Obama=Greenest President Ever?

Reporter Michael Hawthorne looks at what kind of impact Obama will have on environmental issues. While the article is nicely written and brings in several sources contemplating what kind of environmental relief the Obama administration will provide, there is never any proposed legistlation/plans (as the sub-headline implies "Obama's plans for environmental legislation may have big impact"). There is only speculation.

Obviously the Tribune has been immersed in Obama's transition of power, and it's only fitting to run this article now. However, there's a big source lacking--Obama. While this story is a nice preface to what he might do (so in that way the headline is kind of okay), it doesn't lay out any real ideas that he's offered. Of course we don't really expect Hawthorne to get on the phone right away, but I think a better way to approach this story would have been to look at "The Environment Under Obama" offering some hypothetical situations.

I think another way to go with this story as well would be to look at what we should expect given the poor state of the economy. Hawthorne alludes to this, "Some of his promises could be muted by a troubled economy," but it would be a good direction to take this story next.

Find the article here.

 

White House Limits EPA's Power to Monitor Lead Emissions

This article, published on November 14th by Tribune environment reporter Michael Hawthorne, explains how because Bush and the White House are only allowing the EPA to place monitors on those who pollute a ton or more of lead annually, 60% fewer factories will be investigated.

The story is a good example of two things. 

First, it had a lot of investigative elements in it. Hawthorne looks at the regulation and talks to lobbyists to figure out how these regulations were lifted. He really just uses information that is widely available.

Second, it's a good way of turning a broader issue local. He shows how a steel factory in Chicago as well as a battery plant in Naperville will fall through the cracks because of these new regulations.

Just a piece of editorial commentary--I think that Hawthorne, and all reporters for that matter, should continue to keep there eyes out for shady dealings like this one that occur during Bush's remaining lame-duck period.

Find the article here.

Tribune writer visits green hotels, restaurants around Lake MI

In an article published Nov. 9th in the Tribune, writer Cliff Terry explains his escapade seeking ecologically-friendly sleeps and eats in Michigan and Wisconsin.

Terry begins by walking us through his fiasco in trying to rent a hybrid for the trip (the one that the company owned was unavailable; it costs $799/wk to rent). He settles by getting a high MPG Hyundai Sonata.

Terry and his wife stop at several "Travel Green" certified lodgings and restaurants. Most places however are primarily certified because they serve local food, which greatly reduces transportation costs/pollution. Thus their carbon footprint is minimized.

One ski resort pays more money to assure that its ski lifts are powered by wind energy. The owner, a former renewable-energy guru from California, aims to promote wind energy by doing this. The resort has also built a new spa with non-toxic insulation, and all compact fluorescent light bulbs.

From there, Terry explores several other, similar lodgings/ restaurants, and the piece begins to drag on, with fewer interesting case studies in his adventure and less personal appeal (to his defense, this did appear in the Travel section).

While this piece shows us how we can patronize these eco-friendly attractions, we're left (at least I was) wondering: Why can't Holiday Inn change it's light bulbs? Why can't Chile's or TGI Friday's cut down on their carbon footprint by limiting the amount food transportation?

As is a trend with many of these Environmental pieces, the reader is shown a case study, an anomaly to the trend. I want to see more pieces demanding simple changes for big companies--that will make a real difference.

Find the entire article here.

Popcorn clogs sewers

Okay, this one is kind of a stretch, but obviously the last week or so of the Tribune's coverage has been dominated by the election. Even my go-to guy Michael Hawthorne was covering the election of the Trib.

This story, buried in the local news section, describes how The Popcorn Factory in Lake Forest was doing routine cleaning and as a result grease and caramel that seeped into the sewer system caused blockage and an overflow of sewage into a nearby field.

The damage was not very serious, but this is still a very good example of sheer neglect by this company. Though the article says they have now purchased new filtration mechanisms, I'm still not comfortable with popcorn grease being drained into local sewer systems. Where those sewers lead, nobody knows; in just walking around Champaign-Urbana we can see an emblem by most sewers that reads "No Dumping, Leads to Waterways." 

Companies like this should not only be held liable for repair costs, but they should also be fined for this kind of conduct. The short article doesn't really get into these angles, but it would be an interesting way to take this piece.

Find the article here.