Reduced runoff from DC buildings? New EPA rules

One way that urban areas affect the environment is by having lots of "impervious areas" which send storm water rushing into drains and out into bodies of water carrying whatever chemicals or trash are in their path. This is one reason the harbor area in Baltimore is so dirty, and high speed flows hitting tributaries of the Chesapeake disrupt local ecosystems. The EPA is proposing to require green roofs in the District, which will slow the water and see much of it captured in barrels for use watering plants later. This could be pretty expensive, but it will definitely leave us with cleaner rivers and hopefully a cleaner Bay. Hopefully it's worth it!

Whaling: Help or Hurt Iceland?

In the article "Whaling Profitable but Bad for Iceland's Image", Greenpeace exposed illegal trading of fin whale meet from Iceland to Japan. In recent weeks, Greenpeace has managed to stop the illegal transport of 140 kilograms of whale meat from Iceland. In an attempt to advocate for the protection of whales and save this endangered species, Greenpeace has been taking extensive efforts to intercede the trading of whale meat. The article, however, discusses the advantages and disadvantages of whaling for Iceland's economy. Those in favor of legalizing whaling claim that the hunting and processing of whale meat could provide 80-90 jobs in Iceland. In an opposing argument, whaling would take away from tourists attractions such as whale tours that currently provide 120 jobs already. Another argument in favor of whaling legalization is the overwhelming supply of fish that would result from depleting the number of whales in the water. The depletion of whales would result in larger quantities of cod, capelin, and haddock for Iceland's fisherman. But this argument has also been disputed by scientists who claim that this debate is simply bias towards the legalization.
After reviewing the Greenpeace website and learning their stance on the subject of whaling, I am in accordance that the ban on international trading of whale meat should remain. Despite the economic profits of trading whale meat, the fact still stands that whales are becoming an endangered species; over hunting of them could affect the balance in the food chain. Aside from this, it seems that every argument made for the legalization of international whale meat trading has been disputable. Although arguments claim commercial whaling could provide jobs and more revenue, it seems there is not enough evidence to back these statements. Whales are a key component to marine life in the Netherlands and their existence should be protected.
--Samantha Easter

Potential Chesapeake Effects of Offshore Drilling in VA

This article discusses the problems with off shore drilling. The offshore drilling would take place off the shores of Maryland and Virginia. This could be a potential problem because it could harm the Bay. The article says that the Bay is an “economic engine” and any spill could significantly impact the economy. It would have a negative effect on the fisherman’s lives, recreational fishing, and tourism. A single spill could ruin an entire year of crabs. Once the article has made its point about the harm this could do to the Bay it offers alternatives such as off shore wind energy. The off shore wind energy would be more sustainable and more environmentally sensitive.
I agree and I think that alternate clean energies should be explored. The Bay is already suffering and people are already trying to restore it. If we are trying to restore the Bay wouldn’t doing something else that could potentially harm the Bay seem contradictory? With the Bay already suffering I think it is stupid to put the Bay at even more risk. Off shore wind energy could be a plausible substitute. There is no reason to say that these alternate clean energies should not be explored; so why not explore them and not put out Bay in even more trouble than it is already in.
--Ashlea Carl

Trade in Endangered Species

This article is about the illegal trading of endangered species and their parts across the internet. The products are the actual animal or a product associated with the animal. Examples of these two products are live baby lions and wine made from tiger bones. Some of the other endangered species caught up in this mess are: Kaiser's spotted newt, capuchin monkeys, lion cubs, polar bears and leopards. There is a convention, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species or CITES for short, held every year to discuss the problems with the endangered species. 175 nations gather at the meeting to come up with new and different regulations to help stop the illegal actions. One of the species that is disappearing quickly is the Kaiser spotted newt. This animal is being sold as a pet at a rate of 200 per year. There are only 1,000 of them in the mountains of Iran. The total population has decreased 80%. The CITES committee has put a ban on the trade of this newt and enforcement groups are helping to implement this ban.
I believe that these bans are a great idea and they need to be enforced harder. The problem is that the third world countries have little to none enforcement groups to regulate what comes in and out of the country. Also, people are trying to keep transactions off the internet so that neither party can be tract easily. All these endangered species need to be protected and not brought out of their wildlife habitat. These poor animals are being treated like drugs; both are being traded illegally and under the radar. I’m not a crazy animal lover but if we, the United States, have the resources to stop drug trafficking, then we can certainly try to stop this trading.
--Nick Kurtz

Chesapeake crabs on the rise

Great news reported today: the population of Chesapeake crabs is doing really well, thanks to restrictions on crabbing imposed over the past few years. Limitations on the take of female crabs over the past two years has led to increases in the viable population this year. Be nice if the population were sustaining itself without these restrictions, and maybe that will come soon, but not yet. Anyway, I'll take this news as it stands! Good news for the Bay.

"Incinerators are the devil"- but they produce energy

In Europe, 400 plants turn non-recyclable waste into energy, but the US has few and has hardly built any such plants in the past 15 years. Problems include NIMBY-ism and environmental groups pushing for zero waste, but the lack of incinerators means that trash ends up in landfills. This NYT article sure makes it sound like we're overlooking an environmental source of power.

A legacy of Katrina: Green Homes

This USA Today article gives much optimism talking about nonprofit groups and personal contributions donating money to help rebuild some of the less poorer areas of New Orleans with green homes. Over 500 homes have been and are being build, mostly in the lower 9th Ward and Pontchartrain Park areas of New Orleans – both of which have lower income families. These homes are those with the average value of $120,000-$160,000, but have been given the additions of eco-friendly materials, these mostly include installation, rain barrels, and solar panels. This effort is the first major effort to help build single family homes. Seattle, Washington and Boston, Massachusetts, have both built apartment buildings for poorer individuals and families with green materials and technologies. Building the homes is all thanks to contributions from nonprofit groups, Global Green USA, based in California, Make it Right, a nonprofit started by Brad Pitt, Riggio Foundation, a New York based nonprofit which has given $20 million, and personal contributions from Wendell Pierce, a New Orleans native and on the HBO show The Wire. The finished houses have shown decreases of 75% on energy bills, and one family, with 5 children, has claimed decreases of $300 on their monthly energy bills.
To me this is a great idea not only to help rebuild New Orleans and help those who didn’t have insurance and can’t easily afford a new house themselves. But, it is also rebuilds the city sustainably as well as giving the families decreased monthly bills, increased wealth in their home, and hopefully some increased pride in their homes. One concern I had was over the upkeep of solar panels and if it would be expensive for the poorer families, but other than needing to be rinsed with a hose if there is no rain and they become dirty, there is very little, if any upkeep needed over long periods of time. So, it gives a great gift to those families, neighborhoods, and the city of New Orleans, as well as it will hopefully be an example for cities which will rebuild poorer areas in the future.
--Jason Mathias