References:
Problem Statement:
Hydrofracking
is short for Hydraulic Fracturing. Hydrofracking is the practice of extracting
gas or oil from geological shale rock formations. The process uses a high-pressure
fluid such as water, sand, and chemicals to break open the shale formations.
Fracking has both positive and negative effects on the economy, environment,
and individuals that live in the surrounding areas.
The following
outlines this problem from five different environment policy frameworks.
Groups such as US Energy Information Agency (EIA), reported 482 trillion cubic feet of shale gas potential in the US. Meaning that could boost the economy making the United States not having to rely on other countries.
Fact Frame:
The chemicals that are used while fracking arises issues of the pollution that is caused by the chemical uses to break up the shale formations. They don't have to reveal the chemicals that are being used for fracking. The release of chemicals into the air not only pollute the air and cause health issues to the public. Part of the process is to use water for fracking, and it is not just a couple of buckets it is anywhere from two to four million of gallons of water. That is a lot of water that is being used and with the droughts and the climate changing could definitely impact the water supply to become limited. Fracking can contaminate the water supply if something goes wrong.
Conflict Management Frame:
Fracking could be regulated at federal, state, and local levels of government. The levels vary in different states. The acts that put in place force the companies that are fracking to start disclosing information on the chemicals that are being used. Studies are determining the impacts of fracking due to the lack of federal rules that govern this activity. In Texas Governor Rick Perry signed a bill requiring extractive companies to disclose volume of water and chemicals used. (Loftis 2012)
Risk Management Frame:
Hydrofracking has positive and negative to this process. One positive risk is for the US to meet energy and economic needs such as not having to rely on other countries. Jobs for the unemployed. The negative side to this is process is one the amount of water that is used for one job, health at risk for the workers and the public. The pollution that is created both noise and environmental.
Ecological Environmental Frame:
The hydrofracking process main concerns for the environment is water usage, water contamination, pollution. The amount of the water that is used for fracking again could be anywhere from 2 to 4 million gallons. With the droughts and global warming that could shorten the water supply to the public. The chemicals that are used to break down the rock could be many different ones depending on how far they need to go. If that doesn't work that could release many different chemicals that could get into the water streams. The pollution that is caused by fracking is not only polluting the water but also the air. The chemicals that are used are also released into the air that we breath causing many health problems to the public. The water that is contaminated sometimes is not disposed of properly and sometimes left inside.
Cohen, S., Wannemacher, J., & Weisbecker, P. (2014). Understanding environmental policy (2nd ed.). New York: Columbia University Press.
1.
Id Identity: “Who am I” Values, Beliefs,
and attitudes, age, gender, and race.
2. Facts: How people many decisions based
on information.
3. Conflict Management: Decisions made
on conflicts are resolved.
4. Risk: How one is response to the impact.
5.
Ecological: Ones choice on how the impact will affect the environment both
human and natural.
Identity is first frame one values, and beliefs could have an impact on the other
frames that I have listed. Everyone has an individual characteristic. Facts is
my second frame, most individuals like to see the facts before a decision is
made that could impact them, a business, or a law. Conflict Management
is my third frame, this is how one reacts to the laws, policies and regulations
put in place. Risk is my fourth frame the decisions that have been
managed along with the facts that have been provided, determines on the risk
that have been taken or that are going to occur. Lastly the Ecological frame
one risk that an individual’s values or beliefs could impact the environment to
both human, animal and resources. These environmental policy frame works all tie in together. They play a factor on the environment is protected or impacted by the decisions that we make in everyday life.
References:
Davis, C. B., & Lewicki, R. J. (2003). Environmental conflict resolution: Framing and intractability--an introduction. Environmental Practice, 5(3), 200-206.
Bryan, T. (2003). Context in environmental conflicts: Where you stand depends on where you sit. Environmental Practice, 5(3), 256-264.
1. Exploratory
Probe basic facts and knowledge found in the reading and video. The reading from The Grasslands is describes the importance of grasslands are under conserved. Understanding the importance of the grasslands and how they impact the food source production and how if the grasslands are not managed correct the grasslands could die from plants to soil.
2. Diagnostic
Probe motives or causes. (Why?
(Tell your
reader why this occurs. Explain the causes in detail.))
Best grasslands are corn
and soybeans now no tall grasslands. Grasslands is a huge source of food. It is
important that the grasslands are protected and manage to avoid continuing to
have grasslands. The grasslands provide a food source to not only humans but to
animals as well.
3. Cause and Effect
Causal relationships
between ideas, actions, or events. (If
__________ occurs, what happens?)
If animals are removed from
the grasslands, it could damage the property and it could cause a longer recovery
period which to economically hurt a rancher. It could stress the livestock and
plants. When the grasslands are managed right a rancher could benefit the
grazing of herbivores on the property. It could double the production for the
ranchers.
4. Priority
Seek to identify the most
important issue. (What is the most
important issue?)
The understanding of conservation
on the grasslands and how it impacts ranchers, livestock, and humans. If the
grasslands are not protected it could mean damage to the environment such in
grass, water, plants, soil, and animals.
5. Application
Probe for relationships
and connect theory to practice. (How does
this apply to you? How is this related to culture as we have studied so far?)
The importance of conservation seems to be the culture that needs to be
implemented not only for grasslands, animals, water, and the plants. The topics
that I have read or listened to all go hand in hand to advocate, conserve and
get involved.
6. Critical
Analyze how this
challenges your thinking/assumptions. (How
did this change your thinking? Did it? Why?) The grassland article and the
pod cast by Jim Howell has broken down the understanding the importance of understanding
of conservation on the grasslands and how it impacts not just the ranchers but
also the environment. Getting involved in conservation programs to learn how to
advocate for the environment because everything goes hand in hand.
1. Exploratory
Probe basic facts and knowledge found in the reading and video.
Stream restorations for ranchers, streamside vegetation and wildlife. Streams
have been degraded by different stressors such as droughts, wildfires and grazing
practices.
Probe motives or causes.
Three main factors that
impact the cause of stream restoration are droughts, wildfire and grazing
practices. Droughts are common during the dry seasons of the year. During the
dry season the temperatures can raise and cause damage to the Riparian area.
Wildfires also impact the streams wildfire are cause by the climate changes
such as droughts and sometimes cause by humans. Wildfires are getting hotter and larger, and
the seasons are getting longer. Wildfires not only affect the fish but also
affect other species and plant life that live near these streams. Grazing
practices causes compaction of soil which increases runoff on the water source
and decreases the water availability for plants. The decrease in plants decreases
the biomass and prevents the establishments of seedlings.
3. Cause and Effect
Causal relationships between ideas, actions, or events.
If conservations groups and environmental laws are not put in place. These water streams and resources could hurt the environment, from water sources that are used for vegetation to food to humans. Conservation groups and laws help fund and restore streams and protect wildlife.
Seek to identify the most
important issue.
The importance of this is to help conserve for
today for the future.
5. Application
Probe for relationships and connect theory to practice.
Conservation in an organization that is trying to make a difference, weather it is big or small evening becoming an advocate goes a long way.
6. Critical
Analyze how this challenges your thinking/assumptions.
My thinking towards how
climate changes affect the environment such as in droughts and wildfires and
the impact that it has towards the environment which supplies not only food to
humans but to wildlife. I never took it into consideration about the
agricultural side of how it also affects the herds that graze but also the impact
that it could also cause to the streams. Conservation including advocating goes
a long way being able to educate other individuals could definitely make a
difference for tomorrow’s future.
References:
Fesenmyer, K. (2016). Restoring streamside vegetation using grazing and beavers. Trout Unlimited. https://www.tu.org/magazine/science/restoring-streamside-vegetation-using-grazing-and-beavers/
Fesenmyer, K. A, Dauwalter, D. C., Evans, C., & Allai, T. (2018). Livestock management, beaver, and climate influences on riparian vegetation in a semi-arid landscape. PLoS ONE 13(12). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0208928
History on environmental thoughts in the US started as early
as in mid 18th century. A gentle man by the name of Jared Eliot
wrote about the need for better farming methods. During the mid 19th
century the growth on society became a concerned that three groups formed and
had influenced in the relation of the environment they were the “resource
efficiency” group, transcendentalist movement, and the organized industrial
interests. The Resource Efficiency group established fields in environmental
science and engineering, agronomy, agriculture engineering, and public health. Many
individuals contributed to this group and understanding the scientific
underpinning of the environment and educating practitioners. Transcendental
Movement leader was Ralph Waldo Emerson, Emerson set new ways of envisioning a
relation to the natural world. His vision was seen through appreciating mother
nature. The organized industrials had a different mindset. The focus was to
provide employment and not control the legacy and laid a foundation for
advances in Environmental Policy. National parks and wildlife refuges were made
for commercial and recreational use by society, communication on the impact of
pollution on human health and welfare. Environment Risk Management prominence
in the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century. Environmental
Risk Management communicated to those that were impacted by a form of
industrial hygiene and sanitary engineering. As time went by the risk assessment
were applied to the natural environment. Many environmental scientists were surprised
by the amount of documentation of damage that was being created. In 1970 the
NEPA establishment a national goal to create and maintain conditions of humans and
animals. Both the environmental policy and the risk management have been able
to try to come up with solutions to help mitigate an environmental issue that
could cause damage to the environment and or a human. Although that this policy
was created over the past two centuries, we are slowly doing damage to the
environment since there is some laws that do not protect the environment such
as developing more businesses and housing to accommodate for the population, this
then creates other issues such as health issues. The more development that occurs the more
that green belts and nature spaces are taking away the more vehicle are used and
that creates more emissions. The emissions are then inhaled by humans which
tend to create more health issues. Vehicles many be able to get us to point a to
point b but they could also impact the water quality. The chemicals that a car
releases oils, gas, etc. has the potential to go into the ground and into the water
streams that could cause a contamination. With the population growing and
developers developing and clearing out natural resources that is contributing
to global warning issues that we are experiencing in today's world. These policies
that have been created and implemented still don’t stop the damage that we cause
to the environment and humankind. As the population continues to grow and new
ways begin to evolve to try to minimize pollution and conservation natural resources,
we end up creating another wicked idea that impacts something else.
References: Theis, T., & Tomkin, J. (Eds). (2018). Sustainability: A comprehensive foundation. OpenStax CNX. THEISandTOMKIN_Sustainability-a-Comprehensive-Foundation-45.1.pdf
Russell, E., & Fairfax, S. K. (2014). Guide to U.S. Environmental Policy. CQ Press. Chapter 28, see specifically pp. 400 - 407.
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Straw Ban
1. Exploratory:
Plastic Straw Bans Begins in some parts of the US and some parts of the world. According to the National Geographic Article it states that in July Washington D.C would be handling out fines to businesses that are still using straws. Parts of the world that attract tourist are also doing away with plastic straws. Both the US and other parts of the world dispose millions of plastic straws daily. Straws are not recyclable they are lightweight for the machines to recycle so they get into the landfills.
2. Diagnostic:
A video was circulated on how
a sea turtle had a straw stuck in its nose was suffering. Just imagine as a
human once something we get stuck in an open area example ear, nose or mouth we
feel that discomfort and most have two hands or help to remove an object. These
animals don’t usually get the help that they need until it is too late. Campaigns
have been pushing to ban the use of straws for many reasons one the pollution
that is it causing and two the number of animals that have been recorded that
have died to the consumption of plastic. The US throws millions of straws away daily
and the UK throws away 4.4 billion straws annually. Hotels are the worst offenders
to use straws in the facilities. The straws are so light weight that they are not
able to get recycled, so they end up in waste streams and the landfills which a
lot of the trash ends up in the oceans. Since the straws are not biodegradable the
plastic slowly starts to come apart which ends up as microplastics and that then
looks like food to animals. In 2017 a hotel in Hawaii used up 800,000 straws.
3. Cause and Effect:
The straw ban started in
the Seattle then Washington adopted the same ban against straws but also added
a more effective twist that if businesses were using straws that they would be
fined. I am sure that companies do not want to lose money when they could be
making and do away with plastic straws. Many other states are starting to
follow the ban such as Florida and California. Belize, Taiwan and England are
the latest countries to propose bans on straws. Hotels in North and Central
America and some cruise lines are also following the ban on straws in their establishments.
The significant impact on the environment if one single hotel removed straws that
would be millions of straws in a single year.
4. Priority:
Most importantly to banning
straws is the amount of pollution that is created by a small piece of plastic.
It is not only harmful to the environment but to humans and animals. Since the
straws are not biodegradable and within time and the climate that they start
to break down into small pieces of plastic known as microplastics. The microplastics
then acts like a form of food that is indigested by animals, fish and birds
that could harm the animal. One million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals are
killed annually. 44 % are seabird species, 22 % are whales and dolphins and all
sea turtle species including all fish.
5.
Application:
Ban straws
applies to me because this is just another form of unnecessary pollution we
would be ok doing away with. I understand that some individuals may need the
use of a straw due to disabilities. I know that we are very far from banning
all forms of plastics, but we need to start small and if that means starting
with straws. Just one single hospitality establishment doing away with straws makes
an impact on the environment.
6. Critical:
My thoughts on the use of straws have changed my mind. I will no longer ask for that straw for my drink I am looking at different ways not to use as much plastic in my everyday life. I am trying to educate my family on reusing and recycling items in our household. It is sad to see that so many animals have died due to the amount of pollution that we create by using plastic from the biggest piece to the micro size of plastic. I would wish that more states in the US adopt the ban of use of straws or come up with a different alternative.
Howard, B. C., Gibbens, S., Zachos, E., & Parker, L. (2019, June 10, update). A running list of action on plastic pollution. Environment. National Geographic. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/2018/07/ocean-plastic-pollution-solutions/
Hotels and Tour Operators are Eliminating Plastic Straws
(nationalgeographic.com)
Plastic straw bans are spreading: here’s how they took over the world (nationalgeographic.com)
Should Plastic Straws Be Banned? [Pros & Cons of a Straw Ban in 2019] (get-green-now.com)
Plastic Straw Removed From A Sea Turtle's Nostril (Short Version) - YouTube
References: Fee, N. (2017). Why plastic pollution is personal Links to an external site. [video]. TEDxBristol. https://www.youtube.com/...
