FEBRUARY 2022
UIUC
The Green Observer
The Winter Issue THE ONLY STUDENT-RUN ENVIRONMENTAL PUBLICATION ON CAMPUS
MADE POSSIBLE BY:
Editor's Note With the introduction of the Omicron variant, 2021 and 2022 have been a hectic winter so far. As always, we hope our readers have remained safe this winter and are enjoying any cold weather that has come your way! This issue we will be exploring Net Zero emissions, the forestry industry, rose production, and more. As an environmental publication we strive to bring you diverse stories about environmental topics. In the coming future, we're excited to bring you even more content.
As always, enjoy your time reading our publication. Nature is flexible and tumultuous with ever-changing updates to the policies and actions that shape it. Happy winter!
Zoe Huspen
LexiDelmonico
ZOE HUSPEN AND LEXI DELMONICO EDITORS-IN-CHIEF
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Our Staff
Grace Finnel-Guwein
Reid Wilson
Maggie Sampson
Zoe Huspen
Julia San Miguel
Lexi Delmonico
Jocelyn Gonzalez
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Table of Contents Delmonico 4-6 San Miguel 8-10 Gonzalez 11-12 Sampson 13-14 Wilson 15-17 Huspen 18-19 Finnel-Gudwein 20-21
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THE ENVIRONMENT: NARRATED written by Lexi Delmonico
This next piece composites a collection of perspectives from the Dictionary of Political Quotes edited by Lewis D. Eigen and Jonathon P. Siegel. The different views represent how over the course of history our relationship with environmentalism and natural resources has changed little. The book where these quotes were acquired from was published in 1994, making the content dated in some ways but painfully present in others. When reading these quotes you will come to understand how climate inaction transcends across party lines, and how environmental hopes and fears are universal across time. This is an eternal element of the human condition. It is a part of us. There is something humbling, sanguine, and almost breathtaking about this fact. It enlightens us to the fallibility of not only our future, but maybe even ourselves. You will find anger in some quotes, agreement with others, and a few that are so preposterous you have to laugh at them. I invite you to join me on this narrated epic that has led to the modern environmental conservation movement. Thank you.
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“The real owners of the land are not yet born.” -Canadian Indian saying
In response to a drought that threatened New York’s water supply “It’ll go away only if we make it go away-- by not using water.” -Mario Cuomo, Governor of New York (D). Quoted in The New York Times, Mar. 18. 1989
“The common people who marched for the right to vote must now march for the right to breathe” -Jesse L. Jackson, Shadow Senator (D-DC). Mar. 29, 1990.
“Drink seltzer.” -Edward I. Koch, US Congressman and Mayor of New York City (D). Comment when told by a woman that the water in her sink was coming out brown. How’m I Doing, 1981.
I think that I shall never see / A billboard lovely as a tree / Indeed, unless the billboards fall / I’ll never see a tree at all. -Ogden Nash, American poet. 1937.
“Everything is good when it leaves the hands of the Creator; everything degenerates in the hands of man.” -Jean-Jacques Rousseau, French philosopher. Emile, 1762
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“We are prone to speak of the resources of this country as inexhaustible; this is not so. The mineral wealth of the country, the coal, iron, oil, gas, and the like, does not reproduce itself, and therefor is certain to be exhausted ultimately; and wastefulness in dealing with it today means that our descendants will feel the exhaustion a generation or two before they otherwise would.” -Theodore Roosevelt. Annual message to Congress, Mar. 4, 1907
“Man was not made for the world, but the world made for man.” -Apocrypha, Baruch 14:18
“The only way to protect areas that are economically and ecologically valuable is to keep oil out.” -Lisa Speer, National Resources Defense Council. Comment on the danger of oil spills at sea and difficulty in mounting emergency cleanups. New York Times, April 2, 1989.
“Has the white man become a child that he should slay and not eat?” -Santana, Chief of Kiowa Native Americans. Observation on white people hunting for sport. Statement to the Medicine Lodge Grand Council, Oct. 1867.
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The Realities of Net Zero Emissions Written by Julia San Miguel In early November, the world watched Glasgow as the United Nations held their 26th Climate Conference, more commonly referred to as COP26. Nearly two hundred parties met to discuss and debate climate policy as climate scientists have become increasingly aware of the potential devastating effects of climate change. Above all, one oft-repeated phrase has stood out in discussions of future environmental policy – “net zero emissions.” The Paris Agreement of 2015 outlined the urgency of ensuring that warming of the planet stays “well below 2°C” of pre-industrial levels. The agreement, however, does not outline exactly how each participating party should do this; instead, it is up to the countries themselves to determine how best to prevent catastrophic warming. As of 2021, eighty-one countries have pledged to have “net zero” carbon emissions by 2050, the midpoint of the century. On the surface, this is a sound idea, as the absence of new carbon emissions would prevent further warming of the planet. However, the reality of net zero emissions is not so simple.
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Net zero is not the same as no emissions at all. The theory behind net zero emissions takes the form of “carbon in, carbon out.” Carbon emissions can continue well into the future, so long as they are offset by some form of carbon capture. Examples of carbon capture can include natural methods, like the rejuvenation and expansion of forests that trap carbon to prevent it from escaping into the atmosphere. The issue with net zero emissions lies in the reliance of unnatural, human-invented methods to prevent greenhouse gases from polluting the atmosphere, known as “carbon capture technology.” Many of these technologies have not been invented yet, and are not a sound nor reliable way to remove carbon at the same rate as it is produced. The issue with relying too heavily on future scientific advancements to provide global relief from climate change is that this way of thinking does not require policymakers to act urgently now. As of today, there is still no reliable method of scientifically storing carbon on Earth without letting it escape into the atmosphere. Various projects over the years have been deemed infeasible due to their high resource use, requirements of cultivated land, and/or simply being unable to remove carbon on as large of a scale as is needed considering expected future fossil fuel use. Greta Thunberg, famous Swedish climate activist, has been a loud skeptic of net zero emissions, calling agreements that rely heavily on them “empty”, “vague”, and “loopholes”. She urges the importance of moving away from fossil fuels altogether and embracing renewable energy, which technology currently does exist for, to significantly curb global emissions and prevent further warming of the planet. She’s not alone; climate scientists have expressed an increasing worry in the growing popularity of net zero emissions as an answer to climate issues in major environmental policy. John Kerry, the Special Climate Envoy for the U.S., has admitted himself that half of all future emissions will come from future technologies. Many of these future technologies, to reiterate, have not yet been invented; this means future climate breakthroughs are not ready yet, when the effects of climate change are felt now. The simple truth is that the sooner emissions are cut, the better off the world will be. Relying on future net zero targets gives policymakers the easy way out, where 2050 can be thought of as a far-off year that requires no significant action be taken now. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way. Without strict enforcement of climate policies that require decisive action, emissions continue to rise at a rate that outpaces renewable energy use year after year. Unless this changes, future technologies will be up to the daunting task of offsetting the many gigatons of
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carbon released into the atmosphere each year with a very quick turnaround. This would be a truly monumental task, and cannot be the only thing between current emission trends and the carrying out of the Paris Agreement’s goal of keeping warming well below 2° Celsius. World leaders are in a unique position where the decisions they make and enforce regarding climate now will have an irreversible effect on the world’s future generations, good or bad. Some decisions, like choosing to expand the renewable energy sector rapidly, will have quicker and better outcomes for the planet in a long term setting compared to waiting for net zero technologies to develop. The world is not on pace to meet climate goals on its current trajectory. Current plans see the world warming an additional 2.5° C by the end of the century. As attractive as net zero targets are on the surface, they are ultimately a monumental gamble on something as precarious as the future of our planet.
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Winter Recipes to Warm the Colder Days and Add Some Flavor to your Life Written by Jocelyn Gonzalez Roasted red pepper and pumpkin soup By Britneybreaksbread Link:https://britneybreaksbread.com/roasted-red-pepper-and-pumpkin-soup/ Directions 1.Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. 2 Prepare red peppers by cutting off the stem and removing seeds.Remove skin from onions and any stems from the tomatoes. Dice garlic finely. Add to a dutch oven and sprinkle with olive oil. Add thyme, red pepper flakes, sage, and salt and pepper to taste. 3 Cover dutch oven with a lid and roast in the oven for 30 minutes.Remove from the oven and blend with an immersion blender or a blender until the veggies are smooth. Add pumpkin and coconut milk and stir until mixed in. Simmer on low heat for 5-10 minutes 4 Garnish with fresh sage and bread. Serves 8 cooking time: around 45 min Ingredients: 3 tbsps olive oil 3 red peppers 2 sweet onions 3 heirloom tomatoes,small 4 cloves garlic,diced 1 tsp thyme, dried ½ tsp sage dried 1 tsp red pepper flakes 15 oz canned pumpkin 1 cup cup coconut milk, canned 3-4 fresh sage leaves for garnish
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Vegan Apple crumb Bars By barbarafoodcravings Link https://barbarasfoodcravings.com/healthy-apple-crumble-bars/ Directions 1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF/180ºC and line an 8x8 inch square pan with parchment paper. 2. In a mixing bowl combine oats, almond flour, cinnamon, almond butter, vanilla extract, coconut sugar, and maple syrup. Mix until combined. 3. Transfer half of the mixture into the prepared tin and press to the bottom with the bottom of a glass. 4. For the filling mix the homemade apple sauce with cornstarch and cinnamon. 5. Pour the filling over the prepared crust. Top with remaining to crumble and bake for 40 minutes or until golden brown on top. 6. Let the bars cool down completely before slicing.
Serves: 12 cooking time: approx 50 min Ingredients 1 1/2 cup oats 3/4 cup almond flour 3/4 cup almond butter 3/4 cup maple syrup 1/3 cup coconut sugar 2 tsp cinnamon separated 1 tsp vanilla extract 2 1/2 cups homemade applesauce 2 tbsp cornstarch
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Winter Climate Trends in ChampaignUrbana Written by Maggie Sampson Those accustomed to the ChampaignUrbana climate know that this past fall semester was a particularly warm one. While not having to wear a jacket until late October seems like a luxury, it may unfortunately become the new normal. Nearly all of the Midwest has a humid continental climate, meaning that temperatures vary greatly from summer to winter and there is substantial precipitation year-round. But, over the past few decades, the rate of warming in the Midwest has markedly accelerated. Between 1900 and 2010, the average Midwest air temperature increased by more than 1.5°F. However, between 1980 and 2010, temperatures increased three times as quickly as it did from 1900 to 2010. Meaning, not only has there been a noticeable increase in temperature, but also a notable increase in the rate of warming. With major agricultural lands, the Great Lakes, and some of the nation’s largest cities, the Midwestern geography is ripe for supporting and sustaining life. Some of our major industries like recreation, tourism, fishing, and commerce depend on the ecosystems and geography of the Great Lakes and expansive northern forests. The
Midwest, a region historically involved in factory/industry, already faces pollution and invasive species pressure that will, unfortunately, be intensified by climate change. For the Champaign-Urbana region, an area heavily involved in agriculture, the extreme weather events caused by climate change can lead to changes in pests and disease prevalence, increased competition from non-native species, ecosystem disturbances, atmospheric pollutants, and economic shocks such as crop failures/reduced yields. Considering that climate change tends to amplify existing climate-related risks, the projected effects of global warming may alter ecological and socioeconomic patterns in ways that are detrimental on the local and large scale. Increased heat stress, drought, flooding, and late spring freezes are just some of the ways that Midwestern climates are altered by climate change. This is especially concerning because at-risk communities in the Midwest are becoming more vulnerable to climate change impacts. Flooding, drought, and increases in urban heat islands all impact communities that do not have adequate resources to deal with the consequences of climate change.
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Here, we can see a gradual rise in average annual temperature in Champaign, IL. These trends are consistent with the NOAA’s 2020 Annual Climate Report, which shows the combined land and ocean temperature have increased at an average rate of 0.13 degrees Fahrenheit per decade since 1880 and has doubled since 1981.
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Reforestation written by Reid Wilson
In building an abundant and verdant future, there is a job for everyone. Good luck. May the winds be with us. -Saul Griffith, Rewiring America
Deforestation accounts for 2.2% of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions1. Most of the time, when analyzing greenhouse gas emissions and quantities, one is inclined to consider things like energy production, where through a process of combustion CO2 is released into the atmosphere. When we look at forests, however, we have to consider that they act as the lungs of Earth, taking in CO2 and emitting O2. Some groups estimate deforestation could be responsible for 1015% of net worldwide CO2 emissions (with deforestation acting as a negative variable)1. Forests are fantastic at reducing humankind’s carbon footprint, and humans are constantly tearing them apart for farmland, lumber, fuel, or to use in paper goods.
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If forests cover more than 30% of the Earth’s land surface (WWF)1, then why is cutting some trees down such a big deal? Every tree makes a massive difference in the global ecosystem (called the biosphere) by actively photosynthesizing a large amount of CO2 into sugar and O2. Forests are also some of the most biodiverse areas on the planet. Eighty Percent of the Earth’s land animals and plants are housed in forest ecosystems1. To some, it seems as though slightly reduced habitat area should not largely affect these organisms, but in reality each organism plays a vital role in maintaining a homeostatic environment, and any change to this balance could completely collapse a historically successful ecosystem.
are becoming increasingly volatile, and people living off the land in places like Brazil facing massive deforestation are finding it more difficult to gather resources every day. The University of Maryland found that in 2017, 61,000 square miles of forest were lost2. That is about the size of Rhode Island, Delaware, Connecticut, Hawaii, New Jersey, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maryland combined3. A small amount of harvest is sustainable as long as it is replaced afterwards, but the current rate of depletion makes a complete natural return almost impossible, and replanting will not bring back the former strength of an ecosystem within a sustainable timespan unless each tree cut down is replaced.
The majority of time, deforestation occurs not for the organic goods themselves, but the rich soil beneath them. Deforestation mostly occurs to free up space for livestock and cropland. Agriculture accounts for roughly 80% of global deforestation1. This massive industry relies on the death of ecosystems at a rapid rate to support the demand they face every day. There is also a large amount of illegal deforestation, mostly targeting palm oil, wood, coffee, avocados and coca (which is synthesized into cocaine). These practices are unregulated and of indeterminable quantity. At first glance, forest harvest seems difficult to live without, but there are other factors to the forest that grant our global economy some benefit, and would make life without deforestation more practical.
Frances Seymour, an associate of the World Resources Institute describes our global climate change response as “trying to put out a house fire with a teaspoon”2. So what can be done? Each person can do their best to eat less meat, consume fewer goods, and watch your product use (including, but not limited to, palm oil and fossil fuels)1. Individuals can also make a massive difference through educating others in environmental conservation and remediation, attending protests or signing petitions, and voting for politicians who care about environmental issues. In the end, it only takes one activist or Earth Ally to create change. Organizations planting trees (such as Youtube’s “Team Trees”), protesting certain goods, and encouraging ordinary people to live with a smaller carbon footprint have the power to slow climate change and, eventually, turn it around. All in all, everyone has the power to make a difference. Plant a tree. Teach others about the good that they have the power to do. Make change a reality.
54.4 Million people have jobs related to forests (including those working in the forest sector, numbering 13.4 million)2. With a 5000-13000 square yard area of forest lost every second due to deforestation, these jobs
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Sources Team, You Matter. “What Is Deforestation? Definition, Causes, Effects and Solutions to Stop It.” Youmatter, YouMatter, 13 May 2020, https://youmatter.world/en/definition/definitionswhat-is-definition-deforestation-causes-effects/ Derouin, Sarah. “Deforestation: Facts, Causes & Effects | Live Science.” Livescience.Com, Live Science, 6 Nov. 2019, https://www.livescience.com/27692deforestation.html. Data, Key. “List of US States by Size.” List of US States By Size, In Square Miles, 2021, https://state.1keydata.com/states-by-size.php
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Roses: A Sustainable Way to Your Heart? written by Zoe Huspen One particular holiday every year conjures images of chocolate, red hearts, and flowers. Many lovers purchase red roses as a sign of affection for their partner on Valentine's Day. Although roses are a pleasing sight, the journey they take to get to you comes with a hidden cost. The $2 billion dollars spent on flowers by Americans in 2019 were mostly roses that were transported from Latin America. Throughout the year, roses are flown to the United States on passenger planes. As Valentine's Day approaches, 30 cargo jets travel from Colombia and Ecuador to the United States every single day for a threeweek period, resulting in 15,000 tons of flowers to hand to your lover. These flights simultaneously bear symbols of love and environmental impacts. Fossil fuels power the engine of the plane and contribute greenhouse gas emissions to an already precarious climate situation that we find ourselves in. Transportation makes up 28 percent of emissions from the United States. Although roses are not the sole cause of these issues, they do contribute a carbon footprint of about 360,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide each year. Here is a quick guide if you are looking to reduce your environmental impact regarding the purchase of roses this Valentine's Day. 1. Shop locally! Similarly to the fresh produce at your local grocery store, it is environmentally friendly to buy flowers that are in season from a locally grown source. I would suggest supporting your local flower shops in the area, as this will largely reduce the environmental
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impact of flower transportation. Abbott's Florist, Fleurish, and April's Florist are all local options if you find yourself in the Champaign-Urbana area. 2. Look at the labels. If shopping locally is not an option, there are numerous certifications in Latin American countries that will label flowers similarly to produce that is considered organic or cruelty-free. The main difference is these standards are based on adherence to environmentally friendly practices and other labor standards. Although these distinctions may be helpful when choosing flower purchases, it is important to keep in mind that these labels are not federally regulated and examined. 3. Create a homemade bouquet! If you are feeling particularly crafty this Valentine's Day, buying a small pot and seed from your local hardware store could grow a unique flower. What better way to share your admiration than something grown with a little water and a lot of love? (That is, if the climate of your backyard supports it.)
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How Illinois Animals Take on Winter written by Grace Finnel-Gudwein When the weather turns cold and winter comes here in Illinois, the cozy, soft sweaters come out, the warm, crackling fireplaces are lit, and delicious, stick-to-your-bones meals are prepared. Animals in the state, though, do not have this luxury. Instead, they have their own mechanisms for surviving the winter. From hibernation, to migration, to a chilly staycation, native Illinois animals all have their own unique ways to survive the cold winters. One Illinois animal that hibernates over the winter is the groundhog. The same animal as a woodchuck, groundhogs are a true hibernating species, which means when they go to sleep in the winter, their metabolism, body temperature, and heart rate all drop. For groundhogs, this means their breathing rate drops to two breaths per minute, 37 degrees Fahrenheit body temperature, and five heart beats per minute, according to the National Wildlife Federation.Hibernation begins as early as late October and can last until early
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March, says the Prairie State Wildlife. Groundhogs hibernate for these four to five months in homemade burrows on the edges of open woodlands, such as near fences or trees. Some burrows have up to five entrances, can be five feet deep, and over sixty feet long. Besides hibernation, other Illinois animals migrate to warmer areas. One of these animals is the ruby-throated hummingbird. Flapping its wings up to fifty times per second, these little birds migrate south from Illinois and other eastern states all the way to Mexico, Costa Rica, and Panama, according to the Audubon Society. Some hummingbirds choose to go straight across the Gulf of Mexico, a nonstop, almost five hundred mile flight lasting around twenty hours. The bird may lose about a fourth of its body weight during the trip, according to the Hummingbirds website. Other hummingbirds, though, take the long way, curving around the coast of Texas. This migration south begins around late August to early September, and the migration home starts in January. If an animal does not sleep through or fly away from winter, it likely just toughs out the cold Illinois season. White-tailed deer, for example, stay in Illinois year round. To survive the cold months, deer grow a fur coat of guard hairs, which are thicker and warmer than their normal fur and absorb more sunlight, according to the Reconnect with Nature website. They also produce more oils that repel water and snow from penetrating their fur. Deer also retain more fat before winter, and they eat more calorie dense food throughout the season. These foods include nuts, berries, and their usual vegetation; sometimes the deer must dig in the snow to find enough food to eat. Finally, they become less active to conserve energy and gather in areas free of large amounts of snow and strong winds. These examples are just a few of the many native Illinois animals that find ways to survive the winter. All of these animals are unique, just like their survival mechanisms, and they demonstrate how special native Illinois animals truly are. This winter, when you are cozy at home, remember these critters that are roughing it out there, whether they are asleep underground, flying across the Gulf of Mexico, or in your own frozen backyard.
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We would like to end this issue by acknowledging that at the University of Illinois we are on the lands of the Peoria, Kaskaskia, Peankashaw, Wea, Miami, Mascoutin, Odawa, Sauk, Mesquaki, Kickapoo, Ojibwe, Ho-Chunk, Menominee, and Chickasha Nations. These lands were the traditional territory of these Native Nations prior to their forced removal; these lands continue to carry the stories of these Nations and their struggles for survival and identity. As an environmental magazine, it is necessary for us to acknowledge these Native Nations and work with them to promote indigenous rights, especially to land, water, and other natural resources. For our non-Native readers, we encourage you to take the time to explore indigenous issues local to your area to become better allies and provide support for said issues.
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I offer my expertise, emotion, and activism. I offer my mind, my heart, and my hands ZUZANA CAPUTOVA
