Figure Out How to Help the Environment

Every April, we celebrate Earth Day. We talk about climate change and greenhouse gases until we are sick of hearing about it. There are true dangers affecting our environment. There are true ways you as an individual can help save it. Planting more trees is one. Evertreen is an organization that can help you plant trees and give jobs to people in developing nations. But, before you take up your environmental stance, find out the truths versus myths on television and the Internet. 

Throughout my journalism career, I studied, wrote and edited newsletters about the environment. I thought I would share some of the myths associated with saving the environment. While I am in favor of saving our natural resources, I save the environment with balance, prayer and patience. You might not agree with me. That is fine. This country was founded on the principle that everyone is entitled to his or her opinion. Here are some environmental myths.

1. Go Solar -- While it is a good idea to get solar for your home and generate renewable energy, solar power is not as simple as everyone thinks. Adding solar to your home could cost you $15,000 to $50,000 up front. There are tax credits and rebates available from the states and federal government, but those programs almost always require you to shell out the money and then get reimbursed. Also, solar panels are manufactured in plants fueled with fossil fuels. They also cost a lot of money to make one panel, which is passed onto the consumer. Now, they have found that it is hard to dispose of the batteries and are difficult to repair. Solar farms take up a lot of acreage that could go to housing developments that would bring down the cost of housing.

2. Wind Power Works -- In many states, such as Texas, there are wind farms. These are acres and acres of turbines to generate wind power for areas. While wind power does work to generate electricity, it is usually tough to build a wind turbine. People do not want the eye sore in their neighborhoods (Not in my back yard or NIMBY). Sen. Ted Kennedy blocked the wind power on Cape Cod because it would ruin his view of the Atlantic ocean in his multi-million dollar home. This was before he died, but he claimed to be an environmental advocate at the time. Also, birds are killed in the turbines just as they sometimes fly into plane engines. Several experiments in Europe are having issues with corrosion. The wind turbines are not able to last more than a few years. Like solar farms, they take land that could be used for other purposes. They are expensive to repair and parts are hard to replace.

3. Hydro Power Helps -- Right now, scientists still are trying to figure out how to use the energy in oceans to provide power to areas away from the coasts. Where hydro power is being used is along rivers and near water falls. Because of the amount of energy needed for hydro power, river valleys are being diverted and causing droughts in some areas. Also, fish have trouble getting past the dams to their places to spawn. Many fish and wildlife experts are trying to provide a way through the dams. It works sometimes but not always. Using ocean power would be a better solution to rivers. Many areas are having increased floods due to spillway malfunctions. Other areas are having increased droughts and crop failure. It also can reduce the amount of drinking water available.

4. Drive Electric Cars -- This is what most states want because they claim it would provide zero emissions in the states. However, whether people drive electric or gasoline cars will not change the amount of emissions in the air. Most of the emissions come from power plants, manufacturing facilities and plastics. We will not be able to eliminate our use of plastics because they are in everything, not just bottles. And, most people fail to remember that the electricity created to fuel the electric car has to come from somewhere. It usually comes from a fossil fuel electricity provider. Solar cars that have been around since the 1980s would be better than electric. Also, what about airplanes? They can't be electric. Recently, there are talks about eliminating gas-powered cars entirely. Our electrical capacity could not handle that, and it wouldn't stop the emission levels. Electric vehicles have problems with battery disposal. There is no infrastructure for charging them on the highways. If the power is out due to a natural disaster, you are unable to drive your car. They cost a lot to develop.

5. Nuclear Power Is Bad -- Most people believe that nuclear power is not good for the environment, but this is actually not true. In all the history of nuclear power, there have been only four major accidents. There have been minor things, but every power plant experiences those. And, the way they are designed, nuclear power plants provide safe environments for fish, wildlife and people. They are safe, do not leak and generate electricity at a fraction of the cost of fossil fuels. The waste generated by nuclear power is being reused or disposed of properly at nuclear sites throughout the country. It provides a large capacity of electricity. Some of the world's worst nuclear disasters were caused by something else happening. For example, in Japan, the country first had an earthquake, second a tsunami and then, a nuclear meltdown when it was damaged and flooded. You can build plants to withstand earthquakes, but it is not as predictable as storms. Also, the advancements that the Navy have made in nuclear power means they can build plants that take up less acreage than solar or wind farms. Some power plants have restarted in recent years. European countries are embracing nuclear to get away from oil dependency.

6. Pipelines Hurt Wildlife -- My husband and I toured the Alaskan pipeline. We saw how it was not hurting the environment. In fact, the tour guide said the pipeline was helping the wildlife in a number of ways. There are animals that need the pipeline for a warm habitat during cold and dark winter months. The pipeline must always be running so it doesn't freeze. Therefore, it always has warm fuel inside it. Therefore, the animals have adapted to that situation and rely on it. In the spring, other animals use the pipeline for safe areas to have their babies. Without the pipeline, such as the Keystone one that was killed, the fuel still reaches its destination, but it is shipped or sent by rail. These options are not safer than a pipeline. This year, a major spill happened when the railroad derailed. If the pipeline was being used, that spill would not have occurred.

7. Electronics Save Trees -- This is my favorite myth. It is actually better to use paper over putting everything on an electronic device for a few reasons. First, 90 percent of all paper is recycled and reused. Second, the American Paper Association plants trees for every one cut to replenish its supply and be good for the environment. Third, the fastest growing items in landfills are laptops and cell phones. Fourth, many of the computer components can't be recycled or reused due to their toxicity levels. Fifth, paper can be reused more than once, but electronics can't. Sixth, the electronic magnetic pulse could wipe out all stores of electronic items online.

8. Eat Organic Food -- Let's start with the word "organic." According to Dictionary.com, the definition of organic is deriving from living organisms. It also means chemical compounds that involve carbon. For both of these definitions, any food is organic. Besides that, to be called "organic," the Department of Agriculture sets labeling rules. Among these are grown without pesticides or chemicals to be labeled "organic." There are other labeling rules too, but we will ignore those now. To grow food without pesticides or chemicals means farmers have to use other means for fertilizer. The No. 1 go-to fertilizer is cow or pig manure. Cow or pig manure is NOT regulated by the EPA, which requires certain levels of contaminant-free fertilizers. It is NOT required to be free of contaminants by USDA standards. Therefore, organic fertilizer is spread with any bacteria, viruses or organisms on the ground. The growth in eating organic food has also led to an increase in salmonella, E. coli and ebola. 

9. Severe Storms Come From Climate Change -- Many people believe that because hurricanes, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes have gotten stronger in the last few years, it must be climate change causing it. This is a myth. Many factors have affected the intensity of storms. Climate change is not one of those factors. Overbuilding on barrier islands and other islands, erosion, volcanoes and platonic movement all contribute to severe storms. The location of the moon and tides also affect severity of storms.

There are always trade-offs when talking about the environment. That is why it is best to think through your statements and marketing. Business owners can reduce their waste, reuse supplies and recycle things. This will save them money. They can read published books to discover other ways to help the environment.