The Courant today delves into what is hampering even more envirnmental success at cleaning our air and water. It’s soylent green! Yep, people are the ones dragging the whole progress thing down. What a surprise. They report, you discuss, especially in light of recent claims made about trash contracts and recycling:
Although anti-pollution laws have gone a long way toward cleaning up the state’s air and water, a new report says that solving some of the more intractable environmental problems won’t happen unless residents change how they live.
Despite the steadily rising cost of gasoline and electricity, commuters and homeowners do not appear to be stepping up to the plate, according to a report issued Wednesday by the Council on Environmental Quality.
“We’re looking more at lifestyle changes vs. statutory changes,” said Thomas Harrison, chairman of the state advisory group.
For example:
Related links
Connecticut’s Environment Report Photos
Connecticut’s Environment: A Report Card• Connecticut drivers, on average, drove more miles in 2007 than the year before, which could wind up offsetting efforts to cut the state’s output of greenhouse gases associated with global warming.
• Recycling rates in 2007 declined — again. The state already had failed to meet a goal of recycling 40 percent of solid waste by 2000.
“The consequences have been enormous,” the report says. “Hundreds of thousands of tons of waste are shipped out of state each year, putting thousands of diesel trucks on the highways for trips of many hundred miles.”
That means more traffic and more air pollution.
• Most appliances bought in Connecticut are not energy-efficient models, even though residents could cut electricity use by purchasing Energy Star-certified refrigerators and other devices.
By persuading more people to do so, “Connecticut could see a noticeable improvement in the use of energy,” Harrison said. That, too, would help the state meet long-term goals that can contribute to the battle against climate change.
The annual report card on the environment found several reasons to crow, including the cleanest air in decades, continued improvement in cutting back nitrogen releases into Long Island Sound from sewage treatment plants and a drop in overall greenhouse gas emissions.
On the wildlife front, the state is now home to 15 pairs of nesting bald eagles — a substantial victory that reflects decades of effort to clean contaminants such as the insecticide DDT out of the food chain.
But for every gain, the report found nagging problems, some of which threaten to undermine progress already made.
Businesses succeeded in becoming more productive while cutting electricity use, but homeowners consumed more. Upgraded sewage treatment plants helped reduce excessive nutrients flowing into the Sound, but storm-water runoff from sprawling development adds to the problem.
“Connecticut residents will fail to meet several important environmental goals, including those for land conservation and waste recycling, unless we make a more earnest effort,” the report concludes.
The final grade for 2007?
About a C-plus, said Harrison, who spoke about the report at a press conference in the state Capitol on Wednesday.
I’ll sum up, residents must drive less, recycle more and use less electricity. Now, wasn’t the whole point of going with City Carting the ability to recycle more?
source: Courant, Report: Solving State’s Tough Environmental Problems Requires Lifestyle Changes
By DAVID FUNKHOUSER, June 26, 2008
