Environmental Issues What do you think of when I say environment?

Do you think the air we breathe or the trees around us, if you do then you are right but there is so much more. Everyday we hear of some environmentalist making a difference or some company making bad choices about our environment. In the past few years businesses all over have been implementing go green policies and figuring out ways to protect this Earth we live on. We constantly hear about the emissions from cars or buildings but what are we really doing to stop these or at least cut back?

One issue is air pollution and how our environment is affected by it; well one instance is how the trees react to this air pollution. Science Daily website has an article called How Trees Play a Role in Smog Production. This article tells us about a chemical that is released by trees. This chemical is called isoprene. When this chemical is released it mixes with the man made nitrogen oxide released from the buildings and cars. When this mix happens it gets in peoples lungs and can cause things like cancer and asthma. This mix is also not good for the environment, it can fluctuate our climate. Here is an excerpt from the article: "We observe nature's quirks, but we must always consider that our actions do have repercussions," said Surratt. "It's the interaction between these natural and man-made emissions that produces this air pollution, smog and fine particulate matter -- and now we know one reason for how it happens"(University of North Carolina Chapel Hill). We have to be aware of what we are causing every time we get into a car, bus, and plane or into our workplace. The mix of our man made chemicals and what is simply produced by our environment

can react badly and I never thought about that side of the story but now I have some perspective.

Another way businesses can help with environmental issues is to practice renewable energy. This can be done in so many ways, maybe even some you wouldnt think of. How about wind farms, those are becoming so popular and with our Oklahoma wind this is a great idea. There are also solar panels you can use, the wind farms and solar panels are great for producing electricity for your business and it can be stored for later use! Farmers can create their own electricity by using their animals waste for a clean burning gas(NRDC). Geothermal and Hydropower are also amazing sources to renew energy. With these simple practices we could cut back on bills or environmental waste. Our resources are not going to last forever and we need to realize that, so lets do something about it, make small changes everyday from recycle bins to carpooling. Some of the ideas above are costly but I feel that in the long run it will be beneficial and businesses can make slow changes so that they can see the cost change and energy change. All businesses could have solar panels and windmills close by to power their company.

Another issue especially with miners is acid rain. "Acid rain" is a broad term referring to a mixture of wet and dry deposition (deposited material) from the atmosphere containing higher than normal amounts of nitric and sulfuric acids(EPA). This is very harmful to the earth and bodies of water. Acid rain can cause entire forests to die off, affect the Ph in water and cause animals to die that

live in or drink from that body of water and most of all can cause human deaths from lung or heart problems. The burning of fossil fuels is a big contender in acid rain along with the coal miners. If we dont find some other way to do these tasks then we are at great risk and are putting our earth at risk. Businesses could find other ways to mine by working with the earth and using the resources it is given.

In conclusion, our Earth is in a critical state and if we do not take care of it then we will all be destroyed and there will no longer be need for businesses. Why cant we try and go paperless, or ride bikes to work, or figure out some way to work with our environment instead of around it or through it? We are given so many natural and renewable resources so I challenge every business on Earth to Go Green and help support our Earth. Each company should come up with a plan to become more renewable and resourceful. I did not realize how bad and pressing this issue was but now that I have done some research I am more aware of what I am doing and I am going to make a plan to support farmers and renew resources.

Resources Page

1.University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2013, April 25).How trees play role in smog, http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/04/130425132812.htm

2.National Resources Defense Council (NRDC).Renewable Energy for America, http://www.nrdc.org/energy/renewables/default.asp

3.U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (2012, December 4).Acid Rain, http://www.epa.gov/acidrain/