'With reference to specific key players evaluate the attempts to manage conflict within the Colorado basin.' [10 marks] A series of treaties and agreements concerning the Colorado River made between 7 states in the USA and also between the USA and Mexico since the early 1900s to the present day have shaped how the water from the river is managed and utilised. More than 10 major dams have been built, to provide hydroelectric power, irrigation and create reservoirs, which promotes industrial and economic growth, but concerns environmentalists with the damage to ecosystems. Additionally, disparity in water needs is putting strain on the Colorado, as some states are taking more than their fair share of the water available, leading to conflict. Much controversy came about due to the construction of the Glen Canyon Dam as part of the Colorado River Compact, which aimed to 'ensure through water storage the delivery of sufficient water to the lower basin during years of drought, so as to allow the upper basin to better utilize its allocation of river flow' as proposed by The USBR (United States Bureau of Reclamation).
As centuries came and went health problems increased. The Earth’s natural resources were diminishing. Some believed the causes were natural; however, studies concluded that the steady increase in population is a co-conspirator. In the 1960s when noticeable natural disasters were occurring, the environmental movement became forefront. The oil spills in California and Massachusetts raised serious issues warranting an environmental conference to prompt international awareness of environmental concerns.
Carson – Silent Spring RA Final Draft The 1960s were a tumultuous time, full of change not only in America, but throughout the world. Many environmental movements were present during this time of mass demonstration in America. One notable environmental argument was that against pesticide use. In this excerpt from noted biologist Rachel Carson’s book Silent Spring, the author uses various rhetorical terms to both denounce and vilify the use of parathion, a pesticide, declaring that the environmental effects are far more destructive, widespread, and detrimental than was previously thought. Through her use of evocative diction, Carson is able to illustrate the widespread effects that parathion can have in language that is both strong and easy to understand for the reader.
Hydraulic Fracturing: The Impact on our Environment and our Economy The Legal Environment Professor Sered August 18, 2013 Table of Contents Intro Environmental & Economical Issues Laws regarding Hydraulic Fracturing President’s Executive Order on Hydraulic Fracturing U.S. Energy Needs Opinion Conclusion Works Cited Hydraulic Fracturing: The Impact on our Environment and our Economy There has been a lot of controversy in the last decade on Hydraulic Fracturing. There are two very important things to remember when you are discussing this topic. One is ‘what is the impact that hydraulic fracturing has on our environment?’ Secondly, ‘How great will hydraulic fracturing improve our economic condition?’ These two subjects
David Zhang Ms. Khan ENG3U1-08 25 March 2012 Oryx and Crake: Climate Change Climate change is a tough subject for humans to deal with; ever since the Industrial Revolution, our dramatically increased consumption of energy over the century has brought about immense consequences. Abnormal weather conditions, an increased frequency of natural disasters, and rising sea levels are what many of us claim to be part of a “natural cycle”. However, it is no coincidence that we are on the wrong end of that “natural cycle”, and our behaviours and activities have only caused it to worsen. Climate change will worsen if we continue to disregard its existence and compromise with its consequences, rather than confronting the source of the issue and taking responsibility. Our irresponsibility could ultimately lead to the destruction of our world and civilization, as portrayed in “Oryx and Crake” by Margaret Atwood.
Levees Breached: Who was responsible for Maintenance? Six years ago, Hurricane Katrina ripped through the Gulf Coast, the Louisiana wetlands breaching levees and canals, and filled the bowl of New Orleans with water. When the levees breached over the lower 9th ward, many residents said it sounded like an explosion and many believe that was history repeating it from the 1927 bombing of the levees and from Hurricane Betsy in 1965. When one is asked who is responsible for the levees, two groups are considered responsible Orleans Levee Board and the U.S Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) but most of the blame goes to USACE. But one thing is for sure whoever was/is responsible should know that the disaster of Hurricane Katrina has been 40 years
During the last few decades, many thinkers from different disciplines have been searching for a new ethic to confront environmental ethics issues with – an ‘environmental ethic’. Whether religious or secular in nature, this must be able to define the environment and the proper relationship that should exist between human beings and the natural world. Today growing concerns about global warming (the effects of which global dimming, until now, has lead to a gross underestimation) underline the general acceptance that environmental preservation is an obligation both for present and future generations.
Water Supply Feasibility Study: Fisheries PREPARED FOR: Lisa Obermyer, Montgomery Watson Harza PREPARED BY: Greg White, CH2M HILL COPIES: Tom VanderPlaat, Clean Water Services DATE: July 16, 2003 Introduction The Tualatin River Watershed has seen a number of changes in recent years that influence water resources management. These include population growth and new regulatory requirements under the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act. In an effort to respond to these changes, the Water Managers Group, a group of public and private entities consisting of the Joint Water Commission, Lake Oswego Corporation, Tualatin Valley Irrigation District, City of Tigard, Tualatin Valley Water District, Clean Water Services
The establishments of certain specific land and water resources agencies in the early 1900’s, the late 1800’s, and some even dating back to the origins of the United States were pivotal moments in American history, despite the fact that the agencies did not necessarily have immediate significant impacts. The US Forest Service (USFS), the National Park Service (NPS), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the Bureau of Reclamation (BuRec), and the US Army Corps of Engineers (the Corps) all evolved as time passed by in response to changing public demands, economic concerns, national interests, and especially the change in environmental regulation and treatment. More specifically, beginning in the 1960’s, these agencies underwent significant shifts
Prof: M K L P SCI204: Environmental Science DeVry University Date: 04/03/2014 Exercise: 1 Discuss two sources of pollution that have affected Lake Erie. Lake Erie has exhibited a high level of plastic pollution and algae blooms related to chemical pollution. This is all a direct result of human activity along the water ways leading to the lake as well as along the shoreline of the lake itself. One article pointed to plastics from a variety of things including food wrappers, toys and disposable drink bottles making their way to the lake via sewer lines and other sources. Another item pointed to pesticides, fertilizers and road salt as additional contributors to the pollution problem.