Research Proposal and Outline: Topic Change: Organic Farming

Although there are many choices in a grocery store, organic foods should be seriously considered over inorganic produced foods because organic farming reduces chemical pollutions, animal pollutants, and preserves our lands and plants species.

• Chemical
  • Herbicides
    • Nonorganic solutions
    • Organic solutions
  • Pesticides
    • Nonorganic solutions
    • Organic solutions
  • Fertilizers
    • Nonorganic solutions
    • Organic solutions
• Animal
  • Types of animal agriculture
    • Cattle, pigs (pens)
    • Chicken (coupe)
  • Animal Waste
    • Feed farms
    • Organic farming
  • Impact of sources of feed
    • Corn fed
    • Grass fed
• Crops
  • Soil nutrients
    • Inorganic farming methods
    • Organic farming methods
  •  GM’s and Organic
    • What is GM crop
    • Organic crop standards
  • Relevance of no GM crops
    • Plant mixing
    • Food chain effects

Research Topic Proposal and Outline: Food Industry

I would like to do my research on horror stories on the food industry.  I would like to focus my research on the negative aspects of the food industry.  The negative aspects would include the living conditions of animal’s race for the food industry, the contaminants released on the environment due to this industry processes, and how much this contaminant will affect our air, rivers, soil, and health.  I want to show how the choices made by the food industry are not always the best and how in some cases it is completely affecting our lives and for this reason is the worst option.

Although chicken sounds like a good idea for dinner tonight, eating factory-farmed chicken causes more harm than good to us and the planet because factory-farmed animal agriculture accounts for most of the water consumed in this country, emits two-thirds of the world’s acid-rain-causing ammonia, and is the world’s largest source of water pollution.

I. Living Conditions of what we will later call, dinner.

A. Pigs

1. How pigs live

2. How pigs die

B. Chicken

1. How chicken live

2. How chicken die

C. Cattle

1. How chicken live

2. How chicken die

II. Pollution, the real cost we pay for negligent farming practice

A. It was water pollution, now they are dead zones

1. Excess fertilizer are being washed into the rivers

2. Fertilizers will kill fish in bodies of water

B. Air Pollution

1. Manure effect on air pollution

2.  Carbon footprint

C. Soil

1. Exhaustion of our soil

2. Contaminants causing acid rain.

III. Our health

A. Overweight

1. Animal growth hormones

2. Healthier choices not within reach

B. We need to worry about our food

1. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria

2. Contaminated foods.

C. Food choices

1. Cheaper prices.  More accessible choices

2. Organic foods, are they really the solution?

Research Proposal and Outline: The Great Garbage Patch

I would like to do my research project on the Great Garbage Patches and their effects on the sea and wildlife in the oceans surrounding them. My thesis looks like this right now:

Although plastic and Styrofoam products have made life easier in the world, they are contaminating the oceans because plastic litter is finding it’s way out into the ocean, the materials are then breaking down and allowing toxic chemicals to leach into the water and plastic pieces are making their way into the bellies of birds and other animals.

 

1. Large amounts of plastic and Styrofoam are finding their way to the ocean
   1. Boaters dump trash into the ocean

i.     In 1975, the National Academy of Sciences estimated that ocean-based sources, such as cargo ships and cruise liners, dumped 14 billion pounds of garbage into the ocean.

ii.     In the Cayman Islands, the government has traced milk cartons on shore to a passing cruise ship.

1. Rain and wind carry litter to local rivers that eventually dump into the ocean

i.     Wind can carry trash from landfills into nearby rivers or storm drains.

ii.     Most storm drains empty directly into rivers, lakes or the ocean.

1. Plastic and Styrofoam break down and releases toxins into the water
   1. When plastics are exposed to the rain, sun and other environmental conditions they begin to decompose.

i.     Plastics that we use daily are quite stable, but once out in the ocean, they are exposed to rain and the sun.

ii.     Once in the ocean, it only takes a year for them to start breaking down.

1. BPA, styrene and PS oligomer are now found in small quantities in the ocean which causes hormonal imbalances in animals

i.     When Styrofoam decomposes, it breaks down into three materials not found in nature; styrene monomer, styrene dimmer and styrene trimer. These are known to cause cancer.

ii.     When plastic breaks down, it produces BPA and PS oligomer known to cause hormonal problems in low dosages.

1. Each year as much as 150,000 tons of plastic and Styrofoam debris, wash up on the shores of Japan alone.
2. Birds and other animals are eating plastic that looks like fish and plankton
   1. Plastic marine debris affects at least 267 species worldwide, including 86 percent of all sea turtle species, 44 percent of all sea bird species, and 43 percent of marine mammal species.

i.     Animals are known to eat plastic bags in the ocean because they look like jellyfish.

ii.     Every year thousands of albatross chicks are dying from starvation and choking because their parents are feeding them plastic that looks like food.

1. Several countries have banned the use of plastic bags or made them less desirable by placing taxes on them

i.     Bangledesh was the first to ban plastic bags in 2002, followed by Ireland and Taiwan who placed a tax on plastic bags. Australia, France, Italy and China have also banned plastic bags.

ii.     The United States has made no attempt, as a whole, to ban plastic bags, but New York and San Francisco, and some grocery store chains like Trader Joe’s and Albertson’s, have taken steps to help the reduction of plastic bag use.

Research Project Part 1: A Changing Arctic

A Changing Arctic

Although killer whales have been seen up near the arctic before and haven’t been much of a cause for concern we are now seeing an increase of their presence during the winter months due to melting sea ice which is affecting the ecosystem of the arctic sea because of their dominating the top of the food chain, their competition with Inuit and polar bears for marine mammals, and causing marine animals to become endangered.

1. Dominating the top of the food chain

a.  killer whales consume most marine mammals

i. seals and walrus

ii. other whales

b. killer whales are not prey

i. do not become food until dead

ii. have no predatory enemies

 

2.  Competition with Inuit and  polar bears for marine mammals

a. killer whales are causing the Inuit to change their hunting areas

i. killer whales stay close to sea ice to hunt, so do the Inuit

ii. killer whales are rivals of polar bears for marine mammals

b. killer whales are pushing  marine mammals to different areas for safety

i. they get to the ringed and bearded seals before the polar bears

ii. they even attempt to eat the polar bears

 

3. Causing marine animals to become endangered

a. killer whales are eating marine mammals into endangerment

i. ring and bearded seals

b. killer whales are pushing marine animals out of their habitat

i. the beluga and narwhal whales

ii. marine animals must be eaten or move

c. no safe places to hide with the sea ice melting

Research Proposal and Outline: Electric Infrastructure

My topic is the improvements that are needed to the electrical infrastructure caused by the need for better power sources. While new sources of energy are often the focus of any environmental discussion, little thought is given to the support system that is needed and how improving this system will bring about benefits just as much as a new power source. If the efficiency of the power lines is increased, less power will be needed and emissions will decrease. Some of the new challenges caused by alternative energy sources, such as solar power sources that only produce at night, can also be overcome with an improved infrastructure. Storage needs to be a part of any electrical network; this is not true of today’s electrical supply. While new wires and sources will help, even small changes made by the end user can also greatly benefit the environment. This under-discussed topic will be an interesting and new topic for me to learn about. Although new alternative sources of energy need to be found for the United States, the infrastructure that will handle and use that power must be upgraded as well because of old transmission lines, little storage capacity and inefficient home devices.

I. New Transmission lines
A. New Technologies
1. Allow more energy per wire
2. Massively less energy loss for distance
B. Smart Grid
1. Predicts consumer use
2. Distributes power accordingly
C. Network storage Capabilities
1. Redundancies across continents
2. Spread use of electricity
II. Storage options
A. Chemical
1. Batteries
2. Fuel Cells
B. Mechanical
1. Flywheel based
2. Compressed air
C. Electrical
1. Superconducting coils
2. Superconducting networks
III. Better home use
A. Better time of day use
1. Space out electricity use
2. Put off low priority tasks
B. More efficient machines
1. Appliance efficiency laws like cars
2. Effect on power use
C. Conservation
1. Smart houses and devices
2. Better insulation and use

Research Proposal and Outline: Mineral Wool; Green Insulation

Topic:  Mineral Wool Insulation

Although there are many different types of insulation available for a home, Mineral Wool should be given considerable attention as a “green” alternative for insulation needs because Mineral Wool is made of recycled material, saves energy, and its properties are environmentally friendly.

 

I. Recycled Materials
A. Slag Wool
1. What it is
2. sources
B. Rock Wool
1. What it is
2. sources
C. Generally 75% recycled material
1. By-products
2. Raw materials
II. Saves Energy
A. rH value of Mineral wool
1. What it is
2. Why it matters
B. Installation
1. Proper rH
2. Process
C. Heating/cooling home
1. Fuel
2. electricity
III.  Properties; Environmentally Friendly
A. Life
1. 50 yrs expectant
2. recyclable- extension of life
B. Chemicals
1. Chemicals used
2. Chemicals not needed
C. Recycled product
1. Supply of materials
2. production

Proposed Thesis

Proposed Thesis: Although oil drilling in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge could be a benefit to Alaskans, it is destructive to the environment because of water pollution, Land pollution and would be an endangerment to animals and the humans who rely on the animals
1) Water pollution
a) How drilling would pollute the water
i) Specific way 1
ii) Specific way 2
B) Land pollution
a) How drilling would pollute the land
i) Specific way 1
ii) Specific way 2
C) Endangerment to animals and humans who rely on the animals
a) How pollution mentioned is dangerous to all animals
i) Specifically to birds
ii)  Specifically to caribou
iii) Specifically to polar bears
iv) Specifically to whales
b) How people of North Slope and in Canada depend on specific animals    mentioned
c) How other animals rely on animals mentioned

Reseach Topic Proposal and Outline: Hydroelectric Dams

I will be doing my research topic on hydroelectric dams. I will be focusing on the negative aspects of hydroelectric dams. The negative aspects include the release of methane, carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, and destruction of forested lands by the dam reservoir, The volume of greenhouse gases released by dams can in some instances make them less efficient and environmentally friendly than fossil fuel burning facilities. I want to show that hydroelectric electricity is not always the best method of production and in some cases is the worst option.

Thesis: Although hydroelectric dams are believed to provide a relatively clean source of electricity, they cause an increase in greenhouse gases because flooding destroys carbon dioxide filtering vegetation and forests, decomposing organic material releases methane and stored carbon dioxide into the water, and the dam’s turbines release these gasses into the atmosphere.

I. Flooding/Construction of Reservoir

A. Reservoir covers massive acreage and huge volumes of organic matter

1. Cause of Reservoir

B. Three Gorges Dam

C. Bella Monte Dam

D. Other effects of the Reservoir

II. Decomposition of Organic Material in Reservoir

A. Discussion Point

1. Aerobic breakdown generate carbon dioxide

2. Anaerobic breakdown generates methane gas

III. Release of Methane Gas/Carbon Dioxide into Atmosphere

A. Methane Gas

1. Methods of Release

2. Effects

B. Carbon Dioxide

1. Methods of Release

2. Effects

C. Volume of Greenhouse Gases Released

1. Tropical and Temperate Dams

D, Summary

Research Topic Proposal and Outline: Corn Production (ethanol)

I’m hoping to do my research paper on the environmental effects of using corn as a biofuel. I will be focusing on the negative environmental effects of mass corn production, arguing that the damage caused to water, wildlife, and the atmosphere as well as the mass use of resources outweigh the potential carbon-reducing benefits of bio fuel. I will be looking mainly at the use of resources (water, equipment, land etc.) that go into large scale farming productions. I will also research the pollution potential of various fertilizers and pesticides sprayed on corn crops. I want to make the stance that corn production is an inefficient solution to our energy crisis because the incentives to grow corn are financial rather than environmental; because the government subsidizes the industry so heavily farmers are thinking more about what’s going to make them money than what’s best for the environment.

Thesis:

Although the use of biofuels can potentially lower our carbon emissions, the mass production of corn for use as biofuel causes environmental damage that outweighs its potential benefits because of its heavy demand for resources, the polluting nature of mass corn production, and the disruption of natural ecosystems to create more crops.

1. Corn production uses a large amount of resources
   1. Land

i.      More farm land is occupied by corn than any other crop

ii.      Corn quickly depletes soil of nutrients, destroying its resource potential

1. Water

i.      Corn fields use a large percentage of all irrigated water

ii.      Rise in corn production is beginning to deplete groundwater

1. Corn Production has a huge potential for pollution
   1. Chemical Fertilizers and Pesticides

i.      Spraying fertilizer allows for runoff into the soil and water

ii.      Chemicals residing in the soil have potential to evaporate and enter the atmosphere

iii.      Chemical run off from corn crops is suspected to be exacerbating the “Dead Zone” problem in the gulf of Mexico

1. Carbon Dioxide Emissions

i.      The machinery used to grow and process corn into ethanol creates a considerable amount of carbon dioxide

ii.      The conversion of grassland to corn fields causes a natural  release of carbon residing in the soil as carbon dioxide

1. Corn Production can harm wildlife
   1. Occupation of habitat

i.      The government provides farmers economic incentives to grow more corn

ii.      The creation of more and more corn fields destroys natural grasslands occupied by diverse wildlife

1. Harm from chemical fertilizers

i.      Animals who eat directly from crops can be poisoned and killed by chemical pesticides and fertilizers

ii.      Chemicals used in farming often pollute nearby animals natural food and water sources

1. Indirect Harm

i.      Animals can become poisoned by eating birds or insects infected with chemicals from corn crops

ii.      Animals who become tainted and survive often neglect their young or fail to reproduce

 

Reasearch Proposal and Outline: Organic Food

I would like to do my topic on organic food. Out of all the topics I have so far discovered about physical environment this one interests me the most. I am hoping to learn a little more about organic growing and its benefits. I believe this is the best opportunity to do just that. My thesis is: Although organic food is more costly, people should invest in organic because of the soil care, climate benefits, and water welfare.

1. I.                   First Main Idea Soil care
   1. a.      Discussion point crop treatment (healthier soil)

                                                              i.      Example one crop rotations and inter-cropping

                                                            ii.      Example two  no toxic sludge used as fertilizer

1. b.      Discussion point Failure to thrive do to non-organic

                                                              i.      Example one erosion

                                                            ii.      Example two drought

1. II.                Second Main Idea climate benefits
   1. a.      Discussion point captures gases and fuels

                                                              i.      Example one carbon dioxide

                                                            ii.      Example two lowers fossil fuel output

1. III.             Third Main Idea no polluted ground water
   1. a.      Discussion point pesticides

                                                              i.      Example one non organic pesticides

                                                            ii.      Example two organic pesticides

1. b.      Discussion point antibiotics into water

                                                              i.      Example one by animals

                                                            ii.      Example two  by fertilizers