The long-term efforts to help Haiti will need to include a focus on reversing environmental damage such as near deforestation that causes a shortage in water and food supply for the Haitians, experts say. Haiti’s president is grateful for all the emergency aid, however he asks donors to remember the country’s long-term needs. Former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, who are heading the private-sector fundraising efforts, are asking us to be generous in our donations, not only in the short-term, but also in the long-term recovery for Haiti.
From 1957 to 1986 Haiti had a dictatorship, first Francois Duvalier, then his son Jean-Claude. The dictatorship resulted in deforestation – today less than two percent of the nation has forest cover. This contributes to erosion that undermines food output. The deforestation also makes Haiti more vulnerable to hurricanes and storms. Before the quake on January 12th, the U.N. Environment Program had decided on a two-year project, starting in 2010, to boost Haiti’s environment, from forests and coral reefs. Asif Zaidi, Operations Manager of the post-conflict and disaster management branch of the UNEP, says, “Among quick measures for donors could be to provide propane to encourage a shift from charcoal-burning stoves. That could be backed in the longer-term by reforestation and investments in renewable energies such as solar or wind power.”
Bill Clinton and George W. Bush said that while the earthquake is a tragedy for Haiti, it has focused the world’s attention on the impoverished nation. The Haitian government, Haitians living abroad and countless non-governmental organizations, and many donor nations have a chance to help make the long-term improvements, they added.
Victoria Lindbak, Intern
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
Green Nanotechnology: Myth or Reality?
Everyday our environment is changing. By environment I am talking about every aspect of our lives. Where we live, how we get around, what we eat, and how we take responsibility for our actions. As our environment changes, so too does the technology that makes our lives “easier,” which is very debatable. So, if technology can make it easier for a person to get to work in the morning, through GPS and easy pay gas stations, why can’t technology help the sustainability of our planet? When one thinks about nanotechnology, images of science fiction movies come to mind, like Star Trek. But, nanotechnology is not science fiction, it’s actually here. “Green Nanotechnology: Straddling Promise and Uncertainty” is an article by Barbara P. Karn and Lynn L. Bergeson in Natural Resources and Environment magazine. The main purpose of this article is to attempt to educate readers about the potential of green nanotechnology.
The nanotechnology movement is really starting to take flight in a number of different fields. Proposals include medical nanotechnology to fight against cancer and other diseases and engineering nanotechnology to reduce labor and transportation costs. In the article “Green Nanotechnology,” the authors explore the different ways nanotechnology can help protect the planet. Primarily, the article focuses on two ways in which green nanotechnology can help. First, green nanotechnologies can be developed to help remediate hazardous waste, purify water, desalinate water, and help clean polluted waterways. Pollution is really a troubling issue; imagine green nanotechnology being able to destroy water pollutants such as fuels, waste, and others. The ability to purify water from toxins could save countless numbers of aquatic species, as well as the birds that nest and feed from the rivers. The ability to desalinate water is also a very important issue. One day our population could possibly exhaust the fresh water supply. The ability to turn saltwater, which covers 75% of the earth, in to drinkable water could be a huge development. Second, green nanotechnologies will be made from safer chemicals proven to have minimal, if any, effects on the environment. The less waste technology produces the better the outcome.
There are some fears about green nanotechnology and nanotechnologies in general. If a green nanotechnology is produced to help clean up oil spills in the Pacific Ocean for example, what is to stop this machine from destroying other aspects of the environment? After the oil is consumed what happens next. Will the nano-organism just shut off? Once it shuts off what happens to it? Does it then sink to the bottom of the ocean polluting the area? Some believe the nano-organism will just move on and keep consuming whatever is in its path. To help answer these questions, no matter how bizarre, the government and private sector are researching every avenue into testing, regulation, costs, and affects. No real answer can be given to each fear yet, but with continued research and with positive advancements in technology we are getting closer.
One day green nanotechnology will help sustain our planet, freshen our water supply, and end pollution. After all the tests and regulations are finalized maybe technology, in theory a main contributor to the planets destruction, will provide the means to save the environment.
Josh Wyatt, Legal Intern
The nanotechnology movement is really starting to take flight in a number of different fields. Proposals include medical nanotechnology to fight against cancer and other diseases and engineering nanotechnology to reduce labor and transportation costs. In the article “Green Nanotechnology,” the authors explore the different ways nanotechnology can help protect the planet. Primarily, the article focuses on two ways in which green nanotechnology can help. First, green nanotechnologies can be developed to help remediate hazardous waste, purify water, desalinate water, and help clean polluted waterways. Pollution is really a troubling issue; imagine green nanotechnology being able to destroy water pollutants such as fuels, waste, and others. The ability to purify water from toxins could save countless numbers of aquatic species, as well as the birds that nest and feed from the rivers. The ability to desalinate water is also a very important issue. One day our population could possibly exhaust the fresh water supply. The ability to turn saltwater, which covers 75% of the earth, in to drinkable water could be a huge development. Second, green nanotechnologies will be made from safer chemicals proven to have minimal, if any, effects on the environment. The less waste technology produces the better the outcome.
There are some fears about green nanotechnology and nanotechnologies in general. If a green nanotechnology is produced to help clean up oil spills in the Pacific Ocean for example, what is to stop this machine from destroying other aspects of the environment? After the oil is consumed what happens next. Will the nano-organism just shut off? Once it shuts off what happens to it? Does it then sink to the bottom of the ocean polluting the area? Some believe the nano-organism will just move on and keep consuming whatever is in its path. To help answer these questions, no matter how bizarre, the government and private sector are researching every avenue into testing, regulation, costs, and affects. No real answer can be given to each fear yet, but with continued research and with positive advancements in technology we are getting closer.
One day green nanotechnology will help sustain our planet, freshen our water supply, and end pollution. After all the tests and regulations are finalized maybe technology, in theory a main contributor to the planets destruction, will provide the means to save the environment.
Josh Wyatt, Legal Intern
Friday, January 15, 2010
Did the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference Change Anything?
Many believed that the climate conference in Copenhagen would bring new and stricter regulations to nations’ climate policies. “The summit was supposed to halt temperature rise by cutting greenhouse gases. But after two weeks of negotiating, it ended in a weak political accord that does not force any country to reduce emissions and has no legal standing,” writes Louise Gray of the UK’s Telegraph.
Some believe the struggle of the world’s leaders to come to an agreement is in fact a result of how seriously they take global warming. TIME magazine refers to the struggle as, “… a sign that global climate talks have moved beyond symbolic rhetoric.” Others believe that the balancing of interests between the countries wanting to maintain their standard of living, and emerging economies hoping to achieve such levels, is the most important reason that the summit could not result in a stronger agreement.
Many blame China and the US for the limitations of the Copenhagen climate conference. “The standoff between China and the United States underscores the issues. The global trade rivals were reluctant to commit to emissions targets until each had an idea of what the other planned. The two countries together are responsible for 40 percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions,” writes the New York Times. Barack Obama admitted that accord was “not enough.” In the UN’s climate conference in Bali, the US rejected the new guidelines to reducing green house emissions. However, at the Copenhagen conference, the US took on a new role in the UN’s battle against global warming. “President Obama arrived in Copenhagen to find the summit on the verge of collapse. So, he plunged into seven hours of hard, direct bargaining with a select group of world leaders, eventually cutting a deal with those from China, India, Brazil and South Africa,” writes TIME.
On the positive side, the Copenhagen climate conference united the US, China and other major developing countries in the attempt to find a universal accord to fight global warming. “For all its limitations, however, the Copenhagen Accord is the first real step to fighting climate change in the 21st century. The real value of Copenhagen may lie in what it teaches us about dealing with climate change”, writes TIME.
Intern, Victoria Lindbak
Some believe the struggle of the world’s leaders to come to an agreement is in fact a result of how seriously they take global warming. TIME magazine refers to the struggle as, “… a sign that global climate talks have moved beyond symbolic rhetoric.” Others believe that the balancing of interests between the countries wanting to maintain their standard of living, and emerging economies hoping to achieve such levels, is the most important reason that the summit could not result in a stronger agreement.
Many blame China and the US for the limitations of the Copenhagen climate conference. “The standoff between China and the United States underscores the issues. The global trade rivals were reluctant to commit to emissions targets until each had an idea of what the other planned. The two countries together are responsible for 40 percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions,” writes the New York Times. Barack Obama admitted that accord was “not enough.” In the UN’s climate conference in Bali, the US rejected the new guidelines to reducing green house emissions. However, at the Copenhagen conference, the US took on a new role in the UN’s battle against global warming. “President Obama arrived in Copenhagen to find the summit on the verge of collapse. So, he plunged into seven hours of hard, direct bargaining with a select group of world leaders, eventually cutting a deal with those from China, India, Brazil and South Africa,” writes TIME.
On the positive side, the Copenhagen climate conference united the US, China and other major developing countries in the attempt to find a universal accord to fight global warming. “For all its limitations, however, the Copenhagen Accord is the first real step to fighting climate change in the 21st century. The real value of Copenhagen may lie in what it teaches us about dealing with climate change”, writes TIME.
Intern, Victoria Lindbak
EPA to Improve Ozone Standards
Unlike the ozone in the upper atmosphere which protects us and the environment from UV light, ground level ozone is linked with serious health problems. Ground level ozone, also known as smog, can cause illness in perfectly healthy individuals who work or play outside. Coughing, chest pain, wheezing and breathing difficulties are just a few of the health issues that can be caused by ground level ozone. For individuals with heart or lung disease, ozone pollution can cause premature death. Ground-level ozone can also have detrimental effects on plants and ecosystems. It can damage plants making them more susceptible to insect infestation, disease and the impacts of other pollutants. It can hinder forest growth and potentially reduce species diversity.
Ground level ozone is made when chemicals from cars, power plants, industrial facilities, etc. come in contact with sunlight. Thus, there is usually more smog in sunnier climates.
"EPA is stepping up to protect Americans from one of the most persistent and widespread pollutants we face. Smog in the air we breathe poses a very serious health threat, especially to children and individuals suffering from asthma and lung disease. It dirties our air, clouds our cities, and drives up our health care costs across the country," said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. The EPA is proposing to tighten the limit of parts per million from the previous limit of 0.075, to between 0.060 and 0.070. The EPA is also proposing to set a secondary standard for the protection of the environment for plants and animals.
Although implementing these new limitations would cost billions of dollars, the benefit would be a vast reduction in health problems related to ozone pollution.
For further information, please go to http://www.epa.gov/groundlevelozone/.
Victoria Lindbak, Intern
Ground level ozone is made when chemicals from cars, power plants, industrial facilities, etc. come in contact with sunlight. Thus, there is usually more smog in sunnier climates.
"EPA is stepping up to protect Americans from one of the most persistent and widespread pollutants we face. Smog in the air we breathe poses a very serious health threat, especially to children and individuals suffering from asthma and lung disease. It dirties our air, clouds our cities, and drives up our health care costs across the country," said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. The EPA is proposing to tighten the limit of parts per million from the previous limit of 0.075, to between 0.060 and 0.070. The EPA is also proposing to set a secondary standard for the protection of the environment for plants and animals.
Although implementing these new limitations would cost billions of dollars, the benefit would be a vast reduction in health problems related to ozone pollution.
For further information, please go to http://www.epa.gov/groundlevelozone/.
Victoria Lindbak, Intern
Friday, January 8, 2010
Algae Blooms-The Green Monster!
Nitrogen and phosphorus are important nutrients for life in rivers, lakes and the sea. However, large amounts of these nutrients can be damaging. The most common negative effect of nutrient pollution is an algae bloom, which is harmful for the fish, plants, animals and humans who use the water. For a long time, algae blooms have been a problem in Florida’s beaches, lakes, rivers and springs. An important cause of nitrogen and phosphorus pollution is excessive fertilization, both residential and agricultural, which in turn runs out into the rivers, lakes and costal waters. Other causes include septic tanks and rainfall flowing over cropland picking up animal waste and depositing it into the water.
As a result of a lawsuit by our local St. Johns Riverkeeper and the public interest group Earthjustice, it looks as though there might be an end in sight for this problem. Earthjustice sued the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on behalf of several Florida environmental groups which resulted in a settlement in which the EPA has agreed to set limits for the nutrient pollution that causes algae blooms in the St. Johns River and other Florida waters. The EPA has until this month, January 2010, to propose the pollution limits for Florida’s waters, and until October 2010 to finalize the new rules.
What can we as individuals do to prevent nutrient pollution? Well, there are several things we can do. Thinking twice about how we treat our plants and flowers in our gardens will affect the water quality in our local rivers and streams. Making sure to use fertilizers in moderation is important. In addition, sweeping up your driveway, gutters and sidewalks can make a significant difference. Always picking up after our pets, and if you must, taking our cars to the car wash instead of washing them in our driveways will also help. Lastly, we should contact our local environmental agency if we notice dead fish and green water, or contact the police if we see illegal dumping into any water body.
To read more about what the EPA are doing to combat the nutrient pollution, visit http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/criteria/nutrient/doing.html.
Victoria Lindbak, Intern
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
St. Johns River Survey
Do you want some say into what happens to your waterfront? If yes, then take the St. Johns River Survey.
The Trust for Public Land (TPL) has initiated a survey to gather information about how Jacksonville residents want to use the St. Johns River and Jacksonville's waterfront. Take the survey at
The Trust for Public Land (TPL) has initiated a survey to gather information about how Jacksonville residents want to use the St. Johns River and Jacksonville's waterfront. Take the survey at
http://www.coj.net/default.htm
Kayak Events on the Horizon
The Public Trust is happy to announce two upcoming fundraisers! The fundraisers are co-sponsored by Kayak Adventures and center around two fun and exciting kayak trips. You may attend one or both, but space is limited and it's first come, first serve.
The first event, the Kingsley Kayak Experience, will be held on November 21st. Kingsley Plantation is located on Fort George Island, one of the jewels of the Timucuan Preserve. While exploring this unique island, you will learn the history that is woven into the fabrics of this landscape. Along our paddle we will see many species of resident and migratory birds, such as roseate spoonbill, swallow tail kite, heron, egret, and osprey. This waterway is frequented by lots of sea creatures such as leaping dolphin, grazing manatees, soaring eagle rays, and many more. The striking blue-green hue of the water makes this feel like our own backyard Caribbean. After an educational stroll through Kingsley Plantation's historical grounds we will set off to find secluded beaches to swim and play.
The second event, the Mayport Historic Waterways Ecological Kayak Experience, will be held on December 19th. Mayport Village is located at the mouth of the St. Johns River and the Atlantic Ocean, where an abundance of wildlife is found. As the major highway to the ocean for much of the marine wildlife in the thousands of acres of estuaries the inlet feeds, it is bustling with action. On any given day you may see manatees, dolphins, and an array of water fowl. Our tour will launch from Mayport Beach located on the St. Johns River, and ride the tide to the point of the jetty where it intersects with the Intracoastal stopping on the spoil islands and continuing back into secluded winding tributaries ending the tour on the salt marsh side of the jetty. This tour is great for beginner paddlers or anyone one who would like an easy “ride the tide” type of kayak tour. We plan our tours around the tides for an easy and enjoyable experience.
For more information on either of these events, please email me at adm@publictrustlaw.org.
The events are first come, first serve, and half of the proceeds will go directly to the Public Trust, the other half will go to our co-sponsor, Kayak Adventures. For more information on Kayak Adventures, please feel free to visit their website by clicking here.
I hope that you will join us on the water for these fun events. And remember, it's not only for a good time, it's for a good cause. See you on the water, Andy
The first event, the Kingsley Kayak Experience, will be held on November 21st. Kingsley Plantation is located on Fort George Island, one of the jewels of the Timucuan Preserve. While exploring this unique island, you will learn the history that is woven into the fabrics of this landscape. Along our paddle we will see many species of resident and migratory birds, such as roseate spoonbill, swallow tail kite, heron, egret, and osprey. This waterway is frequented by lots of sea creatures such as leaping dolphin, grazing manatees, soaring eagle rays, and many more. The striking blue-green hue of the water makes this feel like our own backyard Caribbean. After an educational stroll through Kingsley Plantation's historical grounds we will set off to find secluded beaches to swim and play.
The second event, the Mayport Historic Waterways Ecological Kayak Experience, will be held on December 19th. Mayport Village is located at the mouth of the St. Johns River and the Atlantic Ocean, where an abundance of wildlife is found. As the major highway to the ocean for much of the marine wildlife in the thousands of acres of estuaries the inlet feeds, it is bustling with action. On any given day you may see manatees, dolphins, and an array of water fowl. Our tour will launch from Mayport Beach located on the St. Johns River, and ride the tide to the point of the jetty where it intersects with the Intracoastal stopping on the spoil islands and continuing back into secluded winding tributaries ending the tour on the salt marsh side of the jetty. This tour is great for beginner paddlers or anyone one who would like an easy “ride the tide” type of kayak tour. We plan our tours around the tides for an easy and enjoyable experience.
For more information on either of these events, please email me at adm@publictrustlaw.org.
The events are first come, first serve, and half of the proceeds will go directly to the Public Trust, the other half will go to our co-sponsor, Kayak Adventures. For more information on Kayak Adventures, please feel free to visit their website by clicking here.
I hope that you will join us on the water for these fun events. And remember, it's not only for a good time, it's for a good cause. See you on the water, Andy
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