Prior to reading the Report of the Special Grand Jury on Air and Water Quality published in 1999 about Pensacola, I already knew how critical the area's condition is concerning pollution. However, I wasn't fully knowledgeable in the facts that stood behind the statistic. The report helped me understand how our area has gotten to the state of pollution it's been in to this day. It's amazing to see the similarities in concerns and issues presented in 1999 that are relevant to the ones arising today.
The facts definitely raise a serious concern for the population's health. So it has me rethinking what I consume on a daily basis. I used to drink water straight from the tap. Considering the numerous problems with the water quality, not anymore. The risk of the water not being filtered and safe to drink is not worth taking. But I do still eat seafood, which I may reconsider due to the articles surrounding the aftermath of the Gulf Oil Spill. I can only imagine how high the amount of pollutants in the water have risen. It's really difficult to turn away from seafood when it's one of my favorite foods.
Pensacola Bay wasn't something I considered to have been pristine at one point. I've lived in Pensacola for 16 years, but I've never taken into account what it used to be. To me, it's been as dirty as it is now. Knowing the huge amount of discharge of waste treatment plants flowing in its waters, I could never imagine a clean Pensacola Bay.
These past few years in college, I've gradually been going green as I become aware of my environment and my own carbon footprint. Gaining more knowledge about the local environment from this report has made me consider more minor adjustments to my lifestyle.
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