Volume 18 Issue 2

Meet Our Staff

Aleen Mirza

Amillia Keagle

Writer, Editor &, Photographer

Writer & Editor

Analiese Haag

Writer & Editor

Drishta Soni

Writer & Editor

Meet Our Staff

Writer & Editor Writer & Editor

Joey Velke Writer & Editor

Jason Lei

Graphic Designer

Judy Wu Writer & Editor

Emily Yang

Evan DeAngelis

Meet Our Staff

Kailey Purnell

Graphic Designer

Miranda Ma

Writer & Editor

Maia Dragowski

Maya Krauss

Writer & Editor

Writer & Editor

Meet Our Staff

Lindsey Wiessner

Writer & Editor

Lexi Tassone

Graphic Designer

Kendall Sotto

Writer & Editor

Katie Marra

Writer & Editor

Meet Our Staff

TableofContents

Philip Kim Writer & Editor

Shan Chen

Graphic Designer Sofia Little Writer & Editor

LETTERFROM THEEDITOR

DearReaders,

AfterseveralamazingyearsofworkingwithTheTrail,thetimehascomefor metobidfarewell.WhenIfirststartedatTheTrail,itwasawayformeto connectwithotherpassionateenvironmentalistsandbecomeclosertothe EPIBcommunityatRutgers.Thatiswhy,whenItookoverthislastyear,Iset outtodothesameforotherenvironmentalists.Iampleasedtosaythatover thecourseoftheyear,TheTrailhasbeenenrichedby14newvoiceswhoare excitedtosharetheirenvironmentalstories.

Iamsoproudofeachmemberofthestafffortheirperseveranceandhelp throughouttheyear,asIwouldn’thavebeenabletoreleasesuchanintriguing andbeautifulpublicationwithoutthem.Throughthepowerofwords,we havebeenabletoeducateandinformindividualstotakeactionandhighlight innovativesolutionstoenvironmentalissues.

AsIpreparetoembarkonthenextchapterofmylife,Iamfilledwithpride forallthatIwasabletoaccomplishwiththeseamazingandintelligent students.WhileImaybesteppingdown,Iamconfidentthatthisteamand theirfournewlyelectedleaderswillmakeournewsletterevenmoresuccessful.

Thankyou,

An Update on the Spotted Lanternfly Invasion in New Jersey

By Maya Krauss

The Spotted Lanternfly, or SLF, is an invasive species that was first discovered in Berk County, Pennsylvania in 2014. It has since spread to numerous states across the eastern seaboard and elsewhere intheUnitedStates.Itmainlylays its eggs on another invasive species knownastheTreeofHeaven.SLF hitched a ride to the U.S. on shipmentsofwoodandothergoods from eastern Asia, which is primarilyfoundinVietnam,India, China, and other countries in that region. Curbing its spread across the U.S. has been particularly challengingbecause ittravels longdistancesby attachingitselfto variousmoving vehiclessuchascars

andtrucks.Therefore,onestrategy has been to implement quarantine zones in affected areas to prevent the pest from spreading. This worked by forcing people who traveledoutsideoftheareatocheck their vehicles before leaving the zones. During the 2023 winter season, New Jersey added 21 countiestoitsSLFquarantinezone. Residentslivingintheseareaswere required to check their outdoor items,includingfirewood,camping gear, and building materials for eggmasses,beforemovingthemout ofthequarantinesite.

Interestinglyenough, theSLFhasbecomeless prevalentinNewJersey aofAugust2023.

AccordingtoGeorge Hamilton,aRutgers University-New

Brunswickprofessor,theSLFcould either be having an off year or losing stamina. Hamilton has noticed that the SLF populations have been lower than in the previous two consecutive years in New Jersey. This change in population could be attributed to eitherthehot,dryweatherthestate experienced the previous summer, theextremecolditsawinJanuary, or the warmer weather that was experiencedthroughoutthewinter season. Another hypothesis Hamilton has for why the SLF populations are lower is that the speciesmayhaveexhaustedthehost plants it relies on. SLF damages plants and could have potentially killed off all of the plants it needs to survive, thereby causing the speciestomigrateelsewhere.There has been success in combating the SLF invasion through the establishment of quarantine zones, the educational campaigns it has had, and herbicide treatments aimed at eradicating including the black walnut, tree of heaven, and redmaple.

the Tree of Heaven.However, in order to completely eradicate the pest, there will need to be a multistage approach that could involve biological control with species that specifically target the SLF, such as spiders, birds, and praying mantises, which have proven to be effective.

The SLF invasion is primarily concerning for those in the agriculture industry in New Jersey as this pest can damage numerous crops, thereby threatening the economy of the state in a major way. This pest damages plants by feeding on them and secreting sugary waste, which attracts other insects as well as mold, which decimatescrops.Ithasfoundhosts in crucial cash crops in the state, including apples, grapes, walnuts, and hops. However, the USDA has found that it prefers to feed on another invasive species called the TreeofHeaven.Thecontrolefforts that will likely be employed in the near future consist of primarily trapping them in their nymphal stageontheirpreferredhosttrees,

DRIVING STATE ANALIESE HAAG

When was the last time you did nothavetocommuteforanentire week? This is practically unheard of as a student at Rutgers. Whethercatchingabus,hitchinga ride with a friend, or driving yourself, spending time on the roadfeelsunavoidable.NewJersey is one of three states with an averagecommutetimeofoverhalf an hour (“Commuting to work in the US,” 2024). This can not only be a nuisance to individuals but alsohasanimmenseimpactonthe environment. Transportation is thelargestsectorofgreenhousegas emissions (GHG) in NJ (42%, which is significantly higher than the percentage transportation contributes to GHG emissions nationally). Given the vast impact of transportation on NJ residents, it is vital that commuting is thoroughly reconsidered (“Mobile SourceEmissions,”2020). Onecommonlyproposedsolution is switching to electric vehicles (EVs). The NJ Department of Environmental Protection is working on many initiatives to make EVs more accessible. The It Pay$toPlugInprogramusesgrants to minimize the costs of using EV chargingstations;TheMediumand Heavy-Duty Electric Vehicle Grant Program provides grants for larger EVs such as garbage trucks and school buses; the Mobility Grant Program issues monetary support to EV sharing. What I find encouraging about the latter two protocolsisthattheyhoneinoncar sharing and public transportation “CurbingOurEmissions”.

However,theoverwhelmingfocuson EVsasthesolutiontotransportationrelated emissions is disheartening, consideringtheimpactofthelithium battery and the source of the electricity.Only8%ofNJ’selectricity is sourced from renewable sources, meaning that increasing electricity usage will primarily increase the use ofnonrenewablesources(“NJEnergy Estimates,”2023).EVsperpetuatethe truth of the unsuitable nature of Jersey driving. While EVs are essential in decarbonizing transportation, they can not be turned to as the sole solution. The problemisnothowpeopledrive,

itisanoverrelianceondriving.Thus, switchingthemodeofdrivingisnota real solution and there should be an emphasis on decreasing automobile usageasawhole. This can, in part, be through public transportation. Just think about how congestedtheroadswouldbeifevery Rutgers student drove to all of their classes. Despite public transport's environmental and fiscal benefits, manyopttodrivethemselves.Thisis due to many factors, namely comfortability and the elongation of what could be a relatively short ride. Indeed, the average commute for workers who took the bus to work was 20 minutes longer than the national average (“Commuting to workintheUS,”2024).

Investing more in public transportation to increase efficiency and cleanliness helps reduce GHG from transportation. The best solution is often the one thatcallsintoquestionthecurrent structure of the institution and askshowtominimizeconsumption of the product as a whole. This wouldmeanrestructuringthestate to condense communities and integrating public transit as needed. This would free up land previously used for parking lots androadstobeusedforparksand solar power plants. Communities can embrace walking and biking, benefiting the environment and their health. At Rutgers Students for Environmental Awareness (SEA)hasamovementcalledSEAT workingtoadvocateforbikeusage and university programs that promote this. They are working with Rutgers University Department of Transportation Services to reimplement past programs, such as bike rental and repair programs, that were a part oftheBikeRUInitiative.

Focusing on local bicycle usage is one of many ways to begin to transform the transportation sectors.Itisessentialtoconsiderall possibilities,reimaginewhatwehave normalized, and push for real change- so rather than the driving state, we can be a garden state once again.

Kelloggs Boycott

byJudyWu

February 21st, live on CNBC discussing high grocery prices, Gary Pilnick, multimillionaire chief executiveofficerofKelloggremarked, “The cereal category has always been quite affordable, and it tends to be a greatdestinationwhenconsumersare underpressure,ifyouthinkaboutthe costofcerealforafamilyversuswhat theymightotherwisedo,that’sgoing tobemuchmoreaffordable”(Pilnick).

CNBC host Carl Quintanilla counteredwiththeinflationrateand theforcedconsumerstospendabout 26% more on groceries since 2020. Pilnick, however, doubled down and stated,“Infact,it’slandingreallywell rightnow...

Cerealfordinnerissomethingthatis probablymoreontrendnow,andwe would expect [it] to continue as that consumerisunderpressure”(Pilnick).

Outrage exploded on Tiktok, where video calls for the boycott reached millionsofviews.Withusersexposing Pilnick’s annual base salary of $1 million and more than $4 million in incentivesbyreferringtoaSeptember 2023 Securities and Exchange Commission filing, numerous unethicalbusinesspracticeshavebeen exposedtothepublic.Consumersare now challenging Kellogg’s high sugar and palm oil content, unfair labor practices, and the broad food insecurity and food affordability in theUnitedStates.

Since the campaign for “Cereal for Dinner” debuted in 2022, data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows an increase in price by 28% in thelast4years,andinformationfrom Kellogg’s latest fiscal has raised the price by 12%. Due to cooperation profiteering during the Pandemic, companies have increased consumer prices beyond the impact of supply chain disruption while rewarding shareholdersandprofiting.

The food processing industry can overcharge consumers because of its near monopoly states and ability to coordinate price increases with a few competitors. Kellogg’s action of targeting their advertisement towards individuals who lack the understanding of how unfulfilling, sugary, and processed foods are detrimental to their health. This practice is incredibly financially exploitative.“The insinuation that if families just ate cheaper meals, like cereal,they’dbeinbettershape,itcalls upon a really common stereotype of people experiencing food insecurity that not having enough food or strugglingtobuyfoodisanindividual choice,” said Kate Bauer, a professor of nutritional sciences at the University of Michigan. “And that’s absolutely not the case. Families are foodinsecureacrossMichigan,across the country, because our economic andsocialsupportsystemshavefailed many families in this country” (LeClaire).

“Theimpactofcollectiveactionandexercisingconsumerpowerisundeniable, withshelvesoverflowingwithKellogg’scereals,andinformationaboutnutrients andfoodaccessibilitybecameavailabletothemasspublic”

Thelackofawarenessofhowfoodinsecurityandfooddesertscanlimitthe options these marginal communities have on produce and nutritional food products.Beingoneofthemajorentitiesinthefooddistributionindustry, Kelloggrefusestoacknowledgehowitsstatuteofmonopolizationcanalterthe qualityandpriceofitsproductswhileshiftingtheblamethatlackofaccessto healthyfoodisbasedonindividualchoices.

TheboycottagainstKellogg,proposedonTiktok,wouldrunfromApril1 to June 30, advising customers to avoid purchasing Kellogg's products for threemonthsandsupportothercompanies.ThissendsamessagetoKellogg duringthesecondquarterofitsfiscalyear.Theboycottalsoaimstopressure Kellogg to lower its price by 25%. Videos criticizing Kellogg’s operational practices,andthehashtag#KelloggsBoycottgeneratedmillionsofviewsand countless shares. The impact of collective action and exercising consumer power is undeniable, with shelves overflowing with Kellogg’s cereals, and information about nutrients and food accessibility became available to the masspublic.

The sweet fragrance of spring blossoms are overshadowed by a pungent odor emanating from an ornamental invasive tree species widely planted across college campusesintheUnitedStates.

FromOrnamental CharmtoEcological Harm:TheStoryof theCalleryPear Invasion

AmilliaKeagle

TheCallerypear(Pyruscalleryana) and its cultivars, including ‘Bradford’, ‘Cleveland Select’, and ‘Aristocrat’, are problematic beyond their uninviting stench. “There is a Bradford Tree over on College Ave thatsmellssobad.Nooneparkstheir car there.” said SEBS senior Priyal Patel.

OriginatingfromChina,theCallery pear was introduced to the United Statesin1917withtheintentionof crossbreeding with fruiting pear varietiestoenhancediseaseresistance and produce sterile fruit(Callery Pear Control, n.d.). ‘Callery’ clones swiftly gained popularity in East Coast residential areas after their commercialdebutin1961(Jaikumar, 2021). This species demonstrates tolerance to various urban conditions and exhibits rapid growth, rendering it an attractive optionfornewlandscapingprojects. The Callery pear and its various cultivars have been extensively plantedacrossurban,suburban,and ruralsettings,includingyards,office complexes, apartment buildings, malls, streets, and college campuses (CalleryPear(BradfordPear),n.d.).

Initially presumed incapable of reproducing through seeds, "the Callerypeartreehasseededoutinto natural areas and has become invasive in many states."(North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, n.d.). This phenomenon directly stems from the crosspollination

betweenvariouswildpeartreespecies, whichhavehybridizedwiththeAsian native plant, resulting in further interbreeding and the production of even more viable seeds and fertile fruit.TheBradfordpearstandsoutas themostrenownedcultivar.

Today,theCalleryinvadeslandscapes across the eastern United States, stretchingfromNewJerseytoIllinois and extending southward to Texas(CalleryPear(PyrusCalleryana), n.d.-b).Asolitarytreeyieldsabundant seeds,facilitatingrapidspreadthrough seedling germination and vigorous growth through vegetative propagation, resulting in the formation of a substantial patch withinjustafewyears.

Nonetheless, the white-flowering invasivetreespeciesgainedpopularity in landscaping during the peak of urbanization in the United States in the late 1960s and 1970s for various reasons.

Firstly, its aesthetic appeal is undeniable.Comespring,theCallery pear boasts white flowers, transitioning to maroon or dark red foliageinthefall.

"Treesinbloomareconspicuous,astheyflowerearly.Thedenseclustersofwhite blossomsproduceastrong,rancidodor."(CalleryPear|MinnesotaDepartment ofAgriculture,n.d.)Withfliesservingastheprimarypollinators,it'snosurprise thattheCallerypearstrategicallyemitsarepugnantodorreminiscentofrotting fishoradumpstertoattractthem(CalleryPearControl,n.d.).Thisfoularoma nowpervadesspringtimeatmospheresacrosstheeasternUnitedStates.

The Callery pear, along with its allies, displays invasive traits marked by its capacitytoflourishindiversesoilconditions.Duetotheiradaptabilitytodifferent soil types, acidity levels, pollution, and drainage variations, they are favored as urban trees. Once they take root, Callery pears form dense thickets that outcompeteotherplants,includingnativespeciesunabletoendurethedeepshade orcontendwiththepear'sdemandsforwater,soil,andspace(CalleryPear(Pyrus Calleryana),n.d.-b).

Despiteitsappealinlandscapingforitsrapidgrowth,the'Bradford'cultivar tendstoproduceheavylimbswithnarrowbranchunionsthatmayfailandsplit under the weight of ice or strong winds(Callery Pear Control, n.d.-b). Consequently,theCallerypearoftensuccumbstoprematuredemiseduetoits vulnerability to breakage during severe weather conditions. Making this species lessappealingasoriginallyintended.

It'ssafetosaythattheCallerypear'sonce-celebratedstatushasfadedasits invasive tendencies dominate the Eastern United States. So, what can we do to eradicatetheunintendedconsequencesofthismalodoroustree?

While the Callery pear exhibits remarkable resilience, its invasive potential necessitates decisive action for effective mitigation. Digging out these trees remainsthemosteffectivemethoddespitethechallengeposedbytheirextensive root systems. Complete removal is essential to prevent regrowth and ongoing ecologicalimpacts.Consideringthecomplexityoftreerootsystems,it'simperative toeradicateeverytraceoftheCallerypeartosafeguardnativeplantspeciesand ecosystems.Transitioningtoplantingnativespecies,suchasthoserecommended byAlpineTreeServiceforNewJersey(NorthJerseyMediaGroup,2024),offersa sustainablealternativeandcontributestoecosystemhealthandbiodiversity.

17 Ways to Think about 17 Sustainable Development Goals

Kendall Soto

In seven years, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including eradicatingpovertytopeaceandstrong institutions,maybeachieved.Ifnot,it will suffice to set the foundation for ambitious, sustainability-driven, unidirectional international development. During April, there is interest in promoting the concept that every day is Earth Day. If you had to think about 30 ways to contribute to mitigatingtheclimatecrisis,itcouldbe difficult off the top of your head. Therefore,Ishiftyourattentiontothe meaningful goals set by the United Nations. The sustainable development goals are comprehensive, universally applicable, and explain which of society’s mechanisms could be utilized toimplementabetterworld.

The work of the Sustainable Development Goals derives from the initial Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). These included fewer targets with critiques of being less representative of diverse voices while holding the title of the “lab-rat.” Both MDGs and SDGs represent the rare triumph of mobilizing international parties into agreement. One of the biggest improvements from MDGs to SDGshasbeenthe basisfor

p , w been instrumental in communicating across cultures what is working and whatisnot.Inmyownexperienceasan ESG Intern, the use of the SDGs as a corporate responsibility framework has the special ability to inform all levels about practical actions to make an impact. It has become so universally applicable that, for the first time, all stylesofefforts,includingphilanthropy, governmental,societal,andeducational, can fit under the same comprehensive strategy.So,myfirstthreewaystothink about the Sustainable Development goalsareto

1) Consider the triumph of internationalmobilization, 2)AcknowledgethereflexivityofSDGs sincethemillennial,

3)Embracetheuniversality, and hopefully, by thinking like this, people can actively, not passively, help progressto2030.

In evaluating six factors that had the greatest influence on MDG achievement, researchers highlighted the obstacles to government ownership anddisinterestintop-downapproaches to environmental protection. The typicalconcernisthatitwouldhamper their chances of economic growth. Whereas, in countries with economic strategiesincongruencewiththegoals, actions aligned more swiftly (Hickman…Yunita2023).

In light of this, the expanded development goals directed to environmentalprotectionarepresentin CleanWaterandSanitation,Affordable and Clean Energy, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Responsible ConsumptionandProduction,Climate Action,LifeBelowWater,andLifeOn Land. The materiality of mitigating climate change in every country is different. Island nations will be much more concerned about managing life below water and life on land and participate in a combination of efforts geared toward their needs. This may looklikeinvestinginconservation,like Jamaica,whoseclimateactionplansare centered around watershed management, wetland restoration, and waterrestoration(Roy2023).

In a different way, the research highlighted the magnitude that nongovernmental organizations could contribute to achieving developmental goals.Thekeywasthatcivilsocietyasa wholeneedsmoreengagement.Moreor less NGOs that were very active and connected to the community they representedhelped,andthosethatwere less active or less connected did little (Hickman…Yunita 2023). When picturing No Poverty, Zero Hunger, Good Health and Well-being, Quality Education, and Gender Equality, countriesshouldcreateavenuesto debatesolutionsandconverseonwhich can be afforded to be a priority. One immediate action to take is to stay in tune with civic engagement opportunities, whether attending local municipal environmental commission meetings,protesting,orwritingtoyour representatives. Forming opinions on what SDGs matter most to you is a substantial way to actively progress sustainable development. Evidently, seven more ways to think about the Sustainable Development Goals this Aprilare

4)SupporttheSDGsactively,

5)Keyactorsarenotconstrainedbythe government,

6) Avoid looking at the goals from a limitedperspective

7)Optforintersectionalapplications

8)Prioritizegoalsspecifictogeographic, governmental,andtime-sensitiveneeds.

9) Prioritize participation in civil society

10) SupportSDGscreatively

The purpose of rethinking sustainable developmentgoalsistoinitiatecreative problem-solving on an individual level. One part of goal setting is to give direction,andearlieronIdiscussedthe power of unidirectional planning. A secondpartofgoalsettingistopredict necessary outcomes. The councils of diplomats that drafted the sustainable development goals knew the implications of inaction. This would mean that current unsustainable cities increase their health disparities, economic growth stays tied to environmental degradation, and greenhouse gas emissions irreversibly straintheecosystemservicesourplanet andpeopledependon.Forexample,the combination of Affordable and Clean Energy with Sustainable Cities and Communities and Good Health and Well-being (Nilsson…Stafford-Smith 2018). By scaling up renewable energy throughprogramslikecommunitysolar inverselyimprovesthequalityoflifefor acityresidentandtheirhealthbyliving pollution-free. To conclude, here are sevenwaysIhaveorwillactivelywork towards the United Nations 2030 SustainableDevelopmentGoals.

11) Affordable Clean Energy - reading uponmystate’senergymasterplan,

12) Climate Action - Attending The Climate Reality Project’s Climate LeadershipTraininginNewYorkCity thisApril,

13) Partnerships For the Goals - Being an active stakeholder, advocating for representationindecisionsthataffectwhereIlive,work,shop,eat,andevenswimin thefuture!

14)QualityEducation-Ivolunteeredtoreadweeklyto2nd-gradestudentsduringmy studyabroadprograminThessaloniki,Greece,tosupportlow-incomeschools.

15) Responsible Consumption and Production - Increasing my participation in the second-handclothingmarketonlineandatlocalthriftstores,

16) Decent Work and Economic Growth - Reading Patagonia's Yvon Chouinard book; ‘Let My People Go Surfing’, to educate myself on work-life balance and sustainablebusinessand

17) Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions - voting in my local, state, and national elections.

The Sustainable Development Goals represent the most popular social impact agreementtohavegainedpopularity.Ibelieveit’sbecauseofitsraw,dynamic,andallencumbussing reminder that the problems of the world are intersected. Across seventeen goals, there is space for your skills, your passion, and betterment for the world.IhopethishelpsyourecommittosustainabilitythisEarthMonth,andkudos toeveryonemakingadifferenceacrosstheseventeensustainabledevelopmentgoals.

GArdeNing Galore! Sofia Little

People have so many reasons to not do any given thing. School, work, taking care of kids, and exhaustion often occupy this list of why people are too busy to add more to their dailyto-dos.Despitethis,itisworth taking the time to implement gardening into your life. With the prevalence of social media, this is becoming more accessible. There has also been a rise in the number of peoplewhousetheplatformtoshare their knowledge and green thumb. Therearesomanytipsandtrickson how to garden efficiently or even inside,andmanyofthemareonline.

First off, why is it so crucial to garden? Gardening is good for your mindandbody,anditleadstolower stress levels, blood pressure, cholesterol, and decreased rates of depression.Gardenshelptocleanour air, taking in pollutants and carbon dioxide while releasing oxygen. Additionally, they help to prevent soilerosionandpreventsediment

and prevent sediment from entering streams, storm drains, and roads (“Benefits of Gardening”). Indoor gardens are also wonderful for your health. Houseplants are also natural air purifiers, can reduce stress, may improve your productivity, andsleep quality, and boost your immune system (American Horticulture Society).

Some things to keep in mind if you want to begin indoor gardening are plants that are better for growing indoors.Theseinclude: Carrots,hotpeppers,lettuce,and tomatoes Basil, chives, mint, parsley, and thyme

Low light-loving species are spider plants, snake plants, and certain ferns.

Humidity-loving plants are begonias, ferns,andpeacelilies.

Additionally, a “living wall” and species that grow vertically are suitableforindoorgardenerswhoare tightonspace(Johnstone,2023).

More things to keep in mind when you begin gardening outdoors are to pick a good location with plenty of light, only grow things you like to eat, and make sure to have lots of water on hand. Additionally, soil nutrients and drainage are crucial, and using things like compost, leaf mold, or well-aged manure will help the soil to drain well and hold moisture. Also, choose varieties for your growing season based on the frost dates and lengths of your area, and staggering plants/ not planting allatonce(Sweetser,2023).

Other gardening tips include using diatomaceous earth, which comes from the fossilized remains of tiny aquaticorganisms(NationalPesticide InformationCenter).Becarefulwhen plantingthingslikemint,andput

invasive species into pots so they do nottakeoverentiregardens.

Allotment gardening is also a viable option. They are community gardens whereagardenerpaysafeeto“joinor leaseaplotoflandforagivenlength of time” and cultivate flowers and food(Gardenstead,2023).

Another idea is containment gardening,whichisespeciallygoodin urban areas and can be done in a budget-friendly way by reusing old containers.Thisiswhere,asdescribed earlierinthearticle,plantsaregrown in containers rather than on the ground (Celebrate Urban Birds, 2017).

Here are a variety of gardening tips I found on Instagram to get you started with gardening:

Here are some tips on how to grow ginger from Patrick Vernuccio (Vernuccio, 2024) 1. Takeonestore-boughtorganicgingerandputitonasmallplatewithwater2. Spray water onto it every day until you see little sprouts (“sprouting eyes”) beginningtoform. 3.

Then take a pot with drainage holes at the bottom and put in clay balls at the bottom,thensoilandcompost. 4. Then,Imadeasmallholeinthemiddleforthegingertogo5.

Cover it with soil (without compressing the ginger ) and leave a few sprouting eyesexposed 6. Thenkeepinsidebythewindowlikeanindoorplant7. Oncethereisnomorefrost,putitoutsideinabiggerpot8. Oncetherearemorestems,harvesttheginger!9.

Areyouworriedabouttheincreaseinwastewhenplanting?Chapmanhassometips tohelpwithzero-wasteseedstarting(Chapman,2024a)!

1.

Use old milk cartons as containers to grow microgreens by cutting out one rectanglesideandsavingtheotherpieceyoucutforlater.

Then,cutafewholesintotheoppositesidefordrainagea. Afterfillingthemwithcompostandseedsb. Then,usethesideyoucutoutearliertoblockoutthelightc.

Plasticvegetableboxescansowlotsofdifferenttypesofseeds2.

Pokeholesatthebottomfordrainageandfillwithsoila. Oldeggcartonsarecompostableandcanbeusedtogrowseedsforherbssuchas coriander 3.

Youcanplantsomeseedsineachsectionofthecartonandthenplacethem straightintothegardenoncetheyhavebeguntosprout a.

Putoldtoiletpaperrollsintotrayandfillthemwithcompost4. Theyaregoodforgrowingthingslikesweetpeas,andtheyhaveroomforthe rootstogrowdeep a.

Cutaplasticbottleinhalfandremovethelid5. Fillthetophalfwithcomposta.

Butthetopintothebottomhalftocatchanywatertripsanduseitasastandb. Thisisgreatforfast-growingseedsorseedsyoutransplantseedlingslateron.c.

Here are some more tips from Chapman on how to grow chamomile flower from chamomileteabags(Chapman,2024b).

Fillatrayorpotwithcompost1. Ripopenateabagandthicklysprinkleiton2. Coverwithalightlayerofcompost3.

Putitonasunnywindowsillinsideyourhouseandkeepitwatered4. Inafewweeks,youwillhaveafewflowersthatyoucanplantoutsideifthereisno frost 5. Youcandrytheflowersandhaveyourownsupplyoftea!

6.

Excitedforstrawberryseason?HerearetipsfromTaylorO’Sullivanonhowtostart growingyourown(O’Sullivan,2024).

Useaknifetocutathinstrawberryskin1. Grabasmallcuporpotandfillitwithsoil2. Placethestrawberryskinontopandwateritlightly3.

Put a small cup or shot glass on top of the strawberry seeds to create a humid environment 4. Putitonasunnyledgeorspotinside5. In8days,youwillseethefirstsprout6. When it grows a small but sturdy stem, the strawberry is ready to be replanted outside.Pickapotwithplentyofroomforittogrow.

7. Inthespring,thefirststrawberrybuds(whiteflowers)willemerge8. Inafewweeks,thefirststrawberrywillbereadytoeat!9.

Somewaystogetexcitedaboutgardeningaretohavegardenpartieswithfriends-and gettingagroupoffriendstogethertogardencanmakehours'worthofworkgoby muchfasterinaday.Therearesomanybenefitstogettinginvolvedwithgardening, andIhopethesetipsmakeyoufeelinspiredtostartplantingsoon!

Earth Day Then and N w

LindseyWiessner

ThefirstEarthDaywascelebratedon April22,1970,lessthanfourmonths before the establishment of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (Library of Congress,2024).ThefirstEarthDay came at a very influential period in environmental politics, with the Clean Air Act of 1970 ratified the same year and the Clean Water Act implemented only two years later (EPA, 2023). The 1970s was an essential period in the environmental movement, with activism and advocacy seeing significant increases throughout the country (Martin, 2022).Thiseventwasfirstpromoted bySenatorGaylordNelson,andover 20 million people participated (LibraryofCongress,n.d.).Thisyear willmarkthe55thannualEarthDay celebration, and there are countless ways to enjoy the day. While the environmental movement in the UnitedStateshadbegunlongbefore, EarthDaywasacriticalturningpoint forenvironmentalactivism.ByEarth Day’s20thcelebration,

more than 141 countries had celebrated, and there was participation from over 200 million people(LibraryofCongress,n.d.).

Thethemeofthisyear’sEarthDayis Plants vs. Plastics, with hopes to reduce plastic pollution and focus instead on sustainability (earthday.org, 2024). Some of the Earth Day 2024 demands include a “UNTreatyonPlasticPollution,”an end to fast fashion, and a “60% reduction in the production of ALL plastics by 2040.” (earthday.org, 2024). There are a variety of events plannedacrossthecountryandworld, aiming to raise environmental awareness and reduce plastic pollution,scheduledforthis EarthDay.

TheNewYorkCityParkDepartmentis having a volunteer day on Earth Day, whereparticipantswillbepruningtrees, raking,weeding,mulching,andcleaning upatStuyvesantSquare(NewYorkCity Department of Parks & Recreation, 2024).Thereareothereventsrelatedto EarthDaythatarescheduledtooccurin the next few weeks, like the New York City Earth Day Festival on April 16th. This festival will take place in Union Square and will include live performances, art exhibits, and tabling by various non-profit environmental organizations (Earth Day Initiative, 2024). There are events all over the world,likeEarthFESTinCanada,where there is live music, educational presentations, and sustainable food options(EarthDayCanada,2024).

With these events and more, there are countless ways to support the environmental movement this Earth Day. However, there is also much that can be done on an individual level to celebrateEarthDay.Oneeasythingyou candothisEarthDayistopay

attention to the products you use and foods you eat throughout the day and consider how you can consume more sustainably. Another way that I like to spend my Earth Day is by cleaning up litterandtrashinnaturalareaslikeparks. WhilemanyplacesorganizeEarthDayrelated cleanups, if you cannot participateinanyofthese,youcaneasily dothisonyourownorwithagroupof friends or family. Finally, you can educateyourselfonourcurrentclimate situation and possible solutions, as educationisourgreatestweaponagainst climate change. This Earth Day, take sometimetoconsiderwhatelseyoucan dotohelpcombattheclimatecrisis.

Drishta Soni Green Jobs & Workforce Development

OnMarch25,2024,RutgersUniversityheld its Green Jobs Fair, an opportunity for students from various fields of study to connect with employers in sustainability, climateaction,andrelatedfields.Iwitnessed students of all ages networking with future employers.AsaRutgersfreshman,Iwasable to experience my first job fair and found it engaging and productive. Regardless of age, greenjobfairsareagreattooltopromotethe workforce in clean energy, encourage sustainable practice within companies, and allow students to see the potential impact this sector of employment can leave. For those who couldn’t witness it firsthand, green job creation can create a strong workforce,

especiallyindisadvantagedareas,andwith growing concern for climate change and cleaner energy, the global economy has made it a priority to seize any economic opportunities that arise along the way, creating thousands of jobs in sustainable sectors.

Contributors: Biden’sPlan:

The United States alone generated nearly 300,000 natural gas and energy employmentopportunitiesin2022,witha growing rate in the clean energy departments of employment (Boushey, 2023). A large contributor to the recent andrapidlygrowingrateofcleanenergy

jobs is President Biden’s Investing in Americaagenda.TheInvestinginAmerica agenda was an economic transformation implemented in early 2021 to drive the United States closer to achieving its clean energygoalsby2050andtoimprovepublic infrastructure domestically. Though the budgetoutlineprovides$245billiontothe semiconductors and electronics industry and$27billiontobiomanufacturing,italso provides $165 billion to the development ofelectricvehiclesandbatteries,$77billion to clean energy manufacturing, and $141 billiontocleanpower(TheWhite House,2021).

Theplan,intending toincreasesupport foreachofthese industries,hasalso allowedroomfor employmentinareaslike plantmanufacturingand management,energy engineering,policyanalytics, andconsultingthroughout urban and highly-populated areas in the United States and territories (Department of Energy, 2023). Legislation that works towards achieving clean energy by 2050 often results in the expansion of employment opportunities in the clean energysectorandsimilarfields.

InflationReductionAct:

TheInflationReductionsActof2022isa cleanenergytaxincentivefashionedto

provide investments in low-income communitiestodrivethemtowardsagreater relianceonthecleanenergyindustryforjobs and recovery from the impacts of the fossil fuel industry. Intended to advance clean energyby50%,thelegislationalsoallowsthe expansion of the workforce in underprivilegedareas(Sahaetal.,2022).The InflationReductionsActwillusetwo-thirds of the EPA’s $27 billion Greenhouse Gas ReductionFundtowards theadvancementofclean energyinlow-incomeand disadvantagedcommunities (TheWhiteHouse,2023). Economicgrowthand dominantuseof renewable energyareexpectedinlowincomecommunities,along withareductioninemployment opportunitiesincompetingindustries.

TheInflationReductionsActhasbeenused to divest from the development of internal combustionenginevehicles;thiscouldmean areductioninavailablejobsintheautoparts and vehicle assembly/maintenance industry.

Though this could be a positive change by transitioningmoreoftheworkforcetowards cleanenergy,thereisonedominantrisktobe considered–withfewerjobsinareasthatare not necessarily new, clean energy employment is going to have to provide significantlyhigherwagestoworkers,posing a risk of clean energy practices and productionbecomingmoreexpensiveand

slowing down their productivity (Jones, 2020). However, the World Resources Instituteestimatesthatincreasingwagesto $22/hr,whichtheyconsideralivingwage, would only require increasing current modeled costs by 1% (Saha et al., 2022). With an achievable cost estimate and enough motivation to further the shift towards clean energy employment in lowincome communities, environmental conditions for residents can improve, and fewer fossil fuel emissions may reduce the severityofthoseconditions.Theindustry's growthcanalsobeutilizedtohelpgrowthe socio-economic status of those communities.

TheWorkforce:

It’s no secret that the growth of jobs in thesesectorshelpsadapttoclimatechange andrestoresrawmaterialsandecosystems, butitalsointroduces24millionjobsinto the world economy, according to the World Employment and Social Outlook report of 2018. It is estimated that if continued growth in clean energy is expected internationally, by 2030, the global economy will lose only 6 million jobs,leaving18millionrelatedjobsinthe workforce (International Labour OfficeGeneva, 2018). Fields that are expected to experience significant growth in green employment include energy, agriculture, design,tourism,and transportation (Iberdrola, 2023). As the global market shifts to a focus on cleaner energy, it is wise to evaluate all options available Manystudentsatinstitutionslike Rutgershavetheopportunitytoworkina cleanpowerorsustainabilitysector,andas these jobs begin to raise their wages and become a priority in American and international economies, the sustainability workforce will be more sought out. Growthinthesesectorsisnecessaryforthe conservation of natural resources and for theextensionofthesustainableindustry.

Sustainable

Sustainable

Sustainable

Discarded Materials Upcycled Discarded Materials Upcycled Discarded Materials Upcycled Into Unique Jewelry Into Unique Jewelry Into Unique Jewelry

By Miranda Ma

I first came upon TrashByRat at a New Brunswick basement show. After dancing to some great live music, I braved the overcrowded backyard and found myself at the TrashbyRat table. It was a small tablewitharose-coveredtablecloth, adorned with extremely interesting earringsandnecklaces.Wheretheir contemporaries use beads and pearls,Isaweverything--fromsoda tabs and bottle caps to foam earplugsandguitarpicks(andeven nitrous oxide canisters)--- among the typical beads and pearls in the creationsbyRat.Iwassointrigued by the eccentric design choices, I picked up a business card and scheduledameetingwiththe“Rat” behind the jewelry. It was there I met the very welcoming and charming Rachel “Rat/Rachrat” Leykin(they/she). TableofContents

Rachelisaseclecticandinteresting astheirartwork.Theyfirstlearned jewelry-making from a friend at American University. Upon transferring to Rutgers, Rachel was shocked by how much trash they saw in New Brunswick. Walking past streets littered with student waste was something that didn’tsitrightwithRachel.“Isaw themosttrashonEastonAve,and youcouldtellitwasstudenttrash, not the local community’s.” As a Rutgers student, Rachel felt they could do their part by picking up thistrash.Theydidnotstopthere, Rachel used their creative backgroundinjewelry-makingand beganincorporatingthetrashthey picked up as the focal point of theirpieces.

When selling these one-of-a-kind pieces,theyoftengetthequestion Why? Why use “trash” as a basis for a jewelry business? The answer lies in Rachel’s love for the planet and advocacy for sustainability. Sustainability has long been a keystone value for them.Beforecollege,Racheltook a gap year working on a permaculture farm where reuse andupcyclingwerethenorm. Outside of jewelry-making, they study Data Science. Rachel plans to apply data science to sustainable problem-solving. “I wanttomakesustainabilityeasily accessible.” TrashByRat is one of the ways that they can achieve this goal. According to the 1987 Brundtland report, sustainable developmentisbeingabletomeet “theneedsofthepresentwithout compromising the ability of futuregenerationstomeettheir

own needs”. One of the most ingenious ways to accomplish this is by enacting a circular economy. This is essentially when you take somethingthatisconsideredatthe “end”ofitseconomiclife-cycle(aka trash)andthenreintroduceitback intotheeconomy.Thishelpsboth the economy and the environment by being resource-efficient and increasing waste prevention.

TrashByRat is not only a perfect example of this but also helps spread the awareness of how one individualcanmakeagreatimpact! Rachel also has a minor in Medicinal and Economic Botany. This is another one of Rachel’s great passions. They have a vested interest in ethnobotany and exploring the various uses of a plant. This is another way they plantocontinuetheirstewardship totheplanet.

AGRIVOLTAICS: AGRIVOLTAICS:

The Potential of Dual-Use Solar

For as long as they have existed, we have beengoingaboutsolarfieldsallwrong.Ina time when it is essential to rethink our impact on the earth, we have sparsely consideredtheecologicalimpactandother potentialusesofsolarfields.Whileitisnear impossibletoarguetheincreasingneedfor renewable energy, we must not make critical mistakes in the implementation of solar.

Thesolarfieldsoftodaylookverysimilar tothesolarfieldsofthepastdecades.Most often, solar fields are nothing more than fenced-inlawnsadornedwithpanels.

Manydeserts,forests,andfieldshavebeen ruined by the hand of clean energy (not nearlyasmuchasoil,butitisstillbad).A primeexampleofthiswouldbeSixFlags: Great Adventure. Before conservation groupssteppedinwithalawsuit,SixFlags: Great Adventure in Jackson, NJ, was prepared to clear-cut 90 acres in preparation for solar fields. Thankfully, they elected to place some of these solar panelsoveralreadydevelopedlandparking lots,andonly40acreswerechoppeddown (Di Ionno, 2018). This replacement of natureforjustsolarpanelsdoesnotmake senseasitlimitsthatparceloflandforjust

Joey Velke

one use. Rather than wasting the land between the panels on simple turf grass, why not do something with that land? Somethinglikegrowingfood.

Agrivoltaics, also known as Agrovoltaics and Agrisolar, is the simultaneous use of landforsolarenergyproductionandfood production.Hereiswhyitmakestoomuch sense:Muchofthelandisnotbeingused anyways,itcandiversifyincomesforfarms andsolarfields,itworksforlivestockand crops,andurbanenvironmentscanbenefit from getting fresh food and clean energy with half the land, rainwater can be collectedfromthesolarpanelsandbeused on site decreasing reliance upon other water sources, and it can create jobs. Rutgers has even gotten in on the action. Thankstoaninfluxof$2Millionfromthe 2022StateBudgetspecificallyforbuilding Research and Demonstration Agrivoltaic SystemsontheirResearchFarms,Rutgers NewJerseyAgricultureExperimentStation hasbeenabletoexpanduponthegrowing bodyofresearch

(Rutgers/NJAES Agrivoltaics Research and Extension Program (Rutgers EcoComplex), 2021).

While the idea of Agrivoltaics is still in its infancyintheUnitedStates,EuropeandAsia havealreadymadestridesinthefield.There have been successful installations in France due to support from the state. Installations that have had promising results. An installation by Sun’R over a Grenache Noir vineyard in Piolenc has seen a reduced need forirrigation,andagrowingperiodthathas beenincreasedby2weekswhichresultedin grapes growing 20% bigger. This success led toalargerscalereplicationinavineyardnear Perpignan,France.AlsoinFrance,asitewith apricots,withvarietiesselectedspecificallyfor agrivoltaics, sawa70%savingsinwaterover thetypicalapricotfarm(Herrero, 2021).Theothercountry leadingthechargein agrivoltaicsisJapan,butthatis mostlyduetoland-scarcity (Turrentine,2022).

Agrivoltaicsbecomeevenmoreappealing when you factor in a relatively new idea that has emerged from the solar scene: Bifacial vertically oriented solar panels facing east/west. It sounds rather inefficientandgoesagainsthowmostofus view solar fields, but east/west-oriented solar panels have reported higher energy yields than expected (Ferrell, 2024). The reasonis,ordinarysolarpanelsfacingsouth often see a loss in power as temperatures rise past 32 ℃ (Boeye, 2017). Bifacial verticallyorientedsolarpanelsstillneedto betestedatalargerscaletoproveitshould bethenewnorminsolarpanelorientation, butthathasnotstoppedinvestmentinthe

field. A German startup Next2Sun has baseditsbusinessmodelonsuchadesign. They even offer fences constructed from solarpanels.

Theseadvancementsareexcitingandhave the potential to change the way we farm and the way we generate electricity. With no apparent downsides, agrivoltaics have thepotentialtopreservefarmland,diversify incomesforfarmlands/solarfields,shorten supplychainsforfreshfoodinurbanareas, savewater,improveyieldsforcertaincrops, and ultimately conserve land. It is a real world example of killing two birds with onestone.

PLASTIC CONSUMPTION IN NEW

PLASTIC CONSUMPTION IN NEW JERSEY

PLASTIC CONSUMPTION IN NEW JERSEY

PLASTIC CONSUMPTION IN NEW JERSEY

PLASTIC CONSUMPTION IN NEW JERSEY

BY PHILIP KIM

In recent years, New Jersey has experienced a troubling trend marked by a considerable increase in plastic consumption, posing significantchallengesdespiteinitialeffortssuch as the implementation of a bag prohibition, which, according to a recent study by the FreedoniaGroup,notonlyfailedtocurbplastic usage but actually exacerbated it. “There is evidencethatNewJersey’sbagprohibitionnot only failed to curb plastic usage, it backfired AccordingtoanewstudyreleasedonJanuary9 by the Freedonia Group, 53 million pounds worth of plastic shopping bags were used in NewJerseypriortotheimplementationofthe state’s bag ban, a figure that has risen to 151 million pounds since the prohibition was instituted.” Gleason, P. (2024, February 20). This increase in plastic usage has had environmental, economic, and societal consequences,emphasizingthecriticalneedfor comprehensiveeffortstoaddresstheproblem

ExaminingNewJersey'ssurgein

plastic consumption involves analyzing the unintended consequences of the state's bag ban, exploring the drivers behind increased plasticusage,andassessingitsenvironmental, economic,andsocietalimpacts.Solutionsmay entailrevisitingpolicies,promotingawareness, fostering innovation, and fostering collaborativeeffortsacrosssectorstomitigate theproblemeffectively.

Plastic consumption in New Jersey has tripled duetoavarietyoffactors.Onenotablefactoris the rapid spread of convenience culture. With theadventoffast-pacedlifestyles,manycitizens rely on single-use plastic products, including bottles,bags,andpackaging Astudypublished byEnvironmentalandResourceEconomicsalso suggests that plastic bag bans can lead to an increase in purchases of garbage bags. "We estimate that (carryout grocery bag) regulations leadtoanaverageincreaseinpurchasedplastics of 127 pounds per store per month," states the study(Gomez,J.2024,January26).

Furthermore, the expansion of online shopping has increased packaging waste, contributing to the total amount of plastic consumed Insufficientrecyclinginfrastructureandalackof awareness about sustainable alternatives have exacerbated the dependency on plastic. (The searchforalternativestocarrygroceriesandother productsfromthestoreleadstothepurchaseof products that increase the pollution caused by manufacturingthebags(Gomez,2024,).

Soaring plastic consumption in New Jersey has far-reaching repercussions. Excessive plastic use has increased pollution levels in landfills, water bodies,andnaturalhabitats,endangeringspecies and ecosystems. "We estimate that (carryout grocery bag) regulations lead to an average increaseinpurchasedplasticsof127poundsper store per month," states the study. (Gomez, J. 2024,January26)

Plastic garbage frequently litters beaches, parks, and cities, detracting from the state's natural beauty and impeding tourism and leisure activities.Economically,thecostsofcontrolling and mitigating plastic pollution greatly burden local governments and taxpayers, and unfavorablepublicityaboutNewJersey'splastic problem might taint its reputation and deter potentialinvestorsandbusinesses.

Mitigating New Jersey's increased plastic usage requires a comprehensive strategy, including regulatory interventions, consumer education, andbusinesspartnerships.Strictlimitsonsingle-

plastics, like bans or taxes, can encourage environmentallybeneficialalternatives.Investing in robust recycling infrastructure and circular economy initiatives improves waste management. Promoting public awareness and education empowers communities to adopt sustainable practices, including the use of biodegradable utensils made from materials like cornstarchorbamboo,whichoffereco-friendly alternatives to traditional plastics and break downnaturally,reducingenvironmentalimpact.

New Jersey's increased plastic usage is a major issue with far-reaching consequences for the environment, economy, and society. Urgent actionisrequiredtoreversethistrendandmove towardamoresustainablefuture.Byaddressing the underlying causes, implications, and potential solutions to the plastic consumption dilemma, New Jersey may position itself as an environmental leader and create a model for other regions to follow. Only through concentratedeffortsandcollaborativeactioncan weprotectourplanetandensurethewell-being ofcurrentandfuturegenerations.

MMM MMM CRUNCHY! CRUNCHY!

BY KATIE MARRA BY KATIE MARRA

The United Nations Climate Change Conference declared that agricultural expansion drives almost 90 percent of global deforestation.Thisisconcerning,especiallyin places such as South America, where forests like the Amazon house one in ten species of Earth. Animal agriculture threatens biodiversity,increasesdeforestation,andisan unsustainable way to feed the growing population.Asolutiontothisproblemwhich isbeingproposedisconsuminginsects.While this may sound strange and potentially offputtinginitially,therearenumerousbenefits to replacing traditional protein with that of insects.

Not only is eating insects good for the planet, it is great for your health as well. According to the National Library of Medicine, insects are high in lean protein as well as rich in iron, zinc, Omega-3, and magnesium.Insectsaresovitaminand

mineral-packed, that they contain more nutrientsthanbeefperpound(Alhujailietal, 2023). While being more nutritious, insects also require fewer resources than livestock, making them cheaper and easier to cultivate Theirnutritionalvalueandlow-maintenance features make them a considerable choice to replacetraditionalmeatoptions.

One of the main obstacles to making this switch in the Western world is the stigma surroundinginsects.AccordingtotheJournalof InsectsasFoodandFeed(2024),thereareover 2,000 species of edible insects, and about 2 billion people in the world currently consume insects. The majority of countries that have insects on the menu are developing, located mainlyinAfrica,thoughitisalsocommonplace toeatinsectsinAsiaandSouthAmerica There are many ways to incorporate insects into your diet if you are not ready to bite the head off a cricketjustyet.

There are forms of insect powder that can be equatedtoproteinpowderwhensprinkledatop yogurt or added to a smoothie. Some popular brands include Entomo Farms, Cricket Flours, and Crunchy Critters. You can also try insect larvae, which is often added to salads and rice bowls.Ifwecanencourageconsumeracceptance ofinsectsasavaluablefoodsource,wehavethe potential to protect our forests, support biodiversity, and adopt a more healthy, sustainablemethodofagriculture.

Advancing Climate Resilience and Equity: A Historic Investment in America’s Forests

By Emily Yang

On March 15, 2024, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a monumentalinvestmentofnearly145million dollarsfromtheBiden-HarrisAdministration’s InflationReductionAct,makingitthelargest climate investment in U.S. history (USDA 2024). This initiative, which is part of the broaderInvestinginAmericaagenda,issetto revolutionize forest management and conservation efforts across the nation. At the forefront of this investment is the USDA Forest Service, which aims to bridge the gap between forest landowners and emerging climate markets, marking a shift towards climate resilience and sustainability (USDS 2024).

Under the Department of Agriculture’s secretary, Tom Vilsack, and USDA’s Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment, Dr. Homer Wilkes, this initiative highlights the role of private landownersincombatingclimatechangeand ensuringthehealthofforests(USDA2024). Byexpandingaccesstopreviouslyinaccessible markets, particularly for underserved, smallacreageforestlandowners,theadministration seeks to empower individuals to address climate challenges while bolstering rural economies and securing land ownership for futuregenerations.

The emergence of private-sector climate marketsofferseconomicincentivesfor

sustainable forest management practices, including reforestation and improved land stewardship. However, challenges like high acreage requirements and expensive start-up costshavemarginalizedmanysmall-acreageand underserved landowners, hindering their participation in these growing markets To addressthisdisparity,116milliondollarsofthese funds have been allocated for 20 Forest LandownerSupportprojects,whicharedesigned toensureequitableaccesstoclimatemarketsfor landowners in disadvantaged communities (USFS2024).

This initiative not only advances climate resilience but also aligns with President Biden’s Justice40Initiative,whichaimstodirect40%of the benefits from federal climate and clean energy investments to disadvantaged communities (Energy 2024). It also contributes totheAmericatheBeautifulinitiative,fostering conservation efforts led by local communities (Energy2024).

In addition, 29 million dollars have been allocatedtostatesandterritoriestodeveloptheir owntechnicalassistanceprogramsinrecognition of the importance of state engagement and supportforunderservedlandownersnationwide (USDA2024).Intandemwiththeseefforts,the ForestServicehasalsoallocated20milliondollars for Tribes and Alaska Native corporations and villagestoenhancetheiraccesstoclimatemarkets (USDA2024).

TheU.S.DepartmentofAgriculture,underthe Biden-Harris Administration, is redefining America’s approach to forestry and land management. By prioritizing resilience, equity, andcommunityengagement,thisinitiativemarks apivotalsteptowardamoresustainablefuture

The Subak System AcasestudyinIndigenousLandManagement

By:EvanDeAngelis

The Subak system is a reactionary horticultural land stewardship movement developed by the local population to ensure wise use after the Indonesian system of Balinese Feudalism was toppled. It is a governmentalsystemofland,water,andother resourcesharingthatisdefinedandenforced onacommunity-leveldemocraticbasiswhich enshrines equal rights of access and managementauthority Councilsmadeupof local shareholders meet to coordinate their paddyflooding,harvests,riceplantings,crop rotations, and other aspects of local cultivationmethods.

Approaches like the Subak system often go unnoticed by outsiders, especially those who do not study the area or have knowledge of social governance or resource policy in generalTouristscomingtoBalioftenwantto visit some of the picturesque rice paddies across the island. Usually they do not realize the complex social system and planning that goes on behind the scenes… ” (Bali Institute, 1970)likesomanylesser-knownsystemssuch astheMutualistasmovementwhichdrewon olderindigenoustraditions.inthatpartofthe world, the Subak system is, unfortunately, mostlyrestrictedtotheworldofacademiain theWest

“Thisisundoubtedlyoneofthechiefestof many misfortunes, the way we understand indigenous movements in that part of the world.

Communities involved in the Subak system are unified and cohesive on a social level through religious customs and folk rituals. Thecoreofthesystemisthesystem’scentral structure of religious beliefs around the sacredness of water, the reverence for nature and wilderness itself, and the authority of religious leaders over public affairs. Small stupa-like* water temples and shrines lay scattered through the various drainage junctions and ditches that lay spreading in great webs throughout the vast Subak rice fields. The local form of Hinduism and therefore,thecastesystembothexistandplay aroleinBalinesesociety Thoseareapartof proximity of the subak system. Still, the structure being democratic in nature means thattheconceptsofcastemeltawaytoforma more malleable social framework for an indigenousmodelofself-governance.

Headsofthecommunityareelectedtodecide on appointments, maintenance, and more. Autonomyandflexibilityarekeycomponents of a resilient indigenous system that ensures lastingsuccessandprosperity.Thissystemhas been evolving in small ways and expanding since the 10th. Century. This kind of adaptation is crucial in an area so heavily affected by post-colonial exploitation, the encroachingmenaceofecologicalandcultural tourism,andtheravagesoftheClimateCrisis. Much can be learned from this approach, which we could see applied to our own communities in a more sustainable model of thecurrentstandard.

*A stupa is a conical temple common to SoutheastAsianBuddhismandHinduism

Sources:

UNESCO World Heritage Centre. (n.d.). Culturallandscapeofbaliprovince:TheSubak system as a manifestation of the Tri Hita Karana Philosophy. UNESCO World HeritageCentre .https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1194/ Bali institute . (1970, March 24). Subak System.... what is it?. Bali Institute. https://baliinstitute.com/subak-system-whatis-it/

Duringthepasttwospringsandsummers, the Eastern US missed the emergence of periodical cicadas However, this year, the coastcanexpecttohearthefamiliarand(kind of) friendly hum of cicadas, as two separate broodsemergeandspreadacrosstheregion.

Periodicalcicadasemergefromtheground every 13-17 years (their entire life span) to completetheirfinalmoltwhichleadsthemto adulthood. Female cicadas deposit their eggs in tree branches, where the larvae fall from and burrow under the ground to restart the cycle(Bartels,2024).Periodicalcicadasdiffer from annual ones, periodical ones show up early in the spring of their emergence years and are mostly black with orange and red features. Annual cicadas are likely the ones you think of when you hear about cicadas, large, green, and appearing in the heat of August(Golembiewski,2024).Eachcicadain aperiodicalbroodwillemergewithinacouple of weeks from one another, meaning that throughoutthespringandsummertwoentire broodsofcicadas,one13-yearbrood,andone 17-year brood, will have reproduced in the US.

Scientists are not fully sure as to why these cicadas emerge on prime numbered cycles, some suggest it may allow cicadas to be less likely prey of predators with 2-3 year life spans,however,thereasonisstillupintheair (Bartels, 2024). Usually, cicadas will not overlapintheiremergencetimes,sothiscaseis evenmoreunusualasthecicadasoverlapnot only in their emergence but also in their location.The13-yearbroodislocatedmainly intheSouth,knownasBroodXIX,andthey span Northeast and Northwest The 17-year broodismainlyintheNorthernIllinoisarea, knownasBroodXIII,theyspanthroughout the state and slightly to surrounding states.

TheEastCoastwillseeacombinedemergence ofBroodXIIIandBroodXIXastheymigrate throughoutthesummer.Theoverlapinthese broods locations is in the Illinois area, meaning they will be seeing the most of it. Bothbroodsasawholewilllikelyreachacross Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, North and South Carolina,andallthesurroundingstatesonthe coast(NationalWildlifeFoundation).

, and burrow under the ground to restart the cycle(Bartels,2024).Periodicalcicadasdiffer from annual ones, periodical ones show up early in the spring of their emergence years and are mostly black with orange and red features. Annual cicadas are likely the ones you think of when you hear about cicadas, large, green, and appearing in the heat of August(Golembiewski,2024).Eachcicadain aperiodicalbroodwillemergewithinacouple of weeks from one another, meaning that throughoutthespringandsummertwoentire broodsofcicadas,one13-yearbrood,andone 17-year brood, will have reproduced in the US.

( ) makes these species special is that out of all 3,400 cicada species in the world, only 9 of themevolvedtogoundergroundforyearsand abovegroundtoreproduce,7ofthose9arein the US emerging at once (Golembiewski, 2024).

Thisistrulyaonce-in-a-lifetimeevent,itwill bearemarkablylongtimebeforetwocicada broodsshareanemergencetimeandlocation. Thisyear'scicadaemergenceisgoingtobea spectacleofinsectsorts,somethingthatwon't behappeningagainuntil2037.It'sgoingtobe hot, loud, and likely a bit gross, but a memorableexperience...

Cherry Blossoms: A Seasonal Spectacle

ByAleenMirza

The cherry blossom is notorious for its delicate and ethereal beauty, as it attracts thousandsofpeopletoattenddisplaysacross theworldeachspring.Despitetheflowernot being officially recognized as the national flowerofJapan,cherryblossomscontinueto hold a special place in the country’s culture and history as it has been celebrated for centuries(Sakura:Japan’sUnofficialNational Flower,2022).

KnownassakurainJapanese,theflowersare widelyrecognizedassymbolsofrenewal,the fleetingnatureoflife,andmarkthearrivalof spring. The origins of this symbolism trace back to the Heian Period (794-1185), when the ancient tradition of hanami, which was onceassociatedwithplumblossoms,became closely tied to cherry blossoms and involved hostingflower-viewinggatheringstocelebrate

the tree's brief blooming period(Sakura: Cherry Blossoms as Living Symbols of Friendship, n.d.). However, the flower's significancegoesbeyondjustitsappearance;it also holds importance in Japanese literature, art, and more. Historically, powerful figures likeSamuraiwereknowntoholdthesakurain high regard for its profound beauty and teachings to cherish the present, thus demonstrating how its allure and influence won the hearts of even warriors As for art forms, one iconic representation of the culturalappreciationforthefloweristheart piece “Cherry Blossoms at Mount Yoshino” by Katsushika Hokusai (See Figure 1). This print depicts the cherry blossoms in full bloom along the mountainside in Nara Prefecture, Japan, a common travel destinationspottoviewthisspectacle.

However,duetotheirimmenseinfluencein various cultural contexts, the trees have become popular attractions outside of Japan aswell.

Cherryblossomswereintroducedtovarious locations across the world through cultural exchangesandintentionalplantingeffortson behalfofthereceivingcountry.Forinstance, Kungsträdgården in Stockholm, Sweden, received cherry trees as a gift from Japan in 1998 as a way to solidify their diplomatic relations.Similarly,cherrytreeswereplanted in the Champs de Mars, France, and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden in New York for their aesthetic appeal and to appreciate Japanese culture. Other countries like Brazil had cherry trees introduced through the Japanese diaspora, which would later create the opening of the Botanical Garden of Curitiba and annual festivals across the country to celebrate the blooming season (Wikipedia contributors, 2024). While there are far more places with equally stunning displays,thesetravelspotsareamongthemost popular due to the surrounding historical monuments, parks, and other attractions in thearea.

Whenitcomestovisitingtheselocationsin the peak blossom season, the dates vary dependingonthelocationbuttypicallyoccur aroundthesametimeofyear.InJapan,asof 2024, the blooming season starts around March31sttoeitherApril12thorMay5thin somelocations(2024CherryBlossomForecast, nd) In Europe, the cherry blossom season beginsinmid-March

and continues into early April in countries like the Netherlands, Germany, and France (Grogan,2024).Onaverage,thesedatesalign with North American blooming times but can change based on seasonal weather conditions (Coleman, 2024). Meanwhile, in Brazil, the expected bloom dates are usually betweenlateJuneandearlyJulybecausethat is the winter season in the southern hemisphere (Geiling, 2016). Ultimately, no matterwhichlocationonechoosestovisit,the enchanting allure of cherry blossoms can be enjoyedrelativelyanywhereintheworld Despite the global appreciation, the preservation of cherry blossoms is crucial. Beyond their cultural significance, cherry blossoms are major contributors to biodiversityastheirflowershelpsupportkey pollinators like honey bees, who face major threats of habitat loss through the help of climatechange(TheBirds,theBees,andthe Flowering Cherry Trees (U.S. National Park Service),n.d.).Additionally,giventhecherry blossoms’shortbloomingseason,thetreesare highlysensitivetoenvironmentalchanges.For instance, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) declared in 2022 that the rise of sea levels could potentially impact the blossoms in Washington DC (Gibson & Kammerer, 2022). Therefore, conserving these trees, in thelongrun,canensurethatbothdependent speciesandfuturegenerationscancontinueto benefit from and cherish the spring phenomenonfordecadestocome

AnUpdateontheSpottedLanternflyInvasioninNew

Jersey

“GettingReadyforSpottedLanternflyin2024.”GrowerTalks,1March2024,https://www.growertalks.com/Article/? articleid=26712.Accessed24April2024.

“NJspottedlanternflypopulationdown,insectlikelyheretostay.”northjersey,19August2023, https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/environment/2023/08/19/nj-spotted-lanternfly-population-down-insect-tostay/70622221007/ Accessed24April2024

“SpottedLanternfly5-YearStrategyFiscalYears2024-2028.”AnimalandPlantHealthInspectionService, https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/slf-strategy.pdf.Accessed24April2024.

DrivingState

Allen, P. (2020, November). Newark community impacts of mobile source emissions. A Community-Based Participatory ResearchAnalysis.https://www.njeja.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/NewarkCommunityImpacts MJBA.pdf

BikeruInitiative:InstitutionalPlanningandOperations.BikeRUInitiative|InstitutionalPlanningandOperations.(n.d.). https://ipo.rutgers.edu/dots/biking

CurbingOurEmissionsinNewJersey.Dep.nj.gov.(2023,September29).https://dep.nj.gov/climatechange/mitigation/ Gibson, J. (2024, February 28). US Commuting Facts & Statistics. Bankrate Press. https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/car/commuting-facts-statistics/#average-commute-time-by-state New Jersey State Profile and Energy Estimates. EIA. (2023, December 21). https://www.eia.gov/state/analysis.php? sid=NJ#:~:text=In%202022%2C%20natural%20gas%20and,electricity%20produced%20in%20the%20state SEA.(2022).Seat.RutgersStudentsforEnvironmentalAwareness.https://www.rutgerssea.com/copy-of-sea-food-1

KelloggsBoycott

Han,Zoe.“Kellogg’s‘cerealfordinner’controversyandpriceincreasesspurcallsforaboycott.”MicrosoftStart,1March 2024,https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/kellogg-s-cereal-for-dinner-controversy-and-price-increases-spur-callsfor-a-boycott/ar-BB1jboB7.Accessed8April2024.

Han,Zoe,andJustinSullivan.“Kellogg's'cerealfordinner'controversyandpriceincreasesspurcallsforaboycott.” MarketWatch,1March2024,https://www.marketwatch.com/story/kelloggs-cereal-for-dinner-controversy-and-priceincreases-spur-calls-for-a-boycott-cdbdfd9b.Accessed8April2024. LeClaire,Amanda.WDET,https://wdet.org/2024/04/03/kelloggs-facing-backlash-boycott-this-month-followingcontroversial-comment-from-ceo/.Accessed8April2024.

Mandel,Jay.“HowTikTokBoycottsAreReshapingConsumption.”MarketingAccountabilityCouncil(MAC),24march 2024,https://marketingaccountability.substack.com/p/how-tiktok-boycotts-are-reshaping.Accessed8April2024. Vargas,RamonAntonio,andMarianneWilliamson.“LetthemeatFlakes:Kellogg'sCEOsayspoorfamiliesshouldconsider 'cerealfordinner.'”TheGuardian,27February2024,https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/feb/27/kelloggs-ceocereal-for-dinner.Accessed8April2024

Callerypear(BradfordPear).(n.d.).MissouriDepartmentofConservation.https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/fieldguide/callery-pear-bradford-pear Callerypearcontrol.(n.d.).MissouriDepartmentofConservation.https://mdc.mo.gov/trees-plants/invasive-plants/callerypear-control

CalleryPear(Pyruscalleryana).(n.d.).

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17WaystoThinkabout17SustainableDevelopmentGoals FromOrnamentalCharmtoEcologicalHarm:TheStoryof theCalleryPearInvasion

Hickmann,T,Biermann,F,Spinazzola,M,Ballard,C,Bogers,M,Forestier,O,Kalfagianni,A,Kim,R E,Montesano,F S,Peek, T.,Sénit,C.,Driel,M.,Vijge,M.J.,&Yunita,A.(2023).Successfactorsofglobalgoal‐settingforsustainabledevelopment:Learning fromtheMillenniumDevelopmentGoals.SustainableDevelopment(Bradford,WestYorkshire,England),31(3),1214–1225. https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.2461

Nilsson,M,Chisholm,E,Griggs,D,Howden-Chapman,P,McCollum,D,Messerli,P,Neumann,B,Stevance,A-S,Visbeck, M,&Stafford-Smith,M (2018) Mappinginteractionsbetweenthesustainabledevelopmentgoals:lessonslearnedandwaysforward SustainabilityScience,13(6),1489–1503.https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-018-0604-z Roy,D.(2023,August16).HowtheCaribbeanIsBuildingClimateResilience.CouncilonForeignRelations. https://wwwcfrorg/backgrounder/how-caribbean-building-climate-resilience

EarthDay:ThenandNow

EarthDayCanada 2ndAnnualEarthFEST, carletonplaceca/Calendar/calendarphp?

ID=4946&command=view&year=2024&month=4&day=20&LANGCODE=EN&pop=Y.Accessed31Mar.2024. EarthDayInitiative.“EarthDayIsComing!WhatCanYouDoThisSpring?”EarthDay Initiative,wwwearthdayinitiativeorg/earth-day-2024-events-menu Accessed31Mar 2024 earthdayorg “EarthDay2024”EarthDay,wwwearthdayorg/ EPA “MilestonesinEPAandEnvironmentalHistory”EPA,EnvironmentalProtectionAgency, 7June2023,www.epa.gov/history/milestones-epa-and-environmental-history. LibraryofCongress.“TodayinHistory-April22.”TheLibraryofCongress, www.loc.gov/item/today-in-history/april22/#: :text=Earth%20Day%20was%20first%20observed,sites%20across%20the%20United%20States Accessed31Mar 2024 Martin,Emily “HowtheFirstEarthDayUsheredinaGoldenAgeofActivism”National Geographic,21Apr 2022,wwwnationalgeographiccom/history/article/how-the-first-earth-day-ushered-in-a-golden-age-ofactivism.

NewYorkCityDepartmentofParks&Recreation.“NewYorkCityDepartmentofParks& Recreation”NYCParksEventsCalendar,wwwnycgovparksorg/ Accessed1Apr 2024

GardeningGalore!

AmericanHorticulturalSociety (2023,November9) Thejoysandbenefitsofindoorgardening-americanhorticulturalsociety AmericanHorticulturalSociety-ImprovingLifeThroughPlantsandGardening https://ahsgardeningorg/about-us/newspress/the-joys-and-benefits-of-indoor-gardening/ BenefitsofGardening.(n.d.).https://schultesgreenhouse.com/Benefits.html CelebrateUrbanBirds.(2017,June1).ContainerGardening.CelebrateUrbanBirds. https://celebrateurbanbirdsorg/learn/gardening/containergardening/#:~:text=Container%20gardening%20is%20when%20plants,to%20set%20up%20your%20garden Chapman,A (2024a,January31) Howtostartyourseedsusingrecycledmaterials Instagram https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2xmnZMK-tc/?igsh=NTR1M2ZwbXR0Znhw Chapman,A.(2024b,February27).Howtogrowyourownchamomilefromateabag.Instagram. https://wwwinstagramcom/reel/C32 EVgKOGk/?igsh=MWhmMDJyeGVjaWlzbg%3D%3D Gardenstead (2023,February17) AllotmentGardeningandtheBenefitsofCommunityGardens gardenstead https://wwwgardensteadcom/allotment-gardening-and-the-benefits-of-community-gardens/ Johnstone,G.(2023,April12).Indoorgardeningsystems:EndlessPlantPossibilities.TheSpruce. https://www.thespruce.com/indoor-gardening-beginner-guide-5199347

NationalPesticideInformationCenter (nd) DiatomaceousEarthFactSheet NationalPesticideInformationCenter http://npicorstedu/factsheets/degenhtml#howwork O’Sullivan,T (2024,April10) Makespaceday10-didyouknowyoucangrownewstrawberriesfromoldstrawberries? ���� Instagram.https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5lspRRx4rD/?igsh=MTYxcnNjY3k0Zms5dg%3D%3D Sweetser,R.(2023,November16).Top10gardeningtipsforBeginners.Almanac.com.https://www.almanac.com/10-tipsbeginner-gardeners

Vernuccio,P (2024,January12)TipstoGrowyourOwnGinger Instagram https://wwwinstagramcom/reel/C2AeqrQKAE0/? igsh=MWRkaDZ1ZXI3ZGw3bQ%3D%3D

Agrivoltaics:ThePotentialofDual-UseSolar

Boeye,J.(2017,November17).Solarpanelanalysispt2:Temperature&efficiency.JeroenBoeye.RetrievedApril21,2024, fromhttps://www.jeroenboeye.com/blog/solar-panel-analysis-pt-2-temperature-and-efficiency/ DiIonno,M.(2018,January24).SixFlagscutsdownsolarfarm.Wikipedia.RetrievedApril21,2024,from https://wwwnjcom/news/2018/01/six flags cuts down solar farm di ionnohtml Ferrell,M (2024,February6) HavewebeendoingSolarwrongallalong?UndecidedwithMattFerrell RetrievedApril21, 2024,fromhttps://undecidedmfcom/have-we-been-doing-solar-wrong-all-along/ Herrero,M.(2021,February11).Aninclusive,ruralEuropeanGreenDealthroughagrisolar.PVMagazine.RetrievedApril21, 2024,fromhttps://www.pv-magazine.com/magazine-archive/an-inclusive-rural-european-green-deal-through-agrisolar/ Rutgers/NJAESAgrivoltaicsResearchandExtensionProgram(RutgersEcoComplex) (2021) RutgersEcoComplex Retrieved April21,2024,fromhttps://ecocomplexrutgersedu/agrivoltaics-researchhtml Turrentine,J (2022,February23) MadeintheShade:ThePromiseofFarmingwithSolarPanels NRDC RetrievedApril21, 2024,fromhttps://www.nrdc.org/stories/made-shade-promise-farming-solar-panels

GreenJobCreationandWorkforceDevelopment

Boushey,H (2023,October23) BidenomicsinAction:CleanEnergyJobsandInvestmentsTakingHoldAcrossAmerica The WhiteHouse https://wwwwhitehousegov/briefing-room/blog/2023/10/23/bidenomics-in-action-clean-energy-jobs-andinvestments-taking-hold-acrossamerica/#:~:text=Nationwide%20in%202022%2C%20clean%20energy,percent%20of%20overall%20energy%20jobs DepartmentofEnergy.(2023,June28).DOEReportFindsCleanEnergyJobsGrewinEveryStateIn2022.Energy.gov. https://www.energy.gov/articles/doe-report-finds-clean-energy-jobs-grew-every-state-2022 Iberdrola (2023) GreenJobs:GoodForYou,FortheEnvironmentandFortheEconomy IberdrolaSustainability https://wwwiberdrolacom/sustainability/what-are-green-jobs

InternationalLabourOffice-Geneva (2018) WorldEmploymentandSocialOutlook2018:Greeningwithjobs International LabourOrganization.https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---dgreports/---dcomm/--publ/documents/publication/wcms 628654.pdf

Jones,B (2020,November12) PrevailingWageinSolarCanDeliverGoodJobsWhileKeepingGrowthonTrack-UC BerkeleyLaborCenter UCBerkeleyLaborCenter https://laborcenterberkeleyedu/prevailing-wage-in-solar-can-deliver-goodjobs-while-keeping-growth-on-track/#s-2 Saha,D.,Shrestha,R.,&Jordan,P.(2022,September14).HowaCleanEnergyEconomyCanCreateMillionsofJobsinthe US.WorldResourcesInstitute.https://www.wri.org/insights/us-jobs-clean-energy-growth

TheWhiteHouse.(2021).InvestingInAmerica|TheWhiteHouse.https://www.whitehouse.gov/invest/? utm source=investgov

TheWhiteHouse (2023,August16) OneYearIn,PresidentBiden’sInflationReductionActisDrivingHistoricClimate ActionandInvestinginAmericatoCreateGoodPayingJobsandReduceCosts https://wwwwhitehousegov/briefingroom/statements-releases/2023/08/16/fact-sheet-one-year-in-president-bidens-inflation-reduction-act-is-driving-historicclimate-action-and-investing-in-america-to-create-good-paying-jobs-and-reduce-costs/

SustainableRat-titude:ReimaginingTheBeautyIn DiscardedMaterialsWithUpcycledJewelry

Leykin,R.(2024,February21).InterviewforTheTrail’sArticleonthebusiness“TrashByRat”(M.Ma,Interviewer) [Personalcommunication].

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AdvancingClimateResilienceandEquity:AHistoric InvestmentinAmerica’sForests

ForestLandownerSupport.USForestService.(n.d.) https://www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/state-private-forestry/coop-forestry/ira-forest-landowner-support Justice40Initiative.Energy.gov.(n.d.).https://www.energy.gov/justice/justice40-initiative U.S.DepartmentofAgriculture.(2024,March15).Biden-HarrisAdministrationAnnounces $145MfromInvestinginAmericaagendatohelplandownersaccessclimatemarkets USDA https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2024/03/15/biden-harris-administration-announces-145m-investing-americaagenda

PlasticConsumptioninNewJersey

Gleason,P.(2024,February20).NewJerseybagbanfollowedbyincreaseduseofplastic.Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/patrickgleason/2024/01/22/new-jersey-bag-ban-followed-by-increased-use-of-plastic/? sh=6a6a2c976a85

Gomez,J (2024,January26) NewJersey’splasticconsumptiontriplesafterplasticbagbanenacted,studyshows USA Today.https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/01/25/new-jersey-plastic-bag-ban-study/72354533007/

MMMCrunchy!

,.(2024,March5).,-YouTube.RetrievedApril9,2024,fromhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-55603-7 Baker,A.(2021,February26).HowHumansEatingInsectsCouldHelpSavethePlanet.Time.RetrievedApril9,2024,from https://timecom/5942290/eat-insects-save-planet/ Choi,Y.(n.d.).EdibleInsectsasaProteinSource:AReviewofPublicPerception,ProcessingTechnology,andResearch Trends.NCBI.RetrievedApril9,2024,fromhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6728817/ InsectsasFood:Consumers'AcceptanceandMarketing.(2023,February19).NCBI.RetrievedApril9,2024,from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9956212/ Johnson,A.(2017,September17).,.,-.RetrievedApril9,2024,from https://www.wageningenacademic.com/doi/abs/10.3920/JIFF2014.0015

AdvancingClimateResilienceandEquity:AHistoric InvestmentinAmerica’sForests

ForestLandownerSupport.USForestService.(n.d.)

https://wwwfsusdagov/about-agency/state-private-forestry/coop-forestry/ira-forest-landowner-support Justice40Initiative Energygov (nd) https://wwwenergygov/justice/justice40-initiative US DepartmentofAgriculture (2024,March15) Biden-HarrisAdministrationAnnounces $145MfromInvestinginAmericaagendatohelplandownersaccessclimatemarkets.USDA.https://www.usda.gov/media/pressreleases/2024/03/15/biden-harris-administration-announces-145m-investing-america-agenda

TheSubakSystem:AcasestudyinindigenousLand Management

UNESCOWorldHeritageCentre.(n.d.).Culturallandscapeofbaliprovince:TheSubaksystemasamanifestationoftheTriHita KaranaPhilosophy.UNESCOWorldHeritageCentre.https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1194/ Baliinstitute (1970,March24) SubakSystem whatisit? BaliInstitute https://baliinstitutecom/subak-system-what-is-it/

Cicadas

Bartels,M (2024,April5) Adoubleemergenceofperiodicalcicadasisn’tcicada-geddon-it’saMarvel ScientificAmerican https://wwwscientificamericancom/article/a-double-brood-of-periodical-cicadas-will-emerge-in-2024/ Golembiewski,K (2024,April10) Cicadas2024:WhattoexpectfromthebroodXIIIandbroodXIXemergenceofcicadas CNN.https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/10/world/cicadas-2024-broods-xix-xiii-scn/index.html Periodicalcicadas.NationalWildlifeFederation.(n.d.).https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/WildlifeGuide/Invertebrates/PeriodicalCicadas#: :text=Males%20cluster%20in%20groups%20and,burrow%20beneath%20the%20soil%20again

CherryBlossoms:ASeasonalSpectacle

Coleman,D.(2024,March18).2024WashingtonDCcherryblossompeakbloomforecasts.WashingtonDCCherryBlossom Prints.https://cherryblossomwatch.com/peak-bloom-forecast/ Geiling,N (2016,March30) Wheretoseethebestcherryblossomsaroundtheworld SmithsonianMagazine https://wwwsmithsonianmagcom/travel/where-see-best-cherry-blossoms-around-world-180949961/ Gibson,T,&Kammerer,D (2022,March25) Savingourblossoms:HowclimatechangeisthreateningDC’scherrytrees NBC4Washington.https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/changing-climate/saving-our-blossoms-how-climatechange-is-threatening-dcs-cherry-blossoms/3007994/ Grogan,S.(2024,March6).7placestoseecherryblossomsinEurope.NationalGeographic. https://wwwnationalgeographiccom/travel/article/spring-cherry-blossoms-europe Hokusai,K (1833) CherryBlossomsatYoshino(Yoshino),fromtheseriesSnow,Moon,andFlowers(Setsugekka) [Woodblockprint]

Sakura:Japan’sUnofficialNationalFlower.(2022,October17).Shotengai.https://shotengai.com/blogs/magazine/sakurajapans-unofficial-national-flower Sakura:CherryBlossomsasLivingSymbolsofFriendship (nd) LibraryofCongress RetrievedApril2,2024,from https://wwwlocgov/exhibits/cherry-blossoms/cherry-blossoms-in-japanese-culturalhistoryhtml#:~:text=The%20practice%20was%20first%20associated,Period%20(794%E2%80%931185) Thebirds,thebees,andthefloweringcherrytrees(U.S.NationalParkService).(n.d.).Nps.gov.RetrievedApril7,2024,from https://www.nps.gov/articles/birds-and-cherry-blossom-trees.htm Wikipediacontributors.(2024,April2).Cherryblossomcultivationbycountry.Wikipedia,TheFreeEncyclopedia. https://enwikipediaorg/w/indexphp?title=Cherry blossom cultivation by country&oldid=1216956182 2024cherryblossomforecast (nd) Japan-guidecom RetrievedApril2,2024,fromhttps://wwwjapanguidecom/sakura/#/hirosaki