Industrialized Agriculture● pushes the limits● production of chemical fertilization● breeding new crops, higher yield● human input of nitrogen too high● though nitrogen gets high, reused for fertilizer, fertilizer is cheap, & gets into● Nitrogen > water > algae > die > ^bio mass > less > O2/upped respiration > fish kills● ex: Louisiana & Mississippi River, more fertilizer used, more drained into River, more nitrate which creates hypoxia.● ideally, nitrogen is cycled in a closed system.● NOAA = National Oceanic Agency Association○ go to gov agency for coastal research● Federal gov challenge to hypoxia● solution: use less fertilizer & minimize runoff● use Barriers & traps○ Freshwater marsh○ Peatland○ Riparian forest/buffers● NCBA: National Cattle-farmers Beef Association○ document stating they basically want no regulation.China Lurching Giant● dealing with problems we will have to deal with soon.● Rwanda problems similar, such as deforestation, erosion, drought○ pollution (just China)○ lack of clean water○ climate change looming behind all these problems**Term Paper**● pick 1 controversial topic, & dig deep - don’t do general subjects● ex: Leo Dicaprio’s comment at Oscars.○ look at reaction to his comments, also check his facts about going to Southern Hemisphere because it was too hot. so were they shooting in summer?○ is it appropriate for celebrity to make statement at such a popular event?China’s Three Gorges Dam● on Yangtze River = largest in the world● useful for electricity, flood control, crop irrigation & drinking water, recreational● cons: lost recreational opportunities, decline fisheries, population displacement, sediment capture● people displaced, pollutants trapped, CHina needs to spend more money treating waterProblems in NE China● chronic drought, Gobi Desert inching south● Yellow River too polluted to drink fromHow to Deal with this?● Massive water diversion project (south to North)● massive water pumping stations● very high cost $62 bill● south afflicted by drought, decline in water quality● BUT industrial runoff, water unsuitable for consumption● need to decide size of cities based on water available, not other way aroundFor Collapse reading:● note steps China has taken to protect environment● Why Diamond thinks education is important? why is he worried?● What’s likely first big environmental problem to show China’s growth & lower standard of living?
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