Tag Archives: climate

Conservation Law Foundation file photo
CVU Community, Our Natural World, Uncategorized, Vermont, Volume '22, Issue 1, Weather, Wellness

Polluted Lake Champlain: How Can We Stop It?

Written By Jocelyn Kaplan

VERMONT–Have you ever driven across the causeway between Colchester and South Hero and been hit with the pungent smell of a chemical-like odor? Have you ever looked across the lake and noticed patches of green clinging to the surface of the once vibrant lake?

Lake Champlain, Vermont’s largest lake and greatest landmark is being polluted by an excess amount of phosphorus runoff.

Too much phosphorus promotes an overgrowth of algae blooms. The blooms grow on the surface of the water and block light from entering into the lake. The blocking of sunlight prevents plants from photosynthesis, causing decay and death.

The Department of Health in New York states, “Exposure to any blue-green algae blooms can cause health effects in people and animals when water with blooms is touched, swallowed, or when airborne droplets are inhaled.” Algae blooms are harmful to humans, as many types of blue-green algae contain toxins which cause digestive issues and breathing difficulties.” Animals swimming in the lake can also suffer from the toxins, which in severe cases if ingested can cause liver failure and seizures.

Heather Morely, AP Environmental Science teacher, noted that the amount of algae blooms are affected by climate change as temperatures continue to rise. She also commented on what farmers can do to help reduce runoff. “Riparian buffers, areas that absorb a lot of the runoff before they get to waterways, and strategies about the time of year manure is applied to fields.” I asked what her main concern was about phosphorus runoff, and she voiced troubles with wastewater treatments,“We should really be focusing on our wastewater treatments and applications of manure to lawns.”

The phosphorus intake is directly related to the amount of runoff into the lakes. Runoff is caused as snow melts and there is more water than the land can absorb. The excess water flows down the land into bodies of water.

The Lake Champlain Basin Program details how Lake Champlain is suffering from phosphorus runoff coming from all parts of human life. “Nonpoint sources of pollution, which include runoff from roads and developed areas, and from lawns, farmlands, and other rural areas contribute more than 90% of the phosphorus that reaches the Lake.”

Farmlands contribute a significant amount of runoff, with 38% of phosphorus in the lake stemming from nutrients within fertilizer and manure that wash off before reaching the soil.

Developed land also has a big impact on the sheer mass of phosphorus that is ending up in Champlain, taking responsibility for 16%! Developed areas like parking lots and roadways are impervious and shed water. Instead of the absorption through grass, the rainfall and snowmelt is sent towards the lakes. Intense storm flows, a direct consequence of rainfall building up with little to no absorption, causes a higher amount of erosion in stream-banks which sends more sediments into the lake.

Vermont citizens are concerned about the state of the lake’s environment, but many are unaware of how the increasing pollution is caused by farmlands and urbanization. Ally Clos, 17, was an anomaly who was able to cite important factors that contribute to the phosphorus runoff, but was unaware of how the phosphorus buildup could be prevented. “Isn’t runoff caused by farms? We learned that it was from the soil and cow manure that runs down and pollutes the lake. But I don’t know anything about how to stop buildup of phosphorus.”

CVU students Jimmy and Hayden, both 15, discussed how the pollution has affected their lives. They have both experienced the smell of phosphorus, and have been unable to swim in the lakes because of the pollution buildup. Hayden noted that his health has been impacted by the lake’s pollution, “I’ve gotten sick from the algae, I went home with a headache and ended up with a raspy throat.”

Educating Vermonters, specifically the farmers, on the harmful effects of phosphorus could be groundbreaking on preventing future pollution of the lakes. Cutting back from phosphorus fertilizers, and implanting sewage grates designed to catch runoff water would help all Vermont’s bodies of water.

While the issue can hardly be solved by one individual, being aware of the strategies designed to prevent pollution and educating others into considering and embedding these resources into our farming, gardening, and wastewater plants could help the lakes of Vermont tremendously.

coral
Our Natural World, Volume 11: Sp '21

Ghost Coral 

Kaylee Eaton

Coral reefs are turning  ghostly white, causing that area to become lifeless and barren.

 Coral reefs are home to thousands of species, but half the world’s coral reefs are dying due to bleaching and without the coral, many of the tropical fish species will go extinct. 

Unfortunately, most bleaching happens due to climate change, meaning if the water temperature gets cold and doesn’t warm up fast enough the coral will die.  But as people we can’t just cut everything that gives off carbon emissions because the world relies on businesses and technology which causes mass amounts of carbon pollution. 

Scientists have found other ways to revive the dying reefs. One scientist by the name of DR David Vaughan found that cutting the coral in small pieces will grow faster and he has been using that technique in his coral farm/nurseries. 

Unfortunately, according to Frank Mars, he has found that many farms aren’t paying attention to where they relocate the new coral to because coral farms can’t be built where there has never been a reef and resilient coral can’t be grown on floating nurseries which are located on the ocean’s surface. 

Mars Coral Restoration Foundation  came up with a better idea by focusing on physically restoring the reefs that have been killed. Mars coral foundation installed more that 8,000 “spiders” which cover more than 8000 sq ft of the ocean floor in Indonesia. Spiders are cages which are helping regrow coral by providing a structure for the coral to properly re-grow on. 

A Biologist by the name of DR Tom Goreau  has put to use the biorock structure as a way to restore coral. Biorock structures are a metal frame with coral on it that is electrocuted with low voltage to stimulate the new growth.  According to a study done by Thomas J. Goreau shows that coral will grow 3-4 times faster and have higher rates of survival when biorock structures are used. 

This is an international issue; 16% of the world’s tropical reefs died in 1998 And 70% of the earth’s coral was damaged in 2016. Many have ignored this global issue but if this continuous, by 2050 it’s estimated that 90% of the coral reefs in the world will be gone.  

If the coral reefs die, costliness  will be damaged more due to flooding, hurricanes, and cyclones. And many fishermen will suffer from lack of their only income because of the lack of fish and coastal towns will suffer from lack of tourism the coral reefs would have brought in. 

Uncategorized

Summer Read Promotes Social Justice

Ms. Emma Rashford

At the end of this past 2018-2019 school year, 4th through 8th grade teachers across the Champlain Valley District gave their students an optional book to read over the summer. The students came together on September 5th, 2019 at CVU in a celebration of the Common Read. At the day long celebration, students collaborated on their thoughts and ideas about this year’s topic, Social Justice.

Students were given a variety of books by different authors. Incoming 4th graders read Preaching to Chickens, written by Jabari Asim. Incoming 6th graders had the option of reading Ghost Boy, by Jewell Parker, or A Good Kind of Trouble, by Lisa Moore Ramee; incoming 8th graders had the choice of reading Ghost Boy or March, by Andew Aydin and John Lewis. Families were encouraged to help their child choose an appropriate book. 

Glimmer_of_Hope_book_cover_common_read_2019

The goal of the CVSD Common Read is “to inspire and unify students and community members through envisioning, planning and collaborating on works of literature or art that educate about important themes of our time” as well as “to discover and learn interdisciplinary subject matter and real-life skills through collaborative design projects”. Participating in the Common Read will help kids achieve these goals and to be able to engage in the group discussion. 

Debbie Donnelly, a 5th through 8th grade teacher at Williston Central School, attended the event with her students, “I am not sure if it will help kids read over the summer. With that being said, supplying students with books of their own, to keep, certainly promotes reading over the summer,” Donnelly hopes that giving students a book to keep will encourage students to utilize it, and it will help educate young people about important topics. 

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Uncategorized, Videos & Podcasts, Volume 7, Issue 2

CVU Visitors Impressed, Inspired by School Environment

Ms. Nicole Eaton

HINESBURG, VT — On Thursday, December 7th, a group of Hanover High School students came to Champlain Valley Union High School to get ideas for their school. Each student got a tour of the school and got to sit-in on a class or two.

Alice is a sophomore from Norwich, Vermont, and Julia is in her first year at Hanover High.

Alice and Julia were both impressed by the environment at CVU and expressed their positive observations of excitedness. They especially loved the block scheduling and what seems like a “stress free” environment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9L6GP2t7vew

The girls loved a lot of things about CVU, but the things that they loved the most was block scheduling and the “stress free” environment.

“CVU’s block scheduling is very cool. It really gives students the opportunity to seek help if they need it and breaks up the week in a nice way,” says Cook. “You have opportunities to try things on different days. It makes sense in a way that our schedule doesn’t from an emotional and stress level standpoint.” she continues.

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Volume 6, Issue 2

Trump Pulls Out of Paris Deal: Will There Be Consequences?

Ms. Koko Vercessi, Editor in Chief

paris
Courtesy of New York Media

This Thursday President Trump announced that the United States would be pulling out of the Paris Climate Accord. To many this appeared to be an act that demonstrated a nonchalant view of global warming and climate change issues. All over social media the world is exploding either in protest or support of this sudden and decisive action on President Trump’s part, so what consequences will this choice have if any on the American people and the Trump administration?

In what President Trump called a “draconian” international deal, Trump pledged his loyalty to the people of Pittsburgh and deserted the agreement for environmental action signed by 195 nations. In what could be seen as a power play meant to increase faith in the new administration for their prioritization of the American people, or a rash decision that disregarded the importance of pressing environmental issues, no one can deny that this move on Trump’s part is certainly making some waves, and will most definitely come with consequences.

Reading through the many different articles in opposition to Trump’s most recent action, it seems as if his choice may only have fueled that fire that is the belief that his administration disregards the importance of climate change and its effects. However, many seem to ignore the fact that his action may have been made as a way to assert the independence and sovereignty of the American people, not an action that was meant to display a blatant indifference to global warming.

The question now remains, how will Trump’s decision impact the lives of the American people and how will it impact the role of the United States in the global community?

 

 

Volume 6, Issue 1

Winter Carnival: The Climate Discussion Srpouts up in the Spring

Ms. Carly Labrie, Special Media & Society Correspondent

Traditions are carried down from generation to generation. They bring a family, group, or community together. But, what happens when a tradition goes too far? What if it causes some negative side effects? Should it be changed or altered? Or is it acceptable, simply because of the fact that it’s a tradition?

Every year, on the last day of school before February break, Champlain Valley Union High School holds its Winter Carnival. Each class gathers together in the gym for some chanting, a dance competition, and a trike race. The seniors take control of the event each year, leading and claiming victory over most of the activities.

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Seniors doing their thing.

 

This year, however, started some discussion between students and faculty about the environment of Winter Carnival, and whether or not the senior class took it too far.

The evening after the event, on Friday, February 24th, the principal of CVU, Adam Bunting, sent out an email to students and faculty. After some reflection, Bunting wrote in the email, “The more I thought, though, the less good I felt about how the ninth graders were treated. I understand that there wasn’t malicious intent and that the upperclassmen were joking around, but it did feel like the humor went overboard; the tone was a bit different than normal.”

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Volume 5, Issue 2, Weather

Trout in trouble, pending precipitation

Mr. Maxwell Akey

Courtesy of Lake Champlain International

HINESBURG, Vermont — Ski resorts around Vermont are beginning to prepare for a snowy winter while students at Champlain Valley Union High School (CVU) tune and wax their skis. Last year marked one of the lowest annual snowfall seasons Vermont has had, taking a toll on some of the major ski areas around Vermont, especially Mad River Glen. Unfortunately for Vermont’s population of trout, the lack of precipitation affected much more than just ski resorts.

Vermont’s many rivers and streams have been known to support thousands of healthy trout with the necessary habitat and food. This is slowly changing as Vermont’s weather patterns are beginning to devastate trout populations throughout the state. According to statistics released by weather.gov, last winter saw one of the lowest recorded annual snowfalls of only 29 inches. In 2010-2011, the annual snowfall was 128.4 inches.

Vermont’s rivers are home to three species of trout: brook, rainbow, and brown trout. Trout are some of the most fragile and sensitive species of fish and require cold, well oxygenated water- and a lot of it. Trout are most healthy in water temperatures between 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit. During the winter, trout move to slow and deep waters where they hold (stay in one spot and are not active) until water temperatures increase in the spring.

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Volume 3, Issue 1

Wind Power: A Nuisance or A Reminder

Mr. Samuel Wilkins

Hinesburg — I recently went for a hike in the beautiful state of Vermont. After 3 grueling hours, I finally reached the top. The view was magnificent: giant mountains and deep valleys with Lake Champlain in the background.  As I scanned the skyline, I began to notice small white hairlike structures coming out of the ground in some places. They were wind turbines. They did not bother me, it didn’t disrupt my view, and it most definitely didn’t ruin the amazing Vermont landscape. Continue reading →

Opinion & Review, Volume 3, Issue 1

Climate Change: A Scary Future

Mr. Kyle Abrahams

VERMONT– As September begins to come to a close and Fall is in full swing, temperatures should be dropping, to the cool brisk days associated with Autumn. Yet, students are still wearing shorts and T-shirts, as the high for today is 72 degrees.

Which brings us to the question of climate change and our planet’s issue with rising temperatures. In reality it really isn’t a question. Global warming, or climate change to be more accurate, is a real thing, and those who choose to disagree are simply in denial.

According to the U.S. Global Change Research Program, the temperature in the U.S. has increased by two degrees in the last 50 years. According to Do Something, an organization dedicated to the awareness of climate change, a change of only two degrees may not seem drastic. However, a change of this magnitude can have an enormous impact on our planet.

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