Lake
Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is a large
freshwater lake in the United States. It is located along the border of the
states of Nevada and California, and it is considered the largest alpine lake
in North America. It is also considered the second deepest lake in the United
States, with 1,645 feet depth (Goldman, 1981). The Lake Tahoe Basin was formed around
2 million years ago, but today Lake Tahoe is a major touristic attraction. The
most popular destinations around the 71 mile-long shore are South Lake Tahoe
(CA), Stateline (NV), and Tahoe City (CA).
These settlements receive hundreds of thousands of tourists every year,
both during the summer and the winter, for their natural and man-made
attractions, such as beaches, mountains, ski resorts, and casinos (in the
Nevada side). Because of its popularity, the area has suffered from the
constant presence of tourists. However, some of the environmental problems the
lake faces are not caused by humans (Goldman, 1988). This paper will point out
the primary environmental issues facing Lake Tahoe, as well as presenting
possible solutions. The paper will also explain how positive and negative
consequences can increase pro-environmental behavior, describe positive and
negative examples of the impact that technological advances create on the
environment, and assess the influence of environmental policies.
Environmental
Issues
Lake
Tahoe faces a series of environmental issues, some having natural causes and
some being men’s responsibility. One of the most commonly known issues
affecting the lake is the algae growth, which has quadrupled since the 50’s,
and is a consequence of the abundance of nitrogen and phosphorus in the lake
(Constantini & Hanf, 1972). These
nutrients are abundant in the lake because of the accelerated erosion,
fertilizer use, car exhaust, and urban runoff. Another issue is pollution,
especially in the more urbanized areas around the lake. Pollution includes
littler, pathogens, oil and grease, sediments, and nutrients, all of which
modify the natural balance of the water (Goldman, 1981).
A
recurring factor associated with most environmental issues in the lake is
eutrophication, which refers to the effect of the abundance of nutrients. Although
eutrophication is a natural cycle part of the aging of the lake, anthropogenic
disturbances have accelerated this process. This accelerated process is called
cultural eutrophication, and it occurs when the water from precipitations is not
filtered by the soil, but instead runs off the surface rapidly and reaches the
lake without being filters, bringing into the water impurities, fine particles,
and nutrients (Goldman, 1981).
Strategies
for Promoting Positive Environmental Behavior
Defining
pro-environmental behavior is a difficult task. It involves making lifestyle choices that are
socially responsible and ethic, while reducing one’s ecological footprint.
Promoting individuals to change their lifestyle and make more environmentally
responsible choices can be difficult, but with the right tools it is possible
to encourage the population to preserve and protect their environment.
Unfortunately,
the Lake Tahoe area does not have a coordinated effort to promote residents and
visitors to take action and protect the watershed and the forests. Although
many organizations fight for specific causes, trying to each do their part to
preserve the lake, the many different approaches cause confusion and lack of
interest by the public. Other than that, the lack of organization results in
the mismanaging of financial resources. A solution to engage the population and
promote the positive environmental behavior that the lake so desperately needs,
is the creation or a unified organization
that will voice the worries, concerns, and strategies of all the
different groups fighting for the preservation of Lake Tahoe. If the population
has one group to specifically direct the public’s concerns and questions, it
will most likely engage in the fight to protect the local environment.
Disorganization and decentralization are the biggest enemies in this fight.
Another
strategy to promote positive environmental behavior is to create a community-based
social marketing campaign, educating the local population about the current
situation of the lake and bringing awareness about the consequences the local
environment will have to face unless some serious changes occur. The water
clarity levels at Lake Tahoe have significantly decreased over the past few
years. The UC Davis Lake Tahoe Environmental Research Center's annual clarity
report showed average clarity in 2013 at about 70 feet, a 5-foot decrease from
2012. By showing the population realistic facts about how the environmental
health of Lake Tahoe is deteriorating rapidly, it would be possible to engage
the whole community in a combined effort to save it.
Pro-Environmental Behavior
Promoting pro-environmental behavior is a task that can
be achieved by both positive and negative methods. Positive and negative reinforcement,
as explained by B.F. Skinner, is an effective way to understand and encourage
human behavior. In Lake Tahoe, for example, a way to positive reinforce
pro-environmental behavior is by offering awards and rewards to individuals or
businesses who are actively engaged in promoting the preservation of the lake.
The exposure and recognition in the small community would encourage more
individuals to act in eco-friendly ways. Negative influences also change an
individual’s mind or perception of environmental concerns because these
influences can add an extra burden on someone’s life. A negative reinforcement
that already exists in the area is a monetary fine that is applied to
businesses that leave their vehicles (like for example food trucks) parked in
one single area for a long period of time. The communities around Lake Tahoe
try to discourage food trucks and drive-thru businesses as much as possible, as
they represent an unnecessary added emission of gases in a certain area.
The Impact of Technology on the
Environment
The advances of technology in the modern day can impact
the environment both positively and negatively. One of the positive impacts
that technology has made in the Lake Tahoe area is the fact that it has brought
the community together. Individuals now have access to all the information they
need in order to make educated life choices that won’t damage the environment
any further. The community can be informed about events and campaigns being put
together to raise funds and awareness to Lake Tahoe and its needs. On the
negative side, in a more general aspect, the population’s constant use of
technology has drastically raised the amount of energy consumed in the world.
This excessive consumption affects the environment greatly, since a lot of the
energy produced in the world comes from water reserves.
The Influence of Environmental
Policies
In general, if applied correctly and fairly,
environmental policies can be a great help to the environment. There are
currently policies and regulations to limit the amount of exhaust emissions cars
can release into the air, as well as the amount of pollutants factories can
release into the atmosphere. However, as it is the case with most areas where
politics is involved, the rules don’t work the same for everyone. Although most
environmental policies promote eco-friendly and sustainable behavior, there are
loopholes in most legislations that allow companies and organizations to get
away with destroying the environment. Since legislations vary from state to
state, the average citizen has little impact on the results expected from these
policies. However, when environmental policies reach individuals on a more
personal level, like for example on a small community like Lake Tahoe, is it
much easier for individuals to understand and respect the legislation, because
they can witness with their own eyes the needs for it. An example of an
effective but unpopular environmental policy in Lake Tahoe is the recent
regulation of construction along the shoreline. Although this policy is not
popular with many residents who want to have beach-front homes, is protects the
lake from the excessive construction that has made the waters cloudy (Byron
& Goldman, 1989).
Conclusion
Lake Tahoe is one of the most beautiful places on Earth.
The weather is usually perfect, there is plenty of snow, but the summers are
still long and warm. The community is kind and engaged in preserving the lake.
The local slogan is “Keep Tahoe Blue”, and it is possible to constantly hear
locals saying that to tourists. The community is very protective of the lake,
since the locals are the ones who enjoy it year-round. Currently there are many
groups engaged in preserving the lake, and all they need is some organization.
A unite group that will join forces in efforts to keep the lake clean and clear
is crucial to make sure future generations can enjoy the natural beauty of the
area.
References
Byron, E. R., & Goldman, C. R.
(1989). Land-use and water quality in tributary streams of Lake Tahoe,
California-Nevada. Journal of Environmental Quality, 18(1),
84-88.
Goldman,
C. R. (1981). Lake Tahoe: two decades of change in a nitrogen deficient
oligotrophic lake. Proceedings-International Association of Theoretical and
Applied Limnology, 1980.
Goldman, C. R. (1988). Primary
productivity, nutrients, and transparency during the early onset of
eutrophication in ultra-oligotrophic Lake Tahoe, California-Nevada. Limnology
and Oceanography, 33(6), 1321-1333.
Costantini, E., & Hanf, K.
(1972). Environmental Concern and Lake Tahoe: A Study of Elite Perceptions,
Backgrounds, and Attitudes. Environment and Behavior, 4(2),
209-242.
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