Pittsburgh and the Environment

Admittedly, I’m not an environmentalist. To be honest, I’m not too concerned with environmental issues, or not as concerned as I should be. I do understand the importance and I appreciate a healthy environment, especially now that I have a daughter, but I just don’t have the time. I know, likely excuse. But it’s true. I don’t have the time to do the things I really want to do, let alone things that I’m not terribly interested in.

The point here is that I have no idea what kind of environmental issues face the city of Pittsburgh. However, I know the internet does. So I hopped on and did some Googling and came across a site called The Pittsburgh Green Story. The site can be found here: http://www.pittsburghgreenstory.org/html/index.html. In general, this website sheds light on the reshaping of Pittsburgh from a smokestacked industrial powerhouse to one of America’s most livable cities.

One aspect of the site that I found very interesting is a section called ‘Story Ideas.’ The editors offer a list of compelling environmental issues surrounding Pittsburgh that could be tackled by ambitious writers. I’ll share a few that I struck me. Apparently, heavy precipitation, including rainfall and melting snow, can cause the sewage level to rise to such a degree that it overflows into the rivers. I can’t imagine the thought of canoeing the Allegheny and finding myself paddling through a pool of human waste. I’d say that’s a story that needs written. Another idea that I think would make a great essay, particularly in light of the recent mining disasters, is the effect abandoned mine drainage has on our local waterways. Toxic material from area mines that have since discontinued use can be the cause of building corrosion and threatens plant and animal life. Along the same lines, many abandoned mines have been filled in, but storm drainage can cause “blow outs,” which could potentially release additional toxic material into the rivers.

Another environmental problem, a little less scary than the previous two, and of much more interest to the Pennsylvania sportsman (maybe), is the overpopulation of deer and turkey. There are areas of Pittsburgh that are crowded with whitetail deer. In fact, there’s a herd that lives just down the road from my house. I see one or two deer every week or so, on average. This topic would probably make more of a “nature” essay than an environmental essay, but it’s still fundamental to our class’ discussions.

Despite finding this website quite fascinating, I don’t know that I’ll be taking on any environmental projects any time soon. But one thing is certain, when I take my daughter to the game preserve, I get annoyed when the trash can is overflowing and there’s garbage all over the ground. Ten years ago I wouldn’t have cared a whole lot, but now my tune has changed. She is curious about everything and I hate the idea of her picking up somebody’s fast food leftovers. Environmentalist or not, I’m at least conscious, and maybe that’s the first step.