Light pollution: Too bright to see

Light pollution, also known as photopollution or luminous pollution, is inappropriate or excessive, misdirected, and prolonged use of artificial (usually outdoor) light. Too much light pollution has consequences: it washes out starlight in the night sky, interferes with astronomical research, wastes energy, disrupts ecosystems and wildlife and has adverse health effects. Concerning human beings, research suggests that the exposure to artificial light at night can negatively affect human health, increasing risks for obesity, depression, sleep disorders, diabetes, breast cancer and more.

Light pollution comes in many forms. The most common include the following:

• Glare: This is the effect produced when the eyes are exposed to excessive brightness that causes visual discomfort. The most common causes of glare include bright streetlights and car lights.
• Sky glow – This is the bright orange-pink glow that hangs over cities and towns in the night.
• Light trespass – light falling where it is not intended or needed.
• Clutter – bright, confusing and excessive groupings of light sources.

The concept of light pollution is a phenomenon that occurs all over the world, not only in some places. It is something that is very common in large cities, and Chile is no exception. The north of Chile has one of the clearest skies in the world. Thanks to the dry climate and clear air of the Atacama Desert, the Chilean night is a main place to observe the universe. Therefore, Chilean government passed a law to help preserve the visibility of the sky in the northern regions of Antofagasta, Atacama and Coquimbo. In these regions, there are large scientific and tourist observatories and the invasion of this kind of pollution affects the vision of telescopes and the clarity needed to capture events that occur in the galaxy through the lens.

In my opinion, light pollution affects every citizen and it is highly valuable that the Chilean government is concerned about preserving the purity of the Chilean night sky. Besides helping astronomers, the new law could help attract tourists because our sky has a great potential and gives an advantage in world astronomy.

http://darksky.org/light-pollution/

For further information click on the link above.

The worst “Red Tide” in the history of Los Lagos

A red tide is a common name for a phenomenon known as a harmful algal bloom. Harmful algal bloom, or HABs, occur when colonies of algae, simple plants that live in the sea and freshwater, grow out of control turning the water red and producing toxic or harmful effects on people, fish, shellfish, marine mammals, and birds. Red tide waters can be several colors, not all algal blooms are dense enough to cause water discoloration, and not all discolored waters associated with algal blooms are red.

HABs produce toxins that kill fish and make shellfish poisonous for human consumption. The human illnesses caused by HABs, though rare, can be debilitating or even fatal. The toxins may also make the surrounding air difficult to breathe or cause respiratory irritations as well as skin irritations. In addition, HABs are a national concern because they affect not only the health of people and marine ecosystems, but also the development of local and regional economies.

Millions of molluscs killed by catastroph red tide in Chile.

Red Tide, unfortunately, is not a distant situation for Chilean people. “The red tide” is a common naturally recurring phenomenon in southern Chile, but the extent of the current outbreak is unprecedented. The southern region of Los Lagos has been affected by what scientists say is the biggest red tide in its history.

In my opinion, it is really sad that fishermen are suffering the consequences of this new environmental disaster as many fishing communities count on the marine resources to survive. Although the government is making efforts to help fishermen and mitigate the economic effects they have been widely rejected as insufficient because many Chileans feel that the government is not doing enough.

http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/redtide.html

For further information click on the link above.

Do your share for a cleaner air

Air pollution may be defined as the presence of one or more contaminants or pollutant substances in the atmosphere and the environment that causes the harmful effect on the human health, animals, plants or property. It also refers to the contamination of the air both, indoor and outdoor.

According to the article, Air Pollution can result from both human and natural actions. Natural events, which do not occur often, include forest fires, volcanic eruptions, wind erosion, pollen dispersal, evaporation of organic compounds and natural radioactivity while human activities include emissions from industries and factories, burning fossil fuels, mining operations, household and agricultural activities.

Air pollution can cause many problems to humans such as respiratory and heart problems, global warming, acid rain, eutrophication ( a high amount of nitrogen present in some pollutants gets developed on sea’s surface and turns itself into algae), effect on wildlife and depletion of ozone lawyer.

Some solutions for reducing air pollution can be either from government (laws) or by individual actions such as plant more trees in the city, reduce car discharge by enforcing higher petrol grade, control car travel on the road, use public transportation, use clean energy resources and eliminate coal burning.

In my opinion, air pollution is a terrible global problem. Osorno city, for example, is facing a severe air contamination due to smog which is mainly caused by heating, traffic and industrial activities. I hope our city can overcome the serious air pollution as soon as possible to improve both, air and life quality of all citizens.

All in all, we need to build up an environmental awareness, we need to understand air pollution is affecting everyone life, including you and me.  If air is dirty, it will be difficult to survive!

http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/causes-effects-solutions-of-air-pollution.php

For further information click on the link above.