The Trail- Volume 14 Issue 3

The Trail

Department of Human Ecology

A Note to Our Readers...

As another semester comes to an end, The Trail staff would like to thank you all for supporting and reading our newsletter. We hope everyone did well on their final exams and is enjoying the warm spring weather (finally)!

I want to say a huge thank you to my fellow leadership crew, Mia, Sarah, and Anna. Transitioning to a new leadership, online, during a pandemic was not easy, but we made it work. Special thanks to Mia for being a true leader - without her, the past few issues would not have been possible!

As a graduating senior who has been a part of The Trail since freshman year, along with Sarah, it is sad to go, but we know that Mia, Anna, and the rest of the staff (current and new) will do an amazing job. I have really enjoyed writing and editing for The Trail the past few years and can’t wait to keep reading all future issues!

Congratulations to all graduating seniors - we wish you well in all of your future endeavors! The world is your oyster!

Natalia

A Home Away from Civilization

By: Sarah Ekenezar

These days, alternative energy sources and a deepening appreciation for the environment have encouraged city dwellers to leave in search of new homes that can make them feel closer to nature. This journey might go toward the off-the-grid route which is a relatively new movement centered around lifestyles that are independent of services and ammenities provided to municipalities, such as electricity, running water, and grocery stores. Additionally, "one of the defining characteristics of off-grid homes is the fact that they’re highly customizable" (Tanksalvala). The abodes gives people more leeway with housing design that would otherwise be restricted by standard housing codes, such as circular domes and tent like structures. But before people rush to sell their homes in exchange for a self made one, it is critical to keep the following points in mind. “Many American cities and states have deemed it unlawful for you to entirely remove yourself from the grid” (Erika). So it would be wise to research areas that would permit it in the first place. Furthermore, living in a region with an abundance of at least one key resource like water and a power source, to enable rainwater harvesting or light is fundamental (Erika). The transition to this way of living also doesn't happen rapidly. One way to carefully test the waters is to experiment with extended camping trips and

gauge how well you manage with limited resources and socialization. Ultimately, off grid homes are seen as a project that some people dedicate their entire lives toward customizing and expanding (Tanksalvala).

Catherine King and Wayne Adams are such a couple that live together in a home dubbed Freedom Cove, a secluded area located in Vancouver Island, Canada. Their home is sometimes referred to as made island, connected housing structures that float on a river (Great Big Story) Said river serves as their means of transportation and their connection to the rest of the province (Great Big Story). Their mini island is tied to trees by the shore to prevent it from floating away. The structure also has different sections to feel cozier. our main living house, we have the dance floor, the lighthouse building, four greenhouses Adams make use of a large garden and simple tools like hammers and saws to repair items on deck. The collective structure weighs a whopping 500 tons or 1

Works Cited

Erika. “Off grid living: 12 things you must know in 2022.” Gokce Capital. https:// gokcecapital.com/off-grid-living/

“

With Great Big Story, showing how acclimated the couple became to boat living.

On some days, he hops in a canoe to fish for dinner, usually catching a suitable amount in just ten minutes (Great Big Story). In less favorable weather conditions, he can cast his fishing line from indoors. Living as an artist, he had limited funds and thus prioritized subsistence living with his wife to live well. Their efforts have clearly paid off as their lovely home remains afloat and they continue to find contentment in their Cove.

All in all, off very sustainable way to make use of limited resources, but also requires a deep commitment and effort that may require extreme levels of patience from the average person. The couple fascinating to observe for that reason.

Off the Grid on a Homemade Island.” 8 Aug. 2016. Great Big Story. https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9WWzbzevTA

Tanksalvala, Sarah. "Finding peace and purpose off the grid." Forbes. https:// www.forbes.com/hsbcpersonaleconomy/ finding peace and purpose.html

Brownfields in New Jersey

By Priyal Patel

Brownfields are quite abundant in our daily lives. However, many people are unaware of their existence. The EPA defines a brownfieldas“aproperty,the expansion,redevelopment,orreuseof whichmaybecomplicatedbythe presenceorpotentialpresenceofa hazardoussubstance,pollutant,or contaminant”(USEnvironmental ProtectionAgency).Brownfieldscanbe createdbydevelopingindustrialand commercialsiteslikedry cleanersand gasstations.Fundingtocleanupand reusethesesitesiscostlyandincreases localtaxes,soitiscrucialforour administrationstomapandlocatethese sitescorrectly.

Currently, New Jersey is developing better tools to help its economic and environmental conditions. The most recent tool is a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping inventory layer created by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. The NJEDA will use this layer to assess our economic growth and find the most efficient and economically feasible options to redevelop these contaminated sites. This mapping layer will help make “ valuable information about brownfields sites easily accessible” (Shinske and Hajna). Making this information readily accessible will allow more investors and developers to make the most environmentally sound decisions. It could help them better assess locations before deciding to build other brownfields. The mapping of these sites can help us prevent or help us track contamination outbreaks as well. Currently, the map includes information such as “acreage, cleanup status, and property owner contact information” (Shinske and Hajna). This information is crucial for smart planning, and the NJDEP is planning on adding brownfields from other municipalities throughout the coming years. In order to get other towns to investigate their brownfields and facilitate redevelopment

of these sites, the NJEDA has created a Brownfield Impact Fund. This Fund will help assist organizations in the cleanup of these contaminated sites and encourage towns to join in the state's efforts to reuse and rebuild these sites for future use.

New Jersey is taking charge and cleaning up after itself. New Jersey is becoming more conscious of its environmental decisions and can better track the sites and their possible impacts on surrounding communities with tools like this.

Works Cited

Shinske, Caryn, and Lawrence Hajna. “NJDEP News Release 22/P005 Murphy Administration Releases New Tool for Brownfield Cleanup and Redevelopment to Improve Economic and Environmental Outcomes for New Jersey Communities.” NJ.gov,StateofNewJersey,DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,14February2022,https://www.nj.gov/dep/ newsrel/2022/22_0005.htm.Accessed24April2022.

US Environmental Protection Agency. “Overview of EPA's Brownfields Program | US EPA.” USEnvironmentalProtectionAgency,USEnvironmentalProtectionAgency,26July2021, https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/overviewepas brownfieldsprogram.Accessed23April2022.

A brownfield site. Source: Wikimedia Commons

Combating the Sixth Mass Extinction

Taken by: Michelle Delemarre (03 14 20)

By: Michelle Delemarre

The sixth one is upon us. In the last issue, I discussed how anthropogenic climate change and human activities have resulted in the dawn of the sixth mass extinction. The previous five mass extinctions were caused by cataclysmic events brewing over millennia, but this one will be caused by humans over mere centuries. Witnessing the destruction of nature and the overall loss of biodiversity within our planet is heartbreaking to say the least. We must take it as a final warning and do something to combat the looming sixth mass extinction.

The combination of anthropogenic climate change and habitat fragmentation are large contributors to the loss of biodiversity, and so they must be reduced in order to protect wildlife. Many nations have committed to the Paris Agreement, which aims to keep emissions below 1.5ºC (WWF, 2022). This will not only benefit us, but also wildlife. Many species have difficulty adapting to such a rapidly changing environment, which has resulted in the death of many animals on land and sea. In reducing the rate of change, we can expect to see

biodiversity begin to recover. Of course, it is idealistic to expect the nations largely responsible for carbon emissions, like the United States and China, to embrace a transition to clean energy. This is why conservation methods, such as protecting land, captive breeding, and re-introducing vulnerable species into natural habitats plays an important role in combating the sixth mass extinction.

The conservation of wildlife habitat is crucial; a stable ecosystem is necessary for the survival of marine, land, and avian animals alike. According to a report called Future threats to biodiversity and pathways to their prevention, “Designated protected areas now cover about 14% of Earth’s terrestrial surface and are often instrumental in reducing habitat conversion, hunting and extinction risks within their confines.” (Tilman et. al, 2017.) Creating conserved habitats with connecting corridors proves highly beneficial to the conservation of species, as it allows for migration from one area to another.

Both animals and humans need land, and so the habitat of animals is often cleared for agriculture, timber, or the development of roads or buildings. It is important to note that conserving the

habitats of wildlife can impact the livelihoods of people who live near the habitats. Rather than isolate people from conservation efforts, they can contribute to the conservation with their expertise and knowledge of the local environment. Areas of high biodiversity would be protected, while agrarian fields would be in areas only with high yield. This way, a compromise would be met.

As individuals, we must push for legislation to protect ecosystems in a way which will benefit both humans and animals. We can also proactively reduce the demand for land clearing by consuming less meat. We must never forget our dependence on nature; it is something that no longer can be dismissed. While it may not be possible to completely reverse climate change and the impact it has had on biodiversity, it is not too late to combat extinctions, and protect what remains of nature.

Works Cited

Barnosky, A. (2011, March 02). Has the Earth's sixth mass extinction already arrived? Retrieved February 12, 2022, from https://www.nature.com/articles/ nature09678

Tilman, D. (2017, May 31). Future threats to biodiversity and pathways to their prevention. Nature News. Retrieved April 20, 2022, from https://www.nature.com/articles/ nature

World Wildlife Fund. (2022, March 15). What is the sixth mass extinction and what can we do about it? WWF. Retrieved April 20, 2022, from https://www.worldwildlife.org/stories/ what-is-the-sixth-mass-extinction-and-what can we do about it

Taken by: Michelle Delemarre (06 28 19)

Sunshine Protection Act

Many of us are familiar with Daylight Saving Time, ecstatic when we have an extra hour of sleep and dreading the day a few months later when it gets taken away from us. In the future, we can see an end to this cycle, but first it’s important to know where it came from. Daylight Saving Time (DST) was enacted in the United States, following Germany’s 1916 effort to conserve fuel during World War I, and its period of observance has since been lengthened. Originally mandated for six months, in 2005, Congress extended DST to begin on the second Sunday in March and end the first Sunday in November. As a result, the United States now enjoys eight months of DST, and only four months of standard time (November to March). The United States has also gone through periods where we have had year-round DST, including in 1942-1945 and 1974-1975. Senator Rubio’s Sunshine Protection Act would eliminate the changing of clocks to standard time for those four months. In sum, if enacted, we would not “fall back” in November and would enjoy a full year of DST, instead of only eight months.

By Angel Tello

This plan has many benefits to both u us and our environment. If enacted, we can see a reduction of car crashes and car accidents involving pedestrians due to better aligning daylight hours to drivers’ standard work hours increases visibility, according to the American Journal of Public Health and the Journal of Safety Research. This can also reduce the number of vehicle collisions with wildlife by 8 11 percent by shifting normal traffic patterns to an hour off from nocturnal wildlife’s behavior. Studies have shown that a full year of DST can reduce the risk for cardiac issues, stroke, and seasonal depression. It can also reduce childhood obesity and increase physical fitness. According to studies published by the International Journal Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity and the Journal of Physical Activity and Health, children see an increase in physical activity during DST. The Journal of Environmental Psychology found that DST increased pedestrian activity by 62% and cyclists’ activity by 38% because of additional daylight. It can additionally reduce the number of robberies by 27%.

According to a 2015 Brookings Institution, because of additional daylight intheevenings.

We can also see benefits to the economy, according to a study by JP Morgan Chase, which found that there is a drop in economic activity of 2.2% 4.9% when clocks move back. With a full year of DST, we won’t experience this percentage decrease. Also, we can see a boost in the agricultural economy, which is disproportionately disrupted by biannual changes in time by upsetting the synergy between farmers’ schedules and their supply chain partners. We can see a reduction in energy usage, as a 2008 study by the U.S. Department of Energy found that during the 4 weeks the U.S. extended daylight savings from the 2005 law, there were savings of about 0.5 percent in electricity per day. Later studies have also shown that the energy savings are minimal, but a small savings does occur, nonetheless.

Overall, enacting this policy can have many benefits for both the economy and health of the public and can be one of the few bright positives coming out of Florida recently.

Sources

Manfredini, Roberto. “European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences.” EuropeanReview, 2018,https://www.europeanreview.org/wp/wp content/uploads/750-755.pdf.

Sipilä JO;Ruuskanen JO;Rautava P;Kytö. “Changes in Ischemic Stroke Occurrence Following Daylight Saving Time Transitions.” SleepMedicine,U.S. NationalLibraryofMedicine,https:// pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27938913/ .

“Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).” MayoClinic, MayoFoundationforMedicalEducationand Research,14Dec.2021,https:// www.mayoclinic.org/diseasesconditions/seasonal affectivedisorder/symptomscauses/syc20364651

Farrell, Diana. “Shedding Light on Daylight Saving Time.” SheddingLightonDaylightSavingTime,Nov. 2016,https://www.jpmorganchase.com/institute/ research/cities-local-communities/jpmc-institutedaylightsavingsreport.

Matulka, Rebecca. “Top 8 Things You Didn't Know about Daylight Saving Time.” Energy.gov,6Mar. 2014,https://www.energy.gov/articles/top8things you-didn-t-know-about-daylight-saving-time.

MCFERRIN, CLAY. “Make Daylight Saving Time Permanent.” MakeDaylightSavingTimePermanent |TheSunSentinel,17Mar.2022,https:// www.tallahatchienews.ms/editorialslocal-content-opinion/make-daylightsavingtime permanent#sthash.QvRbFNss.dpbs.

Bucket List for the

Traveler: Edinburgh of the Seven Seas, Tristan da Cunha

Looking to get away from it all? Well, I have the escape of a lifetime for you, “far from the madding crowd” (Millington)! Like a green iceberg lost adrift in the turbulent sea, flung thousands of miles away from any other landmasses, lies the most remote inhabited island archipelago in the world: Tristan da Cunha (National Geographic Society, 2017). It’s about as far as you can get off the beaten path!

By: Jeremy Lewan

from even its closest neighbor, St. Helena!

Tristan da Cunha is a British overseas territory consisting of six small islands: Tristan da Cunha, Inaccessible, Nightingale, Middle, Stoltenhoff, and Gough (Murray, 2014; Isaacson, 2020). Of the six, Tristan da Cunha Island, referred to simply as Tristan by the nearly 250 residents who live on the archipelago, is the only inhabited island (Isaacson, 2020).

(The only exception is the team of less than 10 meteorologists, medics, engineers, biologists--employed yearround by the South African Weather Service at the Gough Island Weather Station (Gough Base, 2018).)

The Gough Island Weather Station

All residents on the island live in a small settlement, Edinburgh of the Seven Seas, and are descendants of the original nine male founders on the island (Green).

The nine surnames--Collins, Glass, Green, Hagan, Lavarello, Repetto, Rogers, Squibb, and Swain--preserve and are held dearly by the island’s eighty families (Green). Ethnically ambiguous, they are of diverse ancestry, including Scottish, Dutch, Italian, and American and speak a Tristanian English patois, a dialect influenced by Afrikaans, Italian and American tongues

(Isaacson 2014). They live without locks on their doors and with windows open and children are allowed to play freely without fear of harm. Everyone shares resources; they help each other communally.

Lobster lovers delight on Tristan. The crustacean is a main staple of the local diet and the island’s chief export, carefully and sustainably harvested (Redfern, 2016b). Anyone who enjoys eating lobster will be happy at mealtime on the island. Potatoes often accompany every meal boiled, baked, mashed, stuffed, fried, you name it! as every family owns several fields in the Potato Patches to grow their primary and vital potato crop (Issacson, 2014).

Conrad Glass, the island’s only police officer and former chief islander

There is no air service to the island, so it is accessible only to those who are able to afford thousands of dollars to sail there on a mailship or research vessel. Also being able to afford to spend a month on Tristan before the ship makes its returning voyage from either continent adds an additional barrier (Isaacson, 2014). Since there are no hotels or motels, visitors must lodge with one of the families, providing them with an excellent opportunity to become acquainted with the local people and immerse themselves in Tristanian culture. In addition to those with a taste for unusual and extraordinary vacations, the island beckons many other specialists.

Volcanologists rejoice as they climb to the nearly 7,000 foot Queen Mary’s Peak, the top of the massive shield volcano that forms the island (Murray, 2014). It is an active volcano, having last erupted in 1961, almost destroying the village and forcing the inhabitants to evacuate for a short period of time (Redfern, 2016a).

Those who wish to explore or just commune with nature without accidentally stepping on a loathsome reptile will be happy here, as there are no snakes on Tristan (Grundy). (St. Patrick must have sent one of his deputies.)

Lovers of marine and avian wildlife will have an unparalleled experience observing native and unique species. Schools of Tristan five finger, Tristan wrasse, and False Jacopever are abundant, weaving among the 150 foot tall giant kelp forest high rises they call home (Grundy; Redfern, 2016b).

The giant kelp cities are constantly growing too, at an accelerating rate of over a foot a day (Redfern, 2016b)! Subantarctic fur seals, and many varieties of whales and dolphins also find themselves indulging lavishly in the rich Tristan waters (Grundy; Redfern, 2016b).

reported on the island and the British Ministry of Defense went to great lengths to deliver and administer OxfordAstraZeneca vaccinations to all of the residents (Adams, 2021). With the pandemic waning, travel to this most remote and intriguing of destinations seems possible in the very near future, after which you can boast to your other well traveled friends that you have gone to a place they have never even heard of before.

References

Adams, P. (2021, April 29). Covid: How the UK has been getting jabs to remote territories. Retrieved April 27, 2022, from https://www.bbc.com/news/uk 56923016

Gough Base: South African National Antarctic Programme. (2018, August 29). Retrieved April 27, 2022, from https://blogs.sun.ac.za/sanap/stations/ gough base/#:~:text=Gough%20Island%20is% 20located%20at,weather%20observations%20are% 20more%20accurate.

Giant kelp forests provide a habitat for a multiplicity of unique marine species.

There are three native albatross species that nest exclusively on the Tristan da Cunha Islands: Atlantic yellow-nosed albatross, sooty albatross, and Tristan wandering albatross (Grundy). Hundreds of thousands of Great Shearwaters also breed exclusively on the islands (Redfern, 2016b). Tristan is home to a sprawling community (up to 75% of the world’s population) of Northern Rockhopper penguins, known on the island as pinnamins (Grundy; Redfern, 2016b). Although one of the smallest penguin species, they are some of the most agile, and can be seen swiftly catching a bite to eat in the teeming waters off the coast of the island (Grundy). Luckily, not a single COVID 19 case was

Green, C. (n.d.). Tristan da Cunha Population Update. Retrieved April 27, 2022, from https://www.tristandc.com/population.php

Grundy, R. (n.d.). Wild Tristan da Cunha. Retrieved April 27, 2022, from https://www.tristandc.com/wildlife.php

Isaacson, A. (2020, May 20). A Visual Dispatch from One of the World's Most Remote Islands.Retrieved April 27, 2022, from https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/20/travel/tristan da cunha.html

Isaacson, A. (2014, July 09). Tristan da Cunha: Island at the End of the World. Retrieved April 27, 2022, from https:// www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/tristan da cunha Millington, P. (Director). (n.d.). Tristan da Cunha Website [Video file]. Retrieved April 27, 2022,from https://www.tristandc.com/ index.php

Murray, L. (2014). Tristan da Cunha. Retrieved April 27, 2022, from https://www.britannica.com/place/Tristan da Cunha island group

National Geographic Society. (2017, January). Tristan da Cunha. Retrieved April 27, 2022, from https:// www.nationalgeographic.org/projects/pristine seas/expeditions/ tristan da cunha/ Redfern. (Director). (2016a, April 08). Life on Tristan da Cunha The World's Most Remote Inhabited Island [Video file]. Retrieved April 27, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=n4ElF8awm90

Redfern (Director). (2016b, April 08). Tristan da Cunha Wildlife and Heritage [Video file]. Retrieved April 27, 2022, from https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fspkfxcrfwc

Analyzing the

Ongoing Migrant Crisis Through a Climate Change Lens

By Enya Laumbach

Turn on Fox News, and you’re likely to hear mention of the “Border Crisis” afflicting our nation. This is usually accompanied with a tantrum about how we should be protecting our own border rather than Ukraine’s. Right-wing pundits seem to have an effortless ability to drone on and on about the threat of thousands of undocumented immigrants swarming our border. When President Joe Biden slightly relaxed border policies, a Republican representative commented that we as a nation were, "rolling out the welcome mat for millions of illegal immigrants to rush to our border ultimately overpowering our already drained resources.” He further states, “everyone from the cartels, human traffickers and drug smugglers are standing idly by, waiting for May 23 to reignite their efforts to surge the United States with illegal immigrants, drugs and convicted criminals.” From the way the issue is being talked about you’d

think that migrants were coming here to rob us blind, put drugs in our kids and, god forbid, spice in our food.

But is the issue so cut and dry? Obviously not, as Tucker Carlson’s beautifully sheltered mind and miniscule worldview is capable of handling. These people believe it or not, are quite literally the opposite of criminals. They are refugees of a growing sort: Climate refugees. And they’re refugees because of the real criminals, us Americans. When it comes to global warming, the first world often pollutes without consequence, while the third world, in a more precarious economic and environmental position, is routinely the victim. Despite making up a far smaller proportion of global emissions. But how is it that climate change is creating refugees? While no established definition exists for climate refugees, UN Environment Programme

(UNEP) expert Essam El-Hinnawi defines 'environmental refugees' (interchangeable with climate refugeeism) as: '...those people who have been forced to leave their traditional habitat, temporarily or permanently, because of marked environmental disruption (natural and/ or triggered by people) that jeopardized their existence and/or seriously affected the quality of their life.’

Does this characterize those immigrants coming from Central America? Absolutely. Climate change vulnerability manifests in two distinct crises throughout Central America, food insecurity and political violence. Food insecurity is a direct result of global warming, with inclement weather and dry temperatures creating food shortages. Especially along the so called “dry corridor” , a dry stretch of agricultural land which holds a majority of Central America’s poor smallholder farmers. The corridor's arid nature makes it incredibly susceptible to rising temperatures. Additionally, political violence is an indirect result of climate change. Take Honduras for example, where mining companies wield large social, economic and political power and regularly carry out extrajudicial killings of activists. Making Honduras one of the most deadly regions of the world for environmental advocates. This violence spills over, and contributes to the flow of migrants out of the country hoping to escape said political violence. These two crises intersect at the

populations most vulnerable to either: Indigenous Central Americans. Indigenous Central Americans have seen a big increase in the number of persons seeking migration, both illegal and legal, in recent years. That is because Indigenous Hondurans are both majority small holder farmers and thus more vulnerable to food insecurity. They are also largely the victims of political violence due to issues between indigenous land rights and private corporations. Furthermore, many prominent environmental activists have come from the indigenous community. The issue has gotten so bad that now, border services are desperate to find and hire Quiche and other Mayan dialect speakers. They are needed to act as interpreters for the influx of indigenous Mayans with no English or even Spanish skills. Clearly, this is a last resort for many. The final result then is a humanitarian crisis, not a border one.

The worst irony of all is that Republicans continue to on the one hand decry the border crisis while also playing into climate change denial. The cognitive dissonance exhibited in this, and throughout right-wing circles, is immense and shows a great dedication to the craft of deception.

However, what we can do is fight back against this disconnect? Educate people about how these two issues are connected, and that one cannot be argued against without also arguing against the other. That a solution that addresses climate change is one that addresses the border crisis. Then hopefully, we can shut Tucker Carlson up, together.

The Problem with Whaling in Japan

By: Mia Weinberg

Whaling is the act of hunting whales, and has been practiced by many coastal civilizations for hundreds of years. It was first recorded in Europe in the 12th century by the Basque people, who used hand held harpoons to hunt whales off of their coast in present day France and Spain. In Asia,Japanisthebest-knownwhaling nation,withanindustrythathasbeen active since at least the 16th century. Japan is well positioned to hunt whales due to its location in the Pacific Ocean, as migratory species travel along its coast during migrations. Therefore, Japan has long been able to commercially exploit these whale stocks. After a ban on commercial whaling was established in 1986, Japan has continued to hunt whales and has become the subject of international criticism. Japanese officials claim that whaling is a traditional part of Japanese culture that the country is unwilling to sacrifice in the name of conservation. Just how intertwined is whaling with Japanese culture, and how is the continued practice impacting marine ecosystemsglobally?

Organized whaling was first recorded in Japan in 1570. Coastal villagers formed whaling groups.

Using handheld harpoons to kill these massive marine mammals, the harpoonspecialistsamongtheseearly whalers were highly skilled. They traveled in groups of at least 300 people because it took so much labor to locate the whales and bring their carcasses ashore. During this time, whale oil was in high demand, as it was used for oil burning lamps, and as an ingredient in soap, fertilizer, and pesticides prior to the use of kerosene and vegetable oil. Whale meat was also consumed by elite members of the population, but was not a significant part of the Japanese diet.

This small scale whaling continued for about 300 years, until the early 20th century. During this time, American and Norwegian whalers developed factory ships that allowedtheindustrytoscale-up

globally. Whales could now be processed at sea, making the entire process more efficient. This was done because coastal whales were killed so quickly in these nations that they were forced to expand their operations or the industry would not be profitable. Japan quickly adopted thesenewtechnologies,andexpanded to the Antarctic, where they killed hundreds to thousands of whales a yearformanydecades.Thistransition coincided with the end of WWII, duringwhichtimewhalemeatbecame a dominant part of the Japanese diet as Japan recovered economically and socially from the war. This was the onlyperiodinJapan’shistoryinwhich ordinarypeopleconsumedwhalemeat regularly.

As global concern over endangered whale species emerged, theInternationalWhalingCommission was formed, and banned commercial whaling in 1986. Japan objected to this moratorium, claiming that its whaling was scientifically necessary. Between 1986 and 2015, Japanese whalers have killed over 15,000 whales, leaving populations decimated. This is problematic because whales serve many essential functions to the marine ecosystem, and to humans. One of the most important services provided by whales is their ability to mitigate climate change through carbon sequestration. This is the process by which whales’ bodies absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere throughout their lifespans, even locking the carbon away for centuries after they die. Great whales capture

an estimated 33 tons of CO₂ in their lifetimes, which would otherwise existinthe atmosphere andwarmthe planet. Whales’ fecal matter also contains nutrients that are essential to the diet of primary producers like phytoplankton, which are the basis of themarinefoodchain.

Japan has greatly contributed to the endangerment of several whale species,whichhasgreatlyaffectedthe healthofouroceansandwillcontinue to do so. Nations continue to plead with Japan to stop its harmful commercial whaling practices, which it is disguising as scientific research. Not only is it false that whale meat is necessary to feed the Japanese population, but researching whales does not necessitate killing hundreds of animals a year. Japan’s irresponsible practices threaten the livelihood of oceans globally, and belong at the center of global discussion on climate change mitigation.

References

Arch, J. K. (2018). Introduction. In Bringing Whales Ashore: Oceans and the environment of early modern japan. University of Washington Press.

Environmental Investigation Agency. (2018, September). Commercial whaling: Unsustainable, inhumane, unneces- sary. Animal Welfare Institute . Retrieved from https:// awionline.org/sites/default/files/press_release/files/AWI IWC report final 2018.pdf

Evans, L. (2020, May 6). Commercial whaling 101. Na- tional Resources Defense Council. Retrieved from https:// www.nrdc.org/stories/commercial whaling 101

Pershing, A. J., Christensen, L. B., Record, N. R., Sher- wood, G. D., & Stetson, P. B. (2010). The impact of whaling on the ocean carbon cycle: Why bigger was better. PLoS ONE, 5(8), e12444. doi:10.1371/ journal.pone.0012444

Roman, J., Estes, J. A., Morissette, L., Smith, C., Costa, D., McCarthy, J., Smetacek, V. (2014). Whales as marine ecosystem engineers. Frontiers in Ecology and the Envi- ronment, 12(7), 377 385. doi:10.1890/130220

By: Anna Forsman

Timeless

By: Anna Forsman

All We Are

By: Anna Forsman

The cracks in these walls Are the rivers of my mind These things happen all the time All the stress, it left these lines Still, I told you we are fine There’s a window, we are light The water laps up with the tide These things happen all the time

Timeless

By: Anna Forsman

Trail Mix

"In winter I get up at night And dress by yellow candle light. In summer, quite the other way, I have to go to bed by day.

I have to go to bed and see The birds still hopping on the tree, Or hear the grown up people’s feet Still going past me in the street.

And does it not seem hard to you, When all the sky is clear and blue, And I should like so much to play, To have to go to bed by day?"

Robert Louis Stevenson