/r/EnvironmentalScience

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Environmental science is an interdisciplinary academic field that integrates physical and biological sciences, (including physics, chemistry, biology, soil science, geology, and geography) to the study of the environment, and the solution of environmental problems (Wiki).

Links to discussions, studies, articles, clips and documentaries about the environment.

/r/EnvironmentalScience

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0 Comments
2022/12/14
01:51 UTC

6

Book recommendations for environmental science?

7 Comments
2022/03/16
10:40 UTC

2

Free Virtual Learning Event on March 22nd Covering Climate Change and Groundwater

Hi Everyone,

A former teacher here transitioned to the non-profit world. My organization builds boreholes and sanitation projects in rural Uganda. We also create educational materials and events for teachers and students to take part in. We are having our Free Virtual World Water Day on March 22nd. This event focuses on Groundwater and its impact on everyday life. I attached some information that covers it in greater detail. If you would like to register for the event, you can use this link here (https://tailoredvirtual.swoogo.com/dldt-wwd-2022). If you have any questions, you can shoot me a direct message as well.

You and your classroom are invited to take part in Drink Local Drink Tap’s annual World Water Day celebration. World Water Day is a United Nations day of observance held every March 22nd to highlight the importance of sustainable water for all. This year marks our 11th year in participating in World Water Day! This year’s theme is Groundwater: Making the Invisible, Visible**.**

Through this theme, we will amplify youth voices, create awareness, and inspire each student to become a water steward.

What you get when you register for World Water Day:

  • Virtual access to exhibitor videos teaching your students about water. Visit these videos and discussions at your own pace 9 am-10:30 am EST (remains open all day- FREE with registration)
  • Virtual access to our LIVE Zoom program (FREE, registration required)
  • Follow up discussion and NEW lesson plan activities for your classroom
  • A copy of our Make Waves 4 Change book if you have not already received one

The live Zoom event takes place from 10:30 am-11:30 am EST and includes

  • DLDT opening its 100th project in rural Uganda
  • Inspiring discussion Executive Director and Founder and our Ugandan Director teaching students how groundwater is ‘made visible through our projects in rural Uganda
1 Comment
2022/03/15
14:56 UTC

3

How to save water while flushing urine?

Hello everyone,

Maybe an odd question but does anyone get annoyed by using so many litres of water per day for just flushing urine? If yes, what's your solution for that? I used to just pee and leave it in a bowl but I don't think it's ideal as I live in a hot country so it quickly stinks plus other parts of households don't like it(I do understand urine isn't pretty to look at). I know that urine can be collected and as its sterile product it is used as fertiliser but I live in a rented place so it's out of question to get this installed. So I just want to safe water for now and be more environmental friendly and I think this is a great way to start... all suggestions are welcome!!

3 Comments
2022/03/07
23:28 UTC

1

Sanitation

0 Comments
2022/03/03
23:56 UTC

3

What is the best place to bid environmental work?

I'm now in charge of growing my company's environmental construction division in the private sector. My experience is these jobs are often one-off type things and they usually just fall into my lap. Most corporations dont announce when they are having environmental issues from a public image standpoint. So where do I find out about extra opportunities? We already work for the big consulting firms in the area and they call us when stuff comes up... we really shy away from government contracting since each simple project ends up being an overcomplicated mess run by project managers that have little concept of time, money, and practicality. We just dont have the office staff to cover all of the meetings and paperwork. We thrive on jobs where we are in-and-out within a few weeks without convoluted specs. Even better if I can sell parts instead of just labor...

3 Comments
2022/03/03
19:05 UTC

4

What is the most interesting topic in environmental science that you could/would write 10 or more pages on?

5 Comments
2022/02/17
22:42 UTC

6

Ecology is the study of organisms and how they interact with the environment.

"Ecology is the study of organisms and how they interact with the environment around them. An ecologist studies the relationship between living things and their habitats.,In addition to examining how ecosystems function, ecologists study what happens when ecosystems do not function normally." https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/ecology/#:~:text=Ecology%20is%20the%20study%20of%20organisms%20and%20how%20they%20interact,living%20things%20and%20their%20habitats.&text=In%20addition%20to%20examining%20how,ecosystems%20do%20not%20function%20normally.

0 Comments
2022/02/08
14:07 UTC

13

Scientists raise alarm over 'dangerously fast' growth in atmospheric methane.

NEWS 08 February 2022 Scientists raise alarm over ‘dangerously fast’ growth in atmospheric methane As global methane concentrations soar over 1,900 parts per billion, some researchers fear that global warming itself is behind the rapid rise. Jeff Tollefson Twitter Facebook Email

Tropical wetlands, such as the Pantanal in Brazil, are a major source of methane emissions.Credit: Carl De Souza/AFP via Getty

Methane concentrations in the atmosphere raced past 1,900 parts per billion last year, nearly triple preindustrial levels, according to data released in January by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Scientists says the grim milestone underscores the importance of a pledge made at last year’s COP26 climate summit to curb emissions of methane, a greenhouse gas at least 28 times as potent as CO2.

The growth of methane emissions slowed around the turn of the millennium, but began a rapid and mysterious uptick around 2007. The spike has caused many researchers to worry that global warming is creating a feedback mechanism that will cause ever more methane to be released, making it even harder to rein in rising temperatures.

“Methane levels are growing dangerously fast,” says Euan Nisbet, an Earth scientist at Royal Holloway, University of London, in Egham, UK. The emissions, which seem to have accelerated in the past few years, are a major threat to the world’s goal of limiting global warming to 1.5–2 °C over pre-industrial temperatures, he says.

Source: NOAA

Enigmatic patterns For more than a decade, researchers have deployed aircraft, taken satellite measurements and run models in an effort to understand the drivers of the increase (see ‘A worrying trend’)1,2. Potential explanations range from the expanding exploitation of oil and natural gas and rising emissions from landfill to growing livestock herds and increasing activity by bacteria in wetlands3.

“The causes of the methane trends have indeed proved rather enigmatic,” says Alex Turner, an atmospheric chemist at the University of Washington in Seattle. And despite a flurry of research, Turner says he is yet to see any conclusive answers emerge.

One clue is in the isotopic signature of methane molecules. The majority of carbon is carbon-12, but methane molecules sometimes also contain the heavier isotope carbon-13. Methane generated by bacteria — after they consume carbon in the mud of a wetland or in the gut of a cow, for instance — contains less 13C than does methane generated by heat and pressure inside Earth, which is released during fossil-fuel extraction.

Scientists have sought to understand the source of the mystery methane by comparing this knowledge about the production of the gas with what is observed in the atmosphere.

By studying methane trapped decades or centuries ago in ice cores and accumulated snow, as well as gas in the atmosphere, they have been able to show that for two centuries after the start of the Industrial Revolution the proportion of methane containing 13C increased4. But since 2007, when methane levels began to rise more rapidly again, the proportion of methane containing 13C began to fall (see ‘The rise and fall of methane’). Some researchers believe that this suggests that much of the increase in the past 15 years might be due to bacterial sources, rather than the extraction of fossil fuels.

Source: Sylvia Michel, University of Colorado Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research

Back to the source “It’s a powerful signal,” says Xin Lan, an atmospheric scientist at NOAA’s Global Monitoring Laboratory in Boulder, Colorado, and it suggests that human activities alone are not responsible for the increase. Lan’s team has used the atmospheric 13C data to estimate that microbes are responsible for around 85% of the growth in emissions since 2007, with fossil-fuel extraction accounting for the remainder5.

The next — and most challenging — step is to try to pin down the relative contributions of microbes from various systems, such as natural wetlands or human-raised livestock and landfills. This may help determine whether warming itself is contributing to the increase, potentially via mechanisms such as increasing the productivity of tropical wetlands. To provide answers, Lan and her team are running atmospheric models to trace methane back to its source.

“Is warming feeding the warming? It’s an incredibly important question,” says Nisbet. “As yet, no answer, but it very much looks that way.”

Regardless of how this mystery plays out, humans are not off the hook. Based on their latest analysis of the isotopic trends, Lan’s team estimates that anthropogenic sources such as livestock, agricultural waste, landfill and fossil-fuel extraction accounted for about 62% of total methane emissions since from 2007 to 2016 (see ‘Where is methane coming from?’).

SOURCE: Ref. 5.

Global Methane Pledge This means there is plenty that can be done to reduce emissions. Despite NOAA’s worrying numbers for 2021, scientists already have the knowledge to help governments take action, says Riley Duren, who leads Carbon Mapper, a non-profit consortium in Pasadena, California, that uses satellites to pinpoint the source of methane emissions.

Last month, for instance, Carbon Mapper and the Environmental Defense Fund, an advocacy group in New York City, released data revealing that 30 oil and gas facilities in the southwestern United States have collectively emitted about 100,000 tonnes of methane for at least the past three years, equivalent to the annual warming impact of half a million cars. These facilities could easily halt those emissions by preventing methane from leaking out, the groups argue.

At COP26 in Glasgow, UK, more than 100 countries signed the Global Methane Pledge to cut emissions by 30% from 2020 levels by 2030 and Duren says the emphasis must now be on action, including in low and middle-income countries across the global south “Tackling methane is probably the best opportunity we have to buy some time,” he says, to solve the much bigger challenge of reducing the world’s CO2 emissions.

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-022-00312-2

References 1. Nisbet, E. et al. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2021.0112 (2021).

Article   Google Scholar  

Palmer, P. I. et al. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2021.0106 (2021).

Article   Google Scholar  

Turner, A. J., Frankenburg, C. & Kort, E. A. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 116, 2805–2813 (2019).

PubMed   Article   Google Scholar  

Ferretti, D. F. et al. Science 309, 1714–1717 (2005).

PubMed   Article   Google Scholar  

Lan, X. et al. Global Biogeochem. Cycles https://doi.org/10.1029/2021GB007000 (2021).

PubMed   Article   Google Scholar  

Download references

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3 Comments
2022/02/08
14:03 UTC

14

Chemical fire in the city of Nottingham, has happened three times since the start of the academic year. "It should have been closed after the second time." Adding more carbon to the atmosphere and carcinogens. I'll be contacting the council.

1 Comment
2022/01/31
21:18 UTC

6

IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

https://preview.redd.it/smf2y17dp9e81.png?width=1080&format=png&auto=webp&s=0f3d728577bcaa55f8ea18685896a5a82e4db4c6

Importance of environmental science.

  • It aware us how our developmental and day-to-day activities affect the environment and

how we are affected by changes in environmental conditions.

  • It encourages us to create a pollution-free environment (that is, clean air, water, land,

and food) by adopting different methods of preventing and controlling pollution.

  • It guides us to utilize our natural resources such as water, forest, minerals, and fossil fuels in a judicious manner
  • To adopt an eco-friendly lifestyle by preventing and controlling pollution, and utilizing the resources efficiently in day-to-day activities
  • Industries to adopt an eco-friendly mode by adopting clean and efficient technologies and installing pollution control systems.
  • To solve complex global environmental problems such as climate change, ozone-layer depletion, desertification, and energy crisis by using different interdisciplinary tools and approaches.
  • To adopt a sustainable development strategy.

Get full Article Access free :- Click Here

0 Comments
2022/01/27
17:45 UTC

6

Video I Created That Uses Pokémon to Tell the Story of Coral Bleaching and Climate Change

0 Comments
2022/01/26
00:07 UTC

3

Mystery Ripples after Tonga

0 Comments
2022/01/25
05:09 UTC

2

Question about NFTs' impact on the environment

Hi everyone! I've been reading about NFTs and all the conflicting information/opinions everyone has of them, and it's especially confusing when close friends of mine are also polarised on the issue (meaning some are very pro NFT while others are super anti NFT).

When researching the topic, one of my pro NFT friends shared this study from Cambridge on what the actual updated energy usage of NFTs are after employing proof-of-stake. I read through it but it's hard to actually understand what the study concludes from my analysis since I don't have a background in environmental science.

If any of you read through it, could you share your thoughts on whether the data debunks the impact NFTs have, or supports the conclusion that they are still catastrophic for the environment? Does the trend show quick enough technological advancement that NFTs will have a much more negligible impact on the environment compared to other industries? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Cambridge study: https://ccaf.io/cbeci/index/methodology

0 Comments
2022/01/23
07:07 UTC

1

Design Project Research

Hi everyone!

I am a senior Industrial Design student at the University of Cincinnati in the research-phase of my capstone project focused on designing tools/equipment for aquatic field researchers.

I am looking for people who have experience performing water quality assessments tests to fill out this quick survey about your experiences in the field. Thank you in advance!

https://forms.gle/pmVdb9oya9tq4QzH8

0 Comments
2022/01/19
01:27 UTC

0

Today's Green Monday Question

0 Comments
2022/01/17
03:49 UTC

0 Comments
2021/12/14
01:51 UTC

4

Need a punny name

Hi there! I'm currently a student in an environmental science course, and for my final project I've been allowed to make a 1 episode podcast on my chosen topic as relates to what we've been studying in our course. Problem: If i don't have a witty or punny title I may lose my mind.

My topic is the role of protected areas in preservation and maintaining biodiversity. I intend to talk about protected areas in general, then discuss small and large scale protected areas. I will then focus on the Grand Canyon national park and the interview I did with a member of their science team, and I want to end talking about the issues faced, with a strong emphasis on the topic of climate change as well as positive outlooks and ways the average person can help.

Any witty name ideas?

3 Comments
2021/12/08
18:41 UTC

4

What class would you recommend I take for environmental science degree?

I am transferring for the spring 2022 from community college(graduating) to a university. I am working towards a B.S. in environmental science. Here is the list of classes my academic advisor sent me. I am nervous but excited, I enjoy learning everything science. I knew I wanted a science degree. I took 2 biology courses, chemistry and geology at my community college. Geology really captured my interest, working towards a better environment is my goal.

Core Requirements (12 C.H.) CH Taken Sem ENSC - Intro Sus Planet or ENSC - Global Sust. 3 GEOG - Intro to Geog or GEOG - World Reg. Geog. 3 GEOG - Physical Geography or ENSC - Earth Science 3 GEOG - Intro to GIS or GEOG - GIS 3

Total 12

12 Credit Hour Requirements (2000 Level) ENSC - Global Environmental Sustainability 3 ENSC - Environmental Science (4) 4 ENSC - Environmental Justice 3 ENSC - Sustainable Agriculture / Food Systems 3 GEOG - Online Weather (3) * 3 GEOG - Geology (3) * 3 GEOG - Advanced Physical Geography (3) * 3 GEOG - Oceanography (3) * 3 GEOG - Economic Geography (3) * Focus on Env. Econ. 3 GEOG - Earth Science 3 BIOL - Environmental Biology 3 BIOL - Environmental Problems 4 Total 12

12 Credit Hour Requirements (3000 Level) ENSC - Air Quality and Control (3) 3 ENSC - Water Quality and Control (3) ENSC - Environmental Sampling and Analysis (4) 4 ENSC - United States Environmental Policy and Regulation (3) 3 GEOG - Political Geography (3) *Focus on Environmental Politics 3 GEOG - Climatology (3) * 3 GEOG - Principles of Remote Sensing (3) * 3 GEOG - Geographic Infromation Systems 3 GEOG - Population Geography (3) *Sustainability 3 GEOG - Urban Public Transportation Systems (3) 3 HEDU - Environmental Health 3

Total 12

15 Credit Hour Requirements (4000 Level) ENSC - Env. Education and Outreach 3 ENSC - Principles of Toxicology (3) 3 ENSC - Special Topics in Environmental Science (1 to 4) 3 ENSC - Environmental Chemistry (3) 3 ENSC - Environmental Nanotechnology (3) 3 GEOG - Applied Geographic Information Systems (3) 3 GEOG - Geohazards Analysis with GIS (3) * 3 GEOG - Geospatial Statistics (3) * 3 GEOG - Conservation of Natural Resources (3) * 3 GEOG - Minerals, Energy and Environment (3) * 3 GEOG - Social Geography (3) 3 GEOG - Urban Geography (3) * Sustainability 3

Total 15

3 Credit Hour Requirements (Course Below) ENSC - Environmental Science Internship (3) 15 ENSC - Independent Study (1 to 3) 3 ENSC - Introduction to Research (1 to 3) 3 GEOG - Field Mapping (3) * 3 GEOG - Independent Study (3) 3 GEOG - Independent Study (3)

Total hours 3

Total degree 54

1 Comment
2021/12/07
20:41 UTC

13

Not sure what career is the outcome of this degree

I’m planning on going into environmental science in college, but I’m not really sure on what jobs I’ll get from it. Working outside and in the field more often than behind a desk is ideal to me, but I’m not too sure if that’s realistic with this type of degree. Does anybody have any input on this?

13 Comments
2021/11/14
00:46 UTC

5

Future job opportunities in this field

I am graduating with an environmental science degree with top honors this semester. I live in Wisconsin and have been having a hard time finding work. Are there remote jobs (or work from he) out there for this degree? Any help or websites to find work would be appreciated.

0 Comments
2021/11/04
17:22 UTC

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