Our energy dilemma
The hydrocarbon economy is faltering as oil reserves dwindle worldwide (Hirsch, 2008). Commodity prices have begun to fluctuate drastically due to the uncertain cost of petroleum, which resulted in food riots around the world in 2008. With a steadily decreasing energy supply and the demands on energy systems continually growing, the planet is in dire economic, geopolitical, and environmental straits. In order to halt the advance of climate change, prevent ecological collapse, rescue the global economy, and ensure our energy security, humanity must find a way to harness currently available (non-fossilized) energy. The largest source of energy on Earth, excluding the future potential for thermonuclear fusion reactors, is the sun. Human civilization consumes 15 TW annually while approximately 80,000 TW of solar energy fall on the Earth’s surface each year (Makarieva et al., 2008). For hundreds of millions of years, this solar flux has been the driving f
People with prediabetes or diabetes who live in ozone-polluted areas may have an increased risk for an irreversible disease with a high mortality rate. A new study recently published in the Environmental Health Perspectives connects insulin resistance and repetitive ozone exposure to the development of interstitial lung disease.
“Our findings are especially important today as we’re in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, where we have great concern regarding the convergence of health effects from air pollution and SARS-CoV-2 in susceptible populations like people with diabetes,” said James Wagner, lead author and associate professor for the MSU [Michigan State University] College of Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation.
COVID-19 Update: Detroit TV Stations Launch NEXTGEN TV and Motown 3.0 Test Track, Farmington Hillsâ The Care Team Acquires InTeliCare Home Health and Hospice, and More
Here is a roundup of the latest news concerning the COVID-19 pandemic in addition to announcements from local, state, and federal governments, as well as international channels. To share a business or nonprofit story, please send us a message.
Courtesy of Bridge, as of Dec. 10
Here is a roundup of the latest news concerning the COVID-19 pandemic in addition to announcements from local, state, and federal governments, as well as international channels. To share a business or nonprofit story, please send us a message.
(Photo : Pixabay)
A new study found that many US regions have drinking water exposed to high amounts of arsenic.
The researchers published their results in the online journal
Environmental Health Perspectives. According to the first author and environmental health sciences post-doctoral research fellow Dr. Anne Nigra, the study revealed important implications regarding efforts in decreasing levels of arsenic exposure and obtaining environmental justice.
Dr. Nigra said that there have not been any systematic studies in drinking water exposure inequalities. Their study findings have identified the communities which are in urgent need of more protective measures.
The researchers sought to identify those subgroups who are exposed to arsenic concentrations in the water at levels over 10 μg per Liter even after the maximum arsenic levels have been set.
People with pre-diabetes or diabetes who live in ozone-polluted areas have a higher risk of an irreversible disease with a high death rate, report a new study.