May 15,09
Cleanup of the Superfund site of the Hudson River started with a scoop of mud being extracted by dredge guided by a computer. PCBs are going to be removed round the clock six days a week from May to October. The sediments are then transported by freight trains to a hazardous landfill in Texas. The cause of the Superfund Site is from two General Electric factories that contaminated the land for three decades before PCBs are banned. Dredging of the 197 mile land is suppose to be continued until 2015.
If there are no delays, the cleanup of the Hudson River will probably be completed by 2015. It is important to cleanup hazardous materials from the environment and I am glad to hear this cleanup is finally starting. The Hudson River is a defining and important landmark of New York, so I hope the plan succeeds.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/16/science/earth/16dredge.html?_r=1
Monday, June 8, 2009
Toxic Ships
May 14, 09
A new regulation on recycling ships was reached after delegates from 64 nations met in Hong Kong. The International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships requires ships to have updates on hazardous materials that are carried in their years of service. This information is shared with recycling fact ores and the workers will have protective gear so they can dispose the hazardous materials. Disposal procedures and emergency response plans are also required of the centers. However, enforcement of the policy is decided by the nation's government since there is no international agency to regulate it.
Although an international agency would help enforce the new regulations, the agreement between the nations is going to make a difference in hazardous material disposal. Now, toxins are less likely to be leaked and harm the environment. I hope more nations would sign the pact.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/15/business/energy-environment/15ship.html?_r=1
A new regulation on recycling ships was reached after delegates from 64 nations met in Hong Kong. The International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships requires ships to have updates on hazardous materials that are carried in their years of service. This information is shared with recycling fact ores and the workers will have protective gear so they can dispose the hazardous materials. Disposal procedures and emergency response plans are also required of the centers. However, enforcement of the policy is decided by the nation's government since there is no international agency to regulate it.
Although an international agency would help enforce the new regulations, the agreement between the nations is going to make a difference in hazardous material disposal. Now, toxins are less likely to be leaked and harm the environment. I hope more nations would sign the pact.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/15/business/energy-environment/15ship.html?_r=1
A Nickle A Bag?
May 13,09
Lawmakers in Connecticut are considering a tax on plastic shopping bags. 5 cents would be charged in hopes that it wil encourage people to use reusable bags and provide revenue for the state. However, critics argue that the new tax will not defer people from using plastic bags and it wil be more effective to implements rewards rather than taxes in this economy.Retailers in Connecticut are split in support of the tax.
Although a tax would help the government earn money, it might not be very effective in helping hte environment. Even if people stop using plastic bags, they will probably ask for paper bags. I also think a reward system would be more suitable because people would like to earn money for helping the environment admist the recession. But, the question is, where would the money come from? A very interesting article that makes you think.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/17/nyregion/connecticut/17bagsct.html?_r=1
Lawmakers in Connecticut are considering a tax on plastic shopping bags. 5 cents would be charged in hopes that it wil encourage people to use reusable bags and provide revenue for the state. However, critics argue that the new tax will not defer people from using plastic bags and it wil be more effective to implements rewards rather than taxes in this economy.Retailers in Connecticut are split in support of the tax.
Although a tax would help the government earn money, it might not be very effective in helping hte environment. Even if people stop using plastic bags, they will probably ask for paper bags. I also think a reward system would be more suitable because people would like to earn money for helping the environment admist the recession. But, the question is, where would the money come from? A very interesting article that makes you think.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/17/nyregion/connecticut/17bagsct.html?_r=1
New Golfing Bags
May 3. 2009
Wilson Staff's Eco-Carry may be the next big thing in golf. The gold bag is an environmentally friendly bag made from plastic bottles. 100 percent recyclable, it uses 12 gallon-sexed bottles that are crushed into flakes, made into fibers, and then woven. The production of these bags release 70 percent less carbon dioxide compared to regular bags. In addition, the bag comes in an earthy, moss color and has all the functions of a regular golf bag.
I never knew you can make yarn from plastic. This bag may lead to more bags made from plastic. What an eco-friendly alternative. I kind of wish I golf and need a new bag!
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/04/sports/golf/04parbags.html?_r=1
Wilson Staff's Eco-Carry may be the next big thing in golf. The gold bag is an environmentally friendly bag made from plastic bottles. 100 percent recyclable, it uses 12 gallon-sexed bottles that are crushed into flakes, made into fibers, and then woven. The production of these bags release 70 percent less carbon dioxide compared to regular bags. In addition, the bag comes in an earthy, moss color and has all the functions of a regular golf bag.
I never knew you can make yarn from plastic. This bag may lead to more bags made from plastic. What an eco-friendly alternative. I kind of wish I golf and need a new bag!
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/04/sports/golf/04parbags.html?_r=1
Steel Birds Using Less Fuel
April 29,09
Airlines are hoping to reduce their fuel use. By using less fuel for travel, they can save money and reduce carbon emissions. Aviation contributes 2 percent of the greenhouse gasses. If airlines can save six percent of fuel on all flights, 90 million gallons of fuel can be saved yearly and reduce 1.9 billion pounds of carbon emissions. By using satellites and global positioning systems planes can fly more direct routes and use less fuel. However, changing the systems would take time.
Since commercial aviation relies on fuel prices to succeed, reducing fuel use would help them greatly. It is a added benefit that using less fuel would decrease the amount of greenhouse gasses emitted into the air. By using more direct routes, people will also be able to reach their destination faster. I wonder if the plane I'm catching to Disney World is reducing its fuel...
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/30/business/energy-environment/30aviation.html
Airlines are hoping to reduce their fuel use. By using less fuel for travel, they can save money and reduce carbon emissions. Aviation contributes 2 percent of the greenhouse gasses. If airlines can save six percent of fuel on all flights, 90 million gallons of fuel can be saved yearly and reduce 1.9 billion pounds of carbon emissions. By using satellites and global positioning systems planes can fly more direct routes and use less fuel. However, changing the systems would take time.
Since commercial aviation relies on fuel prices to succeed, reducing fuel use would help them greatly. It is a added benefit that using less fuel would decrease the amount of greenhouse gasses emitted into the air. By using more direct routes, people will also be able to reach their destination faster. I wonder if the plane I'm catching to Disney World is reducing its fuel...
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/30/business/energy-environment/30aviation.html
Goodbye Trays!
April 28,2009
Colleges all over the country are disposing cafeteria trays forever in efforts to reduce water use, food waste, and save money. Some colleges are holding "trayless Tuesdays", 126 are removing the trays, and others are installing solar panels and composting waste in efforts to promote environmentalism. However, going trayless causes more traffic in cafeterias as students return to lines more often for more food. But, learning to hold your food and drink in one hand while talking with the other can be a useful skills for cocktail parties in the future!
Disposing trays is a good way to conserve resources and save energy. I predict more and more colleges and maybe even workplaces and schools will adopt the trayless method of serving. I hope my college follows the trend and stops using trays too. But, I do wonder, how really clumsy people are balancing their food.... ; )
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/29/nyregion/29tray.html
Colleges all over the country are disposing cafeteria trays forever in efforts to reduce water use, food waste, and save money. Some colleges are holding "trayless Tuesdays", 126 are removing the trays, and others are installing solar panels and composting waste in efforts to promote environmentalism. However, going trayless causes more traffic in cafeterias as students return to lines more often for more food. But, learning to hold your food and drink in one hand while talking with the other can be a useful skills for cocktail parties in the future!
Disposing trays is a good way to conserve resources and save energy. I predict more and more colleges and maybe even workplaces and schools will adopt the trayless method of serving. I hope my college follows the trend and stops using trays too. But, I do wonder, how really clumsy people are balancing their food.... ; )
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/29/nyregion/29tray.html
Funding for Superfund
April 25,2009
600 million dollars in stimulus money is being spent on Superfund cleanup sites like the Vineland
Chemical Company in New Jersey. Since the Superfund tax expired in 1995, the program has been under financed. As many sites do not have a responsible party who can pay for the cleanup, taxpayer money is being used. President Barack Obama is plans to restore the Superfund tax from chemical and oil companies. This would provide a billion dollars in revenue. 50 out of 1500 Superfund sites are chosen to receive the stimulus money for cleanup.
I think a tax should be reinstated since chemical and oil companies are the causes of many Superfund sites. In New Jersey, there are a lot of Superfund sites, and I hope other sites in addition to Vineland can be cleaned up quickly. Some people would oppose using tax money, but if that is the quickest and only way of funding the cleanups, I think it is acceptable.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/26/science/earth/26superfund.html?_r=1
600 million dollars in stimulus money is being spent on Superfund cleanup sites like the Vineland
Chemical Company in New Jersey. Since the Superfund tax expired in 1995, the program has been under financed. As many sites do not have a responsible party who can pay for the cleanup, taxpayer money is being used. President Barack Obama is plans to restore the Superfund tax from chemical and oil companies. This would provide a billion dollars in revenue. 50 out of 1500 Superfund sites are chosen to receive the stimulus money for cleanup.
I think a tax should be reinstated since chemical and oil companies are the causes of many Superfund sites. In New Jersey, there are a lot of Superfund sites, and I hope other sites in addition to Vineland can be cleaned up quickly. Some people would oppose using tax money, but if that is the quickest and only way of funding the cleanups, I think it is acceptable.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/26/science/earth/26superfund.html?_r=1
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