Local landfill may convert methane gas into electricity

http://www.hometownlife.com/article/20090315/NEWS03/903150506

Author: Tony Bruscato

Date: March 15, 2009

Source: Hometownlife.com

Summary:

A landfill in Canton Township could be able to turn the methane from their land fill into electricity. The methane can be used to run 14 engines that can generate 10 megawatts of power, enough to power 10,000 homes.

Response:

This is a good idea for all the landfills in the world. We can gain electricity from our waste and we can become a more efficient society. With 10,000 homes getting power that is most of the homes that send the waste to the landfill. So if each area does this we would use less fossil fuels and so we become more energy efficient. Also methane is bad for the atmosphere, it is better to gain something from it than let it go to waste. 

Prince Khaled orders more action to curb pesticide sale

http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1&section=0&article=119984&d=7&m=3&y=2009&pix=kingdom.jpg&category=Kingdom

Date: March 7, 2009

Author: Hassan Hatrash

Source: Arab News

Summary:

Prince Khaled has said he will increase efforts to prevent illegal pesticide usage. This announcement was in response to the poisoning of to workers who accidentally poisoned themselves while spraying the pesticides. The crack down focuses especially Aluminum phosphide which has been attributed to many deaths over the last years. 

Response:

This is a shocking piece of news. The poisoned workers are the proof of the damaging effects of the chemicals. Also over the years all the deaths because of the poisonings should have sparked this change before. Its good that the Prince has announced this crack down. Hopefully he can stop the usage of the illegal chemicals. 

Less use of pesticide urged

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=446408&publicationSubCategoryId=77

Date:March 8, 2009

Author: NA

Source:philstar.com

Summary:

In the Philippines farmers are being asked to stop spraying their onion plants. They are asking this to stop the spray because the larvae are so deep in the soil the spray is ineffective to kill the bugs. Currently the farmers spray when they see the damage but the spray kills the natural predators of the bugs.

Response:

This is a type of an example we have seen in class. This is the classic problem concerned with spraying pesticides. The spraying seems to be in vain because the bugs are still doing damage to the plants. If they would stop the predators could manage the bugs. If not we could put more predators in the fields. This is the better more natural approach  to the problem. 

New State Study Supports Concerns About Aerial Pesticide Spray; More Questions Remainhttp://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2009/02/27/18573758.php

Author: Isabelle Jenniches 

Date: February 27, 2009

Source: Indybay.org

Summary:

A report has been released that shows the connects the aerial pesticide spray has impacts on many parts of the food chain. Studies have shown that there has been direct deaths of birds because of the spray. Reports indicate that residue from the spay has been found on the birds and homes in the area.

Response:

This report is shocking and these problems need to be addressed now. This shows how polluting pesticides can be and their harmful effects. I don't understand how it took so long to reach this connection especially when there is residue on the birds. Then not forget the human effects with the residue on the cars. So we need to either eliminate aerial spraying or find a better way to spray.

List of pesticide-free towns growing

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-12/1235885232134710.xml&coll=1

Author: Jeanette Rundquist

Date: March 1, 2009

Source: New Jersey News

Summary:

Many towns in New Jersey have adopted a pesticide free policy in their towns and parks. These steps are designed to make the air and water better for its residents. This is a great plan even though it will cost a bit more in the long-run

Response:

This is a great idea for towns and cities to do. With no pesticides there will be cleaner air and water and spend less money on the pest control items. Since there will be more weeds the city can spend the saved money and pay people to cut the weeds and help the economy. This will help the kids stay healthy and give them a summer job. Keeping the towns pesticide free is a great step to keep the environment healthy. 

Hundreds of Coal Ash Dumps Lack Regulation

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/07/us/07sludge.html?_r=1

Author: Shaila  Dewan

Date: Jan. 6th 2009

Source: The New York Times

Summary:

There are around 1,300 coal dump plants in the U.S. that are unregulated in their dumping. The dumps contain lead, arsenic, mercury and selenium. Even though the ash is used to help farmers there is too much and is actually hurting because of the concentrations and amounts of the harmful chemicals.

Response:

This is a bad situation because there are some benefits to the ash. The ash helps but there is too much and is hurting the environment. The problem is that the companies will claim that they help. So there needs to be more regulations on this to prevents breaks in the dumps. If more breaks happen the land in the area will be destroyed. With new regulations the companies will be forced to fix the problem and this will help the environment  

Canada Takes Crap for Flushing Raw Sewage into the Oceanhttp://environment.about.com/od/waterpollution/a/canadasewage.htm

Author: Larry West

Date: Not Given

Source About.com

Summary:

In the British Colombia, cities are dumping their sewage into the ocean, the waste includes human waste, microorganisms , toxic chemical and etc. Many main cities like Montreal dump there sewage because they have no regulations on dumping. The worst is the city of Victoria, the city is actually proud of its dumping and claim it's "right and responsible thing".

Response: 

This is horrible, how has this not been addressed by Canada? Why is the government allowing this to go on? Especially with the Olympics coming soon and the world looking at Canada. They need to pass regulations for sewage like the rest of us. There is no excuse for this how can a city justify dumping sewage into a river and say it's okay? They need to clean up their act soon or it will gain greater attention as the Olympics near.