Reflection: Weeks 8-14

During the second half of class I have learned and explored several issues of environmental health that I am excited about.  We completed blog posts, researched topics, and shared our thoughts and opinions about several areas of environmental health.

I am most excited about when we explored the ideas of junking, upcycling, and repurposing. Junking is the art of searching for or finding bargains or antiques (Urban Dictionary). Upcycling is a process of converting waste or useless materials into new, high quality products (Wikipedia).  Repurposing is the act of giving an object a new purpose or use (Merriam-Webster).   I recently completed a project using an over the door Christmas card holder and created a photo holder.  This project was simple and now I can use this item year round instead of only at Christmas time!  I bought frames from a craft store and decorated them.  The filled frames fit perfectly into the holder and are removable at any time. I can't wait to complete additional upcycling projects!

During the second half of class we also completed an advocacy project for several weeks focusing on an environmental issue that matched up with the Healthy People 2020 objectives. I researched and discussed the bill S.875 -- Drinking Water Right to Know Act which is a bill to amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to require additional monitoring of certain contaminants, and for other purposes.  This bill corresponds to the Healthy People Objective EH-5 Reduce waterborne disease outbreaks arising from water intended for drinking among persons served by community water systems. I couldn't believe that carcinogens and gasoline additives are still found in some public water supplies! From this project we learned how to research bills, create fact sheets, and write letters to elected officials.  This is a great skill that can be used to voice your opinion on any topic, not just  on environmental issues.

Another big section of the second half of the class was the Share & Voice blog posts.  Students blogged about any topic that corresponded to environmental health issues.  We learned from great websites, online sites, and YouTube Videos from this weekly activity.

This has been a great class that has helped me explore numerous topics that I haven't thought about before.  I am excited to continue learning and share my knowledge with others!

Share & Voice: Duluth & Superior Sustainable Eating

This YouTube video was created here in Duluth, Minnesota by the University of Minnesota Duluth Anthropology Senior Seminar students in the spring of 2010!  I would like to share this video because not only does it suggest great tips for healthy and sustainable eating, but the tips are centered around Duluth, Minnesota so we can all use these tips and visit the stores suggested. Some of the sustainable and local stores they suggest visiting are Whole Foods Co-op, Great Harvest Bread Co., and The Farmer's Market at UMD. This video is both educational and informative and is a great example of how anyone, even students, can advocate for what they believe in.  I hope you enjoy this locally created video as much as I did and can use some of their great suggestions!

Advocacy Project: Letter to Elected Official

December 11, 2011

Senator Amy Klobuchar
302 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-3244

Senator Al Franken
515 W 1st St Suite 104
Duluth, MN 55802
(218) 722-2390

Vote YES for S.875 -- Drinking Water Right to Know Act. A bill to amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to require additional monitoring of certain contaminants, and for other purposes.

I am writing to request your support in The Drinking Water Right to Know Act; a bill to ensure that our water is closely monitored for contaminates and pollutants.  Water is an essential need for daily life.   According to Healthy People 2020, 7 outbreaks per year during 1998–2008 developed from water intended for drinking among persons served by community water systems.  The Drinking Water Right to Know Act is aimed at reducing this number by requiring public water systems to detect and monitor contaminants on the Environmental Protection Agency's unregulated contaminants list and report findings to the national drinking water occurrence data base.  This act will also require water monitoring at determined frequencies.

Millions of Americans enjoy public water daily.  However, many of these American do not know what may be in their water.  According to Senator Frank Lautenberg, since 2004, more than 62 million Americans have been exposed to drinking water that meets EPA standards but actually contains potentially harmful contaminants, including some that are toxic.  The EPA does not regulate 140 chemicals that may be in our drinking water. Large cities have found gasoline additives, pesticides, fracking chemicals used to produce natural gas, and chromium six which is a carcinogen linked to stomach cancer, leukemia, and other cancers.  Some of these cities include New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Phoenix and Washington, DC; cities with some of the largest populations in our country.

Opponents may disagree with this bill because of the additional costs of  testing and reporting.  However, medical costs are much higher for illnesses.  In extreme cases, carcinogens found in water can be deadly.  Testing is much cheaper than a the price of a human life.

Health issues have been on the rise recently and I appreciate everything our senators are doing to ensure health of all individuals despite their age.  However, water is essential to life and a major component of our daily lives.  Our friends and family consume this water daily and the last thing we want is our loved ones to consume toxic and harmful contaminants.  I am hoping you will considering voting yes for this bill and ensure safe, clean drinking water for everyone.

Thank you for your time and consideration in this health issue.

Sincerely,
Alyssa G.

Share & Voice: Enjoying the Seasons

We are so lucky to live in Minnesota where we are blessed with four very different seasons and can experience beauty at all times of the year!  

Winter

Jay Cooke State Park 

  

Spring

Insects in Duluth, MN.

 

Summer

Sunset in Ely, MN.

Heron watching over Fish Lake.

 Lake Superior Lighthouse

Fall

The backyard of the Glensheen Mansion in Duluth, MN.

Chester Park, Duluth MN.

Advocacy Project: Fact Sheet

Is Our Drinking Water as Safe as We Think it is?

Image from: BlueDaze

Background:
"The Safe Drinking Water Act only allows EPA to require temporary monitoring of a small group of unregulated contaminants. So the public has no idea that they might be drinking water laden with unregulated contaminants" (Frank Lautenberg).

The Drinking Right to Know Act would require an increase in monitoring for unregulated,  hazardous pollutants. Also, this bill would require the Environmental Protection Agency to make information on contaminants in drinking water readily available online and easy to read and understand.

Facts: 
"Since 2004, more than 62 million Americans have been exposed to drinking water that meets EPA standards but actually contains potentially harmful contaminants, including some that are toxic. In fact, research shows there are more than 140 chemicals in our drinking water that the EPA does not regulate" (Frank Lautenberg)

Some of the chemicals recently found in United States water supplies:

• Gasoline additives
• Pesticides
• Fracking Chemicals: used to produce natural gas
• Chromium Six: a carcinogen linked to leukemia, stomach cancer, and other cancers

"7 outbreaks per year developed from water intended for drinking among persons served by community water systems in 1998–2008" (Healthy People 2020)

Our drinking water may not be as clean as we think it is.

You can help by advocating for clean, safe drinking water. 

Tell your senator to vote YES for the Drinking Water Right to Know Act.

Sources:

Drinking Water Safety and Right to Know Legislation
Healthy People 2020

Eye Opener: Photo Essay

Renewable Energy Across the State of Minnesota

"Renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies are key to creating a clean energy future for not only the nation, but the world" (National Renewable Energy Laboratory).

"The United States currently relies heavily on coal, oil, and natural gas for its energy. Fossil fuels are nonrenewable, that is, they draw on finite resources that will eventually dwindle, becoming too expensive or too environmentally damaging to retrieve. In contrast, renewable energy resources—such as wind and solar energy—are constantly replenished and will never run out" (National Renewable Energy Laboratory).

Grand Meadow Wind Farm--Dexter, Minnesota

Wind Turbines Wind Farm:  "The wind farm spans a stretch of farm fields six miles long and four miles wide, and is spread out over roughly 10,000 acres southeast of Interstate 90 three miles north and three miles south of Hwy 16, in Grand Meadow, Clayton, and Dexter Townships in Mower County" (Excel Energy)

Wind Turbine Converter: All energy generated by the wind turbines is set to the converted and sent to the power lines to be transferred to the power plant.

Power Lines: Energy from the converter is sent through these lines to the Power Company.

Personal Wind Turbine--Austin, Minnesota

"Renewable Energy SD is the Upper Midwest’s leading provider of wind turbine consultation, sales and development services. We offer turn-key renewable energy solutions from an exclusive dealer factory network. We are committed to supporting and strengthening individual, local economies as well as green initiatives while increasing the energy independence of the United States" (Renewable Energy SD).

Personal Home Solar Energy Panels--Winona, Minnesota

"We provide ... solar electric, solar hot water, solar hot air, and energy efficient lighting solutions for the residential, commercial, and government sectors. Our services include: Site Surveys, Quoting, Design, Procurement, Installation, Commissioning, Training, and Customer Service. Our goal is to make renewable energy and energy efficiency available and affordable to everyone while providing outstanding professional service, superior attention to detail, solid integrity, proactive safety, quality products, and competitive value" (Winona Renewable Energy LLC)

Advocacy Project: Issue Overview

Image from Minnesota Department of Health

S.875 -- Drinking Water Right to Know Act (Introduced in Senate - IS) A bill to amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to require additional monitoring of certain contaminants, and for other purposes.

Introduction:

• "Drinking Water Right to Know Act - Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to require a public water system that detects an unregulated contaminant included in EPA's list of unregulated contaminants to be monitored by public water systems and included in the national drinking water occurrence data base, to continue to monitor for the detected contaminant for such period, at such frequency, and at such levels of concentration as the Administrator determines to be appropriate. Authorizes the data contained in the national drinking water contaminant occurrence data base to be used by the public. Requires the Administrator to: (1) evaluate the extent to which such data is accessible to and useable by the public; and (2) make such data more accessible to and useable by the public" (Bill Status and Summary). 
• Too many citizen are drinking water that is contaminated with hazard pollutants. "Since 2004, more than 62 million Americans have been exposed to drinking water that meets EPA standards but actually contains potentially harmful contaminants, including some that are toxic. In fact, research shows there are more than 140 chemicals in our drinking water that the EPA does not regulate. "In some parts of our country, these chemicals include gasoline additives and pesticides. In other states, drinking water contains so-called fracking chemicals, which are used to produce natural gas. In some communities near drilling rigs, you can turn on the tap and literally light the water on fire. "As if that isn't disturbing enough, late last year, chromium six -- a carcinogen linked to leukemia, stomach cancer and other cancers -- was found in the water supplies of 31 American cities" (Frank Lautenberg)
• This bill is in the first stage of the legislative process. It was introduced into Congress on May 3, 2011 (PopVox)
• S.875 -- Drinking Water Right to Know Act

Who is affected by the issue?

• Everyone that drinks from a public water system will be affected by this bill.
• The Administrator that is by regulation required to monitor the public water system for the detected contaminant and EPA may lose money from this bill from paying for the work and materials for testing.
• Citizens drinking public water will gain the security of knowing their drinking water is safe.  With the elimination of harmful contaminants in the water, citizens will no longer pay for doctors or medications to recover from the illness and diseases obtained from the contaminated water.

What are the consequences/ barriers of the issue?

• Testing and monitoring of the water will cost time and money which may increase taxes and in turn affect individuals, families, and society as a whole.
• Hiring a new employee or adding work load to an existing employee will be a barrier for the mandated testing and reporting agencies.
• Implementing suggestion to improve drinking water may also be costly and time consuming.

What is the economic impact of the issue?

• Testing and monitoring of the public water will cost money to complete for the Environmental Protection Agency.
• Illnesses, diseases, and cancers may be reduced by elimination toxic chemicals and carcinogens in the public drinking water which will reduce medical expenses.
• Implementing corrections needed discovered from water testing may be an economic issue for the government.
• Rewriting drinking stands and publicly disclosing information may have an economic impact on the government and testing agencies.

What is the social impact of the issue? 

• Toxin and carcinogen-free water will reduce possible illnesses and side effects that are caused from the 140 chemicals found in public drinking water that are currently unregulated.
• Making water data available to the public will allow citizens to make informed decisions on their water consumption.

What are the resources?

• We need to address where the money will come from to set new standards, implement testing of public water systems, and publicly disclosing information. This money may need to come from a tax increase, water standard violation ticketing, or Clean Water Agency donations such as American Water Resource Association, Clean Water Action, Partnership for Safe Water, or Charity: Water.
• These resources can be tapped by implementing increases taxes or violation ticketing.  Organization donation can be achieved by simply stating our need and asking for help.
• For Minnesota: Minnesota State Drinking Water Offices in St. Paul
• "States can use funds that the EPA makes available through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program to help their water suppliers improve drinking water quality" (EPA).

Minnesota State Drinking Water Offices:

Minnesota's drinking water program
Drinking Water Protection Section
Dept. of Health
625 Robert Street North P.O. Box 64975
St. Paul, MN 55164-0975 651-201-4700

Minnesota's source water program
Drinking Water Protection Section
Dept. of Health
625 Robert Street North P.O. Box 64975
St. Paul, MN 55164-0975 651-201-4681

What is the history of this issue?

• May 3, 2011: Date this bill was introduced into Congress.  
• Drinking Water Right to Know Act is in the first stage of the legislative process.  
• Twenty-five years ago,  Frank Lautenberg authored the Right to Know Law on toxic chemical releases to make sure people know about potentially hazardous substances in their communities. (Frank Lautenberg)
• December 16, 1974: Safe Drinking Water Act was implemented to assure that the public is provided with safe drinking water, and for other purposes (EPA).

Allies & Opponents:
Allies: American Water Resource Association, Clean Water Action, Partnership for Safe Water, or Charity: Water.
Opponents: Mandated testers

I recommend the Senate should vote YES on S.875 Drinking Water Right to Know Act .  This Act will ensure safe public drinking water for all citizens.