STOPPING NASTY FLATULENCE:
The Alabama Wildlife Federation has recognized Calera-based Southern Lime Company as Air Conservationist of the Year, according to an August 15 report by Brad Gaskins of The Shelby County Reporter. In 2010, Southern Lime installed a selective non-catalytic reduction system to reduce the plant’s nitrogen-oxide emissions. These emissions, according to Gaskins, contribute to the production of ground-level ozone. Since the system was installed, total nitrogen-oxide emissions at the plant have been reduced by 70 tons per year. Read Gaskin’s article, “Southern Lime tops in air conservation,” at www.shelbycountyreporter.com.
PUT DOWN THE DEAD FISH, DUDE:
On their classic 1981 album Psychedelic Jungle, psycho-billy God-heads The Cramps (on your knees and worship NOW, bitches!) gave us some sage advice—“No don’t eat stuff off the sidewalk/No matter how good it looks.” In a similar vein, officials at the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality have warned people near the Pearl River—in the wake of a possible discharge of untreated wastewater from a plant in Bogalusa a few days ago—to “never collect dead or floating fish to eat.” See, it could be tempting, especially if you’re poor, to grab one or more of the thousands of dead fish (including bass, shad and cat fish) washing up on the river’s shore and throw them on the grill. But remember, “You better go by the book/Leave it there/ Don’t you dare.” Get the skinny on the spill in an August 15 report by CNN’s Antoinette Campbell, “Louisiana paper mill shuts down during fish kill probe,” at www.cnn.com.
COUNT THAT DAMNED PLASTIC!
A lot of companies report their carbon emissions but most don’t report the amount of plastic they produce, according to an August 15 post by Sarah Laskow at eco-site www.grist.org . Now the Hong Kong-based Ocean Recovery Alliance (ORA), Laskow reports, is beginning something called the Plastic Disclosure Project, which will ask companies to calculate and disclose their “plastic footprints.” The ORA’s goal, according to Laskow, is to decrease the amount that gets into the oceans and damages delicate marine environments. But the ORA’s first step is to determine how much of this shit we’re producing and to look for ways to reduce that amount.
FARMING FUTURES:
Many American universities now offer courses, certificates or degrees programs in organic and sustainable agriculture, and experts predict that grads should easily find jobs as the industry replaces aging farmers and growers look to diversify their operations, according to an August 15 report by Shannon Dininny of the Associated Press. Organic and sustainable specialists, Washington fruit grower Roger Pepperl told the AP, “can make our conventional farming better, too.” He noted, for example, that these specialists have new methods for handling pests, fungus and weeds that use fewer chemicals, making them environmentally safer and less expensive. Read Dininny’s story, “College organic, sustainability programs growing,” at www.wsfa.com .
LAND AID:
The Freshwater Land Trust will host a fundraiser at Bottletree Café August 25, beginning at 7 p.m., with music from Jon Vogel, Terry Ohms of Vulture Whale and others. The event will also feature a raffle with prizes. Tickets are $15 per person and include a free drink ticket. For more information about the organization, visit www.freshwaterlandtrust.org .
GET READY TO MOSS ROCK:
The annual eco-creative fall event Moss Rock Festival, which will return to The Preserve in Hoover November 5 & 6, is currently accepting artist applications. For more information or to download the application, visit mossrockfestival.com, then click on the “About” menu heading. If you have any questions, call (205) 595-6306.
Jesse Chambers is a contributing writer at Birmingham Weekly and B-Metro magazine. Send your comments to jesse@bhamweekly.com or editor@bhamweekly.com.
Ethancook
