Roses are an enduring Valentine's gift.
Aphrodite was the goddess of love in Greek mythology. According to some stories, the falling of her blood led to the first red rose.
The modern story of rose production also comes with a dark side. In Kenya, conditions for workers, the majority of them women, have long been a concern of human-rights activists. Sexual harassment, underpayment and overwork are reported as common problems.
Megan Styles, a Springfield native and professor at University of Illinois Springfield, explores the ethics, ecology and economy of rose production in her book recently released by University of Washington Press, Roses from Kenya.
In addition to an exploration of controversial labor practices, the book is also about a lake and the confluence of wildlife, commerce, power and politics surrounding it.
Styles became interested in the issue while a graduate student at the University of Washington where she was working toward her doctorate and came upon the topic, which combined her interests in Eastern Africa, ecology and ethnography.
"I literally Googled Kenya, environment and agriculture. And I came up with all of these really sensational articles in the BBC News and mainly the U.K. newspapers about Kenyan flower farming and the horrible labor conditions." She realized there was potential for a lesser-explored area of research on the environmental impacts of the industry.
In the U.S. market, many flowers sold come from South America. Styles suggests consumers ask questions about their origins if they harbor concerns about the ethical implications of the flowers they buy. As her book points out, consumer activism has been a key to bettering conditions and shining a spotlight on the practices in Kenya.
This story appeared in the Illinois Times on Feb. 13, 2020.
Read the entire article online.
Showing posts with label Environment;. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Environment;. Show all posts
Thursday, February 13, 2020
Monday, May 7, 2018
Lake Springfield trash pick-up can improve drinking water
Saturday, the Lake Shore Improvement Association spent the morning picking up around Lake Springfield.
It's their annual clean-up day, but they say it means more than just beautifying the area. It's a place for fun and fishing, but there's a problem with Lake Springfield. "There's always debris,” said John Aiello, Lake Shore Improvement Association Clean-Up Day Chairman.
Dozens joined the Association's to pick up trash through the morning.
Anne-Marie Hanson of the University of Illinois Springfield was there to help. "Trying to get an idea of the plastic pollution and overall marine litter in central Illinois water ways,” said Hanson.
Hanson came with Tom Rothfus to help in the clean-up, learn about pollutants, and raise awareness. Rothfus is the Director to the Therkildsen Field Station. "A lot of these things, the plastics in particular, just don't go away,” said Rothfus. “They continue to break down they get smaller and smaller and find ways to cause problems with filtration systems, getting into drinking water other issues like that, and so we really need to make people aware that what they're doing every day is having an impact of how they're living their life later on."
They specialize in environmental studies and work to connect UIS with lake concerns. “We're finding chunks of plastic in there and I don't think people realize how big of an impact this has,” said Rothfus. “And how it can trickle up the system and affect us."
Volunteers picked up garbage to prevent it from getting in the lake.
This story aired on Fox 55 Illinois on May 5, 2018.
Watch the story online.
It's their annual clean-up day, but they say it means more than just beautifying the area. It's a place for fun and fishing, but there's a problem with Lake Springfield. "There's always debris,” said John Aiello, Lake Shore Improvement Association Clean-Up Day Chairman.
Dozens joined the Association's to pick up trash through the morning.
Anne-Marie Hanson of the University of Illinois Springfield was there to help. "Trying to get an idea of the plastic pollution and overall marine litter in central Illinois water ways,” said Hanson.
Hanson came with Tom Rothfus to help in the clean-up, learn about pollutants, and raise awareness. Rothfus is the Director to the Therkildsen Field Station. "A lot of these things, the plastics in particular, just don't go away,” said Rothfus. “They continue to break down they get smaller and smaller and find ways to cause problems with filtration systems, getting into drinking water other issues like that, and so we really need to make people aware that what they're doing every day is having an impact of how they're living their life later on."
They specialize in environmental studies and work to connect UIS with lake concerns. “We're finding chunks of plastic in there and I don't think people realize how big of an impact this has,” said Rothfus. “And how it can trickle up the system and affect us."
Volunteers picked up garbage to prevent it from getting in the lake.
This story aired on Fox 55 Illinois on May 5, 2018.
Watch the story online.
Monday, April 16, 2018
UIS students to clean-up litter around Lake Springfield
University of Illinois Springfield students are surveying and cleaning along the shoreline of Lake Springfield.
Students from Environmental Studies classes will spend Thursday picking up litter along the shoreline as part of a class project.
They plan to study the trash to determine how contaminants could impact the lake's ecosystem.
Students will also be conducting the same survey at Thompson Lake in May along the Illinois River in Fulton County.
They will be using the UIS Therkildsen Field Station at Emiquon to conduct their research.
This story aired on WAND TV on April 12, 2018.
Read the story online.
Students from Environmental Studies classes will spend Thursday picking up litter along the shoreline as part of a class project.
They plan to study the trash to determine how contaminants could impact the lake's ecosystem.
Students will also be conducting the same survey at Thompson Lake in May along the Illinois River in Fulton County.
They will be using the UIS Therkildsen Field Station at Emiquon to conduct their research.
This story aired on WAND TV on April 12, 2018.
Read the story online.
Thursday, January 11, 2018
New Student Union: Commitment to Environmental Excellence
Environmental considerations were fundamental in the design of the University of Illinois Springfield Student Union.
Key elements include a green roof, energy efficiency, use of recycled and sustainable building materials, native plants for landscaping, and seeking LEED Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.
The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating and certification system is the industry’s gold-standard for the design and construction of environmentally sustainable buildings that incorporate strategies to reduce energy and water usage, promote better indoor air quality and improve the quality of life of the building’s occupants.
Chuck Coderko is the Associate Chancellor of Administrative Affairs, Facilities and Services at UIS. He oversaw and led the university’s efforts in the design and construction of the building. He says, “A LEED certification is a highly sought-after achievement for newly constructed buildings and large renovation projects on the UIS campus. Environmentally friendly practices have huge benefits for UIS. The role higher education institutions play in environmental stewardship can have a significant impact today and in future generations. The education and habits we can pass onto the students, facility, staff and surrounding community on how to live a more sustainable life can significantly reduce the environmental impact society as a whole has on the environment.”
Coderko says that environmental benefits realized by building “green” sustainable buildings and facilities have been measured and proven to provide several tangible and non-tangible benefits to a community. Sustainable buildings help to preserve our environment and avoid the depletion of the earth’s natural resources. They also help to reduce operating costs, optimize the life cycle of the building, increase property values, improve the comfort and health of building occupants, improve workers’ attendance and productivity, minimize strain on local infrastructure and create an aesthetically pleasing environment.
The living vegetated roof is a significant design feature of the building, which will be visible from various locations.
A rainwater reclamation system will reduce storm runoff and eliminate water irrigation.
Twenty percent of the building is constructed with recycled materials.
The lighting system is highly efficient, and design features take advantage of natural and ambient light.
This story appeared in The Illinois Times on January 11, 2018.
Read the entire article online.
Key elements include a green roof, energy efficiency, use of recycled and sustainable building materials, native plants for landscaping, and seeking LEED Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.
The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating and certification system is the industry’s gold-standard for the design and construction of environmentally sustainable buildings that incorporate strategies to reduce energy and water usage, promote better indoor air quality and improve the quality of life of the building’s occupants.
Chuck Coderko is the Associate Chancellor of Administrative Affairs, Facilities and Services at UIS. He oversaw and led the university’s efforts in the design and construction of the building. He says, “A LEED certification is a highly sought-after achievement for newly constructed buildings and large renovation projects on the UIS campus. Environmentally friendly practices have huge benefits for UIS. The role higher education institutions play in environmental stewardship can have a significant impact today and in future generations. The education and habits we can pass onto the students, facility, staff and surrounding community on how to live a more sustainable life can significantly reduce the environmental impact society as a whole has on the environment.”
Coderko says that environmental benefits realized by building “green” sustainable buildings and facilities have been measured and proven to provide several tangible and non-tangible benefits to a community. Sustainable buildings help to preserve our environment and avoid the depletion of the earth’s natural resources. They also help to reduce operating costs, optimize the life cycle of the building, increase property values, improve the comfort and health of building occupants, improve workers’ attendance and productivity, minimize strain on local infrastructure and create an aesthetically pleasing environment.
The living vegetated roof is a significant design feature of the building, which will be visible from various locations.
A rainwater reclamation system will reduce storm runoff and eliminate water irrigation.
Twenty percent of the building is constructed with recycled materials.
The lighting system is highly efficient, and design features take advantage of natural and ambient light.
This story appeared in The Illinois Times on January 11, 2018.
Read the entire article online.
Monday, September 25, 2017
Researchers to study pulmonary disorders in Sangamon County
Researchers will use grant money to study Sangamon County neighborhoods to determine those with high levels of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
The State Journal-Register reports that researchers hope to have results from the central Illinois study by March.
They hope local hospitals will use the results to target certain neighborhoods for educational efforts and give doctors strategies for reducing health complications from the conditions.
The results also can be used in proposals for larger grants to fund more health interventions.
The University of Illinois Springfield says that Sangamon County has among the highest numbers of emergency department visits for the conditions in Illinois.
Scientists from the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, SIU Edwardsville and the University of Illinois Springfield are involved with the study.
This story aired on Fox Illinois on September 24, 2017.
Watch the story online.
The State Journal-Register reports that researchers hope to have results from the central Illinois study by March.
They hope local hospitals will use the results to target certain neighborhoods for educational efforts and give doctors strategies for reducing health complications from the conditions.
The results also can be used in proposals for larger grants to fund more health interventions.
The University of Illinois Springfield says that Sangamon County has among the highest numbers of emergency department visits for the conditions in Illinois.
Scientists from the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, SIU Edwardsville and the University of Illinois Springfield are involved with the study.
This story aired on Fox Illinois on September 24, 2017.
Watch the story online.
Monday, September 18, 2017
New UIS building is going green
The roof of the new student union building at the University of Illinois Springfield is going green.
The university is starting planting succulents on the roof this week. "You don't need a lot of deep roots for a succulent so they really take care of themselves," Student Union Executive Director Ann Comerford said.
"If you put grasses or wildflowers there's a lot more care and they won't actually do the work that you need a green roof to do."
According to research from Michigan State University, green roofs have multiple benefits including helping the environment, conserve energy and can save money.
The green roof is expected to be completed next week.
The Student Union is scheduled to open in January of 2018.
This story aired on Fox Illinois on September 15, 2017.
Watch the story online.
The university is starting planting succulents on the roof this week. "You don't need a lot of deep roots for a succulent so they really take care of themselves," Student Union Executive Director Ann Comerford said.
"If you put grasses or wildflowers there's a lot more care and they won't actually do the work that you need a green roof to do."
According to research from Michigan State University, green roofs have multiple benefits including helping the environment, conserve energy and can save money.
The green roof is expected to be completed next week.
The Student Union is scheduled to open in January of 2018.
This story aired on Fox Illinois on September 15, 2017.
Watch the story online.
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