River Raisin Abused by Factory Farms and Faulty Private Sewers

The warm weather and frequent strong rainfalls make it obvious what otherwise can only be detected by water tests - our River Raisin is used as a garbage disposal by upstream industrial dairy farms whose cows produce as much feces as all people within the City of Boston. Rainstorms and flash flooding flush the massive amounts of liquid manure that are sprayed on fields through the soil, greatly assisted by drainage tiles and drain them through ditches and tributaries into the River Raisin. Manure lagoons on the farms are often filled to the rim and are easily overflowing in such weather conditions and follow the same path. Compared to this industrial onslaught, failing private sewers are only contributing miniscule to the problem. The hot weather and high nutrient concentrations in the river are now allowing coliform bacteria from the guts of the cows and bowels of people to grow exponentially in this water causing such awful sights as shown below.

Large foam beds on Wolf Creek as seen from the Kiwanis Trail bridge on June 21 2021.

Siena Heights professor proposes Lenawee County form environmental affairs commission

ADRIAN — A resident of Lenawee County and associate professor of biology at Siena Heights University is proposing that the county commission form an environmental affairs commission to deal with the effects of climate change. 

Thomas Wassmer sent his request to the county commission several weeks ago. It read: “As several other Michigan counties, Lenawee County should instate an Environmental Affairs Commission to coordinate the mitigation and adaptation of environmental affairs including air, water and soil pollution, effects of the climate crisis: heat waves, drought, flooding, erratic and unseasonal weather, increase of tropical diseases and disease vectors, climate-driven migration etc.” 

Read the whole story here: https://www.lenconnect.com/story/news/local/2021/06/25/professor-proposes-environmental-affairs-commission/5319209001/ 

It’s literally raining PFAS around the Great Lakes, say researchers - mlive.com

Forever chemicals are now even in the rain.

A late evening storm rolled through Cleveland on Wednesday night, May 26, 2021, and left a spectacular sunset behind.David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

Full story: It’s literally raining PFAS around the Great Lakes, say researchers - mlive.com

Switzerland could ban all pesticides

In 14 days, Switzerland could become the first country in the world to ban ALL pesticides.

Swiss voters to cast ballots on pesticide-free farming | DW | 11.05.2021

Lifesaving tips on reopening the US (Opinion) - CNN

(CNN) Widespread vaccine coverage in the US is rapidly reducing new infections, illnesses and deaths from Covid-19. States and cities are quickly removing restrictions on business and leisure activities. Yet, while the public enjoys the return to normalcy, governments behind the scenes should be ramping up public health systems to guard against another possible wave and to build more competency for the inevitable next epidemic, whenever it may arise.

First, a note of warning. Newly confirmed cases in the US are now below 40,000 per day. This is down from the peak in January, when new cases reached over 300,000 per day. And daily cases continue to decline, even more rapidly. Yet, just before India's recent surge to over 400,000 cases per day, that country had reported just over 10,000 cases per day as recently as early March. It's a reminder that the Covid-19 epidemic can spread from very few cases to a devastating surge at a terrifying rate, in just a few weeks.

Full article: Lifesaving tips on reopening the US (Opinion) - CNN

Air pollution from animal-based food production is linked to 12,700 deaths each year, study says

(CNN)Air pollution from food production in the United States is linked to an estimated 15,900 premature deaths each year, according to a new study published Monday in the Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

Full CNN article: https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/10/us/air-pollution-deaths-farming-agriculture/index.html

Tomorrow's Film at the Environmental Documentary Series: Kiss the Ground

Tomorrow, 5-May, The 11^th Environmental Documentary Series will show the documentary Kiss the Ground: https://kissthegroundmovie.com/ with a running time of about 80 minutes.

About the film: Narrated and featuring Woody Harrelson, Kiss the Ground is an inspiring and groundbreaking film that reveals the first viable solution to our climate crisis. Kiss the Ground reveals that, by regenerating the world’s soils, we can completely and rapidly stabilize Earth’s climate, restore lost ecosystems and create abundant food supplies. Using compelling graphics and visuals, along with striking NASA and NOAA footage, the film artfully illustrates how, by drawing down atmospheric carbon, soil is the missing piece of the climate puzzle. This movie is positioned to catalyze a movement to accomplish the impossible – to solve humanity’s greatest challenge, to balance the climate and secure our species future.

We will connect at 6:30 PM via Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83391076365?pwd=djZQa3hvQklncDlTdTdjbnBPdDcxdz09) and everybody will start the films soon after. After the films we will hold a discussion on Zoom.

Entire Schedule: Environmental Documentaries - SHU Sustainability