General Sites for Human Impact

BBC News: Studies 'overstate species risks'

Large-scale computer simulations may be overestimating the impact of climate change often failing to take into account local variations, such as topography and microclimates. One study looked at plant species in the Swiss Alps. Where a 16km by 16km grid cells predicted a loss of all suitable habitats during the 21st Century, and a 25m by 25m grid cells predicted the persistence of suitable habitats for up to 100% of plant species. The current system of having fixed nature reserves may need to be reconsidered Dr Bhagwat explained.

Bioscience Challenges

Part of the actionbioscience.org site, this section provides discussion and peer reviews of seven topical aspects of current science. Including up-to-date and relevant news.

Human Alteration of the Global Nitrogen Cycle

The nitrogen cycle and the impact of human activity on nitrogen exchanges globally.

Human Impact

This page provides activities for students to see first hand the impact of humans on the environment.

Richard Black's Environment Blog

A blog from one of the UK's most respected environmental correspondents. The very latest commentary on environmental issues.

 

Pollution

NOAA Gulf Spill Restoration

NOAA has more than twenty years of experience restoring wildlife and habitats impacted by oil spills, hazardous waste sites and vessel groundings.

RestoreTheGulf.gov

An official website of the US Government providing updates and information on the environmental issues and restoration efforts following the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

BBC News: Natural gas 'jump started' breakdown of Gulf oil

Bacteria breaking down oil from the Gulf of Mexico leak have been fuelled by natural gas in the water, a study suggests.

Web Portion of Student Activities

Six lessons on various chemicals and their effect.

BBC News: Study shows variability in ocean's CO2 uptake

There are substantial variations in the amount of carbon being absorbed by the North Atlantic Ocean, a study shows.

Chernobyl Assessment Project

This site looks at the international Chernobyl project. Includes radiation exposure, the health situation, measures to protect the population, environmental contamination, radiation and its biological effects.

Pollution Online

A site for professionals and vendors in the pollution equipment and pollution control industries. Provides news on current pollution issues.

Toxic Substances

Provides detailed information, by selecting a chemical or substance from an alphabetical list, on the effects of hazardous substances on the health of human populations.

Urban and Regional Air Pollution (AUS)

The CSIRO has compiled a factsheet of air pollution in Australian urban areas.

US EPA Student Center

Hosted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the United States, this sites provides good information on pollution by clicking on their links: Air, Water, and Waste recycling.

Global Warming

BBC News: Past climate anomalies explained

Unusually warm and cold periods in Earth's pre-industrial climate history are linked to how the oceans responded to temperature changes, say scientists.

BBC News: Earth 'heading for 6C' of warming

Average global temperatures are on course to rise by up to 6C without urgent action to curb CO2 emissions, the lead author of a new analysis says.

BBC News: Major sea level rise likely as Antarctic ice melts

Sea levels are likely to rise by about 1.4m (4ft 6in) globally by 2100 as polar ice melts, according to a major review of climate change in Antarctica.

BBC: 'Acidifying oceans' threaten food supply, UK warns

Acidification of the oceans is a major threat to marine life and humanity's food supply, Hilary Benn has warned as the UN climate summit resumes.

BBC News: Methane release 'looks stronger'

Scientists have uncovered a further apparent increase in the leakage of methane gas that is seeping from the Arctic seabed.

 

Carbon Capture and Storage

Carbon emissions in the UK abd globally and the potential role of carbon capture and storage.

The Impact of Global Temperature Rise of 4oC (7oF)

Interactive map of the multiple effects of climate change, run through google Earth and presented and explained via a series of short video clips. Excellent. (Requires Google Earth)

 

AMAP - the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme

AMAP is an international organization established in 1991 to implement components of the Arctic Environmental Protection Strategy (AEPS).

BBC NEWS: Trees advance in a warming world

Trees around the world are colonising new territories in response to higher temperatures. From the US to northern Siberia, trees are growing at higher elevations, and at higher latitudes as the climate warms.

BBC NEWS: Doctors warn on climate failure

Writing in The Lancet and the British Medical Journal 18 professional medical organisations say failure to agree a new UN climate deal in December will bring a "global health catastrophe". But it acknowledges some huge gaps in the research, "almost no reliable data for heatwave-induced mortality exist in Africa or south Asia". Preparatory talks have been plagued by lack of agreement on how much to cut greenhouse gas emissions and how to finance climate protection for the poorest countries.

BBC News: Japan promises big climate change cut

Japan's next leader has promised a big cut in greenhouse gas emissions, saying he will aim for a 25% reduction by 2020 compared with 1990 levels. With such a target, Japan will take on the leadership role that industrialised countries have agreed to take in climate change abatement.

BBC News: Species climbing to new heights

Conservationists suspect climate change has allowed warmth-loving creatures - including snakes and dragonflies - to move into new regions.

BBC News: Rainforest is worth more standing

The aim was to find out if protection of the forests could be as profitable as palm oil. Under Redd, oil palm companies could be called on to protect the forested areas they own, and sell "carbon credits" for the amount of carbon contained in that forest.

BBC News: Acidic seas fuel extinction fears

Carbon dioxide emissions from modern society are turning the ocean more acidic and some sea creatures are already suffering, according to research to be discussed at a major global science conference.

Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center

From the CDIAC site, this page deals with frequently asked questions about global change.

Climate Change Programme - WWF

This site provides climate change information that affects us all. Includes the problems, solutions, publications, photo gallery and latest news items.

Earth Observatory: Global Warming

A NASA site, this article provides excellent information on the causes, effects and expected results of global warming. From an impartial view point, best and worst case scenarios are discussed.

Environment Australia Online

From the Erin navigator, access the site concerned with AIR, or search for greenhouse from the thesaurus to access a number of sites concerned with global warming issues.

Global Warming

A major site investigating scientific, environmental, social and political issuers surrounding global warming.

Climate Science at the Met Office

Part of the Met Office, this site provides a focus in the United Kingdom for the scientific issues associated with climate change.

NASA's Changing Global Land Surface

Explores the effects the greenhouse has on environment. Includes, the carbon cycle, global warming, the impact on vegetation and glaciers with examples from satellite images.

The EPA Global Warming Site

An extensive site on the Greenhouse Effect (global warming), investigating: the climate system, environmental impact, and the actions that can be taken to avert problems.

The Earth Observatory

Focusing on Earth's climate and environmental change, NASA's Earth Observatory provides freely-accessible publications on the internet where the public can obtain satellite imagery and scientific information.

The Greenhouse Effect: Information sheet

Part of Atmospheric research at CSIRO, this site provides a factsheet on the greenhouse gases. Includes likely changes to global climate with specific examples for Australia.

Ozone Depletion

BBC News: Technique to trace persistent CFCs

Ultrafine measurements of atmospheric gases could help track down persistent sources of CFCs thought to be slowing the recovery of the ozone layer.

Ozone Depletion Resource Center

This resource provides quick access to specific information on ozone depletion. Has information for the general public, business, conferences, forums and other events.

Ozone in the Polar Stratosphere

NOAA monitors the conditions and ozone amounts in the stratosphere. Contains graphs and data on the ozone hole, and links to other related sites.

Stratospheric Ozone Depletion

Explains the role of ozone in the stratosphere, and examine projects which deal with the diminishing ozone layer.

The Ozone Hole Tour

Part of the University of Cambridge, this site looks at the discovery of the ozone hole, what's happening over Antarctica, and the latest research.

The Ozone we breathe

This site deals with ozone formation both in upper atmosphere and lower, and the causes and effects of Ozone concentration on humans, ecosystems and the world climate.

The Science of Ozone Depletion

looks at the science of stratospheric ozone depletion, what it is, why is it there, how big is it, hosted by the Union of Concerned Scientists.

The Size and Depth of the Ozone Hole

Part of EPA's Ozone Information, this site examines five graphs which have been plotted from use of various measurements used to characterise the ozone hole, and gives a brief description about each.

TOMS: Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer

Looks at ozone readings for Northern and Southern hemispheres. You can also determine global averages and the ozone reading over your house. Under the topic multimedia: Antarctic Ozone Hole, you see the changes of the ozone hole from 1979 to 1997.

What is a Dobson Unit?

Part of TOMS website, explains what a dobson unit is and how it measures ozone.

Recycling and Waste Management

A-Z of Recycling

This UK site looks at a variety of materials that can be recycled.

Aluminium Recycling

This website provides a factsheet for recycling and includes the processes involved in recycling Aluminium.

Environment Agency - Waste

Learn all about waste management issues, types of waste, ways to minimise waste, includes other resources and information.

How Does a Sewage Treatment Plant Work?

With the use of diagrams, this site examines the processes involved in sewage treatment.

How MWRA Sewer System Works

Learn more about how the sewage treatment on Deer Island works.

Municipial Solid Waste - Basic Facts

From the EPA website, this student friendly site contains some basic facts about waste, how to reduce, reuse and recycle materials in and around the home and community.

Steel Recycling Institute

This website promotes and sustains the recycling of all steel products. Includes factsheets, recycling database, a kids site, and local places where you can recycle your steel.

The Internet Consumer Recycling Guide

This information is aimed at everyday people to make recycling so easy that it blends into the flow of everyday.

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