Biodiversity hotspots were first identified as areas rich in endemic plants and containing a high diversity of species. Their ecosystem was suffering the threats of outsiders and with time, lost most of their original habitat. Today, we are more specific with the identification of hotspots as we apply two specific criteria in their definition. First,… Continue reading What Is a Biodiversity Hotspot or Ecological Hotspot?
What Are the Benefits of Biodiversity and What Is Genetic Erosion?
We know of more than 1.7 million species, but since most haven’t been discovered yet, we can realistically estimate that the actual number is closer to 40 million. Insects alone count for approximately 75% of all species. It is a fact that from a certain length, the number of species is negatively correlated with their… Continue reading What Are the Benefits of Biodiversity and What Is Genetic Erosion?
What Are the Benefits of Forests and the Consequences of Deforestation?
A tree is often the symbol used to represent the environmental movement. In fact, we adopted the color green, the plant’s color, as the main adjective to define general environmentalism. Why is the forest such an important element for the environment? There are many reasons why we benefit from forests and there are obviously many… Continue reading What Are the Benefits of Forests and the Consequences of Deforestation?
How to Fight Pollution at a Minimal Cost?
As explained in the text on pollution costs, the more we pollute, the higher the costs related to the damage. Since the money we make in one place is going to be lost somewhere else, it is to our disadvantage to pollute massively. The costs of the damages often exceed the general wealth we create… Continue reading How to Fight Pollution at a Minimal Cost?
External Cost and Pollution Shown on the Supply and Demand Model
The supply and demand model is one of the first concepts we learn in economy. It shows the interaction of buyers and sellers in a market, and defines the correct price and quantity for a certain good.
Can a Pollution Permit and Carbon Credit Reduce Pollution?
The answer is yes, pollution permits and carbon credits can reduce pollution, even though the idea of distributing permission to pollute and carbon credit can be morally debatable. Let’s explain this idea with one general principle: the Earth can tolerate a certain amount of pollution without being seriously harmed. After all, someone who has peed… Continue reading Can a Pollution Permit and Carbon Credit Reduce Pollution?
What Is the Kyoto Protocol?
The Kyoto protocol was established in 1997 and regrouped 55 industrial countries. The objective was to respond to the problem of global warming and find ways to manage it. Since global warming is related to human activities, the emission of greenhouse gases can be controlled. One of the conditions to make the protocol active was… Continue reading What Is the Kyoto Protocol?
What Is Global Warming or Climate Change?
Global Warming, also known as climate change, is a rise of the average temperature in the atmosphere and in the oceans. Like the name says, it is a global phenomenon. Every corner of the world experiences it due to an accumulation of greenhouse gas. Since gas doesn’t get fixed in one area like a solid… Continue reading What Is Global Warming or Climate Change?
The Fragility of the Food Chain
Every living organism on this planet is part of a food chain. What is a food chain? A food chain is the process in which different species exchange energy from one to another by eating each other. Consequently, all species are interconnected somewhere in the food chain. From plankton and vegetation to lions and humans,… Continue reading The Fragility of the Food Chain
What Are the Problems with Overpopulation? Are Condoms and Contraceptive Pills the Only Solution?
The human population started booming in the 19th century with the improvement of common hygiene and medicine techniques. In the 20th century, the rate of population growth was exponential, meaning that it was frequently doubling. With the increasing consumption of resources and expansion into new territories, a bigger population inevitably means a bigger impact on… Continue reading What Are the Problems with Overpopulation? Are Condoms and Contraceptive Pills the Only Solution?