Essays and Research Papers on Environmental Issues & Ecology

A 6 page discussion of the impacts of acid rain. This paper details the chemical impacts to soil and water as well as to the physiological function of biological organisms. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

This 7 page paper looks at recycling programs throughout the world. Many aspects are discussed and the future of recycling is touched on. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 6 page overview of the predominant beliefs about global warming. This paper summarizes up the cause and the result to conclude the only way of saving our planet from eminent peril, the only hope for a alleviation of an increased greenhouse effect and therefor for a stop in the trend towards global warming ...

A 6 page paper discussing US energy policy. Can fossil fuel electricity generation be sustained for generations? No. Then we need alternatives. Will there be oil available to fuel the world's cars in four generations? No. Then we need alternatives. We need to be cognizant of businesses' bottom ...

4 pages. Includes one page report on what the world will be like in the year 2300. The State of Illinois has many native species of flora and fauna, some of which are now on the endangered list. The River Otter is among these that are considered an endangered species. Once ...

A 5 page paper discussing short-term economic challenges. The still-emerging world economy ultimately will be managed online in some manner, whether via the Internet or over a series of intranets. Western Europe has simplified business there with the creation of the monetary union and a common currency. Shipping is becoming more efficient ...

This 7 page report discusses regulating the use of biotechnology in food production. The pros and cons of biotechnology related to agriculture and food production are presented, as well as reasons behind its regulation. Bibliography lists 8 sources.

This 6 page paper discusses water pollution as it applies to coastal areas in the United States and in particular the Dana Point area in California. Measures taken to insure pollution control are outlined as dictated to the city by the EPA. Solutions for national recovery are offered. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

This paper discusses acid rain, its impact on the environment around the world and how world organizations are trying to combat this problem. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 9 page discussion of the problems of overfishing. Details the decline of the northwest salmon fishery and compares this decline with that of other fisheries around the world. Emphasizes that the factors behind these declines are often comparable to the phenomena of a “tragedy of the commons” in which greed and concern only ...

A 10 page discussion of the attributes of certain plants which give them an advantage over other plants. This paper notes the deleterious impacts on biodiversity which are associated with the arrival of exotics. Bibliography lists 13 sources.

This 5 page paper discusses the problems endemic to the West Virginia Coal mining communities in regard to the practice of Mountaintop removal and the ensuing pollution, threat of flooding, and economic devastation. This paper has an extensive annotated bibliography which includes sources from nationally syndicated investigative reporters as well as professional journals to congressional ...

A thirty page paper which looks at different methods of waste disposal, for both toxic and domestic waste, the problems associated with incineration, and the alternatives which are proposed by organisations such as Greenpeace. Bibliography lists 12 sources.

A 13 page paper discussing the benefits of globalization and cautions against it. Businesses must be able to generate profits in order to stay in business, and healthy businesses directly contribute to the growth of the economy in the local and regional area. Singapore stands as an example of what can be accomplished ...

This 5 page paper addresses the air pollution in China and in the U.S. for the purpose of comparing pollution and asthma attacks in a country where bicycles are a primary mode of transportation to a nation where motor vehicles are the primary mode of transportation. Data regarding asthma attacks in each country are provided. ...

This 9 page paper discusses the nature of species. Specifically, this topic is presented in relation to essentialism and anti-essentialism viewpoints. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

6 pages in length. Contemporary society is clamoring for organic foods in light of all the reports revealing the level of pesticide contamination and herbicide degradation that has appeared in recent food supplies. Southern California farmers are no different in their desire to please the rest of the country, which is why many ...

A 5 page paper discussing a statement that world events other than tragedy serve to bring the world's people together in an increasingly effective global village. The paper discusses the formation and operation of the European monetary union and the emissions credits of the Kyoto protocol as examples. The ability to sell its ...

This 5 page paper examines the use of ethanol as a fuel. The writer starts with a description of how crops may be converted into ethanol, and then considers the arguments for and against using food stuffs in this way when there are food shortages in some parts of the world. The bibliography cites 8 ...

6 pages in length. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a federal agency whose sole purpose is to improve environmental quality, was implemented thirty years ago due to the detrimental impact humans have had upon the earth. With Dr. Brian Robinson serving as chairman for the past fifteen years (recently retired in February), its ...

A 10 page paper which examines the Boston Harbor clean-up, arguing the cost and time spent was well worth it. The paper examines the history of the clean up as well as the advantages and benefits of the clean-up. Tourism is also discussed. Bibliography lists 7 sources.

This 11 page paper discusses the role of accounting mechanisms and how they can be employed to make organisations more socially and environmentally transparent. The writers sites examples of companies to illustrate points raised. The bibliography cites 11 sources.

8 pages in length. The ongoing battle between preservation efforts and modern industry continues to threaten the very existence of Amazon rain forests. While governmental efforts to preserve the biodiversity seek to set aside a minimum of ten percent of the rain forest as a reflection of the largest single commitment to preserve ...

6 pages. In order to meet the ethical needs of sustainable developments there need to be changes made socially, politically and economically. These and other factors are explained in this essay concerning the ethical needs of sustainable development in moving our society ever closer to becoming more environmentally conscious and sustainable. Bibliography ...

A 5 page research paper that takes the form of a hypothetical dialogue between "deep" ecologist Arne Naess and "social" ecologist Murray Bookchin. The writer defines both schools of thought and discusses their perspectives. Bibliography lists 3 sources.