what is this?
By Shaila Dewan
The New York Times
January 6, 2008
There are pools of ash all across the country are going unregulated and unmonitored. One such pool ruptured and sent billions of gallons of toxic sludge across several hundred acres of Tennessee in December. Some of this toxic sludge got into water supply, which obviously contaminated it and sent concentrations of arsenic, lead and mercury in the the water supply.
There is a problem here. How can a coal ash pool overflow? It just seems to wrong to have something that was thought to be contained and controlled rupture and contaminate a large chunk of Tennessee. This just proves that there are certain areas of the country's waste control is definitely going unobserved. If these pools were being monitored, there wouldn't have been a spill because the supervisor would have known to spot filling it. This is really frustrating; I don't understand why people don't pay more attention to things like this. I mean fresh water is limited in the world and we need it to survive. We need to take better care of it. I know that no one knew that the pool would overflow and get into the water, but precautions could be taken, it isn't too much to ask is it?
Until next time...
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Ohio River... ewww!
Is the water clean?
By Bob Driehaus
The New York Times
January 20, 2008
The Ohio River was found to have unsafe levels of E. coli throughout it's 981 miles; this river puts six bordering states' citizens in danger. The bacteria can cause people that come in contact with the water to get sick, especially swimmers. It will cost billions of dollars to upgrade the sewage release systems in cities bordering the river, but it will help clean and regulate the river.
A river this large, covering this much land, having problems with bacteria is very dangerous. I would want to see this river cleaned up as fast as possible. I know that it's expensive to clean these type of rivers up, but honestly I think that the money would be well spent. I know that with the economy in it's fragile state, it can be a difficult decision, but seriously this problem affects the general public health and I'd rather not get sick because of some water. It's easier said than done, I understand. I'm not ignorant, but please lets do something about the water quality of this country. It's not unrealistic; we need to take care of our water... there's not much fresh water around.
Until next time...
By Bob Driehaus
The New York Times
January 20, 2008
The Ohio River was found to have unsafe levels of E. coli throughout it's 981 miles; this river puts six bordering states' citizens in danger. The bacteria can cause people that come in contact with the water to get sick, especially swimmers. It will cost billions of dollars to upgrade the sewage release systems in cities bordering the river, but it will help clean and regulate the river.
A river this large, covering this much land, having problems with bacteria is very dangerous. I would want to see this river cleaned up as fast as possible. I know that it's expensive to clean these type of rivers up, but honestly I think that the money would be well spent. I know that with the economy in it's fragile state, it can be a difficult decision, but seriously this problem affects the general public health and I'd rather not get sick because of some water. It's easier said than done, I understand. I'm not ignorant, but please lets do something about the water quality of this country. It's not unrealistic; we need to take care of our water... there's not much fresh water around.
Until next time...
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Is Global Warming real?
No Fishing???!!!
By Leslie Kaufman
The New York Times
February 5, 2009
Parts of the Arctic Ocean have been closed to fishers because of an enormous climate change that has the president of Oceana worried about the water temperature. This is the first time the US has restricted fishing for anything other than over fishing. Does this say anything about how we are treating our world?
I think that while it's a bad sign to be closing the fishing, it's good that the US is taking steps to try and help the whole global warming proccess. For all those who aren't sure if global warming exists, this should be some evidence. The water in the Arctic is getting warmer, ice is melting. and not just becasue of this awesome warm weather we experienced yesterday nd today. For all we know this could be part of the world's cycle. Ice age, warm weather, global warming, ice age... all I know is that it is actually happening, whether or not its part of the cycle or if humans are helping it along. And the rant is over.
Until next time...
By Leslie Kaufman
The New York Times
February 5, 2009
Parts of the Arctic Ocean have been closed to fishers because of an enormous climate change that has the president of Oceana worried about the water temperature. This is the first time the US has restricted fishing for anything other than over fishing. Does this say anything about how we are treating our world?
I think that while it's a bad sign to be closing the fishing, it's good that the US is taking steps to try and help the whole global warming proccess. For all those who aren't sure if global warming exists, this should be some evidence. The water in the Arctic is getting warmer, ice is melting. and not just becasue of this awesome warm weather we experienced yesterday nd today. For all we know this could be part of the world's cycle. Ice age, warm weather, global warming, ice age... all I know is that it is actually happening, whether or not its part of the cycle or if humans are helping it along. And the rant is over.
Until next time...
Past, Present and Future
good mornin', good mornin'
by John M. Broder, Andrew C. Revkin, Felicity Barringer, and Cornelia Dean
The New York Times
February 6, 2009
President Obama has been working had in his first month of office to set some environmental issues straight and crack down hard on oil and coal emissions. he has worked hard to reverse many last minute attempts by President Bush to help the environment by revising them to make them safer. However, Mr. Bush may have set the groundwork for some extremely helpful prevention actions against global warming.
First of all, I think that while President Bush may not have been the best president, he did lay some excellent foundations for President Obama concerning the environment. I mean, he would sign an agreement with a company that is now struggling to make ends meet. Granted, Bush didn't know that would happen but none the less it's helped us. I think that the president alone, no matter who it is, can talk all they want about environmental safety and restriction on gases that help cause global warming, but if people aren't willing to take the time to actually do what's being asked to prevent global warming, nothing will change.
Honestly, there has to be some cooperation.
anyway,
Until next time...
by John M. Broder, Andrew C. Revkin, Felicity Barringer, and Cornelia Dean
The New York Times
February 6, 2009
President Obama has been working had in his first month of office to set some environmental issues straight and crack down hard on oil and coal emissions. he has worked hard to reverse many last minute attempts by President Bush to help the environment by revising them to make them safer. However, Mr. Bush may have set the groundwork for some extremely helpful prevention actions against global warming.
First of all, I think that while President Bush may not have been the best president, he did lay some excellent foundations for President Obama concerning the environment. I mean, he would sign an agreement with a company that is now struggling to make ends meet. Granted, Bush didn't know that would happen but none the less it's helped us. I think that the president alone, no matter who it is, can talk all they want about environmental safety and restriction on gases that help cause global warming, but if people aren't willing to take the time to actually do what's being asked to prevent global warming, nothing will change.
Honestly, there has to be some cooperation.
anyway,
Until next time...
Monday, February 2, 2009
Four Smileys!...or Frowny Faces?
Electricity...Utility
by Leslie Kaufman
The New York Times
January 30, 2009
One utility company has started to grade their costumers on the amount of energy they use in a given month in the form of smiley faces or frowny faces. This is a technique that the company is using to make their costumers aware of just how much energy they are using/wasting a month; they are trying to get people to use less energy by using discounts and rebates on energy efficient appliances and other items.
I honestly think that this is a spectacular idea; I'm not sure how well it will work for the company but I know it would get my attention. If I were being graded by my utilities company it would make me more concious of my energy usage. I'm pretty sure I would try to convince my family to use less energy. Even now, reading this it makes me want to go remind my parents about wasting energy and opportunities to prevent it. I'm pretty sure if our utility company graded us right now, we would receive three of four frowny faces. The more conscious people are of energy's wastablity, the less there will be. At least, that is, in theory.
Until next time...
The Politics of Energy...
Oh Energy
By John M. Broder
The New York Times
January 26, 2009
The Democrats have become split in their decisions about President Obama's new plan of action for the economy and the environmental promises he made. Some would like to see Obama's promises fore-filled as soon as possible, even if it means requiring struggling companies to lessen their Carbon Dioxide emissions by switching to more expensive alternate energy options. The other democrats would like to see Obama's plans take action in time but not at the expense of the economy.
I think I agree with the second half of the Democrats on this topic. Sure, it would be nice to use more efficient forms of energy and to make the world a little cleaner to live in. But doing that right away means that there will be another Great Depression then by all means take care of the economy first. Please! I know that stopping global warming is important for our survival and keeping the earth clean is also something that I hold dear to me. Unfortunately, with the economy as bad as it is, the world may have to step aside for a small amount of time so that the US can get back on it's feet. I'm not saying ignore everything "green's" been working toward but just be conscious of its effects.
Until next time...
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