Blue Ribbon Panel on Ocean Acidification
Next meeting, August 8 (location tbd)
Thick fog creates dangerous driving conditions which demands slowing down, even if it means being late for grandmother's dinner. Governor Gregoire's "Blue Ribbon Panel" being faced with an October deadline for specific recommendations on actions to deal with lowering pH levels in Puget Sound is creating a similar scene.
Scientists are clearly being pressed to give answers when information and models do not yet exist to support what they are being asked to provide. Specifically, are land based nutrients having a significant enough impact on pH levels in Washington's marine waters to justify regulatory actions focused on land use issues? (listen here to the first 10 minutes of the June 20 meeting)
For example, is the fertilizer used on lawns adjacent to Puget Sound of enough significance to restrict how large a yard may be? Does CO2 generated by driving remain in the Puget Sound basin long enough to warrant limiting how many miles residents may drive? Should you be charged each time you flush your toilet? Should inspection and compliance officers be hired to inspect farms?
Which Train is on the Right Track?
Does the science create a clear enough vision to justify making recommendations beyond improved monitoring and modeling? Is growing the shellfish industry important enough to rush to a decision on actions based on a feeling? If the public does not become involved this may be how regulatory actions affecting Puget Sound will be decided. Get involved. Shellfish lobbyists are in more ways than you know.
Science: Not Feelings
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