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World’s Last Great Forest is under Threat
The world’s last remaining “pristine” forest – the boreal forest – is under increasing threat across large stretches of Russia, Canada and other northern countries, a team of international researchers has found. The researchers have called for the urgent preservation of existing boreal forests in order to secure biodiversity and prevent the loss of this major global carbon sink.
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Less Toxic, More Efficient Dispersants Needed
After the failure of the Deepwater Horizon oil well, nearly 2 million gallons of dispersant were released into the Gulf of Mexico to contain the spill. While the early reports suggested that it successfully dispersed much of the oil, the long-term effect of such a massive volume of dispersant on ecosystems, wildlife and humans remains to be seen. Some environmentalists believe that the effects of such dispersants on aquatic life may be nearly as severe as the oil spill itself and suggest we should not use dispersants.
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Ocean Warming May Lead to an Increase in Sea Life
Warmer ocean temperatures could mean dramatic shifts in the structure of underwater food webs and the abundance of marine life, according to a new study. Until now, little has been known about how changes in temperatures might affect the total productivity and growth of all marine consumers (such as animals, fungi and bacteria) relative to their prey (including algae and plants).
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Algae as a Source of Hydrogen Fuel
As gas prices continue to soar, motorists are crying out for less expensive alternatives that will allow them to stay in their cars. Now, scientists from the U.S. Department of Energy are answering that call with key scientific research that is working to chemically manipulate algae for the production of the next generation of renewable fuels – hydrogen gas to be used in the new hydrogen fuel cells.
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Singing the Praises of Wind Energy?
Wind energy may be one of the fastest growing sectors of the energy industry as energy utilities try to minimize their reliance on fossil fuels. However, this “green-energy” industry is not without its own environmental consequences. Researchers say that nocturnally active birds and bats have increasingly become prey to these large wind turbines, yet little guidance can be found for assessing the impacts of wind energy on the birds until now.
Download Printable PDFs that appeal to 3 different reading levels and should be applicable from grades 4-12. Print one, two, or all three versions to appeal to the diverse reading abilities in your classroom:
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Carbon Dioxide a Potential Threat to Marine Life
Worldwide emissions of carbon dioxide from fossil fuel burning are dramatically altering ocean chemistry and threatening marine organisms, including corals that secrete skeletal structures and support oceanic biodiversity. A recent report summarizes the known effects of increased atmospheric carbon dioxide on these organisms, and recommends future research to determine the extent of the impacts. “It is clear that seawater chemistry will change in coming in ways that will dramatically alter marine life,” says the report’s lead author. Others look to the ocean as a huge carbon storage sink (countering the negative effects of higher levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide).
Download Printable PDFs that appeal to 3 different reading levels and should be applicable from grades 4-12. Print one, two, or all three versions to appeal to the diverse reading abilities in your classroom:
> Version A
> Version B
> Version C
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Colour and Survival
As the human race exerts greater influence on the Earth, our preferences may play a greater role in determining which other species survive, say scientists. New research shows that, in some cases, these preferences may be influenced by subtle factors such as small colour highlights. In the case of penguins, the species most popular with humans appear to be the ones displaying markings of warm colors such as red, orange or intense yellow, said a conservation biologist. The more popular a species is, the more likely it will garner human support for its survival.
Download Printable PDFs that appeal to 3 different reading levels and should be applicable from grades 4-12. Print one, two, or all three versions to appeal to the diverse reading abilities in your classroom:
> Version A
> Version B
> Version C
> Teacher Resources
Biodegradable Plastic
Large volumes of plastic waste generated aboard ships must be stored onboard, often for prolonged periods until they make port. In the future, a new type of environmentally friendly plastic that degrades in seawater may make it safe and practical to toss plastic waste overboard, freeing up valuable storage space, according to scientists.
Download Printable PDFs that appeal to 3 different reading levels and should be applicable from grades 4-12. Print one, two, or all three versions to appeal to the diverse reading abilities in your classroom:
> Version A
> Version B
> Version C
> Teacher Resources
Climate Change & Acid Rain: Good for Forests?
New research suggests that moderate increases in temperature and nitrogen from atmospheric pollution may actually improve forest productivity. Researchers have been monitoring the temperature, moisture and nitrogen deposited by acid rain at four forest sites in the northern US since 1987. They have found that the trees grow faster at higher temperatures and store more carbon with increasing concentrations of nitrogen, providing there is sufficient moisture.
Download Printable PDFs that appeal to 3 different reading levels and should be applicable from grades 4-12. Print one, two, or all three versions to appeal to the diverse reading abilities in your classroom:
Download Printable PDFs that appeal to 3 different reading levels and should be applicable from grades 4-12. Print one, two, or all three versions to appeal to the diverse reading abilities in your classroom: