12/13/2019 0 Comments ::Asian Carp
The Great Lakes system affects our lives in various ways. Not only does this water system affect people, it has an impact on the natural environment as well. The weather, climate, wildlife and habitat are all affected by this arrangement of five lakes: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, and Erie. The lakes are huge and powerful, however they are very fragile when it comes to being mistreated. The ecosystem has been placed under stress in the past, and we now realize the importance of protecting and preserving our lakes. Years ago, a species of carp were brought into the United States to help our lakes, and now they run the risk of destroying them. Asian carp are a species of fish native to Siberia and China, but they were imported by fish farms in the southern United States to control algae and snail population. In the early 1990’s, aquaculture facilities in the southern United States were flooded and the carp escaped into the Mississippi River and spread into northern rivers. The carp moved north becoming the most abundant fish in some areas of the Mississippi river, triumphing over native fish and bringing hardship to the people who fished the river. The carps’ domination over the Mississippi is reason for concern in the Great Lakes region growing concern in the Great Lakes; the Chicago Ship and Sanitary Canal connect the Great Lakes to the Mississippi. Last month, a survey was taken that found Asian carp only 55 miles south of our very own Lake Michigan. Unless the Asian carp are deterred, they will infiltrate our great lakes, potentially bringing disastrous effects to the entire region.    Asian carp are a serious threat to the Great Lakes for a number of reasons; the primary concern being that they would become the dominant species after they enter the system. Asian carp can grow to the enormous size of four feet and weigh as much as 100 pounds. Their massive size results in a large appetite as well. In addition to this, Asian carp are a fast breeding species; upon entering the great lakes, it is likely that the carp will become the overwhelming majority of the fish population. Female carp carry up to one million eggs, allowing for this species to easily replace the local fish. These fast-growing Asian carp are not easy to get rid of. While smaller fish are scored and sold easily, this species of large fish are harder to process and score because their bones are big and difficult to remove.
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11/12/2019 0 Comments Energy EfficiencyThere are various sources of energy available for use. However, energy is a limited and sparse resource that is not in abundance at all places. There is an ever rising need for more energy, but the energy supply and resources are limited. As a result, people have to develop means that can enable them to survive with the small amount of energy that is available. The proper and sustainable use of energy is known as energy efficiency.Efficiency is attained through the adoption of diverse technological methods of energy preservation. Efficiency in energy use contributes to economic growth while at the same time contributing to environmental preservation. It also enhances competition and profitability. Efficient use of energy is aimed at reducing the amount of energy necessary in the production of good s and services. Research in all industries is driven towards improving production from industrial processes.These improvements occur in various ways and with different benefits. These improvements may lower capital costs, increase yields, reduce operational costs and reduce energy and resource use. This also brings a number of enhancements including increased yield, safe working conditions and lower maintenance costs-just to mention a few. Today’s world is very competitive, and a single effort that can put a competitor a head of another is very essential.Energy conservation and efficient use may make a big difference in production costs as well as in the pricing of produce and services. The difference in prices is what determines whether a business will be successful or not. Reducing energy consumption also increases production. There is a clear relationship between energy consumption and productivity. Energy conservation improves many sectors of any business organization. Firstly, energy conservation improves the capacity of any business organization to compete against fellow competitors.The ability to cheaply produce those results from energy conservation offers a company a competitive advantage over other fellow producers that may be operating on high production costs. Secondly, energy conservation helps in the saving of the environment; for example the use of fossil fuel and its extraction are both environmental degrading activities Therefore, any action taken towards their reduction is indeed a step towards environmental protection and conservation.Additionally, energy efficiency leads to the conservation of energy, because energy is saved for later use. Efficient use of energy also contributes to the reduction of waste within the environment. The use of most forms of energy produces some kind of waste into the environment. Examples of energy conservation may include insulation of heating systems in order to prevent heat loss and lead to the use of less cooling and heating energy.Reducing energy use results in financial saving and off sets additional costs incurred in the implementation of energy efficient technology. The reduction of energy use is important in solving the problem of industrial greenhouse gas emissions. In some nations energy efficiency reduces dependency on international sources, and as a result; it offers security to home industries. This offers a sense of national security as well as economic security, through the reduction of imports of energy as well as the reduction of dependency.
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