Eco-Smart Group 2 Magazine

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Envronmental awareness magazine

Transcript of Eco-Smart Group 2 Magazine

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About the Authors

Our Mission

The magazine was started by four students in the scientific

thinking class with the aim of promoting scientific literacy and

to raise awareness about the environment. We want to show

how easy it is to conserve our Earth’s resources. Let us learn

how to make a difference!

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Contents: word search 29

Recycling and reusing 3 saving water 30

Tips about recycling 4 References 31

Guidelines about recycling 5

Recycling videos 7

Awareness about recycling 8

Different types of pollution 11

Most polluted countries 16

Environmental campaign video 19

Quiz 20

Tips to conserve energy 22

fun Fact+ did you know 23

climate change 24

global warming 25

up cycling 27

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Recycling and Reusing

We, human beings, are the greatest

consumers on earth, especially in food. Have

you ever wondered what the fate of your empty

milk cartons are? What is the endpoint of all

this waste, and where does it go eventually?

Have you ever thought of the consequences of

waste accumulation on the well-being of our

environment?

All these questions raise the same exact

concern on our environment. We are putting

the whole environment at risk because we are

not aware of the outcome of our actions, if we

did not change our habits towards the

environment, it could lead us to serious

irreversible damages in the natural

surroundings. These questions cause people to

think deeply about the consequences of

overconsumption of resources, and finding

solutions to this major problem, we are facing

as human beings.

Especially in Egypt, people do

not care about the environment as much as

they care about everything else; they need to

understand one simple fact, which is that

individual actions could really make a

difference. I believe that two of the main

solutions that will enable us to benefit from

wastes and, at the same time, save time and

space of dumping it are recycling, reducing and

reusing. Our government, business owners,

industrial activities, factories, and most

importantly, people at home need to take into

consideration these two solutions. They are

easy to implement at homes, will save a lot of

energy, and advantageous for the welfare of

the economy, so by recycling, reducing and

reusing, we are being an eco-smart society.

Through this article, we will

help you recognize your role as a responsible

human being towards your environment, and

some simple solutions that anyone can start

implementing at home.

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Think positively and start by yourself...Do not

say that you cannot change the world, because

in fact, you can!

Do not be afraid if you do not

know something, because you

can simply ASK!…

You are now responsible

Help the environment..!

Here are some tips:

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Now in case you wonder how you can

help….

Here is a guideline!

What is recycling?

Recycling is the process of accumulating used

material, which was previously called waste. The

recycling process involves three stages. In the first

stage, the old products are collected and

processed, where they are sorted, cleaned and

made ready for recycling or manufacturing new

products. The second stage involves the

manufacturing of new products from the raw-

material obtained by the processing of the old

products.

Finally, the process ends with the

purchasing of recycled goods by the consumers.

The more people step forward to buy recycled

products the better the success of the recycling

process can be ensured. Buying recycled products

will only increase when every individual will

develop an awareness of the difference that can be

made by utilizing their old household objects as

raw materials to produce new goods and help the

environment by recycling (1).

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What is Reusing?

Reuse is using the things that you think are

useless, and are no longer consumable, again.

Consider the possibilities of an item before

discarding it, as it might be reused

toward a different purpose than

originally intended. An old shirt may become a

car rag. Though reuse is different from reducing

use, when an item is reused, consumption is

reduced as a by-product (2).

What is Reducing?

Reducing is decreasing the amount of

something you consume daily, so that when your

consumption decrease, you are lowering the

materials you were purchasing and are

unnecessary, so you are saving energy, expenses,

and saving your own time. For example, you want

to go to the supermarket to buy some sort of a

hairspray product, you will have to take your car,

go through traffic jams, go to the supermarket,

buy your hairspray, stand in long checkout lines

and then go home.

If you thought about it for a couple of minutes

before you leave your house, you will find that it

is not worth it. Hairspray products are harmful

for the environment, so going out buying one is

probably not a good idea; you are going to emit

gas as pollution from your car for such a short

useless drive. This way you are not just polluting

but wasting energy, also, you are going to waste a

lot of time waiting in endless checkout lines and

traffic jams. Here the term reducing comes in

handy. Examples of reducing in driving are

carpooling, taking public transportation, or

cycling.

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In Egypt, people may tell you that recycling,

reusing, and reducing are rarely practiced by the

Egyptian community as a whole, however, what

may surprise you is that the people who take your

garbage after you throw it away does recycle it.

Unfortunately, the society does not recognize how

important their roles are, the government as well

does not give them much attention though their

work is very crucial. Watch this video, and think

of how you could help the environment in Egypt!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fr3ackX82Po

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JQYwF4VyiY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFlYDd_4X0g

Still wondering, how you could really

start working?! Here as some fun videos

that will show you the power of

recycling, and the creative outcomes

people create out of their waste….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOpGhAdQFEY

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Awareness on recycling

You can raise awareness on recycling in so many ways! All you need to do is to organize yourself and

your ideas, and fill out your empty time slots with fun, creative activities that would definitely attract

people’s attention towards recycling, reusing, and reducing. As well as you will get the chance to work

with other people saving our global environment and raising awareness towards such an environmental

cause. Believe me, it is going to be lots of fun!

1- Are you interested to help make a change? If you are then here is your chance! All

you need is some bravery, some confidence, and a lot of team spirit because now you can launch your own

recycling club at your school/university so that you can start the real

work through successive ideas, and deliberate actions. If you someone at

your school/university has already created an environmental club, then

all you have to do is join in and cooperate.

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2- Even if you did not get the chance to join such clubs during your education years, you

can still help! Printout some stickers that says something about going green, so that it can easily convey

your message, and also address your environmental concern.

3-If you are a professor, teacher, or parents then you

have a major responsibility upon bringing up a generation

that is well aware of the environmental issues, and problems.

Schools should give its students lectures/ sessions about

recycling, reusing, and reducing.

4- The government should support research

centers, scientists, and fund environmental

institutions, so that they are financially stable to

start finding solutions to such environmental

problems.

5- Printout t-shirts and sell them for a

specific amount of money, the money of these t-

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shirts should go into the funding of such

institutions.

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1. WATER POLLUTION

Water pollution is the

contamination of water bodies including

rivers ,oceans, lakes, caused by the rapid

development of society. Water pollution is

a major global environmental problem

which requires a strong resolution. Water

pollution occurs generally when pollutants

are discharged directly or indirectly into

water without adequate treatment to

remove harmful compounds.

2. AIR POLLUTION

Air pollution is the

contamination of atmosphere caused

by chemicals, particular matter. Air

pollution became a popular issue in

the modern day. The atmosphere is a

complex dynamic natural gaseous

system that is crucial to support life

on earth. It also threaten the health

and well-being of human, animal and

plants.

POLLUTION…!

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What else in these days?

Noise pollution

Noise pollution is one of the increasing

pollution issues in the current society. It makes

an excessive and unpleasing noise that disrupts

the balance of human and animal’s activity. Noise

pollution is mainly caused by car’s honking,

motor vehicles, airplane, or rail noise.

Light pollution

Light pollution is also one of the

serious pollution problems in the modern day.

It also known as photo pollution or luminous

pollution caused by excessive or obtrusive

artificial lights. There are too many buildings

turning on the lights till midnight which have

a bad influence on the cycle of humans and

animals.

Air pollution cause

Harmful physical changes

To the brain…..!

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According to the recent study from the

Ohio State University, long term exposure to the

polluted air will literally change your brain. More

seriously, the news published that those who are

exposed to the polluted air have a more

probability to get obese and diabetes, as well as

hypertension. The researchers found undeniable

physical differences in the hippocampus of the

mice who were exposed to polluted air compared

to the animals who breathed clean air.

Specifically, neurons (nerve cells) known as

dendrites were clearly changed. Normally,

dendrites have small projections growing off

them, dubbed spines, which transmit signals from

one neuron to another. But in the mice exposed to

polluted air, there were shorter dendrites, fewer

dendrite spikes and, overall, a reduction in the

complexity of brain cells.

And earlier research has shown that these

types of changes are linked to decreased learning

and memory abilities.

Learn more: (3)

http://www.naturalnews.com/032983_air_pollution_brain.html#ixzz2ClzpufQA

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In these days, many people are not aware

of seriousness of the pollution. In fact, it effect

everything in the world not only for humans but

also animals. Mostly, air pollution harms

humans, especially those who are exposed to

polluted air for a long time will be affected

seriously. Sometimes people might feel burning

eyes and nose, sneezing because of the dust and

gaseous atmosphere surrounding them. Also,

health problem could be caused by some

chemicals, such as cancer, birth defects, brain and

nerve damage.

On the other hand, pollution also will

give a bad influence on animals and plants. Even

small amounts of environmental pollution create

discomfort for many animals. For example, acid

rain kills many fishes in the lake and light

pollution effects on nocturnal animals such as

owls or cicadas are droning 24 hours. By

reducing all forms of environmental pollution on

our planet we could save millions of animals but

sadly world is currently not doing enough, and

pollution issue is therefore constantly growing in

size and danger.

Effect of pollution on both human and animals

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FACTS ABOUT POLLUTION

TOP 10 MOST POLLUTED CITIES IN THE WORLD (2012)

10. Yamuna river, India

Scientists estimated that roughly more

than 60% of Delhi’s waste gets dumped

into the river. Almost everyone in Delhi

rely on it for drinking water and bathing

as well!

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9. Tianying, China

This city is home to some of the worst

cases of lead poisoning in the world.

8. Sumgayit, Azerbaijan

Because of outdated regulations, the 40 or

so industrial complexes in the region have

managed to created a severely toxic

environment that has led to numerous

health complications for residents.

7. Vapi, India

The level of mercury in Vati’s water

supply is 96 times higher.

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6. Dzerzhinsk, Russia

This city has one of the lowest life

expectancies in the world at roughly 45

years.

5. Lake Karachay, Russia

This place has been a dumping site of

nuclear stuff, declared the most polluted

place on Earth.

4- Chernobyel, Ukraine

The site of the worst nuclear accident in history,

after the Chernobyl Disaster in 1986 almost all

of this town’s 14,000 residents moved away.

Today it remains for the most part uninhabited

due to radiation and fallout.

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3. Linfen, China

China is known as one of the most polluted

countries in the world. Especially in Linfen, if

you hang your laundry outside, it will become

black before it can even dry.

2. North Pacific Gyre

This is an extensive area in the North Pacific

containing high levels of microscopic toxins,

plastics, and chemical sludge.

1. Ahvaz, Iran

According to the World Health Organization

Ahvaz, Iran is now the most polluted city in

the world, a problem that is only made worse

by its constant dust storms.

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Watch This! A Campaign about environment :

For more information go to (4): http://list25.com/the-25-

most-polluted-places-on-earth/2/

http://youtu.be/cN1itvqdQRc

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Q1. What does EPA stand for?

Earth Protection Association

Environment Protection Authority

Environmental Project Assistance

Q2. Earth is the only planet that we know of that has:

dust and rocks

gas and ice

air and water

Q3. Air is made up of ....

liquids

solids

gases

Q4. Which of the following are common sources of air pollution.

motor vehicles

wood heaters

Quiz About The environment!

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fires

cigarettes

all of the above

Q5. Air pollution can harm the health or comfort of which of the following?

plants

materials

humans and other animals

all of the above

Want More Quizzes, checkout this link

http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/air/aq4kids/quiz.asp (5)

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1-Buy energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs for your most-used lights. Although they cost more

initially, they save money in the long run by using only 1/4 the energy of an ordinary incandescent

bulband lasting 8-12 times longer. In a typical home, one compact fluorescent bulb can save 260 pounds of

CO2 per year.

2-Turn your refrigerator down. Refrigerators account for about 20% of Household electricity use.

Use a thermometer to set your refrigerator temperature as close to 37 degrees and your freezer as

close to 3 degrees as possible.

3-Set your clothes washer to the warm or cold water setting, NOT HOT! Switching from hot to warm for

two loads per week can save nearly 500 pounds of CO2 per year if you have an electric water heater, or

150 pounds for a gas heater.

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4-Make sure your dishwasher is full when you run it and use the energy saving setting, to allow the dishes

to air dry. Not using heat in the drying cycle can save 20 percent of your dishwasher's total electricity use.

5-Whenever possible, walk, bike, car pool, or use mass transit. Every gallon of gasoline you save avoids

22 pounds of CO2 emissions.

Fun fact

Did you know that setting the

air conditioner below 24

degrees Celsius increases your

carbon emission by 3-5% for

each degree?

Enough sunlight reaches the

earth’s surface each minute to

satisfy the world’s energy

demands—for an entire year.

Let us start using solar energy!

HUNGRY FOR MORE TIPS? (6)

Check out my source:

http://www.ecomall.com/greenshopping/

20things.htm

WANT MORE FUN FACTS? (7)

Visit http://facts.randomhistory.com/energy-facts.html

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We have witnessed lots of western newscasts

and politicians bringing the matter of climate

change to our attention through election

platforms and presentations. Propaganda tells us

to “Save the Earth!” and “Take matter into your

own hands to make a difference!” Organizations

tell us to save energy and keep water usage levels

to the minimum. With all the media and hype

about climate change, we don’t know who to

believe anymore. People have developed an extra-

skeptic attitude and disregarded the issue of

climate change claiming it is false advertising and

information to trick citizens into spending more

money in their purchases. “It is a hoax! It’s not

real! It’s a scam to rip people off of their money!”

But should we really trust what the government

says regarding this matter? Or do we trust the

scientists? Should we really go out and purchase

those swirly energy-saving fluorescent light bulbs?

What IS climate change

really?

How does it affect the earth? Climate change is

the change of the Earth or a region’s climate on

the longer term. It is when the temperature of the

Earth rises causing natural effects. Media usually

presents the most popular effect of climate change

through the polar ice caps, seawater levels, and

CLIMATE

CHANGE

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the polar bears. However, climate change is not

to be confused with Global Warming.

Global warming is the rise

in the average surface temperature of the earth

due to the increase in levels of greenhouse gases.

The four main greenhouse gases are carbon

dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated

gases. They are found in our atmosphere with

different, varying levels. The global warming

theory was first proposed by geochemist Wallace

Broecker in 1975. It states that the earth is

affected by human-emitted greenhouse gases.

However, climate change involves global warming

and anything else that greenhouse gases can

affect.

Scientists have performed several

investigations over the years to try to come up

with a conclusion. They have measured rainfall,

greenhouse gas emissions, seawater levels,

changes in the sun’s flare intensity and much

more to determine the validity of climate change.

And as it is worrying, it is indeed true. Scientists

have found empirical and rational

evidence that support the theory of

climate change.

That is what we should trust: evidence. The rise

in sea-water levels as a result of the melting of

the polar ice caps, the major increase of rain in

some parts of the world in contrast to areas of

drought that were once hydrated. All of these are

evidence of climate change and roughly about 90%

of it is due to human activity that increases the

effect of climate change such as the burning of

non-renewable fossil fuels: a major necessity in

daily life used as fuel for transportation. If

climate change doesn’t slow down, it is estimated

that:

The average air temperature will increase by

2.5 degrees by the year 2100 (Kattenberg et al.,

1996).

The sea level will rise and will lead to

increased coastal flooding allowing flooding for

larger areas and higher elevations. This will

cause (8)

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CHECK OUT THESE GREAT IDEAS! (9)

It is the process of

converting waste materials

or useless products into

new materials or products

of better or higher

quality.

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ARE YOU UP FOR THE CHALLENGE? (10)

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Saving Water

Earth consists of 75% water however most are sea water in oceans and seas. Drinking

water is less likely to be found than sea water since rivers are less found in nature than

seas. Obviously water is vital for survival for all living organisms. Our human bodies

consist of 60% body water, and in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle, it is said we must

drink 8 cups of water daily. Water is beneficial for all living organism and without it we

will not survive. So in order to help keep our waters clean for future generations to come

and conserve our water usage, here are some tips:

When brushing your teeth in the morning or at night, make sure to close the tap while

brushing.

If possible, treat yourself to a bubble bath rather than a quick shower. Not only will you

enjoy it more, you will use less water.

When watering your plants, don't leave the hose or sprinklers on too much.

If you work in a club or area that uses fountains, make sure to reuse the water instead of

using new water.

The Nile River, located in the middle of Egypt's map is the main vital source of water for

all of Egyptians, here are some tips to help keep it clean:

o Never throw your litter directly into the water, this will contaminate the water and

can cause diseases.

o Do not wash clothes or your items directly into the water.

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References

Bibliography

1-“What is Recycling and why it is important”

http://ecologiquedesign.wordpress.com/2010/11/12/what-is-recycling-and-why-is-it-

important/

2- Green Living

http://greenliving.nationalgeographic.com/difference-between-reuse-reduce-recycle-

3068.html

3-Pollution

http://www.naturalnews.com/032983_air_pollution_brain.html#ixzz2ClzpufQA

4- 10 Most polluted countries

http://list25.com/the-25-most-polluted-places-on-earth/2/

5-Quiz

http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/air/aq4kids/quiz.asp

6- Conserving energy

http://www.ecomall.com/greenshopping/20things.htm

7-Fun facts

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Visit http://facts.randomhistory.com/energy-facts.html

8- Climate change

http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/

9- Upcycling

http://www.facebook.com/GreenHandsAUC

10- Word search

http://www.google.com.eg/search?num=10&hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&bi

w=1366&bih=667&q=Environmental+word+search&oq=Environmental+word+search&gs_

l=img.3..0j0i10i24j0i24.12095.19168.0.19512.27.22.1.4.4.0.312.3214.9j6j6j1.22.0...0.0..

.1ac.1.xmVvIWHSr-U