Conservationists believe that the 400 mile wall constructed along the U.S./Mexico border is causing ecological damage and blocking migration routes for endangered species.
“American Scar,” which documents the destruction done desert landscapes, will be shown. Online debutNext week will see a panel discussion with the filmmakers and producers. The short film examines the destruction caused by steel barriers that were put up to prevent migrants from entering the country.
Myles Traphagen is the Wildlands Network’s borderlands coordinator. He said that the film was made to show how much damage has been done to sensitive areas in the region.
Traphagen explained, “This is aimed to people who are interested conservation of the border”
Trump’s 2016 campaign promise to build the wall, and pay Mexico for it, was a major one. But billions of dollars later, fences have only covered a small fraction of the 1,800-mile border.
Traphagen noted that the majority of the fencing along Arizona’s northern border with Mexico was built by the federal government. He stated that most of construction was done on federally-protected lands such as wildlife refuges, national parks, and other protected areas.
Traphagen stressed that “rainfall is rare, there’s not much surface water, so animals had historical migration routes for tens and thousands of years,” “Now, we have effectively cut off historical watering and feeding areas for a large variety of species.”
Traphagen was joined by Daniel Lombroso, director and producer of Wildlands Network and Cuenca Los Ojos members.
Traphagen noted that the documentary will be released on April 30 after it has been shown at the Big Sky Film Festival, DC Environmental Film Festival and a host of other festivals. “There will also be an article that goes with the documentary.”
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Experts agree that trees are essential to livable communities. They provide shade and beauty.
Today marks the 150th anniversary Arbor DayAn annual national holiday that recognizes the importance of trees.
Elizabeth Grace, the director of urban fundraising at the Western Reserve Land Conservancy, Cleveland, is currently working with local partners in order to increase the city’s tree canopy coverage from 18% to 30 percent. She explained, “A A healthy canopyThere are many benefits to this, including lower energy costs and improved air quality.
Grace stated that they actually lower temperatures on hot days, which has a significant impact on under-resourced urban areas. “They reduce stress and improve mental well-being. They actually reduce violence in communities. Recent studies have shown that children with more trees have a higher IQ.
Sen. Sherrod BROWN, D-Ohio announced New legislationThis week is dubbed the “Neighborhood tree Act of 2022.” It aims to increase urban forests and decrease disparities.
Research suggestsUrban areas with people of color have one third less tree cover than those with majority-white neighborhoods. Low-income neighborhoods have 41% more tree canopy than those with higher income.
Tyler Stevenson is the urban forestry program manager at Ohio Department of Natural Resources. He explained that this process involves limiting conflicts as well as reducing susceptibility for catastrophic losses.
Stevenson stated that “a lot of our communities face the pressure of development, pressure by invasive insect and disease, and pressure from extreme weather.” “But we have individuals within all of the communities that are dedicated and committed to ensuring that all citizens have adequate tree canopy throughout the community.”
Stevenson added 248 Ohio towns to the Arbor Day Foundation.
Tree City USA initiative. Today, communities will celebrate Arbor Day by planting trees, seedling distributions and taking part in nature walks.
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Mountain Valley PipelineDevelopers are now permitted to dig tunnels beneath streams and wetlands. Environmental groups express concern about the impact on wildlife habitat.
After years of setbacks, the fate of the multistate natural-gas pipeline is still uncertain.
Lewis Freeman is the executive director of Allegheny-Blue Ridge Alliance. He said there was little scientific evidence to support his assertions. recent rulingBy the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Freeman claimed that the environmental efficacy of boring under so many streams and wetlands has not been demonstrated. “In fact, even U.S. EPA’s Environmental Protection Agency raised many questions in its comments to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.”
In a written statementThe commission stated that the trenchless water body crossing method would result in fewer environmental impactsThe Commission approved the crossing procedure under the original proposal.
The original cost of the pipeline was estimated at $3 billion. However, it now costs more than $6 billion.
Freeman pointed out that there are many legal issues surrounding the project’s impact on the environment. He also noted that the pipeline is several year behind schedule and has been fined millions of dollars for hundreds of violations to clean-water protections.
Freeman explained, “Even with the new approval of a method of crossing streams or wetlands. The project cannot move forward at this time until other matters are addressed.”
According to the Sierra ClubThe project has also had to deal with a series of legal obstacles, including a ruling invalidating its authorizations for the construction of the pipeline through 3.5-miles of land in Jefferson National Forest. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is still refusing to issue a permit under the Endangered Species Act.
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According to the US Geological Survey, approximately half of all methane released from well sites in America is due to the country’s 565,000 low producing oil and gas wells. There are thousands of them in Texas. Nature Communications publishes a new report.
These wells can produce the equivalent to 15 barrels of oil per day. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas that is responsible for nearly 25% of global warming.
Moms Clean Air Force Houston’s Erandi Trevino is an organizer. She stated that it is important that the National Oil and Gas Methane Rules of the Environmental Protection Agency do more to address low-producing wells to protect Texans’ climate and health.
Trevino said, “Harder Summers, Colder Winters, Wetter Falls.” “We must act as residents and community members – that is, we speak up for our communities and make sure that this is a priority.”
The study concluded that low-producing oil wells are responsible for only 6% of U.S. crude oil and gas production. These wells, which leak a quarter of the methane they produce, are found in Texas.
Trevino stated that extreme weather can have a devastating effect on communities, both financially and physically.
Communities that are historically less resourced may take longer to recover after major weather damage. Long-term effects, such as mold from flooding, and severe weather can leave lasting scars.
Trevino stated, “It is also health.” “A lot our communities, especially those of color, are affected by asthma and other health problems caused by pollution.
Nationally, the Environmental Protection Agency examines regulatory changes to reduce oil-and-gas methane emissions.
Mark Omara, a senior analyst and scientist with the Environmental Defense Fund, is the lead author of the study. The EPA’s current proposal excludes many of these smaller wells.
However, the cost of fixing the wells is more than the cost of the gas they release into the atmosphere. This is even at 2019 prices.
Omara said, “Rusted pipes causing leaks, pressure-relief vas that malfunction, open theft hatches on tanks which continue to vent.” All of these issues can easily be fixed by regular monitoring, leak inspection, and repair.
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