Library Writing Group April 2019

Library Writing Group

April 2019

Something related to gas

    During  winter, one of the things that gives me a lift is a visit to an arboretum.  I especially enjoy Christmas time at Krohns Conservatory in Cincinnati as their “Poinsettia Express” display is delightful. This past winter I had a special treat the end of December when we visited Biosphere2 near Tucson, Arizona.  It was an outstanding experience to see its large domes and learn how the scientists, in cooperation with the University of Arizona, are studying various ecosystems inside the controlled environment the domes provide. Before moving to Ohio, I would visit the Fort Wayne Conservatory during winter.  I have been to the arboretum in MIlwaukee and to the one in Washington DC. To understand the lift I get from visiting these arboretums in mid-winter, we have to return to our grade school science texts. Phrases such as “the oxygen cycle”, “photosynthesis”, and “plant respiration” should remind us that in the winter, when plants are not leafed out,  and there is less of these sorts of processes happening, therefore there is less of our life giving oxygen around us. In fact, scientists have proven there is more carbon dioxide in our air during the winter. A visit to the arboretum which allows us to breathe deep in an oxygen rich environment boosts our spirits. Our air is made up of roughly 21% oxygen and 78% nitrogen.  The rest of the air is made up of other gasses. But when we are in environments that have less oxygen than is optimal we don’t feel well. A good example of this is when we experience altitude sickness at higher altitudes. Many of us have felt queasy at high altitudes and perhaps even dizzy but people with altitude sickness can experience loss of sight, swelling of the body and brain or blood clots in the lungs or brain.  People with lung or heart disease also have low oxygen intake and can have symptoms such as a rapid heart rate, cough and shortness of breath.  Having air to breath, containing the oxygen we need, is necessary to not only maintain our health, but is also crucial to remain alive.

    With all this in mind,  you can see air pollution is a worldwide concern.  In the United States we measure outdoor air pollution as Air Quality Index or AQI.  It is an index of measurements of air conditions across the country based on concentrations of five major pollutants:  1) ground level ozone 2) Particles 3) Carbon Monoxide 4) sulfur dioxide and 5) nitrogen dioxide. Indoor air pollution has some of these same pollutants along with others such as 1) radon, 2) cigarette smoke, 3) volatile organic compounds, which are gasses released from burning fuels, 4)formaldehyde, and 5)asbestos.  According to the American Lung Association around 40% of the United State’s population is at risk for premature death as a result of long term exposure to air pollution. The World Health Association has come to the conclusion through studies that air pollution is a carcinogen to humans. We can reduce our risk to indoor air pollution with proper ventilation and adequate cleaning with safe products.  We can manage our exposure to outdoor air pollution by watching the AQI and not being out in times of heavy traffic. The World Health Organization states that nine out of ten people world wide breathe polluted air. They report 4.2 million deaths a year as a result of outdoor air pollution and 3.8 million deaths a year as a result of indoor air pollution. In fact, air pollution is the cause of one in eight deaths world wide.  It is the leading cause of common killers such as stroke, chronic respiratory disease, lung cancer and heart attack.   The United Nations has several programs we can support to work on improving the air quality of our planet.  One called “breathe life” can be found online at http://breathelife2030.org.  

    Speaking of ways to get involved in nature, while visiting Biospere2 I learned of a program called Nature’s Notebook which is project of the US National Phenology Network.  Phenology is “the study of cyclic and seasonal natural phenomena, especially in relation to climate and plant and animal life.” They have observers, which are everyday people that watch and follow nature in their own backyards and record the information online.  This information is then used by scientists. To become involved learn more at https://www.usanpn.org/nn/why-observe.

For those that have frequent contact with a grandchild this would be a great project to work on together but it would also be fun to do alone as a retiree.  Involving ourselves out in the natural world often fosters a peacefulness within us. During spring we are more aware of the awakening world as things begin to warm and grow. Find your own way to connect with nature today.  And while doing so - take three deep breaths of fresh air