Ecosystem and the Environment

ABOVE:Ecologist Organize The Environment 

Every location where the human race has lived contained a community of plants, animals, insects, and other natural resources. A community of organisms, other natural resources, and their influence on each other is called an ecosystem. The plants and animals existing in an ecosystem are those most adapted to that particular environment.

Ecosystems are dynamic interactions between plants, animals, and microorganisms and their environment working together as a functional unit. We have affected ecosystems in almost every way imaginable!  Every time we walk out in the wilderness or bulldoze land for a new parking lot we are drastically altering an ecosystem. We have disrupted the food chain, the carbon cycle, the nitrogen cycle, and the water cycle.  Mining minerals also takes its toll on an ecosystem.  We need to do our best to not interfere in these ecosystems and let nature take its toll.   No community can carry more organisms than its food, water, and shelter can accomodate. 

 Food and territory are often balanced by natural phenomena such as fire, disease, and the number of predators.  Each organism has its own niche, or role, to play. Throughout time, humans have learned to exist in many locations on the earth. The interaction of humans with the environment surroundings in these locations has often brought major changes in that environment. Some changes were good, some were bad. Many times the bad changes were caused by humans making too much of a change in the environment, by using or abusing the natural resources anything found in nature present.

Changing or using natural resources will affect the entire ecosystem, since an imbalance in the system is created. Ecosystems naturally change with time. In most cases, the change does not completely destroy the ecosystem, because a new, slightly different ecosystem can be created with the natural resources that are currently in place. Ecosystems can be destroyed, however, if the change is made too quickly.As we are approaching the festive season ,we need to take care and look after our environment.Keep it healthy so as we can stay healty as well.

Water pollution

People in Informal Settlements Washing their clothes polluting the Water

Water pollution is a serious health, social, and environmental issue in many parts of the world, especially developing countries. There are currently more than one billion people in the world without the access to safe drinking water, and this issue is soon to become even worse because many scientists expect major droughts ,as a result of increasing climate change impact that will further limit already scarce water resources in many parts of the world.Water pollution is often characterized with excessive level of different pollutants into rivers. Cleaning these rivers from pollution requires huge funds, and since most of these incidents happen in developing countries there is often not enough money available for these funds.Water is one of the most precious resources on our planet.

 This means that water pollution issue must reach global level in terms of involving all countries in the world in a joint effort to find the best possible solutions to stop further rise of water pollution worldwide.Johannesburg is one of the cities with high rate of water pollution especially in informal settlements or shacks .For example ther you may find out that many people spent their lives in swimming so they pollute water by the means of swimming.Some of them do not have access to tap waters so they go to near rivers to fetch their water from.In few months ago an area called Bekkersdal in West Rand District experienced such problem of water pollution because the residents spent more than years having no access to tap water and the children used to go and play in that water area.This thing of water pollution affected so many peoples lives around the area

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How to best prevent water pollution?

• Stopping poverty is one of the best ways to tackle water pollution issue. Poor, uneducated people will fail to prevent water pollution, as they in general care very little for our environment.
• Water purification methods could be also used to decrease the levels of water pollution in many countries of the world. Water purification methods refer to different processes that are used to remove harmful chemicals and other pollutants from water bodies so water could be used for safe.

 We mustn't forget that water pollution leads to different waterborne diseases that are causing the deaths of million people all over the world. Diarrhea alone causes approximately 1.5 million deaths of children worldwide each year.

Stop Wildlife Crime



Sign Against Wildlife Crime

 Wildlife crime is now the most urgent threat to three of the world’s best-loved species—elephants, rhinos and tigers.Tens of thousands of elephants are poached each year. Between 1995 and 2007, experts estimate that elephant populations in Central Africa declined by more than 50 percent, primarily due to ivory poaching.

Close to 18,000 pounds of illicit rhino horn reaches Asian markets each year, where the street price rivals that of pure gold.There are as few as 3,200 tigers left in the wild and they are hunted relentlessly by poachers.Even more worrying, these species cannot survive high levels of poaching for long.

We can turn the tide.

We need your help to save wildlife and people from becoming victims of wildlife crime. Join our public relations practitioners campaign and help us:

• Push governments to protect threatened animal populations by increasing law enforcement, imposing strict deterrents, reducing demand for endangered species products and honoring international commitments made under CITES.
• Speak up on behalf of those on the frontlines being threatened by armed poachers so they are properly equipped, trained and compensated.
• Reduce demand for illegal wildlife parts and products by encouraging others to ask questions and get the facts before buying any wildlife or plant product.

How You Can Help

• Stop wildlife crime -Learn how you can take action against the most urgent to elephants ,rhinosand tigers.
• Stay connected -Get the wildlife news and conservation updates.
• Adopt a Rhino-Make a symbolic Rhino adoption to help save some of the worlds most endangerd animals from extinction and suport.

"Care for me and i care for you"message from our lovely wildlife animals,do what you would like people to do inreturn for you by loving and showing care to the wild animals suffering on daily basis.

Climate change is happening



Climate change is already affecting

 Climate change includes major changes in temperature, precipitation, or wind patterns, among other effects, that occur over several decades or longer.Many places have seen changes in rainfall, resulting in more floods, droughts, or intense rain, as well as more frequent and severe heat waves. The planet's oceans and glaciers have also experienced some big changes - oceans are warming and becoming more acidic, ice caps are melting, and sea levels are rising. As these and other changes become more pronounced in the coming decades, they will likely present challenges to our society and our environment.

In past weeks johannesburg has been experiencing high rate of rainfall even though its not summer yet.The weather kept on changing and people were affected by it drastically.People became confused of what to wear by then, so that showed that climate change exist and is happening .Humans are largely responsible for recent climate change,Over the past century, human activities have released large amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.The majority of greenhouse gases come from burning fossil fuels to produce energy, although deforestation, industrial processes, and some agricultural practices also emit gases into the atmosphere.Climate change affects everyone.Our lives are connected to the climate,Human societies have adapted to the relatively stable climate we have enjoyed since the last ice age which ended several thousand years ago.Although it's difficult to predict the exact impacts of climate change, what's clear is that the climate we are accustomed to is no longer a reliable guide for what to expect in the future.We can reduce the risks we will face from climate change, by making choices that reduce greenhouse gas pollution, and preparing for the changes that are already underway, we can reduce risks from climate change. Our decisions today will shape the world our children and grandchildren will live in.

We can make a difference

 

You can take action. You can take steps at home, on the road, and in your office to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the risks associated with climate change. Many of these steps can save you money; some, such as walking or biking to work can even improve your health! You can also get involved on a local or state level to support energy efficiency, clean energy programs, or other climate programs.

Deforestation process




The above picture shows how the process of deforestation looks like

  Deforestation is the removal of a forest or stand of trees where the land is thereafter converted to a non forest use. Examples of deforestation include conversion of forestland to farms, ranches, or urban use.About half of the world's original forests had been destroyed by 2011, the majority during the previous 50 years. More than half of the animal and plant species in the world live in tropical forests.Because deforestation basically involves killing trees in forests, there are so many effects that can be enumerated as results of the activity. Effects of deforestation can be classified and grouped into effects to biodiversity, environment and social settings.When forests are cuted down, nature basically requires people to renew the forest.  Reforestation is proven to be a much harder effort than deforestation. It is one concept that is in the opposite direction as deforestation.So the rate of deforestation has not been offset by the rate of reforestation.

 Thus, the world is now in a  state when it comes to issues concerning the environment.the depletion of these groups of trees is greatly increasing the risk that carbon monoxide would reach the atmosphere and result in the depletion of the ozone layer, which in turn results to global warming.
One major effect of deforestation is climate change. Changes to the surroundings done by deforestation work in many ways. One, there is abrupt change in temperatures in the nearby areas. Forests naturally cool down because they help retain moisture in the air.Forests are natural habitats to many types of animals and organisms. That is why, when there is deforestation, many animals are left without shelters. Those that manage to go through the flat lands and residential sites are then killed by peopletroubled.

Deforestation is hardly hitting the living conditions of indigenous people who consider forests as their primary habitats. Imagine how they are rendered homeless when forests are depleted. These natives would be forced to live elsewhere, and are usually left to becoming mendicants in rural and urban areas.Why cant we love our environment?Some of us have no idea of the role that forests play in an environment.Why keep on destroying our natural herbs?This blog will give you the tips and educate you well on loving your trees ,plants also living happily with them.Imagine the future if the rate of deforestation occurs at a rate of just 15 hectares annually? At that rate in just 30 to 40 years the worlds forests will have been turned into arid barren wasteland useless for any purpose.There are many differing groups that will have to work together to achieve an end to deforestation environmental and conservation groups, governments, consumers, corporations as well as those who actually work in the forests. We need each and every one of us to take a stand and do our bit.Lets work together and save our forests.

Medical Waste Disposal

Medical Waste Disposal is the most fundamental and crucial step towards infection prevention in health care facilities.Waste of all sorts can have negative effects, not only on the environment that it is disposed of in, but also directly and indirectly on the life that surrounds the environment. Medical waste often presents the greatest risk of any waste. This is a result of the possibility of pathogens in the waste and role it can play for pathogens.Medical waste, also known as clinical waste, refers to biological products, which are essentially useless. Medical Waste Disposal is an environmental concern, as many medical wastes are classified as infectious or bio-hazardous and can spread infectious disease.Medical Waste Disposal is the most fundamental and crucial step towards infection prevention in health care facilities.

ADVANTAGES MEDICAL WASTE DISPOSAL ARE:

• Minimises the spread of infections and reduces the risk of accidental injury to staff, clients, visitors, and the local community
•  Helps provide an aesthetically pleasing atmosphere
•  Reduces odors and other unpleasant sights.
• Attracts fewer insects and does not attract animals
• Reduces the likelihood of contamination of the soil or ground water with chemicals or microorganisms

WHO IS AT RISK?

Anyone who handles contaminated waste--from the time it is thrown out by a service provider to even after it reaches the site of final disposal--is at risk of infection or injury. In many settings, housekeeping staff may not understand their risks. It is particularly important for supervisors to ensure that these staff know their risks and follow the appropriate procedures.This can be prevented by informing all people who can be affected by it on how to take care of themselves. It can be done by educating staff, administrators, and the local community about the dangers of contaminated Medical Waste and by instituting low-cost, safe Medical Waste Disposal practise's, all health facilities can minimise the risks associated with waste disposal.Medical waste disposal must not be dumped everywhere it just need to be looked after and be well managed,avoiding it of being moving all around causing the danger in people's lifestyle

Littering and the environment

 Litter in our surroundings is an important environmental issue, which many people overlook. While a majority of people do know that littering is a bad thing, many continue to carelessly scatter their trash around nonetheless.There are a host of problems that stem from littering, and the environment has been suffering as a result 

Above:pre-cautions about where to put your litter!

of some people’s inability to control this habit. Money is also wasted because of it. The government has to employ people to pick up trash, and that means funding from tax revenue.
Littering can be hazardous to one’s health as well . Trash in an area attracts vermin and bacteria. Broken glass and other sharp objects are dangerous when left in public places.

Litter is harmful to wildlife as well. Plastic can cause birds and other animals to choke, when they mistake it for food. And, even worse, small bits of plastic can accumulate in the stomach of a bird, never digesting or decomposing, to the point where there is no more room for real food and the bird starves to death with a full stomach. What is the impact of all the littering that individuals do, largely from their cars and on highways? What can I do to help clean it up? How can we strengthen laws to prevent it?

Only You Can Prevent Litter
Doing your part to keep litter to a minimum is easy, but it takes vigilance. For starters, never let trash escape from your car, and make sure household garbage bins are sealed tightly so animals can’t get at the contents. Always remember to take your garbage with you upon leaving a park or other public space. And if you’re still smoking, isn’t saving the environment a compelling enough reason to finally quit? Also, if that stretch of roadway you drive everyday to work is a haven for litter, offer to clean it up and keep it clean.The best way to support and care for your environment is to be carefully about your littering and let your it be the best priority  to  look at ,try by all means to sacrifice for making your environment clean.Love and care for your environment!!