Written Assignment #5

The Kyoto Protocol is an agreement made under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Countries that ratify this protocol commit to reduce their emissions of carbon dioxide and five other greenhouse gases, or engage in emissions trading if they maintain or increase emissions of these gases.

"The Kyoto Protocol is an agreement under which industrialised countries will reduce their collective emissions of greenhouse gases by 5.2% compared to the year 1990 (but note that, compared to the emissions levels that would be expected by 2010 without the Protocol, this limitation represents a 29% cut). The goal is to lower overall emissions of six greenhouse gases - carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, sulfur hexafluoride, HFCs, and PFCs - calculated as an average over the five-year period of 2008-12. National limitations range from 8% reductions for the European Union and some others to 7% for the US, 6% for Japan, 0% for Russia, and permitted increases of 8% for Australia and 10% for Iceland."

New automobile technologies are making new cars more fuel-efficient, helping in the fight against global warming -- a six-speed automated manual transmission can save 8 percent of a vehicle's CO2 emissions, for example.New automobile technologies, already in limited use in today’s cars, are helping in the fight against global warming. Continuous variable valve lift technologies improve the way engines breathe, reducing about 5 percent of a car’s carbon dioxide emissions.

There are many problems with the Kyoto Protocol and President George W. Bush does not agree with it and therefore refuses to sign the treaty. Do you agree or disagree with this position? Do you believe a law should be drafted that requires auto manufacturers in the United States to produce vehicles that achieve 50 miles per gallon of gasoline? Is it possible for auto makers to produce such an automobile?

Write a comment to this post by May 9, 2008. You must include a minimum of two (2) reputable (not Wikipedia) on-line sources.

Written Assignment #4

Water is essential for life and plays a vital role in the proper functioning of the Earth's ecosystems. The pollution of water has a serious impact on all living creatures, and can negatively affect the use of water for drinking, household needs, recreation, fishing, transportation and commerce. EPA enforces federal clean water and safe drinking water laws, provides support for municipal wastewater treatment plants, and takes part in pollution prevention efforts aimed at protecting watersheds and sources of drinking water. The Agency carries out both regulatory and voluntary programs to fulfill its mission to protect the nation's waters. Though much has been done to clean up our waters, much work remains. Sewer overflows and runoff from farms and city streets threaten the life-sustaining properties of our waters, endanger human health and wildlife, and result in thousands of beach closings each year.

How can you help save freshwater in your daily life? Would the savings be worth the cost? Do you think that water polllution is worse now than it was in the past?

Write a comment to this post by April 25, 2008. You must include a minimum of two (2) reputable (not Wikipedia) on-line sources.