ECOLOGIC
Vol 3
Fall 2011
Contributors: Patricia Dawson, Dana Dellapenna , Jeanne Feiler, Heather Kuhn, William Novicky, Diane Revay , Melissa Umbenhour, Jason Dabila, Yolanda Davila-Blevins, Carl Fischer, Carol Gallego, Thomas Lynch, Donita Malone, April Ramsey and Nikki Walker
Thank you to all that participated in this class assignment. This was our attempt at an e-magazine that is written by citizens. We are not scientists or politicians. We are simply students trying to learn about our environment. We are discovering the basics of our environment and looking at how it affects our life, health, economics, government and global community. The following group of essays is what we discovered about the importance of water, Companies and their products, and our thoughts of the environment. We encourage you to seek out this information for yourself. What is important to you? How can you help? Can you make a difference? Can you teach someone about our environment? We hope you look into the environment and find something to be passionate about. Thank you for reading our magazine. It was a pleasure to put together. My many thanks to my students for having an open heart and mind. Good luck to you all.
Note from Instructor: This first assignment is to find companies whether big or small that support the idea of sustainability. Students researched and chose the companies that they believe are making a difference in our communities. The Advantages of Owning a Green Business By: Carol Gallego In today’s business world, companies need to be more environmentally friendly. Owning a green company comes with many benefits. Profitability along with cost savings can be improved. Competitive advantages can be capitalized on. Productivity can be increased and top talent can be retained. Work environments would be healthier and safer for all. New and healthier markets could open and new jobs would be created. In the business world today, we need more green companies and the many benefits that could follow would be good for our environment and generations to come. ISSUU Green Company Article by Billy Novicky Lowes is a home improvement store that sells a list of things from lumber, plumbing, electrical, and gardening. Lowes has started a wood policy to guarantee to their customers that their lumber suppliers are purchasing wood from a non endangered forest. Lowes is trying to protect endangered forest from being logged. Lowes was also a supporter of the Lacey Act, which strives to end illegal logging around the world. Lowes only purchase lumber from reputable wood manufactures that pass there wood policy guideline. By starting this program it stops the chance of Lowes selling wood from an endangered forest. Lowes is one of the leaders when it comes to eco friendly companies around the country. Lowes was also the first company to receive all three EPA awards in 2010. With their introduction of a wood policy countless endangered forest have been saved from greedy loggers. This article did make an impression and it’s nice to see major corporation taking part in a greener earth.
What is your Company Doing to be Green? By April Ramsey Office Depot is a company that sales office supplies and products. The company was first opened in 1986 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. They have three business segments: North American Retail Division, North American Business Solutions Division, and the International Division. According to Office Depot (http://www.officedepot.cc/environment/)website the reasons they pursue environmental leadership is for four main reasons: •We care about taking care of the planet and want to reduce our environmental footprint; •We consider our environmental strategy to be a business strategy that helps us attract and retain customers who are interested in going green; •We listen to our customers and aim to serve their growing environmental needs; and •We know that our operational environmental initiatives to reduce our carbon footprint or waste outputs often save costs and drive long-term operational improvement As a way to reduce their carbon footprint Office Depot has a program called Recycling Rewards that allows you to bring in your old ink cartridge and get $2.00 back per cartridge. You can recycle up to 10 cartridges per month. This is an excellent way to get some extra cash. Brilliant idea Office Depot. Office Depot practicing being green helps saves their company money because they can reuse a lot of their products that were sold. They wouldn’t have to spend money on new ones and can use that money towards something else, like hiring more employees. They may even influence other companies to go green and that will ultimately help the environment as a whole. This was an influential article because it just brings me one step closer to becoming greener. I can tell people that they can get paid for their ink cartridges that they do no use anymore instead of throwing them away. Being green is the new thing! Going Green - Improved Environment By Nikki Walker The Ritz-Carlton Hotel L.L.C. is a luxury hotel company that originated in Boston, 1927. At that time the room rate was $15.00. This hotel was known for the wealthy and had a guest dress code. Until 1970’s women were not allowed to dine alone in The Café or go into The Ritz-Carlton Bar. As of 2011, all this has changed, guests do not have a dress code, nor do the women have to be escorted to dine in any of the facilities. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company has 77 hotels across 25 countries and 38,000 employees. This company has won numerous awards, including the LEED Gold Certification by going green. The Ritz-Carlton Company cares about the environment by becoming a sustainable company by protecting everything. There are energy conservation programs within the hotels. These programs teach employees how to save energy by turning off the lights in places where they are not used. As well as not running the heat in banquet rooms not being in use. Paper is recycled, compact florescent light bulbs are placed throughout the building and the bathrooms are water efficient. One of the newest buildings that was built, is an 18 story green vegetated roof. This green roof consists of approximately 18,000 plants, two bee hives to help with pollination and
honey. The new building also has an electric car charging station and an in-house water bottling system to reduce the use of plastic bottles and many more things. All of these acts contribute by reducing waste, energy and water usage. This assist companies with saving money throughout the years. Less money is being spent on utility bills and on vegetables. The Ritz-Carlton is a sustainable company which saves money as well as helping to make the planet a more improved place to live. Green Company Article Heather Kuhn The company is A Piece of Cleveland; it was founded in 2008 by three guys Chris Kious, Aaron Gogolin and P.J. Doran. This company dismantles abandoned houses that are ready for demolition. They bring in $10,000 per contract and employs between eight and twenty employees. They take reclaimed materials from the houses and make furniture with it. The company is protecting things that can be used for something else from being thrown away. They are recycling and being green so there isn’t much as trash out there from houses not being lived in. reusing materials has changed the company and made it even a bigger company. Well other companies are asking for their help. Last year, their company made countertops and tables from reclaimed wood for a local Starbucks. So this company will be in business for awhile, the trend with catch on. ISSUU Green Company by Melissa Umbenhour ECOSOX is an eco-friendly company that makes socks woven from bamboo, which are grown without pesticides. This company makes a variety of socks to fulfill everyone’s needs. They offer diabetic socks, nurse/scrub socks, compression socks, and socks that are made for hiking, outdoors, work and active sports. These socks control moisture and odor; help prevent blisters, and are thermo-regulated so they keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. These socks also give arch support and are cushioned in key areas where they can provide maximum support. When they eventually ware out, they are conveniently biodegradable. Not only has ECOSOX made socks that are comfortable and soft for your feet, but they have made them so that they are environmental friendly also. The moso bamboo that ECOSOX makes their socks out of is just one type of bamboo and there are 1,200
types in the world, making them sustainable. Bamboo is chosen to weave these socks with because it produces 35% more oxygen than an equivalent strand of trees, which are how other socks are made. Bamboo also takes in five times the amount of greenhouse gases. This enables them to do their part in fighting against global warming. It is one the worlds’ fastest growing plants; is renewable, absorbent, and regenerative. Another great benefit of using bamboo for these soft wearing socks is that they give natural protection against the sun’s UV rays. This company is thinking of the present and the future. http://www.ecosox.com ECOSOX: Give Your Feet a Hug, Wear ECOSOX Green Company by Yolanda Davila-Blevins Save A Lot opened more than 30 years ago, their business model and philosophy have always been to operate efficiently, reduce excess and make productive use of their resources. Save A Lot is committed to environmental stewardship and sustainable operations and continually work to use energy more efficiently and reduce waste. Save A Lot’s commitment to be ecofriendly include some of the following; carrying items in only one size to promote efficiency in production and shipping. Stores maximize their truck loads of merchandise to reduce the number of trucks driving and using less gas. Energy efficient refrigeration and lighting have been installed in all corporate stores. Many stores in other states have implemented paper, plastic, cardboard and aluminum recycling programs. Save A Lot also buys from local farmers. This not only supports local farmers but also reduces shipping costs. With Save A Lot reducing shipping cost and maximizing production, using energy efficient refrigeration and lighting and purchasing from local farmers, they have been able to sustain the company’s financial future. By realizing what these ecofriendly implementations have saved then financially, they have been able to maximize the company’s growth and now have over 1,000 stores nationwide. retrivied on December 3, 2011 www.savealot.com,aboutsavealot,environmentallyfriendlypractices
ISSUU Green Company Article By Carl Fischer Grass-Fed Basics by Jo Robinson Amazing graze farm started as a God-given desire to raise or grow as much of our food naturally as they can without chemicals. They use all natural, no chemicals or fertilizers that harm people. The company is producing healthier animals for eating; fresh eggs, chicken that are raised in a pasture not caged up in herds eating food which has sprayed. You’re enjoying healthier animals as they put an end to degradation of animals. The company stays financially afloat by people who donate money. They educate people on the benefits of choosing grass-fed meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products. I thought this article was good about healthier foods and how they raise their animals and you can find other related articles and newsletters of interest. To eat healthy and to make a donation contact this website: http://www.amazinggrazefarm.com
Kohl’s Department Store Uses More Solar Power than the White House By Patricia Dawson and Jeanne Feiler Kohl’s is a department store that sells anything from clothes to house wares to electronics and accessories. They influence people to go green by allowing them to bring in any plastic bag to be recycled. Kohl’s is protecting the consumer and the environment by using solar panels that supply 40% of the stores power. In fact, they use more solar power than the White House. In addition, the chain has 500 Energy-Star certified stores that save energy through power conservation. By using solar power, the store is staying financially solid since they are being more energy efficient. As an employee of Kohl’s, I can also say that they also save on paper by giving everyone direct deposit and no pay stub so they are saving the trees. http://blisstree.com/live/kohls-is-embracing-solar-power-more-than-the-white-house/
Naked Juice Dana Dellapenna Naked Juice is a company that creates all natural Juices for the healthy choices of juice lovers. This company is creating cleaner air and waters through sustainability so that the products can be used more and more. This helps to influence sustainability by promoting conservation practices and to help protect and keep our wildlife and forests preserved. The company is practicing recycling and composting methods. Naked Juice is changing the industry by being sustainable. Naked Juice is influencing other companies by introducing the measures they use to stay sustainable. Have you had your share of Naked Juice? Then go ahead and try some, you may just think it is the best you have had for your lifestyle!! Come and try some, you know you want to. Timberland Goes Green by Donita Malone The Timberland Company is reducing global tire waste. More than seven billion tires sit in landfills worldwide, leading to one of the largest and relatively unknown environmental issues. Through the use of Green Rubber proprietary and patented technologies, Timberland will help transform waste tires into a valuable raw material. Timberland said it will be the first footwear manufacturer to commercialize Green Rubber technology, incorporating it into the outsoles of more than 200,000 pairs of shoes scheduled for release in fall 2009. The Timberland Company will launch two new footwear collections featuring outsoles made using recycled rubber from discarded tires. Using a blend of Green Rubber compound and virgin rubber compound (for an outsole that is made up of 42% recycled tire crumb), Timberland is able to maintain the durability and performance characteristics of their footwear. Jeffrey Swartz, CEO, the Timberland Company says that they are thrilled to have found a way to support making rubber a more sustainable resource. Green Rubber is positioned to have a major impact on the global rubber industry; managing tire waste can now become both a commercially viable and eco-conscious process. By 2012, Green Rubber intends to recycle the equivalent of more than 200 million discarded tires every year. The company is about to launch an aggressive expansion program as it looks to open new manufacturing plants for its revolutionary rubber compound in the Americas, the Middle-East, Asia and Europe. I think this article was very interesting to know that companies are looking for different alternatives. I thing the article was well written, very informative, clear and I’m able to understand what is being said. URL: http://activegearreview.com/articles/whos-going-green/timberland-goes-green
Starbucks: The Green Company By Thomas Lynch Starbucks is one of the leading companies for brewing and serving coffee products to its consumers and it is a company that has decided to take responsibility towards becoming an environmental friendly business. They have developed a set of guidelines called Coffee and Farmer Equity Practices to help their farmers grow coffee so that it is better for both the people and the planet. In addition, Starbucks encourages others to believe in the importance of caring for the planet by recycling, conversing energy and water, and by building greener stores for it’s customers. They have also taken an initiative of making their cups greener by developing recyclable cups. Starbucks also encourages its customers to reuse their own mugs or cups by offering a ten-cent discount to customers who reuse their personal mugs or tumblers for Starbucks beverages. As you can see on the bottom of all Starbucks cups, there cups are made with 10% post-consumer recycled fiber. By participating as a greener business, this can help the company stay financially solid as it allows a potential decrease in costs of production and allows for more reusable products by saving resources. http://www.starbucks.com/responsibility/environment/recycling
“No Computer Should Go To Waste” By Jason Dabila Dell, Inc. is an American multinational information technology corporation based in Round Rock, Texas that develops, sells and supports computers and related products and services. It is the one of the largest technological corporations in the world, employing more than 103,300 people worldwide. Dell working along with Goodwill has established a recycling program call “Dell Reconnect” that allows computer user to drop off old equipment at donation sites throughout the U.S. The free program offers an easy, convenient and responsible way for people to
recycle end-of-life computer equipment. There are more than 2,600 drop off site in the U.S and Canada. The Reconnect program, which was first introduced in 2004, is aimed to prevent end-of-life computers and equipment from ending up in landfills, also known as E-waste. An estimated 50 million tons are produced each year. The components of a computer and other electronic devices may have or do have the following hazardous chemical. Lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, arsenic, nickel, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), dioxins, phthalates, vinyl chloride, ethylene dichloride. When electronic wastes are disposed of in a landfill, the toxic chemicals inside the equipment can seep into the land over time, or they can be released into the atmosphere. In addition, if computer components are sent to incinerators, this can cause heavy metals, such as lead, cadmium and mercury, to be released into the atmosphere aiding to Global Warming and introduce into the water cycle further contaminating the food chain. Dell Reconnect contributed to the company recycling more than 150 million pounds of end-oflife equipment in its fiscal year 2011. Since 2004, Dell Reconnect has recycled more than 230 million pounds of end-of-life computer equipment, helping Dell toward its global goal of recycling 1 billion pounds of computer equipment by 2014. The article definitely made an impression on me. As a consumer all we really do is purchase electronics and not even think about what they are made. After seeing the different chemicals that are involved in the production of a computer I looked at a few and have found that many of them can lead to brain damage, kidney damage, nervous system disorders and lung cancer. Providing you are exposed to a high level. Note from Instructor: This assignment was geared toward understanding the role of the EPA. Students chose topics that related to their own position papers and wrote a brief summary. Each article contains the website where you can read more about their chosen topic.
EPA Articles San Francisco Creates New “Green” Project At Mission Bay Community with Stimulus and Private Funding Mary Simms Summarized by Jeanne Feiler San Francisco’s Mission Bay Drive and Circle is a newly renovated Green project that replaced more than 300 acres of unused bay front property. This site, which at one time was the home of rail yards and warehouses now includes residential units, acres of parks, a low greenhouse gas emitting and even a new research campus and hospital. The project was made
possible by the by a Brownfield’s stimulus grant from California’s Department of Toxic Substances Control, which is part of the EPA’s federal stimulus funding. This new area with the new residential area, contributes millions of dollars in local taxes annually and there is more to come. The area is on 50% complete. This project has employed about 1,700 people and is estimated to employ over 20,000 before the project is completely finished. This area was previously isolated and hard to get to due to interstate 280. Now, with easy access, people can go and enjoy the beautiful bay area and live in the area with the parks and open spaces and enjoy what was once barren with warehouses and rail yards. I think what they are doing is wonderful, as San Francisco is a beautiful place and every inch of it should be appreciated. The fact that there are now acres of parks, beautiful places to live, plus a new research campus all in one area is wonderful and has so much to offer to everyone.
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/f331b33bcc8cb8cf8525793e00531a9a?OpenDocume nt Lead Poisoning Prevention Week by Patricia Dawson National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW) awareness is October 23-29 2011. The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) is trying to make awareness of lead poisoning in children. Children with low exposure of lead can be affected with learning disability, behavior problems, and can have many more problems. Lead poisoning can change the life of a child forever. Most children are exposed by lead base paint from early homes. Houses that were built before 1978 can have lead base paints on the walls and outside of the home. There are things you can do to prevent lead poison in your child. You can have your home inspected and tested for lead base paint. You can also get your child tested for lead poison even if your child seems healthy. The EPA is trying to spread the word about lead poisoning and the effects it can have on a child. http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/bd4379a92ceceeac8525735900400c27/ad6f57294e597 b4a8525792f00581540!OpenDocument Title & Author: Climate Change - Health and Environmental Effects-U.S. EPA By Thomas Lynch Web Address: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/effects/health.html
Main Idea: Effects of Climate Change as it relates to human health I have chosen the topic of climate change and how it affects human health. According to EPA, extreme temperatures can lead to loss of life. From my own observations, this is apparent more so with animals living in climates that have recently changed over the past ten years. However, due to global warming certain regions in the United States have also experience sudden changes in climate such as colder winters or warmer summers. In fact just this past summer, Texas experienced one of the longest duration of extreme temperature for several weeks. Temperatures reached at least 110 degrees or higher consistently throughout the summer of 2011, causing a lot of heat related sicknesses and deaths. EPA’s FY 2012 Budget Proposal Reflects Tough Choices Needed for the Nation’s Fiscal Health By: Carol A. Gallego Proposed today in Washington was a budget of $8.973 billion for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the year 2012. Protecting public health and our environment while reducing air and water pollution in communities across America is a commitment made by President Obama to make sure that the government lives within its means while ensuring that the EPA can carry out its core mission. From the 2010 Fiscal Year budget of $10.3 billion, about 13 percent is represented as a decrease in this budget proposal. I feel that the budget should have been increased and not decreased. There should be more laws enacted and everybody across the United States should be held accountable. Protecting public health along with our environment and reducing air and water pollution should be a commitment made by everyone, not just the government. If we all took part, the world might be a better place. EPA Administrator, Lisa P. Jackson states that, “As millions of families are cutting back and spending less, they expect the same good fiscal sense out of their government. That is why this budget reflects the tough choices needed for our nation’s short and long-term fiscal health – and allows EPA to maintain its fundamental mission of protecting human health and the environment.” She also states that, “This budget focuses our resources on the most urgent health and environmental challenges we face. Though it includes significant cuts, it provides EPA with what we need to fundamentally protect the health of the American people.” In order to ensure that scientific work is conducted more efficiently and effectively, the EPA’s research program is currently being restructured. (STAR) grants are in place to ensure that EPA is using the best science to protect the air we breathe, the water we drink and the land we build our
communities on. In order to support research and innovation into new and emerging environmental science, $584 million dollars have been allotted and this includes a $24.7 million dollar increase to Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program. Still, much more is needed. Laws need to be enacted such as more recycling. Everyone must chip in and do their part. Threats to Aquatic Biodiversity By Yolanda Davila-Blevins Humans are causing species to disappear at an alarming rate. It is estimated that between 1975 to 2015, species extinction rate will be at a rate of 1-11 percent per decade. Loss of this magnitude will affect the entire ecosystem, depriving resources used to provide food, medicines, and industrial materials to human beings. While freshwater and marine ecosystems face similar threats, there are some differences regarding the severity of each threat. Runoffs from agricultural and urban areas, the invasion of exotic species, and the creation of dams and water divisions have been identified as the great challenges to freshwater environments. There are other threats to aquatic biodiversity including urban development and resource based industries that destroy natural habitats. In addition air, water pollution, sedimentation, erosion and climate change also pose a threat to aquatic biodiversity. http://www.epa.gov/bioiweb1/aquatic/threats.html Climate Change – Health and Environmental Effects by Carl Fischer No Author http:www.epa.gov/climatechange/effects/health.html Main details of article: Short article on health and direct temperature effects and climate and diseases how they affect a person and also air quality in which we breathe. Details: In the world, there are diseases to the human health which result from local climate and extreme heat. Heat increases air and water pollution and human health. Our human body is strongly affected by social, political, economic, environmental and technological factors. Diseases that appear in warm weather climates brought upon by insects such as mosquitoes that live around polluted waters. The EPA office is researching and investigating the effects of climate change and air quality on the human body. In conclusion higher temperatures and water pollution cause the human body trouble by the air we breathe all effected by the ozone level, That’s where the EPA steps in to control and regulate companies to control what they put in the air and water. Grizzly Bear by Heather Kuhn On July 28,1975, the grizzly bear was listed as a threatened species by the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service. There was a recovery plan for the grizzly bear and it was approved by the USFWS on January 29, 1982. History of the grizzly bear, where they once inhabited was much areas of Western North America, Arizona, California, Colorado and New Mexico. The grizzly bear inhabit areas that are relatively isolated and distant from direct anthropogenic. You will find the
grizzly bear in low elevation riparian sites, wet meadows and in alluvial plains in the spring. The grizzly will inhabit the higher elevation forests, meadows and open, grassy timber sites during the summer and fall. EPA Article – Nikki Walker Helping green turtles through water quality assessment of their critical habitat Pollution, it is in our air causing health problems for people and even in our oceans causing health problems for organisms that live in the water. In the island Culebra, Puerto Rico there is a bay called Puerto del Manglar and the turtles are dying there. The species green turtles are catching a viral disease called fibropapillomatosis. Due to this disease the turtles are developing warts and tumors that are spreading throughout their bodies. The growth is on their face and flippers which is hindering their ability to see accurately and/or their ability to swim. The results of this intruder in the turtles are causing starvation and death. In the dying tissues from the tumors the green turtles can catch an additional bacterial infection that harms them. Researchers from University of Georgia’s School of Veterinary Medicine are exploring the disease, what is causing it and why it is spreading extremely fast. It is a possibility the pollution in the bay is increasing the spread of fibropapillomatosis disease in the green turtles. The bay is being contaminated by poor routine repairs of the septic tank systems in the area. The green turtles that are approximately three miles away from Puerto del Manglar are nearly free of the tumors. This is mind boggling for researchers, as they continue to seek out the cause of this inexcusable disease found in the green turtles. The Environment Should not be Cut by April Ramsey EPA’s FY 2010 Budget Proposal Reflects Tough Choices Needed for the Nation’s Fiscal Health by Cathy Milbourn and Brooke Hanson http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/4a92c2cc38832e0b8525783700664650?OpenDocum ent Why should the environment have to suffer the cuts of the government? The health of the environment is just as important as any other area that requires government spending so why should it get any less money. According to the article, the Obama Administration proposed a budget for 2012 of $8.973 billion for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This budget is l3 percent less than the one that was proposed in 2010. The health of the environment has to get the “short end of the stick” when it comes to the economy. The article states that although the new budget includes significant cuts, it provides EPA with what we need to
fundamentally protect the health of the American people. Cuts, cuts, cuts the health of the American people depends on a healthy environment and there should be the same amount of spending on the environment as any other area of the world. The Great Lakes suffered a $125 million dollar decrease from the 2010 budget and the Clean Water and Drinking Water suffered a massive $947 decrease. I suppose our water is not as important as some of the other areas that received an increase such as the enforcement and compliance of the EPA. Is the health of the American people a top priority in this world? Without a healthy environment there would be no need for money because there will be no one here to spend it. Learn more about Threatened and Endangered Species by Melissa Umbenhour Everyone should learn more about Threatened and Endangered Species. The Endangered Species Protection Program (ESPP) places geographically specific use limitations on pesticides in order to protect endangered and threatened species from pesticides. Threatened species are any plants and animals that are likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range. Species disappear because of the changes in the earth. These changes are caused by nature or by the actions of people. Sometimes a terrible natural event, like a volcano erupting, can kill an entire species. Other times, extinction will happen slowly as nature changes throughout the world. However, the main reason that many species are endangered or threatened today is because of people changing the habitats that these plants and animals depend on. The United States has a lot of habitats for plants and animals to live in, and every species needs a certain habitat in order to live. Whether it’s the wind, sunlight, desert, or the arctic cold at the species needs for its habitat, it is needed for survival. A cactus, for example, needs the sunny, dry desert in order to grow. Some of these species do so well in their new habitat that they endanger those species that are already living there. These species that are already living there are called the native species. These species that are being introduced to the new habitats are called invasive species. The species that were originally living there may have to find a new source of food or a new home, or face becoming endangered or extinct. Another way that people harm animals and plants is by taking them from the wild. Some people might catch an insect like the Mission Blue Butterfly for a butterfly collection because they like the way it looks. Also, unfortunately, some people illegally hunt animals for food, the skin of animals and their fur. Every living thing depends on another to live. If people do not protect threatened or endangered species, we may never be able to find out how we can benefit from them living on this earth. Government agencies and private groups make information easily available so we can do everything that is possible to make sure everything survives on our earth. From the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency http://www.epa.gov/espp/coloring/especies.htm
Scrap Tire Recycling: Convincing Businesses to Integrate Inexpensive, Cutting-edge Technology to Convert Tires into Various Construction Materials By Teymour, Fouad , Arastoopour, Hamid Summarized by Jason Dabila The team of Teymour, Fouad , Arastoopour, Hamid from Illinois Institute of Technology state in their September 30, 2004 research article: Scrap Tire Recycling: Convincing Businesses to Integrate Inexpensive, Cutting-edge Technology to Convert Tires Into Various Construction Materials that it is known that one-fourth of the 283 million tires scrapped in the United States were landfilled last year, all having the potential to be an ecological and human health danger. The team proposes the use of, two proven technologies, a patented non-cryogenic pulverization technology, solid-state shear extrusion (SSSE), and a newly developed particle modification technology. Both developed at Illinois Institute of Technology. These two processes would produce fine rubber particles at a lower cost than competing cryogenic pulverization processes and the particle modification technology enhances the properties of the rubber particles enables them to be used in applications such as low volatile organic compounds (VOC) paint coatings, waterborne sport surfacing, and near-zero VOC powder coatings. Recycled rubber materials would be turned into environmentally benign polymeric coatings, inexpensive constructional materials, and other products for use in developed and developing nations, improving our ecosystem while also creating an economical benefit for companies rather than using the current cryogenic pulverization processes. EPA.GOV
http://water.epa.gov/drink/guide/upload/book_waterontap_full.pdf By Diane Revay
Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) in 1974 to protect public health by regulating the nation’s public drinking water supply and protecting sources of drinking water. SDWA is administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its state partners (retrieved dec.16. 2011. from epa.gov). This is all fine and well except for the fact that now oil companies can put whatever chemicals into the ground to get their natural gas, and ignore the probability that the chemicals will make it into the ground water.
How is it that they have gotten around these legal points that the rest of the U.S. has to follow? And how is it that money is valued over human lives?
Note from Instructor: This next section is dedicated to our thoughts and opinions. These thoughts are meant to get you thinking. They might inspire you, anger you or make you laugh. Either way we hope to inspire some environmental thinking in your mind and the minds around you.
What Impacted Me the Most by Melissa Umbenhour Writing about endangered chimpanzees, the topic of my position paper had the greatest impact on me while taking the course of Ecology. By committing an ample amount of time and research to my paper, I was able to discover a large amount of information pertaining to chimpanzees, humans, deforestation, agriculture, and how deeply money impacts are society. I have found out that by doing little things that most people do not think about, such as volunteering, donating small amounts, not purchasing products that are tested on animals, and being aware of our environment, it can make such an impact on chimpanzees, humans, and our whole ecosystem. It was amazing how, just by researching the extinction of chimpanzees, I have learned so much about economics. There are plenty of websites, phone numbers and address that any individual can obtain, with ease, to help prevent the extinction of chimpanzees or any part of our ecosystem. What I learned the Most By Jason Dabila What was the most important thing that I learned in Ecology this semester? I always knew how dangerously our planet was being treated with all the illegal dumping of trash and debris, I’ve seen it happen in my neighborhood. But I never gave it though of how my trash, my air pollution
and my contaminated water could be yours and vise/versa. So the most important thing learned for me would be the water recycling system, wind currents and water flow. Ultimately learning, just because it happened thousands of miles away does not mean I will not be affected. But am I more conscience of my trash and my pollutants and am I taking steps to help save our planet? Do read label more often? Am I looking up articles to be better informed on the deforesting of areas? Am I watching to see how global warming has affected the migration of animal and possibly leading to their extinction? Do I now look at my surrounding more while I’m jogging through the Metro Parks? Yes I do. I look at our ecosystem differently now or I should say I actually look at it. I have really enjoyed this class and have learned a great deal. It is very interesting to see how it is all related to one another and to see just how destructive we really are. Interesting to a point that I’ve even considered somehow relating my field of study to possibly working with the Environmental Protective Agency. Impact and People need to know By Nikki Walker The one aspect of the ecology class that has impacted me the most is our Cleveland Metroparks project. This was a fantastic way to explore nature and organisms in their own territory. It was a brilliant idea to get people out and exercise for the day. Most of all it was time well spent, one on one with my teenage son to learn together, walk together and actually talk with each other not at each other. Another portion of the class that was enjoyable was the research for my “Going Green” position paper. I would like people to know that together we can turn our world around and become a healthier planet by going green. There are an abundance of projects we all can do to assist the world. Some things are as little as turning off lights, recycling, car pooling and no fracking. We need to keep educating each other on the problem of pollution and continue to be proactive and not reactive. We as a people have a responsibility to protect our land and everything on it. Ecology by Yolanda Davila-Blevins When I first heard the word Ecology, I always thought of “tree huggers”, vegans, radicals who wanted to save the earth. Growing up those were the images that came to mind. The hippies who lived solely off the land and chose to love mother earth at any cost. Now after taking Ecology, I have learned people can “go green” and not have to give up a lot in their everyday life. There are simple changes people can make that will greatly impact the environment. By using energy saving electronics, reusable grocery bags, car pooling, less chemicals to clean with and so many other changes can and will impact the environment. Learning how everything impacts everything, is something I have never thought of before. How many people know that plastics from their country end up in a third world country to be sorted through. Now that third world country has become a dumping ground for plastics. I was amazed to see how developed countries
have damaged the environment and there is so little being done about it due to funding, lack of knowledge, or the end result is thought to benefit more than the damage that is being caused. I would like to see more commercial advertising showing how going green is not a difficult thing to do. Explain how it impacts the environment and the benefits of it. Some things may be costly at first, such as installing solar panels on a house, but the overall end result will benefit financially in the long run. If people understood how everything impacts everything they may be more incline to make changes. People always are interested in what will benefit them. Educating them on the environment and the benefits to them will cause more positive changes to come. I want the world to know the hole in the Ozone layer is real, Fracking is a very dangerous practice and measures need to be taken to stop it. Resources are being depleted at a devastating rate that the earth will not be able to recover from. We need to realize the land, water and air that we have right now is all we have. We need to learn how to take care of it from here on out, how we can preserve, restore and live within our means. All living things have the right to a clean and healthy environment and we all need to respect that and implement ways to make it happen.
ISSUU MAG Saving the Earth from Global Warming By Carl Fischer What impacted me the most from this ecology class, just learning about the surroundings and how the air we breathe can be affected by CO2 and ozone as well as for the animals living on earth? What people should know is that Global Warming is not the end of the world and that they can save the earth by conserving energy. They can shut the lights outs off, use less water and keep their cars running in better shape to control smog. Also grow plants and trees which bring clean oxygen into the world for living. People by saving and conserving energy the world will be around for future generations.
Owning Exotic Animals by Patricia Dawson My ecology class has opened my eyes on how bad the laws are on owning exotic animals in the state of Ohio. Right now anyone can own an exotic animal as long as the animal is certified healthy and the person has a permit. By owning a tiger, lion, bear, monkey, or any other exotic animal is putting yourself and the ones you love in harms way. Taking the animal out of their habitat and bringing them into ours is jeopardizing their live and those around it or those that may come into contact with exotic animals. Why would anyone want to put their loved ones in harms way? We need to get together and fight for stricter laws in Ohio on owning these animals for the safety of your children and the animals. What impacted me the most in class? By Heather Kuhn What I wrote about in my paper impacted me the most. My paper was about how grizzly bears are endangered. I did not realize, there wasn’t many grizzly bears left in the world. Well, what can be done about it is that there should be programs to help save the grizzly bears. I would let everybody know that grizzly bears are endangered and there isn’t many left of them.
The True Facts about Fracking By: Carol Gallego The subject that impacted me a great deal was the fact that natural gas, which lies within a shale rock formation thousands of feet beneath the earth’s surface, is being extracted by a method known has hydraulic fracturing. The process is destroying human and animal life. There are over 500 chemicals used in the process and are leaking into aquifers. Where ever there is fracking, earthquakes are occurring. People need to be aware of this method and laws along with safety measures need to be put into place in order to protect human and animal life.
Ecology by April Ramsey This class impacted my life because it is unbelievable how much we are doing to destroy our own land. We need to figure out ways keep our land healthy and livable. I want everyone to learn more about our environment and how we can help doing the simplest things. There are simple ways to conserve energy and reduce our ecological footprint. Everyone should become part of the greener environment movement. This was an excellent class and it taught me a lot about the environment. Impacts from Ecology By Diane Revay This ecology class has really opened my eyes and widened my heart. I do understand now that humans are not the super race but a part of this super life. Others should get to know more about the study of ecology and probably take the class at Bryant & Stratton from my teacher Mrs. D., she has passion for life as we all should. There are plenty of issues to focus on like air, water and land pollution, also the life expectancy of this planet if we, the human race, do not plan on slowing down our reproduction rate. If we do not calm down on our comfortable way of living, there won’t be much life to live in the future.