Photo Credit: John Beetham
Overfishing is one of the monumental environmental problems that we face today on this planet. The ocean’s fish have been over exploited for years and major fisheries around the world are on the brink of collapse. This has led to a increase in fisheries research, where population declines are being studied and different sustainable management practices are being experimented with. A two-year study by a team of 21 marine scientists from universities around the world has shown that with intensive management practices and smart fishing major fisheries can begin the initial stages of recovery. Read more…
In one of New York’s public housing complexes, a recent grassroots recycling education effort has taken place. Gloria Allen, at the young age of 82, has started a community recycling education program for all of the 4500 residents. Historically, recycling in New York’s public housing projects has been horrendous with only 17 percent of household waste recycled. The City of New York has made it mandatory to recycle by passing a law that forces residents to recycle their waste, but unfortunately a law is sometimes not all that it takes. “It takes time, patience and energy” say Ms. Martin and much of that energy is coming from Martin and her associates. Read more…
Our neighbors to the south are trying to take a leading role on reducing carbon emissions, especially in the current economy. Felipe Calderon, the President of Mexico, spoke to a group of representatives of the world’s major economies about the importance of not losing sight of the looming climate change problem during the current economic downturn. With added stress put on all of the world’s economies it is incredibly easy to focus only on the economic and financial side of international relations, but as Presidente Calderon has stressed, we need to remember that with climate change many of these economies will suffer much more than they are now. Read more…
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Nancy Pelosi, the controversial speaker of the House, along with five other House legislators met with two of China’s top leaders to talk about energy cooperation and looming environmental issues. While speaking about the relationship between the US and China on the issue of climate change, Pelosi called it an “opportunity we cannot miss.” The United States is the biggest emitter of greenhouse gases with China close behind. The relationship between the US and China is crucial for the future of our planet and it seems to be forming. The US and China must find a common interest so we can all reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. Read more…
The “Story of Stuff” is a 20 minute video, which presents a simplified view of the way our society functions along with some of the shortcomings of our economic system. In this short animated video, Annie Leonard, the creator, shows how we, as a nation, are obsessed with consumption solely for the sake of consuming. However, she points out that this actually may not be our fault. Read more…
Photo Credit: Oscar Durand / New York Times
College campuses around the country are making their cafeterias and delis more sustainable by, believe it or not, eliminating dining trays! This movement has led to a drastic reduction in food waste and water usage (from the rinsing of the trays) and the universities that have adopted this policy have saved substantial amounts of money.Sarah Whately of Skidmore College sums up this new method of reducing food waste, “…you actually eat what you want rather than what you see.” Read more…
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