Science & Outdoors
Environmental Issues, Investigation, and Action class takes lead on multiple environmental topics
The Pointer
bhaig870@uwsp.edu
Environmental Issues, Investigation and Action, also known as natural resources 705, taught by Professor Joe Passineau is creating more action and awareness on the environmental front.
Students come up with environmental issues that they would like to investigate individually, then form groups and pick out the major issues to tackle. Issues include electronic waste, mountain top removal for coal, bike sharing, downtown renovation and local food.
Class members Ann Lindner and Amy Drum are currently in a group working on e-waste, or electronic waste, which is a loose category of surplus, obsolete, broken or discarded electrical or electronic devices.
“Right now what we’re finding is that most people don’t know what to do with their old electronics. They’re either just storing them in their house or putting them into landfills,” said Lindner.
This electronic waste can leak toxic substances like mercury, cadmium and chromium that can cause developmental problems in children and lead to cancer.
Part of the action that Lindner and Drum have done is appealing to local legislation as well as state government. Currently, there is a bill going through the Wisconsin Senate Environment Committee (SB 107) which will keep toxic electronics out of landfills by requiring that producers of electronic waste collect and properly dispose of video display devices once they are no longer wanted by consumers.
“It’s been a really good class to have all semester to look in-depth at one issue and actually follow through with research and background info and take action,” said Lindner.
Electronic waste was first recognized on campus this fall when Amanda Dent, a senior majoring in waste management, received a $6,000 UW System student research grant to assess the amount of electronic waste being dumped into regional landfills by students, faculty and staff.
Dent plans to continue her efforts at the end of spring semester when students begin to leave the residence halls, holding a second collection of electronic waste at the 13 residence halls and the greater campus.
