Fighting fire with...Chemicals?

Red Clouds

November 15, 2008

The New York Times

by William Yardley

To prevent wildfires from spreading in California, the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection uses a red chemical fire retardant.  While it stops the spread of some wildfires, it also is very dangerous to aquatic animals and watershed.  The state has been searching for an alternative control, so they will be able to use less of the retardant.  So there's a decision to make wildfires or toxic watershed?

My first thought after reading this was: why are they even using the chemical retardant???!  I'm mean, wildfires are natures way of clearing out the old to make room for the new?  Why would anyone want to mess with mother nature?  But then I calmed down and realized that there are actually a lot of people who live around the most common areas for fires.  I guess it's the fear of the fire spreading far enough that it starts destroying houses and killing people.  Luckily for me my family doesn't live in any part of the country that has problems with wildfires.  On top of that, I almost didn't read the article because what do I care about wildfires? I live in Michigan.  I read it anyway and it turns out that this retardant messes with the watershed and aquatic species.  The mix of chemical is highly toxic.  Now I know I don't live anywhere near California but seriously who would want to be so naive to say aww it doesn't matter.  There's enough environment to go around.  I think taking care of the environment needs to be a priority in everyone's life.  Finding an alternative to the retardant would be a good way to start.

Until Next Time...

New Man on Campus

'Green Jobs'

November 7, 2008

The Green Skeptic 

by Scott Edward Anderson

The president-elect has an ambitious offer for the upcoming 4 years.  He plans on creating several millions new 'green jobs' over the next ten years.  Some economists believe that rather than creating all the jobs in addition to the ones we have, some of them will be supplements to jobs already in place.  But can Mr. Obama really create that many jobs?

 

To be honest with everyone, I am a semi-skeptic of this claim... creating 5 million jobs focused on keeping the environment clean doesn't seem reasonable.  Not the green aspect of the jobs but the number.  America as it is, is in a recession; if Obama is trying to create a job program like President Roosevelt during the Great Depression, that's great.  But will it really work?  Obama's proposition should stimulate the economy by stabilizing banks and raising the money circulation.  Even better if this plan works, we will be out of the recession and defending the environment at the same time.  This would be awesome for my family, and for most of America.  Connecting the end of the recession to the environmental jobs might just be the boost environmental awareness needs. 

Until next time...

Sheep or Weed Whacker?

SHEEP!

Sunday October 26, 2008

New York Times

By Pamela J. Podger

Sheep are becoming the new pesticide; they are the new nontoxic way to battle weeds.  They are considered "a natural low fossil fuel", that can control invasive plants.  Only, there's another side to the sheep herding; their hooves can cause erosion and the wool can carry seeds of the evasive plants. 

My first thought when I read this article was that it was extremely interesting, but I didn't think it was real.  I knew it was an article from the New York Times, so it's obviously reliable, but I still couldn't believe it.  It seemed like it could be one of those options in a "two truths and a lie" game.  Animals acting as a toxic free pesticide is a great idea.  whoever thought of this should be patted on the back.  Personally, seeing sheep on my front lawn would kind of freak me out.  I wouldn't count on seeing them here in Michigan any time soon.  It's starting off in Montana and New Mexico, that's a long way from affecting my family.  The only concern I would have with this new "weed whacker"  is how the animals are treated.  I would have no problem with this, if they were treated like animals.  It would be awful to find out the the sheep are being abused.  Hopefully, that won't happen.

Until next time...