Environment (6do encyclopedia)



Introduction:

The environment is the natural world around us, comprising of living and non-living elements. It includes air, water, soil, flora, and fauna. The environment is vital to human existence and supports various life forms. It also plays a significant role in regulating climate and other geological processes.

Human activities such as industrialization, urbanization, and deforestation have had a significant impact on the environment. The degradation of the environment poses a threat to the planet and human existence. Therefore, preserving and conserving the environment is essential.

Components of environment:

The environment is divided into two components, namely biotic and abiotic. Biotic components are living organisms, including plants and animals. Abiotic components are non-living elements, including air, water, soil, and sunlight.

Biotic components play an essential role in the ecosystem. Plants produce oxygen through photosynthesis and also absorb carbon dioxide. They provide food for animals and support various food chains. Animals play a vital role in maintaining the ecosystem’s balance by regulating population size and scavenging.

Abiotic components are equally important in the environment. Air is required for respiration by living organisms, while water is a crucial component of life. Soil provides essential nutrients for plants, and sunlight is necessary for photosynthesis.

Importance of environment:

The environment plays a crucial role in human existence. It provides food, water, and oxygen, essential components for human life. Clean air is necessary for breathing, and clean water is crucial for survival. The environment also plays a vital role in regulating climate, controlling natural disasters, and supporting biodiversity.

Furthermore, the environment provides various resources, including minerals, oil, and gas, necessary for economic development. It supports various economic activities such as agriculture, fishing, forestry, and tourism.

Impact of human activities on the environment:

Human activities such as industrialization, deforestation, and urbanization have had a significant impact on the environment. These activities have caused pollution, environmental degradation, and climate change.

Pollution is one of the most significant environmental impacts of human activities. Pollutants can cause air, water, and land pollution, posing a threat to human health and the environment. Industrialization has contributed to severe air pollution, leading to respiratory diseases.

Deforestation has also had a significant impact on the environment. It has resulted in the depletion of forest reserves, loss of habitat for various species, and disruption of the water cycle. Deforestation has also contributed to climate change.

Urbanization has also contributed to environmental degradation. Urbanization has led to the loss of natural habitats and increased demand for resources. It has also contributed to the accumulation of waste, resulting in various environmental problems.

Preserving the environment:

To preserve the environment, various measures need to be taken. Education on environmental conservation should be emphasized to raise awareness on the importance of preserving the environment. Governments should enact stringent policies to regulate industrialization and prevent pollution.

Furthermore, afforestation programs should be implemented to replenish forest reserves. The use of renewable energy should also be encouraged to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels. Recycling should be promoted to reduce waste accumulation and landfills.

Conclusion:

The environment is a vital component of human existence and supports various life forms. Human activities have had a significant impact on the environment, resulting in pollution, environmental degradation, and climate change. Therefore, preserving and conserving the environment should be prioritized to ensure sustainability and well-being.


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Quebec avian flu cases higher than expected as bird deaths near 1 million: expert

The Toronto Star

23-05-14 11:00


Canada's poultry industry is being hit by a wave of deadly avian flu with nearly one million birds either dead or culled since last year. Of the 20 locations in the province of Quebec where the flu has been detected, 20 were infected as of last Friday, leading to extra biosecurity measures including farmers investing in mobile shelters and tarpaulins to prevent wild birds from making contact with domestic fowl. A supply shortage of carbon dioxide, used in the humane culling of affected flocks, has also been reported. Avian flu outbreaks could also impact farming jobs as well as having a potentially damaging effect on the rural economy and animal welfare. Carbon dioxide is used as its administration results in a pain-free death for affected birds. Animal welfare campaigners have questioned the manner in which the drugs are administered and have said a potential shortage could slow down the culling process.

https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2023/05/14/quebec-avian-flu-cases-higher-than-expected-as-bird-deaths-near-1-million-expert.html
How an ‘energizer bunny,’ cheeseburgers and $14 billion helped Canada woo Volkswagen

The Toronto Star

23-05-14 10:00


Canadian Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne cold called Volkswagen North American CEO Scott Keogh in March 2021, beginning a year-long negotiation that ended in the announcement of VW's Plant Canada project. It aims to build a $4bn, 40 GWh-capacity battery assembly plant in southern Ontario, alongside a $1.4bn expansion of Ford’s Oakville assembly complex that includes the on-site production of electric powertrains. Champagne and Ontario Premier Doug Ford wooed and cajoled VW with offers of financial incentives and a highly trained workforce, and St. Thomas, just south of London and a rail hop from Michigan, was chosen as the assembly site ahead of another Canadian location and a US state. Construction is expected to start in 2023 and deliveries from 2025.

https://www.thestar.com/politics/2023/05/14/how-an-energizer-bunny-cheeseburgers-and-14-billion-helped-canada-woo-volkswagen.html
Pipeline plot twist: where Line 5 threatens nature, now nature is a threat to Line 5

The Toronto Star

23-05-14 10:00


Line 5, the contentious oil and gas pipeline running between Canada and the US, may be under threat of rupture following flooding of the riverbanks where it meets Wisconsin's Bad River. The river winds through Indigenous territory and feeds Lake Superior and ecologically vulnerable wetlands. The Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Chippewa tribe has been petitioning since 2019 for a Line 5 reroute. While Enbridge has suggested plan after plan to shore up the riverbank, as they require the tribe's approval, the tribe maintains no work could be done there. Wisconsin district court Judge William Conley will hear oral arguments this week.

https://www.thestar.com/business/2023/05/14/pipeline-plot-twist-where-line-5-threatens-nature-now-nature-is-a-threat-to-line-5.html
A timeline of negotiations toward the Volkswagen battery plant in Canada

The Toronto Star

23-05-14 10:00


Volkswagen (VW) is planning to build a C$5.1bn ($4.26bn) electric vehicle (EV) battery plant in Ontario, Canada. The 40 GWh factory, which will produce battery cells for EVs, is set to be one of VW's biggest and will create 2,000 jobs. Although the location was chosen over Kansas and Tennessee, the decision is seen as a boost for the US and Canadian auto industries, and for the provinces of Ontario and Quebec following the closure of many plants in recent years. "Our among us industrial heartland will stretch from Windsor all the way across to Quebec City," said Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau. The plant, worth C$5.1bn ($4.26bn), is set to begin production in 2028, and will receive around C$1.3bn in grants and other loans from the Canadian, Quebec and Ontario governments.

https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/2023/05/14/a-timeline-of-negotiations-toward-the-volkswagen-battery-plant-in-canada.html
A controversial P.E.I. development includes a stony seawall. Critics say it threatens the shoreline

CBC

23-05-14 08:00


The construction of a large stone seawall on Prince Edward Island’s (P.E.I.’s) north shore has caused controversy. The building work has been approved and is surrounding a seasonal residential cottage, owned by a Toronto couple. A petition collection over 2,000 signatures has called for the P.E.I. government to halt construction of the seawall, with residents arguing that it limits access to the beach. Critics also suggest that the countryside is becoming more vulnerable to erosion from high winds, storm surges and rising sea levels, resulting from climate change.

The Department of Agriculture and Land claims that the new seawall is on the same footprint as the old house’s seawall. However, the beach has eroded over the past few decades; this was evident during Hurricane Fiona. The seawall system used by the couple has prompted concern because infrastructure causes waves to erode the shore front at high rates. The effectiveness of re-naturalising the seawall by using native soil, and strategic placement of boulders is doubtful and lacks verifiable results.

A possible solution, advocated by researcher, Daniel McRae, is the use of “living shorelines” made of wind-tolerant plants, krummholz. McRae believes that planting them parallel to the shore can diffuse the wind, reduce shoreline erosion, and protect the forest inland. Though this solution doesn’t give immediate results and is considered long term. Officials in P.E.I. have not acted on calls to take action, despite fears the rate of erosion will accelerate, threatening public infrastructure and potentially private property.


https://www.cbc.ca/radio/whatonearth/point-deroche-seawall-shoreline-erosion-1.6817307

Nigeria needs $12 billion to clean up Bayelsa oil spills - report

Reuters

23-05-16 00:17


Nigeria needs $12bn to clean up oil spills over a 12-year period in southern Bayelsa state caused by oil companies including Shell and Eni, according to a report from the Bayelsa State Oil and Environmental Commission. The study found toxic pollutants from spills and gas flaring were often far beyond safe limits in soil, water, air and among local residents. Shell and Eni have tended to blame the spills on sabotage, pipe vandalism or illegal refinement.

https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/nigeria-needs-12-billion-clean-up-bayelsa-oil-spills-report-2023-05-16/
Fort St. John, B.C., tells all 21,000 residents to prepare to evacuate as fire nears

The Toronto Star

23-05-16 00:04


The City of Fort St. John in northeastern British Columbia has issued an evacuation alert for its 21,000 residents due to a wildfire that has grown to over 130 square kilometres in size. The Stoddart Creek wildfire is suspected to be human-caused and has previously triggered alerts and evacuation orders for other properties in its path in the Peace River Regional District. The blaze has also impacted the traditional territories of several First Nations. The wildfire is one of five wildfires of note in British Columbia, all located near the Alberta boundary, with three burning out of control.

https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2023/05/15/fort-st-john-bc-tells-all-21000-residents-to-prepare-to-evacuate-as-fire-nears.html
Wyoming black bear hunter accused of killing protected grizzly near highway into Yellowstone

The Toronto Star

23-05-15 22:38


Patrick M. Gogerty, a Wyoming hunter, is facing up to a year in jail and a $10,000 fine if convicted of killing a protected grizzly bear that he claims he mistook for a legal-to-hunt black bear outside Yellowstone National Park. Grizzlies in the Yellowstone region are a federally protected species, where killing one without a good reason can bring tough penalties under state and federal law. Gogerty is charged under Wyoming law with killing a grizzly bear without a license, a misdemeanor. He would face having to pay as much as $25,000 in restitution if convicted.

https://www.thestar.com/news/world/us/2023/05/15/wyoming-black-bear-hunter-accused-of-killing-protected-grizzly-near-highway-into-yellowstone.html
Ontario’s new beverage recycling program likely to be delayed again as retailers push back

The Toronto Star

23-05-15 22:31


The new non-alcoholic beverage container recycling fee, which was originally set to roll out on April 1, has been further delayed as retailers are pushing back on a proposed fee of between one and three cents. Discussions are ongoing between retailers, the beverage industry, and producer responsibility organizations like the Canadian Beverage Recycling Association, according to an industry source who spoke on condition of anonymity. The fees were set forth in response to a new province-wide recycling program that shifts responsibility onto manufacturers rather than municipalities.

https://www.thestar.com/business/2023/05/15/ontarios-new-beverage-recycling-program-likely-to-be-delayed-again-as-retailers-push-back.html
Sunak pledges to put farmers ‘let down by Truss’ first in trade deals

Telegraph

23-05-15 22:30


UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, has given an assurance that any trade deals he signs will consider the impact upon the UK's domestic agricultural sector, while maintaining animal welfare standards. Stressing the importance of British farming and produce in his six principles to "ensure British farming is at the heart of British trade," he also promised no future deals would allow chlorine-washed chicken or hormone-treated beef. The commitments are in direct contrast to those made by former International Trade Secretary, Liz Truss, whose signing of trade deals with Australia and New Zealand was accused of endangering the UK's farming and food sectors.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2023/05/15/rishi-sunak-british-farmers-trade-deals-agriculture/
Business schools target executives’ green gaps

Financial Times

23-05-16 04:36


Executive education is helping to update business leaders whose degree programmes paid little attention to environmental, social and governance (ESG) concerns, according to FT. Reframing from the dominant approach of shareholder supremacy, executives across the globe are now taking executive courses to implement their companies' ESG initiatives. "It's very difficult to talk about leadership without talking about sustainability," said Russell Miller, director of learning solutions at Imperial College Business School. NUS Business School's director of the Centre for Governance and Sustainability, Lawrence Loh, added many executives are taking courses to keep pace with ESG changes in the industry.

https://www.ft.com/content/88499a8f-0f90-46fd-8cb0-903966e81a6c
Many Rohingya Muslims killed after cyclone hit western Myanmar - residents, NGO

Reuters

23-05-16 02:45


Numerous Rohingya Muslims perished when Cyclone Mocha struck western Myanmar over the weekend, according to reports. Local media outlet Myanmar Now reported that the disaster accounted for 22 fatalities in Rohingya settlements, while Partners, a non-governmental organization in the area, described the damage inflicted as "major". The Rohingya, a Muslim minority in Myanmar, have long been subjected to persecution and lived in refugee camps across the border in Bangladesh after fleeing violence.

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/many-rohingya-muslims-killed-after-cyclone-hit-western-myanmar-residents-ngo-2023-05-16/
China’s Economic Recovery Worries Mount as Data Disappoints

Bloomberg

23-05-16 02:01


China's industrial output and consumer spending in April grew at a slower rate than expected, sparking concerns over the nation's economic recovery. China's industrial production grew 5.6% from the previous year, while retail sales climbed 18.4%, lower than expectations for a 21.9% surge. Economists are questioning whether the nation's central bank will pump more money into the economy in order to spur growth. Despite these latest figures, there are questions over accuracy due to the comparison being made to April 2020, when lockdown measures were on strict.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-05-16/china-s-economic-data-misses-forecasts-as-recovery-worries-mount?srnd=next-china
Biden administration announces nearly $11 billion for renewable energy in rural communities

The Toronto Star

23-05-16 09:03


The US Department of Agriculture has pledged almost $11bn to help rural communities access affordable clean energy. The funds will be made available via two programmes. The Empowering Rural America initiative will supply $9.7bn to rural electric cooperatives to create renewable energy and carbon capture systems, while the Powering Affordable Clean Energy initiative will offer $1bn in partially-forgivable loans for renewable energy businesses and electric utilities to help finance wind, solar and geothermal projects. The department said the new programmes aimed to provide sustainable, clean energy to disadvantaged, vulnerable and Indigenous communities.

https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2023/05/16/biden-administration-announces-nearly-11-billion-for-renewable-energy-in-rural-communities.html
Premier Moe to unveil Saskatchewan net-zero plan that bucks Ottawa’s 2035 target

The Toronto Star

23-05-16 08:00


Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe is set to unveil a plan to make the province's electrical grid net zero by 2050, which is 15 years later than the federal government's proposed target. Moe has stated that meeting Ottawa's target of net zero electrical grids by 2035 is unrealistic and will outline the costs of reaching that target in his conference, as well as discussing how phasing out coal by 2030 will affect the province's carbon capture technology. Saskatchewan's plan would involve adopting greener technologies while keeping utility rates affordable. Ottawa's clean electricity standards would permit natural gas plants to be used after 2035 if they capture carbon or have ties to non-emitting fuels.

https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2023/05/16/premier-moe-to-unveil-saskatchewan-net-zero-plan-that-bucks-ottawas-2035-target.html
Proposed N.W.T. Forest Act acknowledges Indigenous rights to harvest wood

CBC

23-05-16 08:00


Wildfires in the Canadian Northwest Territories have forced the postponement of public hearings regarding the proposed Forest Act. The bill proposes the legalisation of wood harvesting for personal use by those with indigenous or treaty rights, without having to apply for permits. While the bill also deals with aspects of sustainable forest management and government responsibility, the abrogation of permit requirements has struck it as controversial with the Dene nation. A previous version of the legislation from 2019 was retired due to concerns that it impinged on indigenous rights.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/forest-act-harvesting-wood-1.6844425
Bangladesh rocked by power cuts as deadly cyclone hits gas supply

Reuters

23-05-16 06:55


Bangladesh is experiencing frequent power cuts due to erratic weather patterns and high global energy prices, resulting in short power supply which has hit millions of citizens in the country. Natural gas accounts for over half of Bangladesh's power output with domestic gas stores dwindling; power demand was around 17% short of supply, data from Bangladesh’s grid operator showed. The Summit LNG terminal will boost supplies of natural gas by two-thirds to 500 million standard cubic feet per day, and the Moheshkhali LNG terminal, which has temporarily paused operations, will resume supplies in the next few days, according to statements from the companies.

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/bangladesh-rocked-by-power-cuts-deadly-cyclone-hits-gas-supply-2023-05-16/
Seven things to know about bats and pandemic risk

Reuters

23-05-16 12:35


A Reuters data analysis has found that bat-borne pathogens now pose an epidemiological minefield in 113 countries, as more people encroach on bat habitats. Bats have been linked to many of the deadliest disease outbreaks of the past half-century, including the Covid-19 pandemic. The study also revealed that clearing bat-rich forests to make way for farms, mines, roads and other developments is putting people's health at risk by creating a collision between the global economic system and nature.

https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/seven-things-know-about-bats-pandemic-risk-2023-05-16/
Justin Trudeau arrives in Seoul for first official visit to South Korea

The Globe and Mail

23-05-16 12:07


South Korea and Canada are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding on youth mobility having discussed strengthening their economic, military and cultural ties. The two countries have both issued Indo-Pacific strategies aimed at countering China's influence. South Korea is Canada’s seventh-largest trade partner, with $16.7bn in merchandise trade in 2021, while Korean companies are said to be keen on the critical minerals and clean fuel sources that Canada can provide. Trudeau's visit is also expected to address concerns of South Korea over reliance on Chinese suppliers and seek increased investment in Canada’s green technologies.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-justin-trudeau-arrives-in-seoul-for-first-official-visit-to-south/