Module 5: Case Studies – Development

My first case study was found on IRIN News – Environment and is linked here: http://www.umich.edu/~snre492/kendziuk.html. The article is about Native Americans being exposed to low-level doses of radiation. The exposure is not limited to just one source; Uranium mining, milling, conversion, and enrichment are all frequented as the United States is rich with uranium deposits. The American Indian Religious Freedom Act (AIRFA) was passed in 1978 which was intended to safely dispose of nuclear waste. One of the locations allotted was Yucca Mountain, where tribes are concerned of the health effects of the waste. The National Environmental Coalition of Native Americans, formed in 1993, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are two major actors at play. There is a lack of sustainable development when the health of the community is threatened.

My second case study is linked here: http://earthjustice.org/features/the-case-of-the-vanishing-honey-bee#. The topic is interesting to me as I have a friend that studies various environmental activities and is highly interested in this vanishing honey bee ‘phenomenon’ of sorts. The article highlights the massive hit the honey bee population has taken suddenly. Many colonies lost 30% and some lost as much as 80%, as extreme as these statistics sound, they are claimed to be underestimations of the current problem bee colonies are facing. This is an issue that is massively underreported and should be a concern to everyone on Earth. Bees are extremely useful in cultivating crops due to their pollination. The decrease in bees can effect crops which can effect humans due to our reliance on crops for food and production.

In my hometown of Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania I may not be directly affected by the first case study, Native American radiation exposure in Yucca Mountain, but I am strongly affected by the results of the second case study, a huge drop off in honey bee population. This result affects the development where I live as the bee’s pollination affects crops and the crops affect food consumption and production. These all contribute themselves to life expectancy, nourishment, and production of materials. The threat to honey bees strongly affects agricultural development negatively.

2 thoughts on “Module 5: Case Studies – Development

  1. Hi Dylan, I thought your piece on bees going away was really interesting. Same with the nuclear waste. Although it’s not the same as what the native americans are experiencing, I do live within 5 miles of a nuclear power plant and it does bother me to a degree as to what Pottstown has been exposed to in the past 30 years of our powerplant being there. I have also noticed a decrease in honey bees too which as you said changes a lot of factors in our lives.

    Check out my blog post! http://geog030.dutton.psu.edu/2016/02/27/mod-5-tyler-brackbill/

  2. Hi, I also discussed an article on bees and the possible reasons for there disappearance along with implications around the world. I have heard of local farmers in my small town in Pennsylvania loosing hives so this does hit close to home.
    The nuclear waste disposal could effect us if they change the location to somewhere close to hear or if the onsite storage currently in effect in a nuclear plant relatively close to here has any issues.
    For the second article I used, there was a discussion of the pros and cons of government funded healthcare. Check it out at:
    http://sites.psu.edu/geog30/2016/02/27/bees-and-healthcare/

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