Darshan Blog

The government of Utah is moving to a 4 day work week to deal with the energy crisis. The plan is to make the 40 hour work week fit over Monday through Thursday. This is the first state to mandate an adjusted workweek. Somehow this plan will effect the carbon foot print of the state.But I don’t understand how this could really make an effect. Instead Ithink that Utah’s government is trying to latch their plan onto the
Green train. I think it the plan has more to do with the pinch families are feeling at the pump and in the grocers and how all these extra pressures effect the modern family.

I am not suprised that a state like Utah is taking this step first. Ifit really would have an effect on the carbon footprint I think we would be more liekly to see this move done in Oregon or Washington state. But Utah has a concern about the family. A state with strong conservativevalues and one where the family is at the forefront. I understand why they are making a move like this. The availability to save the statemoney, means more money for projects in the state that will enhance the services they can offer to their citizens while also giving them more time with their families

If you live in Utah don’t worry about suddenly not being able to make it to your dry cleaners on Friday. This mandate is for the state worker.
This effects how you pay your parking ticket and the state universities. The government controlled offices will now be open from 7am to 6pm and moving many more services online.

Sonya Gavankar

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Athletes and fans from around the world are beginning to descend on Beijing and what they are finding is shocking. When Beijing was awarded the games they were warned the need for improved human rights and environment conditions. 3 years ago I went too Beijing. No one seemed not concerned about the environmental situation. When I awoke on my first day a city veiled in fog greeted me. It made me think of San Francisco. I figured it would burn off by noon. I looked at my watch to find it was 11AM! This wasn’t fog this was pollution!

By my second day in the city my health was effected, I have never been in a place that made my eyes constantly weep in the hopes of flushing. I would not describe myself as athletic, but I am in shape enough to scale many steps at the Great Wall. But even I was feeling the effects of the environment. How could no one notice? How did it get like this? Tour guides and locals asked about the Olympics said the government was really working on the situation, how there were wonderful plans of shutting down plant production and building event locations in some of the cleanest portions of the ringed city, how every citizen was going to chip in by driving less and taking to the streets on foot.

Now 3 years later and pictures of the city are still hung with haze and tourists look almost shocked at the layer of filth they find on their clothes. As journalists begin to arrive they are sure to be dealing more with the environment than with the specter of internet handlers. Some journalists are going over with cases of medications just to be sure they will be able to do their jobs in the harsh conditions.

This speaks to nothing of the athletes. We have seen several drop out of marathons and many more concerned about their long term performance abilities after spending time in the city. Critics have already said to be prepared for no records to be broken in these games. The International Olympic Committee is checking the air conditions daily and say the environment will not effect the athletes, but warn for events that last for an hour or longer outdoors, the athletes could see some effects. It seems like the pollution is effecting the IOC public relations department. Just moving to the venues are concerning indoor athletes. The pressure of performance is always weighing on these folks but also the testing for banned substances. The environment is an effect here as well! When a simple over the counter asthma medication can pop up on a test many more are too worried to take medications that would only make them able to breath.

As the whole world watches, we could be all seeing our future. We must remember this is not an isolated case. We all breathe the same air and as the world turns we share more than the Olympic spirit.

Sonya Gavankar
Newseum

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Raleigh, North Carolina has banned garbage disposals; violators are being threatened with a hefty fine of $25,000 per day!

Last year near Raleigh, N.C., a tall geyser exploded through the ground and swallowed a Corvette and the cause was said to be cooking grease, the kind that slips down the drain and—unknown to your average household chef—clogs sewage lines. To solve the problem, the city has taken a dramatic step: it’s banned garbage disposals in homes.

Sewage overflows cause health hazards, property and environmental damage. Raleigh already spends $10 million a year on overflow prevention. So, the residents have been forbid to install new or replace old disposals. Violators will be charged with a hefty fine of $25,000 per day. This has been opposed by the citizens who believe that a basic homeowner’s right is on the line. Some residents worry that garbage volumes will increase as a result, crowding landfills, while others dispute the premise that grease is truly the culprit.

There has been lot of opposition to this ban, and it is has been sent back to commitee for further review.

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