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Environmental Health (5) Biodiversity: Threats and Protective Measures  From: University of Michigan Biodiversity refers to the variety and variability among living organisms and the ecological complexes in which they occur. In this seminar, biologist J. David Allan of the University of Michigan provides an overview of biodiversity and its threats--such as habitat loss, over-hunting, invasion of non-native species, pollution, and climate change--and the ways in which biologists and other scientists hope to protect species and ecosystems from disappearing. He reviews different science-based management strategies for sustainability, and in particular focuses on adding new protected areas as a restorative measure to manage populations and ecosystems for future generations. Consumer Power and Environmental Health From: RAND The goods and services that consumers purchase every day can be linked directly to chemical pollution, waste production and habitat destruction. But is there a way that consumer behavior can help the planet rather than hurt it? In this seminar, a series of experts look at how technology and economic growth have impacted consumption, waste generation and energy use patterns over the last 50 years and how consumer purchasing decisions can affect these changes. Environmental Game Changers: The Future of Energy and Contamination From: RAND In this seminar, researchers from RAND and the Department of Energy explore two new possible sources of energy, methane hydrates and hydrogen, both relatively untapped abundant supplies. The seminar examines the research to-date and explains their potential benefits. Pointing out the difficulties in extracting and storing these resources cheaply and safely, the seminar outlines some breakthroughs necessary for these substances to be considered economically viable sources of energy. Next Stop Environmental Paradise? From: London School of Economics and Political Science The arguments between environmental optimists and the environmental pessimists dominate the media, leaving the public largely in the dark. So where exactly does the truth lie? In this seminar, Eric Neumayer, lecturer in environment and development at the London School of Economics and Political Science, draws a fascinating and comprehensive guide to the environmental battlefield. If you have ever felt lost amidst the contradictory words and forecasts of the environmental optimists and pessimists, this seminar should equip you with the arguments and fallacies of both camps, enabling you to steer a reasoned, well-informed path through the various debates. Toxic Blooms: Understanding Red Tides From: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution In recent years there has been a marked increase in what are commonly called "red tides." Although not always red or even visible to the naked eye, each year these toxic algal blooms make thousands sick and even cause death. This seminar explains the basic biology and ecology of "red tides," including the organisms responsible, what kinds of toxins they produce, and what possible measures can be taken to control them. | |||||||||||||||
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