This article, “Plastic Pollution – Why Coca-Cola need to take responsibility too” by Louisa Casson is talking about plastic pollution. Plastic pollution is the biggest problem in the world especially the ocean. To able to reduce plastic pollution in the ocean or just fix the plastic pollution, people who want to use plastic, people who make plastic, and government should be both efforts. The litter collection and recycling systems simply cannot keep up with the amount of plastic we’re using. So, people need to priorities reducing the staggering amount of single-use plastic packaging that is being pumped out and sold to us in the first place. Governments across the UK introduced the charge to give individuals an incentive to re-use bags. Also, Coca-Cola is the biggest drink company in the world. Also, they need a lot of plastic and if Coke does take credible action to reduce their plastic footprint and embrace refillable packaging that can make a massive difference to our oceans. Writing an email to Coca-Cola CEO is a way to make that happen.

The article “Human impact on environment may be slowing down: new study by Shreya Dasgupta 24 August 2016, over the years between 1993 and 2009, the pressures have been increasing at a good rate but the environment is taking a beating. According the maps, its shows a lot of footprints listed from improve to highly degrade. for example, lets borrow one of the countries like the United States of America. Back in 1993 the population was 259.6 million and the human footprints 7.02. we go straight into the 21th century to 2009 where it doubled over 300 million and the footprints decreased to  6.02. the population increased by 18.03 while the footprints were negative 7.75. Human environment could have a impact in every countries.Areas who has been on the come-up are trying improve their ground and make sure that Everything is will be fine. For others who had worst things happens, t  hey need create to protect And what do they need to do. With nearly three-fourths of the earth’s land surface still faces Intense, the increase keeps rising and we never know what might happen after that.

Human impact on environment may be slowing down: new study

“Climate change causes confusion for endangered penguins in search for food” is an article published by the European newspaper The Independent that addresses how both fisheries and climate change has led to threaten the extinction of the African Penguin. It mentions how these penguins are conditioned to search for food in the colder areas of the ocean as in the past, these areas would be filled with sardines and anchovies, the typical food for the African Penguin. However, climate change has made said areas into “ecological traps” that, given time, will push the African Penguin to certain death. The fish leave due to the warmth of the water and as such, the penguins are left with no possible food source. They starve to death, unable to find food for themselves or their families. Such has left the breeding numbers of the species to become 50 percent lower than normal, with an unsure guesstimate of around 80,000 adult penguins left in the wild. My question for you readers is: How would you feel if every living animal was affected by this dilemma? And what do you think we can do to help?

The article” Human impact on the oceans is growing and climate change is the biggest culprit”by Chelsea Harvey discusses how humans are destroying oceans.The sciencetists use a scale to find out how much damage humans are doing between 2008 and 2013. The researchers found out alot of the ocean water get destroyed by humans . Many of the places where this happened is coastal places like Faroe Islands,the eastern Caribean,cape verde and the azore islandsttps://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/07/1

In summary, many years ago volcanic eruptions used to be the cause of air pollution but now human are the one who is causing the air pollution. In the article “Air pollution” by national geographic, air pollution is when gas, smoke or fumes is launched in atmosphere which creates  harmful gases for everyone and everything. The level of carbon dioxide (CO2) went higher than it used be in million year, and it is caused by burning fossil fuels such as natural gas and gasoline those are human activities and it make earth warm. Air pollution doesn’t only put chemicals in air it’s also one of sources that caused global warming because when we burn fossil fuels and the  smoke mix with air, it goes in atmosphere then it make hole in ozone layer. So, how can we reduce the air pollution is that first we have to reduce using of fossil fuels and second the writer says that government should take an action on it like limited discharge of greenhouse and CO2, also says that we should less driving and flying. This how we can reduce air pollution.  

Michael Desmangles English 1101

The article by Duke University doctorate  Danica Schaffer-Smith “Satellites reveal bird habitat loss in California” a study was conducted about the rapid decrease of habitat location for shoreside birds in the Sacramento Valley in California. Smith states the drought in California the is a direct effect on the rapid decline of the shoreside bird population. She states that the freshwater that the birds need to survive is becoming more and more of a struggle for them which causes migration to be much more difficult for the birds. They explain how most of the freshwater from the wetlands that connect to the San Francisco Bay-Delta is being used for agricultural purposes. It is being conserved in reservoirs and moved to small canals and ditches. The recent change in climate has also not benefited the shoreside birds because the inconsistencies of the weather have affected the migration and the water abundance.  The strange weather patterns have also changed the rainfall that the birds need to rest and feed. The tone is extremely urgent and used mainly to inform the reader about this unknown epidemic. How do you guys think we can solve this sudden change for these animals?

Identical Snowflakes? Scientist Ruins Winter For Everyone | Deep Look

By Joshua Cassidy, KQED Science
APRIL 11, 2017
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California’s historic drought is finally over, thanks largely to a relentless parade of powerful storms that have brought the Sierra Nevada snowpack to the highest level in six years, not to mention guaranteed skiing into June. All that snow spurs an age-old question — is every snowflake really unique?

“It’s one of these questions that’s been around forever,” said Ken Libbrecht, a professor of physics at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena. “I think we all learn it in elementary school, the old saying that no two snowflakes are alike.”
Libbrecht spends most of his time thinking about things like black holes and gravitational waves. But for years the North Dakota native has also delved into the mystery of how snowflakes grow into such a dizzying variety of shapes, all based on the same ingredient — water.

So is it possible to find two snowflakes that are exactly the same?

They can be made in a lab. But when it comes to nature, it’s possible, but you’re not likely to find two that match exactly, Libbrecht said.

“It goes back to how they’re made in the clouds,” he said.

Snow crystals form when humid air is cooled to the point that molecules of water vapor start sticking to each other.

A hexagonal ring forms the base structure of the snow crystal
A hexagonal ring forms the base structure of the snow crystal (Teodros Hailye/KQED)
Water molecules are each made out of one oxygen and two hydrogen atoms. Good ‘ol H2O!

The molecules fit together in the shape of a hexagonal ring with bonds forming between hydrogen of one molecule and the oxygen of another molecule.

As more molecules join the growing crystal, they fit into that repeating shape, which is why you tend to find snowflakes with six arms.

In a refrigerated chamber at his lab, Libbrecht built a device that mimics the conditions found in the clouds.

In the bottom of the chamber, Libbrecht keeps a container of hot water. As the water evaporates, it fills the chamber with water vapor. When the air is as humid as it can get, Libbrecht triggers a puff of condensed air that drops the temperature in the chamber suddenly.

That blast of cold air causes the water molecules to stick to each other, forming tiny ice crystals about the same diameter as a human hair.

In the clouds, crystals usually start forming around a tiny microscopic dust particle. But if the water vapor is cooled quickly enough the crystals can form spontaneously from water molecules alone.

“At this point they they’re just little tiny hexagons,” says Libbrecht. “We call them seed crystals.”

After a few moments of floating around the chamber, the tiny crystals grow big and heavy enough to fall. Libbrecht catches them on a small refrigerated slide.

He adjusts the humidity and temperature and, using a microscope, watches the crystals grow.

Ken Libbrecht uses time-lapse photography to document the snow crystals he grows in his lab.
Ken Libbrecht uses time-lapse photography to document the snow crystals he grows in his lab. (Ken Libbrecht, CalTech)
“After a little practice you can make things that are faceted or branched on demand,” he said. “I can make nice plates or turn the knob and make some branches or make side branches. You can kind of design snow crystals.”

Ice crystals that experience the same conditions grow in similar patterns
Ice crystals that experience the same conditions grow in similar patterns (Ken Libbrecht, CalTech)
Libbrecht found that when he grew multiple crystals on the same plate the crystals experienced the same conditions at the same time. The result: twins!

“I like to call them identical twin snowflakes because, like identical twin people, they’re not absolutely exactly the same but they’re very, very similar,” said Libbrecht.
Twin snow crystals grown under the same controlled conditions
Twin snow crystals grown under the same controlled conditions (Ken Libbrecht/CalTech)
In nature, snowflakes don’t travel together. Instead, each takes its own path through the clouds, experiencing different conditions at different times. Since each crystal takes a different path, they each turn out slightly differently.

And studying how ice crystals grow isn’t just a way to make designer snowflakes. It’s a way to understand and control the way crystals grow.

And that’s important because we use crystals in electric devices ranging from coffee makers to jumbo jets.

“Even with very important things like the semiconductors in computers, we don’t really understand the growth of crystals very well,” said Libbrecht.

“There are recipes to make those silicon wafers that form the backbone of those microchips, but they mostly came about just by trial and error.”

Ken Libbrecht’s online guide to snowflakes, snow crystals and other ice phenomena: http://snowcrystals.com/

The article, “NZ legislation gives river legal status as a “person” by Gavin MacFadyen, speaks about a new law being passed, and the implications it has on future legal cases regarding the environment. New Zealand passed a law that gives human status to the Whanganui river- New Zealand’s third largest river, at the behest of the local Maori tribe. The governments intention was to correct previous wrongs committed by them towards the indigenous peoples. India soon followed suit as well, granting the Ganges river and the Yamuna the status of a legal person.  Their ruling also provided a new front on which legal environmental problems may be waged. These rivers now have the legal position of standing, by virtue of their person status. They no longer have to jump through legal hoops to be able to bring a lawsuit. Now that these natural entities have standing,  it changes the way environmental battles will be fought  and both sides will view the natural world through a different lens. If governments or firms would be looking to take advantage of any natural entities, they may find it to be more challenging now than it was in the past. What do you guys think about rivers being labeled as humans?

NZ legislation gives river legal status as a “person”

My friend send me an interesting article about testing people’s personanlities by choosing the flowers.
There are nine different flowers. Which one is your favor flower? Do you think the explaination  in accordance with your personalities?

Tulip
Rose
Tulip
Daisy
Poppy
Violet
Peony
Iris
Daffodil

Tulip

Your motto? “The early bird gets the worm!” Other people wonder at your mellow temperament and seemingly-endless energy, and they’re happy to come to you for solutions to problems they’re overwhelmed by.

You have a knack for empathy, and can often be found taking care of others.

Rose
You’re a traditionalist through and through. That doesn’t mean that you don’t have plenty of fresh ideas, but your taste is classic-chic to a tee! You love history and tradition, and can often be found poring over biographies of fascinating historical women.
You also have a deeply passionate romantic side, but you’re very private. Only a select few ever get to see that aspect of your personality.

Daisy
You’ve never cared much about the opinions of others. You live a wholly original life, entirely on your own terms.
You might share your life with someone else, but you’re fiercely independent, and you like it that way. You might be an artist or creative, or simply have an unquenchable creative spirit. And you put your passions before everything else!

Poppy
At first glance, you seem whimsical and ethereal, but when people get to know you, they quickly realize that you have an inner wild-child. If you’re under the age of 30, you may still be living out the hard-partying youth of a bright young thing.
If you’re a bit older, you may have reinvented yourself into an Earth mama, with a tattoo or two leftover from the bad old days, and a pocketful of wacky and hilarious memories!

Violet
You can be quiet, and you can be subtle, but there’s nothing mousy or awkward about you. You prefer a mellow life of understated charm.
You make your home out in the countryside, or hope to one day, where you can pursue your passionate love for green things.

Peony
You’re a dyed-in-the-wool romantic, and you’re proud of it! You’ve had your heart bruised a time or two, but it’s all worth it for the fairy tale ending.
When you finally found your Mr. or Mrs. Right — or if you’re still looking — they weren’t what you were expecting at all, but you couldn’t be happier. And you have every intention of living happily ever after!

Iris
You’re elegant and striking, to the point that you sometimes intimidate people who don’t know you well.
You’re a born leader in the workplace and in your select friend group, but once people get to know you, they quickly realize you have a soft side, and would do anything for a friend or loved one in need.

Daffodil
Busy as a bee, you always have a project in the works! You move fast and talk faster, but no one minds because they’re hanging on your every word waiting for the next punchline!
Your sense of humor is legendary, and your tongue is notoriously sharp. You love to be in charge, always spearheading the next big thing, and your fashion sense is, in a word, outrageous. But in a good way.

When the road salt seeps, sometimes the manhole covers fly

SETH BORENSTEIN, ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON (AP) — Call it another form of March Madness: Not flying basketballs, but flying manhole covers.

Scientific literature traces manhole explosions back nearly a century, but a series of such incidents in Indianapolis, host of the NCAA basketball championships, has authorities looking for a quick solution.

Good luck with that.

A combination of power system design, winter road salt, older electrical cable insulation and basic chemistry have triggered underground explosions in older downtowns, launching 350-pound manhole covers high in the air. One Georgia Tech engineering professor calculated the explosions could have the force of three sticks of dynamite.

“These things have been known to be launched 10 stories; they have found a manhole cover on top of a building in a certain downtown city,” said Daniel O’Neill, who advises several utilities on the problem. “They are dangerous things. There are hundreds of these things happening every year.”

The nonprofit Electric Power Research Institute’s lab in Lenox, Massachusetts, has spent the last 25 years setting off what officials there call “manhole events.” It’s not for fun. Engineers are trying to find a way to keep manhole covers from flying.

“We’re disappointed to say we’ve not yet solved the problem,” said Matt Olearczyk, manager of distribution research for EPRI. He said, his team will keep at the problem “or we’re going to die trying to fix it.”

The EPRI team has come up with partial solutions, such as latching manhole covers to the ground with a hook-and-piston system. When there’s an explosion, those covers lift a few inches to let off some pressure, but not so much as to let in oxygen to stoke the explosion.

Experts do know how and why these explosions happen amid thousands of miles of tightly bundled electrical cables.

It starts with the way electrical power is distributed in older downtowns underground. Cables are linked so that if one fails, others take over, O’Neill said.

Cable insulation can fray or kink due to age, wear and tear, high power loads during the summer and corrosive road salt. That exposes wiring, which can spark and smolder. Especially when the insulation is older and consists of an oily paper, that releases gases, including hydrogen, methane, acetylene, carbon monoxide and ethylene, O’Neill and Olearczyk said.

Then, salty or dirty water gives the electricity a path to the ground and the spark to set off explosions, O’Neill said.

That’s why O’Neill and Olearczyk say they see more blasts events during the winter and in more northerly cities. The salt is a key ingredient. Consolidated Edison once compared manhole explosions to the streets where road salt was used and found a good correlation, O’Neill said.

The expensive process of replacing the cables with plastic insulated modern cables works well, Olearczyk said.

___

Online:

EPRI You Tube video of manhole cover explosions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxTIoWu__-A