In chapter 11, Belton describes the rivers and watersheds in New Jersey, and how they have been treated in the past. I am going to be honest, this chapter was pretty confusing to understand, so I may have not comprehended everything correctly. The vocabulary used was more extensive scientific than the other chapters, and I found myself passively reading instead of actively reading for this reason. However, I was able to understand that the testing of these water sources were not always the best, and were not done to the best ability as it should have been. In addition, regulating watersheds became difficult, as there was confusion on if the state or federal government was in charge, related to the Clean Water Act of 1972. This act gave the Environmental Protection Agency the power to implement pollution control for the country's water sources.
As an avid water drinker, I have to be careful on where the water that I drink comes from. I do not drink from the tap near school, and more specifically, the Passaic River, as it is not the cleanest it could be. However, I do drink tap water when I am near home, and I rely on filtered or bottled water everywhere else. Water is beautiful and delicious, but only if it is clear from pollutants and other inedible components.
0 Comments
In Chapter 8, Belton discusses the importance of environmental justice in the brownfield areas of Camden. Although I have never personally gone to Camden, I have heard that it is not the cleanest city in the world, and the people are not the nicest. However, I would love to go to the city to make my own judgement. Belton explains how the state of New Jersey used their power over the people to displace them from their homes. Yes of course, there is the option for payment for these properties, it is never good to force someone from where they live, especially in a city like Camden. A good portion of the people who live here live around the poverty line, so finding alternative housing can be extremely difficult.
Reading this made me think of my town when construction is done. They use their power to take away land from homeowners to build on it, even when it is not necessary. Sometimes, they take entire houses away, and give compensation in return. However, it can be hard to find a new place to live, as the compensation is not always fair, or for other reasons. The people of my hometown are not as impoverished as the people of Camden, but it is still wrong for the town or state to do, especially when the reasons for doing so are minuscule. |
Rebecca MarcinkoJunior at Seton Hall University, studying Elementary Special Education, Environmental Studies, and Applied Behavioral Analysis. Archives
May 2018
Categories |