Author: sheche

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U.S. Native Seed Shortage Hinders Land Restoration

Douglas, L. (2023, January 26). U.S. native seed shortage hinders land restoration -report. Reuters. Retrieved January 28, 2023, from https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/us-native-seed-shortage-hinders-land-restoration-report-2023-01-26/ 

A report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) finds that the US lacks enough native seeds to restore environments hit by wildfires and natural disasters. This is important because wildfires are becoming more severe lately, leading the Biden administration to triple funding for the U.S. Forest Service’s restoration efforts. Native seeds are key in restoration efforts because they are suited to local animals and insects after thousands of years of coexistence. Thus, they are more likely than other plants to survive in the future in those places. 

This article relates to environmental science because it shows human’s efforts to restore natural habitats around them, and the problems they encounter. Humans are involved in their ecosystems, as evidenced by native seed suppliers, who government agencies come to in case of emergency. It is also important to note that many weather-related events causing environmental damage are a result of human-induced climate change. This article was a little surprising to me. I had never known there was a market for habitat-specific seeds and that it could be strained. I am glad the federal government aims to restore environments to their pre-disaster conditions, and hope they can establish a relationship with native seeds suppliers in order to make this happen.

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Largest Ecosystem Restoration Project in U.S. History Receives Final Permits

Largest ecosystem restoration project in U.S. history receives final permits. (2022, December 19). Environmental Defense Fund. Retrieved January 28, 2023, from https://www.edf.org/media/largest-ecosystem-restoration-project-us-history-receives-final-permits 

The US Army Corps of Engineers signed the final permits for the largest ecosystem restoration project in U.S. history last December. This $2.3 billion investment will strengthen wetlands in Louisiana’s Barataria Basin and reconnect them back to the Mississippi. This action is important because the Mississippi River fortifies the state’s coast by distributing sand, silt, and clay sediments. This protects coastal inhabitants from hurricanes and storms. Unfortunately, massive flood control and levees have disrupted the river’s natural sediment distribution. This restoration project will also support thousands of jobs and create economic prosperity.

This article relates to environmental science because it describes the ecosystem services that rivers provide. The Mississippi River is integral to strong coasts that protect against natural disasters. The article also touches upon human impact. Dams and levees for flood protection block the Mississippi from reaching the Louisiana delta. My reaction to this article is positive. I’m glad that the government is willing to take such substantive action to restore nature. Especially with such a large water body as the Mississippi River, it’s crucial we take advantage of our surroundings.

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A&G Coal Corporation Agrees to Reclaim Virginia Mine Sites

Tony, M. (2023, January 25). Justice coal company reaches agreement with environmental groups to reclaim Virginia mine sites. Logan Banner. Retrieved January 28, 2023, from https://www.loganbanner.com/news/justice-coal-company-reaches-agreement-with-environmental-groups-to-reclaim-virginia-mine-sites/article_1721b3fd-aa2d-5ad8-be35-6853118db736.html 

A&G Coal Corporation has reached an agreement with environmental groups to reclaim three Virginia mine sites that it has neglected for nearly a decade. This includes 1,311 acres of land it still must reclaim or revegetate. A&G is one of Governor Jim Justice’s family coal companies. In order to fulfill its commitment, A&G will set up an escrow account, where it will deposit a third of its monthly revenue, $100,000. This decision was made after environmental groups like the Sierra Club and Appalachian Voices filed an intent to sue the company.

It is sad to know that companies are violating their clean-up agreements and that they need to be threatened with legal action in order to restore the land they used for business. It is also disappointing that A&G belongs to s the family of the Virginia governor. This shows that oftentimes politicians have a vested interest in keeping coal alive. The people ultimately harmed by a lack of environmental restoration are local inhabitants, who suffer from air pollution and poor drinking water at sites that are not cleaned. This article relates to environmental science because it describes human’s environmental degradation and failure to take accountability.

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New Jersey Grants $24 Million for Environmental Restoration

Marshall, N. (2023, January 24). 14 N.J. projects awarded $24M in grants to plant more than 4K trees, restore marshes. nj.com. Retrieved January 28, 2023, from https://www.nj.com/news/2023/01/14-nj-projects-awarded-24m-in-grants-to-plant-more-than-4k-trees-restore-marshes.html 

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection will grant $24.3 million dollars to 14 towns to fund urban greenery, marsh revitalization, and forest restoration. Restoring these natural resources will improve carbon dioxide sequestration and thus reduce greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere. Tidal marshes, for example, act as carbon sink that store carbon safely in the ground. Coastal salt marshes also serve another purpose—they protect against sea level rise and storm-caused flooding. By planting trees, N.J. cities can combat the ‘heat island effect,’ when cities are hotter due to heat-absorbing infrastructure and a lack of foliage. 

This article relates to environmental science because it touches on environmental phenomena like carbon sinks, climate change, and the ‘heat island effect’. This article made me happy because it demonstrates how humans can benefit from natural services. It is good that states are making an effort to restore their natural resources through grants such as N.J.’s ​​Natural Climate Solutions Grant program. Living in Menlo Park, I know how beneficial it is to have looks of trees, for cooling, aesthetics, and also to filter pollution.

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EPA Blocks Power Plants from Dumping Toxic Coal Ash into Unlined Ponds

Nilsen, E. (2023, January 23). EPA plans to stop 6 power plants from dumping toxic coal ash into unlined ponds. CNN. Retrieved January 28, 2023, from https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/25/us/epa-coal-ash-power-plants-climate/index.html 

In line with its promise to go back to Obama-era regulations, the EPA announced that it would deny six coal power plants from dumping their ash into ponds without lining (a geomembrane meant to stop water from seeping into surrounding soil). Coal ash is a byproduct of coal electricity and contains pollutants like arsenic, cadmium, and mercury. When they are put in unlined pounds, they can poison drinking water. The EPA found that another coal plant in Arizona had flawed ash liners and groundwater monitoring.  

My article relates to environmental science because it shows how humans can pollute their surrounding environment for purposes of industry and put neighboring communities at risk of ingesting pollutants. I was shocked to know that there are 500 unlined coal-ash ponds in the U.S. This demonstrates a common dilemma which is when to prioritize economic gain over human health and impacts. Generating electricity is resource-consuming and frequently results in hazardous byproducts that managers ought to dispose of carefully. That is why I think it is good the EPA is returning to old regulations that the Trump-era agency did not take as seriously. It is unfair to put unknowing families at risk of poisoning and other health effects, simply because they chose to live in a certain location. Also oftentimes, poorer families have no choice but to live near power plants.

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California Passes Tax on Electric Vehicle Battery Metal Lithium

Scheyder, E. (2022, July 1). California approves lithium tax despite industry’s warnings. Reuters. Retrieved August 28, 2022, from https://www.reuters.com/business/sustainable-business/california-approves-lithium-tax-despite-industrys-warnings-2022-07-01/ 

In June of 2022, California passed a tax on the electric vehicle battery metal lithium for various environmental restoration projects, including the clean-up of the Salton Sea region, which has been damaged by pesticide use for farming and has a start-up lithium industry. The tax will go into effect in January. However, there are many industry concerns that the tax may harm the state’s lithium sector by scaring off investors and customers, who may switch to lithium from Utah or Arkansas. 

This article relates to environmental science because it discusses a policy aimed at improving the environment and reversing industrial damage. I don’t have an overwhelmingly positive or negative reaction to this lithium tax because there seems to be arguments both for and against it that I would have to research more in-depth. However, it is sad what harm this tax may bring to the lithium industry. I think lithium is a big part of a more clean future, given its use in electric cars. This is in addition to the new methods being developed for cleaner mining. 

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California Requests Polluted Site to be Added to Federal “Superfund List”

Henry, J. (2022, July 6). Unable to fund exide cleanup, state wants contaminated Vernon site added to federal Superfund list. Daily News. Retrieved August 28, 2022, from https://www.dailynews.com/2022/07/03/unable-to-fund-exide-cleanup-state-wants-contaminated-site-added-to-federal-superfund-list/ 

Early July, California is requesting from the federal government that the polluted former site of Exide Technologies be added to the National Priorities List as a “Superfund site,” so the state may receive millions more dollars to clean-up the area. Exide declared bankruptcy in 2020, but its battery recycling has led to toxic pollution, including dangerous amounts of lead to spread across neighboring communities (East Los Angeles, Maywood, Huntington Park, etc.). Since Exide reneged on its agreement to fund clean-up, the state has taken on this responsibility. The process for becoming a Superfund site can take up two years.

This article relates to environmental science because it discusses a threat to our environment, that is lead build-up and toxic pollution from industrial processes. I hope that California may receive money for clean-up of the Exide Technologies, though I also understand that there may be other places that also need the money urgently. Either way, it is very disheartening that Latino neighborhoods must suffer from big corporations’ lack of accountability. The EPA and Trump administration should not have let Exide get away in court without cleaning up its damage.

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California Awards Money for Coho Salmon Recovery

CDFW News: CDFW awards $13 million for Coho Recovery Projects on the North Coast. CDFW. (2022, February 22). Retrieved August 28, 2022, from https://wildlife.ca.gov/News/cdfw-awards-13-million-for-coho-recovery-projects-on-the-north-coast 

On February 22nd, 2022, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) awarded an additional $13 million dollars of funding for coho salmon restoration in the North Coast. This award was made possible by the CDFW’s Proposition 1 Watershed Grant Program. The organization aims to increase the speed and size of restoration by making the granting process more efficient through its Cutting the Green Tape initiative. Other projects funded by the Prop. 1 grants include water conservation and habitat restoration. 

This article relates to environmental science because it deals with an endangered species, the coho salmon. This situation is likely due to environmental factors. That is why there are efforts to restore the environment and the animals that live in it. My reaction to this article is positive. It is good to hear about all the progress my state is making to protect natural habitats and species. Grants help environmental efforts and show government support for these efforts.

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Stanford Research Shows Benefits of Environmental Restoration In Protecting Against Sea-level Rise

Cafasso, S. Stanford researchers reveal add-on benefits of natural defenses against sea-level rise. Stanford News Service. (2022, June 9). Retrieved August 28, 2022, from https://news.stanford.edu/press-releases/2022/06/09/nature-defense-sea-level-rise/ 

Stanford researchers found that San Mateo environmental restoration projects are shielding the impacts of sea-level rise in a paper published June 9. Essentially, marshland conservation and beach restoration are as effective as concrete sea walls at preventing flooding. The researchers used the software InVEST to model three scenarios: the San Francisco Bay coastline lined with concrete seawalls, current conservation and restoration projects i.e. salt pond rehabilitation, and other nature-based projects like marshland protection. They found that the latter two scenarios to be abundantly more effective at reducing stormwater pollution than the former, showing additional benefits of nature-based solutions. 

This article relates to environmental science because it deals with the environmental problem of sea-level rise, affecting our community. Moreover, it discusses environmental projects regarding natural phenomenons like marshlands and salt ponds. There are certainly a lot of science behind these nature occurrences and their benefits which I have yet to explore. My reaction to this article was overwhelmingly positive. It is always great to find one solution to tackle multiple problems. In this case, nature-based solutions to sea-level rise is that solution. For example, conservation projects not only stop flooding, they provide recreation and combat climate change. Therefore, the San Mateo County should invest in more marshland protection, salt pond rehabilitation, seagrass restoration, and more. Research like this is amazing because it provides communities with actionable steps towards a better future, and shows what works and what does not. We should opt for the most beneficial projects to problems we have.

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California cities under pressure of trash regulation

Picon, A. (2022, June 11). California cities have spent millions to keep trash out of the San Francisco Bay. Regulators say it’s not nearly enough. San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved August 28, 2022, from https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/articleComments/bay-area-trash-pollution-17204216.php 

May of 2022, state environmental regulators approved regulations giving Bay Area cities three years to remove all trash from their stormwater systems. This is due to water pollution from litter getting swept by storms into the Bay. Communities like Oakland and San Jose are fighting back because of how much money they would have to spend on catch basins and trash-capture devices. Additionally, most Bay Area cities don’t use treatment facilities to filter out trash from stormwater drainage, so this regulation would be very financially burdening. Regulators will also stop counting credits from volunteer cleanups by 2025 under these new regulations, putting greater stress on cities. 

This article is related to environmental science because it deals with water pollution, which kills animals and harms ecosystems. Moreover, it discusses the impacts of storms, which sweep trash into large water bodies. My reaction to this article was not positive or negative. I understand cities’ stress, though I think that the environment should always be a top priority. We need clean water to survive, and biodiversity is also an asset that has many benefits for humanity. I think compromise can be made- such as extending the deadline for environmental clean-up. I also reacted negatively to the disallowing of credits to meet regulation, because I think volunteering is impactful and should be recognized. Bay Area cities already face enough pressure as is and should be helped in achieving clean-up goals.