Author: agonzalez2

The Industrial Revolution and its consequences have been a disaster for the human race and for campsites across the nation. As spring comes to a close and with summer right around the corner, there are many activities that should be taken advantage of in the outdoors. What immediately comes to mind are things like camping, stargazing, fishing, climbing, swimming, and other things. It is always good to go outside and catch some rays, but with all these new camping and outdoors products being released, it can be hard to fully enjoy what nature has to offer if you’re too busy pumping air into your inflatable mattress or finding a spot of sun for your solar-powered portable charger. Instead, pack minimally, so that you’re prepared for an emergency but are not distracted by what society deems as “necessary.” When we bring more things than we need, like extra bags and disposable items, we tend to produce lots of waste which can be left behind at a site or park. This is obviously harmful to the environment and the animals that live there, so by bringing less you are less likely to make a negative impact.

 

Fishing is a big summer activity that is enjoyed across the nation. There’s nothing better than posting up under a shady tree and casting out some lines, waiting for a bite. But there can be consequences to recreational fishing if you do not practice catch-and-release. While overfishing is a topic often discussed in the oceans, inland overfishing is seldom a headline-issue, despite its severity. One of the biggest issues here is catching fish when they are too small. Keeping fish that have not yet reached maturity are not able to reproduce (because you ate them), so if this goes unchecked, then a fish species could easily decline in a certain body of water. To combat this, each state has you; a) get a fishing license, which can be obtained easily at most gas stations for less than $30; b) abide by the state mandated slot limit for each fish for the particular body of water. The slot limit is the minimum/maximum size a fish has to be in order to keep it, which prevents species decline. So when you fish this summer, make sure you preserve fish populations by following your state’s laws, governed by The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).

 

Another popular summer activity is camping, and luckily there are many parks here in the U.S to do so. Unfortunately, many people do not understand the value of conservation/preservation of these landmarks, so they end up tossing their trash outside without a second thought. But the meaning behind the infamous “leave no trace” mantra extends beyond just picking up your trash. There are many things you may do while camping that you wouldn’t think leave a big impact. Carving into a tree, for example, can prematurely expose the wood to diseases, eventually killing it. Using sunscreen or bug-spray can introduce harmful chemicals into the air, which could harm the wildlife; same goes for soaps in bodies of water. Even building campfires makes the quality of the soil deteriorate, and obviously are a fire hazard, so be very careful with fire building and its location.

All this being said, do not be discouraged from going and enjoying all the outdoors has to offer. Don’t bring so much stuff camping, fishing, or some other outdoor activity so that you will be distracted from the very thing you came out to do. Enjoy where you are at the moment, and never take being outside for granted. Keep in mind we are here to reap the fruits (literally and figuratively) of nature, as long as we do our part to sew the right seeds so future generations will be able to enjoy a beautiful Earth, not one where you can’t see the stars or breathe the fresh air, which unfortunately is the track we are currently on; sustainability is not just about recycling some bottles, it’s about keeping the world as clean and conserved as we can, one act at a time.

 

 

 

Emsheimer, Ella. “Unexpected Ways We Harm the Environment While Camping.” RV LIFE, 17 Aug. 2021, https://rvlife.com/environment-harm/.

The Industrial Revolution and its consequences have been a disaster for the human race, at least regarding the lasting effects of carbon emissions. Sure, industrialization it gave us fancy clothes, cool cars, and YikYak, but it behooves us to acknowledge the impact carbon emissions and fossil fuels have on our planet. The main harm carbon emissions, or CO2, pose is the greenhouse effect. 

This is essentially when the CO2 in the atmosphere traps heat from the sun from leaving, making the planet hotter. Our atmosphere is does have to conserve some heat from the Sun, or else Earth would always have sub-zero temperatures, similar to Mars, which has a very thin atmosphere. But the Earth is not designed to heat up as much as it is, as quickly as it is. So, in an age of discovery and innovation, how can we continue to progress, while cutting carbon emissions as much as we can? 

One solution has been solar power, which sounds cool, but not many people know its benefits/drawbacks. Obviously, the sun is very powerful and generates a lot of energy; the amount of sunlight that covers the Earth’s surface for an hour and a half is sufficient to power the world’s energy consumption for a whole year. So why don’t we just put a bunch of solar panels in the desert, where no one lives? Well, unfortunately with the way we currently harness energy from the Sun, a large solar power plant would pale in comparison to a plant of different energy, say nuclear or otherwise, with regard to both energy production and cost efficiency.

So, it is more likely to use solar energy for personal use, on top of your home. This can either power portions of your home, or, depending on your energy usage, power your entire home! The installation of solar panels is costly, but it most definitely pays for itself over the years, as you save money and energy the longer you have them up.

It seems we’ve solved the climate problem then, yes? Simply put up solar panels! Well, no. Electricity production makes up only 25% of greenhouse gas emissions (2019), where the transportation sector is responsible for 29%. On average, the daily miles driven by a given car in the US is roughly 25.9 (2017). Provided that the car is taken out more than once, we can assume a trip is less than 13 miles (13 miles there and back is roughly the average of 26). Given the average biker clocks 15mph on an hour-long ride, biking to your locations, especially urban, is very possible, and more sustainable than driving, both for power and cost. If biking is not feasible, you can always save up for a hybrid or electric car, too, to lessen your carbon footprint. Of course, sustainability is all about practice, not perfection, so trying to implement these and other practices into your routine, even a little, will make you feel more fulfilled and ready to combat climate change. Simply turning off the water and the lights when you’re not using them can make a difference, and are a catalyst for bigger changes in your life. And once you’ve done all you can to live sustainably, the only thing left to do is encourage corporations to do the same.

 

References:

Kazmeyer, Milton. “Is CO2 Bad for the Planet?” Sciencing, 2 Mar. 2019, https://sciencing.com/co2-bad-planet-4876.html.