Category: Environment

We should not interfere with botanical diversity. The latter provides ethno-medicines and wild foods that are integral in sustaining public health. Human beings also require clean water and air (Golden et al. e41221).

When the natural biodiversity is distorted through environmental pollution, access to clean water and high quality air is hampered. As a result, air and waterborne diseases are highly likely to be major concerns for public health.

For instance, there are a number of communicable diseases that can be transmitted from one individual to another when the surrounding air is contaminated. Examples include Tuberculosis and influenza. Hence, poor environmental conservation directly impacts public health.

From the article, the botanical ethno-medicine values have been calculated. The Madagascan rainforest was used to gather the required information in the above calculation.

The findings indicate that the local population has massively benefited from the botanical ethno-medicines provided by the botanical diversity. Several novel pharmaceutical drugs are also obtained from the local biodiversity.

The findings also indicate that local species that are utilized as ethno-medicines amount to 241 while agricultural weed species are about 113 (Golden et al. e41221). Adequate evidence has been provided by the study in relation to the incredible contribution of ethno-medicines in public health.

The research study has also recommended the conservation of tropical forests so that the broad diversity of natural plant species can be beneficial in the management of public health. Sustainable use of the biodiversity across the globe can significantly assist in the reduction of public health challenges in the modern society.

It is necessary to explore the relationship between environmental conservation and public health. To begin with, our environment cannot be conserved if we continue to pollute it in every available opportunity. One of the common human activities related to environmental degradation is deforestation.

Natural herbs and ethno-medicines cannot be obtained in deforested locations. Whereas public health largely depends on the admission of effective drugs to the diseased individuals, the process may not be possible if the environment is degraded.

Second, the emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane often leads into intense carbon sequestration and subsequent global warming as well as climate change. Any form of variation in the natural ecosystem tends to interfere with the regional and global climatic patterns.

Recent research studies on climate change indicate that warmer environmental conditions increase morbidity level of certain diseases. For example, malaria has become more prevalent in high altitude regions contrary to the past few decades.

This implies that public health has been negatively impacted by the disruption of the natural ecosystem. Unless the environment is conserved, the human population will continue to experience increased episodes of ill-health.

Seasonal influenza and several forms of respiratory infections are also triggered by poor conservation of the environment (Mertz 750).

It is equally unfortunate to mention that climate change has led into erratic weather conditions across the globe. There are regions that experience extreme weather patterns such as intense drought or excessive flooding events.

Such weather patterns have remarkably interfered with crop and animal production. As a consequence, vital food nutrients are no longer available for human consumption. Worse still, some regions in the third world countries have suffered from gross malnutrition and overall poor state of health (Mertz 745).

Due to mismanagement of the immediate environment, most low-income economies are now seeking ways to address public health challenges occasioned by malnutrition.

Works Cited

Golden Christopher, Rodolph Rasolofoniaina, Gasta Anjaranirina, Lilien Nicolas, Laurent Ravaoliny and Claire Kremen. Rainforest Pharmacopeia in Madagascar Provides High Value for Current Local and Prospective Global Uses.PLoS ONE 7.7(2012): e41221. Print.

Mertz, Ole. Adaptation to Climate Change in Developing Countries. Environmental management 43.5 (2009): 743-752. Print.

Wildfires have become a significant environmental concern that threatens the sustainability of natural resources and endangers human lives. Continuous human impact on the planet causes inevitable changes in the ecosystems that result in such disastrous events as wildfires. The dangers and adverse effects they impose call for immediate action. The complexity of the problem accompanying the intensification of wildfires requires complex approaches to finding an effective solution.

The dangers of wildfires include mortality, property damage, and morbidity. According to Rossiello and Szema, the increased number of fires in the wild imposes the danger of being killed or bearing cost losses and emotional complications (par. 2-4). The government experiences a financial burden when managing wildfires; the suppression costs have risen to over one billion per year since the 2000-s (Rossiello and Szema par. 5). Life safety and health problems are related to dangerous chemical pollution as a result of wildfires.

The common causes of wildfires are global warming and such supporting risk factors as forest health, ignition, and fuel characteristics. As Engel et al. found, warm summer conditions, & low dry fuel moisture levels, ignition of most of the largest fire, and diminished forest health have been the most likely drivers of the recent wildfires (Engel et al. 9). Despite the supporting factors, the overall rising average temperature on the planet is thoughts to be the main cause. Rossiello and Szema state that weather anomalies are influenced by the fact that the temperature rises by 0.9 degrees in a year (par. 2). Thus, climate change is a key

The uncontrolled and frequent occurrence of wildfires has multiple adverse effects on the ecosystems and peoples health. The production of large masses of smoke and human exposure to the chemicals causes respiratory diseases and higher morbidity and mortality rates (Williamson et al. 4). Deforestation, as the aftermath of wildfires, causes forest watersheds and lower drinking water quality (Hohner et al. 1235). It is vital to find an inter-disciplinary solution to eliminate these threats of wildfires.

Wildfires impose severe short- and long-term threats to human lives and the planet. Being caused by climate change, they lead to high mortality, smoke-induced morbidity, and ecological problems, such as diminished water quality, air pollution, and deforestation. Wildfire problem complexity triggers complex and inter-disciplinary approaches to solution-finding. Immediate action is needed on the local, federal, and international levels to prevent wildfires by eliminating their primary causes.

Works Cited

Engel, Ruth A., et al. On the Causes of the Summer 2015 Eastern Washington Wildfires. Environmental Research Communications, vol. 1, no. 1, 2019, pp. 1-11.

Hohner, Amanda K., et al. Wildfires Alter Forest Watersheds and Threaten Drinking Water Quality. Accounts of Chemical Research, vol. 52, no. 5, 2019, pp. 1234-1244.

Rossiello, Michael R., and Anthony Szema. Health Effects of Climate Change-Induced Wildfires and Heatwaves.Cureus, vol. 11, no. 5, 2019, e4771, Web.

Williamson, G. J., et al. A Transdisciplinary Approach to Understanding the Health Effects of Wildfire and Prescribed Fire Smoke Regimes.Environmental Research Letters, vol. 11, no. 12. 2016, pp. 1-12, Web.

Chart 1 below is a compilation of Survey Results after talking to five friends and three family members. The survey was conducted in Laval, Quebec, and all eight participants lived in the same area. The result shows that most respondents are aware of some of the issues caused by environmental waste and lack of recycling. However, most of them do not actively work towards reducing it.

The most common reason for buying a food product is a necessity  a need to have personnel hygiene products or food, which is typically packaged in plastic. Participant 8 expressed some concerns about the upfront costs of non-disposable items. Most participants report using a large number of personal hygiene products, such as shower gels and shampoo. While it is difficult to find a replacement for these substances, the packaging that these products come in is usually plastic, which creates an environmental problem.

Recycling was taken into account by some of the participants, indicating limited awareness. Participants 2, 4, and 5 mentioned mandatory recycling in their town. Participant 5 was aware of local recycling opportunities, while others did not mention any. Consumer habits are affected by multiple factors  availability of products, personal preferences, perceptions, and environmental consciousness. There is so much waste because even Participant 5, who appears to be the most environmentally conscious and knowledgeable on the topic of recycling, admits to using a lot of disposable products.

To increase the number of people who recycle, public awareness campaigns should be launched to raise awareness about alternatives to disposable products and local recycling facilities. For example, some of the most commonly used disposable products can be replaced with reusable options. Purchasing habits can be changed through awareness as well since people will be aware of their options and the impact that the products they use daily have on the environment. Overall, this survey has shown that the participants are quite conscious of the waste they produce by using disposable products.

Survey Results

Introduction

Mangroves grow in humid tropical areas that are sheltered from the wave and tidal activities of the ocean (Lacerda 2001, p. 292).

They are very important in the ecosystem yet they are most threatened in tropical ecosystems (Lacerda 2001, p. 294).

Initially, mangrove forests were estimated to have covered over 18.1 million hectares of land (Finlayson et al 2002, p. 67).

Many countries including Cuba, the US, Thailand, Malaysia and regions like East Africa have lost significant portions of their mangroves (Finlayson et al 2002, p. 67).

AlvarezLeon (2001, p. 67) emphasize that if the current rate of mangrove destruction is left unwatched they will disappear in less than 100 years.

Causes of mangrove degradation

Both human and natural environmental factors have contributed to the degradation of mangroves globally (Lacerda 2001, 292).

Degradation however mainly takes place through human activities.

According to Kathiresan (2000, p. 185) human activities that have contributed to mangrove degradation include; oil exploration, building and construction of tourist facilities and exploitation of the forests for firewood.

Importance of mangrove forests

• Mangrove forests are the most important coastal ecosystems in the world both in terms of production and coastal protection (Lacerda 2001, 294).
• They stabilize shoreline and prevent erosion of coastal shores by tapping sediments.
• They provide habitat for a variety of marine and terrestrial life.
• Additionally, they provide secure breeding places for many coral reefs and fish species.
• Mangroves also protect the coastal land areas from erosion that threaten loss of life and property (Finlayson et al 2002, p. 67).

Why mangrove degradation problem have persisted

• The alarming rate at which mangroves are disappearing is a cause for alarm.
• The lukewarm approach from most authorities or the absolute lack of it from others has aggravated the problem.
• Furthermore, degradation and destruction of mangroves has remained unrecognized as a major environmental problem for many years (Lacerda 2001, p. 292).
• Lack of organized and sustainable harvesting of the mangroves have led to the decline of mangroves (Primavera & Esteban, 2008, p. 350).
• Additionally, lack of informed approaches in the commercial exploitations of mangroves (Mastaller, 1996, p. 51).
• Lack of informed visionary approach among stakeholders hinder conservation practices.
• According to Kathiresan (2000, p. 185), mangrove degradation is likely to continue if nothing is done to sensitive people of the dire consequences of their actions.
• Human populations are still expanding and encroaching on the existing mangrove lands.
• Moreover, human continue to dump waste along these coastal regions (figure 4) oblivious of the consequences of their actions.

Consequences of mangrove degradation

• Mangrove deforestation have led to fisheries decline.
• Degradation of clean water supplies.
• Salinization of coastal soils.
• Increased release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
• Coastal erosion because destruction of Mangroves leaves the land exposed to waves whose energy would have otherwise been stopped by the large roots and stems.
• Loss of life and property incase of natural calamities such as tsunamis and storm surge.
• Adverse effects of tsunami greatly felt in areas such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, Bangladesh, India where extensive destruction of mangrove is present .
• For example, in Indias Tamil Nadu state, the impact of the tsunami was less on the human settlements located behind mangrove forests (Mishra, 2005,par. 5).

Case studies of mangrove restoration activities

• As shown in figure 5 above ocean line encroachment is a threat to mangrove forests.
• Florida government has come up with legislation measures to protect mangrove forests from human damage (Primavera & Esteban, 2008, p. 350).
• The enacted law in Florida requires people to obtain permits before they can interfere with mangrove forests in any way.
• These measures have reversed the negative trend of mangrove degradation; hence Florida residents and species can reap the benefits of this ecosystem.
• Authorities in Andhra Pradesh have come up with canal techniques to conserve and manage the remaining mangrove forests (FAO, 2001, p.23).
• The mangroves in this region had been degraded due to timber extraction, fisheries and aquaculture activities and pollution through poor waste disposal
• Restoration were conducted by involving the neighboring community who were trained how to dig canals and nursery raising.
• Restoration have impacted positively Andhra Pradesh bio-diversity.

Methodology

• This research will use both primary and secondary data.
• Primary data will be collected by use of direct interviews and questionnaires.
• Managers from the forestry department in Australia will be a significant source of primary data.
• Secondary data will be collected by analyzing existing literature on the management of degraded mangroves.

Conclusion and Recommendations

Mangrove degradation is a significant environmental problem that need immediate concern.

The fact that human continue to destroy mangrove forests without being aware of the consequences shows there is need for awareness campaigns.

Therefore, governments should borrow an example from regions like Florida and India that indicate positive conservation measures.

References

AlvarezLeon, R. 2001. Las Tortugas marinas de Colombia: estado actual de su conocimiento. Rev. Acad. Columbi. Cienc., 25(95): 269286.

Clarke, K.R. & Warwick, R.M. 2001. Changes in marine communities: an approach to statistical analysis and interpretation. Plymouth: PRIMERE.

Duke, N.C et al. 2007. A world without mangroves? Letters. Web.

FAO. 2001.Global Forest Resources Assessment 2000: Main report. FAO Forestry Paper 140. Rome. Web.

An ecological footprint measures the amount of biologically productive land and water needed to meet the demands of a population and helps determine whether a particular populace is living within the biological capacity of the land that sustains it. A carbon footprint on the other hand is the total amount of greenhouse gases emanated by each person or a population. Carbon footprint is a subset of ecological footprint. The greater the carbon footprint greater is the strain on the ecology and the larger is the ecological footprint.

The US Environmental Protection Agency allows US companies to export pesticides that have been banned or restricted within the country. This measure is by far the most unethical practice of the US government that seeks to maximize profits at the expense of the poor developing countries. The banned pesticides have resulted in the sickness and deaths of thousands of Third World people because their governments tax laws allow the continued usage. However, pesticides used in the Third World enter back into the US food chain as the agricultural products of the developing world enter US markets as imports. Thus the US authorities must ban such a practice.

The EPA risk assessment falls under two main categories; Human Health and Ecological. For both the categories, the EPA uses a four-step methodology namely, Hazard Identification, Dose-Response Assessment, Exposure Assessment, and Risk Characterization. In the Hazard identification step, the EPA examines whether the substance has the potential to pose risk to human or ecological health and if so then under what circumstances. In the next step, having determined the feasibility of the risk, the EPA determines the quantum of exposure and its likely toxic effect. After this, the EPA arrives at the assessment of how long people or the environment have been exposed to the dangerous elements which then leads to the final determination as to how much extra risk is possible for the populations who have been exposed to the danger.

Since the Second World War, owning a house and two cars in the suburbs has been defined as an American Dream which has been helped by several federal and state laws that encouraged subsidies for the housing sector, the GI Bill, road building projects, strip malls, shopping malls and food chains which have led to the shrinkage of agricultural lands and expansion of the suburbs. Government-sponsored entities such as Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and Ginnie Mae gave away millions of dollars in cheap housing loans that encouraged the sprawl explosion. Federal tax laws allow homeowners to deduct the interest on mortgages thus encouraging them to buy more homes. The highway act of 1956, ensured that road connectivity improved, which in turn made it easier for suburbs to develop.

The Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act are two important acts enacted by the government which are monitored by the EPA that ensure that industries, state, and local authorities adhere to the anti-pollution norms. In addition, the Atomic Energy Act ensures that atomic materials are strictly regulated. The Energy Policy Act covers all aspects of energy harnessing in the US and gives tax incentives to clean energy initiatives such as geothermal energy and hydropower. Some acts cover, marine pollution, use of insecticides, nuclear waste disposal, oil pollution, food, drug and cosmetics, and other wide-ranging acts that touch every aspect of ecology to help clear the mess that has been created.

Physiologically, living things regulate the intake and removal of various metabolic precursors within their systems. In this context, it is true that plants will not increase their CO2 uptake in response to increased levels of the gas (CO2) in the atmosphere.

Additionally, plants will not increase their relative significance in the removal and sequestration of CO2 (a greenhouse gas) despite the characterizing expectations. It is important to agree that most terrestrial and aquatic plants only absorb considerable amount of CO2 during photosynthesis (Taub, 2010). This uptake stops at the optimal levels despite the concentration of the gas in the atmosphere.

The phenomenon is termed as downregulation as indicated earlier. For example, experiments (using soya beans leaves) indicate that plants will only synthesis enough Rubisco (ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase) to operate in the Calvin Cycle depending on the energy demands of the concerned plants.

This is not dictated by the levels of CO2 in the atmosphere. Plants usually make and store ATP only to their respective optimal levels. Thus, they can minimally reduce the atmospheric CO2 concentration.

Obviously, the levels of CO2 intake might increase tremendously at the initial stages of the photosynthetic processes; nonetheless, this trend is bound to reduce upon saturation of plant cells with the gas (CO2). In the Calvin cycle, CO2 sequesters/combines with Rubisco to form 1, 3-Bisphosphoglycerate. The process requires a constant supply of Rubisco (Raghavendra, 2000).

Despite the abundance of CO2, the cycle cannot proceed minus Rubisco whose synthesis is not pegged to the CO2 abundance but to the physiological demands of the concerned plants. This is an important provision that indicates why plants should not be considered as the ultimate liberator from greenhouse gases.

When plants have synthesized and stored enough energy they require, they will obviously disable the Calvin Cycle during dark stage of photosynthesis. For example, plants will hardly synthesis metabolites more than they require for immediate use and storage. The metabolic cycles within terrestrial plants are under stringent regulations.

This is evident during photosynthesis where various processes are regulated accordingly. It is important to agree that various processes within the plant regulatory systems are responsive to environmental factors. Nonetheless, the alleged response can only occur to some levels despite the CO2 increment. This provision is relevant in this case.

Plants should not be expected to respond extraordinarily to the environmental factors (Shwartz, 2002). It is agreeable that plants need CO2 for photosynthetic processes and they can also increase their responses depending on the levels of such precursors; however, this is only relevant to some extent.

Although atmospheric scientists prospect to enhance the growth of plants in order to remove excess CO2 from the atmosphere, this will not materialize as expected. There are numerous challenges that characterize this move. These consider physiological provisions of various plants with regard to photosynthesis.

The aspect of downregulation mentioned earlier is relevant in this context. There are various physiological limitations that regulate plants metabolic, photosynthetic, and other physiological systems. Shwartz (2002) argues that higher CO2 concentrations might retard the growth of some plants contrary to the expected higher CO2 sequestration rates. This is an important provision when considered critically in this context.

For example, the tissues of most terrestrial plants might change their chemical compositions in response to higher CO2 levels thus causing their premature death. Consequently, plants must undergo downregulation in order to restore the situation. This provision defies the claims that plants will help in reducing CO2 levels in the atmosphere.

References

Raghavendra, A. (2000). Photosynthesis: A comprehensive treatise. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

Shwartz, M. (2002). Climate change surprise: High carbon dioxide levels can retard plant growth, study reveals. Web.

Taub, D. (2010). Effects of Rising Atmospheric Concentrations of Carbon Dioxide on Plants. Nature Education Knowledge. Web.

Biodiversity has a range of definitions that all revolve around a variety of living organisms in a given area. According to the U.S. Office of Technology Assessment, it is the variety and variability among living organisms and the ecological complexes in which they occur. There is no exact number of the current species on the earth but an estimate of the worldly species. The introduction of the five million species to the earth gives a variety of wastes.

Excretory waste is an example of this waste. Every living organism removes wastes that are not needed in the body and cause pollution to the environment. Competition for the available natural resources may cause the extinction of some of the species. This is a waste to the available natural resources and the species. The death of some of the species causes both air and water pollution. Decaying matter produces gas fumes mainly sulfide dioxide gas among others, which combines with water to form acid rain which is harmful to both the dry land species and aquatic species.

Waste is not all useless. For example; animal waste is of great importance to vegetation. It contains plant nutrients and minerals such as calcium and potassium that enhance the healthy growth of vegetation. Rotting and decaying of organic waste from these species produces manure for vegetation growth. Through the respiration of these species, plants use carbon dioxide in photosynthesis. This ensures a complete cycle of purified air to the environment for use by different species.

Mercury is a heavy metal of which some of its forms are highly toxic. It occurs naturally in the environment in different chemical forms. It is a liquid at room temperature and slowly forms vapor in the air. Natural processes such as volcanic activity and weathering and human activities such as mining and fuel use can release mercury into the environment. Methylmercury and elemental mercury are poisonous to the nervous system.

Methylmercury can affect the unborn baby during pregnancy. Human beings are exposed to methylmercury through diet, particularly fish, and to elemental mercury vapors from tooth fillings and at certain workplaces. Governmental and Non-Governmental bodies have set up the daily mercury intake levels considered to be safe but some people may consume more than these levels. Moderate consumption of fish is not of great concern. Mercury is also harmful to the environment due to its accumulation in organisms. Its levels increase along the food chains and with age.

However, mercury is important. It can be recycled to reduce its effect on the environment. It is used in the extraction of gold and silver from ores, in thermometers and manometers, in lights and switches, and dental amalgam fillings. There are control measures used to reduce mercury releases to the environment. These include; reducing the use of mercury-containing products and raw materials, replacing products and processes that use or contain mercury with those that do not, effective waste management, setting mercury emission limits, environmental standards, and restrictions on use. (GreenFacts, 2004)

A green economy is seen as strong enough to put people back to work, lift them out of poverty and begin to secure climate. According to Jones, after six months of training one should give back the investment by paying taxes. We should support the development of renewable energy sources such as wind solar and geothermal energy because no one can cut their supply. Turning to renewals cuts carbon emissions and enables climate stability. (Jake Brewer, n.d.)An example of shear zones is the crustal tectonics and Runn of Kutch of 1819 is an example of an earthquake that occurred due to shearing. (Seetharam, n.d.)

Work cited

Seetharam K. n.d. Earthquakes-Nature and Predictability. Web.

GreenFacts. (2004). Scientific Consensus Report. Executive Summary of the Global Mercury Assessment. vol 2.

Health effects of Methylmercury. Web.

Jake Brewer. Green Employment. n.d. Web.

Recently it has become clear that fossil fuel reserves will not serve humanity for eternity, but many energy companies and states continue to exploit them not thinking much about the consequences. The protest of those who care about the planet becomes unavoidable. In their thought-provoking documentary Bidder 70, Beth Gage and George Gage raise the controversial issue of public protest against environmental degradation and the nihilistic attitude of the big businesses towards natural resources reduction. The story of brave environmental activist Tim DeChristopher proves that non-violent revealing measures in contrast to radical ones are the only way to unite the people in the fight for the prosperity of the Earth.

The directors managed to depict the heinous actions of the state and energy companies without any direct accusations. According to its original mission, the Bureau of Land Management has to protect and save the lands for future generations. However, the BLM in Utah seemed to be interested in transient material benefits rather than in natural conservation. The interests of oil and gas companies interested in exploiting the wildlands of Utah for their business purposes were put higher than the preservation of nature. BLM successfully practiced public lands auctions often including precious pieces of land bidding lots. First planning to come to one of the auctions in 2008 where some territories of the Canyonlands National Park were included and to deliver a protest speech, young environmental advocate Tim DeChristopher eventually decided to behave more wisely and wittily. He registered as a bidder number 70 and bought most of the parcels striving to prevent their acquisition by oil and gas companies (Bidder 70 par. 3). Tims actions were revealed and convicted, but such a bold deed was worth  the public found out that the government agencies and businesses have no moral values and would refer to the most nefarious actions to gain more profits.

The main controversy of the film lies in that Tims actions, no matter how noble and saving they were, still broke the law. The lands were excluded from the auction and preserved, but the state machine managed to sentence the savior thanks to its elaborately developed system of punishment. Tim did not cause physical harm to anyone or anything; he did not conduct arsons or property damages as, for instance, radical activists would do. He spoke out against the system; the system managed to protect itself. Perhaps, Tim was put into custody immediately after sentencing because the prosecution was afraid of the further spread of his just and revealing ideas. But the state won only one battle and not the war. The extensive public support for Tim and his non-violent Peaceful Uprising environmental movement can be considered as the real victory.

Despite the ultimate goal of two activists may be the same, Tim DeChristophers actions cannot be compared with Daniel McGowans from If a Tree Falls. Daniel was blinded by rage and deceptive effectiveness of radical violent actions; he ended up with almost nothing. Tim knew that violence was unlikely to incite the public to actions, so he wisely chose peaceful protest and open discussions as the only means; he proved that the word can be mightier than the sword.

Thus, it can be stated that thanks to such people as Tim DeChristopher the planet receives a chance to be saved at least for some time. And this salvation is possible only through peaceful actions of the united world community.

Works Cited

Bidder 70. 2012. Web.

Public parks are essential resources in any environment. Various activities can be undertaken in such parks that can enhance both physical and environment health. Furthermore, public parks might also facilitate or discourage certain behavioral patterns depending on how they are designed. On the same note, features within parks are equally useful in overall recreation. This journal presents daily entries of observations made when I visited Asir national park in Saudi Arabia.

Journal entry on Asir park visit: 2^nd of August 2010

I walked for about 30 minutes into Asir national park. It was on a Saturday at 11:00 am, a time when all the usual activities in the park are at the peak. The park covers an approximate area of 1,650 square kilometers and is situated in the southern part of Saudi Arabia.

On leaving the park, I could hear several species of birds whistling all over. As I was standing at the entrance, I realized that there was a map at the gate colored in orange and green dots to enable tourists trace certain sites within the park. Besides, I took note of the infrastructural facilities in the park. They included parking bay, public toilets, concrete seats, water taps, hiking paths and play grounds.

Picture 1: A map located at the entrance of the park to assist visitors in locating specific sites.

As I was walking past the park at around noon, I came across a summit of the states highest mountain known as Jebel Sawdah. The atmosphere felt calm with nice scent of certain species of fauna around the park. They include the Dorcas gazelle and sand cats that were busy hunting in packs. Moreover, I spotted an Arabian Oryx which is a common species of antelopes roaming freely along the park valleys. I felt fond of the antelopes and sand cats to an extent of getting convinced on the importance of preserving such species for their scenic value.

Picture 2: Some of the animal species I encountered in the park.
Dorcas Gazelle Sand cat.

Monkeys Journal entry on Asir park visit: 7th August 2010

Once again, I paid a visit to the park at 9.00 am and anticipating to take more time in learning. I held more essence on weather in the park as it was quite calm and conducive ready to welcome vocational visitors. Comparing the weather to that of my home place, the place was rather hot though both were experiencing summer season.

However, from a subjective point of view, I learnt that the park normally freezes during winter season and it is occasionally covered with fog. Nevertheless, from the way temperatures were down, I was able to infer that there was probability of having fog at night due to fall of heat. Meanwhile, I took time to observe vegetation in the park. Actually, the plants had already shed off their leaves and flowers though some appeared green. There were far elongating juniper forests that appeared green all down the valleys of the park.

Picture 3: An illustration of how temperatures are low at night resulting into fog at the park.

Picture 4: Vegetation found in the park (juniper forests).

The natural environment did not only comprised of mountains and forests but also grazing lands, marine and terrace agriculture. In my opinion, I got convinced on the need of the government in Saudi Arabia to conserver the juniper forests. In this case, I came to realization that the forests played a major role in protecting the watersheds and control run-off water.

Moreover, I remembered of some years back when the forests were used to provide wood, medicine and pasture for livestock. Additionally, I flashbacked on those moments when local tribes inhabited the forests turning them into ruins. Comparing with the present state of the forests, I embraced the efforts made by forest guards in maintaining the ecosystem.

Picture 5: Sample of marine features (ecosystem) located in the park.

Picture 6: Sample of diverse features found in the park (terrestrial ecosystem).

Journal entry on Asir park visit: 10th September 2010

Definitely, this time, I was interested in finding out on the benefits which local inhabitants derive from the ecosystems in the park. From a secondary objective, I interviewed some natives from the neighborhoods. This interview and observations commenced at 2:00 pm and ended at 4:00 pm. From the information gathered, I comprehended that the terrestrial, marine and coastal ecosystems within the park was of vital use.

People obtained food, water, fuel, recreation and security from them. However, I noted that benefits of fuel were not depended on anymore due to increased consumption of oil and gas energy. A survey conducted from the local inhabitants confirmed that invention of better sources of cleaner energy decreased the rate of wood-cutting. Moreover, such ecosystems offered an ample ground for research in academics.

However, I noted some changes in the life of the people inhabiting the site. Due to improved social-economic conditions in the state, people have the tendency of turning the park in agricultural land.

Consequently, from my own qualitative study, I attributed this as due to population explosion forcing people to seek more land for settlement. Meanwhile, the government raced to counter local activities of clearing the park for agriculture. To shed light on this, there is a foreseeable future that the park might be at risk due to economic advancement unless land-use strategy is enhanced.

So far, I had already monitored all areas of interest to study in my current and future visits in Asir Park. I was interested to examine biodiversity of animal and plant species in the terrestrial, coastal and marine ecosystems within Asir national park. It is evident that most of the countrys regions are barely arid.

Some parts in the park had sparse vegetation comprising of thorny herbs and shrubs. However, vegetation in high altitude areas was green, luxuriant and thick. For this reason, I realized that variation and distribution of species in all the ecosystems were influenced by altitude.

Most importantly, I analyzed that destruction of rangeland highly influenced distribution of terrestrial species of animals like antelopes, hyenas, jackals and wild cats. The latter also contributed to suppressed growth of plants such as herbs and shrubs. On further analyses; I inferred that the present state of rangelands was no longer in position to support even the domestic fauna and flora in the immediate surrounding. This activity started from11:00 am and ended at1:00 pm.

Journal entry on Asir park visit: 5th December 2010

From the previous observation made in Asir national park, I found it worthy to take time and study the impact of human influence on natural recourses situated at the park. I spent several hours having entered the park at 7:00 pm and terminated my study at about 4:00 pm.

Consequently, I majored on issues of pollution and development activities carried out within the park. Rumors had it that irrespective of the benefits derived from Asir Park, pollution was rampant. For instance, sources of air pollution within the park included illegal burning of charcoal which led to emission of toxic gases.

At some point, I could smell gaseous emissions from charcoal burning. Furthermore, I remembered of incidences when Mount Jebel would emit certain gases that were highly toxic leading to death of certain species of animals in the park. In addition to this, water pollution was also evident. However, only the waters that ran through the coastal areas were at risk of being contaminated by effluence from certain manufacturing firms.

For instance, several cases of oil spills along the coastal regions stretching into the park resulted into destruction of both aquatic and marine life. Having conducted a qualitative research within the neighborhood of the park, I found out that several species of flora and fauna had been threatened by water pollution. Nevertheless, the government had spent million of shillings to improve and expand sewerage systems.

Moreover, several measures were being taken to limit pollution within the pack such as warning visitors against dumping litters all over the pack. I also noted some differences in the current state of the park compared to previous visits. It was evident that pollution had significantly subsided with time.

Journal entry on Asir park visit: 9th December 2010

The last day visit at the park was an important opportunity for me to participate in a conference that was intended to educate visitors and indigenous people on the benefits of conserving natural resources within the park. In the conference, I observed that people were keen to learn the significance of the park and also ready to take initiative to conserve natural park resources. I felt honored to cooperate with local people in conservancy activities so as to ensure the park become a better place for recreation and home for bio-species.

Introduction

Cruise liners have in recent times become one of the most important modes of transport. It has been considered one of the safest modes of transport not only in the United States but also in the whole world. Cruise liners often docks at a port carrying a large number of passengers. It has become an important tourist activity with those on board spending days exploring marine life. Its capacity to contain many passengers at a time makes it an ideal mode of tourism for a large group of persons and the fact that everybody is contained in one ship helps in bonding the travellers.

The industry has grown rapidly in the world, recording a growth rate of 8 percent between 1992 and 2002. By 2001, cruise ships fleets had risen to about 167 vessels. This means at one docking time, large number of vessels is expected to be at a port in one time. This calls for a well maintained port to handle this growing number of cruise ships. They also have adverse effects in the marine environment if not well handled. (Barrow, 1997)

Environmental impacts of cruise liners

As we have seen, cruise liners have increased the number of vessels per fleet. According to GAO (2000), the number of vessels and the number of passengers docking at a port at one time definitely may have a strain on the marine environment. They generate a lot of waste which pollutes the marine environment. It has been studied that some cruise vessels have an equivalent of small cities in terms of waste production emission. Here are some of the ways in which cruise liners cause environmental pollution.

Sewage

This mainly comes from vessel sewage and other water waste like from medical facilities. It has been estimated that in a cruise ship there is about five to ten gallon of sewage per person per day. It is to be understood that due to the limited fresh water availability in the sea during sea fare sewage from cruise ships is usually more concentrated. It is less diluted due to water shortage in the long journey in the sea. Perhaps this sewage discharge has the most compounding effects of the marine life and also to the human being. It can harbour bacteria and viruses which can cause disease to marine life and also to human beings who consume marine products. It makes the water unsafe for swimming, diving and boating.

Sewage contains a lot of nutrients which encourage growth of plants in the water. This is specifically in the growth of algae in the process of eutrophication. Growth of algae in the marine environment leads to competition of oxygen between the marine animals and the growing algae. Growth of algae in mass leads to depletion of oxygen which can lead to death of marine life depending on oxygen for survival like fish and other animals in the marine environment.

This has been one of the factors leading to extinction of some animal species in marine life in some parts of the world. Inhabitation of marine environment by algae poses a danger to the existence of marine animals. In addition cruise sewage is always treated with chemical as per Marine Sanitation Devices. Chemicals like Chlorine, ammonia, and others used in the sanitation can pose a great threat to the marine life. Chemicals like ammonia can cause detoxification and consequently death of marine animals.

According to Michael and Davis (2002), in the United States, sewage from marine vessels is not subjected to the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). However vessels are required to have a U.S. Coast Guard Certified MSD. This is a device which treats or store sewage before it is discharged to the environment. It must contain the sewage till it is disposed off. This is enforces under section 312 which requires all vessels to use the MSD device within a perimeter of 3 miles of the shore.

Also all vessels which are above 65 feets are required to install type II MSD device which meets a water quality standards of 200 coli form per 100 millilitres of water, and a type III MSD device which holds the sewage till its time of disposal. All the water discharge in the marine water must undergo the type I and type II MSD standards as stipulated under the US Clean Water Act.

Grey water

This is mainly water from sinks, showers, laundry, and others. Like the sewage, it also contains contaminants which lead to marine water pollution. It has pollutants like suspended oils, grease, soap, detergents, cleaners, pesticides, dental wastes and others. It may also contain toxicants like ammonia, nitrogen, phosphates, copper, mercury, nickel, silver and zinc. It is estimated that a cruise ship produces about 1,000,000 gallons of gray water in one week.

As we have seen, gray water contains a lot of toxicants that can lead to death of marine life and which have potential harm to human beings as well. Some toxicant like mercury and lead are non biodegradable and continue to persist in the food chain. They are poisonous toxicants that can cause death not only to marine animals but also to human beings. Mercury and lead when consumed by fish passes on to human being who in turn consume the fish.

It is however saddening to learn that there are no laid down rules prohibiting the discharge of gray water in the states or in US waters. In Alaskas Great Lakes and state waters, discharger of gray water is prohibited. (ADEC, 2004)

Bilge water

It is estimated that a cruise ship will generate 25,000 gallons of this water in one week. This consists of fuel, oil and wastewater that come from engines and machineries. Together with fresh waste and sea water, it collects at the bottom of the ships hull which can be due spills, leaks and in line with other operations in the ship. It may also come from rags, cleaning agents, paint and metal shavings. This is perhaps the leading environment polluter of the marine environment. In many instances oils spills have caused massive damages to the marine life and the environment in general. Spilt oils cover the water surfaces which deny the entry of light and oxygen to marine life. This leads to death of marine animals from suffocation. The marine environment is an ecosystem of interdependent plants and animals.

Coverage of water surface denies light to the growing marine plants which needs light to manufacture foods and in turns decreases the level of emission of oxygen by these plants. Instances of spilt oils have called for international cooperation between affected countries in trying to tackle the problem. This is due to the effects it has on the marine life and the coastal beaches. It makes the water unsafe for marine activities like swimming, boating and others.

Due to the serious effects it posses to the marine environment, discharge of bilge water is regulated und the Oil Pollution Act in Section 311 of the Clean Water Act. Vessels are not allowed to release any discharges which have an oil content of more than 15 ppm (parts of oil per one million parts of waters) within a radius of 100 miles of the shore. Beyond this radius, release containing more than 100 ppm is prohibited. The rule is more stringent in cruise liners which are required to treat the bilge water discharge to 5 ppm.

As we have said before, bilge water posses more danger to the marine life not only in one country but to the whole sea. This problem has attracted international concern and it is addressed in the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships

Ballast water

In its journey, ships take in millions of gallons of water in order to stabilize the vessel. This is called ballast water. The vessel takes in water at one location and in effect discharges it in another location. It is to be understood that the vessel takes in with the water various species including larvae, fish eggs and other organisms and consequently discharges them in another location. This has led to the introduction of new species in marine environment where they previously never existed and consequently the displacement of certain marine species in one location. The introduction of new species in an environment obviously disrupts the marine ecosystem.

The Ballast Water Management for Control of Non-indigenous Species Act requires that vessels must exchange the ballast water within 200 nautical miles from land and 2000 meters deep. It also gives a provision of retaining the ballast water in the ship. This act is currently enforced in California waters.

Solid waste and hazardous materials

Cruise liners generate a lot of solid wastes like food wastes, cans, glass, paper, and others. These can have an effect of causing entanglement of the marine animals. Hazardous materials like by-products of dry cleaning, photo processing, fluorescent bulbs which contain mercury, and others. These wastes are toxic and carcinogenic and can be passed on through the food chain.

The Marine Plastic Pollution and Control Act in the United States is the one which regulate the disposal of solid waste. It prohibits disposal of plastics in the marine water within 25 nautical miles and rules out disposal of paper, glass, rags, and others within 12 nautical miles from land. Like wise U.S. Resource Conservation and Recovery Act require cruise ships offload all the hazardous materials water to the land for treatment and disposal.

Conclusion

It has been good noting that there have been initiatives from the cruise industry to save the environment. The International Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL) constitutes the worlds largest cruise lines and helps to regulate environmental pollution. Between 1992 and 2001, it reported 50% reduction in marine pollution by cruise ships. In 2001 it adopted the Cruise Industry Waste Management Practices and Procedures, a document that outlined ways to reduce marine pollution by cruise ships. Many cruise ships have adopted voluntary measures to reduce pollution. This has enhanced good practices in the cruise industry in an effort to manage and sustain the marine environment.

References

Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) (2004): Assessment of Cruise Ship and Ferry Wastewater Impacts in Alaska. ADEC 2004 report.

Barrow, C. (1997). Environmental and social impact assessment; Arnold, London.

GAO (2000): Marine Pollution: Progress Made to Reduce Marine Pollution by Cruise Ships, but Important Issues Remain. Report to Congressional Requesters.

Michael, F. & Davis, J. (2002): Cruise Control. A report by the Ocean Conservancy.