env. clean up

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“State of California orders cleanup of Simi Valley’s Sage Ranch Park” Dtsc.ca.gov,

Simi Valley’s Sage Ranch Park used to be a recreational gun club shooting range and was open from 1970 to 1980. This park is now very polluted by lead, skeet fragments, and clay pigeon debris which is causing the soil to be very toxic. This is very dangerous and unhealthy for the wildlife living on this land. The article states, “one lead pellet can poison or kill a bird; other animals may eat dead or dying birds and become poisoned or die” (DTSC). Therefore, the state of California is ordering for the toxic soil to be cleaned up. This cleanup will start in August 2022 and take around three months. 

 

This relates to environmental science because the toxic chemicals in this soil are causing major harm to the environment and the animals. It is very important to understand the effects of toxic contamination and how to restore and remove these chemicals. It is very crucial that the state continues to search for, find, and restore land like this that is harming our environment. 

 

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“San Diego County’s Largest Environmental Cleanup Returns Sept. 17 for International Coastal Cleanup Day.”

On September 17th, 2023 International Coastal Cleanup Day returned and this is San Diego County’s largest environmental cleanup. On this day, they clean up beaches and other coastal sites, and many inland sites. This year there will be 70 different cleanup sites for the community to attend and participate in the restoration of San Diego County. Last year there were 2,470 volunteers in this area and they are hoping for even more this year. 

 

International Coastal Cleanup Day is a very important part of environmental science because restoring this land is essential for maintaining healthy ecosystems, wildlife habitats, and natural resources. I think this is a very important and beneficial day because they gather the communities to work together to restore the land that they all love. 

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“CDFW News: Wildlife Conservation Board Funds Environmental Improvement and Acquisition Projects.”

The California Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) has approved $70.14 million in grants that will fund environmental restoration projects which will help “restore and protect fish and wildlife habitat throughout California” (CDFW).  These grants will fund three major projects to protect fish and wildlife. The first is the Point Blue Conservation Science project to apply restoration in the meadows of the California mountains. The second project is the Point Blue Conservation Science project to restore wildlife habitats on working lands. The third and final project is the California Association of Resource Conservation Districts project to protect wildlife habitats on  public and private lands. 

 

These restoration projects are crucial for maintaining and creating safe and healthy habitats for species. This money has gone to a perfect cause and Wildlife Conservation Board is doing a great job of putting money toward conserving California’s lands and waters. Pollution of our land and waters and climate change are destroying fish and wildlife habitats, and this restoration is necessary to protect them. 

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EPA Proposes Cleanup Plan for Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine Superfund Site.

The Environmental Protection Agency has created a plan to restore the Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine Superfund site in Clearlake Oaks, California. Clear Lake is very contaminated with high levels of mercury, and the soil in and around the mine site is contaminated. Some of this land is the territory of the Elem Indian Colony Tribe and other native tribes. The EPA is working closely with these tribes and communities to ensure that everyone affected by this plan has approved it. They are holding a zoom meeting on Wednesday, January 25 to inform the community of updates and information on this clean up, and to open up a space for people to ask questions and make suggestions. 

 

This is a significant cause because this contamination is very unhealthy and concerning for the people living in Clearlake Oaks. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is doing a great job creating this plan and consulting the Clearlake community, which is very important because this is their land. Areas like these are often overlooked, but it is crucial to restore this land for the health and well-being of its residents. 

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“US to Spend $250m on Cleanup at California’s Toxic Salton Sea.”

The Salton Sea is a toxic lake that is contaminated by runoff from nearby farms and wastewater. This is causing it to contain arsenic, selenium, and DDT which are toxic chemicals. The lake is slowly shrinking due to droughts and climate change, which is causing these chemicals to blow off and pollute the surrounding air which is causing major health issues for the communities near the lake. In the Inflation Reduction Act, the US government is putting $250 million over 4 years to restore the Salton Sea. This will consist of creating ways to limit the amount of dust blowing into the air from the lake by creating wetlands and ponds, and funding projects to find ways to restore the sea and keep the wildlife and people safe. 

 

This is related to environmental science because it is restoring an ecosystem that has been majorly affected by climate change and pollution. I think this is very a important cause because this lake has been an issue for a long time and there has been little done to fix these issues. In the communities surrounding the lake, one in five children is hospitalized for asthma and there are some of the largest adult asthma rates. Therefore, it is great the government is putting money and energy toward restoring this Lake. 

 

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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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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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What is behind the fees of California?

E-Waste More Information . Dtsc.ca.gov. (2022, August 29). Retrieved January 29, 2023, from https://dtsc.ca.gov/e-waste-more-information/ 

Ever since January 1, 2005,  people have been paying an extra fee when purchasing “video display devices”. Based on the size of these devices, consumers pay within 4 to 6 dollars for the fee. After the money from the fees is deposited into an account, they use that money to pay e-waste collectors. Some devices are considered “universal waste”, which is hazardous waste but contains common materials that other waste have. Since most of these devices are universal waste they implement more regulations. This is why consumers in California pay these fees to limit toxic substances sold, reducing the production of these substances, and establishing a funding system. 

This article focuses on the goals of California to meet the expectations for obtaining more sustainability. Once again, I notice that the more regulations they add creates a stronger structure. Simple fees the people pay in the end are helping e-waste collectors. This also goes over the category in which these devices are in such as “universal waste”. As the concern for e-waste rises, they carry out detailed regulations that help reduce this waste. After reading the regulations and how they play a part in California, it’s surprising what part we play in that helps us reach these goals.

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What will be the future for Electronic-Waste?

UCI study finds 53 percent jump in e-waste greenhouse gas emissions between 2014, 2020. UCI News. (2022, November 1). Retrieved January 25, 2023, from https://news.uci.edu/2022/10/26/uci-study-finds-53-percent-jump-in-e-waste-greenhouse-gas-emissions-between-2014-2020/  

As we continue to use electronics more each time, the greenhouse gas emissions that come from electronic waste have also increased. According to researchers from the University of California, ever since 2014 to 2020, emissions have increased by fifty three percent. It was said that approximately by the year of 2030 that 852 million metric tons of carbon dioxide will be emitted annually from just electronic waste. Theoretically this would occur without any regulations, showing what will happen if nothing is done about electronic waste. Reducing the electronic waste will not only help reduce climate change but also reduce child labor that operates in mines and avoid risking employees in waste management.  

Based on the research that the University of California conducted, electronic waste causes many issues apart from pollution. E-waste has contributed to the huge amounts of carbon dioxide that continues to be emitted in the atmosphere. This issue could be prevented by finding better ways to dispose of these waste. Minor factors that contribute to climate change which is a global issue that would be avoided. But E-waste does not only affect the environment but also many people. Due to all the E-waste that releases extremely dangerous toxins it puts people at risk who manage that waste. I think it’s important to consider this issue because often, many problems like this always lead to more. Implementing more regulations will help keep accountability for finding sustainable solutions to manage this waste.

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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.