Recent Events

Trump’s anti-environmental policies in correlation to an increase in drug trafficking

Although President Donald Trump vowed to combat drug trafficking organizations and the opioid crisis, a new report shows the consequences of his extensive cuts to staff and programs towards the environmental crimes department. Specifically, it’s affecting illegal gold mining. Gold mining itself is already horrible for the environment, known as one of the most destructive industries in the world. Miners extract gold from sediment using mercury, a process that severely pollutes water sources and devastates ecosystems. Often, it travels long distances, polluting the rivers that indigenous people hunt in. Its concentration grows in a process called bioaccumulation, meaning apex predators have much higher levels of mercury in their bodies than the organisms they eat. Currently, illegal gold mining is generating more money than the drug trade in some countries, providing funding for drug traffickers and other criminal organizations. Melina Risso, a research director at the Igarape Institute, said “How can you disrupt organized crime if you loosen and weaken the enforcement system that fights it?”

Thankfully, there have been movements fighting these illegal practices. Colombian President Gustavo Petro signed the “Declaration of Bogota,” which included commitments of combating environmental crimes by addressing mercury use, improving gold traceability, and addressing threats to environmental defenders and other human rights.

Human Activity Causes Scarring in Over 80% of Indonesian Whale Sharks

The whale shark is one of the most unique animals in the world. It is the largest fish on Earth and is found in tropical and warm waters worldwide. This shark can reach up to 60 ft in length, but the average length is around 30 ft. These giant sharks mainly feed upon zooplankton, krill, fish/crab larvae, and other small animals in the ocean. Whale sharks have very narrow throats, which limits them to eating only small organisms. The whale shark lives for a very long time, and its life can span from 80-130 years. This species is classified as endangered by the IUCN Red List (International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species). Unlike other shark species such as the great white, whale sharks are docile animals and pose no threats to humans.

As a result of being harmless towards humans, the amount of people that have come to tropical waters for shark tourism has increased over the years. One unintended consequence of increased shark tourism is the rise in whale shark injuries caused by human activity. In a study conducted off the coast of Indonesia, researchers found that about 80% of recorded whale sharks in that region showed injuries linked to human activity. The two main causes were attributed to whale shark watching tour boats and an Indonesian fishing platform called a bagan. Bagans are extremely common and are often used by fishermen. They attract whale-sharks, so it is extremely difficult to keep the sharks away. Though this may be the case, there are potential solutions to this problem.

In fact, researchers argue that the injuries and scars that whale sharks obtain from human caused activities can be easily prevented. These researchers have already begun to work with those who operate in marine protected areas to modify bagans. Modifications to bagans include removing any sharp edges from the fishing platform and adjusting the net frames so that whale sharks will be less likely to be scarred by them. The situation of what is currently happening to whale sharks is reflective of modern global patterns. There are countless examples of human practices that interfere with the habitats and lifestyle of species all over the world, and it is something that needs to be addressed. Oftentimes, drastic changes are not necessary to make significant progress in ensuring that our planet’s animals are kept safe and healthy. As seen with the example of the whale sharks, small adjustments to human activities can greatly reduce the risk of organisms getting hurt in their environments.

Tips: Back2Skool Sustainability

As summer once again draws to a close, chances are you or someone you know is going through the typical back-to-school motions. Here are some ways to ensure that this transition can be smooth, safe, and also environmentally sustainable:

1. Walk or Bike to School

If you find that you live relatively close to the school you or your child is attending, biking or even walking can be great methods of transportation. This provides daily exercise and time outside, relieves congestion for those who must rely on buses or cars to get to school, and prevents greenhouse gas emissions that would have otherwise been produced by driving. If you’re having trouble finding the motivation to begin, enlisting some friends to walk/bike with can make the trip much more enjoyable. If you live farther away from the school, taking the bus or carpooling with others can also help to reduce your carbon footprint. On a slightly different note, consider turning the engine off if you’re waiting to pick-up or drop-off your child—car idling wastes fuel and contributes to air pollution.

2. Packing Lunch

When attempting to pack a low-waste lunch, be sure to use reusable containers, water bottles, straws, and utensils, rather than their single-use disposable counterparts. As individually wrapped snacks are very wasteful in their plastic usage, buy these snacks in bulk and store them in a reusable container.

3. School Supplies

For the sake of stocking up on new school supplies, it can be tempting to buy into fancy packaging or colorful, eye-catching products. However, consider purchasing supplies that are high-quality and durable, use little packaging (you can buy in bulk to reduce packaging), and are made from recycled materials.

4. Clothes Shopping

Thrifting or other forms of second-hand clothes shopping are great ways to look for a new wardrobe for the upcoming school year. Thrifting is not only cheap, but also reduces your carbon footprint by preventing contributions to the emissions associated with fast fashion and the clothing manufacturing process in general. You can also contribute to the second-hand system by donating or selling gently-used clothing.