Chemicals in the Environment and Endocrine disruptors
September 29th, 2009
Over the past few years large quantities of man-made chemicals have been produced and released, thus, polluting the environment. A large number of these chemicals that are released have the ability to change the action of hormones in the human body. These substances are called endocrine disrupters. These disrupters have the property to disrupt the cell receptors of the human body. The balanced action of the endocrine system is very essential for the proper functioning of the human body and this is more important in the females. The importance of the adequate functioning in females is because of the fertility and menstrual cycle in females is very sensitive to any imbalance in the hormones.
The endocrine system in a human body is a set of glands and the hormone produced by them. These glands in the human body are responsible for the development, reproduction, growth and behavior of animals and humans. Both natural and manmade chemicals have the tendency to interfere with the functioning of these glands and the hormones produced by them and also on the target tissues where the produced hormones act. These chemicals are called endocrine disruptors. Humans get exposed to these substances via contaminated water and food. From chemicals used in consumer products to industrial processes, EDCs are omnupresent!
These endocrine disruptors, also referrred as hormonally active agents are a matter of concern because they have harmful effects on the growth, reproduction and development in humans and also in animals. Due to the disturbance in the endocrine system some type of cancer can also be a cause of worry. These chemical compounds can affect the body through a number of mechanisms. Firstly they can bind the cell receptors which will result in an unnecessary response by commencing the normal reaction to the cell at a wrong time or to a greater extent. This is called the agonistic effect. There is another effect called the antagonistic effect where it will stop the binding of the natural hormone. The human body has a certain amount of natural hormones in the blood and these chemicals can stop the transportation of the proteins through the blood stream. Another effect is that these endocrine disruptors may obstruct the natural metabolic processes of the body which will affect the breakdown rate of the hormones in the body.
These endocrine disruptors are found in many things around us, thus the level of exposure for everyone is high. Chemicals; the traces of which have been found in humans are DDT, Polychlorinated biphenyls, polybrominated diphenyl ethers and many others. Some of the effects that these disruptors have are reproductive tract abnormality, vaginal cancer, semen abnormalities in men, abnormalities in penis, lower cholesterol, delayed neurological developments and many others.
The effect the chemicals can have can vary from person to person and some who are exposed may not be affected at all. But the embryo and the fetus can be adversely affected by the chemicals as their development and their growth is controlled by the endocrine system. This can result in lifelong abnormality or even abnormalities in reproduction. The time for which the body is exposed can also alter the effect the disruptors will have on the human body. The effect of these disruptors can be seen in later stages of life or at times in the next generation.
The endocrine disruptors are exogenous substances which alter the functioning of the endocrine system and this can have serious effects on the health of both humans and animals. They affect normal functions of the cells and the hormones in the human body which can have lasting effects. One needs to be careful and take adequate precautions by staying away from the chemicals and thus, their harmful effect.
Facts: The term Endocrine Disruptor was first coined by Theo Colborn in 1991 at a conference at the Wingspread Conference Center in Racine, Wisconsin. She later stated that envorinmental chemicals disrupt the development of our endocrine system.
Population Growth and Environmental Issues
September 17th, 2009
The contemporary world is being largely affected by the increasing population, particularly in some of the third world countries. This indeed has become an imperative matter of concern. The present global rate of the human population has peaked since 1963, which has a stupendous rise in the use of certain fixed resources like food and most importantly water. The demand for these resources have increase by two-third times since then, which presently indicates a figure of approximately 6.6 billion (the population count), and the figure is expected to rise even further by the year 2050. 9 billion is what the experts are expecting.
Environmentalists claim that most of the current problem that humans are experiencing in terms of climatic changes to rabid resource extraction is all caused due to human population growth.
Population growth has contributed to some of the major environmental problems that we are experiencing today. The Population Connection revealed that with the growth of population since 1950, 80% of the rainforests have been cleared, more than 10,000 wildlife and plant species have been lost, greenhouse gas emission has increased potentially by 400% and more than half of the surface land of the Earth has been used for commercial purpose, which still continues.
With such a remarkable increase in these various factors, it is now expected that the population of the world is likely to be exposed to scarcity of water in the future. Scarcity of water or water stress will further intensify the difficulties in meeting the water consumption levels, thus wreaking devastating effects on the ecosystem.
The Interconnection
An interconnection between every living organism, starting from the germs to sharks and whales to humans and their interdependency is obvious. All these living organisms share a food chain, which is dependent on the healthy habits for survival. With the population growth, every living organism is likely to have lesser resources for survival. This actually implies how the human actions and the alarming growth of people are adversely affecting the environment.
Earth has a “carrying capacity”, which refers to the human populace that the earth can substantially support. Certain factors like the overall resource being used and the distribution of resources can affect the capacity. Exceeding the Capacity of the Earth would definitely call for environmental hazards. Although science has been struggling to provide some solution to the condition, results haven’t been published yet. Nonetheless, when every other resource fails, we will have to rely on science as the last resort to overcome a great disaster.
With the increasing population, the demand for every other resource for survival is increasing significantly. But do we have ample resources to support life? That’s the biggest question.
It is a fact that we are using and sometimes abusing most of the resources we have, or better say we had. Deforestation for human living space, wildlife poaching for human benefit, industrialization to support human needs etc are just a few of the habits that we have adapted in the recent past without realizing how it would affect the Earth and affect us in the long run.
Earth could have been a better place than it is today if we humans were just a bit more concerned about ourselves. Though we apparently seem to be that way, but unknowingly or ignorantly we fail to keep up our efforts. It is all because of the population and the necessity to make both ends meet, that we humans are adapting anything that comes handy and that brings us two square meals, and in doing so we are actually destroying the earth and the environment.
Climatic change: Leading to species extinction
September 14th, 2009
Global warming is something that will affect nearly everyone on this planet unless something can be done to control it. There are oodles of articles which have thousands of theories about the effects of global warming and the destruction that has been wrought on the planet because of it. We as humans are aware of the destruction that we are willfully carrying out on our one and only planet; but the tragedy arises when we take a closer look at the thousands of species that have been permanently wiped out of existence due to our own ignorance.
Global warming can be explained as an increase in temperature of the earth, the air layer near to the surface of the earth, and oceans. Since the phenomenon was recorded, the has been an average increase in the global surface temperature by about 0.74 ± 0.18 °C over the last century. The increase in global temperature has changed weather conditions, caused drastic climate changes, and caused rises in sea water levels that irreparably damaged the entire delicate balance of ecosystems all over the world. The direct effect of climate change and global warming can be seen in the changes of migrations routes of migratory birds, fishes and turtles. Rare species like the little egret, the loggerhead turtle,
the red mullet, and the ringed plover have all changed their migratory patterns to stay closer to home. This adaptation can damage the existing ecosystem which was given a chance to recuperate when the birds moved to other climes. Other species adapted to the warmer climate by moving further north but this simply encroached on the natural territory of polar bears and seals that occupied the cold arctic seas all year round. The large amount of species competing for the same food has placed a large load on the arctic sea ice that is already struggling to resist melting due to raised temperatures.
Other effects that have been seen are the almost complete destruction of species like Australia’s Boyd’s forest dragon, 
Europe’s azure-winged magpie and Mexico’s Jico deer mouse which are finding it very difficult to adapt to the rapid and constant weather and climate changes. Extensive deforestation, heated water, rising water levels that are eating into beaches are contributing to a constant loss of precious animal and plant species on an almost daily basis.
Researchers say that unless something is done quickly to deal with the constant flood of greenhouse gases;there are very good chances of losing several more species as well in the long run. According to the study carried out by 14 laboratories locates in several different countries around the globe, there was a consensus that almost 1,103 native species will disappear or by extinct when the year 2050 rolls around.
Unless we actively work together, we might just land up wiping ourselves along with everyone else permanently out of existence(…)
Green policies in India?
September 9th, 2009
India can be a really laid back country! And for many politicos, the environment and conserving it, is something that is considered to be “soft agenda!” This technically means not very important…
When you really take a long hard look at international politics, you will notice that America has reached where it is at present due to its high consumption of fossil fuels. Clinton went down to India in 2000 to convince India to sign up with it in a form of emissions trading where it could continue to use as much of fossil fuel required while India cut back to compensate for the overuse. India does not really have a political party that focuses on the environment completely. When there was a hue and cry about trees, it was mainly due to direct threats to livelihood like what happened in the Chipko movement in Uttarkhand in 1974. Farmers hugged trees in fear of losing livelihood rather than in an effort to protect the environment. But in Western Europe and the US, the environment is something that can be actually considered an active threat to economic progress. America has for long considered climate change an essential problem that threatens its economic development. Cutting down emissions is impossible as it means cutting down on production and hence development. And emissions trading with India will cost America about 95% less than actually shutting down emissions producing companies that are running its economy!
In India, awareness in people at the grassroots level and the higher echelons about the importance of the environment is almost negligible. With rising poverty, a booming population explosion, internal and external terror problems, health issues and unemployment taking priority; no political party actually finds environmental issues an adequate plan to gain votes. Countries like South Korea. China, America, and UK are now earmarking varying amounts of their budgets to green growth. And at last count, India has devoted nothing to the same aspect of green development.
But Global warming affects all of us uniformly even if one country uses less or if the other uses more! Rising sea levels can literally flood coastal areas of India along with the increased incidence of droughts, floods and famines due to the climate change and continued emissions from countries like the United Sates. With the rapid boom in India’s production and economy in the recent years, it will very soon become necessary for Indian political parties to take an active interest in the problem. At present, the green drive to reduce emissions, recycle and conserve is being run by a mish-mash of active judiciary that curtailed pesticides leaching into groundwater, dynamic NGOs and an urban well-educated middle class. But that is not enough. Unless India finds a way to raise awareness at the grassroots level and include green policies in every aspects of its current development, it could very soon find itself losing its natural resources due to simple hard headed ignorance.
China, India and Global Warming
September 6th, 2009
According to statistics, the contribution of India and China towards increase in carbon dioxide and pollution in the earth’s atmosphere is up on the rise. Between 1992 and 2002, the emissions of greenhouse gases by these countries were increased by 15% alone, but since the year 2002, they have gone another 10%. According to the data compiled by World Resources Institute, China accounts of 10% and India accounts for 3% of the greenhouse gases present in the atmosphere. India is the fifth biggest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world while China is the first.
Contribution to China and India in green house emissions
China and India are among the top five countries that are the major contributors of green house gases to the environment. It is a favorable fact that both the countries are developing rapidly and they are coming out of their reputation of being the countries dependent upon their agricultural land. Increasing number of industries, both national and international, are setting up their factories in these countries, leading to an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide contributed by them. Because the countries are developing, the living standards of their citizens are also rising and there are increasing number of vehicles in every household. This means that more people are traveling in their own cars, leading to increase in the air pollution.
Effects of global warming on China and India
India and China are only two countries that are going to suffer a lot because of the climate changes affecting different geographic locations. For instance, northern parts of India and China will experience an increase in the median temperature by around 8-9ºF. As the rainfall patterns are shifting to more droughts and deluges, these two countries are more likely to suffer from floods also. Indeed, the west and south parts of China are already going through a 7 times increase in the deluges, as compared to 1950s. These countries will also receive more severe pacific cyclones with Noachian rainfall and stronger winds. Fresh water will also become scarce in these countries as they receive most of their drinking water from the glaciers of Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau, feeding Indus, Ganges, Yellow and Yangtze rivers.
Himalayas are warming 3 times as far as the average in the world, as a result of which their glaciers continue to shrink more rapidly than any other part of the world. It has been estimated that they are possible to get disappeared by the year 2035. The Indus and the Ganges may become seasonal rivers rather than being year-round. The availability of water for millions of Indians and Chinese is therefore estimated to fall 20-40% in the next few years. The IPCC has projected that in addition to the earlier spring snow melting, the farm output can be slashed down by 10% by the year 2030. China is already undergoing drought conditions in half a century, having 300 million people having no or less drinking water and 50 million acres crops damaged or lost. IPCC projects that the production of rice in Asia will fall 10% for every 2º rise in the minimum temperature in the growing season.
Steps taken by the government
Apart from conducting several campaigns about making efforts to reduce air pollution, to use fewer vehicles and to use green products, one of the major steps taken in this regard is introducing the Kyoto Protocol. This is a legally binding agreement, which asks the industrialized countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 5.2%, as compared to 1990. It aims at lowering 6 emissions including carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, sulfur hexafluoride, perfluorocarbon (PFCs) and hydrofluorocarbon (HFCs).
Ice meltdown in North Pole
September 3rd, 2009
We all know that Arctic is the cold icy region around the North Pole. During the last few years, many headlines have appeared in various newspapers, journals, magazines and reports that the North Pole is warming up, as a result of which, the ice over the Arctic region is melting down continuously. In the year 2005, Arctic received the least amount of ice reported in the last century. The satellite images taken recently show big openings in the perennial cover of ice. This is also considered to be a major consequence of global warming. Global warming refers to the increase in the average temperature of the entire earth.
Condition of the native animals
Because of the Ice meltdown in North Pole, the native animals of that region including the polar bears are encountering potential threat for existence. This is because these animals depend upon the sea ice for their survival and in the event of ice melting down, they do not get the cold temperature that they need for living. Polar bears use to travel across this ice for hunting the seals and with less ice on the sea, polar bears face difficulty in finding their food and thus their survival is quite tough. Researchers sway that if the sea ice continues to disappear, the animals that depend upon ice will face greater risks of extinction.
What causes the ice meltdown in the Arctic region?
The thick perennial ice of the sea typically survives the warm summer months and last throughout the year. But the recent satellite images show that up to 10% of the ice has been cracked due to the summer storms. This surprising change involves a region bigger than the British Isles. According to the scientists, humans being are only responsible for global warming, which is the major cause of ice meltdown in the Arctic. We drive cars, use electricity and burn fossil fuels like natural gas, oil and coal.
Effects of ice meltdown
Burning of the fossil fuels gives out gases, which trap the heat from sun. This causes a significant increase in the temperature all across the world. Unlike Antarctica, which is a completely ice-covered continent, ice on the North Pole rests on the top of an ocean and that is why it is susceptible to even a small level of global warming.
Soot that is emitted from incompletely burned fuel in factories and car engines is also a major accelerator of the Arctic ice meltdown. Ozone, dark carbon and methane are the major perpetrators of ice meltdown in North Pole and according to the researchers; these accelerate the melting down more than global heating and sunlight.
Some studies also state that ice meltdown in North Pole is not only the result of global warming and soot, but it is also part of some natural phenomena.
Things at the North Pole are changing very fast and the entire world is going to be affected. Some scientists say that the Arctic Ocean may become ice-free during summers within a period of 10-20 years and this may pose a tough challenge for our existence in the next 50-100 years.
Solar energy for your home
September 1st, 2009
What could be better than an opportunity to not only help the environment, but to save money in the process? That is what using solar for home energy use can do. Although you hear about it on the news, most people don’t really consider making the move themselves. They picture unsightly solar panels attached to the roof of their houses, and think that it is not something they would be willing to try.
You may want to reconsider your stance on this. Today’s solar energy panels are smaller and more efficient. Rather than being an eyesore, they are actually very appealing and can be made to blend in with the rest of the houses appearance. Using solar for home does not have to call attention to your house.
Another thing to consider is the vlue that it adds to your house. Besides the increase in resale value for potential buyers that want to be more green with their lifestyle, using solar for home energy can increase your houses value because it is set up to have a, much lower electric bill. Every bit of electricity you can generate with a solar electric system is money that you will not be paying to the utility companies. That is money back into your pocket, which helps to increase the resale value of your house.
Of course, by reducing your electric bills, you may never want to sell your home. That is completely understandable. Unless you find another house that is set up with solar for home energy production, you would be walking away from a lot of money every month.
Depending on the quantity of direct sunlight your house gets, you may be able to drive your electric bill down to almost nothing. That doesn’t mean you need to get off the energy grid completely, because it does serve a purpose as a back-up energy source, but you will definitely be able to reduce your dependence on it.
Even houses without abundance of direct sunlight can see some savings in their utility bills. If you combine solar energy with wind energy, you will be able to see the same or better savings than those that rely on solar alone.
Using solar for home energy needs is a great way to save money, and to help the environment. Getting a system set up can be quick and easy, and you can do most of the work yourself for a very small investment. You really should consider making the change today.
