My Brain is Telling Me to Litter

 Upstream from the Broderick Boat Ramp, the Sacramento River was infected with the waste of a community.  A rainbow of broken glass shimmered in the mid-summer sun, as I stepped strategically to avoid the litter which covered her banks.  In some areas, I avoided the water fearing I would stumble on a lost murder victim.  Eventually, the rough terrain reinvented itself into mini sand dunes, where fish heads greeted me; their eyes locked in an undiminished gaze as they lay body less, excepting for their spines.  A question sparked my mind: what societal and psychological explanations are there for this epidemic, and what are the long term effects of our perpetuating environmental psychosis.

The boat ramp is just south of the Yolo County Park, in the community of Broderick, which in 1980 was incorporated into the City of West Sacramento. The award for first inhabitant  is given to the Patwin people, a Native American tribe.  The Patwins lived in a sustainable fashion, until the 19th century brought European settlers, illness, arrogance, slavery, and culture and put an end to these people.  The Industrial Revolution, and mass production transformed West Sacramento utterly, evolving the past century into what she is now.  The history section of the cities website proclaims that, "Although the city continues to change and grow even today, its roots are deeply embedded in the community spirit of the past."  So why then is the area so consumed by litter?  Does civic responsibility now include leaving the waste of today for the youth of tomorrow?

A Patwin village.  Notice the sustainable
earthen dwellings, and the close proximity
to  the river and its abundant resources.  Most
importantly, there is no trash!

Responsibility was what was on my mind at the point that our small two man raft pushed off from a relatively less toxic site on the sandy dunes.   Immediately we were confronted by the wake of passing jet skis and boats.  I rigorously cut through the water with my oar, each wave crashing into us and spraying my face with water.  Between each point of impact, I re-lived my walk through the valley of the shadow of trash, wondering why civic responsibility did not outweigh the urge to decimate our communities.

Searching for a clue, I came across a study done in 1969 by Dr. Phillip Zimbardo, which would become the basis for the “broken window” theory.  His website, (Zimbardo.com) lists Dr. Zimbardo  as a 2 time president of the Western Psychological Association, and a Professor of Psychology at NY State University.  According to the Florida State Criminology Department,  Zimbardo left a car with no license plate, and its hood popped open in the Bronx, and Palo Alto, California ( a more affluent area).  The car in the Bronx was ransacked very quickly, however, the one in California remained unscathed.  The professor then smashed one of its windows, and the car in California slowly began resembling the one in the Bronx.  This study from Stanford University proved one point: some crimes such as littering are in fact contagious!  That is to say, once it appears evident that an act has taken place (a shattered window in this case), it is much more likely that similar acts will be repeated by others.  So in the case of the Sacramento River, once the ground became a dustbin for one, it essentially became one for all.  But was that the only aspect of the littering problem, or was I  just scratching the surface?

 Paddling through the waves, under the cloudless blue sky,  I knew that soon the trip would be over, and that I would once again be greeted by the wave of byproducts that tell our story.  5gyres.org, states that 80% of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch comes from our debris on land.  Garbage is absorbed by the flows of wind and water, eventually being taken to the sea, expanding the trash heap. It is impossible to tell the size of the beast, which is above and below water, and spread across the ocean.  Sources put the size of the Pacific patch at ranging from the size of Texas, to the size of the continental United States.  We do know that amassed in the accumulation, is predominently un-biodegradable material that could swish around in the currents of the ocean for eternity.  Estimates on the amount of plastic bottles alone consumed by Americans vary, but recycling-revolution.net says, Americans use 2,500,000 plastic bottles per year.

    I heard a squawking above me and looked up to see a formation of white birds, flying northbound.  They scattered, as Tupac Shakur echoed from a massive sound system supported by a speed boat down river.

"It's time we start makin' some changes.  Lets change the way we live..."

Noticing the consequence of the birds flight path with the music, I wondered how biodiversity was effected by the much heavier problem of litter.  What I found made me sick.

Above:  The 5 oceanic gyres.  Each white oval represents
a patch of garbage.  Below:  Another victim of our garbage
epidemic.  Notice the plastic in its stomach cavity.

In some parts of the ocean, there is more plastic than plankton.  A CNN article by John D. Sutter discusses sea turtles and monk seals, who mistakenly eat floating plastic bags confusing them for jellyfish.  And of course, what story about litter would be complete without mentioning the infamous plastic six pack rings, which traps animals, causing them deformities, or death.  Charles Moore, founder of Agalita, reveals startling information at a presentation he gave at TED, in February 2009.  Moore said that in necropsy's of hundreds of specimens,  1/3 had condensed pollution-full plastic particles in their stomachs.   These fish are the base species for some marine tropic structures, and they feed off of garbage, which pollutes the marine hierarchy.  More startling than plastic filled water samples, were the photographs of rotting bird carcases literally filled with plastics.  Most of this was bottle caps, which elder birds confuse for food and feed their young, but a variety of plastics filled these poor birds stomachs in life, and will continue to litter the ground once the                                    
lifeless body around it decays into dust.


It was Charles Moore who gave me my second, and equally compelling clue: the "throwaway lifestyle."  This term, coined in a 1955 Life Magazine article.  When refering to the flying plasticwares in the photo below, the article reads, "They are all meant to be thrown away after use"  Such things as paper plates, disposable diapers, and "popcorn that pops in its own pan" is discussed in such a fascinating way.  After all, as the article says, "Most of these items are new."  This lifestyle fundamentally became America. We work, we buy, and we throw away, many times for no other reason than perceived obsolescence.  Sure, our lives became somewhat easier with the advent of disposables, but at what cost?  The ecology and aesthetic properties of our land, wildlife, waterways, and oceans are in jeopardy.  The lifestyle promoted in the fifties is no longer acceptable today, as landfills reach capacity.  We have so much garbage that it now fills the shores of uninhabited islands.  We have a mass of garbage that is nearly, if not completely impossible to remedy.  Consuming less, wasting less, and ending littering are the solutions to the problem on land, which intertwines with the problem at sea.  Places like the Yolo County Park need to be preserved in all of their glory, which is presently covered by Kit Kat wrappers and beer bottles.

The time for change had come.  That much had become evident as our raft reached the rivers edge, garbage floating where the water met land.  Tupac became audible again as I opened up my car door.



"You see the old way wasn't workin', so it's on us to do what we gotta do to survive..."

Then it was silent, except for the wind.  A plastic bag flew elegantly through the sky.

3 Ways Hemp Can Ensure Sustainability

The word hemp, brings with it many negative connotations. In the 1930's, William Randolf Hearst carefully, and effectively demonized the plant through his magazine empire, which spanned from the Los Angeles Examiner to the Atlanta Georgian.  This plant has only been illegal since 1937, (except for during WWII, when the government encouraged her growth, in the "Hemp for Victory" campaign.  After serving her purpose, she was once again tossed aside like a $2 hooker to make way for personal agendas.  Hemp fabric has been found dating back to 8000 BC.  The Nina, Pinta,and Santa Maria, utilized hemp rope and mast sails. Presidents Washington, and Jefferson grew hemp, and Benjamin Franklin owned a hemp mill. Unfortunately the intelligence of our ancestors has been overtly destroyed.  According to many sources, including Jack Herer's "The Emperor Wears No Clothes," this was primarily due to racism and corporate lobbying. The encouragement of hemp during WWII, and reports such as a USDA report in 1899, show that this misinterpreted plant with no psychoactive capabilities can help us live more sustainably.

Here are three ways that the legalization of hemp could benefit society, which is only the tip of the green iceberg.




1) To Replace Wood
Cutting down our natural forests is unnessecary!

A home in France, made of a hemp/lime "hempcrete"

Per acre, hemp not only produces about 4 times as much fiber as trees but is also easliy brought back to carrying capacity. Trees take so long to grow to maturity, that it nearly negates the fact that they can be renewed...eventually. Hemp grows like a weed, (because it is one!) reaching maturity in less than a year.  Hemp can be processed to make paper, which is more recyclable, resiliant, and requires less bleaching because of its lighter pulp.
Combining hemp with substances such as sand or lime produces "Hempcrete". This has been said to be 7 times stronger than concrete  Furthermore, it is more earthquake resistant, more insulating, and resists mold. Evidence of this material can be seen in France, where a 6th century bridge still stands, a portrait of ancient hemp architecture.  Recently, the first permitted hemp home was built in Asheville, North Carolina by Hemp Technologies,  (Click Here for their YouTube video).  Ireland, France, the UK, are some countries who actively cultivate hemp for building and insulation.  In France the tradition continues, where a woman named Madam Perrier builds 300 homes a year made from hempcrete.

2) To Reduce Our Carbon Footprint
Hemp can replace such crops as cotton, which require more care and chemicals to produce. These chemicals end up in our waterways, and air, causing health risks and perpetuating environmental, and social injustices. Using a crop like hemp that requires little chemicals, improves the land in which it is planted, requires minimal care, and grows as fast and reliably as any weed does, seems only common sense.
The fibers from the hemp plant have arguably been one of the most influential uses of any plant towards the advancement of mankind as a whole. Rope has been a key use of the hemp plants long since the begining of time, and could still replace synthetics like Nylon, (which stems from petrol based plastic). It is interesting to note that Nylon was created in 1935, and only two years later, after millenia of legality, hemp was banned.  According to David Madera, the Co-Founder of Hemp Technologies, hemp sucks CO2 out of the air, is  very recyclable, and is also biodegradable.

3) For use as a biofuel.

This compares the uses of fossil fuels to biofuels.  You'll notice that biofuel is capable of
supporting the same uses as fossil fuels.

The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs says that hemp can produce about 1.9 to 6 tons of biomass materials per acre, depending on the environment.  Here in America, the University of Connecticut, are in the planning stages of building a refinery which could convert the biomass from the hemp and other plants to create a biofuel.  They expect to be able to harness roughly 200,000 gallons per day.   People who argue against biofuel as a solution to our problem, have a valid point in terms of acreage usage, and the loss of food supply. The hemp plant however, is not a prominent food staple (though it could be used for sustinence), and therefore that risk is avoidable.  Jack Herer also commented on the space issue, saying that if only 6% of the continental United States were dedicated to the cultivation of hemp, it could supply our energy needs on a yearly basis. That land needs not be "farm-able land" either, as hemp can grow in conditions other plants could not.  Hempcar.org (who toured America in a car which ran on hemp biodiesel) says that in using biodiesel, "sulfur emissions are essentially eliminated...carbon monoxide (a poisonous gas) from biodiesel (was) 50 percent lower than carbon monoxide emissions from diesel."  They also say that is decreases particulate matter in the air, emissions of hydrocarbon,  and has little "aquatic toxicity". This product is also far more safe for workers who deal with converting the plant matter into fuel. Compared to the gooey, fossilized, plant-tar that we burn to get us going today, would not it be better to burn a clean fuel, made by plants who have not been fermenting in the earth for billions of years?

These are merely a few ways that hemp is beneficial to humanity.  It is estimated that there are 30,000 or more uses for the hemp plant.  So take some advice from the author of our Declaration of Independence, who said, "Hemp is of the first necessity to the wealth and protection of the country".

Monthly Historical Profile - The Life and Times of John Muir

The slug fest that John Muir engaged in on behalf of nature may never be rivaled. His iconic beard, and well known work in Alaska and California gave him notariety. Almost 100 years after his death, the legend of John Muir continues on, inspiring generations, and giving us insight through his profound thoughts that cause us to rethink the way we think of ourselves, and nature.

John was born on April 21st, in Dunbar, Scotland, where he would live until emigrating to Wisconsin in 1849.  His father, Daniel, was devoutly religious, and insisted that young John recite the bible daily. By the time he was a young boy, John knew the new and most of the old testaments by heart. John's father required his son to work tediously on their farm, however young John craved knowledge. He had begun primary school at the age of 3, but after reaching America, the formal education ceased. With his father's permission, John began waking early to study before his daily chores commenced. In order to wake him at around 1 in the morning, John invented a "rise early machine". This precursor to the alarm clock would tip him out of bed each morning. He later showed this invention, amongst others at the 1861 Wisconsin State Fair, while attending Wisconsin State University. There he studied science. John left school in 1863, after 2 1/2 years, to focus on other ventures. That same year, John went on what the Sierra Club refers to as a "foot tour of Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, and Canada." This travelling bone would be a fundamental part of Muir's life. Before his death, he would have worked, walked, or visited Europe, North America, South America, and Africa. However, had one nearly tragic incident occured, this may have never been possible.

While in Canada in 1867, an accident at the factory he was employed at caused John to loose his eyesight for months. He vowed that if his blindness subceeded he would "(Study) the inventions of God". Little did he know, that his existence would save many of these "inventions" from the proverbial way of the dinosaurs. After recovering in a bed for months, he did what any rational person would do: walked a thousand miles to Florida. His first great expedition, and it nearly proved fatal, when he contracted malaria. This didn't deter him though. In 1868, John landed in the San Francisco Bay, and met the place he would call home for the next 46 years. The great state of California. He moved to Yosemite in the spring of 1868, and spent the next 6 years studying the environment there detailing his observations in both scientific and personal journals. In his book, The Mountains of California, John described the Sierra Nevada mountain range as, "The most divinely beautiful of all the mountain chains". That is truly saying something, coming from this man of nature.

Muir Glacier (Right 1941, Left 2004)

Alaska held a special place in John's heart. He launched a total of 7 expeditions to the area, and discovered the now immensely receding Muir Glacier. It was no doubt the time he spent in Alaska, that convinced him that glacier intrusion during the Ice Age caused the enticing landscape of the Yosemite Valley. This thoery was widely discredited during the time, however is now believed to have been the catalyst which gorged out the natural scheme of the valley. His first trip to Alaska was in 1879, after returning from this trip in 1880, he married Louie Wanda Strentzel. John would later have two children with Louie, Wanda and Helen,born in 1881 and 1886 respectively. That same year, John returned to Alaska where he explored the Glacier Bay region, detailing his voyage in 1909's Stickeen and 1915's Travels In Alaska. Click Here for a list of all of John's published works.

   Along with other scholars, and conservationists John formed the Sierra Club in 1893. According to their website, the Sierra Club was established to "explore, enjoy, and render accessible the mountain regions of the Pacific coast; to publish authentic information concerning them..." Furthermore they strive to put pressure on the federal government in order to preserve nature, especially the Sierra Nevadas. The Sierra Club remains strong to this day, still working on correcting environmental issues that we face, with the tenacity of their hero and co-founder.

Teddy Roosevelt and John Muir in Yosemite, c. 1903

The Yosemite National Park would not be what it is today had John Muir not made it his personal mission to preserve it. The valley, though protected, was still experiencing degradation in the forms of logging and over grazing of the commons by livestock. Ken Burns' documentary The National Parks: America's Best Idea. details his travels with Theodore Roosevelt in 1903. According to Burns' documentary, Theodore Roosevelt himself requested that the aging "Father of the National Parks" (as Muir is sometimes called today), guide him through Yosemite. After their caravan, guarded by 30 buffalo soldiers reached the lush canopies of their destination, they took a picture at the Grizzly Giant. Shortly thereafter, the masses of journalists, soldiers, politicians, (the Governor of California and Attorney General were alongside Teddy), and everyone else began their way to a reception hall for a dinner in honor of the President. The President, however had other plans. He snuck away from the crowd and left with John and a guide for a 3 day camping trip. The men discussed Yosemite, and National Parks in depth, along with John's glacial theory of how the valley was sculpted. When they awoke on the last day of their trip, their was a light covering of snow. Theodore Roosevelt was reported to have exclaimed, "This has been the greatest day of my life!". Yosemite was no longer in danger of over grazing or logging. It was preserved. John Muir had won the battle, but the war dragged on

John Muir was a stout preservationist.  At times, friendships even took back seat to the continuance of nature's beauty. When controversy sparked surrounding the damming of the Hetch Hetchy Valley (a part of Yosemite National Park), John and his Sierra Club boys were on the front line against Congress passing legislation permitting construction of the dam and flooding of the valley. On the opposite side of this heated debate was Gifford Pinchot, John Muir's friend and fellow environmentalist. Gifford was the 4th Chief of the Division of Forestry, and the 1st Chief of the Forest Service. In contrast to John, Gifford was a conservationist, believing that resources in nature should be used to meet our demands, but that they should also be ensured for future generations. This ruined the relationship between the two, and fundamentally split environmentalism. John Muir lost the battle, when Congress signed the needed legislation in 1913. The dam was completed in 1923.

A self portrait

John wouldn't live to see this. On December 24th, 1914 at the age of 76, John Muir passed away from pneumonia in a Los Angeles Hospital. Far from where it can by assumed he would have wanted to spend his final days, resting in the bosom of his beloved Yosemite. John proceeded his wife Louie in death by 8 years.

When all is said and done, John Muir defined the spirit of environmentalism. His deeply held convictions set him apart from many other individuals then, or today. That is exactly why we must (and do) celebrate the life of this naturalist, philosopher, scientist, and author. It goes to show you how much of a difference one voice can make.

Our Lust for Consumption Is Killing Us

The political machine is oiled with the blood of nature and the exploited worker. Our whole lifestyle is dependent on over consumption and the massive destruction on the only place that we can call home. In his ever depressing profile of the world and mankind's tragic treatment of the planet, biodiversity, each other, James Gustave Speth has graphs showing the corelation between happiness and average income (amongst other things). According to these, the United States fluxuates the most between the two other countries represented, (Japan, and the UK). American happiness shows somewhat of a corelation during certain years, however as it draws closer to today, the wage increases, but the happiness level is declining. Wait a minute...did I just insinuate that money is not synonimous with happiness? YES. Money only leads to wrong-doing and stress, which Speth says is also increasing as the years pass, (once again alongside increasing wages).

Though you may not want to believe it, you and I live in a spoiled society. It is to the point that our luxuries, are now viewed as nessecities. We often times say, "I need this," when we mean, "I want this". This thinking leads to overconsumption, and it is this thinking that is the gravedigger, who at this point has dug about 5 feet deep. With all of the luxuries that we have, one may forget that there are people who struggle for basic needs such as water and food. Folks in Bolivia for example, lived off of $2 per day, and were charged 1/4 of their monthly income for water.bsp;These people, and the downtroden in our own country starve or die in the streets, while the upper class have enough money to own palaces, and private jets. The world seems to have always been and will always be so... Why do some people have this thirst for acquisition, over their fellow man, and over our shared planet? Don't they realize that if we can't live on this Earth, than neither can they?

Most of us, being brought up in a society such that promotes competition and economic edge,are at some point or another are guilty of over-consumption. It is engrained in our blood, just like apple pie and baseball. In The Shaping of America Vol. 3, by Page Smith, she says that in the years following the Revolutionary War, "...the moral fiber of the American people...showed a distressing tendency to concern themselves with material matters to the exclusion of their civic duties." Now, put this in the context of today. Do you see any simalarities? How could we have come so far, only to become a lap dog for money, consumption, envy, and greed. Our crime rates are what they are because the mentality of our society. We are nothing more than our weakest link, and there are many links already broken, and sleeping in the park tonight.
The corporation owns the media, the government, and worst of all: most of us. They perpetuate this never ending want to obtain more and more junk that we don't need. According to The Story of Stuff, 99% of the products that we purchase, we do not have in 6 months. Instead it ends up one of the countless landfills across the globe. It seems time to me, that corporate lobbying and this obsession for wealth and accumulation need to cease all together. It is not money, which puts breath into our lungs. It is not our economic status that causes our heart to pump. No, all in all, wealth is not so important. Until we can all see that, I fear that we are doomed to find ourselves lost scrambling under an inevitably setting sun.