Continuing environmental monitoring, Earth Day and beyond in 2020

Happy Earth Day everybody and a big thanks to Heide Estes for doing something to allow us all to mark this unprecedented Earth Day.

I'm an associate professor in the Biology department and affiliated with the Urban Coast Institute. I teach courses in marine science in the MEBP degree program and research water quality in local ecosystems. Here are two things we are doing at Monmouth University with students and local community members to mark this Earth Day and plan to continue through what will likely be a very different summer than we're used to.

First, my wonderful summer research students (part of Monmouth University's SRP, https://www.monmouth.edu/school-of-science/srp/) have decided that doing something is better than doing nothing this summer. We're modifying our planned research activities to operate under remote conditions through at least July 1, possibly later depending on what happens. I'm proud of them for this and looking forward to working together and thinking creatively this summer to continue our research.

Second, I am privileged to work with a network of citizen scientists (CLONet, https://www.monmouth.edu/clonet/) through an Urban Coast Institute project funded by the Jules L. Plangere foundation. These citizen scientists have been monitoring Monmouth County coastal lakes' water quality since last spring and are continuing today and through the summer. Together, we have learned important things about these lakes that will be useful for future management and restoration efforts, and engaged community members in an environmentally-positive activity. The pics below are from the crew at Wesley Lake in Asbury Park, NJ.

Folks all over the world have noted changes in our environment associated with the shutdown caused by COVID-19. This is likely temporary and the way in which these changes were achieved is not something to I'd want to be permanent. However, it does offer us a chance to look around and see how much of an impact our normal activities have, and how responsive different systems are to to a reduction in that activity. What can we learn from this moving forward? A lot, and this is partly what motivates me to continue programs with students and community members such as I described above. Of course, everything we do will be done with physical distancing and 'flattening the curve' in mind out of respect for the healthcare workers who continue to fight on the front line of this epidemic. Much thanks is owed to them!!!

Happy Earth Day everyone and stay safe!

Can You Help the Environment During Quarantine?

In quarantine, there are a lot of things you're doing already that are helping the environment.

• You're not commuting or otherwise going out, except for necessities, so you're driving less.
• Work at home clothing, unless you're doing a lot of serious Zoom calls, doesn't require dry cleaning
• Cooking more of your meals instead of getting takeout means you're probably avoiding a lot of plastic

If you're working remotely while caring for kids and/or elderly parents, or if you've lost your job and you're worried about where your next meal or rent payment is coming from, if you're caring for a sick family member, or have lost someone close, or if you're otherwise overwhelmed already, just stop right here and pat yourself on the back, because your lifestyle changes have already reduced your carbon footprint.

But if you have the bandwidth and you're looking for ideas to celebrate Earth Day 50, or if you're looking for other ways to reduce your carbon footprint, here are some other ideas.

1. Join Community Supported Agriculture and get local produce
2. If farm stands in your area are still open, start shopping at them again as the weather warms
3. Pay attention to the amount of plastic going into your shopping cart. Reduce it if possible: skip the bottled water and other non-nutritional drinks, choose vegetables and fruits with minimal packaging, don't buy single-serving packs if larger ones will work
4. Reduce meat consumption, especially meats with the highest carbon footprint, like lamb and beef. Substitute poultry or (if you're so inclined) pork, and look for pasture-raised animals from a farm near you. Or, switch some of your meals to beans, chick peas, lentils, and/or tofu, and save money in the bargain.
5. Do enough meal planning so that if you've bought or cooked something, you actually eat it. Try not to contribute to the 40 percent of food produced in the United States that ends up in the landfill.
6. Buy less new clothing. Give up on fast fashion. Thrift shops are closed, but you can still buy used clothing on Ebay, ThredUp, and other online vendors. Try not to buy other stuff unless you're promising to give it a permanent place in your home.
7. Use less hot water (it takes energy to heat it and, in some places, to move it to your home): wash clothing in cold water, try to shave time off your shower, don't run water while brushing your teeth or washing dishes.
8. Dress for the weather. Keep the house cooler in winter, warmer in summer, so you use less energy heating and cooling.
9. Plant a tree. If you live in a house with outdoor space, convert at least some of your lawn to shrubs and flowers that support local wildlife. Give up Roundup.
10. Write to or call your local lawmakers and push for complete streets (safe for pedestrians and cyclists), bills promoting native and wildlife-friendly plants in public places and new construction.
11. Talk to friends and family. People who study climate communication say one of the most important things you can do is talk to people about what you're doing, and why.
12. Vote for politicians who will support a carbon tax, public transportation, and renewable energy. If you can, make donations to their campaigns.

Earth Day 2020 — The 50th Anniversary

Click above to see this whole post and to add a comment about what you’re doing today.

This blog will provide an opportunity for the Long Branch, West Long Branch, and Monmouth University communities to celebrate Earth Day virtually.

You could celebrate Earth Day by doing some action on that day, like switching your lightbulbs to LEDs (the lowest energy ones available today), or buying and planting a shrub or some flowers with good local wildlife value, or digging up an invasive plant in your yard. Or you could undertake a bigger commitment, for instance to budget for solar panels on your roof, or make a plan to transform your lawn into a meadow or a tiny forest.

Please leave additional ideas in the comments below. If you’d like to write a post about your project, send me your email at heide [dot] estes [at] gmail [dot] com and I’ll add you to this blog as an author.

Thank you for your interest!

[post author: Heide Estes]