Green insights

Tag: travel

  • A Toxic Tour Through Picher

    A couple days ago I drove through Picher, Oklahoma as members of L.E.A.D. Agency gave a toxic tour. During this tour, we discussed the history of all the sites we had visited, their current states, and ways in which these sites are being remediated. There were quite a few sites that stood out to me during this tour.

    One of our first stops was by a large field of Tallgrass. I pulled off the side of the road into a small parking lot. I asked what we were stopping for. My first thought was that we were looking at the looming chat pile to our left. However, the actual focus was the field of grass, which once used to be a residential neighborhood. All of the homes had been destroyed. Much of the destruction can be attributed to the 2010 tornado which blew through Picher, tearing down homes and sandblasting the ones that remained standing with chat. One of the only remaining pieces of evidence that homes used to be there was the three space parking lot.

    Our next stop was by the Picher repository. From a distance, the repository looked like a gigantic, flat chat pile. However, it was actually made up of the chat and mining waste that could not be repurposed. The waste found here has extremely fine particle size and a darker color then most chat. When we stepped out of the truck, I noticed a trail of this waste running down the side of the hill. L.E.A.D. Agency informed me that this waste measures around 13,000 ppm of lead. This is far above the upper safe threshold of 400 ppm.

    The most shocking sight of the entire tour was the “Anti-Fountain of Youth”. After exiting the car a last time, I heard the noise of running water. At first, I thought it was the flowing noises from Tar Creek, but when I looked over the bridge, the water was relatively calm. After walking farther down the road, I saw the source of the noise. Slightly covered by the Tallgrass and cattail stems, there was an actual fountain spewing out orange-tinted water. This fountain was an old bore hole. The liquid being pumped out was acidic mine drainage (AMD), and it was flowing straight into Tar Creek. When I heard that the AMD was seeping out of the mines into the surrounding environment, I imagined a slow flow of water. The amount of pressure with which the AMD was being pumped out at, to the point at which it was going up in the air a couple feet was mind blowing.

    On a final note, I would like to say that we saw a beaver dam and a family of ducks in Tar Creek. This highlights how there is still life present in this creek, giving us even more reason why we must work our hardest to remediate it, and prevent events like this from occurring again in the future.

  • A Drive Through Picher: Where Memories and Toxic Dust Linger

    It was a sunny Monday afternoon when I decided to drive to Picher, Oklahoma, just 20 miles away from where I live. I’ve done a lot of research on this area and knew all about its history — the 2008 tornado that devastated the town, the toxic groundwater seeping from abandoned mines, and the enormous, looming chat piles scattered across the landscape.

    Still, it had been many years since I last visited. On the short drive there, I found myself wondering what the land would look like now. Would the roads be blocked? Would there be anyone still lingering in this forgotten place? I’d heard stories about visitors being followed by locals or questioned by sheriffs and tribal marshals. At first, I was skeptical — I wasn’t even sure anyone spent time in Picher anymore.

    As soon as you enter the town, the remains of neighborhoods greet you. Houses are falling apart, and in many places, only brick foundations are left — the rest of the homes long gone. Each one gave me a haunting sense in my gut. I could almost imagine the lives once lived in those houses, the sounds of daily life in what was once a bustling mining town. But the second an image entered my mind, another ruin passed by, and the process repeated.

    Now that no one lives in them, it’s as if the memories these homes once held have been released into the world — swirling in the wind, waiting to be inhaled by someone nearby. Remind you of anything? That’s right — I’m talking about chat.

    Enclosing these ghost neighborhoods and lining the streets are massive chat piles — toxic mining waste. At first glance, I thought they were just hills, some reaching 300 feet tall. But on closer inspection, it was clear: these were mountains of toxic metal, chaotically spread throughout the city. On a windy day, the air could easily become laced with lead, cadmium, and zinc. Most piles were fenced off with barbed wire, but not well — I saw footprints winding through the gaps, where someone clearly got curious and decided to take a stroll on a literal hill of poison.

    What surprised me most was that a highway still runs through Picher — and it was busy. Cars zipped past like nothing was wrong. I exited onto a side road and started exploring deeper into the town, circling around Tar Creek, past skeletal buildings and contaminated land. After about 30 minutes of driving, I noticed a white pickup truck had been behind me for a while. Fifteen minutes, maybe more. I realized it had done a U-turn to stay behind me.

    At that point, I decided it was time to go.

  • Treading Lightly: The Guide to Eco-Friendly Travel

    In an age where our desire to travel is often at odds with our eco-consciousness, eco-friendly travel is more than a trend—it’s a necessity. As travelers, we have the power to make decisions that not only enrich our lives but also protect the diverse and beautiful destinations we yearn to explore.

    One of the first steps in eco-friendly travel is choosing sustainable destinations. Opt for locations known for their environmental conservation efforts. These places often offer eco-certified lodgings, nature reserves, and community tourism initiatives that ensure your visit contributes positively to the local ecosystem. Transportation is a major contributor to carbon emissions, so whenever possible, choose direct flights to reduce fuel use. Better yet, travel by train, which is often more scenic and has a lower carbon footprint. Once at your destination, embrace walking, biking, or public transit to get around.

    Staying in eco-friendly accommodations is another way to travel sustainably. Seek out hotels and hostels that have sustainable practices in place. Many accommodations are now LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified or use eco-labels to denote their green policies, which include water conservation, recycling programs, and the use of renewable energy. Support local economies by purchasing local products and services. This reduces the carbon footprint associated with shipping goods and helps keep local communities economically healthy. Eating at local restaurants, visiting local markets, and participating in tours guided by locals not only enhances your travel experience but also benefits the environment.

    Packing light and eco-conscious is crucial. Packing lighter saves on fuel and makes traveling easier. Opt for reusable items like water bottles, bags, and utensils, and avoid single-use plastics. Always adhere to the ‘leave no trace’ principles, which are crucial for ensuring that the natural spots we enjoy can be appreciated by future generations. Be mindful of your environment wherever you go, stick to marked trails, dispose of waste properly, and avoid disturbing wildlife.

    If you’re concerned about your carbon footprint, consider carbon offset programs. Many airlines offer these when booking flights, allowing you to balance your emissions with investments in renewable energy or reforestation projects. Lastly, educate yourself about the ecological and cultural specifics of the places you visit and share your eco-friendly travel tips and experiences with others to inspire more sustainable travel.

    By making thoughtful choices, travelers can enjoy the immense beauty and diversity of our world in a responsible, sustainable way. Eco-friendly travel isn’t just about seeing the world; it’s about preserving it for those who come after us.