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Show 4 Thursday February 16, 2012 OPINION www.dailyutahchronicle.corn .v■ittLuS oz/14f2617. WILLUS BRANHAM/The Daily Utah Chronicle SLC suffering from pollution Lighting the way to a U needs governmentfunds, will to implement better emission control sparkling night sky W 0 ien looking at the Salt Lake night sky, one can't help but wonder — where did all the stars go? Light pollution should make us wary about health, government expenditures and, most importantly, our imagination. The astronomer Carl Sagan once said, "Dreams are maps." If we don't have access to these sparks of inspiration, we cannot dream, and we lose our cosmic sense of direction, which diminishes our creativity. There are many types of light pollution in the city. Most of this pollution originates from excessive use, both on individual and institutional levels. An ominous, misty glow above the horizon is caused by light entering the atmosphere. Light pollution is ubiquitous in the city. The root problem here is unneeded light, which can stem from protruding fast-food light signs seen downtown to street lamps. Although seemingly harmless at first glance, wasted light has been known to cause certain forms of cancer to those who work or live around areas of light pollution, according to Medical News Today. Furthermore, needless light ends up costing the national government s5 billion to $10 billion annually. Most importantly, however, light pollution blocks out the night sky, denying us the capacity to stargaze and immerse ourselves in other worlds. For this reason alone, students should be motivated to take action and rally against light pollution. "Why is it that our night skies are important enough for people to drive miles and miles to enjoy, but somehow it's not Staft"Writer important to connect to the solar system from one's balcony, backyard or street corner?" said Stephen Goldsmith, a professor of city and metropolitan planning. "Some of us actually hear the sucking sound of coal being extracted in Emery County when we see the night lights — we see the faces of coal miners, feel the anxiety of their families rather than see a romantic, city night-skyline. Try listening to the electric night lights with all of your senses and sensibilities some time, then reflect on the sound of a pure starlit, moonlit night sky. The contrast can connect one to the heavens, or hell." Thankfully, there are some effortless solutions to this problem we can all initiate immediately. They include turning off lights when nobody is present and installing longer-lasting, cheaper and low-wattage light bulbs. We can also contact our local, provincial, state and national leaders about this adverse phenomenon. The cost-benefit analysis is decidedly one-sided. By simply using common sense in our daily uses of light appliances, we would be able to ensure our future health, decrease wasted governmental money and explore the cosmos and our celestial imaginations. letters@chronicle.utah.edu OCUL 4Y Is the U doing its part to reduce the pollution in Salt Lake City? ( n Jan. 31, Gov. Gary Herbert stood surrounded by people to announce his clean air initiative, U-CAIR. Though it's been about three weeks since the launch date, how the initiative will be implemented, what effect it will have, and how important it really is remain to be seen. At the U, it's time to make progress as well, but we need support from the government. "Over the last several years we have been replacing old, inefficient, higher-emitting combustion equipment with new, low-emitting equipment," said Judy Moran, environmental manager at the Office of Environmental Health and Safety. "We have also been renovating, retrofitting and retro-commissioning existing buildings to improve their energy efficiency." The U recently signed on to the "Better Buildings Challenge" through the U.S. Department of Energy and has also been recognized as third in the nation as a "green power partner," according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The U seems to be doing its part, maybe even a little extra, but it's not OK to slack off. "There is currently a study under way to replace one of MARK PITTMAN StaffWriter our very old boilers ... with a more efficient, ultra-lowemitting boiler," Moran said. "Once all three boilers are replaced, our lower-campus high-temperature water plant will be one of the cleanest sources of heating in the state of Utah ... In the long run, the benefits outweigh the cost." Moran said all boilers will be replaced in the next five to io years, even though the equipment has already reached the end of its expected useful life. It's past time. The governor should see the U as a way to implement his initiative while saving the U money and lowering emissions. Moran said the problem is funding. However, since Utah has received notice from the EPA to get emissions under control, the governor seems ready to tackle the issue decisively. The matter before the EPA is rather simple. The state must submit a plan to the Cast your vote online at www.dailyutahchronicle.corn • Yes • No • It's not the U's responsibility • Pollution in Salt Lake is not a problem ■•■ EPA by December because of the excess of fine particulate matter in Utah's air. "This is the stuff that gets deep into our lungs and causes respiratory illnesses," Moran said. "By December 2013, the state has to begin to implement elements of the State Implementation Plan, and by 2019 Utah has to be in attainment of the standard." This is a cut-and-dried case — the governor wants lower emissions, the EPA says Utah has to reduce the particulate matter in the air, and the U needs to replace crumbling infrastructure that has already run its course. Just do it. A lack of funding might be the bureaucratic answer to the problem here, but the real issue is will. Will we demand cleaner air from our government and its institutions? Will we demand safer, cleaner, cheaper ways of providing for the energy needs of our campus? Or will we sit back and wait as the bureaucracy takes its course? It's time to put the governor and the Legislature on notice that the U is ready to do more than its fair share in cleaning the air, and it's time for it to put its money where its mouth is. letters@chronicle.utah.edu Last week respondents voted on the poll: Are you disappointed that the Patriots lost the Super Bowl? No 43% (26) There was a Super Bowl? 30% (1 8) The Super Bowl is just an excuse to party! 15% (9) Total number of votes: 60 Yes 12% (7) |