UIUC
APRIL 2022
The Green Observer The Spring Issue THE ONLY STUDENT-RUN ENVIRONMENTAL PUBLICATION ON CAMPUS
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Editor's Note Spring is finally here folks! I don't know about you guys, but every time the seasons change it feels worse and worse every year. Climate change will remain a constant threat that is felt every time it's too hot or too cold. During these moments, remember the power of positive change and don't let climate anxiety get you down. This issue we will be exploring the positives of climate and the environment. Spring bird migrations, outdoor activities and spring cleaning tips, water use, and more.
Keep an eye out for environmental policies and news to continue to educate yourself. Be kind to yourself when the news gets stressful, and get ready to enjoy the Spring sun. Happy Spring!
Zoe Huspen
LexiDelmonico
ZOE HUSPEN AND LEXI DELMONICO EDITORS-IN-CHIEF
Our Staff
Reid Wilson
Julia San Miguel
Maggie Sampson
Anna Logan
Lexi Delmonico
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Table of Contents Wilson 3-4 Sampson 5-6 Photos 7-8 San Miguel 9-10 Logan 11 Photo 12 Delmonico 13-14 Sampson 15-16 Photos 17-18 Closing 19-20
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Personal vs. Industrial Water Use “Turn off the faucet while you brush your teeth.”
This infographic represents many of the most manufacturing water-intensive products in an average American's possession. Let’s roughly calculate an individual’s annual water use resulting from the production of the items featured in the infographic: a daily steak, a new car every eleven-and-a-half years, two cups of coffee a day, three pairs of jeans and ten shirts a year, five 60-watt light bulbs running twelve hours a day for a year, and one new phone every two years.
This water conservation tip, accompanied by a chorus of similar recommendations, are things that we have all been told since childhood. But how does our personal water use footprint compare to the water that goes into products which we use every day? I have put together an infographic to demonstrate the amount of water that goes into one of each of a variety of products which we use daily.
Adding these calculations up to total annual water use brings us to 731,866.3 gallons of water annually for these products. Now compare that to Water.Phila.Gov’s estimated 101.5 gallons per day of personal water use resulting in 37,047.5 gallons annually for things like showering, taking a bath, brushing your teeth, washing dishes, and flushing the toilet. The products
Written by Reid Wilson
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(strictly featured in the infographic, which we consume annually) require 19.75 times as much water as we use within our living environment on personal care and hygiene. Now, this pessimistic figure should not be cause for dismay. With this knowledge, what can be done to reduce our hydrological footprint? The Green Observer has many articles detailing how to thrift effectively. Thrifting doesn’t just have to involve clothes; buying used cars, getting local or homegrown food, and passing an old phone along are all ways by which we can collectively reduce this Olympic-sized pool figure. It is also vital to remember that all water use reduction matters, and any action taken towards environmental sustainability is a good one. So turn off the sink while you brush! Cut your shower time by a couple of minutes! Stop drinking water! Joking about that last one of course, but let’s do what we can, and work together to fight a global water shortage.
Sources Billock, J., 2022. How much water it takes to create 30 common items. [online] Stacker. Available at: <https://stacker.com/stories/2592/howmuch-water-it-takes-create-30common-items> [Accessed 2 April 2022]. Water.phila.gov. 2022. Gallons Used Per Person Per Day. [online] Available at: <https://water.phila.gov/pool/files/homewater-use-ig5.pdf> [Accessed 2 April 2022].
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Small Steps Towards Eating Sustainably written by Maggie Sampson As our planet continues to face the effects of climate change, the conversation around living sustainably is more prevalent than ever before. Using solar panels, thrifting, and recycling are just a few of the many ways people can adjust their lifestyles for a more manageable future. Unfortunately, it is typical for individual efforts to feel futile in comparison to the influence of industries like fossil fuels, plastics, and big agriculture. Oftentimes, the task seems too large for any individual to take on their own. Luckily, there is a clear rise in involvement with eating sustainably—one of the most influential changes we can make for the environment and our health. Due to an increasing demand for natural and organic food, more people are attending farmers markets. Every year, markets that sell organic products report more customers per week, more vendors, and larger monthly sales. The draw to naturally produced foods shows a growing concern for both what people are putting into their bodies and how it is produced. As a result, more farmers are adopting practices that help to improve, rather than degrade, the natural environment. Farmers Markets provide an outlet for community members to find and purchase local, sustainably grown food. Since the
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farmers involved engage in environmentallyfriendly practices, they are able to provide fresh and healthy food to individuals who, in turn, provide the money necessary to help the farmers’ businesses; creating a mutually beneficial relationship. A Vermont Price Study even found that, of the items compared, prices for many conventional and organic products were lower at farmers markets than nearby supermarkets. Farmers selling at markets minimize the amount of waste and pollution they create in a number of ways. Locally or regionally sourced produce travels about 27 times less distance than conventionally sourced produce. From the point of production to retail grocers food travels an average of 1000 miles, but many farmers markets only allow vendors to sell food produced within 200 miles (some only allow food grown within 50 miles). Additionally, many farmers markets use certified organic practices, reducing the amount of synthetic pesticides and chemicals that pollute soil and water. To help mitigate climate change and other environmental issues caused by agriculture, a growing number of farmers are adopting other low-impact practices like on-site composting and recyclable packaging methods. Not only do farmers markets help communities eat healthfully and sustainably, they are inherently convenient! Especially in Champaign-Urbana, a community virtually surrounded by farms. Starting May 18th the Champaign Farmers Market will open from 3-6pm every Tuesday in the parking lot at Neil & Washington in downtown Champaign. The Market operates all the way through October 26th and is easily accessible by public transit. Vendors will offer meat, eggs, produce, baked
goods, bread, desserts, flowers,herbal products, dog treats, and food trucks, with information about the vendors posted weekly. If you prefer to shop on weekends, there is always Urbana’s Market at the Square. Champaign-Urbana’s largest market welcomes thousands of visitors a year. With staple foods, specialty items, and fun activities, there is a reason for everyone to get involved! Running May-October every Saturday morning from 7am-noon, Urbana’s Market at the Square is another great way to shop sustainably. Additionally, both the ChampaignUrbana farmers markets utilize the LINK Match incentive program to provide foodinsecure community members with benefits and relief throughout the season.
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A Cultural Getaway: History of Japan House Written by Julia San Miguel With spring finally here, the Japan House and its surrounding grounds are some of the most beautiful spaces to visit on campus! You won’t want to miss the blooming cherry blossom trees and warm temperatures as the semester comes to a close. But when and how did the Japan House come to be? The answer has roots in Victorian architecture and spans multiple colleges of the university. The story starts with Shozo Sato, who was an artist-in-residence at the Krannert Center in 1964. A native of Japan himself, Sato spearheaded a series of courses focused on Japanese art and culture. He began to teach
classes in an old Victorian house on campus, which he renovated himself. When campus was restructured in 1977, this Victorian-Japanese cultural center was lost, opening the door to a more traditional teaching location. With plans for a new house in mind, the Japan House could really begin to take shape. The current house was dedicated in 1998, and uniquely includes three authentic tea rooms. Under the guidance and fundraising ability of Professor Kimiko Gunji, the Japan House expanded its offered academic programs, and brought prominent Japanese artists and performers to both the Krannert and Spurlock museums, as well as the Krannert Center.
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The famous Japanese gardens surrounding the house were also designed during this time by James Bier, a cartographer with a Masters in Geology from the University. The Japan House itself is a unit of the College of Fine and Applied Arts. Interestingly, the Japanese gardens and the surrounding grounds, while being in close proximity to the house, are actually connected to the Arboretum and are thus part of the College of ACES. This once-a-year phenomenon has roots in myriad individuals who worked together, over multiple decades and through different design ideas, to create the stunning Japan House and the surrounding gardens that we enjoy today.
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Eco-Friendly Spring Cleaning written by Anna Logan Both winter and the school year are coming to an end. Whether you live in a dorm or not, you have probably accumulated a lot more dirt, garbage, and unnecessary items in your living space over the past few months. However, don’t be discouraged! It happens to everyone, and there is a way to clean everything in an eco-friendly way! First, start cleaning up the surface-level items that don’t require much time. These items include the trash, recycling, and dishes. When doing the dishes, be sure to turn off the water when you are not using it and try using cleaners that are non-toxic and better for the environment. Most cleaners come in plastic bottles and contain toxins that are released in the air that harm the environment. Second, tackle other areas of your living space by dusting or wiping them clean. But don’t forget to use reusable cloths instead of single-use paper towels! Also, instead of using toxic cleaners to wipe down your mirrors or showerheads try using white vinegar to get the same shine.
The next step in spring cleaning is to go through your closet and room to get rid of anything you don’t use. It’s best to separate out the things you don’t use and take them to be donated! Many clothes end up in landfills each year, so it is best to reuse and repurpose clothing items as much as possible. Once you are left with the clothes that you wear frequently, be sure to wash the dirty clothes with laundry detergent. Instead of using the typical laundry detergent that comes in a plastic bottle, consider switching to laundry detergent sheets that come in a paper box. Finally, continue with your normal cleaning routine with the environment in mind. Before purchasing single-use cleaning materials or plastic bottles filled with cleaners, try searching for alternatives. Spring cleaning can be bad for the environment, but it doesn’t have to be!
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Songs of the Spring: Illinois Birds are Blooming written by Lexi Delmonico
One of my favorite spring memories dates back to my elementary school courtyard. My school sat on a large expanse of grassy fields, surrounded by windy willows and large willow trees, whose branches swayed through the wind. There were special days when we would look at pond water and frogs and see garden snakes slither into the swampy willows. The best however, were the ducks that nested out in our courtyard. We would look through the large windows at the mama duck and her ducklings waddling around. This was out in central New York, but central Illinois has its own populations of ducks and other birds that migrate in the spring. Ducks migrate in March, but April and May are the best to view the arrival of migratory birds. This is the norm in Central and Northern Illinois. Nevertheless, if you live in the Southern region you’ll find that spring comes much earlier in March, therefore you’ll experience the spring migration earlier. Make sure to keep an ear out for the sounds of birds throughout these spring months. Some of them, you might have heard already. The rattling call of cranes
flying overhead, the yodeling of loons, the whistling of dozens of warbler species, and of course, the early morning soft song from the rose-breasted grosbeak. There are many more birds to keep an eye out for, and even more songs. Wetlands, quiet lake areas, and forests are the perfect places to hear these birds. see the next page for the Chicago Botanic Gardens published list of bird species that have made their way to Illinois this Spring. Maybe you’ve seen one already!
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April
May
Eastern Phoebe White-throated sparrow White-crowned sparrow Fox sparrow Hermit thrush Brown thrasher Gray catbird Golden-crowned kinglet Ruby-crowned kinglet Blue-gray gnatcatcher
Eastern wood-pewee Great crested flycatcher Scarlet tanager Indigo Bunting Baltimore oriole Rose-breasted grosbeak Yellow-rumped warbler Palm warbler Black-throated green warbler American redstart Blackburnian warbler Chestnut-sided warbler Yellow warbler Magnolia warbler
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Enjoy Spring in Urbana-Champaign written by Maggie Sampson
As the weather improves, we can finally take advantage of the beautiful and exciting experiences central Illinois has to offer. Between budding campus fauna, small local gardens, and immersive State Parks, there is always nature to be enjoyed.
For on-campus enjoy this spring:
activities
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Visit the Japan House and see the cherry blossoms in full bloom Located directly next to the Japan House, the University of Illinois arboretum is full of different flora and fauna to explore For a great place to hang out and have a picnic, Illini Grove is a small forest sanctuary from the miles of prairie surrounding campus
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Fun off-campus activities you can take the bus or drive to:
Mabery Gelvin Botanical Gardens, open 7am to sundown. Located in Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve in Mahomet, IL, these gardens are a beautiful place to take a walk and explore. Maintained by the Champaign County Forest Preserve Department, there are plenty of opportunities to volunteer as well! Kickapoo State park in Vermilion County, IL is set on 2,842 acres of preserved wetland, woodland, and prairie land. It's not just for hiking, when visiting you can also go canoeing, boating, fishing, camping, biking or even scuba diving! Check out Champaign-Urbana’s largest farmer’s markets: Urbana’s Market at the Square and the Champaign Farmers Market, for a fun way to eat healthy and sustainably!
For more ways to get involved with nature this spring and summer, check out the Champaign County Forest Preserve Department for events and volunteer opportunities.
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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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"World leaders can't have it both ways. Either they act on behalf of the fossil fuel industry, or they stand up for young people and the Earth" Peter Kalmus 20
