The Power of Ideas

It has been said that there are only three areas into which all conversation falls, people, events and ideas. Whether we ascribe to that view is another matter but Eleanor Roosevelt gave it particular pungency when she said "Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people.”

The idea here is not so much to take up the point about conversation but rather to consider the power of ideas. In the dim and distant past it was believed that the world was flat. That was an idea that ruled the times for centuries and now we know differently. Tom Friedman may not agree but, of course, he is looking at the planet from a different perspective.

Another idea that ruled the times was that the planets revolved around the Earth. Copernicus replaced that idea with what we now know to be the situation - we and the planets revolve around the Sun. History is littered with such examples and the remarkable thing about some of these ideas is their power to occupy the mind and prevent it from seeing something as it really is. One might think of it as a form of mass chronic denial that for a period of time huge numbers of people can completely deny the fact that the idea in question just does not stand up to critical analysis.

One such idea that seems to hold sway today is that our activities are not having a material and/or deleterious impact upon the planet. One can think of this in various ways. The global population is expanding. It is estimated to be just shy of 7 billions now and could grow to 9 billions by 2050. Given that the planet is a finite resource this presents challenges as to how we will feed ourselves, where sufficient fresh water will come from, how we will manage the demands for energy including that from a depleting fossil fuel resource and a whole host of other issues. And we didn’t even mention climate change or global warming yet.

In last week’s The Economist magazine there was a rather sobering briefing entitled The Anthropocene. The thrust of the article is simply that we now appear to have moved out of a period of relative stability in the way that the planet works. This is the province of something called Earth-systems science and it examines how the planet has “worked” over very long periods of time, geologic time measured in the hundreds of millions of years. The notion is that we are now in the Anthropocene – the age of man – and we are not just spreading over the face of the planet but changing the way that it works.

Some of us will be familiar with Dr. James Lovelock and the Gaia Hypothesis. In simple terms this suggests that the Earth is a complex, living, self-regulating organism that operates to maintain the conditions for life on the planet, an homeostatis if you will. Of course when this new idea was promoted in the 1970s it was regarded as complete heresy. Lovelock and Copernicus had something in common.

But back to The Economist and the age of man. The suggestion is that we can now see clear evidence of the effect of man upon the Earth’s systems. Obviously advances in science and technology have played their part and we can now measure changes in these systems and two in particular - the natural cycles related to nitrogen and carbon.

Take the nitrogen cycle as an example. In 1890 scientists worked out that most of the atmospheric nitrogen (100 megatonnes) was converted into a useable form by plant life. Small amounts were converted by lightning (5 mt) and by the nitrogen fixing capabilities (15 mt) of farm crops. As of 1990, a mere 100 years later the plant life contribution had dropped to 89 mt and the farming contribution had burgeoned from 15 to 118 mt. What brought this about was the invention of the Haber-Bosch process which enabled atmospheric nitrogen to be used to create ammonia which, in turn, was used to create fertilizers and explosives. What stimulated this invention is an interesting digression that we will have to leave for another time.

However, per Wikipedia, fertilizer generated from ammonia is responsible for sustaining one-third of the Earth's population. Furthermore it is estimated that half of the protein consumed by human beings globally is reliant upon nitrogen fertilizers that were originally fixed by the Haber process. We know some of the effects of the application of such fertilizer. In just one example it leaches out of the soil and contaminates the Mississippi River to such an extent that at a certain time of the year the waters from the river create a hypoxic zone in the Gulf of Mexico that is the size of the state of New Jersey. Most life forms perish in this zone and have to regenerate on an annual basis. There are dozens of other examples of the impact of just this one chemical compound.

The point is that through man’s ingenuity we have developed a capacity to make and use atmospheric nitrogen at a much greater rate than it can be recycled by nature’s processes. This is unsustainable and it is changing the way the planet works and in ways we do not fully understand.

Something similar is occurring with the carbon cycle. We are emitting far more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than Mother Nature can recycle at her own pace. By some estimates it could take 1,000 years or more for the planet to assimilate these elevated levels of this gas and that assumes that we do not continue to add to them.

The issue is that the idea that we can use and abuse the planet and its resources as we see fit is patently wrong. As long as we think that we can continue to operate as we do with impunity we are headed for trouble. We need to come to the understanding, and relatively quickly, that we are but one thread in the complex web of life that exists upon this planet. If we are to develop a sustainable way of life here in the US, and elsewhere for that matter, some new ideas are desperately needed.

Chris Wood

Chairman

Water Quality Assessment of the Swamp River - Part IIII

This is the last in a series that records the proceedings of an important gathering at The Inn at Dover Furnace in Dover on June 4, 2011 that addressed local water quality issues. Over 40 members of the public were in attendance and included a few municipal officials

The Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) sponsored this strategic meeting of Harlem Valley Communities to share in this forum, which included the results of important water studies and related information applicable to our public and private water supplies in the Harlem Valley. The Baseline Water Studies and the costs of the Forum, were funded by Iroquois Gas, Constellation Energy, Berkshire Taconic Foundation, Pawling Corporation, Benjamin Companies, and Cary Institute.

Tonia Shoumatoff, Director of the New York Office of HVA, made the introductions of the panel of distinguished experts. HVA, she explained, is the oldest watershed resource non-profit organization protecting water resources in this area. HVA operates in the several states into which the Housatonic River watershed extends. The New York State office opened in 2004 and HVA’s mission is to achieve a balance between development and resource protection.

We continue our reports on the presentations:

Barbara Kendall: Hudson River Watershed Alliance

Barbara told us that the Alliance (a private, non-profit) recognizes the ecological connection between the Harlem Valley and the Hudson River. Stormwater run-off washes pollutants, including salt, into watercourses. Subject to current laws, in the NYC watershed, in southern Pawling, any disturbance in excess of 5,000 sq ft requires a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan; and in northern Pawling, the threshold is one acre. In the rest of the Harlem Valley, the one acre rule applies. The objective of this program is to get the water back into the ground, cleansed of pollution. We can reach Barbara with questions and for professional advice at Barbara@hudsonriveralliance.org.

Barbara recommended that Roundtable discussions could be held in the local communities to explore and understand the issues and the potential remedies, with support from the Alliance. The local codes could be analyzed to determine deficiencies.

She recalled that she had worked on an Intermunicipal Planning Partnership, consisting of all the municipalities in the Valley; and that Russell Urban-Meade, the Hydrogeologist, had prepared a draft of water protection measures.

Kathy Schibanoff: Kathy was present and confirmed that this draft Intermuncipal Agreement had been written, and was available. She and Barbara urged interested members of the Forum to obtain copies and to pursue this proposal. Kathy had been the former chairman of this Partnership.

Mayor Matt Alexander: Mayor of Village of Wappingers Falls

Mayor Alexander delivered a strong case for the regulation of environmental threats at the municipal level. He cited the Village of Wappingers Falls as an ideal “Poster Child for the Lack of Environmental Protection and its Eventual Costs to Taxpayers”.

He began his presentation with a brief history of the Village: How the significant feature of Wappingers Lake was constructed during the 1940s, in the deepest basin area in the Village. However, there was no planning to address the run off from the extensive upstream development that took place following the lake’s creation. Within a relatively short period of time, the lake filled with sedimentation and pollution carried by all the stormwater run off, and before long the recreational uses of the lake came to an end: like swimming, boating, fishing. Along Rt. 9, the extensive parking lots were covered with impervious surfaces (pavement), and that run off, with no remediation, and contaminated with petroleum products, also was discharged to the former lake.

Due to the changes in the hydrology, and the pollution, the Village wells, which were nearby, became unusable, and the Village had to resort to the temporary use of City of Poughkeepsie water. The Village will, however, need to develop its own permanent water supply, and its treatment. A six million dollar bond issue to pay for that is currently in the pipeline.

Flooding issues are also a growing problem. Recently, an extensive area of low lying, low income housing required emergency evacuation due to flooding. Many families required assistance to move them to safe higher elevations, and temporary housing. The elderly are those most commonly affected by such emergencies.

An estimated 10 ½ million dollars will be required to remediate the downstream areas. Overall, Mayor Alexander estimates the total cost to the Village at over $25 million, for all the proposed remediation.

In summary, Mayor Alexander stressed that Watershed Remediation costs are staggering to the public and to local municipalities. Failure to protect natural resources with sensible regulations will cost a ton of money to address at a later time, and can be the cause of a great deal of avoidable human hardship. Mayor Alexander can be reached at matt@wappingersfalls.gov

As the Forum wrapped up, HVA Director Shoumatoff, told the attendees that they would all receive information from the former Harlem Valley Intermunicipal Council that would direct them and encourage the formation of a permanent Intermunicipal Agency to follow up on the work and recommendations of the former Council.

The detailed results of the baseline water tests, can be obtained from HVA, toniashoumatoff@HVA.org

Sibyll Gilbert is a resident of Pawling, a member of the Baseline Studies Advisory Committee, Vice President of The Oblong Land Conservancy, and a member of the Pawling Conservation Advisory Board

Water Quality Assessment of the Swamp River - Part II

This is the second in a three-part series that records the proceedings of an important gathering at The Inn at Dover Furnace in Dover on June 4, 2011 that addressed local water quality issues. Over 40 members of the public were in attendance and included a few municipal officials

The Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) sponsored this strategic meeting of Harlem Valley Communities to share in this forum, which included the results of important water studies and related information applicable to our public and private water supplies in the Harlem Valley. The Baseline Water Studies and the costs of the Forum, were funded by Iroquois Gas, Constellation Energy, Berkshire Taconic Foundation, Pawling Corporation, Benjamin Companies, and Cary Institute.

Tonia Shoumatoff, Director of the New York Office of HVA, made the introductions of the panel of distinguished experts. HVA, she explained, is the oldest watershed resource non-profit organization protecting water resources in this area. HVA operates in the several states into which the Housatonic River watershed extends. The New York State office opened in 2004 and HVA’s mission is to achieve a balance between development and resource protection.

We continue our reports on the presentations:

Dr. David Strayer, Freshwater Mussel Scientist:

Dr. Strayer speculated on the disappearance of the Pearly Mussels population from the Swamp River. An examination of the life histories of these species, numbering about 10 different ones, sheds some light on the mystery. That they once existed, in the Swamp River, can be established by shell remains. In some parts of the U.S. a large button industry flourished in the old days, utilizing enormous quantities of the varied species of freshwater mussels. Pearly mussels were also an important food source, and are still used today for buttons and the production of freshwater pearls.

The Pearlies once helped to cleanse the waters of the Swamp River, because being filter feeders, they performed this important function. Dr. Strayer told us that these creatures live as long as we do! They do not mature until about the age of 8 to 10 years, and can live to be 100 years. They require fish to reproduce, in a remarkable adaptation of symbiotic cooperation. Pearly mussels are expiring throughout eastern New York, due to more aggressive species of introduced crayfish, poorer water quality in the sediments where the mussels live, excessive nitrogen from pollution and the development of a particular form of poisonous nitrogen. Baby mussels survive in the South Flow of the Swamp, probably due to the increased acidity.

Dr. Stuart Findlay: Salinization

Dr. Findlay stressed that urban environments are the worst for aquatic life, due to increased pollution, lack of pre-treatment and other factors. In general, amphibian populations (frogs, salamanders), are the most sensitive to pollution, and fish are much tougher). Growing salinization (salt) levels are a very serious problem, affecting the human population as well as animal and plants. This growing problem in the Great Swamp watershed is crossing the (safe) threshold at this time, and actions must be taken now to prevent the need to implement very expensive alternative measures.

The baseline water chemistry produced a critical surprise: during the summer months, it was assumed that most of the salt in the surface water systems would flush out. But, it seems, possibly due to the poor levels of flushing in the Valley’s waters, due to the low gradients, that the salt lingers and accumulates. Much of the salt that is applied to area roads, does not flush out. There are actually higher and growing concentrations of salt in the water environment during the summer months.

Peak concentrations are in the summer, and that is when the most sensitive life forms of baby animals in the aquatic environment are present.

80% of salinization is estimated to be attributable to road salt. 5-10% comes from water softeners, and about 1% comes from treated sewage systems. The Cary Institute has been working on this issue and has been assisting other communities in Dutchess County with technical advice. Go to: Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies.org. There are better ways of using road salts.

At the present rate of salinization, our groundwater in Pawling could be undrinkable within a mere 40 years. Pawling has the lowest rate of flushing action.

Reducing the use of salt saves the taxpayers money. The State highway, Route 22, sends untreated salt water directly into the Swamp River. Route 55 crosses the Swamp in two areas, and Route 292 sends salted run-off to the Swamp’s tributary wetlands and streams. The State Department of Highways (DOT) applies pure salt to these roads. Dover Deputy Superintendent, Christopher Galayda, told us that the Town of Dover has reduced salt use significantly, on their town roads, by using a mix ratio of 3 parts sand to one part salt, and that this has been effective and has saved significant costs. We also learned that the Town of Fishkill, purchased a new computerized salt applicator, which reduces the salt applied to the road to a minimum required to maintain safety. The cost of this equipment is shared by a neighboring town. The equipment was recommended by Cary Institute. Private contractors who sand/salt private roads, are also in need of education.

The detailed results of the baseline water tests, can be obtained from HVA, toniashoumatoff@HVA.org

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Sibyll Gilbert is a resident of Pawling, a member of the Baseline Studies Advisory Committee, Vice President of The Oblong Land Conservancy, and a member of the Pawling Conservation Advisory Board.