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\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\n\t\tPosted on 4 January 2020<\/a> by admin1290<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

An Ecology Primer<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

Ecology from A to Z<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A for anxiety<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rare are the days when we are not reminded of global warming, the \nintensification of exceptional climatic phenomena, the extent of \npollution or the depletion of resources such as fauna, flora, water, \nsoil, subsoil and air against the backdrop of alarming reports from the \nmany and varied organisms that scrutinize our environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The consequences of rising sea levels, water stress, biological \ndiversity, the impoverishment of populations living in vulnerable areas,\n and the increase in migratory movements logically add to this worrying,\n disturbing, even distressing picture of the evolution of the thin \nbiosphere that we inhabit and share with animals and plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Collapsologists are also catastrophic in their description of this \ngloomy picture, predicting that the degradation of living conditions \nwill become irreversible and will eventually make our planet \nuninhabitable. Their concerns are not entirely unfounded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For good (or bad) measure, let us recall what history teaches us: in \ntimes of tension, opinions become more radical and lead to an increased \nrisk of sometimes uncontrollable and devastating conflicts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let us not forget also that there are other sources of anxiety driven\n by human activities such as the formidable and continuous accumulation \nof means of mass destruction, to name but one major one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But fortunately, all is not said!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A poem<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s the worst punishment
Not knowing why
Without love and hate
My heart hurts so much !<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paul Verlaine<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An image<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The scream<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

B as in beautiful news<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

With great caution and with the help of multiple cross-checks, all \nscientists\u2019 observations converge to conclude that the main cause of \nclimate change is human activities. The point is not to draw up a \ntedious list here, but to give us hope ; imagine the psychological state\n we would be in if climatologists were to announce that climate change \nis caused by natural phenomena that we have no means of combating ! To \nanxiety could be added despair. Fortunately, the outcome of these \ndisturbances depends on mankind and not on blind and hostile nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A well-known protection against anguish is the denial of reality. \nAnother form of protection against anxiety is cynicism: \u201cBig deal! \nMankind has had many other crises due to famines and epidemics; the \nclimate has changed over the geological ages; let\u2019s enjoy it while it \nlasts\u201d. The sceptics, for their part, tell us: \u201cthere may be a problem \nbut as usual, the Cassandras cry wolf a little prematurely; besides \nclimatology is a recent science which needs to prove itself, it is \nurgent to wait; besides who tells us that all this agitation is not \norchestrated by conspirators? We must not forget the amateurs of \nspeculation on the lookout for opportunities that global warming can \ncreate here and there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It must be admitted that the complexity of ecology subject sometimes \nblurs opinions that lack reliable and well-structured information ; \nthere is still room for improvement in the quality of popularisation on \necological subjects, whether it comes from scientists, journalists or \nother sources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In any case, there is a consensus that various types of pollution \nrequire two types of action: actions aimed at adapting to combat their \nharmful consequences ; and actions aimed at mitigating them as much as \npossible by tackling their source. It does not take a particularly sharp\n mind to understand that the more we postpone mitigation actions, the \nhigher the cost of adaptation and mitigation actions will be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An image<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"white<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

C for climate<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a familiar word, but it\u2019s actually quite abstract. The \nquasi-exclusive use of the notion of average temperature to quantify the\n evolution of the global climate does indeed lead to some confusio ; an \naverage warming of 1.5\u00b0 does not say whether it will be evenly \ndistributed over the entire planet or whether there are extremes of \nwarming in some areas of the globe and possible cooling in others ; in \nfact there is a global climate and regional climates. On the other hand,\n the evolution of the global climate does not resolve itself into nice \nsmooth growth curves ; there may be peaks in some years and troughs in \nothers. Natural phenomena evolve in a jagged pattern that masks \nmulti-year trends and can thus disrupt our immediate perception.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is a very broad consensus that global warming is mainly due to \nan increase in various greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere caused \nby human activities. The cause of these changes is particularly \ninsidious because it is cumulative on the one hand, not visible, \nodourless and with no immediate effects on health on the other ; these \ncharacteristics make awareness of this phenomenon slower in contrast to \nthat of pollution, through the emission of micro-particles for example, \nwhich has immediate and visible effects on health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Three lessons can already be drawn: the scientific reality of global \nwarming is not just a number, as a simplistic communication on the \nsubject might suggest; lesson number two is the need to consider the \nEarth as a global system with multiple interacting components \n(atmosphere, ocean, soil, vegetation, ice, solar energy, etc.) and to \ntake into account the fact that it is a global system with multiple \ncomponents (atmosphere, ocean, soil, vegetation, ice, solar energy, \netc.).Lesson number three is perhaps less simple to implement: there is \nan urgent need for education and information authorities to take up \nthese subjects in order to eradicate simplistic and therefore erroneous \nvisions that encourage simplistic solutions that are at best \ninappropriate and at worst counterproductive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A quote<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\n don\u2019t believe in climate change, it\u2019s just weather. It\u2019s always been \nlike that, the weather changes, there are storms, rain, and beautiful \ndays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Donald Trump<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An article<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Global warming<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A music<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The four seasons<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

D is for biological diversity<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are two types of indicators that measure the evolution of the \ndiversity of animal or plant species: one that measures the number of \nspecies that disappear in a given time on the one hand, and indicators \nthat measure the evolution of the number of individuals of each species \non the other; once again, global indicators contribute to dilute the \nreality into a kind of \u201cwhole\u201d that is not very conducive to identifying\n appropriate solutions for each situation. Moreover, the madness of the \nhouse tends to focus attention on the larger mammals, elephants and \nwhales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are many ways to consider the value of the great diversity of \nliving species. One, quite common, is to look at this monumental \nconstruction, which took more than three billion years to complete \nwithout human influence, with a variety of feelings such as respect, \ncaution, wonder or curiosity. Many religions have given a sacred \ncharacter to this construction and attribute its source to a creative \nGod. Another approach, which is not contradictory to the previous one, \nis to consider that humans are part of the living world, are its heirs \nand must respect and pass on this heritage intact from generation to \ngeneration. Another, more utilitarian point of view is to consider \nbiodiversity as a \u201creservoir\u201d that can supply humanity with fish, for \nexample, to cope with biological disasters or to take advantage of as \nyet unexplored organisms. As we have already said, human beings share \nthe biosphere with all living things. In any case, the animal world of \nwhich humans are a part depends largely on the plant world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let us not forget that through geological ages, natural selection has\n led to the disappearance of many species, but at a rate that has \nnothing to do with what we observe today. Conversely, the work of \nselection has contributed to the obtaining of many varieties; genetic \nmanipulation considerably accelerates this work. But be careful not to \nconfuse species and variety!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One question that deserves debate is to define the place of living \nbeings that are \u201charmful\u201d to humans in our common home. Should they be \neradicated, protected, confined and if so how? If we want to eradicate \nthem, how can we proceed selectively?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The analysis of the causes of the evolution of these indicators leads\n us to classify them into broad categories: overexploitation of living \nresources, climate change, the invasion of imported species through \ncommercial exchanges, urbanization, certain agricultural practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The consequences of the attrition of insect populations on other \nspecies through the food chain are beginning to be known. The impact of \ndeclining insect populations on agricultural production through \npollination is beginning to be well studied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Communication on biodiversity is progressing, as the very real \nproblems of soil degradation, global warming and food have to be \nunravelled. The emotion aroused by the disappearance of large mammal \nspecies sometimes masks the seriousness of the situation of other less \nvisible species such as those in the insect world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A poem<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Praise be to you, my Lord, with all your creatures,
especially Sir Brother Sunshine,
by whom you give us daylight, light;
he is beautiful, radiating with great splendor,
and from you, the Most High, he offers us the symbol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Francis of Assisi<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A video<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Biodiversity<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Articles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Biodiversity indicators<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The IPBES report<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

E for energy<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is the word that describes the nerve centre of the functioning \nof industrial civilization. Everybody talks about it but nobody has ever\n seen it ; and yet it exists!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Economists agree to group the main uses of energy into three main families : transport, heating and production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is also customary to classify the main energies used by mankind \ninto four origins : energy from fossil fuels (oil, gas, coal), energy \nfrom renewable fuels (wood, ethanol\u2026), energy from nuclear reactions and\n finally energy from sustainable but intermittent resources (wind, sun, \nwater gravity, tides).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, energy is consumed through appliances such as our \nboilers, trains, cars, etc.; to the cost of the energy consumed, we must\n add the cost of the energy that must be spent to manufacture these \nappliances, transport or store the energy. The solutions must be \nrigorously analysed so as to take into account all the parameters ; it \nwould be a shame if the word rigour were to frighten people!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, everyone knows that energy production based on fossil or \nrenewable fuels is largely responsible for climate change through the \ncarbon dioxide released (Greenhouse Gases or GHGs) ; there is a \ngradation of the change in the composition of the atmosphere depending \non the type of energy production ; this gradation is obtained by \nmeasuring GHG (Greenhouse Gas) emissions per Kwh of energy produced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Energy production and consumption is also responsible for 85% of the \nfine particles (aerosols) and almost all the sulphur and nitrogen oxides\n that have a significant impact on health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to carbon dioxide (CO2 carbon dioxide), methane (CH4) and\n nitrous oxide (N2O). These last two gases have a much greater \ngreenhouse effect than carbon dioxide ; one kilogram of methane in the \natmosphere has a greenhouse effect equivalent to that of five kilograms \nof carbon dioxide. The main source of methane is agricultural \nactivities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, to breathe, it is interesting and useful to talk about the \npsychic and spiritual energies that play such a vital role in human \nactivities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some articles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fossil fuels<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Energy sources<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A MOOC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Global energy problems<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Video<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A definition<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

F is for forest<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The vegetable world is magical ; it is capable of pumping a gas into \nthe atmosphere (you know which one) to transform it into solid matter \n(you know which one); among plants, trees are the kings of this type of \ntransformation. This is why forests are sometimes called \u201ccarbon dioxide\n sinks\u201d ; this is true if the growth of tree biomass is greater than its\n natural degradation; the deforestation of a forest in a stable state to\n use wood as a material has a very positive carbon balance if \nreforested. On the other hand, deforestation caused by fires produces \nlarge amounts of CO2. GHG pollution caused by heating with wood also \ncauses significant CO2 emissions, but unlike fires, it at least serves a\n purpose. In both cases, the GHG balance can be considered neutral if \nthe forests consumed are systematically replanted ; moreover, burning \nwood generates pollutants other than carbon dioxide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let us not forget, however, that our agriculture developed largely at\n the expense of the woods that covered our ancient Gaul ; \n\u201creforestation\u201d can help to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide \ncontained in the atmosphere and is part of the panoply of tools to \ncombat global warming. Agricultural practices also have an impact on \npollution in general and GHG emissions in particular.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A poem<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silent forest, kind solitude,
How I love to browse through your ignored shadow !
In your dark detours, dreaming misguidedly,
I have a free feeling of anxiety !<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chateaubriand<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A quote<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Forests precede men, deserts follow them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chateaubriand<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Articles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Agriculture and GHGs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Videos<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The tropical forest<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Photosynthesis<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

G is for governance<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, so good : we know where pollution or changes in atmospheric \nGHG levels are coming from, we know their effects; why do we feel that \nthe implementation of solutions is stalled ? Let\u2019s imagine that France, \nalone on the planet, is embarking on major projects to reduce \natmospheric pollution; everyone knows that this will have a negligible \nimpact on climate change and that the French will be entitled to \ncriticize useless spending. It is absolutely necessary that climate \nchange programmes be implemented at the level of our planet. Progress at\n international conferences is therefore desperately needed, and every \neffort to support and encourage them is welcome. We are aware of the \nmany difficulties that must be faced if oil- or coal-producing countries\n are to agree to join this ambitious project; we are also aware of the \nreluctance of emerging countries, which see themselves penalised in \ntheir development whereas industrialised countries have been polluting \nthe atmosphere for decades; we also know that the debate between \nmeasuring the pollution generated per unit of surface area and measuring\n the pollution generated per inhabitant is lively; lastly, pollution \nlinked to production is not to be counted in the producing country but \nin the consuming country. Is it an exaggeration to call it a miracle \nthat agreements are being put in place despite all these obstacles?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The decision of the President of the United States to withdraw from \nthe climate agreements is an act that reflects the primacy of the short \nterm over the medium and long term. Fortunately, American elites often \ndisagree with this stance and will cushion the blow a little; however, \nsymbolically, this withdrawal hurts in two ways : the defection of the \nUnited States can encourage hesitant states to do nothing ; the \ndenunciation of multilateral agreements makes the bed for nationalists \nwho still believe that borders stop everything, including CO2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The course of global governance being set on this subject, it is of \ncourse necessary to move on to national governance to set the stated \nobjectives to music. And the least we can say is that it is stuck in \nmany countries, including our sweet country of France. A first \nexplanation is due to the lack of a solid consensus on the solutions to \nbe provided and above all on the priorities ; is this the result of \ntensions linked to the radically anti-nuclear foundations of the \nprogrammes of German and French ecologists? The criticism of nuclear \npower is certainly well-founded, but the dogmatic refusal to compromise \non this transitional energy source may prove counterproductive for the \nclimate. Another explanation seems to lie in the lack of transparency on\n who will pay the cost of the energy transition ; here\u2019s the big word : \nit\u2019s expensive and any attempt to disguise this reality is a sham that \nthe court of common sense disapproves of. The french movements of the \nred caps and yellow jackets clearly shows that there is a problem here \nand that the notion of the polluter pays has severe limits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The governance tools of the French state mainly include legislation \nand the state budget. However, this budget is governed by a fundamental \nprinciple, which is the principle of universality ; this principle means\n that one is not allowed to allocate budget revenue (mainly a tax or \nlevy) to budget expenditure ; similarly, it is forbidden for State \nservices to have a separate budget (revenue and expenditure) that does \nnot appear in the general budget ; thus, it is in principle forbidden to\n allocate a so-called \u201cecological\u201d tax to \u201cecological\u201d investments. The \nhighly controversial carbon tax is a budgetary tool of the State\u2019s \necological policy ; in fact, it aims to increase the cost of fuel and \nthus reduce consumption ; under no circumstances can it be allocated to \n\u201cecological\u201d expenditure. During the preparation of the state budget, \nthe budgetary means of the ecological policy are framed upstream before \npreparation and downstream by trade-offs ; this procedure is subject to \nthe balance of power that exists between the administrative and \npolitical machinery of the state ; control of these processes is \ndifficult for those who are not part of the seraglio. In order to lead \nthe fight for transition, perhaps it would be necessary to have a \nsoldier surrounded by a few motivated enarchs ?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, the state is trying to find out the amount of \u201ctaxes\u201d and \ntaxes labelled as \u201cecological\u201d as well as the amount of budgetary \ncontributions to ecology; what might seem obvious is not obvious because\n income and expenditure are two separate items in the state budget ; it \nis obvious that this type of balance sheet is a prerequisite if we want \nto control the state\u2019s finances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An energy transition law for green growth is the basis of the French \ngovernment\u2019s roadmap. Through various means such as Corporate Social \nResponsibility (CSR), many companies are adopting rules to encourage \ndecisions that contribute to the fight against global warming. Banks \nhave thus set up a charter aimed at introducing this criterion into \ntheir lending procedures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In France, there is a High Council for the Climate whose role is to \nevaluate the achievement of the objectives to which France has committed\n itself. It produces an annual report which is public.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is a plethora of bodies and agencies in the state movement that\n are more or less closely concerned with ecological issues. Perhaps \nthere is a document that lists the roles and responsibilities of these \nbodies in such a way as to prevent duplication, paralyzing power \nstruggles or allowing salutary reorganizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, there is a rich ecosystem with many associations \nworking for ecology. These include the two heavyweights Greenpeace and \nWWF.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An image <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Articles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The IPCC<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

International UN Organizations<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carbon Tax<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Associations<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WWF<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Greenpeace<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

H is for human being<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just a word to remind us that one of the bases of the humanist vision\n of nature is to fight against the law of the jungle, which is one of \nthe principles of the functioning of this nature and to promote respect \nfor every human being; it is a cultural principle acquired through a few\n centuries of functioning of the human species that is embodied in \nlegislation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is reasonable to think that this humanist tropism transcends the animality of human beings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quotes<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ultimately,\n only the mind can face the ecological challenge, that of man, of \ncourse. If the advocates of spiritual transcendence also participate in \nthis struggle, we can only rejoice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Axel Kahn<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For\n what is a man in the wilderness ? A nothingness towards the infinite, a\n whole towards nothingness, a middle between nothing and everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Man\n is only a reed, the weakest of nature ; but he is a thinking reed. The \nwhole universe must not arm itself to crush him: one vapour, one drop of\n water is enough to kill him. But, when the universe crushes it, man \nwould be even more noble than what kills him, because he knows that he \nis dying, and the advantage that the universe has over him ; the \nuniverse knows nothing of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blaise Pascal<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A video<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Humanity and Nature<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

I as insulation<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is known that a large part of GHG pollution is due for about 22% \nto the heating needs of individuals. There are partial solutions based \non the principle of thermal insulation of buildings. The first step is \nthe renovation of existing buildings and the construction of low-energy \nhousing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The question of suburban housing, which is more expensive in terms of\n energy and transport, deserves to be asked; but this requires a certain\n amount of courage to tackle the dream of the suburban house that haunts\n many of our compatriots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, the search for new building materials is a line of study that needs to be explored.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One article<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ecological performance of housing<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

J is for youth<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is normal and desirable that young people should be seriously and \nenthusiastically concerned about the future of their environment. There \nis a lot of work to be done, from research into the production of \nhydrogen-based energy to the discovery of materials for low-energy \nbuildings and the production of protein-rich plants to feed the ten \nbillion people who will live in our common home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The important thing is to carry out the fight as a high priority if \nwe want the transition to a sustainable economy: it is nothing less than\n transforming the entire fleet of cars on the planet into electric \nvehicles, closing down all coal-fired power stations, insulating the \nbuilding stock against energy loss and implementing clean energy \nproduction! This means considerable industrial conversion and the threat\n to millions of jobs. These are the high-priority issues!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The beautiful qualities of creativity, rigour and lucidity are the \nwinning combination for this beautiful challenge; simplism, ideology, \nmental laziness and ignorance are the potential adversaries and lead \nstraight to a wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Political demands are a necessary but not sufficient condition for \nmeeting the challenges. Magic Wand or Santa Claus are the friendly \nmanifestations of the madwoman of the house!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A poem<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, you\u2019re past the burning youth;
You\u2019ve passed the age where every hour is too slow,
Where, in your dreams, you\u2019re running the front lines in the future,
And already the age of remembrance is opening up to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sainte-Beuve<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A quote<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We don\u2019t inherit the land from our parents, we borrow it from our children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Antoine de Saint-Exup\u00e9ry<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A video<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Walks for the climate<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

K for kaleidoscope<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ecology as a discipline is at the crossroads of the study of the \nbiosphere including all the living organisms it contains and all the \nphysical phenomena that take place within it. It is easy to imagine that\n this discipline is extremely complex and that it is developing \ngradually. Little by little, the interactions between the atmosphere, \nthe oceans, the vegetation including forests, the animals including \nhumans, the soil and solar energy are gradually becoming clearer in \nsuccessive strokes. It is also very important to understand that this \ndiscipline is situated on a time scale which is the decade or the \ncentury. \u201cEcologist\u201d is the name given to scientists who study ecology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The aim of political ecology is to propose solutions to prevent or \ncorrect \u201cecological\u201d dysfunctions and to bring out decisions for their \nimplementation. We understand that the risk of everyone seeing noon at \ntheir door is far from negligible. The ecologist is the activist who is \ninterested in the political aspects of ecology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Integral ecology emphasizes the place of humans in the common home \nthat is our planet. This approach is actively supported by the Catholic \nChurch and finds its expression in a (encyclical) publication by Pope \nFrancis entitled \u201cLaudate si\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A small semantic precision: the environment designates the living environment of humans and thus their modes of habitat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A video<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kaleidoscope<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A document<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Laudate si<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

L for library and readings<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The exercise of giving reasoned bibliographical indications is a little perilous because of the abundance of writings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The collaborative elaboration of a reasoned bibliography would \ncertainly be an interesting step forward. There are bibliographies on \nthe Internet but given the profusion of writings, it is desirable to be \nvery selective and to qualify as precisely as possible the documents \naccording to a list of attributes such as :<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Target audience.\nNature of the document (article, thesis, book, etc.)\nKeywords of content (ecological thesaurus to be developed).\nApproach axes (policy, scientific discipline, technical, etc.)\nTable of contents\nEtc.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Vast program !<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One article<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reports Bibliography<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
M is for mobility<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The transport of goods and people consumes 33% of final energy and \ncontributes approximately 39% of greenhouse gas emissions in France in \n2018. A large share of freight transport is the result of what is known \nas the international division of labour; passenger transport is largely \nlinked to tourism on the one hand and to the concentration of means of \nproduction on the other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The list of possible ways of regulating needs is well known: fuel \ntaxation sometimes denounced as \u201cpunitive\u201d, development of public \ntransport, encouragement of car sharing. Curiously, reducing the speed \nof our expensive TGVs is rarely mentioned!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, the great hope on which the reduction of pollution emitted \nby transport is based is the fuel cell vehicle; it is therefore a \nvehicle with an electric motor. There is also talk of hydrogen engines: \nthese are engines whose principle is comparable to that of conventional \ninternal combustion engines but whose fuel is hydrogen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For some, this miracle solution is being held back by a conspiracy \ncleverly orchestrated by the players in the oil industry. In fact, the \nproduction, distribution and storage of this type of fuel and the \nmanufacture of batteries or engines raise very significant cost issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Documents<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sustainable mobility tracking<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Share of transport in GHG emissions<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
N as in nature<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
This word is very often solicited and used in its two complementary \nmeanings. The nature of an object or living being is used to describe \nits characteristics: the nature of a tree, for example, is that it is \nmade up of a trunk, branches, roots and leaves. The other meaning of the\n word nature is the real world as it is outside of human intervention; \nthis latter meaning is therefore the opposite of that of the word \n\u201cartifice\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A current of thought that still irrigates an ecological vision aims \nto adorn nature with all its virtues and to make all human attempts to \ndomesticate it suspect. This underlying ultraliberal ideology, which is \nfar from natural, is the source of many misunderstandings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The regulation of the relationship between humans and nature is \nrightly at the heart of many debates and decisions. It affects our most \nvital functions such as food and therefore food production; it also \naffects reproduction, sexuality and health. All human activities could \nbe ghettoized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A poem<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nature is a temple where living pillars
 Sometimes confusing words come out;
 Man passes through forests of symbols\u2026
 Who look at him with familiar looks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Baudelaire<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
O for ocean<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Through series of measurements, computer programs and scientific \nresearch, it is now possible to highlight the fundamental role played by\n the oceans on climate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, the ocean is the most powerful GHG sink on the planet; \nit is estimated that it absorbs by dissolution about 30% of the amount \nof CO2 emitted by human activities; photosynthesis by marine \nmicro-organisms produces oxygen and also traps CO2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The ocean also absorbs a significant fraction of the excess solar \nenergy due to the greenhouse effect; this buffer effect contributes to \nclimate regulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also know the consequences of climate change on the oceans: \nmelting of continental ice leading to a rise in sea levels; water \nacidification with impacts on biodiversity; changes in marine currents \ninfluencing the climate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The ocean also plays a major role in food; the overexploitation of \nfishery resources, constantly reported by scientists, is proving \ndifficult to control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Trade by sea is one of the necessary means for the functioning of our global economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A video<\/p>\n\n\n\n
 Overfishing<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Article<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Marine plastic pollution<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A poem<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inflate yourself towards the night O Mer. The eyes of the sharks
 Till dawn have watched from afar eagerly
 Star- eaten corpses of days
 Amidst the sound of the waves and the last oaths\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Apollinaire<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A music<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Debussy\u2019s sea<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
P is for pollution<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
GHG emissions are the most insidious, insidious, massive and \ndangerous form of pollution; it is rightly that their limitation must \ntake first place on the list of concerns and means of action. However, \nwe must not neglect these types of pollution, of which it is useful to \nrecall the most recurrent: the emission into the air of ozone, toxic \ngases or microparticles, the release of harmful molecules into the soil,\n watercourses or groundwater, the release of solid waste in general and \nplastic waste in particular.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Polluting discharges are solid, liquid, gaseous, pasty or powdery! \nThey concern us first and foremost when we ingest or inhale them; all \npollutants pose public health problems to a greater or lesser extent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some of the responses to these pollutions are called \u201crecycling\u201d or \n\u201ccircular economy\u201d; another part of the responses is called \u201csustainable\n agriculture\u201d; the elimination of products that release toxic substances\n is also part of the panoply of solutions; finally, another part is \ncalled \u201cenergy efficiency\u201d of consumer goods or production tools. Much \nprogress has been made in all these areas; an important factor in \nimproving this efficiency is to extend the life of consumer durables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It should be noted that most pollution other than that produced by the nuclear industry is fairly rapidly reversible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Finally, to complete this brief overview, it is necessary to mention noise, odour and visual pollution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A quote<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The\n greatest trials the World will have to face in the years to come will \nbe overpopulation, lack of resources (water, raw materials, oil\u2026), \npandemics of all kinds of known and new diseases, pollution of all kinds\n (chemical, air, water, food\u2026).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Albert Einstein<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Articles<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Plastic pollution at sea<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Air Quality<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Educational resources<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
Q as in quantify<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a rational approach, it is essential to finely quantify GHG or \npollutant emissions for each type of activity consumed. An example of a \nrational approach is, for example, to measure thermal leaks from \nbuildings using cameras and drones. It is then possible to define an \ninsulation programme prioritising the most polluting buildings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We could go further in the approach and evaluate the GHG footprint by\n type of consumer in order to make the different social strata more \nresponsible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When thinking at the level of a country, a net GHG emission balance \nshould be made; GHG emissions induced by imported products should be \nadded and GHG emissions induced by exported products should be \nsubtracted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This quantification approach does not exclude symbolic approaches to \nmobilize the attention of public opinion on environmental issues; by \nsymbolic, we mean taking into account cases that are numerically \nmarginal but have an impact on the imagination of the crowds. However, \nit is essential that these symbolic trees do not hide the forest. In \nthis field, the testimonies of cosmonauts or aerial photographs play an \nimportant role. Likewise, sympathetic initiatives that create \n\u201cconnection\u201d are always welcome, but it must be admitted that they are \nnot up to the challenge and solve only a small part of the problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One article<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CO2 emissions per country<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A web site<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Evaluating my carbon footprint<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
R as in resources<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Human activities contribute not only to environmental pollution but \nalso to the depletion of the resources they use. Among these resources, \nwe have already mentioned the fauna and flora whose species are becoming\n scarce; it is important to add fresh water, cultivable soil and \nsubsoil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cause of the scarcity of freshwater in general and drinking water\n in particular is primarily related to its geographical distribution; \nthis problem is particularly difficult to address. Another important \nfactor of scarcity is linked to agricultural irrigation practices, which\n cause significant evaporation of water resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Soil scarcity also has several causes. Cultivation practices play an \nimportant role : they can cause significant wind or rain erosion of \nfragile soils. Finally, in industrialized countries, soil removal for \ntransport and urbanization is a significant issue. Behind these \nquestions lies the nature of agricultural production and its relevance \nfor human food or biofuel production. Similarly, the use of arable land \nfor the production of livestock feed has a significant impact on the \navailability of plant foods for humans ; for example, it is estimated \nthat it takes about 10 plant calories to produce one animal calorie in \nthe form of beef ; be careful, this figure serves to raise awareness of \nthe problem and there are many other parameters involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Finally, it is not difficult to understand that mineral resources are\n not infinite. Even fossil sources of energy, although abundant, are not\n inexhaustible. The problem that they raise in the short and medium term\n is therefore above all the GHG emissions that their use raises. \nHowever, major conflicts can permanently disrupt their production and \nthus accelerate the implementation of alternative solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When we talk about ecology, modesty should prevail because in the end\n it is a question of having a global vision of our human behaviour with \nregard to our environment : who takes what, where and why ? Who rejects \nwhat and where ? It is obvious that the mode of consumption, which is \nitself partly influenced by cultural achievements, has an important \nplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A quote<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thus\n were formed these immense layers of coal which excessive consumption \nmust, however, exhaust in less than three centuries if the industrious \npeoples are not careful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jules Verne<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Articles<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Water Resources by country<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
World Oil Resources<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
World natural Gas Resources<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
World coal resources<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
World Food Challenge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A video<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Soil resource challenge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
S is for solar<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Like wind energy, the conversion of light energy from the sun into \nelectricity using photovoltaic components is one of the interesting \nsolutions for reducing GHG emissions. However, as with wind power, the \nmain drawback of \u201csolar\u201d electricity production is that it is \nintermittent and does not match peak demand. What makes intermittence \neven more difficult is that it is difficult to predict and variable over\n time; Photovoltaic equipment must therefore be supplemented either by \nmeans of electricity storage or by production plants capable of taking \nover from them ; taking into account these additional investments as \nwell as the costs of managing intermittency must be included in cost \ncomparisons between the different energy production methods. Likewise, \nthe carbon balance of these solutions must integrate all these \nconsiderations, otherwise it will be inaccurate and thus distort good \ndecision-making.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A poem<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When, like a poet, he goes down to the cities,
 It ennobles the fate of the most vile things,
 And enters as a king, quietly and without valets,
 In every hospital and in every palace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Baudelaire<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Video<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Self-consumption of photovoltaic energy<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
T is for Terre or Earth<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Is the biblical injunction asking humanity to multiply and grow still\n valid? Isn\u2019t our planet earth full? There are several schools that \nwould benefit from a dialogue to clarify this type of debate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Image<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Planet Earth<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Overshootday<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Video<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Earth Planet<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
U for urbanization<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Urbanization is a continuously growing phenomenon ; it is estimated \nthat around 2050, more than 75% of the world\u2019s population will be \nconcentrated in cities, a significant proportion of which will be \nmegacities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Urban planners are of course asking themselves the question of the \nideal city to live in and the one that is the most neutral in terms of \nGHG emissions and other pollutants. This is the concept of an eco-city \nor eco-neighbourhood, which is still at the prototype stage. In fact, an\n ecocity implements the principles of low-energy housing, ease of use of\n public transport, and respect for plant and social biodiversity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Moreover, it will become urgent to adapt existing cities to heat wave\n phenomena; indeed, some configurations cause heat accumulation which \nmakes housing almost uninhabitable. The explosion in the use of air \nconditioners is contributing to an increase in energy consumption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One article<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Low energy city<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
V for vent or wind<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sailing ships and windmills have been, together with hydraulics, the \nprimary tools for the material development of the populations of the \nNorthern Hemisphere. As everyone knows, the wind is making a comeback \nthrough the transformation of wind energy into electricity. The limits \nof this energy source are its intermittency; to complicate the diagram a\n little, wind peaks do not correspond with consumption peaks on the one \nhand, and are quite unpredictable on the other hand. Electricity \nsuppliers must therefore have generation capacity ready to take over in \nthe event of a \u201cwind failure\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A document<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Advantage and challenge of wind power<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
W is for watt<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
We have talked about the energy that is at the heart of the GHG \nemission processes. It is a very abstract concept: no one has seen \nenergy and yet it exists. It is not too much to ask to know the unit of \nmeasurement of energy. Indeed we produce or consume this invisible \nobject with a certain gluttony. We are going to give its name to forget \nit at once: it is the Joule. Other units are commonly used; the energy \ncontent of food is often expressed in calories (about four joules); \nelectricity consumption is expressed in Kwh (about three million \njoules).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the precision mind, remember that the watt is a unit of power that measures the amount of energy exchanged in one second.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
X as xenobiotic<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The production of \u201corganic\u201d or \u201corganically grown\u201d food requires a \nspecial mention. First of all it is necessary to wring the neck of a \nwell-established myth : \u201cOrganic foods\u201d are said to be more \u201ctasty\u201d than\n other foods ; there is no pre-established link between being organic \nand having taste ; on the other hand, the absence of the use of \nchemicals in animal feed or in livestock care is important because \nanimals concentrate some of these products that we ingest as a result ; \nsimilarly, the absence of pesticides on cereals, fruits, vegetables is \nbeneficial. But let\u2019s not forget that a balanced diet is the major \nfactor for good health !<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another beautiful subject for young scientists : the ingestion of \nsubstances resulting from pollution, food or medicines depends on the \nmixture of products ingested. To put it simply, we will say that an \norganism can tolerate the ingestion of a xenobiotic without side effects\n up to a given quantity; on the other hand, there are two situations \nthat are still often poorly understood : the addition of simultaneous \ningestion of xenobiotics at so-called tolerable doses taken separately \ncan have harmful side effects; repeated ingestion, although at low \ndoses, can be accompanied by accumulation in the organism at the source \nof harmful side effects. This phenomenon is, of course, studied for \ndrugs; however, it remains little known for the cocktail of pollutants \nthat we often breathe or ingest without our knowledge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Article<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Organic farming specifications<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
Y for Yang<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Is pollution inherent to Yang? Great essay topic! And one of many ways to use Y.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An image<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
Z as in zero<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cZero pollution\u201d could be the motto of ecology. But is it a realistic  goal ? In order to achieve it, we feel that it is necessary to radically  change our modes of production and consumption; in a way, it is a  question of either changing our civilization or radically reforming our  industrial civilization. Some people speak of degrowth : if this word  means a decrease in pollution, we can only agree ; if it means a decrease  in the production of goods or services, the term is unfortunate ; it is  better to speak of change ; it may be that change leads to degrowth but  this is not an objective in itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If one is seeking an ecological transition through reform, it is \nnecessary to put a figure on the means of its implementation and to \ndecide who will pay the bill knowing that the sources of financing are \nknown: the regulated market, taxes and borrowing. It is imperative to \nunderstand that this transition has a significant cost on the one hand, \nand that the means of production have constraints that lead to inertia \nin adaptation on the other. The reformist approach is expressed under \nthe terms of \u201csustainable development\u201d or \u201cgreen growth\u201d; to be more \nprecise, the acronym \u201csustainable development\u201d includes ethical \ndimensions such as the reduction of inequalities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those who believe that no reform will be able to change habits or  that the pace of technical progress is insufficient to meet the  challenges call for a revolution ; it is then necessary to paint a  picture of the brighter future, the human sacrifices to achieve it and  to understand which Maginot line will enable an isolated France to  prevent GHGs and others from obscuring our gentle homeland. At a time  when unprecedented means are available to build concrete and quantified  alternative scenarios, it is disappointing to note that while criticism  is often pertinent, constructive proposals that are equal to the  challenges are rarely forthcoming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some believe that, given the scale and urgency of the challenges, \ndemocracy is disarmed and that a dictatorship is an unavoidable solution\n and that this is the price to be paid to save the planet. Of course, \nthis remains to be proven; let us look at China and Russia for some \nanswers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is reason to believe that the ecological transition also \ninvolves a change in individual behaviour and, in particular, the frugal\n consumption advocated by humanist thinkers. For example, reducing the \nconsumption of animal proteins (meat, fish, eggs, dairy products) is \noften cited as a contribution to the fight against pollution on the one \nhand and to supplying the 10 billion people expected on our planet on \nthe other; frugal consumption has two objectives : to favour products \nand services whose production is the least polluting on the one hand, \nand to favour products and services whose consumption is the least \npolluting on the other. This \u201cspontaneous\u201d reduction involves a change \nin cultural habits that is usually quite slow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some articles<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ecological Revolution<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Frugal consumption<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Video<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sustainable development<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Posted on 4 January 2020 by admin1290 An Ecology Primer Ecology from A to Z A for anxiety Rare are the days when we are not reminded of global warming, the intensification of exceptional climatic phenomena, the extent of pollution or the depletion of resources such as fauna, flora, water, soil, subsoil and air against … <\/p>\n
Continuer la lecture de « savearten »<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ekosofi.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/408"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ekosofi.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ekosofi.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ekosofi.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ekosofi.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=408"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/ekosofi.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/408\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":424,"href":"https:\/\/ekosofi.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/408\/revisions\/424"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ekosofi.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=408"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ekosofi.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=408"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ekosofi.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=408"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}