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Lauren Barnett Writer & Editor
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William Clark
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Lenna de la Cruz
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Lauren Koo
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Anna McHugh
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Annika Noel
Katie Marra
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Aleen Mizra
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Parie Patel Writer & Editor
Lindsey Wiessner
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Emily Yang Writer & Editor, Director of Communications
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Molly Yesalavich Writer & Graphic Designer
LETTERFROM THEEDITOR
DearReaders,
IamsohonoredtobepublishingmyfirstissueasEditor-in-C editor,anddesignerlastyear,TheTrailbroughtalotofvaluetome,allowingmeanoutlet towriteacademicallyinspiredarticleswithapersonaltouchandgainexperienceasa designer.TheTrailhasalsoallowedmetobecomecloserwiththeEPIBcommunityat Rutgers.AsEditor-in-Chief,Ihopetobringthatsamevaluetoothermembersofthe Rutgerscommunity.Iaimtoconnectenvironmentalistswithoneanotherthroughour writingandcollaboration.
ThisissueoftheTrailfeatures21studentswhohavecompiledtheirskillsto write,edit,anddesigntheissue.Iamsoproudofeachmemberofthestaffforall ofthehardworktheyputintocreateacaptivatingissuethatencapsulatesour feelingsaboutfall.Utilizingthepowerofwords,wehavebeenabletoeducateand informindividualstotakeactionandhighlightinnovativesolutionsto environmentalissues.Iamsogratefultoeveryonewhohasmadethisissue possible,especiallyourHeadofPublishingandourCommunicationsDirector, whohaveputinalotofhardworktotaketheTrailtothenextlevel.
Asyouread,pleasetakeamomenttoreflectontherelevanceeachoftheissues discussedhasinyourownlife.HowfrustrateddotheRutgersbussesmakeyou feel?Howsustainableareyourholidayspendinghabits?AsOctobercomestoa close,Ihopethatreaderscanre-evaluatehowsustainabletheyareintheirownlife, andhowwecanallcometogetherandtomakeourvoicesheardandtakeaction.
Thankyou,
Rewilding& CollegeCampuses
BYANNIKANOEL
TheRewildingInstitutedreamsofthedaywhen “all native species regain natural patterns of abundance and distribution” (What is rewilding?, 2023). It is not a perfect science as it requires determiningthespeciesofthepastandhowthey wouldliveinthehabitatagain.Thispracticeholdsa lot of questions because as roads are paved and buildingsarebuilt,itinevitablychangesthespace. Thereisno‘correct’returntohowthingswere.Itisa vision of repopulating and distributing flora and fauna to the places they once were. There is an emphasisonincreasingbiodiversitytothebenefitof the native animals, to stop and reverse extinction trends,andtoputinplaceprocessesthatnolonger requirepeopletomaintainthem.Peopleshouldn't strivefora100%rightapproachtorewilding.Itisa moreinterpretiveformofimprovingourplanetfor thebetter,withgreenspacesandhabitatsreturned backtonativeplantsandanimals.Rewildingcanbe summarizedastheactionandmovementofrestoring biodiversitybylettingnaturalprocessesrestorethe environmentandreducinghumaninterference.The three Cs are also a big part of this process: conservation of cores, corridors, and carnivores. Coresaretheregionsthemselves,designatedareasto get humans away to leave room for ecological reinstatement.
Second, corridors refer to connected areas with wildlife where there can be travel and movement throughoutthespace.Lastly,carnivoresaretheapex predatorsreintroducedtoanareatorevitalizeand balance an ecosystem in the long run (Cores, Corridors,andCarnivores,2021).Rewildingisan extremelyinterestingandnuancedecologicalideathat canbeaterrificboontoreducingclimatechangeand betteringourplanetforalllivinghere. Scaleisahugequestioninrewilding:howmuch?
People and organizations that are considering rewildingwanttoknowhowmuchlandisgoing towardsthesekindsofprojects.Afterall,theEarthisa limitedresourceanditcanbehardtowrapyourhead aroundaspacethatismeanttobe-inaway-stepping backintimetoprovideforanimalsandplants,not people.Theseplacesdobenefitpeopleaswell,butit canbedifficulttopicturewhenitisnotexplicitlyfor farming, hunting, or enjoyment. Rewilding is extremelyversatileinscalebecauseitcanhappenatall levels;itcanbeinsomeone'sbackyardwherethey plantnaturalplantsandstopmowing,oritcanbe thousands of acres being replanted for habitat reforestation.
Oneexampleofaverylargerewildingprojectisthe Mogollon Rim, stretching from New Mexico to Arizona, connecting different public lands and essentialecosystemstotheGrandCanyon.
Thisendeavorreallyillustratesalotofthetenetsof rewilding and what it can mean long term. The proposalis11millionacresofprotectedlandswhere high-impact use, like the drilling, logging, and intensive agriculture that the land is currently enduring, is limited. The land in the proposal is already public land or part of national parks, the proposal just recategorized the land to more specificallyprotectitandconnectittootherprotected areas.Bylimitingtheusesandinterruptionscausedby roadwaysanddestroyingthenaturalecosystemsthere, native species can be reintroduced and protected. There are also native endangered and threatened species from that area that would benefit from rewildingtheregion,liketheCailaClubandApache Toad. This is also the prime habitat for mexican wolvestobereintroduced, anativecarnivoretothe region AsthefamousYellowstoneParkexamplehas proved,wolvesrevitalizeandtransformplacestothe benefitoftheenvironmentandecotourism(Whatis rewilding?,2023).Thisisanexampleofasimplebut hugerewildingendeavorthatwouldtakeanalready naturallymadewildlifecorridorandenhancethearea forthewildlifeitismeanttoserve.
Rewilding can come from high-up reorganization decisions,butitcanalsobeagrassrootsmovementliterally. People can rewild their own yards or communities very easily. If you ' re in New Jersey, insteadofplantinganinvasiveplantlikebambooin yourbackyard,plantanativetreeinstead,likeaBlack Cherry Tree. Native plants are plants that are historicallyfromandforaspecificregionsotheyare morelikelytosurviveandthrivethere.Thismeans thatthecarethatgoesintogrowingsomethingnewis greatlyreducedbecausetheplantismeanttobein thatarea;thereislessstressaboutshade,water,and bugsbecausethatplanthasbeenadaptingtolocal
conditionsforcenturies(NewJersey’sNativeTrees, Shrubs,&VinesThatareBeneficialtoBirds,2024). Rewildingontheindividuallevelcanbeassimpleas not mowing a lawn or replanting a garden with butterfliesinmind.Abigaspectofrewildingisthe recreation: of habitats, food sources, and species themselves As more native plants are introduced, more native species can grow along with them.
Milkweed is a great example of this; monarch butterfliesonlyeatmilkweedplantsandevenlaytheir eggsonthem.Theyneedittosurviveeverystepof theirlifecycle,butmanyplacesandpeoplewon'tplant it,whichmeansthatwhenmonarchsmigrate,they couldstarvetodeathonthejourneyorneverstartthe nextgenerationofbutterfliesGardenownersplanting milkweedbridgesthegapbetweenmealsandhabitats forthesespecialbutterflies(Ifyouplantmilkweed, theywillcome(andnotjustthebutterflies),2023) It mightnotseemsignificantonsuchasmalllevel,but everystepcounts,anddoingmorefornativeplantsis farbetterthanintroducinganinvasivespeciestoanew area. The delicate balance of ecology within an environmentcanalwaysbehelpedbyaddingnative plantstoanarea,howeversmall.
Schoolcampuses,especiallycollegecampuses,area hugemissedopportunityforrewilding Institutions like this often employ year-round landscaping, gardening,andmaintenancestaffwhooftenmaintain purposeless,labor-intensive,andnon-nativeplantson campus.Infrontofdormsandalongsidewalks,there are trees and shrubs that try to instill a sense of naturalnessandbeautyintowalksaroundcampus, buttheseplantsareoftennotnaturalornativetothe environment.Whyhavearandomtreefromacross theworldwhenyoucanplantanativetreeinstead?
Costs are usually cheaper, they require less maintenance,andtheystillbeautifythecampus
Schoolsareoftenpublicinstitutionsandwanttobe moreenvironmentallyconscious,andwiththelands theyhaveandthestudentstheretolearn,theyshould wanttoputtherightfootforwardbyplantingnative. Publicschoolsoccupyabout2millionacresofland whichcouldberevitalizedforgreenerspace.36%of public schools are also in heat island areas, which researchhasshownwillbeimprovedbyaddingtrees and nature back into an area (Community Schoolyards® projects, 2024). Overall, schools are institutionsoflearningandbetterment,sowhynotlet thegroundsofaschoolreflectthat?EvenatRutgers, the rewilding could be drastically improved. Huge swathsoflawnandareasofnon-nativeplantsarebeing frivolously maintained for no one ' s benefit. Sometimesstudentssitoutongrassareastostudyor hangout,butthatisonlyinasmallnumberofplaces, evenoncampus.ThereissomuchmoreRutgers NewBrunswickcouldbedoingtobenefitandgive backtothelocalecologybyrewildingaroundcampus. NewBrunswickhasrepeatedlysufferedfromextreme heatandtemperatureissuesthroughoutthepast,and thoseissueswillonlygetworseastheeffectsofclimate changecontinue(HeateventsinNewBrunswick:A climatologicalanalysis,2014).Rewildingisnotjusta choicefortheenvironmentbutachoiceforstudents' ownhealth
SeasonalForageanditsPlaceinAutumnRecipes
By: EvanDeAngelis
Foragingisoftentreated,evenbyseasonedforagingenthusiasts,asan almostentirelysummer-basedactivity,butintruth,foragingis absolutelyayear-roundactivityifyouaresureofwhattolookfor.Itis notjustamatterofgnawingrootsandnutseither,notevenduringthe lateautumnholidays.
Justasforsummercropsproducedforgardensandfarmland,the sameprincipleappliestothingslikedeciduoustreenuts,manywild berries,mushrooms,aswellasallmannerofgreensandseeds Autumnisatimeofharvestandabundance.InNewJerseyespecially, weareblessedandcursedalikewithawidevarietyofdeliciousautumn foodsthatfillbackyardsandbackwoodsalike. Therecipesprovidedherehavealotofwildcomponents,soallofthe wildcomponentswillbelistedanddescribedbelow
ChickenoftheWoodsThelarge,yellow-edged,orangebodied,andshelf-likemushroomsare alate-summerthroughAutumn mushroomwithasponge-like undersideandaclear-yellowliquid thatmayleakwhencutTheyarebest whenyoungandtender.Theflavor andtextureresemblethatofchicken, makingitapopular,anddelicious, choicefornewforagers HenoftheWoods/MaitakeThisgrey-tawny,brown Polypore(Frilly/Mound-like) mushroomisluckytohaveno harmfulcounterpartsinthe Pennsylvania-NewJerseyarea Theflavorandtextureofthe Maitake(saidinJapantobeso goodthatpeoplearemovedto dance)arenexttolegendary
PurslaneThisred-stemmedsucculentisa delightfulandslightlysourgreen fullofvitaminsandmineralsand associatedwithskinbenefitsNot tobemistakenforthemildly toxicCreepingSpurge,with thinnerleaves,stems,andsmall deeppurpleorwine-redspotson eachsmallleaf.
WildGarlic/OnionGrassThispungent,alliumherbis commonlyfoundinforests,yards, andgardensallyearround,in clustersorsinglelargebulbedplants Therootiswhiteandslightly bulbous,andtheleavesarelong, green,hollow-centeredfronds. Whencrushed,ithasastrongonion smell.
CrabAppleThissmall,tartfruitisacommon findandisusuallyseenas ornamental.Whilelessappealing thanitslargercousin,itisstillvery muchareasonablechoicefor recipesthatshowcasebrightand tartflavors.Thefruitsrunthe gamutfromgreentoyellowand redThecrabappleisnottobe confusedwiththeornamental pearthatappearssimilarbutwith waxyleavesandbrownfruits
Lamb’s Quarters/GoosefootThisfast-growing,annual plantissomewhatsimilarto spinach,andgrowsin disturbedorloosesoilsfrom earlysummertomidautumnTheseleafygreens arebestrecognizedbytheir triangularleavesandtheslight whiteresidueontheir growingtips
PignutHickory-
Thesetreesbearblackandgreen sectionedpodswithawhite innershellthatresemblesa dollopofwhiteicing,andthe meatinsideresemblesasmall walnutThebractsareclusters of5-7pointedleavesthatall shareastem,the3leavesatthe frontbeingthelargest.Its relativesarealsoedible,except forthebitternut,whichissafe, buttoobitter,thereforethe harvestofhickoryissafeaslong asyoucheckforgrubs TrueChestnutsTheTrueChestnuts,nativetothe Americas,arenearlyextinct,but theAsianandEuropean counterpartsareverysimilar,with longspear-tipleaves,andround, spikedfruitwithafewsplitlines, holding1toasmanyas5nuts, withawhitebase,brownbody, andasmallpointedtipDonotbe confusedbythe‘conker’orHorse Chestnutwhichistoxic,though canbeusedtomakesoap,witha harder,lessspikypod,anda round,almostblacknut
Nowthatoneknowswhattolookfor,belowaresomesimple recipestomakemealswithforagedfoodforyournextautumn holidaygathering:
‘JerseyLightningSalad’
Lamb’squarters,purslane,andcrabapplesalad,toppedwithroasted pignuthickory
Wash,cut,andtosstogetheryourgreenswithhalvedanddeseededcrab applesDressgentlywithavinegarofyourchoice,andthentopyoursalad withshelledandroastedpignuts.Servecold.
‘AcornRisotto’
Acornsareboiled,cleaned,brokendown,andcookedincreamwithwild mushroomsandwildgarlictoformasaucyandrichsidedish(Serves3) Shellandcoarselychop2cupsofacornsofred,burr,orwhiteoak,and boilthenutmeatuntilwaterappearsmostlyclear,strainingeachtime(To reducewaste,usethiswatertotannin-curerawhideormakenon alcoholicwinebycookingitdownandmixingwithgrapejuice)Sautee thenutmeatwith1cupoffinelychoppedwildmushrooms,andafew large,wildgarlicplantswithouterskin,tips,androothairstrimmedoff withsaltedbutteruntilfragrant,thenaddasplashofcreamandseeds fromgarlicmustardandsimmertofinishServehot ‘Gesztenye(Hazelnut)purée’
Roastednativeorinvasivechestnutsarestewedinmilkandmashedwith sugarsyruptomakeapastycaramelizedtreatServeatroomtemperature orcoldwithcrepes,whippedcream,oraffogato(6chestnutstoa heapingtablespoonsugar)
Roastalargehaulofchestnutsatabout375andthenpeelyourchestnuts andchopthemfinely,thenplaceinapotwithenoughwholemilkto coverfully,simmeringuntilsoftAddvanillaextracttotaste,atinypinch ofsalt,andblendormashintoapasteBoilsugarandwatertoforma standardsimplesyrup,stiritintothepuree,thensimmerandstirthe mixtureuntilsweetandsmoothwithaconsistencylikesoftbutter ‘NotyourBaba’sSpanakopita’
Aflavorful,cheesysnackfullofnativegreensandfresh,saltycheese, layeredinthincrustsofphyllopastry;perfectforanyappetizerpartyor substituteforgreenbeancasseroleatThanksgiving(Serves 6helpings) 4packedcupsoflamb’squarterscookedinwateranddrained,asmall blockoffeta,2tablespoonsofoliveoil,agenerouspinchofmustardgreen seedsandblackpeppertotaste,andalargebunchofwildgarlic,finely chopped,theingredientsaremixedandlayeredbetweenaseveralsheets thickbottomandtoplayerofpremadephyllopastrybrushedinoliveoil. Forthickersamples,amiddlelayerof4-7sheetsisrecommended.
thatfighting thatfighting
Food Insecurity
ismorethanjustabout ismorethanjustabout
Food!
By: Natalia Robles
Food is among the most important resources we need for our survival; however, not everyone has easy access to it. As many Rutgersstudentsmayknow,NewBrunswickis afooddesertandisatoneofthehighestrisksof food insecurity in all of Middlesex County alongside Perth Amboy (Link et al, 2019). Unfortunately, New Brunswick isn’t the only place in the US that has been struck by food insecurity, many other cities have been impactedbyfoodinsecurity,andthesituation hasonlybeengettingworse.Withthisinmind, whyarewenotdoingmoretosolvetheissue?
First, let’s begin by understanding what food insecurity is. The FAO defines it as the “lack of regular access to enough safe and nutritious food for normal growth and development and an active and healthy life.” (FAO, 2024). Given that food insecurity has beenalastingissue,particularlyforunderserved communities,andhasbeenontherisesincethe COVID-19 pandemic, multiple communities have organized themselves to begin grassroots initiatives –“community-based approaches created to address localized problems” (Bettencourt, 2024) – oriented towards combatingfoodinsecurity.
Oneofthemainapproachesofgrassroots initiativeshasbeencommunitygardens.These beginwithcommunitiesselectingvacantlotsor unattendedareastosetupcontainersandbegin planting seeds. These gardens require collaborative efforts and often facilitate the growthofbondswithinthecommunity.Other approachesmaylookdifferentlikesmallgroups of social entrepreneurs coming together to serve their community. As an example, FIG NYC began as a food issues study group for chefs and food business decision-makers in 2014 but then turned into a collective with a larger scope of participants. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they organized a relief programthatprovidedtheequivalentof70,000 meals. Their framework begins by facilitating food access and then providing food security, leadingtofoodsovereignty.
FIGNYCisalsoacollectivewithadistinct setofvaluesthatstandouttoitsparticipants. Theirworkisstronglyrootedinandrelieson deep connection with other members of the food system and willing collaborators. They havepartneredwithseveralotherorganizations, suchasColectivoIntercultural
TRANSgrediendo, Pixie Scout, ARV Sweets, BrooklynPackers,BrooklynGrange,andRock SteadyFarm.Theiridealsalsoactasaformof resistance, and though they have shifted their focustoreliefefforts,theyhavenotfullyletgo oftheirstudygroup.FIGNYCstillidentifiesas aplatformtoinformitsmembers,collaborators, andalliesontopicsadjacenttofoodinsecurity, such as environmental injustice, racism, and economicdisparity.Theydonotshyawayfrom recognizinghowfoodisapowerfultooltosway themasses.OraWise,thefounderofFIG,stated inaninterviewthat“Foodhasbeen,bothhere inTurtleIslandandinPalestine,acentraltool of the colonizing system in suppressing, displacing, and destroying the bodies, communities,cultures,andlivesoftheoriginal peoples.”(BrownVarela,2024).
The historical development of grassroots initiativesisamanifestationoftheresilienceof marginalized and underserved communities. Theseinitiativesarealsoinherentlyaproductof the impacts of intersectionality. Food sovereignty is far from being a reality because littleisbeingdonetoreachthatgoal. Giventhatthedistributionandproduction offoodisapowerfultooltofostercommunity while also serving those in need, as college students, we ought to participate in these initiatives.Formingacommunityinuniversities can include continuing and creating initiatives to help underserved students. Furthermore, takingpartinorganizationslikeFIGalsoplaysa key role in educating both participants and communities about the role of food in sustaining far more than our subsistence but alsoourplaceinsocietyanditsimportanceasa form of resistance. Becoming aware of these aspects also allows us as college students to becomeactiveinknowingwhereoursystemhas perpetuatedflawsandinwhichwaysitshould beimprovedtosupportourfuture.
Should Be Should Be Should Be Non-Negotiable!
By: Lauren Barnett
Every Rutgers New Brunswick student knowsthedreadoftakingthebusduringpeak times.TryingtocatchtheLXfromtheYardat 1:30pm,orgojustaboutanywhereat3:20pm or 5:10 pm? You might as well not even try. Once you manage to squeeze your way in between the hoards of students, you ’ re not making it anywhere in the 5-mile radius of campusinlessthanhalfanhourthankstothe traffic. The notorious unreliability of the Rutgers bus system leads those with cars on campustohopintheircarandaddtothetraffic rather than battle with the bus. Many cities globally have instituted congestion pricing regulations. Why isn’t this seen in New Brunswick?
The problem in part lies in the political process; those in power not listening to the interests of their constituents. The majority of American voters recognize that widening the infrastructure does not fix the problem of congestion (Smart Growth America, 2023). This is because of the phenomena of induced demand,whereanincreaseinsupplyleadstoan increase in consumption. In other words, “‘widening highways attracts more people to drive, which creates more traffic in the long run’”(NRDC,2023).Howeverthisknowledge isn’talwaysreflectedinpolicy.Forexample,the construction of Route 18, the freeway that bypassesthecityofNewBrunswick,washeavily controversial when proposals began in 1962. Theprojectwasfinishedin1983,thankstothe influenceofcompanieslikeJohnson&Johnson, whosupporteditaspartofthe“redevelopment of New Brunswick” (NJ.gov). This same problemwasseenmorerecentlywiththefailed rolloutofcongestionpricinginNewYorkCity. When Governor Kathy Hochul of New York indefinitely suspended the plan in June 2024, peoplesawitas“abetrayalofmillionsoftransit ridersandthefutureofNewYork’sclimateand economy”(Ley,2024).
Opponents of NYC congestion pricing “complainedthattheplannedtollswouldhave unfairly burdened commuters who needed to reach Manhattan and that traffic would be diverted to other neighborhoods” (Ley, 2024). Per New York's plan, “most motorists would have paid $15 to drive into some of the city’s most famous destinations and neighborhoods, including the theater district, Times Square, Hell’sKitchen,ChelseaandSoHo”(Ley,2024). Theseareexpensiveareaswheretouristsintend tospendmoneyonrestaurants,clothes,theater shows,orotherlavishexpenses.Theargument completely disregards the population that is driving in Manhattan. Households with a car haveanaverageincomeof$110,000compared to $87,000 for transit users, therefore commutersbycararemorelikelytoaffordthe tolls (Mokam, 2024). Additionally, opposition totheprogramisflawedbecauseitwasexpected to raise $1 billion annually that MTA would collectandusetowardsimprovements,whichis morebeneficialtocommuters.
Toargueagainstcongestionpricingforcarsin thenameofjusticeforburdenedcommunities whilstpublictransportationpricesskyrocketis an incredibly shameful example of “wokewashing”. Ensuring equality for those in marginalized communities is an emerging “woke”ideaandwasusedhereasanexcusenot to invoke a project that would help those communitiesnotfacethebruntofpollutionIn
June 2023, New Jersey sued over NYC’s congestion plan, arguing it "ignored the significant financial burden being placed on New Jerseyans” (ABC7 New York, 2024). However, in July 2024, NJ Transit buses and trains faced a 15% fare increase while freeway tolls increased by 3%, and “ more than half of NJ Transit bus riders earn less than $35,000 annually” (Howell and Grisczenkow, 2024). New Jersey facing the effects of Manhattan’s congestion pricing doesn’t have to be the reality. The solution is not to bar NYC from implementing its plan but to join them and eliminatetheadverseeffectsoftrafficoverall.
Business as usual cannot continue in New Brunswickandbeyondanylonger.Solutionsto trafficcongestionmustbeimplementedassoon as possible, and congestion pricing is efficient andeffective.Trafficcanleadtostress,fatigue, unproductivity, and unnecessary air pollution. Meanwhile, congestion pricing de-incentivizes people to drive, has the potential to make improvementsinairquality,andwillcollectthe necessary funding. London has implemented congestionpricingsince2003,and“datashows [the] concentration of the toxic gas nitrogen dioxideinLondon'sairhasdecreasedbymore than65%inthepastdecade”(Bauman,2024). Inaddition,thecityhasbeeninvestingbillions into public transportation, bike lanes, and expanded sidewalks. I can personally attest to theefficiencyoftheirpublictransportation,as whenvisitingIcouldcompletelyrelyonpublic transportationratherthanhavingtorentacar.
As citizens in American cities, we must no longer stand by while our governmental representatives make decisions against the best interest of our health and the health of the environment.
Wecannotletthemhidebehindtheexcuse of “overburdening” adverse populations in order to continue to cater to businesses rather than the greater good. Together we must advocate for congestion pricing and other methods that de-incentivize cars by getting involved in the legislative process. Options includewritinganemailtoyourlegislators(the SenatororGeneralAssemblymembersforyour district), testifying at a committee meeting or publichearing,andvotinginallelectionsifyou are18orolder.Therearealwaysgroupstoget involvedininNewJerseyandbeyond,likethe League of Conservation Voters, Climate Revolution Action Network, the Climate Reality Project, and the Natural Resources DefenseFund,justtonameafew.Weshallno longer allow our representatives to make decisions for us that negatively impact the planetweliveon!
With Thanksgiving around the corner, Americaisonceagaindecoratedwithimagesof colonial-nativerelationshipsandfruitfulharvests. These misconceptions harm Indigenous populationsandovershadowmodern-dayissues still caused by colonialism. Perhaps the most concerningissueisthelackofaccesstoclean drinkingwateronnativereservations.Nearlyhalf ofallhouseholdsonreservationslackaccessto cleanwateranddealwithcontaminatedwells daily.Indigenouscommunitiesstrugglealmost everydaytofindwatertodrink,cook,oreven showerwith.Infact,becauseofhowunsafeitis todrinkwaterfromtheirpipes,nativefamilies areforcedtobuygallonsofwateroutsideoftheir isolatedcommunitiesathighcosts;Duetothese costs,familieshavefoundthatsodaisacheaper and more accessible option. Consequently, a diabetescrisishasemergedintheNavajonation alongsideamultitudeofadversehealtheffects. Watercontaminatedwithuranium,arsenic,and fecalmatterisaconstantinthesefamilies’lives becauseofalonghistoryofminingintheUnited States. More than 160,000 mining sites are abandonedonandnearnativereservationsdue to a century of careless resource gathering sponsoredbyourowngovernment(Lewisetal., 2017).
Tounderstandhowthiscametobe,wemust go back to the 1940s when a rich supply of uraniumwasdiscoveredonnativelands.Forthe next four decades, over 30 million tons of uranium ore was extracted by primarily Indigenousworkerswhoalsolivedinthearea. The ore was used for military functions and nuclear power plants, fueling a growing economyonthebacksofnativeworkers.Mostof the economic gains were not made by Indigenousfolkshowever,asIndigenousminers, constructors,andtransporterswerepaidlessthan a dollar each hour. (Brugge & Goble, 2002). Whenthesemineswereshutdown,thehealth effectsofuraniumexposureremainednotjust fortheworkers,butalsofortheirfamiliesand whoever resided on these reservations. Contaminated drinking water and particulate exposureincreasedratesofbonecancer,kidney diseases, and lung disorders within Navajo populationsatarapidrate,causingthedemand for remediation and settlement policies in the early2000s.Althoughmultiplefiveandten-year planshavebeenenactedsince2007toreduce humanhealthrisks,therehavebeenlittletono significantimprovementstothehealthofnative Americansortheirenvironment.
In2019,astudyfoundthat25%ofNavajo women possessed dangerous amounts of radioactive material within their bodies. Eventhoughmininghadstoppeddecades before,someofthesewomenexceededsafe levelsofuraniumandwereevenfoundto havepassedthisontotheirinfants.High levelsofuraniumandothertoxicchemicals are also associated with why Indigenous newbornsare50%morelikelytopassaway fromcomplications(InfantMortalityand AmericanIndians/AlaskaNatives|Office ofMinorityHealth,2021).Studiesarestill being conducted to watch the potential effectsoflong-termuraniumexposureon theneural,social,andphysicaldevelopment ofchildren.Becauseweakpoliciesandlow funding keep being enacted, Indigenous populations find themselves struggling to raise funds for clean water and clean up abandonedmines.Mostrecently,theBiden Administrationallocatedover$320million for tribal domestic water infrastructure improvementsinApril2024.
Althoughit’stoosoontoseeanyreal impacts,thefundsarefocusedon remediationeffortsandtheconstruction ofnewpipesacrossnativereservations.
Historically,policieslikethishaven’t beenenoughtoreversetheeffectsof contaminationandenvironmental harm.Butwithgrowingtechnologyand awarenessaroundIndigenousissues, accesstocleandrinkingwaterbecomesa moreviablegoalwitheachpassingday.
Rutgers Sustainability Policies and Goals
By Anna McHugh
Inrecentyears,therehasbeenamoresustainable andgreenmovementintheUnitedStatestowards thefutureforgenerationstocome.Thestateof NewJerseyalonehassetgoalstobe100%clean energyby2035.AsthestateschoolofNewJersey, itislogicaltowonderwhereRutgersUniversity falls in this green movement and how it will approachamoresustainablefuture.
Accordingtotheuniversity’sOfficeofClimate Action,“Rutgershaspledgedtobecarbonneutral by2040andcarbonnegative–removingmore greenhouse gasses than we are putting in the atmosphere–nolaterthantheuniversity’s275th anniversaryin2041”(RutgersOfficeofClimate Action,2024).Withsuchabroadgoalinmind, many ask the question: how exactly does the universityplantoreachit?
OneofthebiggestchangesseenontheNew Brunswick campus in the 2023-2024 academic yearwastheadditionofsolarpanelsabovemany campusparkinglots.This“32-acresolarcanopy provides8.8megawattsofpower,whichtranslates toabout$1.2millioninelectricity”(RutgersIPO, 2024). The energy that these panels produce is enough to cover 60% of Livingston Campus’ powersupply!
FoundontheRutgersOfficeofClimateAction dashboard are some graphs that showcase the university’senergysustainabilityprogressfromthe years2019-2023.Thedatainthesegraphsarefrom the New Brunswick, Newark, and Camden campuses.
The three graphs found on the dashboard highlightdifferentareasofusage:university-wide GHG(greenhousegas)emissions,utilitynatural gasusagebycampus,andelectricusagebycampus. ItisevidentfromRutgers’owndatathatthey’ve hadsomeinconsistentemissionsandelectricityuse. From2021to2022,therewasasignificantincrease in GHG emissions, from 310k to 327k, respectively, in metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. While in 2023 the total amount of GHGemissionswasdownto303k.TheCamden andNewarkcampuseshavebeensteadywiththeir totalnaturalgasusageaswellastheirelectricusage. Ontheotherhand,NewBrunswickhasseena utilitynaturalgasusagespikeinJanuary2022but hasmainlybeenonadownwardtrendsince.The campus ’selectricusagehasdecreasedfromitspeak in July 2020 and seems to be steady with the changingoftheseasons.
TheuniversityalsohasseveralLEED(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified and equivalent buildings located on campus. LEED is a green building rating system that “providesaframeworkforhealthy,highlyefficient, andcost-savinggreenbuildings”(LEED,2024). SomeofthesebuildingsincludetheNewJersey InstituteforFood,Nutrition,andHealth(IFNH) onCookCampus,theRutgersBusinessSchoolon LivingstonCampus,andtheHonorsCollegeon CollegeAveCampus.
Theuniversityhasalsobeenmovingtowardsmore green additions throughout campus. Cook’s MarketatRutgersGardensisthefirstgreenroofat theuniversityandprovidesmanybenefitssuchas decreasingsunlightwarmth,attractingpollinators, and reducing stormwater runoff. Other sustainable initiatives are residence hall recycling competitions,environmentallyfriendlye-scooters, andwaterefficiencyandcompostingprojects.
Whilethesemotionstowardamoresustainable future are a step in the right direction, it’s importanttorememberthatRutgershasalong way to go when meeting both New Jersey's renewable energy goals and the university’s emissiongoals.
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There are definitely more actions that the universitycouldbetaking,evensmallchangessuch asinstallingmotionsensorlightsratherthanleaving themonatallhours..Anotherpopularchangethat manystudentswishtoseeisall-electricbuses,given that they run daily and are a main source of transportationbetweencampuses.
Whenitcomestotakingclimateaction,itis crucialformajorinstitutionsthathavesignificant fundingandresources,likeRutgers,totakethe initiativesandleadthewaytowardagreenerfuture. Thisputslesspressureonindividualstotakeaction andcanleadothersmallerinstitutionstostarttheir owncleanenergymovement.
Need a Cicada Dead? I Know Just the Wasp!
Katie Marra
Ascicadaseasonwrapsup,itistimetoreflecton therarewavesoftheseuniqueinsectswewere gracedwiththissummerandtodiscusscicada killers.Cicadakillerwaspsareinsectsfoundinthe Eastern US, belonging to the order Hymenoptera.Thisyear,trillionsofadultcicadas emerged from the underground, completing theirunusuallifecycles.Certainspeciesofcicada onlyemergeevery13or17years,spendingtheir nymphalstagetunnelingandfeedingonplant rootsandlivingonly4-6weeksabovegroundas adults.2024wasaspecialyearforcicadasforthe firsttimein221yearsandwillnothappenagain untiltheyear2245,accordingtotheUniversityof Connecticut.Whilethiswasanexcitingenough eventforus,themurderouscicadakillerwasps acrossthestateswereecstatic.
Cicada killers are wasps about 2 inches long, containingvividblack,red,andyellowmarkings whicharecommonwarningcolorsamongthose with harsh stingers- for example, yellow jackets (RutgersNJAES,2004).Despitetheirscaryname, cicadakillerwaspsdonotposemuchofathreatto humans.Whilemalesareknowntobeaggressive andterritorial,theydonothavestingers.Theywill oftendive-bombinanattempttoscarepotential predatorsawayfromanest,buttheyareharmless becausetheycannotsting.Femalecicadakillersdo possess stingers, but they are mainly used to paralyze prey, and they are not known to be aggressivetohumans.
Cicada killers are considered solitary wasps, meaningtheirbehaviordiffersfromthatofother socialwaspssuchashornetsandyellowjackets.For example,femalecicadakillersonlyusetheirstingers ontheirpreyratherthanpredators,astheydonot have a large nest or hive of other individuals to defend.Solitarywaspsliveforjustoneseasonandare onlyactiveforafewweeks(UniversityofMinnesota, 2021) Thisiscrucialtothehabitsandbehaviorsof cicadakillersbecausetheirlifecyclesaresyncedwith thatofcicadas,whoonlyliveforthesameshort periodoftime.Alsosimilarlytocicadas,thesewasps burrowunderground,diggingnestsinloosesandy soil.Onceafemalewaspfinishescreatinghernest, shefindsacicadaandparalyzesitusingherstinger (Coelho,2006).Shethencarriesthecicadatothe nest,depositsaneggontothecicada,andthencloses hernestwithsoil,providingheroffspringwiththe safetyandnourishmentneededtosurvive.
Whiletheyareviciouskillersbynature,thesewasps areessentialtotheecosystemsinwhichtheyreside. Firstofall,theykeepthecicadapopulationincheck. Cicadasfeedontheplantfluidsofyoungtwigson treeswhichcouldbeproblematictotreepopulations duringatimewhentrillionsareappearingatonce.By selectively hunting down cicadas, these wasps are protectingyoungtrees.Additionally,cicadakillersare pollinators! As adults, they feed on nectar from flowers.Cicadakillerwaspsareincredibleinsects,and theyaretobelovedinsteadoffeared!
Green Garden State
in the
ByAnalieseHaag
AreyouagreenvoterfromtheGardenState?Election dayiscomingaroundthecorner,whichmakesthisa vital time to consider what issues you are most concerned about and which candidate will make tacklingthisproblemapriority.Ifyouareconcerned aboutclimatechangeandwanttodoyourparttobe educatedontheissue,thenyouhavecometotheright placetostartlearningaboutthepresidentialcandidates' stancesandregardingsustainabilityinitiatives.
Itistimetodebunktheideathatenvironmentalpolicies aredeterminedbypartyalignments.Whilethereissome truthtothisstatement,itisanoversimplifiedportrayal of the diverse perspectives on this subject and it perpetuatespolarizationofclimateissueswhenitcanbe a unifying topic. Both Ronald Reagan and George H.W.Bushpushedforinternationalclimateaction.
Moreover,thebeginningofenvironmentalpolicieson thenationalscalebeganunderPresidentRichardNixon, showingthatpublicconcernshavebeenthemaindriver of environmental action among politicians (Farber, 2024).Morerecently,thetwoRepublicanpresidential candidates before Trump, John McCain and Mitt Romney, advocated for bipartisan climate legislation (Lavelle,2020).Whilethesecandidatesdivergedfrom Democratic opponent Barack Obama on how they plannedtoaddressclimatechange,therewasageneral consensusthatglobalwarmingneededtobeaddressed by the federal government. President Obama and PresidentBidenbothworkedtoincreaseenvironmental regulations,however,theydiddifferintheirapproaches consideringthatObamahadminimalimpactonclimate policies within his first term, while Biden prioritized environmentalinfrastructurerightfromthestartofhis presidency.Asmanyknow,thetwopredominant2024 presidentialcandidatesareDonaldTrumpandKamala Harris.Byresearchingtheenvironmentalstancesofboth candidates, voters force politicians to discuss climate change, create detailed plans, and thus minimize the partydivideonthisuniversalissue.
FormerPresidentDonaldTrumphasahistoryof
rejectingclimatescienceandminimizingthethreatof sea-levelrising.Aspresident,Trumprolledbackmore than 100 environmental rules, limiting wildlife protections,withdrawingtheUnitedStatesfromthe ParisClimateAgreement,andminimizingtheEPA’s abilitytoregulategreenhousegasemissionsamongst manyotherthings(Popovichetal.,2021).Amongsthis 20 promises outlining his presidential platform, the onlyonethatdiscussesenvironmentalissuesisnumber 15,“canceltheelectricvehiclemandateandcutcostly andburdensomeregulations”(Agenda47,2024).
Trump's opposition, Vice President Kamala Harris’ stanceonclimatechangeisseenthroughheractionsasa stateattorneygeneral,senator,andwithintheexecutive branch.Shebelievesinanthropogenicclimatechange andthatgovernmentalactionmustbetakentomitigate furtherenvironmentaldegradation.Kamalaworkedon advancingzero-emissionvehiclestandardsinCalifornia. Moreover,in2022shevotedinfavorofandhelped developthelargestsustainabilityinvestmenteverwithin theUnitedStates,theInflationReductionAct(IRA) (Schmidt, 2024). These actions demonstrate that Kamalawantstoutilizemarkettoolsandlegislationto advanceclimateactionwhileensuringnocommunityis beingleftbehind.WhensheranfortheDemocratic nominationin2019shehadanambitiousclimateplan of ending fracking and investing $10 trillion in environmental initiatives (Politico Staff, 2024). However, her 2024 platform does not aim to end fracking,nordoesitmakeanymonetarypromises,and hercampaignwebsitedoesnothaveanoutlinedplanto addressclimatechange.Insteaditpresentsgeneralgoals “totackletheclimatecrisisasshebuildsonthishistoric
work [the IRA], advances environmental justicetice,protects public land and public health, increasesresiliencetoclimatedisasters,lowershousehold energycosts,createsmillionsofnewjobs,andcontinues toholdpollutersaccountabletosecurecleanairand waterforall”(HarrisWalzCampaignWebsite,2024).
Eventhoughbothcandidatesdidnotprioritizeclimate policy,voters’considerationandknowledgeofthisissue isimperativeifthereistobechangeinthefuture.A RutgersEagletonInstituteofPolitics2022pollrevealed that68%ofregisteredNJvotersbelieveclimatechangeis important when it comes to elections and that the federalgovernmentshouldpaytohelpstatesincrease climate resilience (Koning, 2022). The first step in advancinggreenpoliciesislearningaboutcandidates' stancesandthentakingactionbyvoting.RUVotingRutgershasadvocatedforyouthpoliticalinvolvement foralmosttwodecadesandisagreattooltolearnabout, register for, and advance voting. By going out on Election Day, you can help promote environmental policies within all parties, facilitating diverse and innovativesolutionstothispressingproblem.
Alpaca Fiber Sustainability
ByMollyYesalavich
In an era where sustainability has become important for manufacturing worldwide, the textileindustryisattheheadofenvironmental investigations. Many traditional fibers, both natural and synthetic, are associated with significant environmental impacts. This can rangefromtheuseofharmfulchemicalstohigh waterconsumption.However,alpacafiberoffers asustainablealternativethatalignsmorewith ecologicalandethicalstandards.Alpacafiberis verysoftandcancomeintwenty-twodifferent naturalcolors,andtheirfiberisflame-resistantas wellaswaterproof.Anykindoffiberorwool from livestock animals has a tendency to be viewedasnotsustainableduetogreenhousegas emissions and intensive resourcing for most animals. However, alpaca fiber is considered sustainable for many reasons. These reasons includealpacasneedingfewnaturalresources, not harming the soil or the character of grasslands,andtheirrequirementforlesswater comparedtootherlivestock.Alpacasproduce significantly less methane than other fiberproducinganimalslikesheep,andtheirfiberis naturallyhypoallergenic,whichdoesnotrequire harshchemicaltreatmentsduringthecleaning process. Typically being raised in humane conditions,alpacafiberisharvestedthrough
annualshearing,whichdoesnotcauseharmto the animals and provides a continuous and renewableresource.
Theproductionofalpacafiberissignificantly less harmful to the environment than other popularnaturalfiberssuchascottonandwool. AlpacasarenativetotheAndesMountainsof South America, primarily in Peru and Chile. Theseanimalsarenaturallyadaptedtolivein harsh conditions, requiring minimal human intervention.Theygrazeonthenativegrassesof thehigh-altituderegions,whichregenerate
quicklyanddonotneedtheclearingofforestsor extensive land use. Additionally, their softpaddedfeetaregentleongrasslands,minimizing soil erosion, unlike sheep, whose hooves can damagefragileecosystems.Thistopicinterests mebecauseIowntwoalpacaswholiveonafarm with22otheralpacas.AlotofwhatIwroteis knowledgethatIhaveknownforalongtime.
Alpacas are highly efficient in consuming significantlylessfoodandwatercomparedto otherlivestockusedintextileproduction.For example, cotton takes around 10,000 liters of watertoproducejust1kilogramofcotton,while alpacas can thrive on limited water resources, contributingtothefiber’slowwaterfootprint. Thisisacrucialfactorinregionswherewater scarcityisbecomingmoreproblematicdueto climatechangeandoveruse.Furthermore,alpaca farming does not require the use of harmful pesticidesorfertilizers,furtherreducing
ImageofRandyBeforeandAfterShearing
its environmental impact. The process of harvesting the fiber itself is environmentally friendly.Alpacasaretypicallyshornonceayear, andthisprocessdoesnothurttheanimal.Their fiber is a renewable resource and stands in completeoppositiontosyntheticfiberssuchas polyester and nylon, which are taken from petrochemicals and contribute to plastic pollution.
Another key aspect of alpaca fiber’s sustainability is its ethical and social impact. Alpaca farming plays an important role in supporting indigenous communities in the Andes, where raising alpacas has been a traditionallivelihoodforalongtime.Thealpaca industryprovidesemploymentandincometo thousands of small-scale farmers, helping to preserveculturaltraditionsandimproveliving standards in rural areas. Many alpaca farms operateonfair-tradeprinciples,ensuringthatthe herdersarefairlycompensatedfortheirwork. Alpaca farming aligns with the humane and ethicaltreatmentofanimals.Unlike
ImageofRandy’sFiber
other types of wool production, which have beencriticizedforpracticessuchasmulesing(a painful procedure carried out on sheep), as describedinawoolandanimalwelfarearticle, alpacafiberistakenwithoutcausingharm.The shearingprocessforalpacasisgentleandstressfree, ensuring the animals’ well-being while yieldinghigh-qualityfiber.
Alpacafiberisnotonlysustainableintermsof production,butalsointermsofitslifecycleasa textile. The fiber is naturally biodegradable, meaningthat,unlikesyntheticfabrics,itwillnot contribute to the growing problem of textile wasteinlandfills.Whendiscarded,alpacafiber breaksdownnaturallyovertime,leavingnotoxic residues behind. Its durability also adds to its sustainabilityandbecausethefiberisstronger thanothers,alpacafibergarmentshavealong lifespan, reducing the need for frequent replacement and restraining excessive consumerism.Incomparisontoothernatural fibers,alpacafiberislesspronetopillingand matting,whichmeansgarmentsmaintaintheir quality for longer periods. Lacking lanolin, a waxy,oilysubstancethatprotectssheep’swool from harsh weather, alpaca fiber is naturally hypoallergenic,makingitsuitableforindividuals withsensitiveskinorallergies.Thischaracteristic eliminatestheneedforchemicaltreatmentsthat areoftenusedtomakewoolsuitableforsuch consumers. Additionally, the fiber’s thermal propertiesprovideinsulation,makingitwarmin colder weather, but it is also breathable and comfortableinwarmerweather.Asaresult
ImageofAlpacaFiber
alpaca clothing can be worn year-round, expandingitsadaptabilityandminimizingthe needforalargewardrobe.
Insummary,alpacafiberincorporatesfactorsof sustainability across multiple points. Its productionhasalowenvironmentalfootprint, requiring minimal land, water, and chemical inputs. The ethical sourcing of alpaca fiber supports indigenous communities and promotesanimalwelfare,whilethefiber'snative qualitiesmakeitabetterchoiceforeco-conscious consumers. As the world increasingly shifts towardsustainablepractices,alpacafiberstands outasanidealmodelofhowtraditionalmethods cancometogetherwithmodernsustainability goals.
An American NIGHTMARE
ByLindseyWiessner
TheAmericanDreamMallinEastRutherford,New Jersey,isa300million-square-footmega-mallfullofhighendstores,skislopes,andrestaurants,withaniceskating rink,anamusementpark,andmore(Powers2024).While this establishment may sound like a “dream”, the ecologicalimpactsofthisprojectarenothingshortofa nightmare.Thisenormousmallisthesecondlargestinthe United States and was built directly on top of the Hackensack Meadowlands. This essential New Jersey ecosystemisstillrecoveringfromyearsofenvironmental degradation and pollution (Vidal). The Hackensack Meadowlandshavesuffereddecadesofuseasdumpsites forpollutants,chemicalwasterepositories,andlandfill sites, prompting remediation efforts to restore these wetlands to a healthy ecological state (Vidal). These remediationeffortsareongoing,meaningthattheimpact of new construction on this land would be environmentallycatastrophic.
Ifdevelopersknewthisprojectwouldbesodestructive towetlandsremediationefforts,whydidtheycontinueto buildinthisarea?Themainanswerliesintourism,withits proximitytoNewYorkCityandadjacencytothe
MetLifeStadiumcitedasmajorconsiderationsforthe placementofthismall.Thedevelopmentofthismallwas alsopartofabroadermovementtotransformtheNew Jerseyswamplandsintoatouristparadise,withspecial considerationfortheultra-wealthy(Vidal).However,the economic gain that would result from this high-end tourismisnotevenremotelyworththeenvironmental degradationandsocialinjusticethathasresultedfromthis mall’sdevelopment.
Environmentaladvocacygroups,suchastheSierra Club,hadfoughtforyearstopreventthisprojectfrom occurringortolimititsdestructiveimpacts,withlimited success.In2012,JeffTittel,theDirectoroftheNew Jersey Sierra Club, explained that “[m]ore people are goingtobeimpactedbyfloodingandsittingintrafficasa directresultofthisproject,”andarguedthatthisproject shouldnothavebeenallowedtogounderway(Millsaps, 2012).Anothercriticalconsiderationisthatincreasesin transportationtotheMeadowlandsneededtobemade, toaccommodatethelargenumbersofpeoplewhowould betravelingtothemall.
Thisisimportantbecausethisongoingissueofincreased transportation,ifnotplannedoutwithenvironmental preservationinmind,canleadtoanevenhigherimpact onwetlandsinthearea,withmorelandbeingcoveredup or altered to make room for transportation systems (Millsaps,2012).Asnotedearlier,thesewetlandshave beendegradingfordecades Theyarefinallyundergoing anintenseremediationprocess,whichcontinuestobe interrupted and undermined by the construction and continued operation of the American Dream Mall (Vidal).
AsaGISinternattheMeadowlandsResearchand Restoration Institute, I saw the environmental degradation that occurred in the Hackensack Meadowlandsfirsthand Wewouldtraveltovarioussites inthemeadowlandsareatoconducttestsanddiscussthe pastsofmanyofthesesitesaswastedepositories.There were clear impacts that could be seen on both the chemistryandmorphologyofthesesites,evidentdecades afterlandfillshadbeenclosed.Inthisinternship,Iwould alsoseeplentyofbirdandplantspeciesthatconsidered this habitat to be their home and relied on the meadowlands for their survival. With this direct experience,itbecamecleartomethattheseecosystemsare essentialandthatpreservingthesehabitatsisfarmore importantthanour“need”foranewmall
Concernsregardingtheimpactsofthismall’soperations expandbeyondenvironmentalconsiderationsalone,with socialjusticebeinganotherimportantfactortoconsider Thetargetaudienceforthismallisalmostexclusively made up of tourists visiting temporarily or relatively wealthyinhabitantsoftheNewYorkMetropolitanarea, withlittletonoconsiderationgiventotheinhabitantsof the Hackensack Meadowlands area. While the inhabitantsofthisareawillbearthesocialandecological burdensofthismall’sconstruction,they
willlikelynotbetheonesenjoyingthebenefits(Vidal). Becauseofthis,theconstructionoftheAmericanDream Mall is an example of both environmental and social injustice
Whileconstructionofthemalliscompleteandthereis no more that can be done to prevent the impact of construction, it is important not to forget the environmentalandsocialimpactsofthisproject.Even thoughthebuildingofthismallcanbeconsideredaloss forenvironmentalists,wemustnotgiveuphopeforthe HackensackMeadowlands.Remediationofthisessential ecosystemisessential,anditisnottoolatetosavethis precioushabitat.Aboveall,itisimperativethatallofus worktogethertopreventthecontinueddevelopmentof NewJersey’scrucialmarshlandenvironmentsintheNew JerseyMeadowlands.
With the end of the year on the horizon,somemayfindlifeexcitingand the routine so fulfilling, while others maystrugglewithchallengingthoughts and feelings. The long, bright summer days transitioning to the cool, shorter daysofautumncansignificantlyimpact our overall health and well-being, particularly in the form of shifts in energyandmood.Seasonalchangessuch asdecreasedsunlight,shiftsinweather, and changes in activities can bring feelings of stress, anxiety, fatigue, and symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Fortunately, there are endless strategies to help you focus on your mind and body during this transition. Whether the season changing rejuvenates or brings you down,therearesomeself-carepractices tomakeyoufeelmorelikeyourselfwith thecoldairapproaching.
When temperatures drop, it is as crucialasevertofullydecompressfrom life's stresses, especially as a student or seasonal worker. It can be easy to fall into the habit of spending less time outdoorsandpullingawayfromsocial engagementwhentheweatherbecomes less inviting and our everyday lives become more busy and demanding. However, taking time to relax and rechargeisacornerstonetogoodhealth andsuccessinwork.Studieshaveshown many mental health benefits of being connected to nature. Hence, if the temperatures keep you inside, consider investinginclothingorgearsuitablefor your area to get you outdoors yearround. In darker months, prioritizing social engagement can also be particularly uplifting. Connecting to a largercommunitycangiveusasenseof belonging and purpose that is motivatingandgrounding.
Another excellent strategy for relaxation is practicing mindfulness, which means you’re focusing on the present instead of worrying about the past or future. This mindset can help clear your mind, appreciate the moment,orhelpyouunderstandbetter whyyoumightbefeelingoff.Thereare countlesswaystopracticethis,butsome popular ones include journaling, doodling,meditating,unplugging,and
yoga.Evenbysimplyplacingmorefocus and intention on your existing tasks, takingtimetoappreciatethesensations and recognize why you spend time on the things you do can significantly improveyourwell-being.
Basedonyourstateofhealth,youcan also adjust your daily routines to align with the seasonal changes. This could mean emphasizing seasonal eating and endeavors,suchashiking,toboostyour healthandmood,oritcouldbeasslight as starting the day off with a morning walk.Exposuretosunlightandexercise is always beneficial, but it’s especially optimal in the morning to get your energylevelsupearlyon.
A big step in dealing with seasonal changes will come from within you. Think about what brings you joy and fulfillmentinyourpreferredseasonand
trytofigureoutthedeepestrootofthat thingthatmakesthatthingsoenjoyable or helpful. Then, try to find a winter activity that has that same quality and can give you that same sense of fulfillment. For example, I’m having difficulty letting go of early morning runs that end with me basking in the warm sun. As winter approaches, I’ll substitute this ritual with long walks followedbyyogaandahotshower.This way, I can move my body, have some timetomyself,andstillrelaxinawarm environment. Even doing something as simple as making a bucket list can give youideastokeepyourlifeexcitingand something to look forward to in the coming months. I encourage you to experiment with different practices to find what makes you feel most connectedtoyourself,nature,andyour community.
Thefirst8monthsof2024sawapeaknumberof forestfires,itwasthehighestrecordedamountof forestfiressince2005Additionally,since2023there wasageneral104%increaseinfirehotspotsfrom 2024. Countries such as Bolivia, Peru, Brazil, Colombia,Guyana,andVenezuelahavebeenseeing record-breaking numbers of fires, with Bolivia gainingaround50,000firehotspotsfromJanuaryto September.
TheAmazonhaslostaround13.4millionacresof forestandthefireshavecontinuedtoravagethrough AugustandevenpartsofSeptember,burningoff nearly20,000milesworthofland.
TheAmazonforest,morespecificallythepartthat resides in Brazil, already experienced a significant amountofdeforestationduetoforestfiresin2023,a 35.4%increaseinfiresalreadyfromthepreviousyear, andaround27millionacreswereburntthroughout thecourseofthatyear.AyearlaterinAugustof 2024 alone, 5 million acres of forest were burnt downduetotherampantfires.Thedatafromjust thelasttwoyearshaveshowndrasticchangeand
Forest Fires
aheavyinclineinforestfiresratherthanadecline. Immediate planned care is necessary to ensure campersafetyaswellastakecareoftheclimateto possibly minimize droughts and eliminate any futuredamages.
Therearemanydifferentenvironmental/climate factorsthatledtotheincreaseinforestfires,oneof thembeingthefactthat2023wasthehottestyear recordedtodate,andinJuneof2024,therewere 14recordedmonthsofgloballyhightemperatures. Following this extreme heat, hurricanes during 2023, like El Nino and now in 2024 with Hurricane Milton, create drier climates in the Amazon,whichareheavilyimpactedbyGlobal Warmingtomaketheforestsextremelydryand highlypronetofire.TheAmazonalsoexperienced ahistoricdroughtin2023,whichwasanother reasontheforestwassoquicktoburnoverthepast year.
ArticleByMaiaDragowski
Asmoreforestsbecomeclearedandasmoreeffects ontheclimatearenormalized,protectedplaceslike theAmazoncontinuetoburn.Itwasfoundthatthe climatemightpossiblyreachatippingpointofno returnby2050ifnothingchanges.Ifthispointis reached,theforestwillbecomefragmentedandso devoidofmoisture
that there will be extreme effects on the global climateandallthosewholiveonEarth.Toseethe Amazoncontinuingtoburnasithasforthelast coupleofdecadesisnothingshortofdisheartening, butwithIndigenouscollaborationandaddressing therootcausesofenvironmentaldecay,theremight beapossibilitytosavetheforest.Immediateaction isneededtoprotectthisbiomeandallthosewho liveinit,aswellasthosewhoexistoutsideofit.
IIsConsumerismtheonlyCultureof IsConsumerismtheonlyCultureof sConsumerismtheonlyCultureof ourHolidays? ourHolidays? ourHolidays?
Each year, autumn rolls in, bringing with it many traditions and festivities. The beloved season holds a differentmeaningforeveryonebutlikelyelicitssimilar images,smells,andtastes.However,theholidayseason, particularly in America, is deeply intertwined with consumerismandwaste,butitdoesn’thavetobethis way.Inthisarticle,youwilllearnaboutissuesconcerning sustainabilityandtheholidayseason,aswellassometips andtricksyoucouldstartusinginyourownlife Tounderstandthefacetsofholidaysustainabilitywe must first recognize concerns of culture and human behavior-requiringsensitivityandextraconsiderationto changethesedecade-long,generationaltraditions.When youthinkofHalloweenwhatimagescometomind?
Morgan Garrow
Halloweenisinextricablylinkedwiththeoverconsumption offood,decor,andclothing,butitispossibletoimagine moresustainablepracticesthatallowthesetraditionstocarry on without completely losing the Halloween spirit For instance,whenchoosingacostume,consumerscanshopat thriftstores,onlinesecond-hand,orevenswapwithfriends andfamily.Collegeparty-goerswouldbesurprisedatthe amountofpotentialcostumeshidingintheircloset.Itmay takeabitofcreativityandcraftiness,buttheseminorchanges canmakeabigdifferenceincultureandhabits.
Perhaps all of the costumes and home decor or the Halloweenstoresthatonlyoperatefor10-12weeksofthe year.YoumayalsothinkofMischiefNight:therollsand rollsoftoiletpapercoveringtrees,houses,andstreets.Or, thepilesandpilesofHalloweencandyineverystore, everyhousehold,andeventuallyeverychild’spillowcase Incollege,youmaythinkofHalloweekend,whenpartygoers buy multiple costumes made of materials that won’tlastpastonewear
Movingfurtherintotheseason,wearriveatThanksgivinganalreadycontroversialholiday.Notonlythebusiesttimeto travelinAmerica,Thanksgivingisknownastheholidayof feasting. The eating-centric celebration often involves multiple courses, homemade or store-bought. The main event:alarge,typicallyindustrially-grownturkey,cookedfor hoursbeforemakingitswaytothediningroomtable.This iconic Thanksgiving protein would be nothing if not accompaniedbyaplethoraofsidedishes,gravies,andsauces. Ifthere’sanyroomleft,whichtherealwaysis,thecelebration iscompletedwithasliceofpieorotherindulgentdessert
When the feast comes to an end, a new consumptive traditiontakesthestage:BlackFriday.Thoughmuchhas changed since the Covid-19 pandemic, the day after Thanksgivingmarksthestartofthebiggestshoppingdayof theyear Startingasearlyasmidnight,Americanslineup outsideshoppingmallsandstores,waitingtheirturntofilla cartwithdiscounteditems.Asthestoresbeginsellingoutof products,fightssometimesbreakout,arguingoverwholaid theireyesupontheitemfirst.BlackFridaymarkstheofficial startoftheChristmas/Hanukkahseason.Thisismyfavorite
time of year for many. With nostalgic memories and ongoingtraditions,theholidayseasoncanbeamagical time.Butdoesitallcomeatacost?Isthereanunderlying darkness to the vibrant holiday that millions of people celebrate across the nation and the world? When we imaginetheseholidays50yearsfromnow,dowepicture thesamepilesofdecorativelywrappedpresentsorblinding, energy-draininglightscoveringeveryinchofhomesand buildings?Somanyquestionsareleftunansweredwhen creating sustainable solutions, particularly with cultural traditionsthathavesuchattachmenttoconsumptionand spending. It will be crucial to preserve the magic and nostalgia while adopting new or altered traditions that aren’tasexploitativeofnaturalresources.
Inconclusion,herearesometipsandtrickstoincorporate sustainabilityintoyourholidayseason:
Get creative with Halloween costumes and decor, usingmaterialsyoualreadyownorcanborrowfroma friend.
Shopsecond-handfordecorationsorcostumes,you neverknowwhatyou’llfindatanantiqueorthrift store.
Shop locally! Buy local produce, candy, or baked goods Youdon’tneedtocutthemout,butyoucan findwaystoshopmoreethically.
Pumpkincarving:savetheinsidesforbaking/cooking androasttheseedsforatastysnack
Suggest a meatless Thanksgiving! Try a tofurkey, or otherplant-basedprotein.
Optforfewerportionsandgetcreativewithleftovers! Nothingshouldgotowaste
When gift-giving, suggest a grab bag game or Secret Santa,whereeachpersononlygivesandreceivesone specialgift
Shopsecond-handorantiqueforgifts:youcanreuseor refurbishanoldtreasuretogiveitasecondlife.
Homemadegifts:Doyouhaveaskillorcraftorwould you like to learn one? Holidays are a great time to crochet,knit,paint,orcraftagiftforyourlovedone.
Wrapping:Sickofhugetrashbagsofwastedwrapping paper?Tryclothandyarn,orevenreusepapersuchas brownbagsornewspapers Youcanbesoboldasto leaveagiftunwrappedandpresentittothereceiverasit is.
and by William Clark
AtthebreakofdawnonFebruary24,2022,Ukrainecame under siege by Russian forces across all of their eastern territory(Sonne&Khurshudyan,2022).ARussianarmored column 40 miles long surged toward the city of Kyiv, threateningitsinhabitantsandUkraine’ssovereignty The Russian-separatistcontrolledDonetskandLuhanskPeople’s Republics,officiallyrecognizedaspartofUkraine’sDonbas Region in the southeast, were absorbed by the Russian Federation(VisualJournalismTeam,2024).TheRussians werestormingtowardKyivastheUkrainiansweremounting theirdefenses.
lessacknowledgedyetobviousvictimofthisbrutalconflictis thelandofUkraineitself.
But,inastrokeofluck,thecolumnstalled,andtheirblitz hadfailed.ByearlyApril,Russiantroopshadcompletely pulledoutoftheKyivoffensive.Twoyearslater,thewar rages on, with a different rhythm. Territorial lines have shiftedslowly,withgruelingtrenchwarfareastheprimary sourceofcombat.Shellingisconstantanddestructive.Russia isonasluggishcrawlwest,havingtakenstripsoffofeastern Ukraine,consumingMariupol,Kharkiv,andmanyother citiesintheirapocalypticwake(VisualJournalismTeam, 2024).
Just as humanity has been lost in the senseless conflict perpetratedbytheRussianFederation,theenvironmentaleffects have been disastrous. The effects of mass mobilization of mechanized infantry and explosives on the land are largest. Hundredsofmilesoffortificationhavebeenerectedbythe Russian invaders, the largest since the Second World War. Concreteandupturnedsoilfromtrenchconstructionturninto runoff.Munitionsareconstantlybeinglaunched,litteringthe Ukrainianfieldswithdentsanddivots,destroyinganychanceof short-term reclamation or usability. Further destruction is evidentinuseofmunitions,whichhaveachemicaleffectonthe soilaswell,leachingheavymetalslikearsenic,cadmium,and mercuryintothesoilandwaterways,andwilllikelystaytherefor decades to come unless treated (Hryhorczuk et al., 2024). Russianshellingandmissileusehavedestroyedmanypiecesof keyinfrastructureinUkraine.OnesuchpiecewastheKakhovka Dam.
InJuneof2023,TheEuropeanUnioncalledthedestructionof theKakhovkaDam“theworstenvironmentaldisasterinEurope sinceChernobyl”(Leclerc,2023) Thewateronceheldbackin NovaKakhovka,KhersonOblastfloodingacrossseveralcities,
forcingthousandsfromtheirhomes Simultaneously,these floodwaterscausedriverlevelsnearbytodrop,causinga massivefishdie-offandreleasingalongsideit150tonsoftoxic industrialwaste,whichwillinevitablyflowdowntheDnipro RiverintotheBlackSea,harmingtheentireregionalmarine ecosystem(Sergatskova,2023).Liketherestofthisconflict, Russian bombs put human lives, ecological stability, and environmentalhealthatrisk
Present environmental destruction is not the only issue caused by warfare. While exploded ordnance causes immediatedamage,leftoverordnance’seffectshaveyettobe determined AsofAprilof2023,approximatelyaquarterof Ukraine’s territory was plagued by landmines and unexplodedmunitionsburiedinthesoil(Hryhorczuketal., 2024)Thesemunitionscanexplodeatanytime,posingarisk tofuturedevelopmentofcivilianinfrastructureandlifepostwar.Theyalsoleakdangerousheavymetalsintothesoil, eliminatingthepossibilityofsafeagriculturalactivitywherever theylandMinefieldshaveexpandedacrossthelineofcontact betweenUkrainianandRussianforces,posingasignificant threattothealreadyunderminedcivilianlifestillinthearea.
ThedestructionoftheKakhovkaDamechoesoncemore,as itswatersdislodgedlandminesandothermunitions,which cannotbetracked.
Ukraine’stitleasthe“Breadbasket”ofEuropeisjeopardized by the Russian incursion Over two-thirds of its land is dedicatedtoagriculture,withitcontainingaquarterofthe world’s chernozem, a type of soil known for its nutrient density(Dzombak,2022).Ukraine’sfoodproductionisbeing curtailed,hurtingbothitsexportsandthenutritionofits people. Ukraine also holds the title of Europe’s “Green Heart”, which is equally threatened. Ukraine’s ecosystems include coastal wetlands, ancient forests, peatlands, and meadows(Hryhorczuketal,2024) Regularshellingand encroachment onto these habitats have damaged them heavily.Itsbiodiversityandfertilesoilarekeyfeaturesofits economy;theRussianinvasionputstheseinjeopardy Much ofthecountry’snaturalresources
have been desecrated by Russian mobilization and general destruction(Hopko,2024) Thiswarhascausedanestimated $32billioninenvironmentaldamagesandreleasedatleast175 millionmetrictonsofcarbondioxideemissions(Harvey,2024). Ukraine’sterritorialandenvironmentalintegrityisunderthreat, andbyextension,soisEurope’sThiswarmustbestopped,butit cannotbeattheexpenseofUkrainiannationalsovereignty,orat theexpenseofenvironmentaldestruction.Thereismuchdebate amongst American politicians if we should be supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russian imperialism. For the environmentally-conscious,itisimperativethatwecontinueto supportthem,andhighlighttheenvironmentalimpactofthe conflict Russiamustbeheldaccountableforthepresentand futuredamagesithascausedtoUkraine’speopleandland.
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