For this assignment, you will research and write an APA research paper about environmental policies, including the following:

• Choose 1 U.S. environmental law. State the name of the law and the date the law was passed.
• Summarize the major provisions of the law that you chose.
• Describe the economic impact of the law. Provide specific economic data from credible references.
• Has the law improved the environment or situation? Provide specific data from credible references.
• Do you think that sound science has proven that global warming is a credible threat or not?
• Should the United States adopt additional policies or laws to curb greenhouse gas emissions?
• What should these policies or laws regulate or encourage?
• Use specific facts to defend your position.

Please submit your assignment in your assignment box.

For assistance with your assignment, please use your text, intellipath, and course materials.

The following grading rubric will be used for grading:

Student Instructions

For each assignment, you will use the M.U.S.E. link to complete the lab. Access the M.U.S.E. by clicking on Learning Materials.

In this lab, you will determine how an invasive species—the zebra and quagga mussel—affects other species in the freshwater lake. Use the animation to help you come up with an answer to the following:

• Why do you see increases and decreases in the invasive species population?
• What are the implications associated with these alterations to the ecosystem as a whole?

The Effects of Zebra and Quagga Mussels Introduced into a Freshwater Lake

As you have learned, population dynamics are caused by the biotic potential of the population and the effects of environmental resistance. When there is minimal environmental resistance impacting a population, it will exhibit a population explosion. One reason for minimal resistance could be factors that no longer regulate a population (e.g., predator decline or resource increases). Another reason for a population explosion is the introduction of an invasive species. Invasive species are species foreign to an ecosystem and are not immediately regulated by the environmental restraints of the particular ecosystem that they invade. This in turn allows their populations to grow seemingly uncontrolled and to displace other indigenous populations. Examples of such an invasive species into North America are dreissenid mussels, commonly known as zebra and quagga mussels. Their introduction into the Great Lakes has caused economic hardship and a reorganization of the ecosystem. This has led, in part, to pollution-causing effects that can be linked to an alga known as Cladophora.

Ecosystems are webs of intricately balanced interactions, what happens when a new species is introduced that uses a disproportionate share of the ecosystem’s resources?

Using the M.U.S.E. link, review the background information and animation to complete your report.

Use the Lab 5 worksheet for assignment instructions and data collection.

Please submit your completed assignment.

For assistance with your assignment, please use your text, Web resources, and all course materials.

Student Instructions

For each assignment, you will use the M.U.S.E. link to complete the lab. Access the M.U.S.E. by clicking on Learning Materials.

In this lab, you will see the time progression of impacts associated with either coal-fired or nuclear power plants for electricity generation to help you write up a scientific paper that centers on the following:

• Given that the current 2 primary sources of electricity generation are coal and nuclear power plants, which of these sources is better for human sustainability?

Analyze Energy Sources Lab

Everything people do in their daily lives involves the consumption of resources—particularly energy. With respect to energy, electricity is one of the most important resources consumed and also one of the highest in demand. Traditionally, fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas, and oil have dominated the U.S. energy mix; however, as it is well-known, carbon-emitting energy sources are very detrimental to the environment and are contributing to global warming. Fortunately, alternative energy resources such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal power are becoming more efficient and prevalent in today’s energy economy.

Using the M.U.S.E. link, review the background information and gather your data.

Use the Lab 4 worksheet for assignment instructions and data collection.

Please submit your completed assignment.

For assistance with your assignment, please use your text, Web resources, and all course materials.

Pollutants can harm ecosystem function and may also harm human health.

You will write an APA-style research paper about pollutants, their impacts, and mitigation of harmful effects. Include the following:

• Select 1 example of an environmental pollutant from the following list:
• Acid precipitation/ Acid rain
• Smog
• DDT pesticide use
• Eutrophication
• Answer the following questions about the pollution problem that you chose:
• Describe the pollutant chosen and the source of the pollutants. Include both natural and human sources, as applicable.
• Is this a point-source pollutant or nonpoint-source pollutant? Explain.
• What are the harmful impacts of the pollution?
• Describe impacts to both humans and to ecosystem structure and function.
• What steps are in place to eliminate the pollutant or to mitigate harm from the pollutant?
• Describe examples of laws or regulations that apply to the pollution and its sources.
• Also, describe educational programs, technology, or other initiatives that are used to help control the pollution.
• Have the programs, best management practices, or regulations been effective in resolving harm from the pollutant?
• Give examples of progress, or explain with examples what more could be done.

Please submit your assignment.

For assistance with your assignment, please use your text, other credible references, intellipath, and course materials.

The following rubric will be used for grading: