Tobacco and its role in the carolinas

Posted on June 18, 2024

   Tobacco has been a cornerstone of North Carolina's economy and culture. The state is one of the leading producers of tobacco in the U.S., with a history dating back to the colonial era. Over the years, tobacco became a crucial part of North Carolina's agricultural sector, particularly in regions such as the Coastal Plain and Piedmont. Iconic tobacco companies, such as R.J. Reynolds and Lorillard, originated in North Carolina and became prominent. Tobacco even funded major institutions in the state, such as Duke University.
   Despite its economic significance, the prominence of tobacco in North Carolina has also led to significant public health and environmental concerns. The rise of smoking-related illnesses, including lung cancer and heart disease, has sparked major public health campaigns aimed at reducing tobacco use. Environmentally, tobacco cultivation has numerous negative impacts. The process requires extensive use of pesticides and fertilizers, leading to soil degradation, water contamination, and biodiversity loss. Additionally, deforestation for tobacco farming contributes to habitat destruction and climate change. Efforts to mitigate these environmental and health impacts include transitioning farmers to alternative crops, implementing smoking cessation programs, and enforcing regulations to curb tobacco use. While tobacco remains an important part of North Carolina's heritage, the state is actively addressing the associated challenges to create a more sustainable future.
   The future state of the tobacco industry is hard to predict. The industry faces new challenges, such as the decline in traditional cigarette consumption and the rise of alternative products like e-cigarettes and vaping devices. ​Additionally, there is a growing emphasis on sustainability in tobacco production, with efforts to reduce the environmental footprint through better land management practices and the development of less harmful products. 

Mountaintop Removal (MTR) in the

​appalachian region

Posted on May 31, 2024

    If you are a native of North Carolina like me, you have probably visited the Appalachian Mountains at least once. Every time I visit the region, I cannot help but marvel at the beauty of the natural landscapes and the diverse ecosystems it houses. However, like many other regions on our planet, our practices are putting these landscapes in jeopardy with mountaintop removal (MTR).
    Mountaintop removal (MTR) mining is a highly destructive form of coal mining practiced in the Appalachian region, particularly in states like West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia, and to a lesser extent, Tennessee and North Carolina. It happens when humans use explosives to remove the tops of mountains to access coal seams beneath. The process results in the removal of hundreds of feet of mountaintop, displacing vast amounts of soil and rock, which are then dumped into adjacent valleys and streams.
    The environmental consequences of this practice are extremely profound. The overburden often contains toxic chemicals that find their way into water bodies, polluting these areas with heavy metals like arsenic, mercury, and selenium. This makes these areas unsafe for human water consumption and unsuitable as habitats for aquatic species. Additionally, the deforestation caused by MTR leads to soil erosion and sedimentation of waterways, disrupting the natural flow of these systems.
    Finally, the practice of MTR has major socio-economic effects as well. Communities near MTR sites, which are often small and underrepresented, suffer from poor air quality due to the dust and particulate matter resulting from this practice. Economically, MTR produces short-term employment opportunities; however, this creates long-term problems by making the land unsuitable for other types of economic development and reducing the potential for ecotourism in the area.
   With the Appalachian Mountains as one of North Carolina's few remaining natural beauties, it is important that we advocate against such practices and ensure these landscapes thrive for years to come.

ArMadillos in North carolina?

Posted on January 25, 2023

     We all know that climate change is affecting biodiversity worldwide. The zones of species are changing, vector-borne illnesses are spreading, and warmth this spreading. Armadillos, originally native of South America, have long existed in warm and desert-like climates. They have low metabolic rates and lack significant fat storages. In simple words, they do not like the cold (National Geographic). As global warming continues to increase temperatures worldwide, armadillos are shifting their ranges northward. In fact, this is a major reason why there have been an increasing number of sightings throughout North Carolina.
    The first reported sighting of an armadillo in North Carolina was in 2007. However, last year, they were spotted in about 25 counties. Each year, North Carolina faces fewer days below freezing, allowing this state to be a perfect habitat for the armadillo's shifting ranges (WFAE). But what does this mean for the environment?
     As armadillos continue to expand their range into North Carolina, they may compete with native species for food and resources. They are also known to dig burrows, which can cause damage to gardens, lawns, and levees. Additionally, armadillos are known to carry leprosy, which can be transmitted to humans. However, it is important to note that the risk of contracting leprosy from armadillos is very low, and overall armadillos play an important role in the ecosystem. They are also known to help control insect and grub populations, and are food for predators such as coyotes and foxes. It is also worth noting that the increase in armadillo populations in North Carolina may also have implications for other species that have been displaced by climate change. As their native habitats become inhospitable, they may also be forced to move into new regions, leading to possible competition and changes in local ecosystems. Thus, it is important to keep an eye on the impact of this species on the environment, and to continue to study their population dynamics in the state.

Carnivorous plants: Are

they DISAPPEARING?

Posted on December 21, 2022

      North Carolina is nationally known for its unique composition of plant diversity. From trumpet pitchers to venus flytraps, North Carolina also hosts some of the only carnivorous plant species known in the entire world. But are these unique wonders at risk of being affected by climate change? Actually the effects they are facing are rather two-sided, although the negative ramifications are worse. On this short post let us focus on the venus flytrap. The venus flytrap's closing mechanism is one of the most rapid in the entire plant kingdom (Volkov et al., 2008). Its survival is based on its closing mechanism and its ability to attract prey which are greatly composed of insects. However a study done by researchers at the University of British Columbia, Jain Danish and one other found that temperature can influence this behavior of the venus flytrap's closing mechanism. In contrary to climate change, its closing mechanism operates more slowly at lower temperatures and faster at higher temperatures (Danish et al, 2020). This study suggests that climate change could potentially be pushing up the ranges of the venus flytrap, even north of North and South Carolina.
      Still, climate change is not all about just temperature rise. There are many other factors that also play into account including rising sea levels, positive feedback loops, as well as more unpredictable weather patterns. For example, hurricanes and flooding have led to many native habitats becoming destroyed or submerged in water. Climate change is simultaneously influencing an increase of tropical insects' geographic ranges as well as the ranges of invasive/nonnative species, leading to both good and bad outcomes for carnivorous plants such as the venus flytrap and the pitcher plant.
    Yes, in the long term, there is a potential for carnivorous plant species to disappear. In many regions across North Carolina they are already dwindling due to threats such as climate change uncertainties, land clearing, and even to poaching. The venus flytrap is also facing these same threats. Because of all these factors, it is now an endangered carnivorous plant species. Despite the warming weather being better for its functions, the negative outcomes still outweigh the positives.
   Like several of the other environmental issues, climate change and anthropogenic advances are the main problems for our native, carnivorous plants. 

GREENWASHING and the biomass

industry, PT. 2

Posted on August 16, 2022

     The biomass, or wood pellet, industry is harmful in many ways. Some of the repercussions for economic gains are the logging of North Carolina native forests, increased health risks for marginalized communities, pollution, and decreasing biodiversity. Why isn't this industry in the front of environmental issues? There are two main reasons for this. The first is the scope; the biomass industry is prevalent in many places around the globe but it is not yet everywhere. The second reason is greenwashing. Well what is greenwashing? Greenwashing is a strategy used by companies to market themselves as "green" or "eco-friendly" when there are actual loopholes to such declaration. Let's use the pellet industry as an example. Big pellet corporations, such as Enviva®, promote the production and processing of wood pellets as "sustainable" and "carbon-neutral". However, the truth is the entire processing of wood pellets emits more carbon than the fossil-fuel coal. By only tracking the carbon emissions of a certain part of the pellet process, not the entire process, Enviva® Biomass is using a form of greenwashing.
   You may think that greenwashing is an ineffective strategy, well for Enviva® it has worked so far. Governments and countries around the world are supporting Enviva® and pellets as energy. Based on the statistics and testimonials provided by Enviva®, the pellet industry seems "net-zero" and "eco-friendly". But how can we stop greenwashing?
    Greenwashing is a problem that can take years to fix. Getting the company or corporation to admit to greenwashing is always nearly impossible. Therefore, enough scientific evidence needs to be gathered to prove that the company statistics are wrong. As a resident of North Carolina, your own testimonial can also play a role. Submitting public comments, attending hearings, and contact your local officials are all ways you can make an impact.

Here are some more resources specific to greenwashing and the biomass industry:
Dogwood Alliance (All Dogwood Alliance resources are amazing to learning about the biomass industry and taking action. This is how I got started!)
Biomass Baddies - Dogwood Alliance
Spot and Stop Greenwashing

WOOD PELLETS AS ENERGY: THE

NC BIOMASS ​INDUSTRY

Posted on June 4, 2022

The production of wood pellets in the biomass industry have significantly increased over the last decade. Wood pellet plants are located all around the world and are producing significant amounts of wood pellets. Because the EPA has classified as renewable energy along with solar and wind power, few people know about the harm that is as a result being caused to the environment. Let me make this clear, due to flawed accounting in international agreements wood pellet factories are on the rise. 

Wood pellets have numerous side effects:
- The wood pellet material sourcing leads to massive amount of deforestation and disturbs critical habitats. 
- Burning wood pellets release 65% more CO2 compared to coal per megawatt hour.
- Pellet facilities release dangerous air pollutants including particulate matter and organic compounds. 
- People who live near wood pellet plants suffer numerous health hazards. 

More plants continue to be built each year. They might be "renewable" but in order for this process to occur there are many more negative benefits compared to positive. Currently, Enviva® is the largest pellet producer in the world. They do not care about the people and environment's safety, this entire setup is for economic profit. This is something we can control and change. 

I am very passionate about this issue. The biomass industry is a combination of misinformation, damage to our communities, and damage to our ecosystems. It is an industry that must be stopped and that is not in the focus of many environmental activists. Please feel free to contact me at [email protected] to learn about this industry in-depth and how I am taking action.

Go to the Dogwood Alliance to learn more: 
https://www.dogwoodalliance.org/2020/03/no-more-wood-pellet-plants-in-nc/ 

HERE is a trailer of the moved BURNED: Are Trees the New Coal?
BURNED is a very good movie to learn about the wood pellet industry from peoples' perspectives. 

Information courtesy of the Rachel Carson Council. Courtesy of the Global Forest Coalition et al.

Image of wood pellet plants in North Carolina. Courtesy of Communities Against Wood Pellets *Please note there are more wood pellet plants pending and awaiting construction.

The recorded information session from the Zoom Webinars on this topic is below:

Coastal living threatened: sea

level rise

Posted on February 13, 2022

   Due to rising sea levels, for many places in North Carolina coastal living is being threatened. You may be wondering how come sea levels are rising. Well global warming, a worldwide problem, contributes to our polar ice caps melting which in turn lead to more water being deposited in the ocean. In simpler words, there is less ice at the ice caps and more water in the ocean because of global warming. Since 1880, average see levels have swelled over eight inches. If this problem continues for more years, many coastal buildings (such as houses, hotels, and apartments) may become constantly flooded and potentially could also drown. This is an issue that many coastal residents need to watch out for. Effective planning for this problem may include evacuating a little further from the beach. Although this is not a major problem currently, it will continue to become a bigger problem as time goes on and sea levels continue to rise. 

Courtesy to Vox (left) and WUNC (right)

 NC LANDFILLS

Posted on January 19, 2022

     Landfills are everywhere but North Carolina landfills are special. North Carolina has a lower per capita waste generation than the national average which is always good to hear. However, North Carolina's landfill capacity is a little over 20 years before it is completely full. More populous areas such as Raleigh and Charlotte have landfills that are filling up faster than the rest of North Carolina's areas. For this reason, North Carolina ships the majority of its waste out-of-state being a top exporter behind New York, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Ohio.

But, what are the specific issues that NC Landfills bring?
1. Eventually, the places to which our waste is being exported will reach maximum capacity, such as South Carolina.
2. Exporting waste also brings a large economic issue: NC has to pay states receiving the waste by ton.
3. Landfills, although often sealed with a clay lining, can still leach chemicals thereby polluting groundwater, causing eutrophication, and causing a spiral of environmental problems. *This applies to all landfills even out-of-state

In order to slow down the process of landfills filling up, Raleigh and Charlotte have created a "pay-as-you-throw" system in order to promote greater recycling, reusing, and source reduction. This system is starting to gain momentum throughout cities in North Carolina promising a waste reduction method.

Each and every one of us can make a difference when it comes to how much waste ends up in landfills. Implementing the 3 Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) is the easiest and most effective step we can take. Remember, reducing is always the best of the 3 Rs. After reading this short article, I hope you will be more mindful of what you throw away; it all adds up.

Courtesy of Flickr and the Image's Creator. Provided by Weebly

Carolina chemical contaminants:

PFAS

Posted on December 30, 2021

      North Carolina in the past and currently has many problems with chemicals. Large corporations are constantly trying to take over and use the nature for their economic benefit. PFAS, a family of man-made chemicals, have been a big concern in North Carolina. These chemicals, including GenX do not break down and often accumulate in the human body. PFAS can greatly harm human health which is the reason the EPA has set a health advisory for them in our drinking water. This is a major issue as not only are our waters, rivers, and oceans being impacted but this is terribly impacting our health. We can change this issue by protesting against PFAS, being cautious of what products contain the chemicals, and even sharing the knowledge with others and having them join in causes against PFAS. 

Information courtesy of the News and Observer.

Saving the seagrass

Posted on December 10, 2021

Did you know that seagrasses are one of North Carolina's most valuable and fragile aquatic resources? Anyway, you still might be wondering what is seagrass. They are basically underwater grasses that grow underwater instead on the land. Seagrass plays a important role in our North Carolina ecosystem. A single acre of it can support 40,000 fish and 50 million other small invertebrates. In addition, to providing habitat for aquatic life these underground meadows also improve water quality by absorbing excess nutrients and releasing oxygen. Seagrass can also prevent erosion of the shorelines and their root can improve water clarity. North Carolina has had many times when the seagrass count has gone so low that even the aquatic life suffered horribly. Going in the future, the fate of seagrass is uncertain. Although much of it is currently recovering due to good care and protection, the seagrass population could perish in the future. Want to learn more about seagrass? There are many resources including the internet that can tell you how you can chip in and take action. 

Information courtesy of Albermarle-Pamlico National Estuary Partnership

Courtesy of Frontiers (middle), Mother Jones (left), and Smithsonian Ocean (right)

Courtesy of National Geographic

Southeastern offshore drilling

Posted on September 21, 2021

       Oil drilling is an issue that is initiated due to economic profit. Oil is searched for not just in North Carolina but also throughout the world. It is a fossil fuel that can be used as energy for many things. Southeastern NC has become a major place for oil drilling. Important people such as the governors are not too concerned about this idea but many cities near the sites are. In North Carolina, oil drilling has numerous negative impacts. 

Examples include:
- Wild habitat disruption
- Oil spills can be deadly for wildlife
- Pollution hurts local communities
- Oil extraction turns visitors away
- Oil drilling ruins pristine landscapes
- Emissions contribute to climate change

These are just some of the impacts oil drilling as on the environment. Is it worth it to harm the environment this much merely for monetary benefit? In my opinion, it is surely not. This is just another environmental obstacle in North Carolina. Want to learn more about the issue? Click here.

Information courtesy of the Charlotte Observer and the Wilderness Society

Erosion on the shores

Posted on May 17, 2021

Shore erosion in North Carolina, similarly to the other issues, continues to be a very big problem. Believe it or not but sea level rise is also a major cause of shore erosion. 15% of North Carolina's shoreline is critically eroding, according to the report "State Coastal Program Effectiveness in Protecting Natural Beaches, Dunes, Bluffs, and Rock Shores". 65% of the southern shores have been eroding at the highest rate which is approximately 11.5 ft/year. Shore erosion causes many problems such as loss of land and severe damage to coastal infrastructure. Erosion is an unavoidable problem that has to have action taken about immediately. Ways to prevent more shore erosion includes having vegetation, seawalls, sand fences, and sand dunes. 

To read more on this issue and to also take action read this:
https://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/nat/2017/08/25/coastal-erosion-a-problem-with-new-solutions/ 

Information courtesy of Beachapedia and the University of Florida

Down with duke energy; the

industrial ​reign IN NC

Posted on April 10, 2021

Duke Energy is a big corporation that has always heavily relied on coal, natural gas, and nuclear power. All of these are hazardous to public safety. The production, transport, and burning of natural gas all emit methane; something much more potent compared to carbon dioxide. Duke Energy has failed to invest in effective energy-storing methods; instead they have been trying to seek many regulators approval on "grid modernization" where most of the cost gets transferred to customers. Anyway, let me get back to the environmental related stats. 

Throughout the nation, coal plants generate more than 100 million tons of coal ash each year. This is filled with toxic elements such as mercury, cadmium, and arsenic. Merely in North Carolina, Duke Energy stores 110 million tons of coal ash in unlined pits. Duke Energy has had many nuclear problems as well. From 2007 to 2010, all but two of Duke's plants reported tritium leaks include a 100,000 gallon spill at the McGuire plant which happens to be in North Carolina. Overall, Duke Energy has been causing many health and environmental problems for the people of North Carolina. For big corporations like these, always be on the lookout for what they are trying to do to your area. 

Information courtesy of EWG: Next Level Energy

HOG FARMS AND THEIR RESULTING

PROBLEMS

Posted on January 18, 2021

    In the state of North Carolina, hog farms are a major problem. In fact, North Carolina has one of the largest hog industries in the entire country. There are many health problems associated with hog farms which include infant mortality, anemia, kidney disease, septicemia, and tuberculosis. Hog farms also bring numerous environmental issues. The biggest environmental problem related to hog farms is nitrogen runoff. There is also a problem with overflowing hog lagoons leading to potentially fatal contamination of water sources. These overflowing hog lagoons creates large-scale injustice for the people living close to these lagoons. Based on where your water supply is coming from it could be impacting you! Policy-makers have a major say in the future direction of hog farms. Although there is a major likelihood the hog industry will continue, more sustainable methods of hog farming, such as pastured hog farming, are promising (Scalawag Magazine). The most effective form of action on this issue would be to call or meet in-person with your local policy-makers.

Deeper overview on hog farming with its setbacks (source used): HERE

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