environment
Pollution in Egypt: Global Consequences to Poor Environmental Practices
All over the world, environmental issues are coming to the forefront of politics due to increased severity of environmental disasters. Environmental concerns are often addressed in stable nations like Germany and the United States, but in countries riddled with numerous political and socio-economic problems, environmental concerns take a backseat. In countries such as Egypt, the [...]
A Greener Revolution for a Sustainable Future
Modern agriculture subscribes to the paradigm of ‘productivity above all else,’ and the costs of productivity are high: farms account for eighty percent of consumptive water use in the United States1, spray nearly a billion pounds of pesticide each year2 (less than one percent of which actually hit target), have tripled fertilizer use since the 1960s3, [...]
When Scorched Earth Meets Oil Reserves
Despite the brevity of Iraq’s August 1990 invasion of Kuwait and the resulting war to regain Kuwaiti sovereignty, the seven-month conflict left a tragic mark on peoples’ lives and affected Kuwait’s natural environment significantly. While oil had been used as a weapon of economics or intangible coercion in previous wars, Iraqi forces used oil as [...]
The Jurassic Park of Modern Age: Endangered Animals and Stem Cell Technology
Who likes sci-fi movies? Sci-fi movies about awesome technology, giant mutant creatures, characters with extraordinary powers? In the 21st century, one can hardly find a scenario that is more appealing to the general public than that of crazy scientists pushing too far the boundaries of science and suffering the dangerous outcomes of their messing up [...]
The Shale Gas Revolution and the Promise of Renewable Energy
Shale gas is a form of natural gas found trapped in shale rock. For a few years now, there has been talk of a shale gas glut, a shale gas boom, a shale gas revolution. In his last State of the Union Address, President Obama said, “We have a supply of natural gas that can [...]
The Waters that Turn: Power in the American West
“Everything about the dam is marked by the immense, smooth, efficient beauty that seems peculiarly American. Though no architect designed it and no one mind planned its massive details, it has the effect of great art.” – Wallace Stegner The Columbia River, coursing down 2,700 feet from its Rocky Mountain headwaters to the Pacific where it [...]
Is Ethanol the Champion Bio-Fuel?
The United States, along with the rest of the world, is currently facing a growing energy crisis due to rising oil prices. A potential war with Iran in the near future does not help alleviate these concerns, as regardless of who comes out of this possible conflict as a victor, that fuel is being used [...]
Nuclear Energy: The Future of Bioremediation
Currently, the world consumes over eighty million barrels of oil per day [1]. Of these eighty million, eighteen million are consumed by the U.S. [1] Furthermore, the U.S. Energy Information Agency estimates a fifty-four percent increase in global oil consumption by 2025 [2]. Clearly, the world needs to take a decisive stand on future energy [...]
Leaf it to Me: Biomimicry and the Artificial Leaf
The concept of environmentalism is almost inevitably coupled to sacrifice and responsibility. In order to reduce our disruption of nature, we are provided with lists upon lists of things we should not do. We should not take long showers. We should not forget to turn the lights off before we leave a room. It’s as [...]
Another Rhino Species Poached Out of Existence
The Western Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis longipes) of Africa was declared extinct by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) last November. There have been no sightings of the sub-species since 2006 despite intensive survey throughout its Cameroon homeland.1 Two other rhino species, the Northern white rhino in central Africa and the Javan [...]
Security vs. Environment: Issue-Framing in the Nord Stream Pipeline Project
By: Marina Stefanova, Georgetown University April 2010 marked the beginning of the construction of Nord Stream, a controversial joint project of Gazprom, BASF SE/Wintershall Holding, E.ON Ruhrgas, and N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie. When completed, the pipeline will be 1,220 km long and will run on the Baltic seabed from Vyborg, Russia to Greifswald, Germany. The pipeline will [...]
Bacterial Hydrogen: What Does it Mean for Future Medicine?
By Jessica Kowalik, George Washington University From deep-sea hydrothermal vents to our own gastrointestinal biomes, bacteria that convert hydrogen to energy are a crucial and fascinating component of microbial ecosystems. Their hydrogen consumption may hold the key to explaining why certain animals are able to flourish several kilometers beneath the sea and how human pathogens [...]
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