Meeting discusses global warming
Staff reporter
Armadillos, polar bears, and asthma.
These are the signs of global warming. And, yes, Virginia, there is evidence of global warming in Kansas.
According to the Kansas Chapter of the Sierra Club, if something isn't done in the next 10 years, it may be too late.
Charles Benjamin, Ph.D., J.D., attorney and spokesman for the Kansas club, presented information Thursday evening to more than 40 people at Marion Senior Center about issues related to greenhouse gases and global warming.
The information Benjamin presented was provided by the Sierra Club.
"We're alarmed about what's unfolding in Kansas," Benjamin said, as he referred to the development of numerous coal-fired electrical generating plants.
Benjamin, who resides in Lawrence, taught political science and environment classes at Bethel College in Newton.
He explained that large quantities of carbon dioxide (CO2) are being released in the air because of the burning of fossil fuel causing a greenhouse effect. In turn, this is causing global warming.
"Polar bears are drowning because Arctic icecaps are melting," he explained. Bears swim from icecap to icecap. As the icecaps melt, the bears can no longer make it to a safe haven to rest, and ultimately drown.
"Eventually, the bears will become extinct," Benjamin said.
Eskimos are trying to find a word in their dialect for "robin" because for the first time, the warm-weather birds are migrating further north.
Armadillos, primarily seen in southern states, now have migrated as far as Lawrence. This, too, is due to weather changes caused by global warming.
Benjamin referred to a "tipping point" when cause and affect collide. Some believe it is a mere 10 years away. Others are more skeptical.
"Some scientists believe we're already at that tipping point and it's too late to do anything," he said.
So, what if the planet warms up? How will that affect Kansans?
This is the number one issue because it affects everything, Benjamin said.
"You can move away from water pollution, you can move away from air pollution but you can't move away from global warming," Benjamin said.
Decisions made now will affect the lives of future generations.
Concerns about coal
There are five coal-fired electrical plants proposed in Kansas, and a total of 150 plants in the U.S.
Benjamin said burning coal increases greenhouse gases. Fine particles of coal drift in the air which affect the ozone and could increase the mortality rate. The ozone level aggravates asthma, and mercury fallout could threaten pregnant women and their unborn babies.
Have you noticed that more people are being diagnosed with asthma? Benjamin asked. He said it was due to carbon dioxide and the reduction of the ozone layer.
Mercury issues also are surfacing with some areas warning people, particularly pregnant women, not to eat fresh water fish because of the potential of mercury poisoning.
Kansas Department of Health and Environment warned consumers earlier this year about certain waterways and specific fish or aquatic life which could be contaminated.
None of the eight waterways named in the January report were in or near Marion County.
The Sierra Club is most concerned about one particular coal plant, Sunflower Electric at Holcomb.
"This is going to be the largest source of greenhouse gases in the U.S.," Benjamin said. Thirteen tons of CO2 will be emitted per year.
Mercury contamination could affect eastern Kansas because of the weather pattern of increased rainfall and urban ozone level.
Dry weather in Holcomb, where the mercury would be emitted, could cause mercury vapors to drift toward Marion County, Benjamin said.
The majority of the power produced at the Holcomb plant would be transmitted out-of-state, primarily to Colorado.
It takes water — lots of it — to operate a coal-fired plant. The water is boiled, which heats and pulverizes the coal. Steam is created and that's what turns the turbines in the plant. Colorado does not have as ample a supply as Kansas.
Plans are to use the Ogallala Aquifer. About eight billion gallons of water per year will be needed.
"Developers claim there won't be any more pollution than from corn growers," Benjamin said, others say not true.
The difference between the energy plant and corn fields is the energy plant will produce electricity, and pollution, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Corn crops are planted in cycles with rest periods.
Solutions
The ultimate solution to global warming is to become a more efficient county, state, and country.
"Kansas ranks last in energy efficiency offerings from utilities," Benjamin said.
The suggestion of using energy-saving light bulbs is a first step. Ninety percent of the energy from a regular light bulb produces heat, not light. A 100-watt energy-efficient bulb uses the same amount of energy as a 25-watt bulb, Benjamin said. Consumers also will notice a drastic reduction in their electrical bill.
He also suggested getting rid of old refrigerators which use compressors.
"Don't just move them to the garage, get rid of them," Benjamin said.
Another energy option is to harvest the wind.
"These are not your grandma and grandpa's windmills," Benjamin said.
Community wind farms are a viable option rather than corporate-owned because cities, counties, and other organized entities could control the location, customer base, and profit margin.
"It's possible for entities in Marion County to erect and own turbines and sell excess to others," Benjamin said. He suggested 50 turbines be purchased and erected.
"Tens of billions of dollars are spent for development of pollutants but not for renewable energy," he said.
