PUBH 6011
raw material acquisition (life cycle assessments)
(one of the 5 phases of the life cycle assessment framework) What goes in to extracting or getting raw material? I.e. diesel trucks? Deforestation? Etc.
Product Disposal (life cycle assessments)
- How is our product disposed of? Is it possible to dispose of? Does it leech chemicals? Is it recyclable?
Describe the mucociliary escalator
A moving carpet of mucus. IT's a mucous layer bc it has to stay together/ so sticky, Cilia layer beats mucus layer up and out of the lungs. Happens throughout your upper tracheal broncheal tree. This process is continuous and how particles are cleared out of the lungs
Product Manufacture (life cycle assessments)
Actual creation of product
Using systems thinking to evaluate the health impacts of fossil fuel use at the local and global level
Health impacts of fossil fuel on a local level include decreased air quality and an increase of the NAAQS 6 criteria air pollutants which can lead to many pulmonary and cardiovascular issues. • Globally: Excessive fossil fuel usage is increasing amount of carbon emissions and leading to climate change. As the health of the world deteriorates, drought, wildfires, etc. are leading to decreased health of populations as a whole.
Corrective actions for Nox emissions
Corrective Actions: Creating cleaner cars w/ greater gas mileage, agriculture not as well controlled
Corrective actions for CO emissions?
Corrective Actions: Creating more efficient cars
Corrective actions for Lead Emissions?
Corrective Actions: Took lead out of gas, pipes, paint etc. and blood lead levels of Americans went down
Corrective actions of Sox emissions and pollution?
Corrective Actions: Use of coal air scrubbers to cut SOx emissions. Also use coal from west w/ less sulfur. No more appalachian coal
What are corrective actions for ozone pollution?
Corrective Actions: We can't control ozone, so we control VOCs (reduce gas vapors) and NOx(better gas mileage...haven't gotten good at controlling agriculture and run off yet
Describe the top 5 causes of mortality globally in the aftermath of a disaster.
Diarrhea(contaminated water) Vibrio cholera and E. coli are primary cause of drinking water contamination • Acute Respiratory Infection (crowded conditions) • Measles (crowded conditions, weakened immunity) • Malnutrition (disruption to food supply) • Ex. In Puerto Rico, had previously depleted stores of food due to other storms before Maria. • Malaria (in endemic zones, people are more exposed)
Corrective actions for particulate matter emissions?
EPA is monitoring and taking action to reduce emission of PM2.5
What is the health implications for Hydraulic Fracturing?
Health Implications: Takes a lot of diesel trucks that add air and noise pollution. Also produces methane emissions and methane is an extremely strong GHG. Additionally, flowback water is salty, full or chemicals and radiological waste, and is too dirty to put anywhere. Shale industry 4.1 times more lethal than others.
Describe ways to prepare for natural disasters at the household level
Household Predict how many days/weeks you will be in disaster status, so you are not w/o food, water, or electricity • Assume you will not have GPS, Phone, or text capability depending on disaster and damage levels • If displaced from home/work, have a plan on where to meet • Water, Food, Long term food, lighting, cooling, and heating considerations
Using the One Health framework, discuss climate policy interventions that would help with mitigation or adaptation for developed and developing countries.
Interventions that monitor climate change and the health of animals and plants can be used to predict unhealthy environments which can help prevent disease in humans • Ex. woman seeing dead moss
What are the limitations of renewable energy in developed and developing nations?
Limitations: Not every form of energy is commercially viable. Many forms of energy are location-specific and therefore some countries would not have the environments to generate energy in that form. Requires a huge capital output and a lot of space that a lot of developing countries are not able to invest in. Additionally, if you don't have access to energy period, your concern is not whether it's sustainable or not just whether or not you can get access to it.
Describe lung Physiology?
Lung Physiology- Lungs are made of trachea that branch into smaller airways called bronchi that branch into bronchioles that finally divide into small grape-like clusters called alveoli (this is where oxygen is exchanged for CO2)
Describe macrophages
Macrophage: when PM2.5 are able to get past mucociliary escalator and get into alveolar region of the lungs. Since there is no mucus or cilia in alveoli region, there is no true clearance mechanism. What happens instead is small particles are removed w/ alveolar macrophages. Macrophages are a type of white blood cell that goes around and finds foreign particles that get to the alveolar region, and consumes them and digests them with acid.
Insect Vector Malaria
Malaria is caused by the Anopheles spp mosquito
What is malnutrition?
Malnutrition • Defined as deficiencies, excesses, or imbalances in a person's intake of energy/nutrients • Most think of starvation in developing countries • Kwashiorkor: eating periodically w/ not enough protein edema in abdomen/feet/ankles • Marasmus- Nutrient deficiency usually due to poverty, and scarcity of food
Describe the basic needs after a natural disaster to include ethical considerations of human displacement and mental health of victims
Mental health counseling is needed after a disaster for victims of the disaster, especially children. In addition, first responders also need counseling in order to cope with loss of life.
Explain the issues regarding the US National Flood Insurance Program
NFIP owes $20 Billion dollars to US Treasury after $10 Billion bailout (have to pay back w/ interest) • Premiums were supposed to cover payments, but disasters have gotten bigger, and payments are now too low for the risk...issue is getting worse • NFIP covers several properties that have had several, repetitive flood losses, creating big expenditures
Describe trends in wildfires, smoke inhalation health impacts and the air pollutants of highest concern in wildfire smoke
PM 2.5 is the greatest air pollutant concern from wildfire smoke.
Identify the current CO2 concentration and the pre-industrial CO2 concentration
The current concentration is about 408 ppm (parts per million). The pre-industrial concentration of was about ~300 ppm (he said something about 270/280 but rounded to 300)
Which type of ozone is an air pollutant?
tropospheric
Explain solar disinfection (SODIS) to treat drinking water
works by utilizing a clean, PET grade transparent water bottle to purify water. You take the bottle and fill it with the cleanest water(low turbidity) you can find. You then expose the bottle to sunlight for 6 hours( or a cloudiness for 2 days) and then the water becomes ready for consumption. The UV-A rays in sunlight kill germs such as viruses, bacteria and parasites (giardia and cryptosporidia). The method also works when air and water temperatures are low.
Describe ways to prepare for natural disasters at the global level
• Global Organizations like WHO creating Emergency Health partnerships etc. that help for regional distribution of resources in the event of an emergency
Describe ways to prepare for natural disasters at the local level
• Local Building codes, flood drainage, tornado shelters etc.
What are fats? (Macronutrients)
• Most concentrated source of calories (9kCal/g) • Necessary for absorption of fat-soluble nutrients, can protect organs, and cells/ (membranes) • Some types of fat (unsaturated) are better for you than others(saturated, trans, bad cholesterol) • Good Dietary Sources: Avocados, Seeds,
Explain the mortality impacts of global indoor and outdoor air pollution
•4.2 mil deaths every year as a result of exposure to ambient (outdoor) air pollution • 3.8 million people die from indoor air pollution prematurely annually
Discuss the influence of human behaviors (e.g., take-back effect) in making sustainable choices
•A tendency to increase energy use in a facility or for an appliance etc. as a result of increased efficiency in energy usage • Offsets beneficial effect of the new technology • Ex: more fuel-efficient car = more driving, LED light bulbs = forgetting lights on more
What are Canadian Tar Sands? and its health implications and Infrastructure Changes.
•Canadian Tar Sands (CTS) - oily sand scooped by trucks & boiled to separate oil derivative from sand (water floats the oil to the top)
What is food security?
•Defined as access at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life. Includes ready availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods of an assured ability to acquire foods in socially acceptable ways
What is a healthy diet?
•Dietary Guidelines state, a healthy diet consists of fruits, grains, variety of vegetables, protein, dairy(for calcium), and healthy oils. Healthy diet also includes limiting intake of saturated and trans fats, added sugars, sodium, and alcohol.
What is a health implication of Hydraulic Fracturing?
•Health Implications: Takes a lot of diesel trucks that add air and noise pollution. Also produces methane emissions and methane is an extremely strong GHG. Additionally, flowback water is salty, full or chemicals and radiological waste, and is too dirty to put anywhere. Shale industry 4.1 times more lethal than others
What is Mountaintop Removal?
•Mountaintop Removal • How it Works: Blowing the top off a mountain in order to go after coal
Explain how energy influences human health
-The more energy usage a person has, generally the better they are living. Also generally extends our lives. -Energy protects from a lot of things...i.e. Refrigerator has temperature control protecting us from types of contamination that readily killed people a few 100 years ago -Energy can also influence human health depending on the types of energy. Sustainable energy improves public health, reduces air/water pollutants (cancer, asthma, mercury in fish) , industrial accidents, economic and health impacts of fossil depletion, and climate change (heat wave deaths, disease, crop loss). Fossil fuel burning can lead to air pollution etc.
What are the two main groups of micronutrients?
1. Vitamins • Essential organic nutrients req. By the body in small amt. For health • Humans can't synthesize vitamins, they must be got from food or exogenous sources • Can be water soluble (B,C) or fat soluble (A,D,E,K) • 2. Minerals • Inorganic elements req. By the body in small amt. For health (bones, body signaling) • Elements (magnesium, sodium, calcium etc.)
Explain global weather pattern of Deserts?
As warm air keeps rising from the equator, it pushes the cooler air away. The cool air moves north and south before falling back toward the ground at around 30 to 50 degrees north and south of the equator. With warm air rising above the equator and the cooled air falling to the north and south, two circular patterns of air movement are created around the equator. These patterns of air circulation are called Hadley cells. When the cool air begins to fall back toward the ground, or descend, it starts to warm up again. This warm, dry air can hold a lot of water, so the air starts to suck up what little water is around. At 30 to 50 degrees north and south of the equator, this falling air makes dry air drier. It also turns the land below it into a desert.
Identify the temperature and CO2 concentration cap agreed to in the 2015 Paris Agreement and the structure of the Paris Agreement
At the 2015 Paris Agreement, the temperature and concentrations agreed upon were keeping the globe beneath a 2 °C increase and below 450 ppm in the atmosphere and zero GHG emissions by 2050. 196 world leaders came together for this.
What are the benefits of renewable energy in developed and developing nations?
Benefits: The benefits of renewable energy in both developed and developing nations is that its safer, cleaner, and more abundant than fossil fuels. Multiple forms of renewable energy exist(hydro, solar, wind, geothermal etc.) Also allows countries to work towards energy independence. Also brings in lots of jobs.
What are carbohydrates?
Carbohydrates (Sugar, starches, and fibers) - get more complex in that order • Fibers are not usually absorbed, but good for intestinal health • Good sources = fruits, veggies, cereals, grains, sweeteners
What is the cause of a thinning Stratosphere Ozone?
Cause: Most likely culprit of Ozone layer thinning is Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) CFC were used in foam manufacturing, aerosol sprays, air conditioners, fridges etc bc it was so stable Once CFCs get to stratosphere, not so stable bc suns energy is stronger, and it's not filtered through the ozone layer, so this excess energy leaves a chlorine atom from the freon. Free radical chlorine reacts with O3 (ozone) and turns it into molecules of O2 and O. The Cl atom is not destroyed in the process and can do the same reaction 100K times before its terminal
What are the controls of a thinning stratospheric ozone?
Controls: Montreal Protocol to phase out CFCs in several stages, basically aimed to remove chlorine from the molecule. Move to CH2F2 (HFCs) But now there is a new problem bc HFCs are a super GHG that is a thousand times more potent than CO2.
Explain how to prevent the spread of various types of infectious diseases after a disaster
Education on hygiene and hand washing, and provision of an adequate quantity of safe water, sanitation facilities and appropriate shelter are very important for prevention of infectious diseases. Avoid overcrowding people to avoid the spread of Acute Respiratory infections Avoid Diarrheal disease, Hepatitis A and E, and Leptospirosis by only drinking and utilizing safe water. Avoid mosquitoes and other insects for fear of vector borne diseases such as malaria/ yellow fever/ dengue etc. w/ use of repellent and long sleeves, LLITNs, • Mass immunizations of population with measles vaccine, Tetanus Diphtheria etc. to prevent mass outbreak • Also provide necessary vitamins etc. • Have primary care services in order to provide early diagnosis, prevention, and treatment
What is an emergency?
Emergency - a disruption that does not exceed a community or society's capacity to cope
What is food insecurity?
Exists whenever the availability of nutritionally adequate, safe foods or the ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways is limited or uncertain • High Food Security: No reported indications of food access problems or limitations • Marginal Food Security: 1 or 2 reported indications...anxiety of food sufficiency or shortage but little to no indication of changes in diet/food intake • Low Food Security- reduced quality, variety, or desirability of diet; little or no indication of reduced food intake • Very Low Food Security Reports of multiple indications of not enough food intake
Describe ways to prepare for natural disasters at the national level
FEMA, National Guard, pre-stage disaster supplies, high water vehicles, helicopters etc.
How can food environment and disparities influence our food choices?
Food Environment is defined as the physical presence of food that can affect a person's diet. It can be a person's home, school, work, neighborhood, community, city, regional, national, international influences. People can experience the same food env. Differently, depending on income level, age, gender, cooking ability, cultural preferences, transportation, and perceived differences. • Ex. coworkers all go out to eat, so now you go out with them instead of eating healthy lunch • Ex. Amer. live in obesogenic env. Where calorie dense, highly palatable food is readily available everywhere • Ex. If you work or go to school in a certain place, you are at the mercy of whatever foods are available in the vicinity. If all that is there is a vending machine with bad options you must still eat. • Disparities can influence food choices because areas of lower income tend to have less healthy food availability. In addition, healthy food, if it is available, may be out of the price range of people of lower SES status. Generally, calorie-dense, unhealthy foods are cheaper.
Explain how life cycle assessment (LCA) infuses systems thinking into sustainable decision making
Generally speaking, when we buy things or choose things as consumers, we base our sustainability decision making on the "use phase" of out LCA. However, by examining the whole history of something, we can holistically examine any product and its true environmental footprint. It's system thinking bc the LCA looks at all the individual systems in product creation and how they come together to make the product. • Ex. Plastic bags are "cleaner" than paper bags, bg process of creating paper is terrible • Ex. Cotton is better than Polyester, bc a lot goes into creating cotton, creating polyester = very low GHG emissions
Explain global weather pattern of Hadley Cells?
Hadley Cells: In the Hadley cell, air rises up into the atmosphere at or near the equator, flows toward the poles above the surface of the Earth, returns to the Earth's surface in the subtropics, and flows back towards the equator.
What are the health implications for Tar Sands?
Health Implications: Climate change: causes erosion and deforestation. Also soil is a living object full of microbes and nutrients, so after this process, hard for things to grow in sand, stripped soil. Adds to carbon emissions and climate change
What is a health implication for Mountaintop Removal?
Health Implications: Mountain tops are usually acidic and have arsenic/ mercury accumulations. When the mountain top is used to fill a valley, these harmful compounds may enter the water supply.
Health Implications of a thinning stratospheric ozone?
Health Implications: Natural Ozone layer protects us from harmful UV(skin cancer). If ozone thins too much the most harmful kinds of UV rays (UVB and UVC) will be allowed through more readily. Will lead to increases in skin cancer and cataracts.
Identify where household air pollution is a major issue globally and its link to economic development
Household air pollution is a greater problem in developing countries with high poverty rates. In those countries solid fuels are used for heating and cooking. The burning of solid fuels in households for cooking and heating can lead to very low indoor air quality, and illness or mortality from pneumonia, stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer. Most deaths from indoor air pollution occur in Africa and Asia where there is not as much access to clean fuel technologies for cooking
How is Sox emitted?
How is it emitted? Is mainly emitted through the burning of fossil fuels (coal), Industrial processes, and petroleum refinement and production of paper and cement
How is LEAD/Pb emitted?
How is it emitted? Lead was emitted from gasoline, pipes, paint etc. now its banned in all these things
How is Nox emitted?
How is it emitted? NOx is emitted from cars and combustion (7species) and agriculture
How is particulate matter emitted?
How is it emitted? PM2.5 and PM10 = small particles, dirt, soot, smoke, dust, liquid droplets etc.
How is carbon monoxide emitted?
How is it emitted? Result of inefficient combustion...should go to CO2
What is Hydraulic Fracturing?
How it works: Once a site has been identified, drill a mile below surface past water aquifers, steel casing inserted and cement is pumped through out bottom and btw casing and the hole to serve as a barrier btw well and water. Drilling continues to kick-off pt. Where they start drilling at an angle until horizontal. More cement added. After this drilling rig is removed and valve is put at surface. Water and gel is used to clean out well bore w/ a bit. Perforating guns go to predetermined depth creating perf tunnels that are about 30 in long and ⅓ in diameter. Fleet of pump trucks then used to send water/sand mixture deep into well-bore and out into perf tunnels. This fractures the rock, & when pressure is relieved fractures can grow 2 • 200-400 ft. Fractures provide trapped natural oil or gas an easy path into well-bore. Process of perforation repeated entire length of pipe/horizontal part
Human Health Effects of CO (Carbon Monoxide)?
Human Health Effects: CO binds v. tightly to hemoglobin in red blood cells and prevents them from carrying CO2. If levels are high enough you get chemical asphyxiation
Human health effects of Nox?
Human Health Effects: Causes irritation of eyes, lungs, nose and throat. Also increased disease vulnerability.
Human Health Effects of Sox emissions?
Human Health Effects: Huge role in acid rain, acidified lakes, kills fish and eats away at cement. Its a huge irritant to the lungs
Human Health Effects for Lead emissions?
Human Health Effects: Lead is a neurotoxin especially harmful to children. Can also cause nerve damage, kidney damage
What are human health effects of Ozone?
Human Health Effects: Leads to airway reactivity esp. In ppl w/ asthma.
Human health effects for Particulate Matter emissions?
Human Health Effects: PM 2.5 can lead to heart attacks, heart disease, aggravated asthma, chronic bronchitis, decreased lung function, increased respiratory symptoms and premature death
What percentage of the global population exceeded the WHO Guideline for PM 2.5 (in 2016)
In 2016, 92% of the world's population lived in a place where air quality levels exceed "WHO's Ambient Air quality guidelines" for annual mean of particulate matter with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres (PM2.5). WHO guideline limits for annual mean of PM2.5 are 10 μg/m3 annual mean.
How is water used in Electricity Production?
In most of all electricity production, we just boil water. We take steam (water explosion) through a turbine, and the steam turns a turbine and creates electricity.
What is an infrastructure changes for Tar Sands?
Infrastructure Changes: CTS is very hard to move, so limited, would require a pipeline to effectively export to other nations
What is an infrastructure change from Hydraulic Fracturing?
Infrastructure changes: needs to be moved by rail, but is more explosive than conventional crude oil (oil spill and explosions on the rise w/ unconventional oil)
Explain how each major energy source is used and their percent contribution in the US energy mix
Petroleum - 37% mostly used for transportation fuels, asphalt, plastics etc. • Natural Gas- 29% - Natural gas is mostly utilized for electricity, agriculture (fertilizer), and building heated w/ NG. Cyclical use in nature (winter>summer) Hydro fracking has made cheaper • Coal - 14% has been shrinking and been replaced by natural gas. • Nuclear - 9% power homes schools and businesses • Hydro - 3% (possibly shrinking due to droughts and the fact that we've dammed most of big rivers already. • Renewable - 8% (Biomass, Wind,Solar, Geothermal)
Product Use (life cycle assessments
Phase that most ppl tend to focus on, because it is the phase that we see most readily
What are some of the opt-in and opt outs
Ppl are more likely to opt out than opt-in. Opting out gets higher participation when default. • Works for vaccines, renewable energy, mass transit and so on...
What are proteins (macronutrients)
Proteins (chains of amino acids) • Play an important role in the body as the building blocks of muscles, cells, skin, and collagen • Also act as enzymes, and carrier proteins for fat soluble compounds in blood • Involved in cell signaling as receptors and signaling molecules • Good dietary sources: Meats, Poultry, Legumes, Fish, Nuts, and Seeds
Explain how physical activity influences chronic disease and mortality
Regular physical activity leads to cardiovascular fitness, which decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease mortality in general and coronary artery disease mortality in particular. • But in general physical activity reduces the risk of chronic disease and mortality. Specifically reduces risk of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, colon cancer, diabetes, obesity etc.
Define ethical considerations on what is meant by sustainable development
Some ethical considerations are that sustainable development means living in a way that does not compromise the future generations ability to live
What are the 6 criteria air pollutants?
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Cardon Monoxide (CO), Ozone (O3), Particulate Matter, Lead
What is heat exhaustion?
Symptoms: Faint or Dizzy, Excessive Sweating, Cool, Pale, Clammy skin, Nausea or Vomiting, Rapid, weak pulse, Muscle Cramps • How to Treat: Get to cool place w/ AC, Drink water if fully conscious, Take cool shower/ use cold compress
What is a Heat Stroke?
Symptoms: Throbbing Headache, No Sweating, Body Temp >103, Red, Hot, Dry, Skin, Nausea or Vomiting, Rapid, Strong Pulse, and May lose Consciousness • How to Treat: Call 9-1-1, and take immediate action to cool person until help arrives
Explain the principles of defensible space in fire prone areas?
The Defensible Space principle involves leaving a 100m radius clear free zone of trees around the house to provide a buffer from forest fires. In between tree radius and house, one should maintain low, well-watered greenery that will not easily catch fire. In addition, one should check environment to eliminate all possible fire ladders (i.e. increasing levels of trees that allows fire to climb to canopies of trees)
Explain the LEED certification levels and various building efficiency technologies
The four LEED certification level designations are Platinum, Gold, Silver and Certified. Regardless of the certification level achieved, all projects must meet mandated prerequisites and then choose from 110 available credit points to reach the desired certification level. The LEED Platinum level certification achieves the highest honor and the LEED Certified level achieves fundamental performance. • Certified (40-49 pts), Silver (50-59 pts), Gold(60-79pts), and Platinum is (80+pts) Building Efficiency Technologies • Renewable energy: photovoltaics, solar, solar hotwater, geothermal • Equipment: HVAC equipment, lights, appliances • Systems: Whole house approach, "system integration, duct sealing, combustion heating • Building Envelope: insulation, windows, walls, floor, air seating
Explain the changes in occupational energy expenditure in the US over time
There has been a rise in jobs that are light in intensity or sedentary. On the other hand, there has been a decrease in moderate or greater energy expenditure jobs due to automation. This is a problem because people spend a majority of their time at work, and this has contributed to increased obesity prevalence.
Describe how income has generally influenced greenhouse gas emissions
There has been a rise in jobs that are light in intensity or sedentary. On the other side People of higher SES tend to have a higher GHG emission footprint. People who are wealthier tend to live in bigger properties that require more energy for heating and cooling, and have more gadgetry that absorbs more energy. Additionally, higher SES dictates that people consume more goods, and that will drive up production emissions elsewhere. • A caveat, people with higher SES can also afford to invest in Low carbon emission things such as solar panels, teslas, special insulation, there has been a decrease in moderate or greater energy expenditure jobs due to automation. This is a problem because people spend a majority of their time at work, and this has contributed to increased obesity prevalence.
Material Manufacturer (life cycle assessments)
Turning the raw material into something that can be used to make product (how dirty is process)
How is ozone emitted?
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) - anything from perfume to gasoline vapors (anything w/ a carbon backbone and NOx +heat = increased ozone)
Insect vector of West Nile virus
West Nile virus is caused by the Culex spp of mosquitoes
What separates macronutrients from micronutrients?
What separates macro and micronutrients is the fact that macronutrients provide calories in our diet.
Explain the ethical considerations regarding climate change why poorer people / countries are more vulnerable than richer people / countries
While everyone around the world feels the effects of climate change, the most vulnerable are people living in the world's poorest countries — like Haiti and Timor-Leste — and the world's 2.5 billion smallholder farmers, herders and fisheries who depend on the climate and natural resources for food and income.Increasingly unpredictable weather patterns, shifting seasons, and natural disasters disproportionately threaten these populations, increasing their risk and their dependency on humanitarian aid.Three out of four people living in poverty rely on agriculture and natural resources to survive. For these people, the effects of climate change — shifting weather, limited water sources and increased competition for resources — are a real matter of life and death. Climate change has turned their lives into a desperate guessing game.
Why are rainforest near the equator?
Why are Rainforests near the equator? - Equatorial sun heats the ocean (humidified air) this hot air rises and cool, and then water vapor condenses from colder air and it rains a lot = rainforest
Insect vector Yellow Fever, Zika, and Dengue
Yellow Fever, Zika, and Dengue are caused by the Aedes aegypti mosquito
What is a disaster?
a serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a society causing widespread human, material, economic or environmental losses that exceed the ability of the affected community or society to cope using its own resources
What are the four main macronutrients?
carbohydrates (4 Kcal/g), proteins(4kCal/g), fats(9kCal/g), and alcohol(7kCal/g, although not needed for healthy human life).
Explain the greenhouse effect and the influence of short-wave and long-wave radiation
happens when sunlight (UV) passes through the earth's atmosphere in the form of UV,visible light, and very small amounts of infrared and warms the Earth's surface. This heat is radiated back towards space. Most of the outgoing high energy heat is absorbed by greenhouse gas molecules and re-emitted in all directions, warming the surface of the Earth and the lower atmosphere preventing the planet from being an ice box. Only lower energy infrared waves are allowed to escape the Earth's atmosphere. • Shortwave radiation (visible light) • Long-wave radiation (infrared)
• Characterize the warming influence of CO2 and methane on the planet
is the base unit of greenhouse gases. 1 of the weaker GHG but lasts in atmosphere for ~ 100 years. • Methane - lasts 10-20yrs in atmosphere, but several times more potent than
According to the Frumkin book (from 1964 to 2013), globally, which type of natural disaster has the highest mortality rate (kills the most people per 100,000 people affected).
killed the greatest number of people between 1964-2013. Part of the reason for this is that tsunamis are unpredictable and hard to escape once they arrive (13,563 per 100,000).