Multimedia Reporting (Adler-Noland)

National Guardsmen Aaron Van Rees let out a sigh as he got off the phone with his mom. She had been crying; she wasn’t happy with his decision. He sat there, bewildered, for a long moment and looked around at his half empty apartment. Now in addition to the long list of paperwork and the packing that he has to do before leaving Lawrence, he has to worry about worried parents.

Van Rees, Iowa sophomore, infantry squad leader in the Kansas Army National Guard, 2-137th Infantry Brigade, voluntarily dropped his courses for the spring semester to join South Carolina’s 218th Combat Brigade for deployment on warning orders to Afghanistan. Van Rees, along with five others from the Kansas, will join 1800 other Guardsmen in their deployment, South Carolina’s largest National Guard call out since World War II. They will spend three months in pre-deployment training; they will then spend roughly a year in Afghanistan.

“It’s hard to be in the right mindset for this with my family so worried,” Van Rees said. “I’m fully confidant in my training and the guys I’m going with, but I’m aware of what things can happen.”

Sgt. 1st Class Paul Purdham, Kansas Army National Guard, 2-237th Infantry Brigade, said the Guard asks for volunteers before assigning deployment. Purdham said this call out supports Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

“If they don’t get enough volunteers, they tell you you’re going,” Sgt. 1st Class Purdham said. “People aren’t shooting you as much over there (in Afghanistan), that’s how they get volunteers.”

The pressure from President Bush to send 20,000 more troops to Iraq may lead to more incentive to volunteer. Purdham said many Guardsmen who have the choice would rather volunteer to deploy now rather than wait for orders. This way they can have a choice in where they go instead of being deployed as “a truck driver in a convoy in Iraq.”

Marla Herron, associate university registrar, said Van Rees is the only student she knows of that’s going to war this semester. She said students are not required to tell the University they are being deployed when they withdrawal from their classes, so KU has no record of how many students leave for military purposes. Herron said she does remember an increase in the numbers of applications going through her office in 2003, when the war began.

Van Rees said part of the reason he chose to volunteer now was to avoid being deployed mid semester.

Purdham said military personnel have the option of taking online courses rather than being traditional students. This way they can complete their degrees regardless of where and when they are deployed.

Denise Van Sickel had a bad day at work. She decided it was time to quit her job managing a dental office to pursue her first love, animals. She googled pet careers and discovered the growing industry of pet sitters. She started her own business, Lawrence Pet Friends, thinking pet sitting would make a great part time job.

That was almost two years ago. Today, Lawrence Pet Friends has over 200 clients, three employees and gets five to seven new calls per week. Van Sickel’s day starts early in the morning and she makes her last rounds just before bedtime. She works seven days a week and over all the holidays. Van Sickel also hosts a weekly Saturday morning radio show dedicated to pet care. So much for part time.

“Clients of the four-legged kind always love to see me,” Van Sickel said. “Its so much fun to be around animals all day, but there’s a lot of responsibility involved.”

Unlike boarding facilities and doggie day-cares, pet sitters visit their clients houses to care for their pets while the owners are at work or away on vacation. The sitter also picks up the mail and makes the house look lived in.

This March, Pet Sitters International will celebrate their twelfth annual Professional Pet Sitters Week. John S. Long III, spokesperson for PSI, said the main goal of the week is to raise awareness of the industry. It will take place the first week of March.

“The week was created to recognize the contributions made by professional pet sitters in their community and towards the well being of their clients,” Long said. “PSI will also be encouraging its members to make efforts to raise awareness within their own communities.

PSI offers group rates for pet sitters to get insurance, and gives discounted rates to sitters who pass the PSI Accreditation Program. The company was founded in 1994 by Patti Moran, author of “Pet Sitting for Profit.” By 1995 1,000 pet sitters were registered members. Today PSI has nearly 7,600 members. 26 of those members are in Kansas, four of which are in Lawrence.

Stephanie Shain from the Humane Society of the United States said that some pet owners turn to the Humane Society for guidance when hiring a pet sitter.

“These days people want more out of their pet sitters,” Shain said. “They really want sitters to spend time with their pets, to make them feel comfortable and happy while the owners are away.”

Jennifer Wego-Keith offers such services with All Pets Paradise, a business she runs out of her Lawrence home. She offers in home training to both the pet and the owner in addition to her normal pet sitting duties.

Like Van Sickel, Wego-Keith quit her job in IT to pursue her love of animals. All Pets Paradise has been in business for nearly six months. Wego-Keith said the her biggest challenge is getting her name out.

“Its a long process anytime you start a new business,” Wego-Keith said. “I’m not in it to be rich though, I’m in it to help the animals and their owners.”

Jennifer Lewis, one of Wego-Keith’s new clients, has an eight-month-old springer spaniel named Claire who is training with Wego-Keith. Lewis said she called All Pets Paradise after Claire attemptd to escape. It took the Lewis family nearly an hour to coax her back.

“I can tell a difference in Claire even after just two session,” Lewis said.

The Environmental Stewardship Program, informally known as KU Recycling, has received a grant exceeding $14,800 from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to install desk-side recycling bins in six University of Kansas buildings. But it could be late summer before the bins are placed because program administrators have not hired a new project manager.

Keaton Krell, a student crew leader for the program, said recycling on campus lacks the administrative leadership needed for an efficient recycling operation. His former boss, Jeff Severin, was recently promoted to director for the KU Center for Sustainability. Krell said Severin was an effective leader but his departure has caused a meltdown in the recycling department and has curbed the desk-side recycling bin project.

“Facilities Operations treats KU Recycling like an illegitimate stepchild,” Krell said. “They don't give us, the recyclers, any support. They don't have a clue as to the ins and outs of our operation, and they waited to post the job application for Jeff's old position until a day after he left the job.”

Severin applied for the grant from KDHE while he was still working for the program as environmental services project manager. He worked with the housekeeping staff to determine where they could best increase recycling on campus. Part of the criteria for the grant was to prove the money would be used for a project that reaches a new or under-served audience.

“Having that material taken as part of the waste taking process should have a positive effect on recycling,” Severin said. “This project adds the extra convenient element of having the bins near the desk.”

Before receiving the new grant, Severin worked with The Alumni Center last fall to install desk-side recycling bins in every office on the third floor. Jennifer Sanner, senior vice president of communications for the Alumni Association, said they requested the bins to increase their waste reduction.

“We’re just grateful that the service is available,” Sanner said. “We think it makes a lot of sense in a large community, such as a university, that uses a lot of paper. It makes a lot of sense to be conscientious of what we do with it.”

The Environmental Protection Agency reported 245 million tons of trash produced in the United States in 2005. That’s an average of almost five pounds of trash generated per person per day. The EPA estimates that only 32 percent gets recycled; the rest gets burned at combustion facilities or dumped in landfills. Recycling reduces water pollutants and the greenhouse gas emissions that change the global climate.

Statewide grants for recycling, composting and waste reduction come from tipping and dumping fees at landfill stations and from a percentage of the landfill permit fees. Grant money this year was just under $830,000. Kris Hicks, environmental scientist in KDHE bureau of waste management, said the allocation of the money was determined by KDHE and a governor appointed advisory board representing state, county and industry interests.

“It supports the local programs; it allows them to provide services in areas that they may not have in their own budget.” Hicks said. “As for the KU program, they were pretty limited on the budget.”

Krell said he looks forward to getting a new project manager and beginning the desk-side recycling project. He said that once they hire someone, KU Recycling can make a big step in making recycling more convenient for everyone.

“I'm sure most people don't recycle because it's not convenient for them, and with this they won't have that excuse anymore,” Krell said.

Adam Norris, Brea, Cal. graduate student, angles into his chair. He’s tall and lean and he has an Abraham Lincoln-like quality to him with chops that trail down to his strawberry blond goatee in a perfectly straight line. He adjusts a metal strap around the back of his neck that looks like head gear meant to torture children with crooked teeth. But its really a hands-free harmonica holder that he positions in front of his mouth.

He picks up his dark blue guitar, clears his throat and his left foot begins to tap the floor in a steady purposeful beat. He announces the title: “America.” He strums the guitar strings creating soothing cords for a moment, then starts in with the harmonica. His whole demeanor changes as he starts to play. He appears comfortable and confident.

He whistles a slow, almost trance-like rendition of “Hail to the Chief” through his harmonica. As he finishes the melody he holds the final note for a long moment. Then in a very slow melodic voice, he sings “America, land of the free.” He pauses, still playing his guitar, looking thoughtful. Then in the same slow deliberate voice sings “Also of the average joe.”

Norris writes songs about presidents he considers average joes. He’s written three songs so far, and plans to have ten by the end of the year so he can put together an album. He spends about a month delving into their biographies, learning everything he can. Then, as he puts it, he “throws it all out the window” to write his song. Most of his lyrics about the lesser known presidents include lesser known facts like Calvin Coolidge’s long afternoon naps.

“I want to be rich and famous, or at least make an album for my friends and family to enjoy,” Norris said.

He attunes himself to the same unlikely characters that writes about. But if fame and fortune don’t work out he has a back up plan: a PHD in molecular, cellular and developmental biology. Norris is 23 years old. He graduated from the University of Southern California on a full-ride scholarship. His grades were high enough for him to skip his masters degree when he came to the University of Kansas to work on his doctorate degree.

His first step to fame came about a month ago, when his song "Old Tippecanoe" aired on the “Whad’Ya Know” show on National Public Radio. The show was hosting a mock American Idol contest called “Whad’Ya Idol.” Norris sent in his song about the short lived presidency of William Henry Harrison, and made it to the semi-final rounds.

Norris finishes “America” and takes off the harmonica. He transitions with ease into his almost famous song “Old Tippecanoe.” It’s a slightly faster paced song, and lasts just over a minute.

“A governor and a warrior an all around congenial guy, Tippecanoe and John Tyler too.” Norris sings. “His renowned was surpassed by even his own secretary. Then there’s Henry Clay intent to have his way.”

Norris’s roommate, Paul O’Sullivan, Kerry, Ire. junior, said Norris’s music reflects his relaxed, happy-go-lucky attitude.

“There’s a science to the structure of his music,” O’Sullivan said. “He’s absolutely meticulous and he has the patience of a saint.”

Norris’s musical talent reaches beyond just the guitar and harmonica. He also plays piano, violin, and drums. In addition to music and academics, Norris also likes to cook. And O’Sullivan said that when his roommate isn’t studying or playing music, he can usually find him at the Rec Center playing a variety of sports.

Norris’s music training began when he was three years old. His parents put him in piano lessons. Ann Green, his first piano teacher, remembers Norris at a young age.

“He was very intelligent and highly motivated. He followed the rules and had great respect for his parents,” Green said. “He was reserved, and he was a high achiever.”

Norris remembers getting discouraged with playing piano when he was about 13 years old. He was tired of classical music and when he practiced he would purposely bang on the keys making it a horrible sound to hear. He parents gave him an ultimatum that he would have to continue his lessons until he was 14, then he could make the decision to quit. By the time his birthday came around, Norris had found a new private teacher. He said the turning point was when his new teacher taught him to play “Johnny Be Good.”

Norris is the oldest of four children, and all of his family lives in California. O’Sullivan said Norris keeps a close bond with his family, even through the distance. Norris had decided to come to the midwest for a change of scenery from West Coast life. Little did he know that his steps to stardom would begin in the tiny town of Lawrence, Kans.

Starting April 20th, Norris will start playing a regular show at Dunn Brother’s Coffee. He has a few other songs besides the presidential ones, none of which are typical.
Norris finishes up his song “Old Tippecanoe.”

“Record 68 years old 90 minutes in the cold only 30 days in office,” he sings. “I think we learned this lesson: words don’t speak as loud as actions when that action needs to go inside to beat the rain and cold.”

He goes on for a few seconds with some “dododoo’s” and more “Tippecanoe’s,” then puts down his guitar and smiles with satisfaction.

A report published Monday by the Center for Naval Analysis said global climate change threatens national security.

“National Security and the Threat of Climate Change” was compiled by an independent military advisory board consisting of 12 retired admirals and generals. It’s main focus was to evaluate the consequences climate change poses for national security. Much of the report examined how climate change could effect the U.S. Military in a global context, including disaster relief, migration, and conflict over water and food supplies. The report also noted the effects drought and decreased rainfall could have in the west-central United States and the High Plains aquifer that lies beneath the area and provides groundwater for irrigation.

“Three of the top grain-producing states-Texas, Kansas and Nebraska-each get 70 to 90 percent of their irrigation from the (High Plains) aquifer. Human-induced stresses on this groundwater have resulted in water-table declines greater than 100 feet in some areas,” the report said. “The already difficult situation could be greatly exacerbated by a decrease in rainfall predicted for the region.”

Sharon Billings, assistant professor in the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology department, studies the effects global climate change will have on the soil. Currently she conducts experiments that measure the carbon levels in soil when it’s exposed to high temperatures. She has found that Kansas soil, which already contains high amounts of carbon, reacts the most to high temperatures. The soil then produces more carbon and releases it into the atmosphere. That causes the temperatures to increase more. She said this could eventually effect Kansas’ agriculture production by decreasing the diversity of sustainable crops.

“If we continue on this path our children and their children and grandchildren will be in a very different and very much less stable world,” Billings said. “Different might be okay, but lack of stability is a real challenge. Climatic stability has promoted our civilization to begin with, it has allowed us to produce the agriculture that we are so dependent on.”

The CNA report also said that climate change could excel the spread of infectious diseases. Richard Williams, London graduate student, studies the transmission of the West Nile Virus through birds. He said higher temperatures could increase proliferation of West Nile because replication of the disease improves at higher temperatures.

“The probability of a mosquito becoming infected increases with temperature, as does the level of the infection. Probably in a hotter summer there will be a greater proliferation of infected birds and mosquitoes, making the likelihood of human infection higher,” Williams said. “Warmer temperatures might affect the West Nile transmission cycle by extending the breeding season thus enabling the virus to survive in Kansas over winter, though it is not clear that West Nile is killed off in winter.”

The CNA report calls for action from the Department of Defense to prepare the United States for a warmer climate with increased severe weather events. It also calls for government action to reduce greenhouse gases.

Lee Gerhard, principal geologist of the Kansas Geological Survey, denounces the effect human activity has on global climate change. His studies have also shown that the earth is not currently on a warming trend. Gerhard and his colleague recently co-authored a study of glacial ages.

“Glacial ages are related to the position of oceans and continents through time, and there are "orders" of  climate drivers, starting with the position of the earth in the solar system, and ending with very minor climate drivers, such as  small meteorite impacts, volcanoes, La Nina and El Nino events, and human impacts,” Gerhard said. “All of these are short term and very minor in temperature effect, although volcanic eruptions can have a significant impact for a year or two.”

Gerhard said that putting constraints on emissions to reduce greenhouse gases will hurt the Kansas economy more than it will help the global climate.

These days Lee Gerhard, retired University of Kansas geology professor, considers himself an independent geologist. He sits in his office in the the basement of his three-story home looking out into the tree-lined backyard. He settles back in his chair and slowly reaches up to fold his hands behind his head. His desk has papers and strewn across it. Plaques marking his achievements are scattered across the wall behind him: he was the Getty professor at Colorado State University, State Geologist of North Dakota, Principle Geologist of the Kansas Geological Survey, the list goes on.

He takes a concentrated breath as he prepares to make his case. After years of research he has concluded that human activities; mainly activities that alter the natural carbon cycle like burning fossil fuels for energy and mass transit, and cutting down forests to make way for urban and agricultural development, are not influencing global climate change. He knows his conclusions aren’t popular in the debate over climate change. In fact the debate over whether humans are changing the climate has all but diminished since the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recently released a report with 90 percent confidence that humans are in fact contributing to global warming.

“One might say there is a human hubris involved,” Gerhard said. “That humans, at least in this generation, think they are responsible for a lot more impact on the world than perhaps humans have.”

Gerhard’s data shows that human activity has little to do with global climate change. He wrote a book in 2001 called “The Geological Perspectives of Global Climate Change.” It’s a compilation of years of data from scientific journals. He said that climate does not flat-line. He pulls out a graph that explains the correlation between the sun and the climate and shows that carbon increase in dioxide doesn’t match up. He claims that the sun and the impending approach of the next ice age are the causes for the rapid change in climate.

Gerhard pulls out another graph, explaining excitedly that human intervention ranks at the bottom of the list when it comes to impact on the global climate. He has studied four billion years of geological history to come to his conclusions, and says you can’t accurately judge the current situation without looking to the past. He points out that politics, rather than science, are influencing the majority of current climate change studies.

“We have to remember that it was a politician who started this debate,” Gerhard said. “The same former-vice president who claimed he invented the internet.”

While most of Washington, minus the Bush administration, agrees with the IPCC report, there are members of congress who agree with Gerhard. For example, Senator Jim Inhofe, Rep. Okla., said in 2003 that man-made global warming was a hoax.

Gerhard worked in the oil and gas industry before he began researching climate change and was inducted into the Kansas Oil and Gas Hall of Fame. But he’s adamant that he does not receive funding from them. He doesn’t receive government funding either. He said he resents people who try to demonize him by claiming his funding biases his research. In fact he was recently turned down for government funding for a research project that he said would further prove humans have little effect on climate change.

“There isn’t a choice,” Gerhard said. “In order to get the funding, you have to do the science that the funders want done. Competition for funds has become more and more difficult. I’m not saying that individual scientists are submitting, but the funding is biasing the science.”
The debate over whether humans play a role in climate change has dwindled. A recent CBS News New York Times poll found that 84 percent of Americans believe human activity contributes to global warming.

Johannes Feddema, KU geography professor, said the climate has a complex system, but has no doubt that increased carbon dioxide concentrations will increase climate effect. His graphs, unlike Gerhard’s, show a direct correlation between climate change and carbon dioxide. In fact, he says that observed climate in the last one hundred years cannot be replicated in the graph without using carbon dioxide as a variable.

Feddema said humans are changing the carbon cycle by changing the natural decomposition of vegetation through agriculture, urban development and deforestation as well as emissions from energy consumption and the burning of fossil fuels. He said the debate whether humans impact climate change doesn’t exist in the scientific community.

“The media feels like it has to be fair to both sides of the issue,” Feddema said. “So they have only one guy on each side to be balanced, even though 99 percent of scientists agree that we are having an impact on climate change.”

Other professors at KU agree with Feddema. David Braaten, atmospheric science professor, said models that only use natural forces such as the impact of the sun can’t explain observed temperatures. Another KU professor, Dr. Nathaniel Brunsell, studies biometeorology, the interactions between life and climate. He said the sun does have some effect on climate change, but that it’s too small to account for the climate change we’ve seen in recent years.

Gerhard does have two findings that agree with the majority of scientific findings. First that we have to reduce our energy consumption and use alternative energy routes. Second that no amount of data can predict with certainty what will actually happen.

Gerhard said we are more likely to find ourselves in an ice age over the next 20 years than in a warming trend. He said that in the past, the Earth has gone through an ice age every 11,000 years, and we are coming up on that mark. Gerhard said that the government wastes money going green, and that it would be better spent preparing for survival in arctic temperatures.

“The number one job for the government is to prepare to adapt and mitigate for certain climate change, warmer or colder,” Gerhard said. “When it happens, the problem of feeding the world in a colder climate is key.”