2006.

"Pesticides in Water.” Californians For Pesticide Reform. May 3, 2010.

Wheel of Hormones: Gambling with the Future of Mankind. Lars Mortensen. 1997. VHS.
Denmark Films: Filmakers Library, 2010.

Pictures of Contamination in Developing Countries

- Pesticides usually enter the water in 3 ways:

o Air

o Percolation

o Run Off

Sources:

"Aerial Spraying." Cape York Weeds and Feral Animals Program. May 3, 2010.

Berg, Linda, and Peter Raven. Environment. United States of America: John Wiley &

Sons, Inc., 2006.

"Pesticides: Frequent Questions." Environmental Protection Agency. February 8, 2010.

"Pesticides In Groundwater." USGS. May 3, 2010.

"Polluted Runoff In Upper Nemahbin." Upper Nemahbin Lake Management District. May 3,
2010.

Pesticides and Water Pollution

- Fish are more sensitive than some land animals, because the pesticide is dissolved so they are swimming in toxins

- Pesticide Persistence

- Pesticides do not always cause death in fish many times the pesticides cause chronic health problems for the fish

- Bioaccumulation

- Biodiversity

- Pesticides threaten aquatic ecosystems

Sources:

Berg, Linda, and Peter Raven. Environment. United States of America: John Wiley &

Sons, Inc., 2006.

"Pesticides in Water.” Californians For Pesticide Reform. May 3, 2010.

"Seagulls helping with cleanup of dead shad." Muskegon News Archive. May 3, 2010.

Background on Water Pollution

Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies (lakes, rivers, oceans, and groundwater). Water pollution occurs when pollutants are discharged directly or indirectly into water bodies without adequate treatment to remove harmful compounds. There are two broad categories that explain water pollution.

There are four main factors that explain the contamination of our waters today: the chemicals were dumped into the water intentionally; the chemicals leaked into groundwater, rivers or streams because of broken pipes or tanks; the chemicals infected waterways because of industrial catastrophes; and the pollution of water settled out of polluted air.