Module 1.2 - A Turning Point Event for Environmental Science Cuyahoga River Burning
The Last Time the Cuyahoga River in Ohio Caught Fire
- Point of View
(Interpret the video’s frame of reference, perspective, orientation.)
The video's frame of reference is the Cuyahoga River, in Ohio, that caught fire due to a accident regarding oil. The perspective of the video is a remembrance of the greatest disaster to ever occur in the Cuyahoga River. This video is coming out fifty years after the disaster when much needed limits and safety controls have been placed which would have stopped this disaster from ever occurring in the first place. This disaster was one of the largest contributors to getting the public concerned about the environment and safety precautions.
- Purpose
(Infer the purpose/goal, objective(s) of the video.)
The purpose of this video is to explain the disaster which caused the Cuyahoga River to burn and more importantly explains how Ohio bounced back and fixed the problems they cause fifty years ago. This video also encourages us to be intelligent in our approach and work together to protect our planets ecosystems because it shows that change, for the better, is possible.
- Questions at Issue
(Present the problems and issues presented in the video.)
The primary problem shown in the video is the fire at the Cuyahoga River and the problems it caused. The fire itself was created by an oil spill and it took place before the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1970 and 1972 so there were no plans to protect the river and its environment. There is also a problem concerning the Gorge Dam in Cuyahoga Falls. Environmentalists want it removed so the river can go back to its natural state of flowing.
- Information
(Write out the data, facts, observations, and experiences the video presents.)
This video was released fifty years after the Burning River incident. The blaze went on for about thirty minutes. The only clean up tool used at the beginning was a squeegee. This was all before the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1970 and 1972 so their were no plans for a situation like this other than putting the fire out. The Clean Water Act will prevent any situations like this from happening as well as helping fix the situation if it does happen again. Although the disaster which caused the river to burn has been remedied as well as its consequences, the rivers environment still has another problem, The Gorge Dam. The Gorge Dam was supposed to function as a hydro plant but only ever acted as a dam which isn't necessary or helpful. There is a mile and half dam pool behind the Gorge Dam which doesn't meet the water quality standards and removing the dam would fix that problem.
- Interpretation and Inference
(Explain the video’s conclusions and solutions.)
This video does a wonderful job conveying the problems and actions taken that have brought many people's attention to environment protection because of the size of the disaster. Luckily the community and many groups and organizations worked hard to get rid off lasting side effects on the environment. Also the problem with the Gorge Dam, if fixed, would bring tourists, boost the economy and more importantly revert the environment to its pre-dam state.
- Concepts
(Identify and explain the theories, definitions, axioms, laws, principles, or models you find in the video. Look these up if you don’t know what they mean.)
The Clean Water Acts (CWA) "subject is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Nations waters." (US Department of the Interior Boem Bureau of Ocean Management Agency 2010)
- Assumptions
(Explain the video’s presuppositions, assumptions, those things taken for granted.)
Everyone understands that rivers should not be flammable so it isn't necessary to explain. We also understand that knocking down the Gorge Dam will cost money and time, which are probably the only reasons people would not want to knock it all down.
- Consequences
(Tell what the end results, outcomes, and/or effects are/were.)
Luckily, the community, groups and organizations were able to clean up the Cuyahoga River and leave very little lasting side effects from the disaster. This event also helped mold the public's view of the environment and lit a spark in many new environmentalist's minds. As for the Gorge dam, it is wonderful news that they took down a piece and hopefully, for both the environment and the people, the rest of it will be taken down soon.
Here is a nice photo of the Gorge Dam taken by Eric Sandy from CleveScene
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