CONTENTS
Mission Statement: We are attempting to strengthen and unify the young environmental community in the Bay Area by sharing interests, information, and calls to action between 1,500 local youth. We seek to inspire participation in projects and events between groups, strengthen journalistic skills, and foster career exploration.
Volume 1, Issue 4
"I feel more confident than ever that the power to save the planet rests with the individual consumer." - Dennis Hayes
Question of the Month
If you had the power to create an environmental law what would it
be and why?
If you develop a given area of land you must reclaim three times that
area elsewhere, or set aside that area for preservation.
Sean Sevilla, Acalanes High School
Drilling and mining is prohibited in nationally preserved land.
Tamaron Jang, Acalanes High School
Fines will be imposed on corporations that do not fully reclaim land disturbed
by extraction of petroleum or minerals.
Jeff Martin, Acalanes High School
All lumber companies that clear cut a certain area have to give a percentage
of what they make to help preserve other forested areas.
Derek Perales, Acalanes High School
A $1 a gallon tax on gasoline will be imposed to help pay for public transit
improvement.
Jaime Pinedo, Acalanes High School
All people who remodel or build a new house must add solar panels onto
their roof.
Unknown, Acalanes High School
Managers of public areas must plant environmentally helpful plants that
provide food and shelter for animals so that animals aren't dispersed,
and to promote biodiversity.
Erika Leighton, Acalanes High School
One must recycle all aluminum and glass bottles along with unwanted newspapers.
A $25 fine will be imposed if one is caught not recycling.
Regan Muck, Acalanes High School
One day a year no one will be allowed to drive an automobile.
Kelly McNevin, Acalanes High School
Everything will have a cost that reflects its impact on the environment.
Austin Landers, Acalanes High School
Only cars that get 30mpg will be allowed on the freeway.
Heather Jackson, Acalanes High School
Catalytic converters are required on pre-1972 vehicles.
Sam Caven, Acalanes High School
Change government to proportional representation, so that the Green Party
would have some power.
Eric Morse, Acalanes High School
If I had the power to enact an environmental law, it would be that there
wouldn't be any more gas cars. There would be all electric cars. I pick
this law because America is about to go to war with Iraq, which makes
gas cost more. It would also help the environment. There wouldn't be a
lot of air pollution.
Huy Kin Ngay, Oakland High School
If I had the power to enact on an environmental law, I would make it mandatory
for everyone to attend environmental awareness classes. The classes will
make people more aware of what happens around them. No one will be able
to say they didn't know their actions affect the environment. An increase
in awareness will help wipe out ignorance that has destroyed so many natural
resources.
Lucy Wu, Oakland High School
If I had the power to enact any environmental law, I would enact a law
that would protect all of the endangered species, no matter how much the
God Squad thinks that the animal should go extinct. Because that species
could just be the very last link of the food chain or it could be the
very last link to the food chain before it collapses.
Jerry Dinh, Oakland High School
There should be harsher laws about littering and pollution. I feel that
there should be higher fines for people who litter in the streets or anywhere
in a public place. In today's society, the world is just too dirty with
trash in our streets, parks, and even in the oceans! I feel the government
should be stricter and should punish people more severely if they litter.
With this course of action, we can make the world a better place by making
a more clean and safer environment to live in.
Tu Vo, Oakland High School
The social and ecological costs of a productâs production and consumption
would have to be financially covered by the company that sells it.
Sam Harkness, Foothill Middle College (a High School)
All shipping and commercial packaging must be totally recyclable.
Stevie Seligman, Foothill Middle College (a High School)
Question of the Month for April - Answers Invited
What do you plan to do to honor Earth Day?
Please send your answer to the editor. Be sure to include your name and school.
Steve Bash on Biodiesel
Editor: Rayona Young, Pittsburg High SchoolFirst off, thank you to Mr. Steve Bash for his cooperation. This month's
interview with Steve is about biodiesel. Steve has been making and driving
on biodiesel for several years now as part of his commitment to himself
for ecological change and to let others know that such changes are possible
now. He gives demonstrations for schools and organizations on how to make
it and is organizing a biodiesel production and distribution cooperative
in Sacramento CA. Contact him at steve@theinfoexchange.org
For those of you who are unfamiliar with biodiesel I have provided a brief
introduction, but for more information, see the editorâs note at the end
of the interview.
Introduction:
Biodiesel is a clean burning alternative fuel produced from renewable
resources such as soybean and other oil crops. It can also be made at
home from pure or used vegetable oil. Biodiesel can be used in any compression-ignition
(diesel) engine with little or no modifications and delivers similar torque,
horsepower, and miles per gallon as petroleum diesel. In itâs pure form
it is biodegradable, nontoxic, and essentially free of sulfur and aromatics.
Interview:
Rayona: What is your relationship to biodiesel and
what else related to the environment are you currently involved with?
Steve: I make biodiesel in my garage at home from free used cooking oil
from various local restaurants and use it to fuel the two diesel cars
in my household. I am aware that I am not separate from the "environment"
so everything I do is related to how my life decisions affect others and
the earth. By being conscious of my consumer habits and how I earn and
spend the money I live from, I am changing the world around me. I understand
that who I work for and what I buy is my direct point of influence to
the "environment" we all must live in. Education about conscious consumerism
and appropriate livelihood is my main focus these days. Try checking out
the video called Affluenza. It is a great start in learning what I am
saying.
R: What made you start to use biodiesel?
S: I am writing an article right now called "Epiphany at the Pump" explaining
why I don't want to drive on fuel that contains toxins such as MTBE and
be dependent on a fuel that justifies our country to go to war and kill
other people to obtain for our use and for oil companies to profit from.
R: Approximately how much per gallon does it cost
you to make biodiesel and how long does it take you?
S: About $0.52 per gallon plus my labor. About 3-6 hours per 40 gallon
batch
R: How do you think biodiesel compares with other
alternative energy choices for vehicles? (i.e. electric, hydrogen fuel
cells, etc.)
S: It is a sustainable choice we can make today to reduce or end our dependency
on the fossil fuel that took 300 million years to form and is limited
in supply. The implementation of other feasible technologies, like hydrogen
fuel cell, are not available now and may not be for far too long.
R: Why do you think more people aren't using biodiesel?
Steve: Because our government "leaders" and the major corporations can
profit from and control fossil fuel whereas biodiesel would spread the
wealth to the greater population where these "leaders" would have less
control. Most people haven't heard about biodiesel and don't understand
that their gasoline dependency is related to wars and death to make it
available for them at such a low cost per gallon. Who would want to continue
to use and be dependent on a fuel knowing that widespread death to innocent
beings and war are enacted to obtain it? Not me! So by using biodiesel
from waste veggie oil I am simply changing my personal relationship toward
ending the primary cause of the current cycle of war and ecological destruction.
R: What steps should someone who wants to start
using biodiesel take?
S: Buy a diesel car or truck and get the book and video I have mentioned.
That is what I did [see editor's notes at the end of this interview for
book and video info]. Talk about biodiesel with your friends and see if
you can make it together cooperatively. Using biodiesel will probably
require certain changes in priorities, lifestyle and world view to make
"time" for it.
R: Can you recommend any good manufactures of cars
with diesel engines?
S: VW, Mercedes, Dodge, Ford, Isuzu, Toyota, GMC, Chevrolet and more.
Limited distribution to the US market.
R: What adverse affects, if any, will using biodiesel
have on my car/engine?
S: None if it is made properly. Biodiesel can increase longevity of engines
because it is more lubricating than fossil diesel
R: Besides what I have asked you already, what else
does someone who's considering using biodiesel need to know?
S: Everyone has their own justifications for the choices they make. My
choice is to be the change I want to see in the world. We are the ones
that we have been waiting for!!!
Editorâs Note: For more information about biodiesel, Steve has a 35
minute video for sale called "Excerpts from the Biodiesel Homebrew How-To"
for $15.00 and a book called "From the Fryer to the Fuel Tank" for $24.95
available through his company web site at: www.theinfoexchange.org.
You may also of course try looking up biodiesel on any search engine.
Here are some links that I have found helpful:
How to make it
www.journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_mike.html
www.bagelhole.org/article.php/Transportation/149
General
www.biodiesel.org
Earthbound Club Interview
Editor: Sarah Stoller, College Prepatory High School
Gaby Hemphill is a Senior at Bishop O'Dowd High School in Oakland. She
is one of the Presidents of Earthbound, her school environmental club. She
has taken an AP Environmental Science class, and is now taking Applied Ecology
at Bishop OâDowd.
Sarah: How long has your club been in existence?
Gaby: Earthbound, our Environmental Club has been in existence since the
year 2000. It was the idea of a few girls from the AP Environmental Class
of that year.
S: Is your club completely student run, supported
by an involved teacher or assistant, etc? What kind of structure does it
have and how is it working?
G: Ms. Prutzman is the moderator, and the triumvirate includes myself, Sheena
McIntyre, and Justine Lazaro.
S: What are your clubâs goals?
G: Our Club's main goal is to start and ECO-Week at school. During this
week we hope to have a school wide assembly on recycling and how to better
our already in existence, recycling system. We are also breaking ground
in trying to get a composting system started at our school. Additionally,
we are constantly working on our 3-acre restoration project called, The
Living Lab. This once condemned site was a waste dump and a piece of useless
land. Students from our school have been working on this site and have cleaned
it all up. We now have many plants and trees and we are working on weeding
out non-natives and improving habitat. Also on its way is a replica of an
Ohlone Indian Hut and a Butterfly Garden.
S: How many are in your schoolâs various environmental
programs?
G: There are about 30 members in Earthbound, 56 or so in the AP Environmental
Science class, and about 19 in Applied Ecology. Applied Ecology is a class
that works in the Living Lab. We learn about everything in the Lab and how
to improve it. This is the class that I am currently taking. I took AP Environmental
Science last year. I am also one of the Presidents of Earthbound in our
triumvirate of leaders.
S: What projects are you working on? Are they going
well? Are there major challenges with the projects and what are they?
G: Improving the recycling system, starting a compost system and really
improving the Living Lab are the three most important projects (that we
are working on). The recycling and composting is proceeding quite slowly
and the Living Lab is making great progress every day!
S: What do you like best about your club?
G: The best thing about Earthbound, Applied Ecology and AP Environmental
Science is hands down, the teacher. Ms. Annie Prutzman. She taught both
classes and is the moderator of the club. She is a truly remarkable woman
and a great role model. She's my mentor and I look up to her. She is so
passionate about what she does and she works so hard to get the students
in our school to make a connection with the Earth. She's one of my heroes
and I hope that I can make as big of a difference as she has made to myself
and to everyone she teaches. I'd like to include a Ms. Prutzman Quote: "All
it takes is one person saying one thing, trust the power of what you are
speaking, take what you know and say it!" She told my class this to remind
us that you can make a difference by letting people know what is going on
and what needs to be changed. She helped start a program called Eyes of
The Earth which gives video cameras to indigenous peoples so that they can
record the destruction of their land by logging companies and so forth·
S: What specific experience with your club was a highlight
for you?
G: Working in the Living Lab during a rain storm. It was pouring and hailing,
but because of a special ceremony honoring a young woman named Anne Acosta
who died in a car accident, we had to get these trees planted. It took a
lot of work and a lot of shivering, but we got it done and often look back
on the experience with smiles on our faces.
S: What are you clubs biggest challenges?
G: This opinion is shared by myself and does not necessarily reflect the
views of our club, but I believe that it is dealing with the administration
S: What would you like help with?
G: We need more help in our Living Lab, as in more people coming out and
helping us with the grunt work. Any donations of native plants and garden
tools would also be very helpful. As for the recycling and composting, if
anyone has recently completed what we hope to, any guidance in that field
would be greatly appreciated!
S: Do you feel like your club is making a difference?
In what way?
G: With Ms. Prutzman guiding us and telling us that we can make a difference,
I think that we are able to. With the Living Lab, we are really making it
happen. We have so many redwoods, buckeyes, and Coast Live Oaks planted.
A study has shown that we have more birds around than ever and we have been
improving habitat for even the most minute of animals.
S: Which environmental issues does your club care
most about?
G: I could not answer this because each of us care so much about very different
things. I can say that most of us would agree that getting Bush out of office
would be a win for the environment!
My Experence Salmon Spawning
By: Wendy Kung - Oakland High School On January 3, 2003, a group of students
including myself went salmon spawning with the Environmental Science Academy
from Oakland High School. Our guide from the organization Spawn took us
on a hike along Lagunitas Creek, hoping that we would be fortunate to spot
some salmon. As we hiked further up the creek, we spotted three Coho salmon.
The two male salmon were competing for the female, while the female was
swimming in the creek.
The trip was surprisingly educational. I learned
a lot about the Coho salmon in one afternoon. For example, I learned that
the Coho salmon are the most threatened species of fish, and their common
names are the silver salmon, sea trout, and blueback. I also learned that
the males are bigger, and only five percent of the 2,000- 5,000 eggs that
the females lay during the Autumn survives. Perhaps the most interesting
thing I learned about was the process of spawning. Spawning occurs in streams
and rivers where fresh water is present. During the process of spawning,
the female releases eggs into the water, then the male fertilizes it with
his sperm. After spawning, the female and male both die, while the young
migrates to the ocean and remains there for two or three years. Learning
about salmon was very interesting.
Even though the weather was gloomy, I still
had an enjoyable time. Aside from learning about the Coho salmon, my interaction
with nature definitely made my first time salmon spawning an experience
that I will never forget. It also made me appreciate the beauty of nature
and the importance of preserving the creeks for all future salmonids and
other species that live in the creek.
Poetry: "Untitled" and "Know the Earth"
Editor: Rebecca Smith (Untitled)
by Rebecca Smith
The gentle flakes drifting down
Soon mask what lies beneath ‰
All is a uniform white, bathed in an ethereal glow.
Peace prevails as the sorrows of the day
Become ever more buried beneath the billowing masses.
Sitting by the fire,
Gazing out at the falling snow,
One canât help but feel a blissful calm stealing over you.
A light wind emerges out of the white wood,
Playfully snatching a few flakes back up into the air
Before letting them come gently down to rest again on the earth.
Weary travelers, reminded by the sting of cold that often accompanies
Jack Frostâs capers,
Fix upon their minds the images of home ‰
The joyful warmth of crackling flames,
As well as the comfort of their loverâs encircling arms.
Unconsciously, their pace picks up,
Their feet plowing a path unhesitantly homeward.
Only in the protective confines of their home
May they safely contemplate the wide expanses of the outside world.
Know the Earth
by Marieke Hodge, age 10
Brookside School, San Anselmo
To know the Earth
on a first-name basis
you must stand along the banks of Papermill Creek and watch the
crawdads scamper from underneath one rock to underneath the
next
You must watch the red-tailed hawk
circle Mt. Tam
You need to lie in the grass and watch pill bugs that have sat
in the hands of local children
You should watch raccoons raid
plastic trash bins
Stare down at the silent sandstone
sitting on top of Mt. Baldie
until a child collects it and adds it to his brimming rock collection
You must watch the lizard
scamper in the burning sun
To know Mother Earth
you need to
Love Earthâs children