Using science to go back in time

Using museum specimens dating back to 1900, scientists recently found plastics in fish stomachs starting in 1950 and increasing with time to today. Small plastics have been found across many species in different places, but this research is the first of its kind– studying how small plastics change with time. The article stressed that individuals need to think about the long term consequences of their actions when using single use plastics, like straws; this is absolutely true, but without legislation enacted to stop plastic production at its source, it will be difficult to make meaningful positive environmental progress. Check out the article for more interesting background on this research.

*Not So Fun Fact: many waterways are out of time

Many waterways are out of time to stay free-flowing. Scientists have recently estimated only 17% of rivers worldwide are free-flowing and within protected environments. When waterways operate naturally they provide many benefits. Freshwater rivers sustain the food supply and biodiversity, provide drinking water, and are the foundation of economies and culture for people across the globe. Local waterways in Fairfax County are not always free-flowing. For example, oftentimes local streams are encased in cement to get flood waters quickly away from man-made infrastructure. While this is important for safety and economic security, these altered streams do not provide the same positive benefits compared to free-flowing streams. This research hoped to give a blueprint to policymakers ensuring the best science was available for environmental action plans. To learn more about the study that estimated only 17% of rivers are protected, check out this summary article and the actual research itself.

Local news, first!

Roanoke became the first local government in Virginia to implement a plastic bag ordinance starting January 1, 2022! According to the legislation, it aims to curb street litter, protect waterways, minimize solid waste and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Single use plastic shopping bags are all over in our local, Fairfax county streams; to keep these environmental nuisances out of our waterways, effective legislation is necessary. To learn more about the background and next steps of this bill, take a look at this article.

New laws in New York!

New York City Council passed a bill that places limitations on plastic straw use. The new legislation, effective November 1st, 2021 as long as the governor signs off, states restaurants can only provide plastic straws upon request and must have straws made out of alternative materials. Straws are made out of lightweight plastic and because of their weight and size they easily fall through the cracks during waste collection– ultimately ending up in local waterways. Check out this article for more information on this recent environmental win and for other plastic reduction initiatives happening in New York.

Cross country trip for more good news.

The state of Washington became the second state with recycled content requirements for plastic beverage containers and the sixth to ban forms of Styrofoam. One part of the bill requires beverage manufacturers to use 15% recycled content by weight by 2023 and increasing to 50% by 20231. To learn more about other initiatives and motivations of the bill, check out this article.

Rescued turtles alert!

826 turtles, to be exact! These diamondback terrapin hatchlings were rescued from a storm drain in Jersey Shore by a group from Stockton University. Rescuers were looking for animals in need when they came across all these turtles and think these hatchlings were hiding out in the warm drain to avoid cold winter temperatures. Check out this news clip and this article to learn more about this heartwarming news. You know what also hangs out in storm drains? Trash!

Sing like a sea lion, splash like a seal.

To me, seals are like the roly-poly of aquatic creatures. What’s even cooler, is scientists recently discovered why seals and sea lions have such different takes on swimming, even though they come from common ancestors. By combining biology and engineering principles into models, scientists have come to think that seals use different swimming styles because of adapting to different environments multiple times. To learn more about this incredible discovery, check out this article. One thing seals and sea lions still have in common, though, is how plastic pollution threatens their health and wellbeing (read more about that here).

Mo Pipeline, Mo Problems

The Biden administration urges Americans not to hoard gasoline, following the ransomware attack that caused the Colonial Pipeline to shut down. Gasoline shortages have hit the South the hardest, but this article noted shortages have been occurring in Virginia as well. Transportation is one of the largest contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions and this week’s news is more bad news; now instead of the pipeline transporting gasoline, 10,000 trucks are hauling fuel everyday to make up the difference. Talk about a double whammy. And if bad news can get worse, a government agency also tweeted not to fill plastic bags with gasoline– we hope this was a preemptive warning.

Hit Me Like a Tidal Waive(r)

The EPA has recently waived environmental regulation until May 31st, 2021, in multiple states and D.C. due to gasoline shortages. The regulation suspended deals primarily with how gasoline evaporates and emits ozone– an air pollutant that harms our (*good) ozone layer and causes respiratory illness. This waiver aims to help states overcome fuel supply due to the pipeline shutdown. Check out the EPA’s news release and this article that discusses the issue at hand.

This Dust Bites Back

When we think of air pollutants, we often think of greenhouse gasses, like methane or carbon dioxide. But harmful air pollutants from animal agriculture are a less transparent kind of hazard. Particular matter, or super small dust to us regular people, can drift hundreds of miles, and get trapped in our lungs or enter our bloodstream when inhaled. But the story doesn’t end here, this particular matter (again, think teeny-tiny dust) can have problematic interactions with the atmosphere. Ammonia, nitrogen, and sulfur are not necessarily harmful by themselves, but put them in an atmospheric soup and you get small, hazardous pollutants that are attributed to 12,400 premature deaths a year, according to breaking research. In this article, critics of the study (who are also producer agencies) say that it is irresponsible to draw conclusions from modeling and estimates. Modeling and estimates in science can be confusing, but they did manage to land a rover on Mars. When we think about what we eat, it goes beyond what is good for us, but also what is good for our fellow humans and the environment.

Long Time, Still See: plastic rocks in the geologic record

Scientists have recently found plastics in a deep-sea submarine trenches in the South China Sea. They have begun to investigate how plastics and microplastics break down in the deep sea, to determine the lifecycle of seafloor plastic. The rock record of earth’s history preserves evidence of our litter problem and if plastic gyres, like the Great Pacific Garbage Patch weren’t enough, we’ve found another level (literally) of plastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems. Check out the article to learn more about what research have found and what they are currently looking into. 

Coffee and the Race Against Time

We live in an age of environmental catastrophes and extinctions; this podcast comes to the table with the story of the race against time to save coffee. Coffee plants are hit hard by climate change, Arabica coffee, in particular, is not able to survive increases in temperatures. Which is a HUGE problem to coffee drinkers. New species are being investigated to try to find a breed of coffee that could live up to the legend of Arabica coffee. Take a listen to learn more about the global problem and what is currently being done to address this potential, future catastrophe. 

P.S. No need to run to the store in a bout of panic buying– crops will continue to persist in our lifetime and likely will be available to future generations, just at a higher cost and lower availability.

D.N.E (does not exist)

A new book, Second Nature by Nathaniel Rich, addresses unsetting environmental truths and asks the ominous question: does the natural world even exist? The book covers a wide variety of narratives, from starfish ripping off their arms, to zombie-like cows, to bunnies glowing green under a black light. Rich’s book brings examples of environmental horrors to light not to scare us, but to make us aware of problems we as a species are causing. To learn more about this novel and others like it, check out this article.

Return of the Cicadas

Are you worried this spring? While some people are worried about cicadas taking over their gardens, others are excited for top water fishing to start in order to take advantage of the situation. Cicadas can wreak havoc on lawns, trees, and shrubs, but you can plan ahead for how to deal with them in a positive way! From covering younger plants, to mowing at the correct time, to not using pesticides, there are many options to protect your garden from cicadas this year. Check out this article for more tips to be prepared and this article for more background cicadas and their incredible life cycle. If you’re more an angler than a gardener, happy fishing and no worries for you!

Holy Hydrogels!

Have you ever noticed greenish colored beads in your plants or potting soil after bringing them home from the store? We recently found many of them in local Fairfax County streams. These beads are synthetic hydrogels that help plants retain moisture and fertilize plants, however, they are easily washed out of gardens and into local waterways. Do these beads degrade over time and do they cause problems in local streams? The short answer to both is yes, but take a read to see for yourself more information on these soil beads. This article is from 2016, but we still see these beads in the environment today.

Mission: Cool Composting

Domingo Morales, winner of the inaugural David Prize and its $200,000 grant, is a grassroots organizer who changes waste into community wealth. Domingo helps communities debunk myths about composting and provides funding that is independent from municipal governments. His goal: to widen the scope of composting in communities, especially underprivileged ones. When Domingo engages in community outreach, he teaches youth about the process and how he started his own successful business doing something good for the earth. Read more here!

They won’t stop until the well runs dry (or until a cease and desist order is approved)

The battle between a bottled water company, Nestle, and local environmentalists continues as the community waits to see if a cease and desist order filed against Nestle is approved by the California Water Resources Control Board. According to an environmental group, Nestle has extracted, on average, 25 times more water than its water rights allow; this has ravaged the local ecosystem and taken valuable resources away from the drought stricken land. Check out this article to learn more about the ongoing battle taking place in California, as well as many other states.

Nuisance algal traps microplastics in the Great Lakes

A special kind of algae in the great lakes tangles microplastics, causing microplastics to be suspended in water for longer and is an entry point for microplastics into the food chain. This recent discovery by scientists, however, sheds promising light on how future technologies could trap and remove microplastics from important freshwater resources, like the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes provides drinking water for 30 million people and microplastics have been found in products that use the water as a resource (such as beer). Check out the article for more background on microplastics and algae in the Great Lakes.

Waste has a bad wrap (and consumers care)

According to recent news, consumers are increasingly concerned about the waste generated from fast-food and willing to use returnable or reusable containers at fast food restaurants. The article discusses how young people are paying attention to businesses sustainability practices and how these consumers change their opinions based on eco-friendly initiatives. Currently, most fast food waste ends up in landfills, or worse, as litter. Fast food wrappers are one of the biggest culprits making up urban litter. This is problematic because the majority of the waste associated with the fast food industry is recyclable– this article discusses how about 85% of fast food waste could have been recycled or composted. It’s time to rethink waste in the United States, and this news sheds light on how consumer behavior is opening up to green possibilities.

Can a Story About Litter Be Lovable?

This wholesome news about two little girls receiving a response to their letters to Santa sent via balloon demonstrates unintended consequences of balloon releases. In addition to the generous stranger in this story that provided the girls a gift that their family couldn’t afford due to the pandemic, the do-gooder was initially picking up other peoples’ trash (i.e. deflated balloon). The mother is said to have “thought it would deflate and disappear in a tree nearby”. Balloons do not disappear, but this is a common misconception! Because the family’s balloon was found by a Good Samaritan, thankfully a positive story came about. Unfortunately, this is not what we often see in our environment (see photo below). Like the mother initially thought, many deflated balloons end up caught in trees or trapped in streams. Check out the article to learn more about the incredible story of a balloon taking a 650 mile from Kansas to Louisiana.

Get Green At Gatherings

We are entering into celebration season! From proms, to weddings, to graduations, balloons are often a big part of events. But want to know a crazy statistic? This article estimates an average of 31,000 balloons as found along U.S. beaches PER YEAR. Celebrations, especially after such a challenging year, will be central to our lives. However, wildlife should not be the ones who pay for the consequences of our actions. After balloons are used (and oftentimes intentionally released in large numbers), they become an environmental hazard to animals because they look like food to animals; for example, sea turtles think brightly colored balloons look like their favorite food, jellyfish! Not only do these balloons end up inside animals’ stomachs, they also are eyesore in local waterways. Think about how your celebration this year can keep balloons out of the environment and wildlife’s stomachs. What’s more, let your local politicians know you support the legislation recently passed in Virginia (see below).

More Balloons, More Problems: Virginia Takes On Intentional Balloon Release

What do we do about all these balloons that don’t get picked up by a Good Samaritan? Virginia lawmakers have passed legislation that bans the intentional release of all non- biodegradable balloons and fine offenders $25 per balloon. Environmentalists know that balloon litter is common in our waterways and causes harm to marine and freshwater animals. While balloons are central to many celebrations, more green options exist so that people AND the planet can have a good time. Check out more information on eco-friendly celebration options.

Refuse to Lose to Climate Change

Amanda Gorman, American Youth Poet Laureate who spoke at President Biden’s inauguration, recently shared a special piece of work to celebrate Earth Day. She was selected to speak by Dr. Jill Biden, is a Harvard graduate, and has also performed at a United Nations summit and on Good Morning America. Check out the link to hear the incredibly inspiring Earth Day video that calls us to rise up for the Earth.

I am beyond excited to join Clean Fairfax as the new Clean Streams Coordinator! I recently moved to the area with my husband, Luke, and our dog, Harvey, and we relocated from the island of Oahu, Hawaii. I am originally from southern Illinois, close to the Mississippi River at Saint Louis, Missouri. I grew up exploring the caves and spring fed streams of the Missouri River and the wetlands of southern Illinois. While at university, I decided I wanted to be able to do science, but in the outdoors, which led me to where I am today. My previous work includes a lot of what I call hard science—collecting and looking at data for evidence, whether it be chemicals, biological hazards, or physical, like the erosion of stream banks or flash flooding. I am VERY familiar with urban streams (that often times are more toxic drainage ditches) and look forward to getting to know the local streams in Fairfax County!

I spent my college years trapezing around Saint Louis, Missouri, where I obtained both my Bachelor’s and Master’s of Environmental Geoscience. While conducting research, I learned how to think like a scientist and how truly messed up our local waterways can be.

The degradation can be truly awe-inspiring—what was once a gorgeous creek has been transformed into a saturated dumpster. I decided to take action by participating in educational outreach and community engagement opportunities; I found myself drawn more and more away from the “hard” science and into advocacy, because knowing you have a problem is different than solving a problem.I thought to myself, how much data do I need to know something before I do something? My background in urban streams, earth science, and community engagement has me ready to take on the monster that is plastic pollution in urban streams in Fairfax County. With Clean Fairfax, I look forward to (attempting) to fill Zach’s shoes by continuing his awesome work to actively protect the community, natural spaces, and people of Fairfax County.

Salty about pollution this Earth Day:

Salt– we love it in our food and we need it on the roads during winter for safety. But how much salt is too much? Local ecosystems are inundated with salt during winter, which is a problem if you are a freshwater fish, but what’s more is that salt also negatively impacts infractures like roads and pipes. Globally, salt levels are increasing in freshwaters, even into non-winter months! Check out this article on how the world’s freshwater supply is threatened by something that was once thought of as harmless. Earth Day is upon us, and while spring showers and blooms bring positive outlooks and new commitments to sustainability.

They Can’t Breathe: an entire Michigan zip code exposed to toxic levels of pollutants everyday

Private industry has wreaked deadly havoc in one particular Michigan zip code, 48217; this neighborhood encompasses more than four dozen polluters monitored by the EPA. From cement and waste treatment plants, steel factories, to oil refineries, all of these businesses pump out a toxic soup of air pollutants that are known to cause cancer, respiratory disease, asthma and liver failure. The EPA issues warnings and notes the levels exceed what is permitted under the Clean Air Act, but community members have no way to flee their neighborhoods and corporations get a slap on the wrist. Check out the article for more detail the struggles this neighborhood faces. This Earth Day, keep in mind your fellow Americans that fight everyday, not just today, for clean air to breath.

ANNT: Tech Companies

What’s the word on E-waste these days? That it’s a mess, that’s what. The United States cannot adequately address plastic waste, let alone e-waste; thus, we do what we do best, outsource our problems to other, less developed nations for them to deal with. When e-waste IS recycled (which majority of the time, it’s not) the programs often result in the products ending up in Asia, Africa, India, and South America. It has been found that children as young as eight years old are employed and involved in segregation hazardous e-waste. What can we do about the waste of products that are so integrated into our daily life? According to this article, the real power of change for e-waste lies where it begins: with tech companies.

White House, Green Summit

President Biden starts a virtual Leaders Summit on Climate along with 40 world leaders today to reestablish partnerships to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build out clean-energy infrastructure. The President’s American Jobs Plan invests in creating more clean-energy jobs in Pennsylvania, through tax credits for clean-energy generation and manufacturing and 94,000 Pennsylvanians had jobs in the clean-energy sector in 2019. Check out the White House’s press release for more details on what this Summit entails, kicking off today, Earth Day!