Point Park University Environmental Journalism

This semester Point Park University Environmental Journalism students from the Point Park School of Communication tackled environmental topics in the Multiplatform Magazine course. This is their reporting:

https://www.pollutedpittsburgh.com

The Environmental Journalism programing is supported by a grant from The Heinz Endowments.

This weekend the students from the Point Park School of Communication held the third installment of the Point Park University Environmental Journalism Multimedia Workshop. The students partnered with Allegheny CleanWays and the Allegheny Land Trust to bring their stories to life. Thanks to Point Park University photojournalism alumni Holly Tonini, Sean McKeag and Ralph Musthaler for being their mentors this weekend. Thanks to the The Heinz Endowments for their support! Check out their work on the environmental-report.org!!

https://www.environmental-report.org/single-post/2019/10/19/2019-Environmental-Journalism-Multimedia-Workshop

2019 Environmental Journalism Multimedia Workshop Communication 2019 Environmental Journalism Multimedia Workshop. This year students partnered with the Allgeheny Land Trust and Allegheny CleanWays to documen

School of Communication students headed to the field today during the Environmental Journalism Multimedia Workshop at the Point Park University Center for Media Innovation. The workshop participants partnered with environmental organizations Allegheny CleanWays and Allegheny Land Trust to document current projects and bring their stories to life. Final project pieces will be posted tomorrow evening.

Here's a really cool website that allows you to view how much hotter it's gotten in your hometown since you were born. The website is beautifully simplistic and allows you to type in your hometown (or wherever you'd like to see), and all you have to do after that is scroll down. It show's data, tells you different things about the data, and also talks about other places in the world and where data shows they will be by the end of the century.
I lived in Bethel Park and it informed me that the average days over 90 degrees has increased by almost 2 weeks since I was born... and I hate those days, especially in this humidity.
Anyways check it out! It takes a minute or 2, and is rather informative.

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/08/30/climate/how-much-hotter-is-your-hometown.html?mc=aud_dev&ad-keywords=auddevgate&subid1=TAFI&dclid=CjkKEQjwgabeBRCdo7zwmrnb-qEBEiQA76oYQ2cI0z0of87Y-Afrn8KyRHadpiTTOFUtgH4Xb_LdlHPw_wcB&fbclid=IwAR0egJXfGRhoVqOUEMo7HmoirUozD5uYlZrmXAFyAEfhRKSBuvQhonAu6Nk

How Much Hotter Is Your Hometown Than When You Were Born? See how days at or above 90 degrees Fahrenheit have changed in your lifetime and how much hotter it could get.

Hi all! Wishing everyone a swift and painless finals week. If you're stressed out... which you probably are (just like me), here's a nice little bit of news to cheer you up. A certain continent starting with the letter "A" has reduced their plastic bag use by 80 percent within 3 months. That's right! You guessed it, that continent is Australia! This is due to a nation wide ban on plastic bags and having supermarkets switching to re-usable bags. With there efforts they've prevented an estimated amount of 1.5 billion plastic bags from entering the environment. Could you imagine if everyone was doing that? While you're studying for and taking those files, just hold onto that thought and try not to smile. :D

https://www.iflscience.com/environment/australia-has-cut-its-plastic-bag-use-by-80-percent-in-just-3-months/?fbclid=IwAR140RjN7mRGntTsK1E45DVZCCGsByLySQzq5pBEGwebjVJChQXmAEFceCI

Australia Has Cut Its Plastic Bag Use By 80 Percent In Just 3 Months Australia has slashed its plastic bag habit by up to 80 percent within just three months, according to Australia's National Retail Association, which is so

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/20/magazine/palm-oil-borneo-climate-catastrophe.html

A feature story for The New York Times by Abrahm Lustgarten talks about how palm oil has cause mass deforestation and caused immense damage to the tropical rainforests in Indonesia, and how harvesting palm oil creates a bigger carbon footprint than originally thought.
Lustgarten tells a story of traveling through the effected areas and seeing how much damage has been done, to the environment and the people who have to live in that environment. He talks about the history of palm oil and the difficulties in controlling the booming industry.

Palm Oil Was Supposed to Help Save the Planet. Instead It Unleashed a Catastrophe. A decade ago, the U.S. mandated the use of vegetable oil in biofuels, leading to industrial-scale deforestation — and a huge spike in carbon emissions.

A new climate report shows the effects that climate change has created all around the world to this day, and predicts what is to come in the distant future.

"the 1,656-page assessment lays out the devastating effects of a changing climate on the economy, health and environment, including record wildfires in California, crop failures in the Midwest and crumbling infrastructure in the South. Going forward, American exports and supply chains could be disrupted, agricultural yields could fall to 1980s levels by midcentury and fire season could spread to the Southeast, the report finds."

You can check out the actual report findings here,
https://nca2018.globalchange.gov/

Or you could check out The New York Times article by Coral Davenport and Kendra Pierre-Louis, summarizing the report at,
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/23/climate/us-climate-report.html

Fourth National Climate Assessment: Executive Summary This report is an authoritative assessment of the science of climate change, with a focus on the United States. It represents the second of two volumes of the Fourth National Climate Assessment, mandated by the Global Change Research Act of 1990.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Hoping that loving family and delicious food keeps everyone warm and merry on this chilly gray day...

On a more sad... actually weird and kind of creepy, note, be careful when you go out to get Christmas Tree's in the coming weeks. They really bring the holiday spirit to a household, but this year there's a new risk of also bringing spotted lanternflys. The spotted lanternfly, a native in East Asia, was discovered in PA 4 years ago and has been increasing in numbers. These bugs like to eat wood and build homes in... wood.

So if you're going out to buy a pre-cut pine tree, make sure you check all the branches for clusters of eggs. It's better to find them before they hatch (duh).

On that note... enjoy your turkey's and your stuffing, and your gravy, and cranberry sauce, and alcohol (if you're 21), and other things that people serve at Thanksgiving. I hope the spotted lanternfly didn't ruin your appetite. :D

https://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2018/10/christmas_tree_threat_invasive_bug_spotted_lantern.html

Now there's a Christmas tree-infesting bug that hatches eggs inside your house Experts fear a small, invasive insect known as the spotted lanternfly could become a silent Scrooge that destroys scores of trees and crops.

Good Morning everyone! Time to go put on your voting shoes and participate in one of the most important rights we have as Americans. The more people that vote the more the system will start to change. We are starting to see individuals and businesses take action into changing the political landscape. Patagonia, the outdoor clothing company, took a stand aside many others by closing their businesses for today. Patagonia CEO Rose Marcario said,
“As a business, we have a unique ability to take a stand and choose to prioritize the health of the planet over profit, and I think it’s important we take that opportunity when it truly matters. We want to do everything possible to empower citizens to make their voices heard and elect candidates up and down the ballot who will protect our planet.”
So help stand up for your beliefs whether it be environmentally driven or not. GO VOTE!

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/companies-across-the-country-are-giving-employees-election-day-off/Content%3foid=11704132&media=AMP%2bHTML

Companies across the country are giving employees Election Day off Many employers are stepping up in the name of democracy

Dr. Sherri Mason is recieving an unrestricted cash award of $250,000 for her research on the impact microplastics leave in the environment and the damage they can do to human health.
She spoke about her research on microbeads and microfibers in fresh water today at PNC Park.
Her presentation was extremely informative and makes you think about these particles that are small in mass but massive in number. She was asked a question about the danger it poses to the planet and responded with an answer very reminiscent to a George Carlin joke. Dr. Mason said, "The planet is fine. What do we need to do to save our species?"

Article about Sherri's award and work.
http://www.observertoday.com/news/page-one/2018/09/sherri-mason-recipient-of-23rd-heinz-award-to-receive-250000/

Who's ready to drink clean water straight outta their sinks again!

"The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority has landed a state funding package that will allow the agency to replace nearly 3,000 lead service connections, part of ongoing efforts to prevent lead contamination in tap water"
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/10/17/PWSA-lead-line-replacements-pittsburgh-Pennsylvania-Infrastructure-grant-loan/stories/201810170120

The premiere of Downstream was a very eye opening experience for those living in the greater Pittsburgh region. It explores the problems with the river city's watersheds and the threat it presents. Written and produced by Gina Cantanzarite and edited and filmed by Glenn Syska and Zak Boyle.
Check out the "Downstream" here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALpjaO2zE2s

“Clean water is essential for economic development in healthy communities," said Gina Catanzarite, who created the half-hour documentary "Downstream" with Point Park University alumni Glenn Syska (pictured, right) and Zak Boyle. FREE registration for TOMORROW'S screening, hosted by the CMI and Point Park University Environmental Journalism: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/downstream-premiere-screening-and-discussion-tickets-50876527062

Hurricane Florence concerns.

Florence Has Washed Away A Mountain of Toxic Coal Ash, Likely Into NC Rivers At least one of Duke Energy’s giant coal-ash piles has collapsed, displacing 2000 cubic meters of ash containing arsenic, lead and mercury, likely into North Carolina’s drinking water. As expected, Hurricane Florence has washed away a large portion of a toxic coal-ash landfill located near the C...

Our students are currently working hard on editing this film - and this is some great reporting by Carley Marie Bonk!

Photography class films documentary in Montana When most students were winding down last semester after finals week, the specialized photography class was packing their bags for the western plains of the Montana wilds. After nearly four months of solid planning, researching and photography skill development, 11 students embarked on a week-long e...

Good work coming from the create lab.

Cameras to provide constant monitoring of visible air pollution at Mon Valley plants The nose knows the sulfuric “Pittsburgh smell” that still wafts through Monongahela Valley communities and the city’s East End, and now the public will be ...

Missoula Phlox growing atop a field in the midst of a cattle range, where good grazing practices are used to conserve naturally occurring flora. 📸:

Thank you for the shout out!

http://triblive.com/local/allegheny/13576468-74/point-park-students-to-document-one-of-the-nations-largest-superfund-sites

Point Park students to document one of the nation's largest Superfund sites Point Park University students will produce a film in Missoula, Montana, next month documenting the Upper Clark Fork River project clean-up effort, one of the ...

Ryan Henderson of Rivers of Steel: Carrie Blast Furnaces leads students through Pittsburgh's historic industrial past, talking about the environmental impacts of iron production. 📸: @ Carrie Furnace

"Yet it is not just the spread of the Sahara that is frightening, the researchers say. It’s the timing: It is happening during the African summer, when there is usually more rain. But the precipitation has dried up, allowing the boundaries of the desert to expand."

Read More: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2018/03/29/the-sahara-is-growing-thanks-in-part-to-climate-change/?utm_term=.f155f0b29d6a

The Sahara is growing, thanks in part to climate change Scientists say the boundaries of Earth's largest hot desert have expanded by 10 percent since 1920, suggesting that other deserts might be growing, as well.

"The Western Pennsylvania facilities included in the report discharge into the Monongahela River in Allegheny County, Sewickley Creek in Westmorland County, and Raccoon Creek in Washington County."

Read More: http://www.ehn.org/pennsylvania-clean-water-act-violations-2554119212.html

These five Western Pennsylvania facilities are dumping toxics into local rivers—often without punishment Report finds Pennsylvania has the second highest number of Clean Water Act infractions in the nation

Meet, "Peter Wright, a man with an extensive history with Superfund — fighting EPA cleanups on behalf of polluters."

Read More: https://theintercept.com/2018/03/29/epa-superfund-scott-pruitt-peter-wright/

Trump’s Nominee to Oversee Superfund Program Spent Decades Fighting EPA Cleanups on Behalf of Polluters For a quarter-century, Peter Wright has defended companies responsible for some of the biggest industrial disasters, including Dow Chemical and Monsanto.

"These are resources that the public wants," Lobner says. "We've been hearing they want to see waterfowl, they want to see deer, they want to see bear, whatever the species it is. They want those resources at their disposal."

The question is: Are they willing to pay for them?"

Read More: https://www.npr.org/2018/03/20/593001800/decline-in-hunters-threatens-how-u-s-pays-for-conservation

Decline In Hunters Threatens How U.S. Pays For Conservation The steady drop is expected to accelerate in coming years, threatening the much-lauded model through which the U.S. has paid for conservation.

"The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has quietly begun allowing more trophy hunting of African elephants, despite President Donald Trump’s pledge last year to uphold a ban on importing parts of animals killed by big-game hunters.

The agency issued a formal memo Thursday saying it would consider issuing permits to import elephant trophies from African nations on a “case-by-case” basis, effective immediately. The new guidelines, first reported by The Hill, end U.S. bans on the import of such trophies from Zimbabwe and Zambia."

Read More: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/trump-administration-elephant-trophies_us_5a9e218ee4b0a0ba4ad7376b

Trump Administration Reverses Promise To Ban Elephant Hunt Trophies The U.S. government will allow hunters to import elephant trophies on a case-by-case basis, breaking the president’s pledge.

"The Clean Air Council has filed notice it will sue the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency unless the agency forces the Allegheny County Health Department to review and issue long overdue operating permits for many of the county’s biggest industrial air pollution sources.

The statewide council announced the filing Monday, saying the EPA hadn’t acted on its October 2016 petition that sought sanctions against the health department for being chronically late in issuing or renewing the Title V permits. The 180-day notice is a requirement for filing a lawsuit in federal court."

Read More: http://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2018/03/05/Environmental-group-says-it-will-sue-over-inactivity-on-Allgheny-County-air-pollution-permits/stories/201803050175

Environmental group says it will sue over inactivity on Allgheny County air pollution permits The Clean Air Council has filed notice it will sue the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency unless the agency forces the Allegheny County Health Department ...

"The Bureau of Land Management on Monday removed about 17,300 acres of land in central Montana from an upcoming oil and natural gas lease auction, just a week before the scheduled sale.

The Interior Department, which oversees one in every five acres of land in the United States, was set to auction off leases for 109 parcels stretching across the Big Sky State from the Canadian border to Wyoming.

But Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, who before joining the Trump administration represented Montana in Congress, decided to withdraw 26 parcels from consideration, along with portions of two others. A cadre of local and national environmental groups had filed formal protests against the sale, contending that drilling would adversely impact the Yellowstone River and other areas. "

Read More: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/zinke-suddenly-pulls-land-in-home-state-of-montana-from-oil-and-gas-lease-sale/2018/03/05/c5e80664-20c3-11e8-badd-7c9f29a55815_story.html?utm_term=.2136c78d26b3

Zinke suddenly pulls land in home state of Montana from oil and gas lease sale In the face of environmentalists’ protests, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke said more study is needed.

"Released on Friday, the data found elevated levels of toxic pollutants like arsenic and radium in the groundwater near more than 70 coal-fired power plants and coal ash disposal sites across the United States."

Read More: https://thinkprogress.org/coal-ash-polluting-groundwater-utility-data-b60093030a0a/

Coal ash is polluting groundwater across the country, according to new utility data The new reporting comes as the EPA has suggested weakening federal regulations about coal ash disposal.

"Heightened levels of pollutants — including arsenic and radium in some cases — were documented at plants in numerous states, from Virginia to Alaska."

Read more: https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/montana/articles/2018-03-02/apnewsbreak-us-utilities-find-water-pollution-at-ash-sites

US Utilities Find Water Pollution at Coal Ash Dumps Major utilities are finding evidence of groundwater contamination at coal-burning power plants across the U.S. where landfills and man-made ponds have been used for decades as dumping grounds for coal ash.

Regram of 's photo and experience taking a group of students to Raccoon Creek State Park, "The ruins of “The Tank Farm”, the Monaca Air Force Petroleum Oil and Lubricant Retail Distribution Facility (MAFPOL) was constructed by the Department of Defense in the 1940s. The Tank Farm was used to store more than 10.4 million gallons of high octane gasoline, or aviation fuel, underground during World War II. The top-secret storage area was camouflaged to look like a farm to hide the fuel tanks with the purpose of preventing the site from becoming a bomb target during the war. The area is now part of the Raccoon Creek Greenway and the Independence Conservancy"

"The plan, part of the budget the White House proposed this week, would forgo traditional funding and instead opt to finance up to $18 billion in “backlogged” infrastructure projects solely through the sale of mineral and fossil fuel extraction on public lands and waters."

http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/374333-interiors-plan-to-use-drilling-funds-for-new-infrastructure-met

Interior plan to use drilling funds for new projects met with skepticism © Getty A new Department of Interior plan to build roads in national parks, fix visitors centers and complete other infrastructure projects using money raised by drilling on public lands is facing skepticism from members of Congress and a former senior department official.The plan, part of the budg...

Ep. 35: Do Regulations Kill Jobs? Or Save Lives? President Trump calls them job-killers and has rolled back regulations at an unprecedented speed. But what about all the human lives they save?

"President Trump is opening up the Atlantic Coast to companies to explore for fresh reserves. And to explore, they will be making some of the loudest sounds ever heard in the ocean — sounds that, according to recent research, could harm marine animals from whales to plankton."

https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/02/19/586061334/seismic-surveys-planned-off-u-s-coast-pose-risk-to-marine-life

Seismic Surveys Planned Off U.S. Coast Pose Risk To Marine Life The Trump administration could give companies permission to set off sonic explosions to explore for oil and gas deposits. Scientists say this could seriously harm marine life.

“It’s like the slow progression of tooth decay versus a fight where someone knocks out your teeth all at once,” Flagler County Administrator Craig Coffey said, referring to sand lost during Irma and Hurricane Matthew, which buffeted Florida’s coast in October 2016."

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-florida-storm-beaches/gone-with-the-wind-storms-deepen-floridas-beach-sand-crunch-idUSKCN1G00W4

Gone with the wind: storms deepen Florida's beach sand crunch Down the palm tree-lined roads of northeast Florida's Flagler County, a half-dozen dump trucks are shuttling back and forth along the Atlantic coast pouring thousands of tons of sand onto the local beach.

"Hollow Oak Land Trust welcomed Point Park University students and locals to their fourth annual "Fat Bike Fest" held at the Montour Woods Conservation Area. Fat bikes are called "fat" due to their wide tires that make tearing through snow and sand easy, making a Fat Bike Fest the perfect winter activity."

Photos by Senior Multimedia and Graphic Design Major Derek Watson
Read more here: https://www.environmental-report.org/single-post/2018/02/15/Hollow-Oak-Land-Trust-Hits-the-Snow-Covered-Trails

Hollow Oak Land Trust Hits the Snow Covered Trails | Home | Environmental Report "On a brisk February Saturday, members of the Hollow Oak Land Trust gathered to ride fat tired bikes down snow-covered trails, and fellowship with beers and bar...

Listen in as Point Park University Environmental Journalism Graduate Student Ashley Murray recounts on her experience making water filters with Wine To Water: Dominican Republic. Great reporting, Murray!

Water filters fill plumbing infrastructure gap in Dominican Republic | Home | Environmental Report Above: Point Park University Environmental Journalism student Megan Bixler smoothes the wet clay of a newly molded water filter. In the Dominican Republic, peop...