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Workshop in Applied Earth Systems Management Summer 2006 Final Briefings
As the first semester came to a conclusion, students in the MPA
Program in Environmental Science and Policy presented their final
workshop briefings. Through the Workshop in Applied Earth Systems
Management taken in the summer semester, students analyze the science
behind proposed but yet to be enacted state, federal, or local environmental
laws. By focusing on this comprehensive understanding of the science
behind the law, they gain the ability to convey the scientific problem
to policy makers who are not scientists. During the fall semester,
students will explore the policy issues concerning these same environmental
laws, providing students with a complete understanding of how best
to improve management practices.
Throughout this semester, groups of 10-11 students worked on pressing
environmental issues including the challenges of meeting US Energy
needs, water resource development, the issue of electronic waste
recycling, wetland preservation, and examining the spread of avian
influenza. The three faculty advisors this summer include Steve
Cohen, working with electronic waste and water resource development,
Robert Cook, advising wetland preservation and avian flu, and Andrea
Schmitz with US energy needs. Steve Cohen, Director of the program,
has worked at Columbia for over 20 years, currently serving as the
Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Earth Institute
in conjunction with being the Director of the MPA-ESP program.
His latest book, Understanding Environmental Policy, was
recently published. Robert Cook is the Chief Veterinarian and Vice
President of Wildlife Health Sciences (WHS). Andrea Schmitz is
the Director of Environment, Health, and Safety at ConEdison.
Energy Policy Act of 2005
With U.S. energy consumption increasing at 2% each year, the effects
of acid rain, smog, mercury poisoning, and global warming are becoming
more and more apparent. The legislation in the Energy Policy Act
of 2005 looks to provide secure, affordable, and reliable energy
and proposes a variety of solutions for cleaner energy. Looking
at coal gasification and ethanol, this team explored the process
by which these two solutions would reduce the amount of pollution
our current energy uses create. They discussed the pros and cons
of each option and concluded that though many environmental problems
are associated with current energy sources, the Energy Policy Act
of 2005 encourages the development of new technologies that aim
to lessen the negative effects.
Water Resources Development
The Water Resource Development Act of 2005 aims to provide for
the conservation and development of water and related resources
through various projects for improvements to rivers and harbors.
The group proposed that the loss of wetlands can be prevented or
reduced through three different methods, including pollution control,
flood and erosion control, and promotion of healthy habitats and
biodiversity. After examining different solutions to the three presented
water resource issues, this team examined some specific trouble
areas, including the Louisiana Coastline, the Upper Mississippi
Riverbanks, and the Florida Everglades. They concluded with addressing
some of the controversies surrounding this bill, as well as the
ways in which its success could be measured.
Electronic Waste Recycling
This team examined the rising problem of eWaste, which include
discarded TVs, computers, and CPUs. They began by addressing why
eWaste is a problem, looking at how the toxic components that make
up these electronic parts endanger soil underground water supply.
EWaste in landfills presents a problem as there is only a plastic
liner protecting the ground underneath, which isn’t always secure.
The group examined the Electronic Waste Recycling Promotion and
Consumer Protection Act, which aims to promote e-recycling by creating
incentives to recycle by giving tax credits. The group examined
some of the current issues within this Act, as there is nothing
in the legislation that mandates recycling center creation and reuse
incentives are noticeably absent. The group also noted that national
legislation is needed since it is difficult for manufacturers to
comply to different state laws, and the majority of eWaste is created
by households and smaller quantity generators who are not currently
regulated. The group concluded by analyzing how the success of the
legislation could be measured and why the need for legislation is
so important.
Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
Although wetlands can sometimes be difficult to define, the student
team presented the distinguishing features of a wetland which include
the presence of standing water, a unique type of soil, and vegetation
that is adapted to saturated soils. Wetlands are a vital part of
our ecosystem as they provide important ecological as well as other
services. Wetlands are being degraded from human activities such
as aquaculture, agriculture, human development, and public perception.
The implications of losing the ecological and economic services
that wetlands provide are vast and include decreased ecological
integrity and services such as shoreline erosion, loss of storm
protection services, and a decrease in natural barriers against
extreme weather. The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands seeks the conservation
and wise use of wetlands through local, regional and national actions
and international cooperation in order to achieve sustainable development
throughout the world. Throughout their presentation, the team addressed
how to solve the problems of habitat degradation, pollution, and
loss of storm protection through implementing a wise use framework,
increasing international cooperation, and cross border resources
management.
Avian Influenza Surveillance
While the timeline of Avian Flu reaches back to 1878, in recent
years there have been increased rates of its emergence in birds,
both wild and domestic. One of the greatest challenges faced by
those studying the disease is the inability to accurately track
its spread in migratory birds. This team began by examining the
definition of a virus, and the different ways in which the Avian
Flu is transferred and changes strains, most importantly how it
can be transmitted to a person. They then analyzed the different
dimensions that its spreading would cause, including economic, political,
ecological, and social. The proposed legislation, the Global Network
for Avian Influenza Surveillance, is attempting to more accurately
predict the uncertainties surrounding this disease, through training
and on-site research, international monitoring and testing, and
creating an information database. This group examined the different
ways of measuring the success of this proposed legislation, as well
as some of the scientific controversies surrounding it.
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