The Environmental Approach

The Environmental Approach

Of the issues we face on a daily basis, both personally and as a community, perhaps the most prevalent involves our environment. For Washingtonians the condition of our environment holds even greater importance given the wide variety of landscapes, climates and wildlife that exist here.
Global warming is affecting us all, whether you believe it’s man-made or not, and nations all over the globe are struggling to reduce their carbon footprint in efforts to reduce the rate at which this phenomena is occurring. As a result, new fields of research and development have been created both in the commercial and educational sectors.
Ultimately, I hope to look more closely into what Washington State University and the state itself are doing in terms creating new ways to address the issue of climate change and other topics related to preserving the environment. One example of reducing our carbon footprint here in the Palouse is research being conducted with no-till farming. When farmers till the soil in preparation for the next season’s crops, the decomposing plant material is then exposed and releases large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. No-till farming works by keeping the decomposing material intact and thus retaining the carbon dioxide within it.
Environmental sciences, whether they are preventative or other, are constantly evolving and revealing more efficient methods with which to practice cleaner and smarter living. This beat has great relevance both locally and nationally as Washington helps set new standards of environmentally friendly practices, many of which can be seen right here in the Palouse. What better place to create environmental sciences beat than at a university that has a nationally acclaimed agricultural and biological engineering program?

Three Possible Stories
University of Idaho Biodiesel: What is biodiesel doing for our communities?

Snake River: What are the biggest issues facing the river today?

Washington State University Carbon Footprint: How much greenhouse gas(s) does the university produce annually? What is the university doing to ‘go green’?

Possible Sources
Dr. Jon Van Gerpen, University of Idaho Biodiesel Education Project Director
208-885-7891 jonvg@uidaho.edu

Washington State Conservation Commission
Whitman Conservation District
Dana Sanchez, Information, Education and Outreach Secretary
(509) 397-4636 ext. 101
dana-sanchez@wa.nacdnet.org

David Bezdicek, Agriculture, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences
(509) 335-3644
bezdicek@wsu.edu




Three Relevant Stories
“EPA finds toxins throughout Columbia Basin”
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/updates/story/596540.html

“Seattle biotech Kineta funds research step by step”
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/biotech/2008550870_kineta23.html

“WSU Research Center Will Aid Hops Crop -- 77% Of U.S. Harvest From Yakima Valley “
http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19930530&slug=1704013