Global Warming and Rising Seas, Now That's Scary!

Rising sea levels are a direct effect of Global Warming, and there is little doubt that the Earth is in fact "heating up". Some scientist consider the rise of seas due to global warming as one of the biggest dangers. Thermal expansion has already raised the oceans 4 to 8 inches. Just as the evidence is undoubtable that temperatures have risen in the last century. It is also noted that carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere has increased about 30 percent, enhancing the atmosphere's ability to trap heat. Some believe that by burning fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum, are to blame for the increase in carbon dioxide; some scientists also believe it to be natural reasons like volcanic activity. It is noticeable that this is the fastest warming rate in millions of years,showing that it is probably not a natural occurrence. Most scientists think the rise in temperatures will in accelerate.

                                           

Video on Rising Sea and Global Warming

Ode to Hurricane Katrina.

Hurricane Katrina is considered one of the top five deadliest hurricanes from the Atlantic. Hurricane Katrina touched land in 2005 and hit hardest in the city of New Orleans, Louisiana. At least 1,833 people died in the hurricane and subsequent floods, making it the deadliest U.S. hurricane since the 1928 Okeechobee hurricane. In Florida it started off as a category 1 hurricane but the hurricane strengthened to a Category 5 hurricane over the warm Gulf water. This rapid growth was due to the storm's movement over the "unusually warm" waters of the Loop Current, which increased wind speeds.Eventually 80% of the city and large tracts of neighboring parishes became flooded, and the floodwaters lingered for weeks. Even to this day not all of New Orleans is back to the way it was. Katrina redistributed over one million people from the central Gulf coast elsewhere across the United States, even to my own hometown of Houston increased in population by 35,000 because of this hurricane. This hurricane hits close to home for me,literally, because that I am from Houston I had to deal with much of the aftermath.

Sacred yet Sully?! Pollution in the Ganges.

The Ganges River is the largest river in India. Not only is it the largest river but it also holds a great amount of religious importance. According to sources it provides water to about 40% of India's population. With India being one of the most populous countries in the world that is a good chunk of individuals depending on the Ganges as a source of water. The Ganges has been known to be very polluted and many people use it for domestic use for things such as bathing and laundry. There are also religious activities that take place within the Ganges. In the season of festivals, more than 70 million people on average come to the river to bathe and wash away their sins over a span of a few weeks. Along with a Hindu belief where dropping the ashes of cremated bodies at the Manikarnika Ghat along the Ganges would liberate the soul. These impurities atop of just pure trash is causing a great deal of pollution within the waters of the Ganges.  

The Ganges is a health hazard to put it simply. In an analysis of the water in 2006 there was a strong association found between water-borne diseases and the domestic uses I mentioned before such as bathing, laundry, cleaning and brushing teeth. There is a strong correlation found in contracting dysentery, cholera, hepatitis and severe diarrhea; and the Ganges River.
Overall, being an aspiring global health professional these facts are just astounding to me. Also seeing the levels of pollution that there are in India can lead me to only imagine the severity of the Ganges. In order to alleviate even the smallest amount of pollution in the river, action must be taken and the people must people educated on the importance of such.