Month: March 2020

by

Tourism needs to start considering invasive plants

Gerea, A. (2020). Tourism needs to start considering invasive plants. Retrieved 12 March 2020, from https://www.zmescience.com/science/tourism-invasive-plants-095232/

 

Although trading and agricultural techniques introduce the bulk of invasive species, tourism also plays a large role in the international spread of exotic species. Invasive species are notorious for their ability to “hitchhike” into ecosystems. With tourism often involving large flocks of people in vehicles traveling throughout the world, it is perfect for hitchhiking species to spread into vulnerable ecosystems. Areas popular for tourists are often the most vulnerable to introduced species. For instance, tourism brought the non native bluegrass weed to Antarctica and marine pests to New Zealand. As Bournemouth University discovered, “that the abundance and richness of non-native species are significantly higher in sites where recreational activities took place”. However, the tourist economy funds and encourages the conservation and preservation of protected areas. 

I believe the majority of tourists, myself included, are entirely unaware of the harmful species they are unwittingly carrying into environmentally vulnerable locations. Protected land, like national parks and rainforests, should be more stringent on vehicle access. If less vehicles entered the park or land, the possibility of introducing harmful species would decline. Lessened traffic would also benefit native species living within the protected area. If park agencies developed dependable transit systems to and around the park, there may be less vehicles entering and exiting each day. I do not believe tourism should be limited because it financially supports and encourages conservation efforts in the local communities.

by

The wicked risks of biosecurity: Invasive species in Australia

Bloomfield, N. (2020). The wicked risks of biosecurity: Invasive species in Australia. Retrieved 12 March 2020, from https://phys.org/news/2020-02-wicked-biosecurity-invasive-species-australia.html

 

The Australian continent has been the host for countless invasive species, including the infamous cane toad and tramp ant. These non native species have the potential to harm both the Australian environment and economy. Biosecurity is a developing system in Australia and New Zealand that addresses the risk of pests entering the borders. Biosecurity risks are often complex and changing. As a result, so does the management of these risks. In Australia, biosecurity precautions range from fumigating imports to post border surveillance. The article emphasizes the importance of a well informed public to properly protect Australia from biosecurity threats, like the Asian black spined toad. Early reports of the invasive toad allowed agricultural agencies to eradicate the species before it became established.

I believe Australia’s vulnerability to invasive species is comparable to California. Like California, Australia’s large borders and niche ecosystems increase the frequency and severity of invasive species. Using Australia’s biosecurity system as a model, I think California should also focus on informing the public and agricultural sector about invasive species and encourage the public to report sightings of introduced species. However, Australia’s use of fumigation would be less applicable as many invasive species enter California through produce rather than goods. 

by

California’s Primary Season Comes Amid a Dramatic Battle Over Nuclear Energy

Ralston, M., Wasserman, H., Wasserman, H., Wasserman, H., Trump, LaDuke, W., … Progressive Radio Network. (2020, March 1). California’s Primary Season Comes Amid a Dramatic Battle Over Nuclear Energy. Retrieved from https://truthout.org/articles/californias-primary-season-comes-amid-a-dramatic-battle-over-nuclear-energy/

 

Super Tuesday will impact the Green New Deal and California’s Diablo Canyon nuclear plant. The Diablo Canyon reactors have become a symbol of everything the global No Nukes movement opposes, provoking more civil disobedience arrests (over 10,000) than any other U.S. reactor site. The reactors sit in the heart of the green tech development area. Renewables have generated 3/4ths the power both reactors have together. PG&E own the reactor, but they are receiving push back on this because of the issues they have created in the past (shoddy wires causing fires or unattended pipes exploding under peoples’ homes). PG&E is still in hot water and dozens are suing for millions which ultimately drove PG&E to file bankruptcy. Almost ALL of the reactors in the U.S. are over 30 years old! All of them release radiation, heat, and some carbon. In California, renewables are the name of the game.

California has set its goal of using carbon free energy in the future but nuclear ain’t a part of that dream. Billions of dollars come from the support of private investors and none of them want nuclear energy. It’s looking like PG&E might be making some changes but it’s doubtful that they will completely disappear from our lives. They are just another power company that handles powerful stuff and we have to assume that they don’t have our best interest in mind (at least that’s what they have shown us so far). It’s going to be a long process developing and implementing new renewables, so I am open to using the nuclear plant we have now; and if the tech gets more developed or receives more funding, then I would want to see nuclear be taken to its full potential.

 

by

San Onofre Nuclear Power Plant Decommissioning Project Begins

San Onofre was the second to last plant to operate in California, but there was a minor radioactive leak that was its reason for closure back in 2012. The place has been sitting for years, but now is being taken down. The only thing that will remain will be the dry storage. The twin domes are going to be taken down in 2024-25. All the steel and concrete that makes up the plant will be assessed for radioactivity and then shipped out of state. Most of the waste will go to Utah, but the higher level stuff will go to Texas at a facility. All of this trash is going out via the railway and the non radioactive components are being thrown in landfill in Arizona and other states. The decommission cost estimate is about 4.4 billion in 2014 dollars. All of it is covered by the ratepayers who pay for power. The transfer of fuel into canisters is still going on (wet storage to dry storage) should be done transferring soon. 

I am fairly certain that I have driven past the domes before. It is weird to think that something that was decommissioned almost 9 years ago is still giving us problems today. Many of the people advocating for the use of thick-walled canisters to avert leakage don’t realize that these canisters are not licensed in the U.S. and it isn’t a simple change. I personally think nuclear is a good idea and has great potential for reaching our goals, but after listening to this, I have more questions. Is it this expensive because it is an older plant (second gen) and so it wasn’t built to be easily taken down. Will all future plants be as difficult to decommission? It’s also crazy to think that this one plant will be broken up into all of its primary materials and shipped all over the country and maybe even internationally.

 

by

PG&E Offer Of Free Electricity From Nuclear Power Plant Raises Ethical Dilemma

Ramos, J. (2020, February 13). PG&E Offer Of Free Electricity From Nuclear Power Plant Raises Ethical Dilemma. Retrieved from https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2020/02/13/pge-offer-of-free-electricity-from-nuclear-power-plant-raises-ethical-dilemma/

 

Community choice energy companies or CCA’s have been taking business away from PG&E for a few years now.  So it came as a surprise to East Bay Community Energy when the utility recently offered up to $11 million worth of carbon-free energy. The catch was that all the power was coming from the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant. The community is a part of a nuclear free zone as many of the people don’t want to be a part of creating nuclear waste. The plant (the only plant) is expected to close in 2025, but this deal was possible going to postpone that. The main dilemma is do they follow PG&E and hope they have their best interest in mind? Or do they stay true to their philosophical goal.

There was a video attachment to this article which interviewed many residents. One of the older residents (who wasn’t in favor of nuclear power) said that the waste produced lasts for thousands of years. Although this is true, the resident seemed to be conforming with the rest of the ‘nuclear-free’ residents with little evidence to back up her stance. PG&E are already under enough scrutiny and trying to ‘lowkey’ give ‘free’ energy to Berkley people didn’t go the way they expected. I do understand the business standpoint as well. It is a billion dollar plant and to not use it to its full capacity is not very smart. The waste itself is already pretty handled and structured as its only one plant in the state. 

 

by

Should California classify nuclear power as renewable?

Nikolewski, R. (2020, March 3). Should California classify nuclear power as renewable? Retrieved from https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/energy-green/story/2020-03-03/should-california-count-nuclear-power-count-as-renewable

 

The California standard has been updated currently calling for 60 percent of California’s electricity to come from renewables by 2030 and 100 percent from carbon-free sources by 2045. We are not on track for these goals without the use of some other energy source, but nuclear could be the answer. Nuclear power is still not on the portfolio of renewables and California’s only plant (Diablo Canyon) is expected to stop producing power by 2025 with no other plant to replace it. This could change though if a bill is accepted that lists nuclear as a renewable allowing for more funding. PG&E owns the plant and says that they are closing it out of the interest of the people who are moving to other clean renewable ways and aren’t interested in nuclear in the slightest.

Californians have very strong opinions about a lot of things and I think I would be lying if I said they weren’t biased. Major catastrophic shutdowns have been pasted all over news sites and media without much knowledge to go along with it; for instance the HBO Chernobyl show which greatly increased the threat for the shows plot and dramatic effect. Nuclear power is more essential than people realize, and we are only making it harder on ourselves by not listing it as renewable. If it were listed as such, then private investors could come in and further develop the tech which has crazy potential. 

 

by

New Assembly Bill Could Save Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant

Symon, E. S. E. V., & California Globe. (2020, March 7). New Assembly Bill Could Save Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant. Retrieved from https://californiaglobe.com/section-2/new-assembly-bill-could-save-diablo-canyon-nuclear-power-plant/

 

Nuclear power is coming close to an end in California. Recently, Assemblyman Jordan Cunningham is trying to pass Assembly Bill 2898 which would help classify nuclear power as a renewable resource. This is essential for PG&E who are already struggling with meeting the lowered carbon emission goals by 2030. Nuclear power would prove to be a valuable asset in lowering emissions. California’s energy consumption was about 19% which has dropped to half that since San Onofre was closed back in 2012. Still California’s consumption is about a third of fossil fuels which isn’t really reaching for our goals. Many people want the Diablo Canyon reactor to close down as they believe there are better renewable ways and too many risks associated with running these large plants.

This hits close to home, sort of. For all I know, some of the power charging my computer could be coming from this power station at Diablo Canyon. I have read a lot of fear mongering based arguments that rely heavily on past accidents. Of course there is always a concern of a large scale ‘mess up’ happening which is no joke with nuclear power. Since starting the unit on trash, I wonder where all of this nuclear waste is being driven too; it’s going somewhere far away and the waste produced usually is other heavy metals that tend to leak out of their containers. With correct regulation and close monitoring, nuclear power could be more helpful than we realize in lowering emissions, while also giving us more time to develop other renewables.

 

by

Thailand rice, corn production bounces back

Source 5: Demaree-Saddler, H. (n.d.). Thailand rice, corn production bounces back. Retrieved from https://www.world-grain.com/articles/13433-thailand-rice-corn-production-bounces-back

 

Summary: Thailand’s corn production is expected to recover from weather and pest problems. Corn production is anticipated to increase to 5.6 million tonnes, a 25% increase compared to last year. This is likely due in large part to armyworm outbreaks in the fall finally being contained. Thailand’s corn feed demand is expected to grow as the swine, poultry, and aquaculture markets continue to grow. 

 

Response: In contrast to many other countries suffering from the effects of climate change, it seems as though Thailand has had the situation work out in its favor. The weather has been less than ideal for the past couple of years but has definitely turned around recently. What’s most interesting to me is Thailand’s increasing usage of aquaculture. There are some areas with large-scale indoor fish farms, which makes me wonder about the possibility of something like aquaponics becoming a significant component of their farming. They appear to have the facilities and resources to do it, so the question is whether or not it can gain enough traction to pull focus and support from traditional farming techniques.

by

Genetics of how corn can adapt faster to new climates

Source 4: LaPenta, D. (2020, February 21). Genetics of how corn can adapt faster to new climates. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/02/200221160739.htm

 

Summary: Researchers have identified the genetic components that allow corn from tropical environments to be adapted to the temperate US summer growing season. They believe that if they can expand the genetic base by incorporating exotic varieties, they might be able to account for new challenges corn farmers are facing in a changing climate, such as emerging diseases and drought.

 

Response: Finally, some good news. Amidst all the concerns about not being able to grow corn in changing climates comes a way around the challenges. Introducing these genetically modified varieties of corn would not only allow for crop production to get back up to its normal level, it would set a precedent for the future. Genetically modified crops have been around for a long time, but those have mainly been made to be resistant to pests and chemicals. These crops have been adapted to grow in a wildly different climate from what they’re used to. To me, this not only implies the possibility of any crop being able to be grown anywhere in the world, but it also suggests that humans will be able to adapt to the changing climate, even if it begins to become recognizable. While this isn’t my preferred scenario, it does give me some assurance that we won’t simply die out. 

by

East Africa’s locusts outbreak, Zimbabwe’s drought may push neighbors to buy South African corn

Source 3: Hellenicshippingnews. (2020, March 18). E. Africa’s locusts outbreak, Zimbabwe’s drought may push neighbors to buy South African corn. Retrieved from https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/e-africas-locusts-outbreak-zimbabwes-drought-may-push-neighbors-to-buy-south-african-corn/

 

Summary: The outbreak of desert locusts in East African countries and severe drought in Zimbabwe have raised serious concerns about grain production in these countries, pushing them to consider importing corn from South Africa. Corn production in Kenya and Tanzania this year is estimated to be down 15% and 6% respectively from a year ago, and Zimbabwe is expected to experience a 54% drop. South Africa, on the other hand, is likely to produce 35.3% more corn than they did last year. There was exceptionally heavy rainfall during the 2019 rainy season, which created the perfect environment for the outbreak of desert locusts. 

 

Response: In contrast to Brazil and Argentina’s lack of rainfall, East African nations have been experiencing an abundance of precipitation. This comes with a whole new set of problems, however. The unifying factor in both situations is (big surprise) climate change. This article illustrates how far-reaching the effects of climate change are, and how they present themselves in more than just the expected ways. While it’s easy to see how climate change has impacted rainfall, it’s not immediately obvious to see how these changes can lead to others, such as the locust outbreak.