For the average person there are at least five other things ahead of environmental concerns when it comes to voting - security, jobs, health care, education and values. However, the way we relate to the environment, especially the resources we use and the pollution we create, has the potential to significantly impact all the things that we think are more important.

Security: These days the major security issue for most Americans is the threat of terrorist action on U.S. soil. It might be that al-Qaeda and its supporters hate our way of life, but it would not be because they have experienced any of our positive values in their own countries. Our oil needs, 20 million barrels of oil a day, with 8 million from foreign sources, put our values in conflict with our pocket books. For millions of people in oil producing countries from Saudi Arabia (10 million barrels per day) to Nigeria (2 million barrels per day), the only exposure to the American way of life they see is corporate cooperation with repressive regimes that do not allow free exercise of religion, universal sufferage, a free press, or a just distribution of the benefits of oil exports. Based on their experience, it is not surprising that they view Americans as greedy and rapacious instead of supporters of democracy and human rights.

So, we could spend billions ramping up our military presence in foreign countries to ensure oil keeps flowing our way, and pass even more laws limiting freedoms at home to forestall terrorists, or we could reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Drilling in Alaska would gain us another 1 million barrels per day from US sources, but without improved fuel efficiency standards for cars and light trucks, better public transportation, more walkable communities and investments in alternative fuels, we cannot significantly reduce our dependence on repressive regimes.

Jobs: All jobs depend ultimately on the availability of resources. In conventional economic models, business finds substitutes for resources that become scarce and expensive. However, there are some things nature does for us for which there is just no substitute. Honey bees pollinate over 90 crops worth $10 - $15 billion a year. Without their work pollinating crops like soybeans, thousands of people in the agricultural sector and food processing industry would have no work. Of course it is impossible to replace honeybees with human labor. No one is willing to work for the 35 lbs of honey a hive of bees gets for their service. So taking care of honey bees and other pollinators (which provide an additional $2 to $5 billion in pollination services) is essential to providing jobs. Yet these insects are under constant assault from indiscriminant pesticide use and the loss of critical habitat.

So could continue to act as if a regulation protecting air, water, ecosystems or species is a subtraction from the country's ability to create jobs, or we can recognize that preserving clean air, pure water, healthy ecosystems and species diversity is an investment that pays dividends in job creation we have barely begun to calculate.

Health Care: The Cornell-China-Oxford health study investigated disease rates in a large population of Chinese peasants over several years. To have a heart as healthy as a typical Chinese peasant - who eats a diet low in animal fats and protein with lots of fiber -Americans would have to take thousands of dollars of cholesterol lowering drugs every year. These Chinese also had a significantly lower incidence of breast and bowel cancer, and lower levels of osteoporosis (because our high protein diet interferes with calcium uptake). A recent Rand Corporation study made a similar point about the lack of exercise. Living in a sprawling car-centered city like Atlanta takes five years off the average life-span, compared to living in a more compact and walkable city like Seattle.

So we could spend billions of dollars on drugs and other expensive therapies to sustain bodies struggling with obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer, or we could eliminate subsidies and deductions that encourage unhealthy diets and sprawl. Instead we could create social policies that promote eating less processed foods and more fruits and vegetables, and that foster walkable communities.

Education and Values: These clearly reflect a strong concern for the welfare of children. While people may disagree about the best approach to educating children, or what the structure of families should be, no one would disagree that we should be looking after the health of our children. We know mercury can cause neurological defects in developing fetuses and in children, though we aren't sure how low a dose is safe. We know infant death rates go up when the percent of microscopic soot particles in the air increases. And we know absences from school jump when ozone levels are high. Altogether pollution costs us $55 billion in health care costs for children and infants with lead poisoning, asthma, cancer and developmental disabilities.

So, we could continue to debate the cost-effectiveness of the various measures required to reduce or clean up these pollutants that make our children sick, stupid or dead, or we could agree that our children's health comes first and just clean things up.

When you vote for the environment, you will increase the nation's security, sustain long term job creation, reduce the need for expensive health care and protect children so that they are healthy enough and smart enough to benefit from our investments in education. So cast a vote that shows what you really care about - vote for the environment.

BioRegional Quiz: In 2002 Finger Lakes was listed as an impaired waterbody due to what pollutant?

Job of the Month: Park Interpreter- Delaware Dept. of Natural Resources & Environmental Control; Dover, DE. Two positions open: Position #8208 at Bellevue State Park in New Castle County and Position #70604 at KillenÕs Pond State Park in Kent County. Responsibilities: The interpreter will be responsible for planning, developing, organizing and conducting environmental, historical and cultural education programs in the State Park, will also be responsible for evaluating aspects (cost, safety, revenue, etc.) of the programs. Duties also include recruiting, interviewing and supervising seasonal volunteers/employees. Status: Full-time, permanent position. Qualifications: Applicant must have knowledge of (and some experience with) the following: program planning, implementation & evaluation; natural, cultural & life sciences; knowledge of principles in supervising or training. Applicant should also have the ability to coordinate activities and events and to communicate effectively. Salary: Starting pay is $30,769; includes health & life insurance. Application Procedure: The closing date is October 17. Do not send resume, applicants must submit a State of Delaware application. Apply online at www.delawarestatejobs.com. Read the full job description and application at: http://www.dnrec.state.de.us/dnrec2000/Admin/HRO/JobOpps.asp

Special Events
FALL COLOR HIKE: Saturday Oct. 9; Rock Bride Memorial State Park. Join a park naturalist on an autumn hike through woods, glades and along streams. Reservations required, call 573-449-7402 (DNR)
HONEYSUCKLE ERADICATION WORKDAY: Saturday Oct. 9; 10am at the Capen Park Mulch site parking lot. Bring your clippers and gloves and help out in the effort to remove this invasive exotic plant. (Wild Ones)
KNOW THE DARK: Saturday Oct. 16; Rock Bride Memorial State Park. A guided night tour takes you through the park to explore nocturnal animals. Reservations required, call 573-449-7402. (DNR)
FOREST HABITATS WORKSHOP: Saturday Oct. 16; 9am at the Rock Bridge State Park Office. Learn how complex different environments can be, then explore different environments on a guided hike through the park.
THE END OF OIL-WORKSHOP: Thursdays Oct. 7 - Nov. 18; 7:00 to 8:45pm. Keith Brekhus will be leading a course which examines oil consumption issues in the United States. Registration fee is $20/general and $10/student. Call for more information: 573-875-0539. (Peaceworks)
FEEDING MISSOURI'S HUNGRY, SUPPORTING MISSOURI'S FARMERS: October 18-22 Brady Commons and A & S. Donate money to buy food baskets full of local foods - apples, squash, sweet potatoes, and pecans - to donate to the Missouri Food Bank.
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CONFERENCE: Oct 29-31, MU. Workshops on EE curricula, credit for EE certification, planning for EE in Missouri, networking with area EE providers. weaverjc@missouri.edu, or http://web.missouri.edu/~esiwww/eecampus2004.html for registration info (scholarships available for students) MU Campus.
BIOLOGY SEMINARS: Tuesdays October 5, 12 and 19. Seminars begin at 3:30pm in Monsanto Auditorium, Room 002. For more information: http://www.biology.missouri.edu/calendar.html
ECOLOGY, EVOLUTION & BEHAVIOR SEMINARS: Wednesdays October 6 and 20. Seminars are 4:00-5:00pm in 106 LeFevre Hall. For more information: http://www.biology.missouri.edu/calendar.html
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY SEMINARS: Thursdays October 14 and 21. Seminars are from 4:00-5:00pm in 106 Lefevre Hall.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY READING GROUP: Thursdays Oct. 7 and 28. The group meets from 4:00 to 5:00pm in 218a Tucker Hall. For more information: http://www.conserv.missouri.edu/

Organization Meetings and Contact Information
AUDUBON SOCIETY: 874-3904 / columbia-audubon.missouri.org Meet 3rd Wed 7:30 pm, USGS, 4200 New Haven
BOONE COUNTY SMART GROWTH COALITION: http://smartgrowth.missouri.org/, 1st Wednesdays 7:15 Boone Co Govt Ctr.
CENTER FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVING: 875-0539 or http://peaceworks.missouri.org/
CHOUTEAU GROTTO: http://chouteau.missouri.org/, Meet 1st Wed, 7 pm, Community Room of the Boone Electric Coop
COLUMBIA FOOD CIRCLE: 882-7463 or email hendricksonm@missouri.edu for information.
COLUMBIA PUBLIC WORKS VOL. PROGRAMS: 874-6271 or http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Volunteer/Opportunities/#PW
COMMUNITY STORMWATER PROJECT: 884-8333 or http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/PublicWorks/StormWater/cswp.html
ENV EDUCATION WORKSHOPS AND CONFERENCES: http://www.conservation.state.mo.us/teacher/workshops/
FRIENDS OF ROCK BRIDGE M. S. P.: 815-9255 or http://rockbridge.missouri.org/ Outdoors Bldg, 200 Old 63 S.
GREENBELT COALITION: 442-4789 or http://greenbelt.missouri.org Meet 1st Tuesdays, 7 pm, Outdoors Bldg, 200 Old 63 S.
MISSOURI NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY: npshawth@hotmail.com 2nd Mondays in Jan, Mar, May, July, Sept, Nov at 7:00 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Church, 2615 Shepard Blvd, Columbia, MO.
MISSOURI RIVER COMMUNITIES NETWORK: 443-0292 or http://mrcn.missouri.org/
PEDNET COALITION: email: pednet@pednet.org or http://www.pednet.org
RIVER RELIEF: http://www.riverrelief.org/
ROCK BRIDGE MEMORIAL STATE PARK: 449-7402 or http://rockbridge.missouri.org
SHOW ME CLEAN STREAMS COALITION: (573) 751-4115 ext 3169 or www.mostreamteam.org
SIERRA CLUB: 443-4401 or http://sierra.osage.missouri.org Meet 3rd Tuesdays 7:30 pm Hillel Foundation, 1107 University Ave
WILD ONES: 499-3749 or email wildonesmo@yahoo.com, http://wildones.missouri.org Meetings 2nd Saturdays. Call for location

Answer to BioRegional Quiz: In their 2002 Water Quality Report, the Department of Natural Resources listed Finger Lakes as an impaired waterbody because it contained fecal coliform. Fecal coliform is a type of bacteria which indicates that water has been contaminated by either human or animal fecal matter.

Feedback - Got an opinion? If we have space, we will consider publishing it. Submit it by email (envstudy@missouri. edu), snail mail (Environmental Studies, 211 Lowry , MU, Columbia MO 65211), or call Jan Weaver to talk about it (882-7116). MU Environmental Network News is published by MU's Environmental Studies Initiative. All opinions expressed are the responsibility of the editor. Any part of this newsletter may be copied for distribution but please give us credit.

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