Issue Defined: Littering is defined as trash, such as paper, cans, and bottles, that is left lying in an open or public place. There are fines for littering.
Littering: Littering can be prevented with 3 steps: Stop littering, pick up litter and report people who litter. 9 billion tons of litter ends up in the ocean every year. $11.5 billion is spent every year to clean up litter. In Minnesota the minim fine for littering is $400 and the maximum is $1,000.
Littering: Littering can be prevented with 3 steps: Stop littering, pick up litter and report people who litter. 9 billion tons of litter ends up in the ocean every year. $11.5 billion is spent every year to clean up litter. In Minnesota the minim fine for littering is $400 and the maximum is $1,000.
Bill 1 -
The Land-Based Marine Debris Reduction Act is a bill that reduces the amount of trash and debris that is sent to landfills and oceans. The bill declares that the amount of city collected trash must be recycled by at least 50% by 2020 and by 2030 at least 65% recycled municipal trash collected and managed.
The Land-Based Marine Debris Reduction Act was sent to the Energy and Commerce Committee. The Energy and Commerce committee deals with any bill relating to interstate and foreign commerce, energy generation and conservation, travel and tourism, and consumer protection. This bill was sent to the commerce committee because it involves the conservation of our world's oceans and landfills which both require energy to upkeep and remove the trash from the oceans.
This bill is related to our group and how were picking up trash because we as a group of volunteers are trying to clean up the parks in the city of Edina and preserve the environment to not only protect consumers but also help conserve energy of the park cleanup service that hires workers to remove trash from the parks. Having this bill passed could limit the amount of trash being thrown into our environment and it could keep the what are now, areas dedicated to trash dumps and garbage disposals, from becoming any worse in the amount of trash being contained.
Bill 2 -
The Cigarette Litter Prevention Act of 2007 amends the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act to require all Cigarette boxes sold to hold the statement, "Please dispose of all cigarette waste properly. Do not litter." This affects our group because as we were cleaning up the parks in Edina, cigarette butts were the most common thing we found and that shows that not many people who smoke are not too concerned about keeping the parks clean and disposing the cigarettes correctly. This act could lead to a huge decrease in the amount of cigarette butts left at parks and could overall increase the cleanliness of our parks. Having more acts passed like this one could help with less trash found in our parks and would make our Earth much more clean with more suggestions as to correctly disposing our trash rather than leaving it in parks or on the ground. This bill was sent to the Commerce, Science, and Transportation committee.
The Land-Based Marine Debris Reduction Act is a bill that reduces the amount of trash and debris that is sent to landfills and oceans. The bill declares that the amount of city collected trash must be recycled by at least 50% by 2020 and by 2030 at least 65% recycled municipal trash collected and managed.
The Land-Based Marine Debris Reduction Act was sent to the Energy and Commerce Committee. The Energy and Commerce committee deals with any bill relating to interstate and foreign commerce, energy generation and conservation, travel and tourism, and consumer protection. This bill was sent to the commerce committee because it involves the conservation of our world's oceans and landfills which both require energy to upkeep and remove the trash from the oceans.
This bill is related to our group and how were picking up trash because we as a group of volunteers are trying to clean up the parks in the city of Edina and preserve the environment to not only protect consumers but also help conserve energy of the park cleanup service that hires workers to remove trash from the parks. Having this bill passed could limit the amount of trash being thrown into our environment and it could keep the what are now, areas dedicated to trash dumps and garbage disposals, from becoming any worse in the amount of trash being contained.
Bill 2 -
The Cigarette Litter Prevention Act of 2007 amends the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act to require all Cigarette boxes sold to hold the statement, "Please dispose of all cigarette waste properly. Do not litter." This affects our group because as we were cleaning up the parks in Edina, cigarette butts were the most common thing we found and that shows that not many people who smoke are not too concerned about keeping the parks clean and disposing the cigarettes correctly. This act could lead to a huge decrease in the amount of cigarette butts left at parks and could overall increase the cleanliness of our parks. Having more acts passed like this one could help with less trash found in our parks and would make our Earth much more clean with more suggestions as to correctly disposing our trash rather than leaving it in parks or on the ground. This bill was sent to the Commerce, Science, and Transportation committee.
Executive Agency
Council on Environmental Quality:
The Council on Environmental Quality organizes all of the US efforts to develop and resolve issues dealing with the environment. The Council works to advance the president’s agenda on environmental propositions. They organize government-wide coordination on environment tasks and they structure the positions for environment preservation. In addition, CEQ oversees Federal agency implementation of the environmental impact assessment process and acts as a referee when agencies disagree over such assessments made. The budget of the Council on Environmental Quality is around 3.1 million dollars as of 2012, with personal compensation and benefits being 2.8 million dollars spent by the CEQ.
The Council on Environmental Quality partakes in enforcing the National Environmental Policy Act which promotes the prevention of environmental damage, and the enhancement of the health of our ecosystem. The NEPA was created and deployed by the Council on Environmental Quality and is a basic set of laws of protecting the environment and is often referred to as the "Magna Carta" of environmental laws. The NEPA requires agencies to give access to all information prior to decisions made on taking environmental action or any decisions with an environmental impact. The act fosters any environmental acts that work with protecting, enhancing, or restoring our environment.
The Council on Environmental Quality organizes all of the US efforts to develop and resolve issues dealing with the environment. The Council works to advance the president’s agenda on environmental propositions. They organize government-wide coordination on environment tasks and they structure the positions for environment preservation. In addition, CEQ oversees Federal agency implementation of the environmental impact assessment process and acts as a referee when agencies disagree over such assessments made. The budget of the Council on Environmental Quality is around 3.1 million dollars as of 2012, with personal compensation and benefits being 2.8 million dollars spent by the CEQ.
The Council on Environmental Quality partakes in enforcing the National Environmental Policy Act which promotes the prevention of environmental damage, and the enhancement of the health of our ecosystem. The NEPA was created and deployed by the Council on Environmental Quality and is a basic set of laws of protecting the environment and is often referred to as the "Magna Carta" of environmental laws. The NEPA requires agencies to give access to all information prior to decisions made on taking environmental action or any decisions with an environmental impact. The act fosters any environmental acts that work with protecting, enhancing, or restoring our environment.
Littering Statistics
- The biggest source of litter is cigarette butts. Though small they can be very dangerous. The butts contain harmful chemicals, including arsenic, that can contaminate water and soil.
- The trash can contain diseases as well, that can be passed between animals that eat it. If trash is sitting in water, the water becomes contaminated, and when the water evaporates whatever was in the trash in now in the air.
- 94% of people identify litter as a major environmental problem and yet people still litter.
- Litter costs money. Removing litter from the environment costs everyone money.
- Litter is a threat to public health. Litter attracts vermin and is a breeding ground for bacteria. Items such as broken glass and syringes can be a health hazard in public places.
- Litter can be a fire hazard. Accumulated litter and careless discarded cigarette butts are potential fire hazards.
- It is estimated in that California spends 1 Billion dollars annually on litter clean up
- 7 Billion tons of debris enter the world oceans annually. Most of it is long lasting plastic.
- An estimated 100,000 sea mammals and turtles are killed by plastic litter every year.
- Litter in the streets and parks can travel through storm drains to bays and oceans, where it harms wildlife
- Litter also harms plants, vegetation and natural areas.
- Littering can cause vehicle accidents and injuries, smother plants, start fires and harm or kill animals. It also attracts rats and harmful bacteria.
- Littering plastic can clog drains and fill landfills very fast
- Littering in water kills animals due to them drinking the water, the litter creates a toxin in the water source
- The soil absorbs the toxins litter creates and affects plants and crops
- Crabs, birds and small animals may crawl into the bottles looking for food and water and become stuck and slowly die from starvation and illness
Littering Charts
Environmental Intrest Groups
Clean Water Action Alliance of Minnesota: "Clean Water Action Alliance of Minnesota (CWAA) is a state chapter of national Clean Water Action. With over 55,000 members and thirty organizations across the state, CWAA is an effective advocate for Minnesota’s environment at all levels of decision making. Since 1982 CWAA has organized and mobilized Minnesota citizens to protect public health and the environment." https://votesmart.org/interest-group/37/clean-water-action-alliance-of-minnesota#.WOTlchiZPeQ
Green Team (Maplewood, Minnesota): Maplewood's Green Team is made up of a group of staff representing each city department. The Green Team work together on environmental issues at a city operation level. The team sets goals and objectives for promoting sustainable operating practices and gives updates to management and policy makers on the outcomes. The Green Team also serves as the Steering Committee for the City's participation in GreenStep Cities. http://maplewoodmn.gov/1005/Green-Team
Green Team (Maplewood, Minnesota): Maplewood's Green Team is made up of a group of staff representing each city department. The Green Team work together on environmental issues at a city operation level. The team sets goals and objectives for promoting sustainable operating practices and gives updates to management and policy makers on the outcomes. The Green Team also serves as the Steering Committee for the City's participation in GreenStep Cities. http://maplewoodmn.gov/1005/Green-Team
Interview
Expert in the field: Luther Overholt- City Forester
Interview Questions:
How much trash do you think you see at Edina parks?
Where do you usually see the trash?
Do you often see people littering trash in the parks?
How often is trash picked up in parks by the Edina Parks Department?
How often is it picked up by volunteers or citizens, like us?
Do you think that the trash affects people’s daily life in the parks?
Does the trash affect your job?
What are some frequent vegetation problems you encounter when cleaning up the Edina streets, sidewalks, alleys, and parks?
What are the steps or procedures that you have to take when there's something like trash keeping you from proceeding on with your job of maintaining the vegetation in Edina’s parks?
Is it difficult to maintain a clean park?
Has litter in parks and areas of vegetation ever been a problem to the growth and development of plants and keeping them healthy?
Do you think there should be more trash and recycling bins in the Edina Parks?
Overall what is the importance to keeping the park clean?
Interview Video:
youtu.be/A46p3MvSTvs
Interview Questions:
How much trash do you think you see at Edina parks?
Where do you usually see the trash?
Do you often see people littering trash in the parks?
How often is trash picked up in parks by the Edina Parks Department?
How often is it picked up by volunteers or citizens, like us?
Do you think that the trash affects people’s daily life in the parks?
Does the trash affect your job?
What are some frequent vegetation problems you encounter when cleaning up the Edina streets, sidewalks, alleys, and parks?
What are the steps or procedures that you have to take when there's something like trash keeping you from proceeding on with your job of maintaining the vegetation in Edina’s parks?
Is it difficult to maintain a clean park?
Has litter in parks and areas of vegetation ever been a problem to the growth and development of plants and keeping them healthy?
Do you think there should be more trash and recycling bins in the Edina Parks?
Overall what is the importance to keeping the park clean?
Interview Video:
youtu.be/A46p3MvSTvs
Our Issue Network:
Environmental Issue Network
Alex Seymour
- What environmental problems are there?
Air water pollution, cars, waste management, industrial waste, climate change
- How does the environment affect people?
Climate, landforms, water, soil characteristics.
- How does pollution affect us?
Lungs of growing children, medical condition of elderly.
- What can we do to help the environment?
Pay attention to how you use water. Leave your car at home. Walk or ride your bike to work, school and anywhere you can. Recycle.You can help reduce pollution just by putting that soda can in a different bin. Compost.
- What is hurting the environment?
Littering, wasting food, water, paper and electricity, car and air travel
- How many organizations are helping the environment?
Many for example World Wildlife Fund and GreenPeace
- What are the organizations doing to help?
They work to preserve nature and help stop things that harm the environment
- How are people hurting the environment?
Air pollution, burning of fossil fuels
- What percentage of the environment is trashed or affected by someone or something?
54 percent of waste is carried to landfills and those landfills pollute the air, which harms the environment.
- How is environment defined?
The surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives or operates.
- Are there any anti organizations?
Yes they disagree to the current environmental problems. Some groups are Alliance for America and Blue Ribbon Coalition.
- If there are any anti organizations what are they doing to the environment?
They keep business running that harm the environment and keep trade running. Trade consists of travel which causes air pollution
- How many forests are left in the world?
In 2005 30% of the world is forest, but a lot of primary forests are gone. For example Africa has lost many of its primary forests
- Is deforestation affecting the environment?
Yes, very significantly. Loss of habit affects animals by the millions because their homes are being destroyed.
- How much trash is affecting nature or the environment?
All waste can affect the environment if it is not taken into care. Waste pollutes the air which harms the environment.
Jacob Fay:
- How are we going to help the environment?
We are going to pick up trash in local parks to help have a clean community.
- Who are we going to work with to help the environment?
We are going to work with the Edina parks department.
- Why does the environment need help?
It’s been hurt for a long time and is getting worse so right now is the time to make it better.
- Why are people hurting the environment?
People hurt the environment every day in small ways and it just gets worst and worst.
- How much trash does each person throw out each day?
Every day the average person throws out 4.5 pounds of trash
- How much trash does a american throw out each year?
1 million lbs materials is thrown out each year by american citizens
- How much trash is in the ocean?
There is 14 billion pounds of trash in the ocean.
- What are the major things hurting the environment?
Green houses gases and fossil fuels.
- How can people do small things to help?
Pick up trash they see, try not to use a lot of electricity, bike to school instead of driving there.
- Where is the environment in the worst shape?
The environment is really bad in Mexico city with a high pollution rating.
- What kind of work will we be doing to help the environment?
Picking up trash to maintain the natural beauty.
- Where do places have the most liter?
High traffic points and on highways.
- How can I help with environmental cleanup?
Pick up trash that I see laying around and bike to school and not be driven in the car.
- Where is pollution the worst in America?
Los Angeles California
- Is global warming or global climate change a threat right now?
It is a threat right now and is getting worse so we need to act now other wise things could get bad.
Brendan:
- How do you define the environment?
The environment is the natural world around us.
- What are major issues surrounding the environment?
Global Warming is a possible threat to the colder places in our world. It can destroy the habitats of animals that live in cooler climates.
- What is the predicted time our environment will last?
We do not know how long it will last, but sea levels will continue to rise, and precipitation will be more frequent.
- What percent of the world believes in global warming?
70%
- How are climate change and global warming different?
Climate change refers to not only changes in temperature, but also changes in precipitation and other types of weather. Global warming only refers to temperature.
- What are some environmental groups dealing with global warming?
Greenpeace, Environmental Defense Fund
- What proof and flaws are there with the theory of global warming?
Flaws of global warming include that glaciers are getting bigger in some places, and that Antarctic ice melt is a cycle. Proof includes rises in sea level and global temperature rise.
- What are some of the gasses contributing to climate change and global warming?
Water vapor, methane
- How can we keep these gasses at a minimum?
By driving less, or getting an electric car.
- Where are places with very poor environmental health?
China as very low air quality due to its manufacturing plants.
- Where in or near Edina is there high levels of litter or pollution?
In our lakes we have high pollution levels due to motorboats.
- Do we have programs in Edina to help clean up litter?
Yes. We have city workers that clean up parks and also programs like Adopt A Highway.
- How are animals affected by litter and pollution?
Climate change is causing the arctic to melt which causes animals like polar bears to lose their habitats and die.
- Does pollution affect the health of people around it?
Yes. Poor air quality can make people very ill.
Alex Seymour
- What environmental problems are there?
Air water pollution, cars, waste management, industrial waste, climate change
- How does the environment affect people?
Climate, landforms, water, soil characteristics.
- How does pollution affect us?
Lungs of growing children, medical condition of elderly.
- What can we do to help the environment?
Pay attention to how you use water. Leave your car at home. Walk or ride your bike to work, school and anywhere you can. Recycle.You can help reduce pollution just by putting that soda can in a different bin. Compost.
- What is hurting the environment?
Littering, wasting food, water, paper and electricity, car and air travel
- How many organizations are helping the environment?
Many for example World Wildlife Fund and GreenPeace
- What are the organizations doing to help?
They work to preserve nature and help stop things that harm the environment
- How are people hurting the environment?
Air pollution, burning of fossil fuels
- What percentage of the environment is trashed or affected by someone or something?
54 percent of waste is carried to landfills and those landfills pollute the air, which harms the environment.
- How is environment defined?
The surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives or operates.
- Are there any anti organizations?
Yes they disagree to the current environmental problems. Some groups are Alliance for America and Blue Ribbon Coalition.
- If there are any anti organizations what are they doing to the environment?
They keep business running that harm the environment and keep trade running. Trade consists of travel which causes air pollution
- How many forests are left in the world?
In 2005 30% of the world is forest, but a lot of primary forests are gone. For example Africa has lost many of its primary forests
- Is deforestation affecting the environment?
Yes, very significantly. Loss of habit affects animals by the millions because their homes are being destroyed.
- How much trash is affecting nature or the environment?
All waste can affect the environment if it is not taken into care. Waste pollutes the air which harms the environment.
Jacob Fay:
- How are we going to help the environment?
We are going to pick up trash in local parks to help have a clean community.
- Who are we going to work with to help the environment?
We are going to work with the Edina parks department.
- Why does the environment need help?
It’s been hurt for a long time and is getting worse so right now is the time to make it better.
- Why are people hurting the environment?
People hurt the environment every day in small ways and it just gets worst and worst.
- How much trash does each person throw out each day?
Every day the average person throws out 4.5 pounds of trash
- How much trash does a american throw out each year?
1 million lbs materials is thrown out each year by american citizens
- How much trash is in the ocean?
There is 14 billion pounds of trash in the ocean.
- What are the major things hurting the environment?
Green houses gases and fossil fuels.
- How can people do small things to help?
Pick up trash they see, try not to use a lot of electricity, bike to school instead of driving there.
- Where is the environment in the worst shape?
The environment is really bad in Mexico city with a high pollution rating.
- What kind of work will we be doing to help the environment?
Picking up trash to maintain the natural beauty.
- Where do places have the most liter?
High traffic points and on highways.
- How can I help with environmental cleanup?
Pick up trash that I see laying around and bike to school and not be driven in the car.
- Where is pollution the worst in America?
Los Angeles California
- Is global warming or global climate change a threat right now?
It is a threat right now and is getting worse so we need to act now other wise things could get bad.
Brendan:
- How much trash that is thrown away goes into the lakes, rivers, and ponds? An estimated 14 billion pounds of trash, much of it plastic, is dumped in the world's oceans every year
- How are everyday citizens hurting the environment? Using chemical fertilizers, insecticides and herbicides to increase production actually pollutes the air, soil and water with toxic chemicals. Removing trees and other plants to increase areas of cultivation causes habitat loss. The greater distance food items have to travel to reach the consumer, the greater that transportation's impact is on the environment.
- What ways are people hurting the environment? Removing trees and other plants to increase areas of cultivation causes habitat loss. Large scale farming of animals increases their susceptibility to diseases such as Mad-cow disease and avian flu, for example. Pesticides, herbicides, large landfills, waste from food processing industries, and nuclear waste generated from nuclear reactors and weapons deplete our soil of its nutrients and make it virtually lifeless. Burning of fossil fuels and toxic gases produced in factories causes pollution
- What is the main source of pollutants that are negatively affecting the environment? The burnings of fossil fuels and plastic tossed into waste piles.
- How are groups today helping the environment? Empower people to live healthier lives and making better choices that lead to a healthier environment. Hosting clean up gatherings to erase the marks of pollution. Creating environment friendly alternatives for citizens to use.
- How would oil pipelines effect the environment? The construction, operation and decommissioning of a pipeline is associated with a number of environmental effects. Risks are also posed by a malfunction or accident or, in a worst case scenario, a rupture.
- What are types of corporations negatively affecting the environment? Energy companies and fuel burning types of companies. As Well as plastic producers and paint and fertilizer producers.
- How are people fixing pollution problems? People aren't fixing the problem but they are greatly reducing it by conserving energy, rather than driving a car or riding a motorcycle, people are riding bicycles or walking to perform errands and cutting back on the use of gas-powered garden equipment.
- Is there more pollution that is negatively affecting the earth than we are cleaning up? Yes and with an increase of more and more people on earth, the rate at which the world is polluted increases
- What is the growth rate of water Pollution? Some countries have a growth rate of 3.7 percent each year and other countries have a 0.1 percent growth rate.
- When has pollution been noticed as a growing problem? Pollution has always been a problem but it hasn't ever been considered a problem that we need to fix until around the 1950s.
- What groups or campaigns are doing the most work to clean up earth? Camelbak and it's #DitchDisposable Pledge is trying to reduce the amount of plastic water bottles and the Think Eat Save Campaign is trying to cut back on the amount of food that is thrown out everyday
- Should we be worried of the pollution and negative affects we have on the earth will hurt us in the future? Yes because with the steading increasing rate of pollutants and more people cause more pollution, the world is going to become a very bad living space
- What is the average amount of trash left on the ground at parks roads and other public areas? ABout 250 million pounds of trash are left in these areas every year.
- How often do clean up workers clean up local parks in edina? Every day around 8 am until around 6 or 7 pm each day they are moving from place to place picking up trash and cleaning the streets.
- How do you define the environment?
The environment is the natural world around us.
- What are major issues surrounding the environment?
Global Warming is a possible threat to the colder places in our world. It can destroy the habitats of animals that live in cooler climates.
- What is the predicted time our environment will last?
We do not know how long it will last, but sea levels will continue to rise, and precipitation will be more frequent.
- What percent of the world believes in global warming?
70%
- How are climate change and global warming different?
Climate change refers to not only changes in temperature, but also changes in precipitation and other types of weather. Global warming only refers to temperature.
- What are some environmental groups dealing with global warming?
Greenpeace, Environmental Defense Fund
- What proof and flaws are there with the theory of global warming?
Flaws of global warming include that glaciers are getting bigger in some places, and that Antarctic ice melt is a cycle. Proof includes rises in sea level and global temperature rise.
- What are some of the gasses contributing to climate change and global warming?
Water vapor, methane
- How can we keep these gasses at a minimum?
By driving less, or getting an electric car.
- Where are places with very poor environmental health?
China as very low air quality due to its manufacturing plants.
- Where in or near Edina is there high levels of litter or pollution?
In our lakes we have high pollution levels due to motorboats.
- Do we have programs in Edina to help clean up litter?
Yes. We have city workers that clean up parks and also programs like Adopt A Highway.
- How are animals affected by litter and pollution?
Climate change is causing the arctic to melt which causes animals like polar bears to lose their habitats and die.
- Does pollution affect the health of people around it?
Yes. Poor air quality can make people very ill.