Biosphere

Dystopias are commonly referred to as an imagined place in which everything is unpleasant. There are different ways for a society to become a dystopia, which is the antonym of a utopia or imagined community/society that possesses highly desireable or nearly perfect qualities for its citizens; there are also many ways for films, literature, and other arts to allow us to experience these so called dystopian societies. Animal Farm,by George Orwell, is a typical anti-utopia because the animals of…

1. The patterns for the different parameters depend on the season. Atmospheric temperature is always the high in July due to summer. For instance, the atmospheric temperature in Virginia was nearly 0°C in January 2000 but rose to about 25°C in July 2000. This makes sense because temperatures are low in January and high in July. The temperatures started dropping again around October because of the change in season. The amount of precipitation depends on the region. Regions near the ocean…

still is, an extremely controversial concept among scholars. He describes his theory as, “A complex entity involving the Earth’s biosphere, atmosphere, oceans, and soil; the totality constituting a feedback or cybernetic system which seeks an optimal physical and chemical environment for life on this planet” (148). In other words, the surface organisms of earth, or biosphere regulate the atmosphere at an optimal level to maintain life. James Lovelock was criticized by many well-respected…

after substitution, weak sustainability is considered successful. However, some forms of natural capital such as water, air, genetic materials etc. cannot be substituted simply by manufactured capital because they work together to create the larger biosphere. In theory, these goods could be replaced, but current technological knowledge proves it’s highly unlikely (Ekins 2003, 60-61). Maintaining or increasing capital stock for future generations means that technological advancements must keep up…

General Overview Description: The central African savanna biome is a tropical grassland characterized by its thick grassy plains and few dispersed trees that do not have a high enough tree density to form a closed canopy. Consequently, this allows for sunlight to reach the ground, supporting a thick and healthy layer of plantlife consisting primarily of grass. It is also characterized by its seasonal availability in water as a large majority of its rainfall is subject to one season.…

Across the globe, people debate the cause of climate change. Some claim that all observed changes are simply natural, pointing to the historical records of the periodic rise and fall in global temperature. Others dispute those claims and instead state that climate changes are being caused by humans, and the unchecked release of carbon. Neither group is neither fully correct, nor incorrect. Climate change is both anthropogenic (human caused) and naturally caused. The difference between the two…

Biodiversity of Coral Reefs By: Ganesh Balaji Ecology is a macro-scale science that encompasses all biological life. However, in order to fully understand the depth of ecology, and its significance in relation to life on earth, one must study the biodiversity of the species living in this planet. Although the history of modern human civilizations has largely ignored the importance and complexity of biodiversity, understanding the many layers of biodiversity will provide us with richer knowledge…

Introduction How it occurs? Bushfires are a natural disaster, which can occur naturally or by human activity. It isn’t rare to hear about bushfires occurring especially in summer when it is hot and dry. If there is enough fuel, oxygen and an ignition source it is likely that a fire will build up as these are the supplies it needs. David Packham is a scientist in the bushfire category. He has come up with a theory based on information from what the aboriginals believed about…

Joe Grasse Patrick Murphy Section: Thurs. 11am The Physical Geography of Los Angeles, California Los Angeles: home to Hollywood, the Lakers, and some of the best beaches in the world. How did it get to be such a big city though? Physical geography definitely played a role in the settlement, the expansion, and will even shape the future of this great place. The history of Los Angeles and its geography begins when the Spanish arrived in the 18th century. They came in contact with Gabrielinos and…

There is a steadily growing consensus that recent human activity has had such an impact that it has shifted the Earth into a new geologic epoch of our own making. The advent of this epoch, known as the Anthropocene, has generated much discussion and tension between the various science disciplines. The major issue being discussed is whether there is a need for a new era covering the last three centuries of human impact on the planet. Defining this epoch, in terms of both time and space, has also…