Tuesday, September 7, 2021

Module 1.2 - A Turning Point Event For Environmental Science, and Celebrating the Comeback of the Burning River, 1969-2019

1. Point of View 

The point of view was told by local Ohioans during this time. Their point of view helps paint a picture on how bad the pollution was. It also points out that when the overall health of the river or environment improve the health of surrounding cities, and their economies improved. 

2. Purpose of the video. 

The purpose of the video was us to inform how bad the pollution was on Cuyahoga River was before the Federal Water Pollution Act of 1970 & 1972. The video also tells us what steps were being taken to help clean the river, and what laws and regulations were set in motion to prevent something like this happening again no matter what water way it was in the United States.  

3. Questions at issue

The Cuyahoga River was at center stage of an environmental disaster.  The human impact of the river over time had polluted the river due to dumping hazardous materials in the river, and not realizing the consequences of their actions until it was too late. This was before any big laws and regulations were in place. Ultimately it wasn't until a fire broke out on the river that caused for changes to be made. 

4.Information

The Cuyahoga River was polluted to the point that local wildlife was being affected causing fishes to turn belly side up. It also caused horrible air quality that smelled foul. Most information during this time was being made up due to the lack of technology we have now. The pollution of the Cuyahoga River led to many environmental changes that were needed. It was a prime example to the rest of the nation how they health of the environment impacted its local economy good or bad. 

5. Interpretation and Inference

The video helped concluded that having a healthy environment helped the overall health of surrounding cities. Cleaning the river brought life to the surrounding areas. People were kayaking, biking, and overall boosted tourism in the area. I believe the video is also a focal point to not sit and wait until it’s too late to act. The local and federal government failed to act which eventually caused the Cuyahoga River to catch on fire. 

6. Concepts 

The Federal Water Pollution Act of 1972 helped establish laws, and regulations which hampered down on businesses dumping in the river which helped contribute to the overall pollution of the Cuyahoga River which led to the fire on the river. Another group that was created was the Oil Study Group. This was a group of individuals who came together to see what they could do to combat the pollution of the river. Education of the river had to made up due to having a lack of technology at the time. This education informs others how to respect and care for the surrounding environment. 

7.Assumptions 

The Cuyahoga River pollution sparked so much attention it got the local and federal government to come together and establish laws and regulations. Before the Federal Water Pollution Act of 1972 businesses could operate loosely, and dump almost anything in the water. It wasn't until the river caught on fire, and the photo in the Times Magazine that got people's attention and demanded change. Once the river was cleaned the overall health of city changed with it. Life was restored not just to the environment but to the economy as well. It's safe to say that having a healthy environment leads to an overall better health. 

8 Consequences

The result was positive. The disaster on the Cuyahoga River helped create many laws, and regulations nationwide which made a lot of dumping in rivers illegal. It made us more aware of our impact we have the environment and failing to act can cause significant consequences. If we do not act now, it could be too late. Other consequences that happened after the clean up of the river was to not just help clean the river around the Cleveland area but restore the natural flow of the river by getting rid of the Gorge Dam in Akron. Taking out the Gorge Dam is expected to help bring wildlife back to the area, and possible establish another attract point to kayakers.



 

https://www.cleveland.com/resizer/mnuNJD3_cZ_M8YvmZ6hjXn6bA2E=/450x0/smart/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-advancelocal.s3.amazonaws.com/public/UQOWMDHP4ZFIRK2CEGDPWETVVA.jpg

Cuyahoga River’s recovery since 1969 fire documented in new Ohio EPA film on YouTube



https://static01.nyt.com/images/2019/06/22/lens/22cuyahoga-ast-2/merlin_156630306_c425704d-4855-42fa-9cd2-bf4515ac7a00-jumbo.jpg?quality=90&auto=webp
Credit...Alfred
 Eisenstaedt/The LIFE Picture Collection, via Getty Images




Work Cited:

Celebrating The Comeback Of The Burning River 1969-2019, Ohio EPA Nov 02,2018 https://youtu.be/18JpT61rX6A


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