The Not So Boring Bike Racks

Bike racks, as shown in this picture, are often trivialized and ignored by the typical person if they are even noticed at all.  However, contrary to what most people might think, bicycle racks are having a significant impact in protecting our environment, and their role continues to grow each and every day.  The Green RFP program at Virginia Tech was established a few years ago in order to give students an opportunity to develop sustainable ideas that could be immediately implemented on campus.  The cultivation of this program has resulted in an outpouring of creative, innovative solutions to environmental issues.  One of the most successful proposals of the Green RFP program involved the installation of covered bike racks at various locations across the Virginia Tech campus.  The purpose of this proposal was to promote an eco-friendly mode of transportation, and to reduce students’ dependence on automobiles.  Providing students with a safe, convenient place to park their bike during class or other events has significantly increased the incentive for them to avoid driving around the hectic campus roads every day.  These bike stations have become extremely popular, as evidenced by the cluttered racks in this picture.  Because of this, vehicle emissions containing greenhouse gases are being reduced, and the demand for sustainable transportation is growing.  Around the world, many countries are attempting to encourage their citizens to adopt “clean” transportation methods such as walking, biking, or using public transit in order to meet their needs.  While it may seem like an insignificant, pointless process to install bike racks around campus, there is no doubt that it can have a large impact on the environment.  In order to help preserve the environment, our society must continue to adopt simple, sustainable, and affordable policies.

Anxiously Awaiting the Arrival of Spring

Although a preview of warm, summer-like temperatures occurred in Southwest Virginia for extended periods throughout the month of February, it appears that many plants and trees made the correct decision to resist the urge to bloom until the aforementioned warmer temperatures become more consistent.  This picture, captured on March 5^th, 2018 in Wytheville, Virginia depicts a group of normally vibrant, hearty trees that have remained dormant despite the warmer temperatures earlier in the year.  While the specific species of the group of trees is unknown, it seems to be a common theme amongst all types of vegetation in this area not to have produced a bud yet, resulting in a reduced presence of wildlife.  This subject is interesting to me because I had never pondered what causes flowers to bloom at different dates during the spring before and the effects that this process may have on animals.  Exactly what determines the timing of flora blooming has been the subject of a highly contested debate; however, it appears that most scientists are now in agreement that vegetation is able to sense the amount of sunlight it receives per day.  This capability allows the greenery to determine the approximate length of each day, which in turn influences their decision as to what time of the year they will bloom.  Another interesting aspect of this picture is the background of the photo.  Logically, the cumulus clouds floating in the sky signal a day comprised of mild, sunny weather, which is perfect for enjoying outdoor activities.  Luckily, this area avoided the arrival of any cumulonimbus clouds, which warn of a storm in the near future.  It is quite remarkable the amount of information that can be drawn from a geographic picture based strictly on the content that it illustrates.

Sources:

Britt, Robert Roy. “Mystery Solved: How Plants Know When to Flower.” LiveScience, Purch, 11 Aug. 2005, www.livescience.com/377-mystery-solved-plants-flower.html.