Roadless areas in Colorado

This article outlines a conflict over road building in government protected forests and wilderness areas in the state of Colorado – notably in the high country where logging, energy resource extraction, and ski lodge construction are prevalent.  Under two separate presidential administrations, laws/ rules concerning road building were developed.  Under the Bill Clinton Administration, national forests were protected from road building as overseen by the national government.  Under the George W. Bush Administration, the road less rule was overturned in favor of a states’ rights decision to allow states to petition to determine their own road less rules.  Until recently, Colorado was one of two states that chose to petition to create its own road building rules.  This issue was litigated and under a decision by the federal circuit court based in San Fransisco Colorado cannot create its own road less rules and must abide by the national rules – i.e. the Clinton Administration law won.

I found both this debate and the decision interesting for a few reasons. 

First of all, even though forest and habitat destruction is related to the number of roads constructed, in Colorado the bark beetle problem and high recreational usage of these areas means that fewer roads do not always mean less destruction.  In many of the forests in Colorado, the bark beetle has killed acres and acres of trees which now are forest fire fodder.  If the forest service cannot go in and remove some of the dead wood trees much of the living forest will be threatened with the next wildfire – which will most likely be a large scale fire. 

Second, Coloradoan’s attitude towards wildlife, wilderness, and preservation is an interesting one.  Since living in Denver, I have witnessed the “western attitude” towards the natural environment.  Unlike many eastern states (and by eastern, we are talking anything that touches or is east of the Mississippi River), Colorado has an active population that spends lots of recreational time in the mountains.  There is even a ‘rush hour’ to the mountains that begins at 3:00 on Fridays and ends at 6:00 on Sundays.  Additionally, the people who live in Colorado feel that the land in their state should be their’s to develop and protect.  It is true that a lot of extremely environmentally unsavory events occur in Colorado.  It is equally true that Coloradoans are extremely proud of their frontier heritage and believe that they can manage their own forests.  The example commonly used is the fluoride issue.  Workers from the EPA commonly cited Colorado water treatment centers for allowing high concentrations of fluoride into the drinking water.  When the water treatment community was confronted and told to get the fluoride out, they laughed.  Fluoride naturally occurs in high concentrations in Colorado ground water.  Taking the fluoride out would be tantamount to reducing the number of hydrogen atoms in water – frankly impossible. 

Anyways, I thought that this issue was interesting because it is a case of where federal rules and laws might not apply to certain situations in Colorado.  However, the road less rule will probably protect the forests from logging and resource extraction organizations.  What remains to be seen is whether or not the most environmentally beneficial results will come from the Clinton rule or will damage occur because the rule is applied universally without consideration of differences in consequence and situation. 

The article can be read here!

“Solar power plant will rise on Kearny landfill”

This is a small article I came across today dated August 26th, 2009 about the construction of a solar power plant in New Jersey. Kearny is about 3 miles from where I live outside of school, and it is just west of New York. Ironically this is a significant location covered in Sullivan’s The Meadowlands. While solar power can get into the broader scientific and political field of energy resources, it is nonetheless a vital component of environmental issues today. It says here that the plan is meant to generate 20 megawatts of solar electricity by the year 2020. To me it seems like more false hope not only because of the long historical line of dreamers who envisioned perfect communities and utilized facilities to be erected on the constantly reshaping dump. It is ambitious, but at least the goals are realistic: to aid America’s energy independence from this location in New Jersey. The economic benefits should, ideally, bring nothing but profit for workers and consumers.

here is the original link, if you want to view it: http://www.nj.com/news/jjournal/kearny/index.ssf?/base/news-0/125126793122120.xml&coll=3

Introduction: Matthew Jordan

Hello Everyone!

I am a junior from Washington, D.C. majoring in environmental studies and international studies. This  is my second year living in the Tree House, a SLU promoting awareness in the community on environmental and social justice issues. I am very interested in local and sustainable agriculture, and this summer I had the opportunity to work on a small organic farm in Maine. I would love to see more locally grown food in the cafeterias of Ohio Wesleyan. Everyone has to eat, so I think consuming more food from the state and the region is one of the most fundamental steps that can be made to lower one’s carbon footprint.

I am also fascinated by urban planning and the way we design the communities in which we live. I grew up in a walkable/mixed use neighborhood, and this has shaped my desire to see American cities place more emphasis on people rather than the rapid movement of  many cars. My interests include biking, reading, and porch-sitting. I am hoping to study abroad next semester in Geneva, Switzerland.

Readings & Discussion Questions: Cronon & Sullivan

Readings: Cronon: “The Trouble with Wilderness” from Uncommon Ground (here); Sullivan: The Meadowlands.

Fall 2009

Presenter: John Krygier

Notes on readings follow…

Are You an Eco-Douchebag?

Environmental scientist Jennifer Jacquet poses they question, “Are You an Eco-Douchebag?” The test is simple: read this sign ["Dear customers: Please be advised that our Bread Slicer is used for both Organic and Conventional items"] (recently photographed at my local Vancouver market, which is owned by Whole Foods) then gauge your response…”

The responses to the blog posting are worth reading.

Via Boing Boing

Museum of Animal Perspectives (MAP)

Strap a camera on an armadillo, cow, wolf, turkey, scorpion, goat, tortoise, horse, tarantula, lamb, housefly, pheasant, cricket, chick, mole, duck, bee, caribou, pig, alligator, falcon, frog, and bison and get an “animal perspective.”

Museum of Animal Perspectives (MAP) at flickr

Hello my name is Becca Kelly…

…and I am a senior Zoology major, environmental Science and History minor here at Ohio Wesleyan. My life has been rooted in Dayton, Ohio, were my mother, father , five siblings and my niece and nephew all reside.  I have known that I wanted to study Zoology since the second grade. My mom still has the paper that I wrote describing that when I grew up I wanted to work at a zoo with all the baby animals. Although I no longer want to work with baby animals, I have turned my love of science, the environment, and teaching, into a potential career path in environmental or science education. One of my favorite ways enjoy the outdoors is in a saddle on the back of a horse. I love to take horses trial riding but also love the competition of the show ring. When I am not riding you can find me watching movies, goofing off with my friends, or chasing after my niece and nephew!

How much Carbon Dioxide do Computers Emit?

The environmental impact of air travel has gained much attention as of late.  For example, Ohio Wesleyan is investigating joining the University President’s Initiative on Climate which would require paying for offsets for all university related air travel.

But what about all those computers? They too have a significant impact on the environment, on par with air travel as it turns out, according to a new study. Computing Climate Change reviews a new study looking at the environmental impact of computers.

A potential topic for course projects.

Emerging Green Geopolitical Crises

Lithium Mining in Chile

The majority of lithium, used in batteries for electric vehicles, is in a region shared by Chile and Bolivia, who have a long history of animosities. The great increase in demand for lithium for batteries may revive these animosities.

•••••

The typical discourse about environmental issues today tends towards a grim present, filled with diverse environmental crises, and a series of “green” developments which will alleviate these crises.

But casting forward, one can also anticipate crises emerging from most of the “green” alternatives to current practices. An article in Foreign Policy magazine – Is a Green World a Safer World? – summarizes the potential conflicts arising from green trade wars, declining oil powers, nuclear energy, water wars, and lithium (for batteries) development conflicts.

The idea of global conflict spurred by green developments would be a great course project topic, and is related to this year’s Sagan National Colloquium on Global Issues.

Bridget K. Fahey – meeting me

Greetings!  I am a junior double majoring in Environmental Studies and Politics and Government.  My passion is environmental advocacy with a focus on climate change issues.  I would ultimately like to see all people in the United States reflexively act in environmentally friendly ways.  I grew up in Delaware, Ohio – however I currently live in Denver, Colorado with my parents.  I have three older brothers, two of which are recent college graduates and the third is finishing his last year at OWU. 

Eventually, my goal is to attend graduate school pursuing a joint law degree (JD) and PhD in environmental policy-making.  I am happiest when I am campaigning for ideas, movements, or people I believe in.   In addition to my political involvement with organizations like Greenpeace, the Environmental Defense Fund, the Sierra Club, and 350.org, I enjoy experiencing music, creating beaded jewelry, and exploring the art of Italian cooking.