The Catalyst: The Environment & Your Health

By: Joelle Ciriacy

A healthy environment is the foundation on which our communities can flourish. Healthy soils support the production of nutritious foods and can break down some forms of harmful pollution. Clean water provides safe drinking water and supports plentiful agricultural production. Tree canopies contribute to cleaner air, cooler temperatures, and a mental health boost. Exposure to greenspaces and fresh air promotes greater levels of physical activity and could be positively associated with a lower risk for cardiovascular disease.

Thanks to landmark environmental policies, air pollution and water pollution have decreased significantly over the past 50 years, making our environment safer for humans to enjoy. Despite these improvements, programs such as the US Department of Health and Human Services’ Healthy People 2030 continue to focus their efforts on further reducing people’s exposure to harmful pollutants, especially those that live or work in unhealthy environments.

Here in Tennessee, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s (TDEC) mission is to enhance the quality of life for citizens of Tennessee and to be stewards of our natural environment. These are just a few ongoing efforts to protect and improve the quality of Tennessee’s environment for the health of our communities:

The Division of Remediation works to clean up contaminated sites so that these lands may again be safe for productive use.
The Abandoned Mine Land Program stabilizes abandoned mine sites by removing health and safety hazards.
The Water Supply Program protects the safety and health of our waters by monitoring drinking water, inspecting regulated dams for safety, and more.
Our Division of Stakeholder Engagement works to respond to customer concerns about their environment and educate stakeholders.
All TDEC divisions work toward providing fair and equitable treatment of every community through environmental justice.

Please visit TDEC’s website to explore more efforts underway to protect and restore the health of both our environment and communities!

June 15 marked Nature Photography Day, a celebration initiated by the North American Nature Photography Association beginning in 2006. This special day encourages everyone to appreciate and capture the beauty of the natural world through their cameras.

In celebration this year we announced the Office of Sustainable Practices' Nature Photography Contest, inviting participants across the State to post pictures of flora or fauna and tag us @stateofsustainability on Instagram.

We are thrilled to announce the winner: Debbie Karnes, who captured a stunning photo of a bumble bee pollinating a Campanula flower. Debbie's photograph will be featured on our Instagram. Additionally, Debbie will receive a free TN State Parks T-shirt!

We thank everyone for their wonderful submissions and look forward to celebrating the beauty of nature in Tennessee with you again next year! Be sure to check out our page to see all the submissions from this year’s contest.

This month is Plastic Free July! This worldwide event is a way for everyone to do their part in reducing plastic waste by going plastic free one whole month. In 2018 alone, nearly 27,000 tons of plastic waste made it to US landfills. During the month of July, try refusing to use to single use plastics like straws, utensils, bags, and to-go containers. Below are a few tips on how to avoid using single use plastics:
• Bring your own reusable grocery and produce bags when shopping.
• Bring your own reusable straw to restaurants.
• Use a reusable mug at coffeeshops.
• Package leftovers in reusable containers instead of plastic zip-lock bags.
• Purchase household liquid products (shampoo, soap, detergents…) in bulk or refill reusable containers at household refill stores like The Good Fill, KnoxFill, and Boshi Botanicals.
• When purchasing items for your workplace or household, look for companies that package items in less single-use plastic.

The Tennessee Pollution Prevention Program is hosting two industry workshops during the month of August. They will highlight how weather and climate change can affect industries in Tennessee, expected changes to particulate matter standards, and sustainability case studies for the manufacturing sector.

Tennessee boasts awe-inspiring scenery, plentiful sunshine, and a humid subtropical climate, offering endless opportunities for outdoor recreation. However, alongside these natural blessings, there are challenges posed by air pollution, including microscopic particles that can irritate your lungs and elevated levels of harmful ozone. This pollution can adversely affect all Tennesseans, particularly sensitive populations. To stay informed about current air quality before heading outdoors this summer, visit TDEC Air Pollution Control’s Facebook page for updates. Armed with this knowledge, you can make informed decisions to ensure your family's summer activities are spent wisely.

It’s important to note that sensitive populations encompass individuals with lung diseases such as asthma, children, teens, older adults, those who spend six or more hours outdoors daily, and anyone susceptible to air pollution. Nevertheless, air pollution affects everyone. In addition to staying informed, take proactive steps to minimize your contribution to air pollution by reducing your electricity usage.

You're invited to the Duck River Outdoor Expo at Henry Horton State Park, July 12-14! The expo will feature races, live music, exhibits, & much more.

Urban Green Lab and Zero Waste Nashville have launched a new podcast called Sustainable in the City!

Recipe of the Month

As we enter the depths of summer, summer squash and tomatoes will be plentiful at your local farmer's market. Try adding a twist to a traditional classic and whip up this zucchini lasagna!