Unlike most mammals, teachers tend to hibernate in the summer. For the last 6 weeks, I've kept about 1/8 of my brain in touch with environmental issues in the 'Ham. Now, it's time to wake up and get back to work. Another B'ham News article about storm water quality came across my inbox this morning. The most salient points: 1) Shleby County can't manage it's storm water issues on it's own, and may be in violation of the Clean Water Act, and 2) Soon-to-be-bankrupt Jefferson County, is next in line for the same violations. Read the entire article here.
I learned a great tool for teaching environmental issues in Keystone, CO, this summer. It's called the PESTLE approach: Political, Economic, Social, Technical/Scientific, Legal, and Environmental. All of these varied interests bring valuabe insight to a discussion, and each interest has a stake in the outcome. If local county governments, business advocacy groups and environmental advocay groups can start (or continue) to take a PESTLE approach, we might be able to make some necessary changes to Alabama water issues.
Author's note; having worked closely with the Cahaba River Society, I can attest to the CRS's commitment to the political issues and economic interests of the region. It's time for local business leaders and politicians to take an honest look at the environmental, social and economic implications of poor environmental stewardship.
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Clean water is highly overrated...just run it through a t-shirt and that will clean it up right?
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