The giant mosquito!

Today, I was enjoying the benefits of my new weapon against the invasion of mosquitoes…bug repellant!  As I walked through pedestrian hostile streets, I ventured through knee high grass (they apparently mowed so it’s no longer waist high) confidently knowing that all sorts of bugs and jitters would flee at my approach.  Confident, that is until a horse fly starting attacking me.  It dove towards my face as I performed Matrix-like moves in an effort to avoid contact with such a pain inducing creature. After some fast pace walking and some pretty awesome (if I say so myself) acrobatic ninja-like maneuvering, I came to a place where I finally had rest from the fly’s relentless attack…or so I thought.  As I approached the door of my office, I heard that familiar “buzz” sound (which sounded more like a propeller plane  than a bug’s buzz) and then suddenly stop.  I knew the fly had landed on me, so I cautiously looked to my right shoulder and there, staring at me, seemingly mocking me was the horribly gruesome…Mosquito?! Wait, what?  It was about the size of a horse fly, and yet it wasn’t, it was the most scary looking, hugest mosquito I have ever seen in my life, and it was on MY shoulder! I swapped at it before it could stick its sucking long mouth into my skin.  I was bewildered since it landed on a place I could not reach, I could only scare it away enough to hopefully give me enough time to open the door and avoid an itchy session (all along wondering, I wonder how much more painful a bite from this gal would be?).  In typical horror movie fashion, I could not get the key in the key hole as I frantically expected at any moment to feel the ardent pain of its bite.  But alas! The Mosquito did a fateful error.  She (female mosquitoes are the only ones that suck blood) landed on the white painted door, giving me a perfect visual and a flat surface to attack and overcome her (muahahahahaha….ehem).  I grabbed my Florida gator hat and with awesome speed and precision (ok it wasn’t that awesome). I swung at it, hitting it, and mortally injuring her.  Oh the pleasure I got at her demise was…well… none eventful, but at least she was not going to be bugging me anymore…pun completely intended. I looked at my prize kill (who was now on the floor) and was amazed at the sheer size.  It was obviously a mosquito, but her size just made her look like something else.  I don’t know what, but anything other than a mosquito. I had to record this so that when I told this story I would have evidence.  Therefore, I grabbed a piece of paper, placed her still twitching body on it and placed her on my table, where I then proceeded to measure her with a ruler and wouldn’t you know it; this mosquito’s size was ¾ of an inch!  The largest size recorded for a mosquito is 1 ½ inches!  Come to find out, the name of my mosquito assailant is Psorophora Ciliata  and it’s the largest blood sucking mosquito in the US (check out the link for more info).. Moreover, according to Purdue University, the Psorophora is a disease carrying mosquito (some mosquito species are not, but the Psorophora is not one of them).

So what does this have to do with planning you’re asking? …nothing, I just had to tell the whole world of my traumatizing experience, lol.  Kidding.  Actually, this is a perfect example of yesterday’s post.  The fact is that these mosquitoes exist, are huge, and probably would not have bothered me if I had a sidewalk to walk on as opposed to tall grass.  God only knows if this mosquito had some type of disease.  I don’t know? She didn’t bite me though so I’m safe for now, but what about Tuesday when I have to make this journey again?  Will I be as lucky?

Juan Castillo Jr.

Florida needs sidewalks

LauderdaleGrandfatherGrandson1967 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It doesn’t take much to create discomfort. People avoid discomfort at all costs.  Who wants to be uncomfortable? It is therefore no wonder that people in the USA and particularly Florida walk less.  Streets are not designed with the pedestrian’s comfort in mind.  I’m not referring to luxurious comfort, or excessive amenities.  What I am referring to is simple common sense things which somehow escape the sense of designers, contractors and policy maker’s minds.

Absence of designated path (sidewalk)

When a pedestrian is forced to walk on anything other than a designated path, he or she immediately is uncomfortable.  To walk through waist high grass street shoulders is to place a burden of unnecessary anxiety on a pedestrian.  Moreover, this lack of designated path unwittingly places the pedestrian in real present danger.  For example:  If grass is high enough to obscure the view to the ground significantly, then the possibility exists for:

A walking injury:

Have you ever stepped into a pot hole not realizing that that pot hole was there? I have…plenty of times.  It usually results with a twisted and/or sprained ankle (or worse).  No one likes walking through the unknown.  When grass is high and a path is nonexistent, the potential for covered unseen holes or obstacles is high.  An injury from these is fairly certain.

An animal encounter:

Snakes – Yes snakes hide in these tall bushes of grass.  The good thing is that most snakes are afraid of humans. Therefore, if a snake hears your approach, they will usually flee.  This however, is not always the case and the possibility for a deadly encounter with a rattler for example, is very real.

Ticks – Florida is infested with them.  And guess where they live?  High grasses are perfect habitats for these disease ridden pests.  Exposing pedestrians to these blood hungry, Lyme disease infecting pests is borderline cruel and inhumane since it can easily be avoided by the erection of a designated path.

Mosquitoes – Another common resident of Florida.  Mosquitoes are unrelenting blood sucking machines that can carry with them diseases like the West Nile virus and Dengue Fever.  A

English: Stegomyia aegypti (formerly Aedes aegypti) mosquito biting a human. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

pedestrian can be exposed to Mosquitoes whether on a designated path or not.  However, the level of exposure greatly increases if pedestrians walk through high marshes and unpaved areas thus increasing the chances of coming into contact with an infected host.

Ants – Ants are extremely beneficial to the environment.  They take care of eating and eliminating carcasses from dead animals which otherwise would remain.  They create tunnels which helps crop grow by providing oxygen to the soil. Overall, there are not many bad things you can say about ants…that is until your fate brings you into a one on one encounter with an ant pile whiles you’re walking through waist high grass, oblivious to the incoming calamity about to reach your skin.  A very painful experience for sure and if you are like my dad who is allergic to red ant bites, a potentially deadly experience.

Sphecius speciosus (Photo credit: Arenamontanus)

Wasps – Yes, wasps can make their nests on the ground too.  For example, the Ground Digger wasp (also known as the Cicada Wasp) makes its abode by digging a hole in the ground.  These are passive aggressive wasps so it’s rare that they will come and attack you, however, if you walk on their nest while they are around, they will try to protect the nest and that means they will come after the danger (IE, you).  Yellow Jackets on the other hand are not as passive as the Cicada wasp.  In fact, these guys are pretty aggressive protectors.  If they sense any danger to their nest, they will come out to protect it in force.  Depending on the species of Yellow Jackets their nests can usually be found on high places or low to the ground within high grasses.  It’s worth re-stating that these guys are very aggressive and will repeatedly sting (as opposed to bees that will sting you once then die) and what’s worse, some people may be allergic to stings from wasps, creating a potentially life threatening situation if a wasp nest is disturbed.

This list is by no means exhaustive; there are plenty of other animals an unsuspecting pedestrian can run into.

A vehicular intrusion:

If there are no delineated paths for pedestrians you are in essence informing the pedestrian that he or she can walk wherever they want.  This means that if the pedestrian decides that he

English: Typical Indian National Highway. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

or she does not want to walk through high marshes of grass and instead decides to walk on the paved shoulder of the streets, then it would be acceptable.  This however, exposes the pedestrian to a high chance of injury due to vehicular interaction especially on a busy highway.  According to Transportation for America (TA) within the decade between 2000 and 2009 America witnessed the deaths of over 47,000 pedestrians. Moreover, over 688,000 pedestrians were reported being injured.  That’s a lot of people! Now there are a lot of factors that contribute to this statistic, however the main factor is that our streets are not pedestrian safe or friendly, period.  There is no political jargon needed in trying to obscure the fact that over 700,000 pedestrians where either injured or fatally wounded. This means that something must be done to our streets to ensure the safety of people.

Absence of shelter

This is Florida.  Florida is known for its very hot weather and timely showers.  As a pedestrian, to walk exposed to these elements is grotesquely uncomfortable.  Especially when you have to walk half a mile from let’s say the bus stop to work (not exaggerating).  High temperatures can reach in the low hundreds on any summer/fall day in Florida (or any day for that matter) which means that pedestrians who go extended periods of unsheltered foot travel are exposing themselves to potentially dangerous weather conditions.  This can result in dehydration, sun burn, skin cancer, etc.  To be clear, when I say “shelter” I am referring to either a man made shelter, like a gazebo or some type of overhead enclosure; or natural shelter like an inexpensive tree.  Either one works.

The fact

The fact is that America (Florida included) needs to walk.  The fact that obesity in our country is so high is just shameful.  An environment that encourages walking will help decrease the obesity rate and help decrease expenses for our country and more specifically, our state.  Creating walkable streets is a win-win situation.  Why our policy makers, politicians, and contractors have not focused on creating these streets is really beyond my comprehension.  Maybe I’m just too young to understand the economics of it all.  Maybe it’s too expensive to protect human

Florida (Photo credit: colros)

lives and increase health in our country via properly designed streets.  I mean, if that’s the case, then that makes perfect sense.  The bottom line, above all is that we must save money.  We must seek any and all possible ways of consolidating street design in order to produce the most profit and provide the least service.  Isn’t that how capitalism works?  This is America after all.  To take care of people while spending more than “necessary”, well that’s just a socialist idea. We need to get back to our roots, selfishly seeking our own profit and neglecting the ones that need it most.

Juan Castillo Jr.

Brownfields, Mire and Grime? Oh My!

Superfund (Photo credit: …-Wink-…)

 

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.”–Matthew 13:44 NIV

 

Introduction

­­­­­­­

Hidden treasures are fun to find.  People are willing to spend money in order to buy gadgets like metal detectors or binoculars in order to make finding these treasures possible.  At first, these gadgets may seem a bit pricey, however, talk to anyone who has ever found something of value and they’ll tell you, the investment was worth it.  Brownfields are perfect examples of hidden treasures that require investment yet yield great fruits.

“…Hidden in a field…”  Background Information

 

Brownfields are properties whose expansion, redevelopment, or reuse may be complicated by the presence of or perceived presence of hazardous or potentially hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants (Environmental Protection Agency, 2011).  Typically, brownfields take the form of abandoned industrial sites such as old factories, power plants, mills, etc.  The Cabot Koppers Superfund Site in Gainesville, FL is a perfect example of a brownfield.  This site housed a pine tar and charcoal production industry since 1916.  Due to the site’s use which included treating wood for use in public lighting, chemicals such as creosote and pentachlorophenol are present in its soil.  Since the Kooper site is located near water ponds and lagoons the concern is that pollution from the already polluted soil may leach into the nearby waters which could potentially further infiltrate Florida’s aquifers (Alachua County, 2012)

English: Cameron, LA, January 11, 2006 – A worker for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is sorting and organizing barrels of hazardous waste materials collected in Cameron and delivered to this site. Robert Kaufmann/FEMA (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Brownfields have a negative impact on its context (mainly in property value) due to several factors.  The first factor tends to be obvious; with pollutants present in most of these sites, the possibility for contamination of neighboring sites is high. Pollution can occur via leakage into nearby water sources as exemplified by the Koper’s site in Gainesville, FL, they can also occur via off-gas emissions like the Houston Gas Work Plant in Houston, TX, or even ground pollution like the Mills Ruin Park in Minneapolis, IL.   With such pollution risks and proliferation, site clean ups are costly and burdensome to the property owners.

The second factor can be equally as obvious; brownfields tend to be unattractive. In the case of the Gas Works park in Houston Texas the previous brownfield was originally a compilation of rusted pipes and empty gas tanks looming over an empty lot of mismatched small dwelling huts and weed covered grounds. A person would definitely not want this in their backyard or for that matter anywhere near their residential dwelling.  Such blight serves as a very effective barrier towards any form of development creating a depreciating cycle of land value.

The third factor is not as obvious as the first two which is the psychological aspect.  In a study conducted by Brigham Young University, it was found that clean smells had a direct causal relationship to moral behavior (Brigham Young University, 2009).  In other words, where a place smelled clean people behaved better.  This shows a strong relationship between the effect of the perception of clean and the behavior of people.  Another study this time done by The Keep America Beautiful Organization found that “One of the strongest contributors to littering is the prevalence of existing litter. Consistently in our results, we find that litter begets litter. Individuals are much more likely to litter into littered environments (as seen in the observational studies), and they are less likely to report littering into beautified environments” (Keep America Beautiful, 2009. 56). Therefore, according to these studies, the environment plays a huge role into the way we behave.  If we apply these findings to brownfields the impact becomes obvious.  Brownfields are basically oversized litter in the context of the built environment.  Moreover, the odor from these environments seldom smells like clean.  If litter begets litter and bad odor promotes violence or a less moral behavior then it’s safe to say that brownfields impact human psyche in such a way where humans are more prone to create litter and behave less morally.

“…when a man found it, He hid it again…”  The Problem

Given the effects of brownfields it’s understandable that government would want to create enforcement protocols so that these brownfields would be cleaned up and created into something less abrasive to the environment and to development.  The government’s enforcement tool came into existence in the 80s under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) also known as “Superfund” (Harnik and Donahue, 2011).  However, CERCLA followed a “’strict, retroactive, joint and several’ liability system” (Ibid, 2011) which placed strict cleaning requirements and penalties to developers to the point that only sites with extremely good economic potential were cleaned up.  Those sites that lacked such potential were left empty and blighted.  In other words, the potentials that developers saw in these brownfields were hid by the strictness of governmental enforcement to the point where it was more beneficial for the developers to not develop the land, then to deal with all the fees and regulations imposed by the government.

CERCLA labeled brownfields under three tiers based on the level of contamination and repair needed.  In order for a property to fall under the first tier (Tier I) the facility’s total aboveground oil storage capacity had to be 10,000 gallons or less within three years prior to the plan certification date, or since becoming subject to the SPCC rule if in operation for less than three years. The facility could not have had a single discharge of oil to navigable waters or adjoining shorelines exceeding 1,000 gallons, or two discharges of oil to navigable waters or adjoining shorelines each exceeding 42 gallons within any 12-month period. The facility also could not have any above ground oil containers greater than 5000 gallons.  Under the second tier (Tier II), all of the requirements of tier I had to be met with the difference being that tier II properties had containers above ground greater than 5000 gallons.  Tier III includes both Tier I and II and anything that goes beyond these requirements.  The Tier III definition is vague mainly to encompass the vast differences in brownfield properties (Environmental Protection Agency, 2012).  CERCLA’s intention with the Tier labels was to respond to negative environmental impacts and to force cleanups.  Yet, the opposite happened.

“…in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.”  Solution and Investment

 In the 90s a desire for downtown revitalization grew.  With this desire came criticism by private developers concerning strict

English: Logo of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Español: Logo de la Agencia de Protección Ambiental. El EPA dirige las ciencias ambientales de los Estados Unidos. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

restrictions and laws from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This caused EPA to revise their “financial framework, moving more hard to-remedy Tier II and Tier III properties towards productive uses” (Harnik and Donahue, 2011).  In order to do this the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in 1994 created the Brownfields Economic Redevelopment Initiative (BEDI). BEDI is a competitive grant that facilitates brownfield redevelopment by awarding funds to projects that “spur the return of brownfields to productive economic use “(HUD, 2012). Further assistance came in 2002 with the creation of the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act also known as the “Brownfield law”.  This law was passed by President George W. Bush in order to assess and restore brownfields.  It also “clarified CERCLA liability protections; and provided funds to enhance state and tribal response programs” (Environmental Protection Agency, 2011).  Through this law, EPA has given more than $80 million through 1,895 assessment grants, 279 revolving loan funds, and 752 restorative grants (Harnik and Donahue, 2011).

States have also stepped in to create programs and ordinances that facilitate the action of cleaning and restoring brownfields. Such programs include voluntary cleanup programs based on the proposed site use.  For example, in 1998 Florida created the Voluntary Cleanup Tax Credit (VCTC).  Under the VCTC, private and public entities are eligible for the credit which uses certificates awarded by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection amounting to an annual $5 million authorization.  Moreover these certificates are valid against Florida Corporate Income Tax. (Florida, 2012) In South Carolina, they have a Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP) which “allows a non-responsible party to acquire a contaminated property with State Superfund liability protection for existing contamination by agreeing to perform an environmental assessment and/or remediation”(South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, 2012).

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure…”  The Outcome and Benefits

 

These actions by the government and stated are stimulating redevelopment efforts.  The results can be felt in many cities around the US via redeveloped brownfield sites such as Gas Works in Seattle, Discovery Green in Houston, Mill Ruins Park in Minneapolis, Riverbank Park in New Jersey, etc. As an example of the kind of impact possible through these sites, let’s take a look at Discovery Green Park.

The Discovery Green Park in Houston Texas is a 12 acre park created by a public-private partnership between the City and the Discovery Green Conservancy.  Architect Larry Speck led the design of the park’s architecture, creating a model of sustainability and design (Speck, 2008). This site in which Discovery Green now resides used to be an undeveloped concrete parking lot adjacent to an open grass field. In the first three years of its inauguration, the park has attracted over three million visitors and has hosted over 800 public and private events (Discovery Green, 2012). Due to its redevelopment, Discovery Green has transformed development in the city by reinvigorating growth.  For example, Thirteen months after the opening of the park, luxury apartments in One Park Place started renting out again.  A 28,000 square foot grocery store has also opened in the vicinity creating more pedestrian traffic and presence in the downtown area.

The cost to redevelop Discovery Green was $182 million.  However, it is estimated that Discovery Green has created $500 million of private development in its vicinity.  This is more than double the initial investment (Harnick and Donohue, 2011).

“…In his joy…”  The Public Interest

 

Brownfields are one of the few urban items that have a consistent reaction from the people no matter where their located.  This reaction is of course a bad one. Planners could probably get away without public participation for the sake of determining whether a brownfield is wanted by the people.  The answer is no (there, you have saved thousands of dollars just by reading this paper).  Unfortunately, is not quite that simple.  The public’s reaction must be documented for leverage and assurance.  However, any planner would be hard pressed to find a community who is absolutely enamored with their polluted blight. The question is not, however; whether communities are enamored with their brownfields.  Rather the question is what exactly the community wants to do with their brownfield.  Some argue that the best redeveloped use for these sites is commercial or even more industrial uses like another factory.  When parks and greenery are suggested, many people question the wisdom found in such a proposals.  In order to determine what the desires of the community are, public meetings and workshops are a must.  Moreover, if the public is to be educated as to the positive potential of brownfield redevelopment such as the Discovery Green Park, it’s imperative that these meetings take place.  If a careful observation is done on the brownfields that have already been established, common trends can be seen.  The first trend is that development near the redeveloped field increases (or in some cases begins).  Another observation is that these fields tend to become new places for people to come together whether to recreate as in the case of Gas Works or to be entertained as in the case of Discovery Green.  The last trend is the mitigation of pollution to the environment caused by these abandoned polluted sites (if they are polluted, remember some are not polluted, they just give the impression that they are (Iannone, 1995)) which is always in some way, form, or fashion beneficial for all.

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.”-Matthew 13:44 NIV

Conclusion

The principals associated with brownfields are not new.  Like this 2000 year old book demonstrates, brownfields have and are hidden treasures that some are willing and able to see.  With the treasure they find in mind, some sell everything and invest everything they have into these fields knowing that they will reap a greater reward.  Brownfields are hidden treasures with the potential to influence everything around them for the better.  With the government and cities’ help these diamonds in the rough can be made to shine as some are shinning now.  Hopefully, the trend will continue.

References

 

Alachua County Florida (2010), Cabot Koppers Superfund, Retrieved April 21, 2012 retrieved

from:http://www.alachuacounty.us/Depts/EPD/Pollution/Pages/CabotKoppersSuperfund.

Aspx.

Brigham Young University (2009, October 25). Clean Smells Promote Moral Behavior, Study

Suggests. ScienceDaily. Retrieved April 21, 2012, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2009/10/091025091148.htm

 

Discovery Green, Mission and History, Retrieved April 21, 2012 retrieved from:

http://www.discoverygreen.com/mission-history/

 

Environmental Protection Agency (2011, October), Brownfields Definition, Retrieved April 21,

2012 retrieved from:  http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/overview/glossary.htm.

 

Environmental Protection Agency (2011, October 4).  Laws and Statutes, Retrieved April 21,

2012 retrieved from: http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/laws/index.htm

 

Environmental Protection Agency (2011, October), Spill Prevention Control and

Countermeasure (SPCC) Plan: Qualified Facilities Applicability, Retrieved: April 21, 2012 retrieved from: http://www.epa.gov/osweroe1/docs/oil/spcc/qf_app_guidance.pdf

 

Florida Department of Environmental Protection (2011, November 30), Voluntary Cleanup Tax

Credit, Retrieved April 21, 2012 retrieved from: http://www.dep.state.fl.us

/waste/categories/vctc/default.htm

 

Harnick, Peter and Donahue, Ryan (2011, December). Turning Brownfields into Parks.

Planning, 13-17.

 

Iannone, Donald T. (1995).  Redeveloping Urban Brownfields.  Land Lines, Vol. 7(6), Retrieved

April 21, 2012 retrieved from: http://www.lincolninst.edu/pubs/533 _Redeveloping-Urban-Brownfields.

 

Keep America Beautiful (2009, January), Littering Behavior in America: Results of a National

Study, Retrieved April 20, 2012 retrieved from: http://www.kab.org/site/DocServer/

KAB_Report_Final_2.pdf?docID=4581

 

South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, Land and Waste

Management, Retrieved April 21, 2012 retrieved from: http://www.scdhec.gov

/environment/lwm/html/brownfields.htm

 

Speck, Larry (2008). Discovery Green, Retrieved April 21, 2012 retrieved from:

http://larryspeck.com /building/discovery-green/.

 

US Department of Housing and Urban Development, Brownfields Economic Development

Initiative (BEDI). Retrieved: April 21, 2012 retrieved from: http://portal.hud.gov

/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/comm_planning/BEDI

A Song and Global Warming

With a good workout behind me I slap on my headphones and start heading home.  The song “Miracles (Above and Beyond Mix) starts playing saying:

Don’t they know that there’s something going on
What they’re harming with their indecision
But who will be left standing when I’m gone?
There’ll be nothing left but a vision

It’s too easy to turn a blind eye to the light
It’s too easy to bow your head and pray
There are some times when you should try to find your voice
This is one voice that you must find today

Are you hoping for a miracle
As the ice caps melt away?
No use hoping for a miracle
There’s a price we’ll have to pay

Lyrics obtained from:   http://www.6lyrics.com/miracle28-lyrics-oceanlab.aspx

My mind starts racing.  I hadn’t stop to listen what the song was saying until now.  Maybe because I had to walk a long distance back home and I had nothing else to do but listen to the lyrics of this song.  Maybe, but whatever the case maybe, the truth of this song got me thinking.

In truth, we behave as if we are blind to what our environment is going through.  This is not some hippy, tree hugging sentiment.  The fact of the matter is that if the planet goes, so do we.  Effects on the planet show that this is not far from the truth as several signs shout the fact that our planet is changing and not for the better.  For example:

1. The rate of warming is increasing. The 20th century’s last two decades were the hottest in 400 years and possibly the warmest for several millennia, according to a number of climate studies.

1. The Arctic is feeling the effects the most. Average temperatures in Alaska, western Canada, and eastern Russia have risen at twice the global average, according to the multinational Arctic Climate Impact Assessment report compiled between 2000 and 2004.

1. Arctic ice is rapidly disappearing, and the region may have its first completely ice-free summer by 2040 or earlier.

1. An upsurge in the amount of extreme weather events, such as wildfires, heat waves, and strong tropical storms, is also attributed in part to climate change by some experts.

(this information is obtained from :http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/12/1206_041206_global_warming.html)

With all these changes happening so rapidly, it’s difficult to believe that some question the validity of Global warming.  Some say that this happens every so often within the history of the earth and that the present research wrongfully blame the “human factor”.  These critics have resorted to trying to make climate change Illegal.  North Carolina is a state that has 301 miles of coast line second only to Florida which has 580 miles of general coastline (On the Atlantic side).  Coast lines of course are prime real-estate (Keep that in mind).  The state’s Coastal Resources Commission recommends planning around a 39-inch rise in sea level by 2100.  These are all suggestions based on the findings of scientific research.  However, North Carolina has difficulty accepting this recommendation because, according to Tom Thompson, chairman of NC-20 an economic development group representing North Carolina’s 20 coastal counties “We’re skeptical of the rising sea level science”.  Mr. Thompson, I completely understand your skepticism.  Really.  I mean, when you stand to lose so much money over scientific research that says you have to develop coastal lines with people’s safety in mind, it makes perfect sense (enter sarcasm).

Unfortunately, the debate about global warming is not whether it’s happening or not (unless you’re North Carolina).  The true debate is whether we are selfless enough to do something about it.  The obvious fact is that global warming will affect this generation, but the true devastating damage will probably occur in the next generation.  Therefore, we will probably miss the true catastrophe of global warming.  Good new right?  If you don’t give a flip about the next generation, sure, its excellent news.  I hope however that this sentiment is the vast, vast, vast minority and the most humane, decent human beings will actually care about what happens to the next generation who will inherit a problem of global proportion…literally.

And so, going back to the song (check out this link if you want to hear it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UsuVT)

There are a few truths that are so beautifully presented.

1. Ignorance is a huge problem.  People don’t yet realize the danger that we are in.  Politicians refuse to take action because they are afraid of the political repercussions, while the window for global catastrophe mitigation closes at a rapid pace.  Some hide behind the action of bowing  “your head and pray” but this needs to translate into “getting up and doing something”.
2. Action must be taken now.  No more idle talk, we need to find our active voice and demand change.  Demand for better planning.  Demand for better alternatives to fuel, transportation, responsible architecture, etc.  Instead of Subsidies to environmentally damaging industries (like the automobile and oil), subsidize the industry that can help break free from the environmental plumage, like solar power, recyclable building materials, planning (so that better cities can be planned).
3. Doing nothing is easy.  Good intentions are not enough.  Actions are needed now.  Doing nothing is easy (which is bad since America has a reputation of being lazy).

My plea to you is that: you try to make any and every effort you can to educate yourself (don’t take my blog for it) concerning global

English: Hugging a Giant Sequoia in Sequoia National Park USA (photo by Joseph Cesare) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

warming, but act on what you learn.  We are passed the making fun of the “tree huggers” phase.  We all need to be tree hugging.  God knows they’ve hugged us long enough.

Juan Castillo Jr.

A Golden Moment Amidst Rotten Apples

An Outer Escape

This is a blog I am re-posting on this site from my Religiously themed site because of its Urban Regional Planning implication.  Transportation is key to community connectivity and the image that such transportation carries is key to creating an desire from the people to ride it.  Some bus drivers are not particularly keen on providing customer service to bus patrons.  Nor are these drivers keen on going above and beyond their bus driving duties and responsibilities.  However, there are those awesome (and rare) exceptions.

If you’re interested in checking out that blog page, go to:http://juancastillojr.wordpress.com/   (Or click the “An Outer Escape” link above

English: A Gillig Advantage bus in service for Foothill Transit, seen here in Downtown Los Angeles, California. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

So I was riding on the route 8 a few months ago (from work to Beatty Towers).  A nice bus driver was driving.  He greeted me as I got on the bus and everything (which is kind of rare).  I sat down.  Along the road somewhere near University Avenue we hit traffic.  While we waited for traffic to start moving, this bus driver proceeds to open the door, steps out of his chair, grabs the bus trash can and steps outside.  I was curious as to what he was doing (and so was everyone else on the bus), so I propped myself up to see out the window (stupid new low floor Gillig bus design has windows higher than my line of vision…and IM NOT SHORT! I digress). As  I stared at what the bus driver was doing, I suddenly realized (and so did everyone else) that the bus driver was picking up trash from the street…..He was being a nice person and going above and beyond his job responsibilities by picking up trash from the bus stop area!?  I was astounded twice!  Once because of such level of faithfulness in doing something good even though it’s a small thing to do.  Twice, because the people in the bus with me had the internal fortitude to laugh at the bus driver.  As if what he was doing was so stupid.  As if “what a fool, you are doing something that benefits everyone else but yourself”.  What an idiot right?  Really!  Is this what our society is coming to?  That we laugh at things that are good and decent?  We can’t take a moment to appreciate the fact that someone was willing to do what he did not have to do but did anyways because he is a decent human being!!!! I was livid (still am slightly) for several reasons. One: because of what I saw. Two, because as a human I am sure that I am just as bad.  But I hope that I can be like that bus driver.  Who does what he doesn’t have to do not to impress, but to do what is right in spite of ignorance, hate, or whatever causes someone to laugh at that which is good, innocent and decent!

I made sure that before I stepped off the bus, I expressed my appreciation to that bus driver for what he did.  He blessed me, such a small act really had an impact on me.  I pray and I hope that the Lord my God may bless him ever so richly.

Juan Castillo Jr.

PS.

can I hash tag this?  lets see…#Busstories #RTS #Busdrivers #Bus #Dumbpeople

A Qualitative View of a Soggy Commute (we need sidewalks)

As I reach my office I look down to see soaked black boots and almost as equally soaked army green cargo pants.  Not an appealing

CSX

sight (both in clothes selection and clothes condition, however, this is what happens when you wake up at 5am in the morning to get ready to catch a 6:20 am bus who has a tendency to arrive at the bus stop at 6:10am).  I muse at the fact that I just walked .5 miles from the last bus stop on the 8 Route to my office (approximately a 15 minute walk).  Normally, I don’t mind the walk.  In fact, I look forward to it since it gives me a reason to be active and to enjoy the outdoors (and also because sometimes, there is a CSX train parked on the tracks that I have to cross to get to work….I love trains).  However, on mornings like today, I am reminded why at times I would not mind owning a car.

FLASH BACK TO 15 MINUTES BEFORE I REACH THE OFFICE

I hop off the bus and quickly open my red umbrella.  The sight must have been comical to some motorist as they fly by a decently sized guy wearing a black and grey sweater, army green cargo pants, black boots, and a brown book bag all the while holding a bright red umbrella.  I have to admit, its comical just even thinking about it.  I start my journey by crossing my first street, which is the same street that the bus has just dropped me off at.  In front of me now resides a discreet building which officially belongs to the fire department yet somehow seems too small for its function.  I continue down the shoulder of the streets walking more on grass than on paved ground (purposefully.  I do live in Florida after all.  Even though Florida is notorious for dependable rains; something that has not been the case this year; the fact that Floridians don’t know how to drive in the rain is a fact I take very seriously).

OBSTICLE 1

Cars fly by at speeds that seem too fast to be safe on a wet oily road.  I make my way to cross the right turn lane with the aim to reach the little concrete island about 10 -15 feet away.  I succeed, only to wait until all lights are red for oncoming traffic (I have to depend on the street lights since there are no pedestrian signals to inform me of an opportune time to cross this 6 lane major highway).

OBSTICLE 2

Finally the lights are red, and I cross the street, walking at a quick pace.  I hesitate to run since the highway has deep groves on the asphalt; a clear sign of high and constant use of fast traveling, heavy vehicles.  It’s possible that In the process of running I could trip over one of these groves, fall, and get ran over by a speeding turning vehicle.  I cross the first set of 3 lanes to land in the grass median.  Thank God it’s wide enough to provide a clear area of rest from this busy and obviously dangerous highway.

OBSTICLE 3

I check to make sure that the incoming traffic is far enough to provide me time to walk (not run) across the second set of 3 lanes. I make my move, noting the amount of oil on the road.  This is a very real (and obvious) danger to speeding vehicles that don’t have the ability to see the rainbow flow of chemically enhanced run off on the street; a tall (very tall) sign of the presence of oil.

OBSTICLE 4

I make it across the second set of 3 lanes only to land in the shoulders of the highway, greeted by knee high grass.  My red umbrella can’t help me here.  From my torso up I have remained dry due to the protection of my umbrella.  From my torso down; well, that’s a different story.  As the grass part ways in utter complaint of my uncaring stomping, they release heavy sacks of water filled ammunition directed to make my crossing as wet and miserable as possible.  I accept the challenge, moving forward through the forest of weed and wild flowers, coming to a brief clearing where I am greeted with a pleasant sight; rail road tracks; and an even more pleasant surprise on it; a train engine.  I take in the beautiful sight as I cautiously cross the track, making sure that the engine is indeed parked, and not in the process of moving.

OBSTICLE 5

Four obstacles down, and now it seems I’m home free.  On this side of the rail road tracks, the grass is not nearly as tall, and there is somewhat of a makeshift path along the street.  That is where the grass is not as tall as its surroundings to the point where a clear delineation of a path is seen.  Even though the path is there, the grass still protests my clear stomping assault upon it by counter attacking with stickers and bombs of water.  My boots and pants are bearing the evidence of a very heavy and brutal battle. Sidewalks would be advantageous to me right now but I remind myself that I live in Florida….they don’t believe in sidewalks here in Florida.  I continue my walk.  The rain has now ceased, allowing me to fold my red umbrella and make my sight a little less comical.  As I bring my umbrella down to finalize the closing procedure, my eyes meet a very solemn reminder of the predicament I’m in.  The body of a very large…very large….very large, snake.  The clear marking on its skin tells me that this probably was a rattle snake (the rattler was gone thanks to the body’s ghastly dismemberment).  The reminder comes as a bit of shock; but a stern warning that yes, there are wild animals living in these high grassy planes and yes, they can harm me and yes, they are very…very…very real, oh and yes, they are big.  I have no option but to keep walking.

Rattle snake penticton (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

These grasses are tall enough that a snake like the one I just finished observing could easily hide in, and I would not even realize of their presence until I was right over them.  A slightly frightful thought, all I could do was pray and move forward.  Sidewalks definitely would be a welcome addition to this road.

OBSTICLE 6

I turn into the street that my office is on.  A sigh of relief escapes my mouth due to the fact that lawns here are mowed, not wild and overgrown as the one I just finished trudging through.  My journey is not over yet.  I still have a bout a 3 minute walk in which I battle huge 18 wheelers speeding across this street as they come to their industrial destination.  I stay clear of the puddles of water on the street noting the sheer splash factor from these huge vehicles.

SUCCESS

Finally, my trip ends at my office where I now stand; musing over how wet I am, but thankful for arriving safely.  I have been on a mini adventure.  Kind of like a Lord of the Rings type of adventure, where I had to face dangerous swamps, mystical creatures (dead snake) and behemoth dragons (18 wheelers).  Ok maybe not as exciting as Lord of the Rings, but definitely and adventure.  All this to say, FLORIDA, WE THE PEOPLE NEED SIDEWALKS!!!

Juan Castillo Jr.