Environmental Pollution Scenario Review and Summary

 

Read the following scenario: You are an associate level environmental scientist in Phoenix, AZ. Growing human population within the city increases pressure on the infrastructure and on natural resources, and this affects the environment. As cities expand, they cut deeper into surrounding rural areas, causing environmental problems, such as the loss of wetlands, loss of biological habitat, and air and water pollution. The high density of automobiles, factories, and commercial enterprises in urban areas adds to airborne emissions, including particulate matter, various types of oxides, and hazardous volatile compounds.

 

Phoenix, AZ has experienced rapid growth in population over the past decade. The Phoenix City Council is worried that this pattern of population growth is beginning to create a number of negative environmental, economic, and social consequences. These include deteriorating infrastructure, increasing traffic congestion, declining air and water quality, and the loss of open space. The City Council has charged you with writing a report with recommended measures to fix the pollution issue. The City Council provides a budget of $18 million for tackling the environmental issues. 

 

Make decisions on the optimal measure for addressing the pollution management issue.

 

Choose 4 of the 7 measures given below based on popular acceptance, budget use, and pollution reduction:

 

1. Pollution control legislation for point sources: $4.3M
2. Random emission testing: $3.6M
3. Encourage alternative transportation, walking, and bicycle use: $4.4M
4. Promote fuel-efficient cars: $3.3M
5. Establish green spaces or urban forestry: $4.2M
6. Improve roads: $4.7M
7. Encourage carpooling: $2.8M

 

Write a 750- to 1,050-word summary briefly describing the background information and details. Include information on your selections:

 

• Your selection criteria and total cost
• The rationale for the pollution reduction measures chosen from an environmental science perspective
• Information on reduction of pollution
• Trade-offs for the various pollution reduction measures

 

For example, bringing in legislation to install pollution control devices in factories may sound like a good choice, but installation of such devices is a huge expense, and there is likelihood of strong opposition by business groups.

 

• Explain the statement “decision-making about environmental issues necessitates the maintenance of a fine balance between the effectiveness of measures and the public reaction towards them.”

 

Include two outside references.

Format your summary consistent with APA guidelines.

AND

Complete the following questions:

 

1. What is a watershed?

 

1. Define water conservation

 

1. Define the following terms:

• offstream use of water
• consumptive use of water
• instream use of water

 

1. List 3 reasons that cause freshwater to be unsuitable for human use

 

1. When nitrogen and phosphorus are added to a body of water, they alter the natural conditions because they:

 

1. are necessary nutrients, usually scarce in nature
2. lead to greater biological diversity
3. are an additional food source
4. kill algae, the base of the fresh water food chain
5. cause a long-term increase in fish populations

 

1. Which of the following gases in the atmosphere increase the acidity of rainfall?

1. CO₂
2. SO₂
3. NO₂

 

1. Provide a definition of “greenhouse” gases. List 3 greenhouse gases. Describe one benefit and one drawback or negative trait of greenhouse gases.

 

1. The carbon-dioxide content in the Earth's atmosphere before 1500 A.D. was between 200 and 300 ppm. The carbon dioxide content today is about 450 ppm. Which single historical development can be blamed for this increase?

 

1. the invention of agriculture
2. the Industrial Revolution
3. the American Revolution
4. splitting of the atom
5. the election of George Bush

What role do trees play in reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?

 

1. List four general strategies for controlling indoor air pollution.

 

1. List one potential environmental, ecological, and societal effect from increased global warming.