Making Oak Park and River Forest Green
February 25, 2009
The Wednesday Journal of Oak Park and River Forest issue was delivered today and much to my surprise it was all about these two towns going green. The newspapers goal is to raise awareness about going green and to advertise the many ways that Oak Park and River Forest are taking to go green. This week’s issue is filled with numerous articles about going green. Here are a few:
-The cover article titled “How green is my… alley?” explains the efforts that Oak Park is taking to making their alleys green. This step will be taken this summer. Many efforts will be taken to make these alleys green. Contractors will allow 3/8 inch spaces between the pavers allowing water to penetrate into the pavement, into underlying stone beds that filter the water and allow it to be reabsorbed into the soil instead of it flowing into the sewer system, ultimately helping the water treatment and reclamation system. Another benefit will be green pavement material. This will reflect the sun’s heat off the pavement and back into the atmosphere so it does not heat up the alleys. Bio-swales will be installed to slow down the rate of run of rain, retain it, and slowly release it back into the surrounding soil. This will all be a difficult undertaking but Dominican University in River Forest proves that it can be done. Dominican is the first place in the region to install these green pavements.
-A condo building at 6603 North Avenue in Oak Park will be built soon, making it the first all green building in the town. Oak Park is taking a stance in our ailing environment and implementing new eco-friendly zoning codes. The condo’s contractor is planning on including a green roof and wind turbines. This new condo will hopefully be an introduction to the future of green Oak Park living.
-Schools are also striving to be more eco-friendly. Mann Elementary school in Oak Park recently launched a zero waste initiative to promote recycling and reduce trash. With introducing recycling to the students it has also become a learning opportunity. Now, they are taking measures to reduce the amount of paper they use and asking parents to help in the effort.
-Oak Park is home to many environment friendly stores. Stores including Botanica, Carful Peach, Fly Bird, Geppetto’s Toy Box, Great Harvest Bread Co, Olive Owl Organics, and Sirius Cooks are all stores that sell reusable and organic products. Oak Park advises that all should shop here.
-Even the Wednesday Journal, a local newspaper is advising that people start to use the internet for news. The web is more timely, broader, more accessible and cheaper. It does not involve the cutting down of any trees and it uses less fuel to distribute the newspapers.
- Writer Brad Spencer tried to incorporate sports into the Journal’s green theme of the week. He graded different sports on level of green-ness. This is what he came up with: Football he decided was just minty. Not green at all- he claims that there is way too much energy being produced because there are a lot of big guys on the field at one time. Basketball- he gives a rating of pistachio pudding. Too many towels are used to clean off the players sweat and the amount of deodorant used can deplete the entire ozone. Baseball wins the competition with a rating of shamrock. Not many people are exerting too much energy at one moment. He says that the bats are the only problem because they waste so much wood.
Source: Wednesday Journal of Oak Park and River Forest February 25th Edition. Vol. 29, No. 34
Fishies
February 25, 2009
Many have always thought that the ocean’s wonderful supply of seafood would never end. Unfortunately this belief has been taken too far and it may be caused by over fishing. Fishing has been increased 400 percent from 1950 to 1994 causing much of the ocean’s and lake’s supplies of fish to decrease. Ocean fish are the last organisms to be hunted on a large scale so fishing has become an extremely popular enterprise. In 1989 the total of the world’s fish caught was 82 million metric tons of fish per year. That is a whole lotta fish. Because of this semi-recent influx of fishing only smaller fish like tuna and salmon are still around. Large fish are no longer present in the world’s oceans today. Marine biologist Sylvia Earle said: “I don’t blame the fishermen for this. We, the consumers, have done this because we have a taste for fish and ‘delicacies’ such as shark-fin soup. Our demand for seafood appears to be insatiable … driven by high-end appetites. I’ve always believed that even when there is only one blue fin tuna left in the sea someone will pay a million dollars to be able to eat it.” This is a huge reason as to why the amount of fish in the ocean is depleting and I think nothing will change except the price of fish which is a delicacy that so many desire. The price of that fancy meal will be escalating due to the low supply of fish. Earle also pointed out that people should not be so quick to eat these ocean fish as they are today. She says that the fish contain so many pollutants and toxins that it is unhealthy to be consuming so many of these fish. If you do desire to eat a fancy seafood meal, the Seafood Choices Alliance gives you a list of the most healthy and eco-friendly fishes to eat: anchovies, arctic char, bluefish, catfish (farmed), clams, crabs (blue, Dungeness, king), crawfish, dogfish, hake, halibut (Pacific), herring (Atlantic), mackerel (Atlantic, Spanish), mussels (black, green-lipped), octopus (Pacific), oysters (farmed), Pacific black cod (sablefish), Pacific cod (pot- or jig-caught), pollock (Alaskan), prawns (trap-caught, Pacific), rock lobster (Australian), salmon (wild Alaskan), sardines (Pacific), scallops (bay-farmed), shrimp (U.S.-farmed), squid (Pacific), striped bass (hybrid), sturgeon (farmed), tilapia (farmed), tuna (Pacific albacore) and sea urchin.
Works Cited:
Obama’s New Environmental Staff
December 22, 2008
Barack Obama has recently chosen his environmental and energy team for his new administration. For environmentalists this was a long awaited announcement. The energy secretary position goes to Steven Chu who won the Nobel-prize as a physicist. He is known for his work in alternative energy research. The White House is also going to hold the head of the energy and climate council led by Carol Browner. Carol was head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under Bill Clinton. EPA administrator will be Lisa Jackson. And lastly, the chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality went to Nancy Sutley, who was a deputy Los Angeles Mayor. Obama is confident with his new energy “crew” and is hopeful in the pursuit to lower the dependency on oil.
Source: http://www.emagazine.com/view/?4486
New Secretary of Energy
Pray for Predators
October 29, 2008
What is the cause of the eroding banks, loss of soil, and widening rivers in Yellow Stone National Park? Biologists have given us the answer. It has been proven that the absence of top predators has caused the entire park to suffer. The ripple effect of losing these powerful prey has reached extreme levels- trees have become scarce and without these aspens, the park will no longer function as it used to. The predator population has decreased significantly causing all of this to happen. What happened to these predators? It is not certain, but the animals are assumed to have died off or migrated to different parts of the world. What we do know is that this is not good.
A few missing wolves does not sound like the worst thing to happen, but in reality, it is. Without the wolves, nothing would consume the elk. The elk, becoming over populated, will consume all of the willow which eventually affects the rivers and other bodies of water. It is our job to care about the fate of this national park because it reflects what will happen in the rest of the world if our predators disappear. The truth is that we cannot live without them.
But can we live with these dangerous predators? We, of course, do not want to become their prey. It is a fact that there are circumstances where predators do affect the human population but the pros and cons of the situation proves that we need these predators to survive. These missing predators can be invited back. More caution will have to be taken to secure the safety of humans, but the truth of the matter is that we must invite these powerful predators back. 
Photo supplied by AP Images
Tune into Plant Green!
October 23, 2008
This is Jodi
A close family friend and new to TV stardom, Jodi Murphy is joining in on the excitement on Plant Green’s new television channel. Her show “Total Wrecklamation” premiered a few weeks ago (yes, I was at the premiere party). Jodi developed a business twenty years ago. Now called Murco, her business aims to recycle housing materials that would otherwise end up in a land fill. Her job is to go into a house that is soon to be demolished and auction off anything and everything that can be reused. She has been very successful in doing this, landing her a series on Plant Green. On one of the last episodes Jodi sold 90% of a Wilmette home, saving all of that material from sitting in a land fill. She is as enthusiastic about saving the earth as keeping her auctions entertaining, which is clear in her show. She is one of the most hilarious and entertaining person out there- you’ve got to see it! Tune in on Wednesdays at 8:00 PM for Total Wrecklamation on Plant Green… you’ll been entertained while learning more about saving our environment!
Photo provided from Murco.com
Buy a Smart Car… If You Can Fit…
October 19, 2008
Cute and Affordable
Are hybrids really saving you money on gas? No they are not. When comparing the hybrid Honda Prius to the Aveo it appears that the overall money saved by driving a Prius is not a savings at all, unless you drive the same car for over 30 years, which is not likely. According to the data given, when driving a Prius 12,000 miles per year at 45 miles per gallon rate at $4.00 a gallon, the yearly cost of gas is $1,066. When driving an Aveo with the same previsions, its 34 miles per gallon efficiency costs only $346.00 more per year at $1,412.
Prius: 12,000 miles/ 45 miles per gallon= 266.7 * $4.00 per gallon= $1,067 per year for gas.
Aveo: 12,000 miles/34 miles per gallon=352.9 *$4.00 per gallon= $1,412 per year for gas.
Prius cost of gas per year ($1,067)- Aveo cost of gas per year ($1,412)= $346 difference.
Price of a Prius= $21,500. Price of Aveo: $11,460. Difference= $10,040.
$10,040 difference in price/ $346 difference in yearly price of gas= 29 years to make it equal.
Therefore, in order for the Prius to be a better purchase one has to be willing to drive it for over 29 years just to break even.
Clearly, the Aveo is a better option for someone who is more cost efficient than energy efficient. My advice would be to buy a Prius is you are economically able because you will be acting in more of a green-friendly way. But, if you are not able to spend an extra $10,000 on a car then go with a Aveo.
On the topic of hybrids, batteries are a main concern. According to http://alternativefuels.about.com/od/hybridvehicles/f/hybridfaq3.htm, batteries are pricey (about $3,000) but they usually last the life a car if treated right. So, this should not affect your decision in purchasing a hybrid.
Presidential Canidates on The Environment
October 12, 2008
As the educated environmental scientist that I am, I am required to make a decision that will change the face of the United States forever. This choice is between Senator John McCain and Senator Barack Obama. Everyone should compare all of t
he stances on issues between the two presidential candidates. However, when it comes to the environment, people are not very concerned. With the current state of the economy this is understandable, but we must make our presidential decision based on the future of our environment.
On the subject of climate change and global warming, both candidates agree that strong measures need to be made. The presidential running mates are also on board with the need for a resolution to the climate change. Sarah Palin has communicated mixed signals regarding whether she believes that these climate issues are man-made or not. Although both candidates are eager to make differences in the climate change, neither has presented a substantial solution.
Both candidates have been focusing more on renewable resources than the issue with climate change. With the energy sources running low in the past couple years; both McCain and Obama have plans for the use of renewable resources. McCain has made more of a commitment for a solution to this crisis. He plans on using Nuclear power as the main source of energy for Americans. He plans on building 45 new nuclear power plants in the US as stated in his environmental Lexington Project. “Nuclear power is safe, and it’s clean, and it creates hundreds of thousands of jobs,” said McCain. I do not know if this plan will work without any drawbacks but it seems more efficient that Obama’s solution which has not gone into much detail. McCain has made clear that there is a greenhouse gas emissions threat. He recognizes the French power. Over 80% of France’s power is nuclear, so we know it works. He also states that if we are going to have a global energy treaty we have to involve both India and China.
Barack Obama’s main solution is the wide-cap-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. He plans on establishing a national low carbon fuel standard where every company who excretes pollution into the environment has to pay a fee which will go to researching more efficient uses of energy. He claims that we have to increase fuel efficient cars, but does not present an explanation of how we are going to do this. Also, he makes clear that everyone has to make a difference by paying a little more on their electric bills and doing a better job on insulating their homes.
Thankfully, both presidential candidates are making promises to enhance the solutions to our energy crisis. Hopefully the candidate that is selected to run our country can solve this issue without too much debate. Both are aware of what needs to be done but with different solutions.
Work Cited
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/americas/10/10/eco.presidenteco/
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/issues/issues.environment.html
Beyond Drilling
September 17, 2008
We can make a difference. If we aren’t going to be drilling for energy sources, lets reduce the ones we already have! Here’s a few ideas:
o There are alternative energy options out there people! Consider solar, wind power, geothermal, or hydroelectric. Solar power is one of the most useful energy resources and is in abundance. If at all, at least use solar power to heat your pool.
o Energy-efficient windows are currently being introduced. These windows can lower heating and cooling costs, reduce winter condensation, prevent UV damage, and let in just the right amount of light.
o Consider having a composite pile in your garden. Putting all your food scraps and decomposable trash into this pile reduces the amount of garbage entering our landfills and also fertilizes your soil so there is no need for hazardous pesticides or fertilizers.
o Instead of having a large luscious lawns plant shrubs, trees, and bushes that will enhance the homes for backyard animals (but plant things that do not require a lot of water).
o Keeping your car tires full will surprisingly reduce the amount of gas you use. Fill those tires up!
o When not using electronic appliances make sure they are unplugged- energy is continued to be used even when not on. You will also save money on your electric bill.
o Invest in home appliances that improve the efficiency of energy used, which also saves you money. Inquire about Energy Star products. (energystar.gov)
o Look around your home to see if your heat or air conditioning is being let out of the leaks in your windows or doors. If it is make sure you invest in new doors or windows or cover up the leakage.
o Water your plants conservatively. Water at night or early in the morning to reduce water evaporation in the sunlight. Avoid sprinklers which are the most inefficient way to water your plants.
o Vote for a world leader who shares the same views as environmentalist have.
o Do not run your dishwasher when it is only semi-full. Wait until you cannot fit one more utensil in it to prevent wasting water.
http://www.deq.state.or.us/programs/sustainability/10ways.htm
http://www.taunton.com/finehomebuilding/how-to/articles/understanding-energy-efficient-windows.aspx
http://www.cc.utah.edu/~ptt25660/solar.html
MY CAR NEEDS GAS
September 16, 2008
I will start with the disadvantages of drilling in the small area of the ANWR (Arctic National Wildlife Refuge). One of the most concerning issues is the risk drilling will have on the wildlife in Alaska. Home to caribou, polar bears, and arctic foxes, people are concerned about what this exploration will do to them. Supporters of drilling state that these animals will be safe due to the seasonal drilling, but no one can promise that drilling will leave animals unharmed. The National Resource Defense Council says, “Although drilling proponents often say there are 16 billion barrels of oil under the refuge’s coastal plain, the U.S. Geological Service’s estimate of the amount that could be recovered economically — that is, the amount likely to be profitably extracted and sold — represents less than a year’s U.S. supply.” The result of drilling according to the defense council will only be a year’s worth of oil and it will cost more than importing it from other countries. Groups in opposition of drilling are asking if the benefits outweigh the cost.
In proposition of the drilling in ANWR, there are several reasons that drilling will benefit our crisis. Primarily, this oil and gas discovery is most likely the only discovery in our future. U.S. Department of Interior estimates range from 9 to 16 billion barrels of recoverable oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (according to ANWR.org). This opportunity will positively influence our suffering economy in the present. The act of drilling will open up thousands of job opportunities and this will also enhance the economy.
People against the drilling in this area can rest assure. If congress allows the ANWR to drill for oil, only eight percent of the ANWR area will be affected. This leaves the other 92 percent of the area for the inhabitants of the region. The wildlife will therefore not be harmed in any way and the wildlife can continue to flourish in the area of interest in Alaska. Because of all the benefits of drilling, the congress should take a stand and do what is best for our country who is suffering from economical distress.
http://www.anwr.org/ANWR-Basics/Top-ten-reasons-to-support-ANWR-development.php
http://www.anwr.org/ANWR-Basics/What-is-ANWR-and-where-is-it.php
http://www.nrdc.org/land/wilderness/arctic.asp
