About: Glassboro Conservation Efforts
15
plain
2019-12-18T15:55:25+00:00
Glassboro, as well as various other locations on the globe, have served as meeting places to further “green” efforts that balance the needs of humans vs. the needs of the environment. This development has taken place on a global-cultural scale throughout history. In the past, humans had little thought on their impact on their local or global environment. As the world industry and trade grew over time, humans continued to consume enormous amounts of resources and emit more pollution. Even on the local level, small trace chains of energy needs, transportation, and industry added up to cause a major change on a global scale. For example, factories like the Whitney Glassworks emmited vast amount of pollutants into the atmosphere. Although the glassworks alone could not have a significant effect on the environment, the combined pollution of factories worldwide could. Eventually, humans realized that if they did not balance their needs with the needs of the environment, the results would be catastrophic.
One of the most notable green efforts in Glassboro has been the cleanup of the Lipari Landfill. The 16 acre landfill took in various wastes from the local community and industry. As a result, the site became extremely contaminated, and by 1982 was recognized as a “superfund” site by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Sites receiving a superfund status entails several things. For one, it means that the EPA has recognized that the site as a hazard to human health. At the Lipari Landfill, one of the major issues the EPA realized was that the site was threatening to contaminate drinking water. Additionally, superfund status also means that the EPA will fund and supervise the cleanup of the site, but the parties responsible for the contamination must reimburse or perform the cleanup themselves. Since 1982, the Lipari Landfill has been quarantined and treated to reverse the damage caused by pollution, and still remains monitored to ensure safety.
Another major conservation effort in Glassboro has been made recently by the Glassboro Green Team Advisory Commission. This team, made up of Glassboro community members, runs events and spreads awareness on environmentally friendly habits. Some of their popular community events are paper shreds and tree planting. Moreover, the group’s efforts have earned the town a “bronze” level certification by the nonprofit group Sustainable Jersey. But, perhaps the most notable work by the Green Team is their efforts to pass two town resolutions: One that sets the goal of the town being run by 100% sustainable energy by 2035, and the other that seeks to support the adoption and use of electric vehicles. While the results of these goals remain to be seen, the set a powerful standard for the town.
