Hallie Mayes
Lantern Staff
You scroll through Twitter one morning to see the most heartbreaking photo of a turtle trapped in a plastic straw. You join the movement: Save the turtles! This lasts all of one attempt to clean your reusable straw… you soon return to your old habits, solving nothing. We go on about our lives as if nothing has happened, but the earth is still dying whether we choose to acknowledge it or not.
Air Pollution
Living in El Dorado has given perspective on the types of pollution each of us comes in contact with every day. Located less than a mile from Butler of El Dorado campus, is the Holly Frontier Oil Refinery. Holly Frontier has been in operation for many years, one of the largest refineries in the country Admired for the eco-conscious production, there is only so much a business like this can do.
“We need to realize we have an effect on the environment; businesses want to stay in business and if we continue to pollute- they won’t,” Keith West, professor of mass communications, said.
Like all other oil companies, Holly Frontier must emit what is referenced as “burn off”. These flares of fire, “burn- off” excess gas the refinery can no longer contain. Combined with steam, on burn off days, the refinery has a direct effect on air quality. Poor air quality inflames respiratory disorders. Affected areas are advised to stay indoors with windows closed and reduce physical activity until the air quality is improved. This is not because of oil refineries, as well as other natural changes, but students should be aware of the danger that is in the air.
Land Pollution
“Reduce, reuse, recycle!” is the eco-friendly phrase we were all raised on. But what happens when the option to recycle is no longer available? In the fall of 2019, El Dorado decided to take away recycling in El Dorado. The city recycling center closed. and citizens were left with only the option to drive their recycling to neighboring cities. The cost became too much to clean out those materials, and it seemed to be using more resources than it was saving. What the city failed to do was inform residents on ways they can still work towards a cleaner, safer community. Reducing waste starts at the beginning; only use what you need. This transformation of sustainability without recycling has not happened in El Dorado because there is a lack in genuine care for the environment.
“We humans need to figure out how to become one with our environment or the world as we know it is going to end,” Ethan Lewis, freshman business major, said.
Water Pollution
For many Butler County residents, going to the El Dorado Lake is a favored summer pastime. But as for anyone who has ever been there, it is evident there is a real pollution problem lying on the edges of the lake. Washed up fast food cups and bags are a common sighting amongst lake goers. After years of polluting the lake, the city has finally come out and advised citizens about this problem. Posted on www.edloks.com concerns are expressed about poor water quality because of littering.
“The city of El Dorado is concerned about water quality in Kansas streams and encourages everyone to do their part to reduce the amount of pollution […] anything you dump on your driveway, curb or street, drains directly into Walnut River,” according to www.edloks.com.
This is the community we all live and work in. Loving where you live means taking care of it. You don’t have to have a passion for the environment to care about the places you love spending time. If it isn’t for the earth, do it for your community.
College students work towards a better tomorrow
-simple everyday things college students can do to save the environment suggested by Environmentally passionate Butler students-
“Use your water bottles until you can’t any longer. Get a Birta, a device that purifies your water, so you don’t need a bunch of plastic water bottles. Go to Walmart and get reusable plates and cups. They are only 99 cents, so basically you save more money and help the environment,” Lauren Walty, freshman psychology major, said.
“Little things at home like making meals with a microwave to limit the gas you use cooking something else. With talking about things you can do to prevent high pollution rates, you can also give back to the air we breathe, why not plant a tree! Won’t hurt!“ Cesar Garcia, sophomore exercise science major, said.
“I try really hard to shop sustainably (such as) avoiding stores that treat their employees poorly and use poor materials for their garments […] refusing plastic bags and straws is challenging at first, but it becomes a habit to remind the grocer you don’t need it. I also use bar soap instead of bottled; it is cheaper and lasts longer. Plus no plastic bottles!” Sophie Dawson, freshman theatre major, said.
