Module 1.2 - A Turning Point Event for Environmental Science, Celebrating the Comeback of the Burning River
1. Point of View
The Frame of Reference of the Burning River is to acknowledge the damage and realize how poor disposal of oil and other harmful chemicals can to do hurt the environment, specifically different bodies of water. Bob Wysenski, a retired Ohio EPA, said that he was hired by the EPA to help clean the river after oil spills. He said that attempting to clean the river was almost hopeless and that there were days during the attempt to clean the river when they wondered if they were making any progress at all.
2. Purpose
The purpose of this video was to bring awareness to the harmful consequences of factories and other industrial buildings that were near open water. The Ohio EPA wanted to educate people on the mishaps of oil spills and create a force to protect the environment from oil and chemical spills into the water.
3. Questions at Issue
One question or issue that I noticed in the video was how to clean oil in water. When this River happened in 1969, it was a travesty to many. Not only the people who lived near and around the water but the marine life that lived in the water as well were being harmed by water pollution was there was an immediate request to stop it. But due to the small information about oil spills, the EPA created a R.A.P. which focused on studying and figuring out a way to clean oil out of the water.
4. Information
In 1970, the EPA, (Environmental Protection Agency), was founded. With the formation of this Agency ( https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/our-mission-and-what-we-do ) came several plans to change the treatment of the waterways in the United States. The main goal of the EPA is to protect the people and environment from potential health risks, develop and enforce environmental regulations, and conduct research. Shortly after the EPA was formed, an act called the Clean Water Act was passed in 1972. This act is the principal law governing pollution control and the water quality of the waterways of the nation. After years of cleaning and laws being passed to control water pollution, the Cuyahoga River was brought back to life and is now loved by countless locals.
5. Interpretation and Inference
The solutions to the issues of water pollution and damage to the environment were to pass laws and create several beneficial groups and organizations to try to salvage and protect wildlife and human life. For example, the EPA was created to solve and stop these issues at the source. The Clean Water Act was passed as well to conserve and protect water. The Oil Study Group was also formed to conduct research on oil itself and how to remove it water bodies of water. Specifically studying oil and other harmful chemicals and how we can destroy them and how to clean it.
6. Concepts
Overall, there were several examples of each of the concepts listed in the rubric. For example, the cause of the River Fire was due to oil being disposed of incorrectly and poured into the river. It is common knowledge that oil is highly flammable, so any small contact with fire or heat can cause the oil to go up in flames. This event overall could've been avoided completely. But due to human error and lack of knowledge or common sense, this was one of the biggest turning point topics in environmental science.
7. Assumptions
Throughout the whole video, the speakers mostly deliver a well-executed point of view from the main victims of the river fire. Or at least the people who were more affected by this event. Although, in the beginning, the story was told by the captain of the ship that was on the river when the water fire took place. There wasn't much background information or 'context" so to speak of the event. It jumps right into the how and consequences of this event. Although this was a very well-delivered video, I believe that they could've given a better introduction, considering that some of the audience watching might not know anything about this topic.
8. Consequences
The effects of this turning point impacted the environment and community greatly. Due to the River Fire, several laws were passed and organizations were formed. The groups formed helped prevent other environmentally dangerous events and brought together the community to put a stop to the poor treatment of our surroundings. The Cuyahoga River Fire was an eye-opener to many and forced people to act and protect the earth- for wildlife and human life. As the years passed by, they prevented water pollution from occurring and made the river and its banks beautiful and the perfect place for the community to take advantage of and enjoy the environment.
The Cuyahoga River Fire in 1969. Smoke from the fire fills the air while surrounding firemen use a water hose to attempt to put out the fire.
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