New York has a lot to learn when it comes to reducing waste. Currently, New York ships most of its waste to landfills outside of the state, particularly in North and South Carolina. Not only is this economically unsound, but it is harmful to the environment as well. Clearly, New York has a lot to learn from other cities that have mastered the art of dealing with waste.

Seattle is one such city. Seattle was one of the first cities in the US to implement a “Zero Waste” policy. It has banned non-recyclable products such as plastic bags and containers, and it even does curbside composting by turning dairy, meat, bones food waste, soil, and paper into fertilizer at a commercial composting plant! Also, movie theaters and restaurants are required to provide three different trash bins: waste, compost, and recycling. Due to these measures, Seattle currently has a recycling rate of 60-70%. The city hopes to reduce waste to the lowest feasible level by 2025.

Another such city that we can learn from is Boulder, Colorado. Boulder has a pay-as-you-throw program, in which recycling and composting are free, but waste is charged depending on the size of the container. In 2001, a law was passed that allowed private haulers to set their own prices, as long as they provided recycling services for free, and charged a variable price for waste depending on container size. Boulder’s recycling rate has risen from merely 17% in 2001 to a staggering 50% in 2008. However, it is still not enough. Like Seattle, Boulder hopes to have “zero waste” by 2025.

Clearly, New York needs to step up its regulations for waste disposal and recycling. Just like Seattle and Boulder, we need restrictive measures to ensure that our waste is not going to landfills but rather, being recycled and/or disposed of properly.

Monday, September 19, was a day that started horribly for me, but quickly turned around into a great, productive day. That was the day of my BioBlitz session at Brooklyn Bridge Park. My session began at 6:00 am, and waking up at 4:30 am to make sure I get there on time was no easy task. When I had finally arrived, it began pouring rain, and lightning could be seen in the distance. “As if this day couldn’t get any worse,” I thought.

After we split up into groups, I was put into the microbes group, along with several of my class members. Our job was to collect samples from four different locations (two beaches, the spiral pool, and the salt marsh) in order to compare pH levels, soil composition, microbe diversity, etc. These measurements would then allow us to ensure that conditions remain favorable to the microbes living in the area.

Collecting the samples was no easy task. We first had to collect samples using a large test tube, and then transfer over 5 mL of soil from the large test tube to a small test tube. Throughout this whole process, we had to be extremely careful not to put our hands above the lid of the test tube, to avoid contamination from the microbes living on our hands.

After we had collected all our samples, I realized how much I had learned that day, about a topic I would have known nothing about otherwise. I have walked through Brooklyn Bridge Park many times, and I had never stopped to think about the organisms that call it home, and how they may be in danger. I am thankful for BioBlitz (even though the conditions were miserable) for opening up my eyes and teaching me about the importance of protecting microbial populations in their native environments.

When I heard about green infrastructure, the only installation my mind could point to was a green roof. Learning more about applications that help control stormwater, my knowledge of these structures had expanded. What is interesting about green infrastructure is that the design is obviously man-made, but the facilitation of the construct works in harmony with nature rather than against it. They often add an aesthetic appeal to an area while simultaneously benefitting the environment. The Gowanus Canal Watershed had added this type of infrastructure in October of this year, 2016. This construction is known as the Sponge Park and is located on Second Street on the west side of the Gowanus Canal. This green area is 1800 square feet and designed in such a way that it is able to capture, collect, and clean approximately one million gallons of storm water run off from the street. This essentially prevents overflow of the canal and sewers and ensures better water quality in the canal.

Green infrastructure installations usually entail large excavations which require a lot of monetary expenditures. The Sponge Park project was an approximate $1.5 million project. The plants chosen for the park work to filter the stromwater from contaminants allowing for access to a safe public waterfront. These contaminants include sulfur and volatile organic compounds. The way this system works is that storm water collects across the surface of the green park. It enters naturally filtrating bioswales with plants like the Honey Locust (Gleditsia) and Mulberry (Morus rubra). Next is a remediation wetland basin which has plants like the Hawthorn (Crataegus) and the Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrotis). These plants have vibrant colors and are suitable for average rainfall. However, if there is extremely heavy rainfall, water flows into shallow meadows, shallow marshes, and deep marsh planting zones. These plants can withstand 0-12” of standing water and include the Giant Miscanthus (Miscanthus Floridulus), Duckweed (Lemna minor), and the Red Twig Dogwood (Cornus serica). Finally, the excess filtered water flows into the canal. As a result, extra public space is offered as well as a safer environment to foster greater biodiversity.

Sources:

http://www.gowanuscanalconservancy.org/downloads/dlandstudio_GowanusCanal_SpongePark_9_24_08.pdf

Green infrastructure improves health of Gowanus Canal, beautifies neighborhood

Ever since the Industrial Revolution, the growth of economy has become tied with hurting the environment. It was around that time that we first grasped the idea of mass production, and began implementing it. Before that, technology was not as advanced to be able to hurt the environment in a major way, in order to produce something. Now everyone has their own personal carbon footprint in the world. Due to the fact that every nation abuses the environment in order to continue manufacturing and grow their economy, the environment is getting abused on a massive scale. If one country was to set a regulation on carbon and green house gas emitted into the atmosphere, it would have a disadvantage in the global economy. However, disregarding the environment is just as bad. A country who exploits their environment, in the long run will suffer. Which will make their economy stagnate. This can be seen today, in China. China’s rivers and air are so polluted today that they are detrimental to the health of its citizens. China has been so invested in unclean manufacturing, that a massive switch to green manufacturing will stagnate the economy severely.

Life expectancy in north China, is worst then south China by 5.5 years due to the air pollution. The cost to deal with air pollution is rising, due to the fact that it has gone untreated for so long. Currently 3.5% of China’s GDP goes towards the environment. However, that statistic is not accurate due to the fact that it is a sensitive topic and the ministry releases figures intermittently. Air pollution alone causes 1.2 million premature deaths in China. Currently China is trying to limit its pollution and clean its environment. The environment we live in is extremely important, and should be protected. We should put laws in place now to help our environment, even if it hurts our economy. Because if the environment in our country is destroyed our economy and way of life will be decimated as well.

Albert, Eleanor. “China’s Environmental Crisis.” Council on Foreign Relations. Council on Foreign Relations, 18 Jan. 2016. Web. 16 Dec. 2016.