The effect of global warming on polar ice caps

The effect of global warming on polar ice caps and sea level 

Overview: Earth's temperature increased half a degree celsius over the last 100 years. It might not seem like much but according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the sea level has risen 6 to 8 inches (15-20 cm) in the last 100 years. 

Overview of Iceberg: Icebergs are chunks of frozen glaciers that break off from landmasses and fall into the ocean. The rising temperature may cause more icebergs to form by weakening the glaciers, causing more cracks and making ice more likely to break off-as soon as the ice falls into the ocean, the ocean rises a little. 

Polar ice caps: 

The main ice covered landmass is Antarctica at the South Pole and it is about 90 percent of the world's ice. Antarctica is covered with ice an average of 7,000 feet (2,133 meters) thick. If polar ice caps melted, the sea levels around. If all of the Antarctic ice melted, sea levels around the world would rise about 61 meters (200 feet). But the average temperature in Antarctica is -37°C, so the ice there is in no danger of melting. In fact in most parts of the continent it never gets above freezing.

There is a significant amount of ice covering Greenland, which would add another 7 meters (20 feet) to the oceans if it melted. Because Greenland is closer to the equator than Antarctica, the temperatures there are higher, so the ice is more likely to melt.

But there might be a less dramatic reason than polar ice melting for the higher ocean level -- the higher temperature of the water. Water is most dense at 4 degrees Celsius. Above and below this temperature, the density of water decreases (the same weight of water occupies a bigger space). So as the overall temperature of the water increases it naturally expands a little bit making the oceans rise.

In 1995 the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change issued a report which contained various projections of the sea level change by the year 2100. They estimate that the sea will rise 50 centimeters (20 inches) with the lowest estimates at 15 centimeters (6 inches) and the highest at 95 centimeters (37 inches). The rise will come from thermal expansion of the ocean and from melting glaciers and ice sheets. Twenty inches is no small amount -- it could have a big effect on coastal cities, especially during storms.

Public Health problem-HIV/AIDS among Russian inmates

HIV/AIDS among Russian inmates

Overview of the issue: HIV prevalence rate in Russia is ranked 47th according to the CIA profile website. According to WHO Europe, the Russian Federation reported that the prevalence HIV rate among prisoners has rapidly increased in 2007. HIV/AIDS is a serious concern for prison populations across central Asia and Europe. Prisons are extremely high risk environment for transmission of HIV-poor nutrition, limited health care, drug use and unprotected sex. The incarceration rate in Russian Federation in 2008 was 629 person per 100,000. 
In 2010, the officials estimated that 55,000 of Russia's 864,000 inmates were infected with HIV. 

Public Health concern: This particular issue is world wide. It isn't just in Russia. It is more popular concern than any other continent. Russia's poorly manged prison system is being scrutinized. Not only this poorly managed prison systems a high risk environment for HIV/AIDS but drug-resistance Tuberculosis as well. 

Education: I believe that this issue is from lack of education on sharing needles for drug use and unprotected sex. For the inmates in Russia, they should be educated and be more careful about drug use and the method. 

Moscow, Russia Federation

The 1980 Mount St. Helens Eruption

The 1980 Mount St. Helens Eruption

Overview of the Eruption: In May 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted. Mount St. Helens is located in Gifford Pinchot National Forest Washington, USA. According to History channel, St. Helens erupted between 1600s and 1700s and became quiet in 1857. Because the status of the activity in 1857, Mount St. Helens was assumed to be dormant. In March of 1980, there was a 4.1 magnitude earthquake. In April, there were rock slides. In May, a 5.1 magnitude earthquake occurred, and Mount St. Helens erupted. The eruption lasted 9 hours. The plume of ash reached 10 miles high. It killed everything within a 200 square mile area.

Impact: The eruption destroyed the entire forest. About 7000 large animals were killed including elk, deer and bears. Thousands of small animals were killed. Mudslide occurred caused by melted snow. It destroyed approximately 200 houses and contaminated rivers, lakes and creeks. 57 people died from this eruption or still considered missing.

Public health concerns: According to National Institute of Health library, this eruption caused respiratory illness from the ash. Ash fell as far as 930 miles, and 76% of the victims suffocated, 12% for thermal issue and 12% were trauma. The victims had significant psychiatric problem such as depression, hallucination and PTSD (Post-trauma stress disorder). The victims had asphyxiation from ash inhalation. Ash from the eruption was not acutely toxic but contained 3% to 7% crystalline free silica, which could cause potential pneumoconiosis. 

Now, Mount St. Helens is only 8,363 feet tall- 1314 ft shorter than it was before. 

The map of Gifford Pinchot National Forest Washington, USA, where Mount St. Helens eruption occured in 1980.

This eruption in Washington, USA caused 57 deaths and public health problems such as asthma and chronic bronchitis from ashes from the eruption.

See a full clip of the eruption: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-H_HZVY1tT4