Global Warming Needs an End

The mountains and pine forests in Colorado are one of the most unique things about the state. The citizens use these mountains and forests for skiing, hiking, or just enjoying the outdoor life. If these forests are no longer alive, Colorado will no longer obtain these opportunities, and wildlife will be suffered. The main killer of these beautiful pine forests in the mountains is the mountain pine beetle or the bark beetle. Each year these beetles are infesting hundreds of thousands of trees each year. These beetles first started their outbreak in 1996 and since then 1.5 million acres have been infested. People wonder why this beetle infestation has just become so bad in the last 15 years, and this is because of global warming.

Global warming is effecting every living and non living thing in the world. It is increasing rapidly from many different causes. The main causes of global warming are the gases putting into the atmosphere, deforestation, and the depletion of the ozone layer. These are causes that are all over the world, but the bark beetles are effecting the state of Colorado drastically and specifically. This infestation is a catastrophic event to the pine forest, it is spreading dramatically, and it does not look like it will be stopping soon. If these pine beetles have no stopping to destroying these trees, what will be left? This question is not being answered and only become a greater concern. As global warming increases, the deterioration of the trees are increasing. How can this stop, and what can citizens do?

The depletion of the ozone layer is the main reason for global warming. The ozone layer protects the Earth from UV radiation. If there is no longer UV radiation or it is decreasing, the UV rays are coming through the ozone layer and causing the temperature of the world to rise. The continuation of this depletion will eventually become unsafe for humans to step outside without complete protection. This will also not let Colorado citizens enjoy the incredible state they live in. Colorado gives the opportunity of skiing, hiking, exploring wildlife, and sunny days most of the year. If the UV rays increases then these outdoor activities will no longer be sage to endure. The increase of skin cancer from melanoma is already drastically increasing, and if the sun becomes stronger it will only become a higher number.

The excessive amount of cars is ending in the deterioration of the ozone layer. The carbon dioxide from the gasoline being put into the air is slowly destroying the ozone layer, which causes many serious issues for the safety of the environment. This then leads to an increase in global climate temperature. On average the temperature raises 2 to 10 degrees Celsius each century. This will then lead to more severe drought, rising sea levels, shifting seasons, and increased disease. The rising of the global climate temperature is causing ice burgs to melt. This is then less land space for wildlife and leading to extinction of many animals such as polar bears. It is also hurting the state of Colorado specifically. In Colorado, these problem are apparent because numbers show that on average each year the temperature rises 4 degrees Fahrenheit. This will then cause more heat related deaths and illnesses from insect-born diseases like malaria and West Nile virus. In 2003 Colorado had the most West Nile infections in the nation with more than 3000 cases reported. If the temperature is going to continually increase each year, imagine how many more deaths can come of malaria or other diseases that are not common as of today. The increased temperatures could also create a northward shift, which causes more diseases-carrying mosquitos which will infect humans and livestock across the state. Weather patterns also may shift as an effect of the global warming in Colorado. Instead of snow precipitation it will increase to more rain. This will then lead to a shortened ski season for ski bums. The tourists coming to Colorado will then decrease, and the shortened spring season increases summer forest fires. Colorado is one of the most known states for their expert skiing opportunities and as it rains more than snows, skiing will no longer be in existence for an activity or hobby.

These increased temperatures will also lead to an earlier spring snowmelt which then causes the reservoirs to become lower in level. Colorado already has a low number of reservoirs within its state.This would then limit water flow and increase the need for water resources in the summer, which then becomes a large investment for the irrigation systems. Water resources is important for the natural habitat of Colorado and water for the necessity of life to survive. Water is needed for each part of the environment and life, and without it things will slowly start to die off. This alone should be a major reason for citizens to think before putting gas into the atmosphere or littering.

These warm temperatures are the reason for the rapid growth and infestations of the bark beetles in Colorado. Deforestation is already a major issue in todays society, and with this issue it is increasing at a greater rate. The state of Colorado already has a low percentage of oxygen in its air, so without trees this number will continue to decrease. This will make it harder for the citizens to breath and do strenuous activities. Deforestation comes from wanting to build houses and buildings. But, in Colorado a natural deforestation issue is the bark beetles. As was stated earlier, this issue is becoming worse and worse because of global warming. The warmer winters and drought that has been around for years is increasing the numbers, and not stopping. These warmer temperatures is a more ideal environment for the beetles so if the temperature continues to increase, they will as well. This can lead to the devastating depletion of the forests just as a forest fire would.

As a student at the University of Denver, and a temporary resident in Colorado for the next four years, this issue is a concern. Many students go snowboarding or hiking each weekend with the Alpine Club or just with a group of friends. As global warming increases; temperatures continue to rise, which causes warmer winters and less ski season and the beetle infestation continues to destroy the forests. As each of these things become a bigger issue each year, the opportunities for students will decrease dramatically. College is a time to explore and experience what the world has to offer. Being able to go to school in such an incredible state such as Colorado the environment needs to be cherished since there are so many activities available. In order to save the environment and the state of Colorado, people can stop the increase of global warming. In stead of regular cars, hybrid cars does not put gas into the atmosphere. There are also many different organizations that people can be apart of like a “green” club or environmental safe organizations. Each person can help prevent global warming and stop all the consequences that come from it. Colorado has many opportunities that need to be kept from being destroyed. Every person can make a difference by simply getting involved and making smarter decisions for their own lives and future generations.

Littering In Our Society

You are driving on 1-70 into the mountains in Denver, Colorado. The mountains are surrounding you and the view is simply breathtaking. The top is down on your new corvette. There is nothing in the world that could bother you at this moment, or is there? You look to your left and you look to your right. There is litter on both sides of the road and you can smell the stench of the garbage. The view that you have is drowned out of your memory because of the litter on the sides of the road. The rate that our society is producing litter is implausible and this will be the scene in the next 10 to 15 years to come. Not only is this a problem in Denver, but all over the world. The amount of litter being produced is ridiculous and something needs to be done.

Colorado has a serious problem of littering which is having a serious effect on our landscape. 75% of Americans admit to littering within the last 5 years. The most common ages of people that litter are 18 and 34 years old. Littering can come from various places such as dumpsters used by businesses, construction and demolition sites, pedestrians, and people in cars. There are many reasons for people littering. People littering could be because that they are lazy, don’t care, or are ignorant. If you look around outside, you are almost guaranteed to see litter on the ground. Litter can affect habitats for all wildlife on land and in water. It can cause death to animals, such as a fishing line or pop can holders can get in the water. The fish can get stuck in these items and die. Litter can decompose into the ground and cause chemicals to spread, which has a major effect on the environment. When this happens, animals are dying at a rapid rate. At this stage in the circle of life we need all of the resources we can get and when we are killing off things that could be prevented, it is really harming society. As well, littering harms our storm water systems, oceans, rivers and streams. The chemicals get into our water systems and effect human and animals. We are using water at such a rapid rate that we cannot afford to harm it even more. Eventually the world is going to be out of water and then what are we going to do? It would be easier if you just picked up your garbage and helped protect society. As well its also effects wildlife such as elk and deer. Animals die in the attempt to eat plastic bags that are left to blow away in the wind. When the garbage sits in a certain period outside over a certain amount of time, it will start to decompose. Once it decomposes there are chemicals that get into the ground and they affects the ecosystems. If people would just clean up after themselves it would be much easier. We spend so much money on cleaning up littering. We could use that money towards other things such as repairing roads or health care.

There are programs in Colorado that help with littering such as roadside litter control. People in our society can adopt a highway. This is where a group of people agrees to pick up litter on the side of the road for a two-mile radius. Certain sections have its own special needs such as it could be longer or shorter then a 2 mile radius or may only need to be cleaned 2 times per year. Adopting groups are asked to sort the litter when they are picking it up and also to take the recyclables to their proper centers. This program will help the state of Colorado immensely with the litter on the ground. These facts have come from the Colorado adopt a highway website. If we did not have this program there would be garbage on the side of the roads everywhere. Litter is often on the ground where humans have been. People are constantly using the highways, which mean that there is an abundance of litter on the side of the road. People drive in their cars and if they do not want the garbage in their cars, they will just throw it out the window. Nationally we can solve the problem of litter in many different ways. One way could be that companies use biodegradable materials when they are packaging items. If people do decide to litter, then there if it gets left in a certain place for a long time, it can decompose. Also, one of the major sources of littering is big companies. If we make the fines more harsh for people and companies that are littering, this will make them think twice before they do something they should not be doing.

Often you see signs on the side of a road saying do not litter or if caught littering, you will be fined. Some people look at these signs and still throw garbage on the ground but some people look at them and they think twice before they litter. Is it really worth throwing a piece of garbage on the ground and getting fined 1,000 dollars when you could just walk to a garbage can and throw it out. If the police enforced littering more often people would think twice before littering. A lot of people can litter and no one will say anything about them littering. If society becomes stricter on the penalties of littering then there will be less people littering.

If only you could drive down a highway, with your top down in your car. You have no worries at all and both sides of the road are clean. You take in the refreshing fresh air through your nose to the point of where it simply makes you feel good. Littering is a problem in our society and it needs to be fixed.

Harrison Archer

Geoffrey Bateman

Writ

2/28/11

Preserving Life as We Know It

A problem that has been growing and growing each and every day in America is global warming and the worsening of our environment. We constantly pollute and damage our air and earth by the lifestyles that we live. Eighty percent of the world’s forests have disappeared; the United States has five percent of the world’s population and thirty percent of its waste. (1) This is a direct result of the world’s negligence to global warming. Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to run a TV for three hours. The amount of paper and wood we throw away per year, it would be enough to heat fifty million houses for twenty years. (2) What are we scared of? We have every opportunity to better our community and ourselves. We have a chance to give back to something that has given us everything.

There are so many measures that should be taken a lot more seriously so that we can help ourselves. I feel like people have so much going on in their personal lives that they don't even have time to think about what really matters, and what will some day affect us all. Wind turbines, solar energy, hydroelectric energy, are all different methods of saving our earth. In Colorado, gas prices have recently been in the news because of the rising price. This, I think, would do wonders for our economy. Just think, cut half the people on the road in half, which means half of the gas being used, and half of the polluted air, would be a step in the direction for our economy, and for our environment. People need to realize how much is at stake right now in regards to the future of our earth, because before we know it, we could loose it all. The campus of the University of Denver can be the first place we really start to turn things around. This campus is in a place that is susceptible to change; the general demographic is one of optimism, especially with regards to this topic. Everyone who lives in Denver, or in Colorado has a special love for the mountains and the beautiful things we see everyday. So, I think DU and Denver is a great stepping-stone to bigger and better things regarding our environment. Last year Denver received and A- on the annual College Sustainability Report Card. This year, we should shoot for an A+, so we know we are dong everything we can to help ourselves. Most people have decided to take the easy way out and say it won’t affect them, or they have more important things to do. But, in reality it’s so practical and easy for everyone to take an extra thirty seconds or expend a tiny bit more energy so future generations can enjoy everything that we enjoyed. I’ve done my homework and at this point I know what it takes to succeed.

Solar Energy is one of the most efficient, environmentally friendly ways to use and conserve energy. Although it is extremely expensive, I think this country, and the world needs to make an investment in something that can last for a lifetime and can preserve life as we know it. Solar energy takes heat from the sun and turns it into renewable energy. We should milk our resources for everything that they are worth. Energy and electricity bills are some of the most costly expenses households have to pay. Solar panels and solar energy is a one payment, good for a lifetime investment that not only will help save our earth, but will save our economy. Solar energy is the energy of the future. But, since everyone is so obsessed with technological advances, why aren’t more people investing in solar energy? We need to take advantage of everything that we can in order to enjoy life. We need to take advantage of things that are natural and limitless, and use them so that we can help ourselves. Colorado is a city that sits at a higher elevation. Solar energy in Colorado could be extremely beneficial because of the altitude and because of flatness of eastern Colorado. In an article written by the Denver post, it says that western voters favor the environment. Voters in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Montana and Wyoming all said that they support substituting alternative energy sources like wind and solar power for coal.(3)

Wind power is another alternative way to generate energy by using something that will always be available. In the past couple of years, wind power has started to make a lot of headway, doubling their electricity production each year. In Denmark, twenty percent of stationary electricity has been produced by wind power. While Denmark leads the world with twenty percent, Ireland is not far behind, wielding a fourteen percent production rate. Since 2009, more than eighty countries have started commercially using wind power. This is one of farthest along alternative energy sources, but we must keep building upon it because every wind turbine, wind pump, and wind pump can make a difference. Wind farms are not completely accepted because their lack of a visual appeal, which I think is insane. At the same time, it is the last problematic of any other kind of alternative energy source. The United States is in the top ten countries of wind power production, but being one of, if not the most powerful countries in the world, we should aspire to be at the top of that list. The United States needs to set the pace in order to get other countries on board and try to tackle this current environmental issue. China is among the most powerful countries in the world, but in recent years they have neglected to try make advances in their environmental efforts, and just concentrate on their economic growth. In China, only one percent of the population inhales what is categorized as safe air. In Colorado, especially eastern Colorado because its very flat and could use wind farms.

Hydroelectric energy is the most widely used renewable alternative energy source there is. The theory for the use of hydropower is quite simple. Large amounts of water are pumped into a turbine, which generates power into a powerhouse that has power lines connected to it, which then supplies our home with electricity.(4) We should have some type of hydro power mechanism in every large body of water that has a drop in elevation. It’s doing things like this that will save our earth. We are a country and a state(Colorado) that can set an example for everyone else. There are three things that we can use to better ourselves: there are things that have happened, things that we know, and things we can change. So, lets forget what has happened in the past, lets use what we know now, and change the selfish we live our lives.

There are so many small, easy things we can do on the DU campus that will make a world of a difference. Carpooling when driving to the mountains, taking shorter showers, recycling, and taking the light rail down town instead of driving. These are all feasible things that we as students and as contributing members of society can do to help ourselves. “Climb the mountains and get their good tidings.”(John Muir)