SIU-E Professor of Environmental Sciences Dr. Sharon Locke has been conducting GHG inventory studies throughout the St. Louis metro area. Inventory studies of greenhouse gas emissions provide cities with benchmarks to track and compare emissions for years to come.
by Don Corrigan
Webster Groves, Mo., might seem an unlikely candidate for a greenhouse gas emissions study. It lacks factory smokestacks or methane-belching landfills. Nevertheless, residents can learn about a city GGI study in September.
The Webster Greenhouse Gas Inventory (GGI) Report is preliminary. A full report goes to the city council in October. The GGI presentation at 7 p.m., Sept. 3, at Webster Groves Public Library will provide details on how and why the study was conducted.
Residents may be surprised to learn that quiet, idyllic, suburban Webster Groves is responsible for hundreds of tons of emissions sent into the atmosphere annually. Also of note: Something can actually be done about this situation.
The session on the inventory program will be presented by Sharon Locke, professor of environmental sciences at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville; and by Shawn Finnegan, who serves as sustainability coordinator for Webster Groves.
“Webster Groves contracted Dr. Locke and a graduate student intern to conduct an inaugural inventory of greenhouse gas emissions,” said Finnegan. “The initiative identifies major sources of GHG emissions at, both, the community and government levels.
“By analyzing these emissions and their sources, our city can adopt ‘best practices’ to reduce its carbon footprint,” Finnegan explained. “And, by doing that, the city can contribute to regional and global sustainability goals.”
Environmental Echo 