Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Let's Get Started

By Demelza Davies

Not everyone needs to be in tune with what is going on environmentally. But we do need to be aware of how our actions affect the globe. People who don't care about things such as "Global Warming" are generally the ones who simply don't know that simple changes in their lifestyle can help save the environment. A lot of people feel that the environment is a scientific issue that is hard to understand. Sure, it is easy to say to some to "Google it," but not everyone is keen on the information they find on the Internet, or they simple don't have the time to look through articles and pinpoint the facts that are of interest. So let's just put it down into three words developed by environment enthusiasts to make it easier for the not-so-environmentally-sound: REDUCE REUSE RECYCLE.

There are many websites and articles that inform people how to understand the environment. There are also plenty of articles giving advice on how people can help the environment without too much effort. For example, did you know it's cheaper to use cloth napkins than paper napkins? Once used, you throw it in the washing machine along with your dirty linens and voila, a fresh serviette ready to be used again. By making this one small change, you emit less waste to the world and use less trees! Who would of guessed you can save the world and money in one swift movement, whoosh. If you are really cramped with time, try really simple things like ingesting less bottled water. People are always misinformed about bottled water; it's not necessarily better than tap water. As long as you live in an area with a well kept reservoir, you're fine. In fact, you're great because that means there are less chemicals emitted. Also, a lot of people are not aware of the extra chemicals you consume through the plastic of the bottled water; so by drinking more tap water you ingest less chemicals automatically and save the earth from the dreaded plastic waste.

Here's another way to save money and our beloved mother earth. Don't buy individual wrapped snacks. Buy them in the value bag and place portions in individual tuber ware. It's cheaper to buy the value size versus the individual wrapped kind. Indeed, you might have to spend what, five minutes organizing your cheaper snack, but think of the trees. We all basically want to avoid trash at all costs. I got these awesome tips from a credible source that has a lot of information on being environmentally aware. Visit www.Globalstewards.org. It provides information on the many ways an everyday person can help fight pollution and global warming.

There are many ways to help the environment that only take minutes of your time and even help save you money. Get online and find out what you can learn, because everyone has different needs. The most common needs I can think of are using refillable bottles and reusable travel coffee cups. If everyone makes this slight changes to their everyday lives we would all be a little happier and a lot healthier

To learn more about ways to help the environment please visit:
http://www.globalstewards.org/reduce.htm

Toxic Legacy: EPA's Mess-Up

By Dave Ragazzo

The newspaper series “Toxic Legacy” in the Bergen Record was a very enlightening piece about a profound environmental issue in New Jersey and New York. This series was very well written, and also discussed an important topic that many people living in the area do not know a great deal about. Being a senior at Ramapo College, and living on the campus for four years, this issue has had some impact on me. I did not know any of this before reading the newspaper articles, but now that I am aware of the situation, I would like to be more proactive about the issue. It is a little unfortunate that this was not more widely broadcasted to the Ramapo community because there are a lot of people at this school that would be happy to help the cause if they knew about it.

What I found most disturbing was the actions that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) took during the years that the toxic waste was in the infected areas. Ford was wrong in polluting the environment with paint sludge and other toxic wastes, and it was the EPA’s responsibility to take care of the wastes. However, when Ford did this, they did not do the job, and almost seemed as though the EPA did not care to clean the mess that Ford had left. I thought this was totally disturbing as well as totally unprofessional on the part of the EPA. I know that no one wants to clean up someone else’s mess, especially when that mess is toxic waste, but that is part of their job descriptions. If you were working for this agency, you would have to know that doing stuff like this would be a great possibility. If you didn’t want to get into work that involved cleaning the environment, I don’t know why you would want to work for an agency whose sole responsibility is doing that. It makes absolutely no sense to me, and because of this, I think the EPA should be held more accountable than Ford.

I believe sanctions should be taken against the EPA for their actions during the cleanup of the Ford debacle in this area. By not cleaning this mess, they put many lives in danger, and affected the quality of life for the people of this area. Considering I lived on the Ramapo campus for four years, I feel disrespected by the actions taken by the EPA. I would imagine that the people who have lived in this area for many years and have sent kids through the schools here would be even more disappointed than I am, and they have every right to. Unfortunately, there are no other agencies that are going to replace the EPA, and now when other environmental issues come into play, I think we have an unreliable agency in charge of that.

The War After the War: Pompton Lakes vs. DuPont

By Jon Lindenauer

DuPont, a leading American chemical company, established itself as a gunpowder supplier and manufacturer at the turn of the 19th century. The industry rose to prominence in the early 20th century when it became a primary military supplies provider during World War I. But in a tragic circumstance, DuPont’s munitions aid in past and present American War efforts has resulted in the harm of a neighboring suburban community: in Pompton Lakes, NJ.

Although DuPont has a remarkable track record of industrial growth, its reputation has been tarnished by its unfortunate environmental track record. Credited alongside fellow environmental offender General Motors with the invention of chlorofluorocarbons (or CFCs) – a compound known for its destructive nature to the ozone – DuPont has been embroiled in a series of ecological fiascos. One notable debacle was a case in which the company was fined by the Environmental Protection Agency for polluting drinking water with perfluorooctanoic acid (sometimes referred to as C8) caused by Teflon production in a West Virginia plant. While the PFOA case raised concerns due to abnormal and possibly hazardous levels of the harmful agent in the residence of the nearby community, the results of the current situation in Pompton Lakes appear to be far more deadly.

A December 2009 article in The Record showed that the battle between DuPont and the residents of Pompton Lakes is heating up, with approximately 500 Pompton citizens in attendance for a community meeting regarding outrage over the present state of the issue. Prior to the meeting, the findings of a recent study released by the NJ Health Department showed elevated occurrences of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and kidney cancer in individuals living in the community, undoubtedly caused by pollution from the local DuPont manufacturing plant. The meeting called for federal officials to initiate a decontamination attempt of the area, which has been ravaged by toxic vapors from past DuPont chemical pollutants rising up through the ground into the homes and property of the Pompton Lakes neighborhood near DuPont’s former manufacturing site.

In a tearful plea for federal support, various member of the Pompton community spoke out about their tragic experiences at the crowded meeting. Some spoke regarding their own grave medical conditions while others spoke of family members claimed by the deadly agents that have infected their surroundings and threaten the lives of everyone in the town. In response, DuPont issued an e-mail statement conveying the company’s ongoing commitment to alleviating the contamination plaguing its adjacent community, but offering no method or plan for a complete clean-up solution.

Sadly, 2009 marked a slew of dead-end promises and investigation regarding the DuPont / Pompton issue that included Erin Brockovich and the environmental law firm Weitz & Luxemburg holding a special open meeting in March to discuss possible legal action regarding the situation. Additionally, a sprawling article series published by The Star Ledger served to shed light on the scenario but ended in March of last year offering little in the way of potential resolution, with the only hint of closure being an investigation by the state regarding the since-proven elevated cancer rates for the region. But perhaps the recent organized outrage might spark renewed interest and motivation regarding future decontamination efforts.

From the Reel to Reality: The (Impending) Ramapo River Crisis

By Jon Lindenauer

As an essential source for supplying drinking and utility based water for southern New York and northern New Jersey, the Ramapo River spans a significant region of a dual-state area with a combined population of nearly thirty million. However, due to a number of preventable human factors, the Ramapo River faces falling standards of quality and preservation from a present condition that is already alarming. After examining various statistics and figures regarding the projected outlook of the crucial water source, a horrifying image for the prospects of the river and its beneficiaries comes to life.

In recent history, many of the world’s ecological woes have been highlighted in the world of cinema. Such documentaries as Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth and Leonardo DiCaprio’s The 11th Hour have served to illustrate the global crisis in a more straightforward format, while fictional films – such as Roland Emmerich’s The Day After Tomorrow and Pixar’s Wall-E – have sought to portray future shocks with a more extraordinary and metaphoric approach. Yet, in spite of the imaginary intent of Hollywood environmental doomsday features, the reality of the situation is gradually becoming more and more aligned with fantasy depictions.

The greatest threat to the already precarious state of the Ramapo River region is the rising water levels. According to a Metropolitan East Coast infrastructure assessment (part of a national assessment spearheaded by the Subcommittee on Environmental and Natural Resources), rising water levels associated with climate change have the potential to cause catastrophic damage to an area with assets valued at approximately $1 trillion. The assessment indicates that powerful storms could cause surges up to twenty feet high, causing cataclysmic damage to a transportation system with an average variation of six to twenty feet (included with other damage predictions in the full MEC report, available for download on the Metropolitan East Coast Assessment official website).

Compounding this issue is an expected three foot rise in the overall Ramapo River water level. This three foot increase in water level not only decimates the Ramapo River region’s transportation system in a worst-case-scenario storm situation but also increases the possible frequency of such a worst-case-scenario and exponentially increases the difficulty of the subsequent revitalization efforts. Not only would this put the affected area in a state of emergency due to inability of water utility usage, it would cause potentially devastating trauma to the financial resources of the area, with an especially harsh storm season having the potential to completely cripple the Ramapo River vicinity.

Unfortunately, these projections are more of a guide to what should be expected than a warning against a bleak but avoidable circumstance. Preventing the future rise of the Ramapo River water level is no more feasible than preventing the next major storm to impact the river region. Nonetheless, there are levels of preparedness to be met than may mitigate even the most dire state of affairs resultant from an environmental disaster, which are also referred to in the infrastructure assessment; efforts which reportedly cost upward of $100 billion per decade. But these prevention and readiness measures are inescapable, the report argues considering the dreadful environmental consequences that lie ahead thanks to the lethal human impact on nature.

VA Recognizes Agent Orange Link to More Diseases

Krysta Daniels

The article “VA Recognizes Agent Orange Link to More Diseases” clearly in publications they talks about the Veterans Affairs Departments coming to the conclusion that Agent Orange is linked to more diseases. In November 2009, an independent study by the Institute of medicine resulted in broadened health coverage by the Veterans Affairs Department who were exposed to Agent Orange. These Veterans served in Vietnam between 1962 and 1975. The men in this study that serves their country in the Vietnam War might be qualified for monthly disability compensation and might not need to provide proof of their exposure.

Eric K. Shinseki said, “We must do better reviews of illnesses that may be connected to service and we will. Veterans who endure health problems deserve timely decisions based on solid evidence.”

According to this article that the U.S. military used the Agent Orange herbicides in the Vietnam conflict from 1961 until 1971. They used it to clear foliage that provided enemy cover. The estimated number of soldiers that served in the Vietnam War that might have been affected is 2.6 million. Many military organizations have been asking Congress to correct its policies regarding the exposure that the Agent Orange has caused. These groups include would be all the Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) and Military Organizations belonging to the National Military and Veterans Alliance (NMVA) and The Military Coalition (TMC), as well as numerous other VSOs and Military Organizations.

Something must be done to help these soldiers that are still being affected by the Agent Orange exposure. U. S. Representative Robert Filner released a statement that called for additional support for the Agent Orange Equality Act of 2009. This bill will expand the eligibility for presumptive conditions to veterans who were not directly “boots on the ground,” such as sailors and pilots. The current law in place only suggests that some places in the Vietnam were affected and only soldiers who were there for on a select amount are allowed to be compensated for their exposure.

Filner said, “Time is running out for these Vietnam Veterans. Many are dying from their Agent Orange-related diseases, uncompensated for their sacrifice. If, as a result of service, a Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange, and it has resulted in failing health, this country has a moral obligation to care for each Veteran the way we promised we would.”

Approximately 800,000 Vietnam Veterans are estimated to be alive today and luckily are eligible for treatment for Agent-Orange-related illnesses. According to, VA’s Web site, the department presumes all military members who served in Vietnam were exposed to Agent Orange. Also, some children of female Vietnam Veterans may qualify for compensation, based on birth defects associated with the chemicals. Excerpts of this article were written by Army Sgt. 1^st Class Michael J. Carden, American Forces Press Service.

http://my.ramapo.edu/cp/render.UserLayoutRootNode.uP?uP_tparam=utf&utf=http://library.ramapo.edu/

Saving A Swamp: When Citizens Do Something Remarkable

By Tara Lafemina

I find the Great Swamp Campaign to be inspiring. For a community to come together to fight someone like the NY-NJ Port Authority, has to be a daunting task. It is amazing that this happened before the environment was even a political issue. I think that we can definitely learn from the citizens group that saved the Great Swamp.

This is a really good example of how citizens can make a difference. Why did the Port Authority think they needed another international airport within a half hour of Newark? Anyone that is coming to the tri-state area has plenty of options as to where they want their plane to land. I find it completely crazy to want to pave over all the natural areas. Greed fuels corporations but, sometimes it is best to leave things alone. People should have a say as to what they want in their neighborhoods.

The Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is still a place popular with birds and bird-watchers. Since eastern North Jersey is known as an industrial area, a refuge is a must-have attraction. It gives the chance for people that live there to see animals they would not ordinarily see. It is a chance to open up an urban child’s eyes, and to see what is beyond the concrete.

I like how the citizens did not give up for the few years they had to fight the NY-NJ Port Authority. Passion is always a good thing to have and is a key ingredient in any battle you choose to fight. Bringing a display of the Great Swamp to the Short Hills Mall really brought the issue to the attention of people. It is the drive and passion that will cause grassroots campaigns to prevail.

It’s a shame we do not learn more about grassroots campaigns growing up. It is not right that in history class we are taught to question our government, yet not taught how to try to fix it. There should be more examples of these campaigns. I am sure most people can give a definition of a grassroots campaign. That is not enough. We need to know where, why, and how it happened. People need to know that they can fight an authority and still win.

New Jersey citizens are probably one of the last people to want to tackle an environmental issue. At least, this is the way others want to see us. Yes, there is that small part of the state that has a funny smell, but the rest of the state is filled with mountains, beaches, and farms. Corporations and authorities seem to think New Jersey is the place for them to dump their waste. Luckily, we are filled with people that care and have generated many grassroots campaigns to save our state.

Agent Orange: Dangers Went Unnoticed

By Tara Lafemina

“Vietnam veterans that fought between 1962 and 1975 can now apply for benefits, regardless of which diseases were diagnosed,” reports the Milford (MA) Daily News.

It is about time, veterans of Vietnam get additional medical benefits. The war started over 40 years ago; now the government decided it’s time to acknowledge the effects of Agent Orange.

For years these veterans have been suffering from serious diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease, heart disease and leukemia. For some, the benefits may be coming too late.

I am sure that many of these veterans and others had an idea of what was causing these sufferings. Agent Orange is an herbicide that was used to destroy the Vietnam jungle. If Agent Orange can destroy these dense jungles, chances are it could destroy a person’s health. Within the past 40 years, scientists have discovered that these herbicides are not safe for human health. Veterans should have been taken care of many years ago; at least the talk of more help should have started before 2010.

These veterans went out, risked their lives and left their families to do what their government wanted of them. After each soldier’s tour of duty, the government should have taken full care of them. It is the least the government could have done to repay the vets. Just because these people can not serve the government anymore, does not mean they should be tossed aside.

If Agent Orange makes vets eligible for benefits, their pensions and disability payments should not be decreased. It would not be surprising if the government does something like this. If they do, it would defeat the purpose of Agent Orange benefits. It would not make the vets’ lives any easier; in fact it would not do much at all to help them.

Right now we are in Iraq fighting a war. Many people believe our current war is a lost cause and wasting money, just as they believed of the Vietnam War. A concern this country should have is what is going to happen to the people fighting in Iraq. We have to know if it is going to take the government 40 years to acknowledge Iraq may be a cause of diseases to soldiers fighting now.

What we should avoid is a second generation of armed forces being treated unfairly. We should look at the effects of Agent Orange on the last wave of veterans. We have to be sure it is not a repeat experience of healthcare that is less then desirable. Yes, the difference is people today are signing up for the Army, Marines, etc. But, they are part of these services to fight for their country, not to develop a disease that will hinder them for life. I do not know if there are any chemicals in Iraq that could cause diseases; if there is, something has to be done to get rid of them. At least make sure the armed forces are getting all the benefits they deserve.