Genetically modified organism’s or GMO’s are a new source of technology that allows scientists to genetically alter organisms to allow them to express certain genes. In plants they are also able to change their genome to give them enhanced abilities, such as resistance to weeds, insects or drought. It can be thought of as giving super powers to plants. However with these mutations comes loss of problems, such as the changed species negative impact on its ecosystem as well as cross-pollination.  GMO’s are shown to have a negative impact on their surrounding environment in an article by Tom Philpott titled “Researchers: GM Crops Are Killing Monarch Butterflies, After All”. He states that a study from the University of Minnesota has given evidence to prove that this is causing a rapid decline in the population of the monarch butterfly. This is because the butterflies relay on milkweed to lay their eggs, which is a weed commonly found on the edges of cornfields. However in 1996 “Roundup Ready” was introduced to the farmers, which were essentially genetically modified seeds that are more resistant to the Roundup herbicide, which is very deadly to milkweed. Since farmers were now able to spray the herbicide all they wanted without fear of damage to their crops the milkweed population quickly diminished by 58% by 2010 and so did the monarch butterflies population by 81%. This article shows the negative impacts of GMO’s through the greater food web. Another concern of genetically modified organisms is there negative impact through cross-pollination. Farmers in Rogue Valley have banned GMO’s because cross pollination can cause farmers not using GMO’s to end up with GMO seeds, which they are not legally allowed to grow or sell the crops of. Cross-pollination is a very real threat since seeds can travel up to 6 miles, potentially making a lot of farmers land unusable once infected with GMO’s. By banning these organisms from the area farmers are able to sell to local markets and protect their livelihood and business from cross contamination.

Works Cited

Researchers: GM Crops Are Killing Monarch Butterflies, After All

http://www.examiner.com/city-buzz-in-medford/genetically-modified-crops-threat-rallies-rogue-valley

Vancouver metro makes data for concentration of different emissions in the atmosphere available for all different cities through out the province. Each air monitoring station in Vancouver represents about 112 km2, and serves about 8400 people. Tokyo, has approximately 83 air monitoring sites, in an area of 13 500 km2 and services about 36.6 million people. This means each air monitoring station represents about 440 000 people, and covers and area of about 166 km2. The volume of Tokyo is he making air pollution much harder to control since it is so densely populated. However Tokyo varies in its density, the downtown core would have many more people, but in the down town more people take subways and public transit as well offsetting there pollution. Studies have shown that the air pollution is improving in Tokyo in recent years. All automobile emissions measuring station met the environmental standards of suspended particulate matter in recent years. Since 1970 the government of Japan has been much more strict with its environmental standards for air quality, with the CO2 now at 1/5th of what it used to be in 1970. Overall Tokyo has made large improvements in air quality considering its vast population.