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Show Kural People are orking tor vjkzz Xy Environment All Across Utah Can we maintain a harmoniously functioning function-ing aethetically appealing ap-pealing natural world? That question is being seriously considered as we witness gradual decay de-cay of the environment. The answer depends upon what we do or fail to do each day in our immediate sur -foundings. This is just as true in rural communi -lies as it is in urban areas where the congestion conges-tion of people makes the environmental quality problems more obv ious. 'I he term environmental environ-mental fjuality generally implies wholesomeness or harmony of one's immediate im-mediate living space. We would ask ourselves, "Is the area in which we live a healthful place and one that provides for our needs and enhances happiness hap-piness and well being?" Such environmental awareness implies a basic ba-sic understanding of ecology. This assumes that we understand the basic interrelatedness and interdependence that all living things have with one another and with the physical world in which they exist. When we hwik at the negative side of environmental envir-onmental quality we usually are talking about various forms of pollution pol-lution and environmental environmen-tal degradation. Quite often this involves "creeping" or "accumulative" "accumu-lative" decay or poisoning poison-ing of the water, air. and soil, that are needed to support life. Most environmental deterioration deteri-oration that we see is resulting from man's abuse. His overuse or misuse of his part of the natural world upset up-set or places in imbalance im-balance the natural recycling re-cycling and cleansing systems of nature. The of both solid and chemical chem-ical wastes? Are there major air pollution problems in the area that we should recognize recog-nize and take part in obtaining col l ective action? atmosphere, the water in its cycle, and the soil each is limited in the amount of degrading inputs it can stand before be-fore the system becomes be-comes out of balance and chain reactions of undesirable changes occur. oc-cur. I nfor tunately , such changes may take many years to correct; in some cases they may be nearly i rrev ersable. What can the average citizen do to correct some of our rural en-v en-v i ronmental problems? First, we might surest that he recognize and realistically assess actions ac-tions or situations that adversely effect our environment. en-vironment. He can sharpen shar-pen his abilities to do this by studying and learning more about how man fits into nature and its life support systems. We call this "environmental "environ-mental education," such a program can fit beautifully beau-tifully into our public school system. What specific corrective cor-rective measures can we lake in our communities commun-ities after we come to recognize and under stand environmental quality problems in general? gen-eral? We should examine exam-ine all forms of pollution pollu-tion problems both rationally ra-tionally and constructively construct-ively with the desire to work cooperatively toward to-ward realistic solutions. solu-tions. Beginning "at home." let's ask ourselves our-selves a few questions for introspection. What are we as individuals doing to increase orde-crease orde-crease air pollution? Do we use our cars excessively? exces-sively? Are we burning our trash or ditch banks? Are we excessively exces-sively and improperly using pesticides? Do we have local industries or community facilities that need to reduce smoke stack emission Are we doing what is possible toeliminate local lo-cal water pollution problems? Are our water purification and sewage treatment svs-tems svs-tems adequate and functioning? func-tioning? Local health officials of-ficials can help here. VV'C A.- Extension forest and outdoor recreation specialist, spec-ialist, Carl M. Johnson, Utah State University says plants, among other interdependent living things, play a vital part in the harmony of nature that enhances our happiness. Tests are easily made on water supplies for excessive bacteria, silt, etc. 'I he water we use should come to our homes clean and pure. After its use it should be returned to the natural nat-ural supply just as clean as when it was received. 'Ihis isn't impossible. Are we doing all that is practical andpossiUe to avoid the pollution of our soil, which is the very base from which we get our food? To avoid such pollution, good soil management must be practiced to prevent erosion and extreme ex-treme care must be exercised ex-ercised in the application applica-tion of pesticides, both insecticides and herbicides. herbi-cides. Without this care the benefits derived from the process may be completely overshadowed overshad-owed by the long lasting damage that may be inflicted. in-flicted. Solid waste disposal presents another very definite environmental problem for our rural communities. Since scattered open trash dumps and dumps per iodically Subjerl--j lt burrung are not sati-f sati-f a c to ry , e r y c o m mu r( -ity, no matter ho small, should aim V operate ar.d manage, j-r, effective sol.d - waste d . s po sal s ;. s t e r.n . '. a r i -o u s a p p h'. i'j r. s o f t-h '-sanitary '-sanitary -J and i.'.l .;. s-tern s-tern can be adapted to most rural sitat.or.s. Also, we don't want to o '. e r oo r. g e r. e r a J beauty and aesthetics as we cor. side r env ironmental iron-mental quality. Following Follow-ing are a few suggestions suggest-ions for natural improvement im-provement of the aesthetics aes-thetics of our area. Aim to maintain or restore the natural vegetative components. Strive tj correct general un-sightliness. un-sightliness. Ask ourselves. our-selves. "How do we look? How many gaudy or ineffective signs are posted around? Is the area littered? Are our buildings neatly painted and in a good state of repair? Are all of our standing trees alive and healthy or do they need trimming or to be removed? re-moved? Are old orchards or-chards left to decay and provide t,r e-C.' ; p. a'-, for a :.tz". .'-'. -.': Are o - r f e - ' e r n v a ' d d. ' ' (- r '-.'. . Y o -' P..".-;-? Are ad-'. .-o .-o s r r . . U d a ' d rr. a . . t, ' f-d . '. ' ' " . rr -r . . ' r e . a a - a ' d ': ' ... rr - ''"" 7 e :.,"(-r f.e '-' - i o r rr. o '. c e . c . ;. c ;. . r r s o r e . r- r ' . c" (-. . r -' s.'hl c rc-i s . J'ei.j . to irrp.". .e e tr.-. j.'or.rr.e'.: fit rr. ir.es up 'zi.:iz irg spce. we fcirh s.r.o;d f.rst "p -t cr c '. hojse in order' fcy cor-rect.rg cor-rect.rg and ;..prov .'g our own mist-ires and slt-.it. ors. Then we can effectively joi.-.g w;--uthers in rr.ar.ir.g ih.e j'. erall corr.m jr.lty ef-'"ort ef-'"ort a real success, -"ir.ally. let's resolve to ive with our natural orld with as little 'stirring" or modification modifica-tion as necessary. This is a great world. If we do our part to keep it that way we can have the environmental chalky chal-ky desired and w:l, promote pro-mote more happiness and harmony for t.'c whole of mankind. |