Save the Turtles!!

Recently, the state of Alabama's conservation advisory board voted to ban all commercial collection and killing of wild turtles and their eggs in public and private waters. This regulation is to protect the 30 native freshwater turtles that inhabit Alabama, and prevent over-harvesting that is exported to Asian markets and local markets.

American has the greatest biodiversity than any other country. This is an unprecedented regulation, and I hope that it can be enforced effectively. Some ways to prosecute offenders is to have a strict fine and revoking hunting licenses. Turtles are charismatic animals, and should be saved because the native population numbers are drastically decreasing.

Here in South Carolina,  turtle harvest was limited for nine native species in 2009, but we must jump on board and do more to protect our turtle population.

Check out the article: http://www.enn.com/press_releases/3975

alligator snapping turtle, native to southeast US

Stop Those Emissions!!

The US EPA has proposed the nation's first Clean Air Act standard that will limit greenhouse gas emissions of new power plants by 50% over the life of the plant.  Currently, there are no laws that limit emissions from power plants. The proposed standard put forth by EPA, will only affect new factories built in the future.

EPA advocates that greenhouse gases are endangering Americans' health and welfare, and the environment.  Administrator Lisa Jackson says that "...health and economic threats of a changing climate continue to grow."

This is a great start to decrease human effects on the environment, but the EPA market strategy highlights economic and health concerns as reasons to push this standard, and not much focus on natural resources. But in our economic driven world, saving natural resources will have to be marketed in the terms of "economic" and "health care." Which I hate because that is the only way to grab people's attention about why protecting the earth is important, but on the other hand, it gets the job done.

Opponents of the standard say that the regulation will increase electricity costs for manufacturing and consumers.  I think this standard will actually reduce costs in the future because it decreases pollution costs.

I am welcoming and happy about this new standard, and hope that it will be effective for future conservation.

Check out the article here: http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/mar2012/2012-03-27-03.html

The Keystone power plant in Pennsylvania burns bituminous coal. (Photo by Doug Jackson)