I realize the last blog post was on the situation in Japan and while I do not want to be exhaustive, I believe this terrible disaster has great potential to have devastating effects world wide. While the country is still under strict media attention, we know this will fade, as did Haiti and the BP oil spill. In the coming weeks and months it will be important to remember what has happened and realize that the country and people will be hurting for a long time. It will be interesting, however, to see if the media attention will continue because of the nuclear fall out threat.
The latest count I could find reports more than 8000 dead and nearly 13,000 people still missing following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. Keep in mind these deaths have occurred, mostly, due to the actual quake and tsunami. We have yet to see how many people will be fatally affected by this disaster as a result or radiation exposure, hunger, sickness, etc.
I was reading an article this morning that reported crops and water supply in the surrounding area have been contaminated by nuclear fallout. Also, cows at a diary farm had been contaminated. All of these instances render the material unusable for any sort of consumption. In addition, rain and dust from the area have been tainted and it is not yet known how far the radiation will travel via these two channels.
Another area of concern as far as food contamination is concerned, is the seafood Japan produces every year. Seafood export is a $1.3 billion dollar industry annually and much of that seafood ends up on store shelves across the world, bringing this scare closer to home than many would like to think.
This morning I received an email from my mom who has a friend living in Sendai, Japan right now. She reported a feeling of peace as she watches the people of Japan come together in this time of disaster. She said there is a feeling of uncertainty, but at the same time, one of being united and coming together as neighbors.
As Kasey mentioned in her blog post, are nuclear power plants worth their cost? In times like these, the entire stability of the eco-system of Japan is under threat. Soon, the effects and threat could be a lot more wide spread. Maybe then the world will begin to ask the same question. While disasters like the one in Japan are devastating, I can't hope that something positive will come from it. If it could possibly be a nuclear free world, It could lead to a much more stable, sustainable world.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Sustainability in Practice-Footsteps
With the eyes of the world on Japan and the possible nuclear meltdown, energy sources are being reviewed. Is nuclear energy worth the time, money and risk if a meltdown similar to Chernobyl is still a threat? Fossil fuels are becoming a thing of the past and there has been a shift towards wind energy in the form of turbines but every option has positives and negatives.
The real challenge is weighing those positives and negatives, deciding which areas one is willing to risk and then stand by that decision. Who should we entrust with this power? I argue we should trust no one but ourselves with this power. We are responsible for the environment and the footsteps we leave for future generations.
Make sure your footsteps will make a positive impact in the environment so your children and grandchildren can enjoy the beautiful lakes, oceans, forests and mountains you enjoy today
The real challenge is weighing those positives and negatives, deciding which areas one is willing to risk and then stand by that decision. Who should we entrust with this power? I argue we should trust no one but ourselves with this power. We are responsible for the environment and the footsteps we leave for future generations.
Make sure your footsteps will make a positive impact in the environment so your children and grandchildren can enjoy the beautiful lakes, oceans, forests and mountains you enjoy today
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Sustainability in Practice- Your Education
Some campuses may recycle, or use recycled material when possible, but Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan offers entire college degrees with a sustainable emphasis! Aquinas College Sustainable Business programs teach students how to function in a sustainable manner in the business world. They emphasize social and environmental sustainability as well as fair treatment of employees and fair business relations.
One of the college's "mission's" if you will is to dismantle the belief that implementing sustainable business practices is expensive. On the contrary, the program holds the belief that if the innovation does not save the business money and increase profitability, it is not one of sustainability.
The college hopes to produce graduates that can implement sustainable practices that will benefit grass roots causes such as businesses that can hire community members. For example, a college grad being able to return to their home town to find employment instead of having to re-locate half-way around the country. This localized spillover approach seems very opposite from the practice of the last few generations but it sure makes sense to me.
Instead of trying to implement sustainable afterthoughts here and there, it is logical to mold ones entire education and background around sustainability. Cheers to Aquinas College's sustainable mindset! I encourage you to look into their program if you are interested! http://www.aquinas.edu/sb/
One of the college's "mission's" if you will is to dismantle the belief that implementing sustainable business practices is expensive. On the contrary, the program holds the belief that if the innovation does not save the business money and increase profitability, it is not one of sustainability.
The college hopes to produce graduates that can implement sustainable practices that will benefit grass roots causes such as businesses that can hire community members. For example, a college grad being able to return to their home town to find employment instead of having to re-locate half-way around the country. This localized spillover approach seems very opposite from the practice of the last few generations but it sure makes sense to me.
Instead of trying to implement sustainable afterthoughts here and there, it is logical to mold ones entire education and background around sustainability. Cheers to Aquinas College's sustainable mindset! I encourage you to look into their program if you are interested! http://www.aquinas.edu/sb/
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Sustainability in Practice-Student Change
Students do have a say and can affect change. Skuyler Herzog is one of those students at Washington State University. Instead of just watching sustainability unfold around campus, he chose to make something happen.
Starting this summer, a new optional fee will show up when students register for classes. Herzog stresses the importance of it being an option because he does not think students should be forced to pay for something they don’t support or believe in, though he finds it hard to think people wouldn’t want to help support the “Cougar Green Fund”. The $5 optional fee is available to students as a fee yet staff and faculty can also donate and Herzog hopes that in the future, businesses would be willing and able to match donations. Herzog stresses the importance of student participation, saying “it can’t be done without the students”.
The “Cougar Green Fund,” over the years, will hopefully grow to support large projects but for now the focus is on smaller projects such as battery recycling in the CUB and energy efficient light bulbs in the residence halls. Larger projects Herzog hopes the CFG can aid are solar power energy for the CUB or other buildings (during appropriate seasons) and a big campus garden. One of the major projects Herzog would like to look into is the use of treated gray water to irrigate green spaces on campus.
Currently the gray water exits the Pullman Water Treatment Plant and is just emptied back into the South Fork of the Palouse River (river that runs through downtown) while fresh water is used to water the plants. The University has looked into this project but the cost is really high. Herzog would like to see the CGF share the cost with the university in the future and make this happen.
Through determination and passion, Herzog, with the help of other students and administration, showed that students do have the power to make a difference so I encourage everyone to follow your passions, put in the effort; you CAN implement change!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Sustainability in Practice- College Sustainability Report Card 2011
Each year The College Sustainability Report Card offers an in depth evaluation of campus sustainability practices at both colleges and universities in the United States and Canada. This report offers information and inspiration for other campuses looking into implementing or improving sustainable practices.
This years report is the organizations fifth edition and covers 322 campuses. This year, Washington State University received an overall grade of C. The sustainability report considers administration, Climate Change & Energy, Food & Recycling, Green Building, Student Involvement and Transportation.
While the report recognized WSU for it's climate change & energy and food & recycling, it ranked low in terms of green building, administration and student organizations. Some of the positive mentions received included the fact that dining services spends 20 percent of it's food budget on local items and that fair trade coffee is offered at each meal. In addition, WSU composts the majority of dining food waste and organic waste. This diverts 82 percent of total waste from ending up in a landfill. In an effort to reduce waste further, all electronics are recycled in addition to traditionally recycled material. The report also mentions how WSU has made a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 36 percent from levels in 2005 by the year 2035. Some of these offsets will occur with an on-site composting facility.
The report is highly informative and recognizes many schools for their innovative green practices. Check it out! http://www.greenreportcard.org
This years report is the organizations fifth edition and covers 322 campuses. This year, Washington State University received an overall grade of C. The sustainability report considers administration, Climate Change & Energy, Food & Recycling, Green Building, Student Involvement and Transportation.
While the report recognized WSU for it's climate change & energy and food & recycling, it ranked low in terms of green building, administration and student organizations. Some of the positive mentions received included the fact that dining services spends 20 percent of it's food budget on local items and that fair trade coffee is offered at each meal. In addition, WSU composts the majority of dining food waste and organic waste. This diverts 82 percent of total waste from ending up in a landfill. In an effort to reduce waste further, all electronics are recycled in addition to traditionally recycled material. The report also mentions how WSU has made a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 36 percent from levels in 2005 by the year 2035. Some of these offsets will occur with an on-site composting facility.
The report is highly informative and recognizes many schools for their innovative green practices. Check it out! http://www.greenreportcard.org
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Sustainability in Practice- Valentine's Day
Each year 200 million roses are grown specifically to fill the demand on Valentine's Day. That is a lot of water, land use and labor! In addition, millions of greeting cards and boxes of chocolates are sold which are made from trees and take a lot of resources to create.
Everyone wants a Valentine, but college students are especially picky about not spending the holiday alone! Dates opportunities are immense (if you have the courage to ask) and if you do have one, you better not show up empty handed!
Guys and girls, as you are out shopping for the perfect bouquet, a card that says everything your heart feels and candy to sweeten your night, consider earth friendly options!
If you're short on cash, consider making a card. I know it sounds cheesy but it can be very effective! My boyfriend made me a Valentine a couple of years ago and I still have it. It is my favorite card he has ever given me! If you prefer to buy one, cards made from recycled material are very common nowadays. The book store on the WSU campus offers such cards.
Boxed chocolates-- dated! This is the easy way out! Bake some cookies!
As for flowers, they are the Valentine's Day staple. They are beautiful and ladies love them :) It is important, however, to consider where the flowers you buy come from. Many flowers are grown using a ton of pesticides and the companies provide very poor conditions for workers. Kenya, one of the worlds top flower exporters, is home to Lake Naivasha. However, the lake is severely polluted from the pesticides, used to grow flowers, running off into the lake. Buying flowers locally through a natural grocer or farmers market are usually good bets or you could always try planting a small organic garden of your own!
While showing your love for your someone-special, don't forget to show love for the earth!!! There is only one of her and she's much harder to make amends with!
Everyone wants a Valentine, but college students are especially picky about not spending the holiday alone! Dates opportunities are immense (if you have the courage to ask) and if you do have one, you better not show up empty handed!
Guys and girls, as you are out shopping for the perfect bouquet, a card that says everything your heart feels and candy to sweeten your night, consider earth friendly options!
If you're short on cash, consider making a card. I know it sounds cheesy but it can be very effective! My boyfriend made me a Valentine a couple of years ago and I still have it. It is my favorite card he has ever given me! If you prefer to buy one, cards made from recycled material are very common nowadays. The book store on the WSU campus offers such cards.
Boxed chocolates-- dated! This is the easy way out! Bake some cookies!
As for flowers, they are the Valentine's Day staple. They are beautiful and ladies love them :) It is important, however, to consider where the flowers you buy come from. Many flowers are grown using a ton of pesticides and the companies provide very poor conditions for workers. Kenya, one of the worlds top flower exporters, is home to Lake Naivasha. However, the lake is severely polluted from the pesticides, used to grow flowers, running off into the lake. Buying flowers locally through a natural grocer or farmers market are usually good bets or you could always try planting a small organic garden of your own!
While showing your love for your someone-special, don't forget to show love for the earth!!! There is only one of her and she's much harder to make amends with!
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