Green Conscience

Editorial Board

Valerie Reyes

Editor-in-Chief & Advertising valeriereyes@stfrancis.edu

Saba Aamir Layout Designer & Assistant Editor sabaaamir@stfrancis.edu

Noëllie Inard Assistant Layout Designer & Entertainment Editor

Alex Mielcarz Feature Editor alexmielcarz@stfrancis.edu

Hannah Mitchell Commentary Editor hannahmitchell@stfrancis.edu

Mathias Woerner Sports Editor mathiaswoerner@stfrancis.edu

Dr. Scott Marshall Advisor smarshall@stfrancis.edu

Staff Writers

Elvia Cardenas

Lissette Perez

Layout Contributors

Meghan Grilli

Noëllie Inard

Valerie Reyes

Anahi Rodriguez

Mathias Woerner

Policies

The USF Encounter is published by the students of the University of St. Francis, 500 Wilcox Street, Joliet, Illinois, 60435. The newspaper office is located in room S413C of Tower Hall. The USF Encounter phone number is 815.740.3816.

As a member of USF Campus Media, the USF Encounter strives to produce a publication that stresses quality writing and design.By reporting on issues that may be sensitive in nature, the USF Encounter aims to educate, inform and persuade students on topics that affect their lives on and off campus. Editorial pages provide USF Encounter staff with opportunities to express thoughtful views on controversial topics. Letters to the Editor represent the opinion of the author and are not necessarily opinions of the USF Encounter Staff. Publications of letters to the editor are subject to space availability and management discretion. Letters are also subject to editing. Letters to the editor or any other submissions may be dropped off at the USF Encounter office or emailed to encounter@stfrancis.edu. The USF Encounter is printed by RICOH Services on the campus of the University of St. Francis.

As a Catholic university rooted in the liberal arts, we are a welcoming community of learners challenged by Franciscan values and charism, engaged in a continuous pursuit of knowledge, faith, wisdom, and justice, and ever mindful of a tradition that emphasizes reverence for creation, compassion and peacemaking. We strive for academic excellence in all programs, preparing women and men to contribute to the world through service and leadership.

EDITORS

Valerie Reyes

Saba Aamir

Hannah Mitchell

Mathias Woerner

Noëllie Inard

Alex Mielcarz

Letter From the Editor

Thank you for picking up the March edition of The USF Encounter “Green Conscience." This issue is full of articles that will help you have a ‘Green Conscience’ such as learning how you can start gardening, what are sustainable choices that students make and how concerts are becoming more eco-friendly.

With this issue I hope this will encourage you to start making green choices and become aware of the effects we have on our environment before it’s too late. Being a young generation, I believe we can make a change to have a better, clean and sustainable future. This issue can be the start of your journey to become sustainable whether it’s a small or big change, it can make a big difference.

Over here at the Encounter we encourage everyone to get involved whether you know how to design or write, we would love for you to join our team! If you have any questions on how to join us email me at valeriereyes@stfrancis.edu.

Be sure to keep up with what we’re doing by following us on social media! You can find us on Facebook (USF Encounter), Instagram (@usf_encounter), TikTok (@ usfencounter) and Twitter (@usf_encounter).

Again, thank you for picking up our March issue “Green Conscience," we hope you enjoy!

All the Love, Val Reyes

CAMPUS NEWS

By: Encounter Staff

Joliet Chamber Names USF 2023 Large Business of the Year

On February 21, 2023, the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry held its 2023 Annual Awards and Celebration of Success event.

During the ceremony, twelve organizations and individuals were honored for their impact during the year.

Among them, the University of St. Francis (USF) was named the Large Business of the Year. With its service of close to 4,000 students nationwide and internationally on top of its many

available degrees, the university has over 53,000 alumni across the globe.

Regarding this great recognition, the Director of Community and Employee Relations at USF, David DiLorenzo, stated “The University of St. Francis is proud to be a member of, and more importantly a partner with, the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry. [...] With so many deserving organizations to consider, it is certainly an honor for USF to be recognized with this award.”

USF American Red Cross Blood Drive

The University of St. Francis (USF) will be hosting an American Red Cross Blood Drive on Tuesday, March 28.

The blood drive will run from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Assembly Hall Gymnasium at the St. Clare campus, located at 1550 Plainfield Road, Joliet IL.

To make an appointment, call 1-800RED CROSS or enter 60453 in the “Find a Blood Drive” search box on the homepage of www.redcrossblood.org.

You can also donate using RapidPass which will save you 15 minutes. Visit www.redbloodcross.org/rapidpass for more information.

Consider making a Power Red donation if you have a blood type, O, B- or A- donor as red blood cells are the most transfused blood component.

For additional information, please visit www.redbloodcross.org.

Photo: www.stfrancis.edu

Photo: www.stfrancis.edu

USF Augustus Tolton Honor Society Induction

On February 24, the University of St. Francis (USF) inducted twenty new student members to the Augustus Tolton Honor Society.

The event's speaker and Professor Emeritus of Social Work, Dr. Billie Terrell, was also recognized as an honorary inductee.

The Augustus Tolton Honor Society (ATHS), named after Fr. Augustus Tolton, the first recognized African American priest, honors the leadership and academic excellence of Black scholars while upholding the USF Franciscan values: Respect, Integrity, Compassion and Service.

The inductees included 11th cohort of undergraduates and 4th cohort of graduate students:

(Undergraduate) Jalen Cooper, Le’lani Harris, Nyambi Marsh, Daniel McLaurin, Terrance Nicholson, Asia Owens, Bryanna Portis, CJ Reeves, Tia Scott, Darius Wright, (Graduate/ Doctoral) Monique Bell, Nicole Bell-Woodfork, Lauren Bennett, Kelly Cook, Brenda Hammonds, Evera Ivy, Ryan King, Caprisha Neal, Carolyn Ross, and Tanesha Wheat.

Congratulations to the inductees!

"So You've Got a Comm Degree, Now What?" Event for CMMA Students

On March 22, the University of St. Francis will be hosting its annual “So You’ve Got a Comm Degree, Now What?” event for the Communications and Media Arts (CMMA) majors from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The event is sponsored by the Department of CMMA and the Mass Communication Alumni Network and will feature an in-person panel discussion with CMMA graduates who are working in the professional field.

This year’s panelists include Emily Farns (2015), Noah Mussay (2018), Ashely Montgomery (2017) and Hannah Tadey (2017).

The event is a great opportunity for CMMA students to learn from the experts. It is free for students and parents.

For more information or to RSVP, email Brien Mchugh at bmchugh@stfrancis.edu.

Photo: www.stfrancis.edu

Photo:

LOCAL NEWS

By: Encounter Staff

Dirksen Junior High-school students win at State Wrestling Meet

During the 42nd annual Illinois Elementary School Association (IESA) State Final Wrestling Tournament at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, two student athletes from Dirksen Junior High School won 1st and 4th place awards.

Jasper Harper, a seventh-grade student, won the 1st place medal in the 135-pound class while Kayden Miller, a sixthgrade student, won the 4th place in the 65-pound class.

Joel Sischo, Joliet Public School District 86 Physical Education,

Health and Athletics Program Coordinator, stated “Both young men represented themselves and our school district very well at the IESA State Wrestling Tournament.”

The two students will be recognized by the Joliet School Public District 86 board of School Inspectors during their meeting in April.

*From left to right, student athletes Jasper Harper and Kayden Miller.

Annual Women’s Empowerment Summit in Joliet

On Sunday, March 26, the annual Women Empowerment Summit will be held at the Joliet Area Historical Museum on 204 N Ottawa St, Joliet, IL.

This one-day event will be held during Women’s History Month from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. This summit is hosted by the founder, Nicole A. Lurry, and will feature guest speakers, female-owned

business, workshops, performances and others with the goal of inspiring and empowering women.

General admission tickets are $25.00 and this year’s dress code will be business casual with a shade of purple.

For more information, visit www. JFWF2023EmpowermentSummit. eventbrite.com

Photo: www.patch.com

Photo: www.eventbrite.com

Will County Sheriff’s Office Hopes to Add a Helicopter to the Department’s Fleet

The Will County Sheriff's Office reportedly wants to add a helicopter to the fleet of the department, according to a report from March 14. Residents of Joliet might begin to see this helicopter frequently flying over the area within the next couple of years.

"We do have several drones that we operate," Chief Deputy Sheriff Dan Jungles told Joliet Patch, "This would be just on a much grander scale as the technology of a helicopter far exceeds that of a drone. With the equipment they have on these helicopters now, you

can lock onto a moving car from miles away.”

To get the first helicopter for the department, there are still many details to be resolved. In order to create a new police helicopter for Will County, the sheriff's office is now collaborating with Bell, one of the top businesses in the country that offers safety operators all over the world.

According to Jungles, the Will County Sheriff's helicopter will be used for patrolling and looking for wanted

criminal offenders if they are able to get it. Along with aiding in chases on the interstates and the search for missing persons.

"I think all the area police departments in the county, and even state agencies and federal agencies would benefit, if we were to get this,” Jungles added, “We're in the infancy stages of exploring the possibility of getting this. Nothing is set in stone.”

For more information about Bell and what it offers, visit www.bellflight.com.

Gold Survey

THE TOP UNDERGROUND SOUNDS

OF JOLIET

Week Ending February 7, 2023

1. “Heavy Heavy” YOUNG FATHERS

2. "22 (Twenty Two)" SUPREME BEINGS OF LEISURE

3. “Bulk" BULK

4. "Gigi's Recovery" THE MURDER CAPITAL

5. “20 Years" TONY VENUTO

6. “Goodbye Sunshine" [EP] RIKAS

7. “I Wanna Dance With You" [Single] ROYEL OTIS

8. “Married By Elvis" [Single] BEGONIA

9. “Somebody's Child" SOMEBODY'S CHILD

10. “Humour" MARBLES

MARCH BOPS

The USF Encounter Staff "Monthly Staff Picks" playlist.

Stay Alive

JungKook

Boy's a liar Pt.2 PinkPantheress, Ice Spice

We don't talk together

HEIZE, Giriboy

So Far Away

Agust D, SURAN

Heaven

Niall Horan

Lost On Me

Eric Nam

Ghost

Justin Bieber

better for you

siopaolo

Cupid

FIFTY FIFTY

Rain To Be

ONEWE

If you want more USF Encounter discovery

Artwork courtesy of WCSF

Creating Eco-friendly Concerts

By: Valerie Reyes Editor-in-Chief

Summer is very slowly approaching which means so are concerts and festivals. Although attending concerts can be very fun and create memorable experiences, it’s important to keep in mind that live music is one of the many contributors to the climate crisis due to the amount of waste and carbon footprint that is produced by musicians, venues and fans.

Musicians such as Drake, Billie Eilish, Shawn Mendes and The 1975 are making their concerts more environmentally friendly by providing merchandise from sustainable materials, educating fans on sustainability, providing free water refill stations and plant-based food. So far, it seems Coldplay is one of the bands doing as much as possible to reduce their carbon footprint. During Coldplay’s 2022 world tour, they used green technologies to power their shows, supported green projects with donations, increased recycling efforts and minimized air travel.

over 350 tours, raised over 5.7 million dollars for environmental causes and much more to act in fighting the climate crisis. If more musicians can partner with non-profit organizations that promote environmentally friendly concerts, this would be a great start to making a change.

Not only are musicians responsible for going green and providing sustainable alternatives for their shows but fans also have a role in making a change. Due to the amount of land or air traveling fans do for concerts, it emits a lot of carbon dioxide, contributing to the carbon footprint of a tour. What fans can start doing to help the environment is to start carpooling or taking public transportation.

University of St. Francis Senior, Andrea Vollmer says, “I think some musicians are becoming more aware of the negative impact that their concert travelling has on the environment, and I think some of them want to make positive changes. But ultimately, it's up to their management and event organizers.”

It’s important for fans, musicians and venues to come together and help make concerts environmentally friendly. That way, musicians can continue to tour and fans can enjoy concerts without worrying about the impact live music has on the environment. “Concert goers can also make a significant change just by making sure to pick up and throw away any trash they left behind. I think if the artist gave the audience a simple reminder to pick up their garbage at the end of the show, people would be more likely to do it,” says Andrea.

Many musicians and festivals have partnered up with REVERB, a non-profit organization that helps musicians, festivals and venues go green by creating programs to reduce concert and tour footprints. According to www.reverb.org, REVERB has eliminated over 287,000 tons of CO2, greened

When people are attending live music events, it’s easy to forget the effect it has on the environment. So, the next time you attend a concert or festival, think of what you can do to help make a change and be aware of the impact live music has on the environment.

FILM INDUSTRY GOES GREEN

By: Lissette Perez Staff Writer

The film industry has made a big social impact on society since the nineteenth century but they have also made a big environmental impact. As the majority of us are painfully aware, the earth is producing too much carbon dioxide than it can handle.

While we love watching movies and TV shows, making a film is a lot of work between the equipment, transportation and energy. All these things add up and increase the amount of carbon dioxide emissions that is released in the atmosphere and the planet just can’t handle it anymore.

Imagine how many movies or films are constantly being made at the same time in different places in the world. According to www.bbc.com

produces 2,840 tons of CO2 equivalent. It would take 3,709 acres of forest a year to absorb this amount.”

The main problem is fueling the trucks that carry the equip ment and the generators needed to film on sites that have no power. With climate change on the rise and everyone trying to do their part in saving the planet, the film industry has started

to produce films in the most resource-efficient way possible, aiming towards reducing their carbon footprint. Companies like Sony have started to make science-based goals to reduce their carbon footprint and aim to reach a zero environmental footprint by the year 2050, while Walt Disney Studios has introduced fulltime positions of environmental stewardship. What is a stewardship? It’s a job in which people oversee establishing sustainable programs on sets and advocating for the environment. They also educate staff and crew on practicing sustainable alternatives.

Big film studios have started to step up and find ways to film while being environmentally friendly. According to www.forbes.com, “Amazon Studios, Disney, NBCUniversal, and Sony Pictures Entertainment are all currently part of the Sustainable Production Alliance and have made concerted and documented efforts to change their procedures

Despite being each other’s competition, these big companies have come together to figure out a way to reduce their carbon

Photo: starline on www.freepik.com, pch.vector on www.freepik.com

Shopping Sustainable Fashion

By: Valerie Reyes Editor-in-Chief

We’ve all heard about sustainable fashion and how we should start becoming more aware of the impact our clothing has on the environment, but what exactly is sustainable fashion? Sustainable fashion is clothing that is produced and consumed in ways that protect the environment. So, if you want to have a sustainable wardrobe, here are some purchasing habits you can start making.

Stop buying from fast fashion brands. Fast fashion is the rapid design, production and marketing of clothing to get large quantities of the current clothing trends for consumers at low affordable prices. According to the UN Environment Program (UNEP), the fast fashion industry is the second-biggest consumer of water and is responsible for about 2-8 percent of global carbon emissions. Some fast fashion brands that you should keep in mind or want to avoid are Forever 21, Uniqlo, Primark, H&M, Zara and so many more.

University of St. Francis Senior, Corrin Posteluk says, “I think fast fashion is really bad, especially with clothing brands like SHEIN because of how their clothes is cheaply made with low quality and low prices that won’t last long. People

should start thrifting more because it allows you to get good quality and environmentally friendly clothing.”

If you want to start shopping sustainable brands here are some that are against the use of fast fashion or working towards more sustainable production: Reformation, Patagonia, Levi’s and Girlfriend Collective. I will warn you that shopping sustainable brands will cost more because they are produced ethically with better quality materials and not in huge quantity as fast fashion does.

Instead of buying clothing that won’t last you long and having to replace constantly, start investing in high quality clothing that will last much longer. Not only will investing in good quality clothing save the environment but it can also save you some money in the long run. Rather than buying clothing that is only trendy for a year and thrown out later, buy clothing that can build your wardrobe and create more than one outfit.

When you need to buy new clothes, you want to avoid clothing made with synthetic fibers such as polyester, nylon,

spandex and acrylic. These fibers impact the environment because they create microfibers and plastic pollution that aren’t biodegradable. Next time you’re out shopping for clothes, take a look at the tag and buy clothing that is made with natural fibers such as cotton, linen, bamboo, flax, jute, silk, wool and alpaca.

If you’re someone who doesn’t want to read every tag and label while looking for clothes, you can shop at thrift stores or buy secondhand fashion from resellers on Poshmark, Depop and Mercari. Thrifting can save you some money and you can turn it into a project by upcycling your new finds. According to Cincinnati Goodwill, “In the United States, individuals

throw out 60 to 80 pounds of textile waste each year.” Not only can you help the environment by thrifting your clothes and buying from resellers but you can also help by donating your unwanted clothes to a local thrift store or make money by reselling your clothing.

As someone who wants to start making more sustainable choices and stop shopping fast fashion brands, I hope to start thrifting more and buying more from sustainable brands. It’s understandable to want to buy from clothing stores that have affordable clothing but as the climate crisis worsens, we should all begin to think about eco-friendly ways we can buy our clothes.

Green What is

Conscience?

Conscience, as defined by Oxford Languages, is an inner feeling or voice viewed as acting as a guide to the rightness or wrongness of one's behavior.

Therefore, Green Conscience means one's awareness and inner feeling that is used to make conscious decisions regarding the goodness of our environment.

When it comes to building a green conscience, it is important to look at everyday things you are doing that are affecting the environment negetively and what can you do to be more sustainable about them.

Ask yourself questions such as:

1. Do you feel guilty about throwing plastic in trash instead of recycling it?

2. Do you turn off lights if the room or place is not in use?

3. Do you turn off the water when brushing your teeth to not waste it?

4. Do you worry about climate change and how it will affect the environment?

If you answered "Yes" to these questions, then you have a green conscience.

Cars and light trucks in the U.S. consume 8.2 million barrels of oil each day.

Since pre-industrial times, the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increased by 31%.

GREEN FACTS

U.S. power plants are respnsible for nearly 40% of the country's carbon dioxide emissions.

The plastic bottles you casually use and toss away will stay in landfills for over

1,000 years to come.

Be conscious of what you consume!

Around 640 pounds of trash is produced by college students each year. Try your best to build better habits and decrease the amount of waste you produce!

SUBSTAINABLE DIET CAN HELP SAVE THE PLANET ?

By: Noëllie Inard Entertainment Editor

It may surprise most of you, but some people decide to stop eating certain foods to align with their environmental values for health concerns or religious reasons. From experience, I know that people sometimes have a difficult time differentiating the different diets or why, at the cafeteria, you should have two different spoons for the food with and without meat.

This article will help you understand how much of an impact your diet has on the environment, as well as the distinction between the different diets that can improve the state of the environment. Suppressing food from your diet just for the environment and keeping you from honoring what you want is not an option, just like you don’t need to eat meat at every meal.

According to www.climate.mit.com, a recent study showed that “a pound of beef produces, on average, around 15 times as much CO2 as a pound of rice, and around 60 times as much as a pound of wheat, corn, or peas.” CO2, or Carbon Dioxide, is one of the most important greenhouse gasses impacting global warming. Its presence in the atmosphere “retains the radiant energy received by the earth from going back to space. Thus, creating the Greenhouse effect” (Britannica, 2023). Moreover, according to www. foodprint.org, we need 104 gallons of water to produce 1/5 lb of Turkey.

Many diets cut back on animal products, the most known being vegetarianism. Vegetarians don’t eat meat, fish or any kind of seafood while there are also people who don’t eat meat but eat fish and seafood which is called pescatarian.

Then, there are vegans, who don’t eat anything that comes from animals. So, they don’t eat meat, fish, seafood, milk, honey and eggs.

Moreover, some vegans not only support the animal cause in their diet but also in the way they consume. For instance, some won’t buy makeup that was tested on animals and they won’t wear any animal fur or skin.

Flexitarian is also a diet, which is defined by people consuming animal products only from time to time. Also, while people can follow a diet for a part of their life, it doesn’t mean that they will their entire life since circumstances change and people have to adapt. If you decide to cut some products from your alimentation, make sure to know how to replace them and how to stay in good health without those products.

Finally, it is worth noting that being able to change your diet and cut on some products and replace them with others is a privilege. Not everyone has the means to stop eating meat and buy plant-based protein. Mrs-everybody who works two jobs and has kids to feed can’t possibly think about the environment, this is not the priority.

However, if you have the means to do so, I hope you take into consideration cutting meat at least one day a week or for one meal a day. Truthfully, you probably won’t be personally affected by the impact of your consumption and will already be dead by the time the earth is not livable, I just hope you won’t have any family that will die when this happens.

Cl ck is Ticking

By: Lissette Perez Staff Writer

Climate change is real and it is becoming a bigger issue every day and people are doing nothing to change the outcome. As I am writing this article, it is currently February 21, 2023, and according to the Climate Clock, there is six years and one hundred fifty days until we hit the point of no return. What does no return mean? It means that we have about six years left until climate change gets so bad that it doesn’t matter what we try, we won’t be able to save the earth. So, let’s start doing our part and make a change.

Plastic is everywhere, so it is important to recycle and instead of using plastic bags, buy reusable ones. Cut down on plastic water bottles by buying a reusable one and refill it as needed! In fact, you can buy more reusable items instead of disposables ones, saving the planet and money.

According to USA Today, “The waste landfills are bulked up with consumer product packaging. Containers and packaging made up the largest portion of municipal waste at almost 78 million tons, or nearly 30%.” Don’t buy products that over package their items. Even though most of the packaging is recyclable, it still ends up in landfills.

Donate items or clothes to your local thrift shops that you don’t need any more instead of throwing them away. And who

knows? Maybe you’ll find something for yourself. You can also thrift online by using apps like eBay and Craigslist to buy secondhand items and reduce product consumption.

Recycle your older electronics. Believe it or not, a lot of the materials used in older electronics are still used in the newer versions. Switching your lightbulbs to LED lights gets the same outcome as an incandescent one, while using less energy and lasting longer. Just because you switch your light bulbs to an eco-friendlier one doesn’t mean you should keep them on all the time, however. Turn off your light every time you leave the room, that way you can lower your carbon footprint and electricity bill. While you’re at it, unplug all electronics that are not being used that way, they’re not using stand by power.

There are so many sustainable alternatives that we can be doing to help save the planet. It’s the “making it a habit” part that most people have a problem with and I get it; change is hard. But, in this case, it’s necessary.

By the time you are reading this, it will be March and the Climate Clock will still be counting down the days. Check how many days are left till we reach the point of no return and start your change today.

Organizations & Influencers

By: Alex Mielcarz Feature Editor

As we embrace Earth Month here at the Encounter, we thought it would be important to highlight some of the organizations and influencers that are doing their part to help our planet.

Greta Thunberg

Greta Thunberg is a 20-yearold Swedish climate activist. She catapulted into the spotlight after a 2019 speech in front of the United Nations, where she famously exclaimed “How dare you?” and ridiculed the body for its lack of action regarding climate change. Thunberg has been very open about her struggles with OCD, Aspergers syndrome and selective mutism. Her force is still especially felt on social media. She can be followed @ GretaThunberg on Twitter.

Action for the Climate Emergency (ACE)

ACE has one simple goal: educating America’s high school students on the climate crisis. According to the organization, they have educated over 25 million high schoolers and have over 800 thousand youth advocates associated with the organization across all 50 states. ACE prides themselves on their ability to “give young people the tools, training and resources they need to take action.” For more information, visit www. acespace.org.

Water Research Foundation (WRF)

The WRF, according to the EPA, “is a leader in water research and dedicated to advancing the science of water by sponsoring cutting-edge research and promoting collaboration.” Not only do they provide data and research on water protection, the WRF also provides “practical solutions to complex challenges” regarding the world’s water crisis. For more information, visit www.waterrf.org

Georgetown Climate Center

The Georgetown Climate Center looks for more political solutions to the climate crisis. The organization “works with government officials, academics, and an array of stakeholders to strengthen state and federal climate partnerships,” according to the EPA. The Georgetown Climate Center’s mission, according to their website, is “to advance ambitious and equitable government responses to the climate crisis in the U.S. at the national, state, and local levels.” They work with federal, state, and local officials to implement “practical, real world policymaking.” For more information, visit www.georgetownclimate.org.

As we go barreling toward climate doomsday, there are plenty of organizations and personalities out there looking to make a difference and save our planet. It’s nice to know that we all aren’t *totally* doomed.

Hannah's Gardening

It's that time of year to get connected with the outdoors. Mother Nature is relying on you so what are you waiting for?

Making your own garden is not only rewarding to the planet, but to you as well! It offers a special opportunity to really hone in on your health intuitions by making fresh ingredients right at home. Not only will you have healthy foods right at your fingertips, but it makes your grocery shopping trips cheaper as well.

is grown naturally without chemicals that create pollution. I think that gardening helps to reduce pollution whether in the air or nature.” All it takes is a little bit of time and passion!

Most importantly less forms of packaging are being used which makes for a happier earth. The University of Illinois- Urbana Champaign reports, “Locally grown vegetables reduce carbon emissions from burning fossil fuels. No plastic packaging is required when you harvest vegetables straight from the garden, which also reduces fossil fuel inputs. Pesticide and other chemical inputs can be much less in a small, well-tended garden than even a small farm." What an easy way to support the planet right?!

University of St. Francis, Junior, Theo Lhomme also seems to think so, “Gardening could help the environment as the produce

The first step is to decide what type of garden you want to create. There are many options to choose from when looking to become more eco-friendly. Wanting more fresh herbs? Or maybe fruits are more appealing. You must purchase the seeds and/or find the seeds within produce already at home. Then decide on a location. It is recommended that you find a place that receives adequate sun exposure. Better Homes & Gardens shares “Almost all vegetables and many types of flowering plants need 6-8 hours of full sun each day” You can also check your plants tag to help clarify how much sun that specific plant needs. Make sure the location is flat and clear as well. You should then add a few inches of compost as a layer on top. To finish off, dig a spot up and input the seeds/plant and add water. Once you patch this all up with more soil you are done!

Alyssa Vilcek, a junior at the University of St. Francis shares, “I've helped my mom plant hers before during the summertime. I appreciated the result and getting to make bruschetta with it and it made me feel more accomplished growing our own instead of spending lots of money on all the ingredients at the store, especially since we were able to keep the plant growing all summer.” It sure is rewarding getting to create memories with family all while being eco-friendly.

Photo: upklyak on www.freepik.com

Gardening Guide

By: Hannah Mitchell Commentary Editor

Not looking to maintain a garden, but still want to show mother nature some love? It's a good idea to become more conscious about reusing the things you use on a day-to-day basis. Composting can be a really easy way to support the environment. According to www.nrdc.org, “Composting is the natural process of recycling organic matter, such as leaves and food scraps, into a valuable fertilizer that can enrich soil and plants." You can compost materials such as leaves, lawn clippings, manures, veggie or fruit waste, coffee grounds, shredded newspaper, or shredded stems and twigs. You do this by creating a hole, filling

it with whatever you are composting with and then you cover it with soil. This allows bacteria and worms to start breaking down your waste. Composting is a simple and super beneficial way to repurpose your scraps.

Have I motivated you yet to do your part? I hope so. Gardening and composting are both great habits to develop in your day-to-day life. If we can help mother nature in the end by doing this, it's worth it.

Environmentally Friendly Countries

By: Saba Aamir Layout Designer

As one of the most economically significant countries, the United States consumes natural resources at an alarming rate. Though the U.S. has put various sustainability policies in place in recent years, they could still do so much more to become environmentally sustainable.

According to MIT Technology Review, the United States was ranked 21st out of 76 economies in the Green Future Index, with an Environmental Performance Index (EPI) score of 5.40. EPI is used to assess a nation’s sustainability in terms of its response to climate change, its environment’s health and its ecosystem’s vitality. While this rank was a significant jump from the 40th position in 2021, European countries still hold the top spots as leaders of a green future, with 16 countries in the top 20. But the U.S. can use the three top countries, Iceland, Denmark and the Netherlands as pilot studies.

Iceland

Iceland still holds the number one spot from 2021 with a moderately improved EPI score of 6.92. The country’s economy is now running on 85% renewable energy, closing in on 100%. According to Forbes, “Iceland’s electricity comes from hydropower, which is 72%, and geothermal, which is 25% and they are leveraging wind power soon to get to 100% renewable energy by 2040.”

In addition, Iceland’s sustainable and renewable energy solutions are shared by Green by Iceland, a platform that addresses climate change issues and offers green solutions both within Iceland and globally. The platform aims to assist other economies and businesses in preventing the harmful effects of climate change. This is a significant milestone for a small Arctic country and can teach us a few things if we listen and try them for our local economies.

Denmark is doing its part by making buildings more energy-efficient, and most of the companies, including Rockwool (insulation), Velux (windows), Danfoss (heating applications) and Grundfos (careful use of water), are global market leaders in the country. Additionally, they’re the sixth-biggest nation in shipping and are focused on making shipping sustainable. According to Denmark.dk, it is noted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), “shipping is responsible for 2-3% of the world’s greenhouse gasses” and this has influenced Denmark to advance the sustainability of shipping globally. The country is taking the first step toward a fully carbon-neutral fleet by 2050.

Apart from energy-efficient buildings and shipping, Denmark has a Samso island, which has been 100% sustainable. The island relies entirely on renewable energy, and its residents

Denmark

Photo: www.britannica.com, Tom Swinnen (www.pexels.com)

have replaced oil-burning heaters by installing insulation in their homes. This is an excellent strategy as it will produce the necessary power and benefit people in the long run if we learn from it.

Netherlands

The Netherlands has sustainability strengths in transportation, renewable energy and agrifood. The country is home to offshore wind farms and has Europe’s largest floating solar energy park. According to Invest in Holland, the Netherlands is “committed to providing 50% of electricity through renewable sources like wind and solar by 2025.” The country has implemented initiatives to promote renewable energy sources and provides incentives to people to participate and support them.

Moreover, the Netherlands is furthering its view of sustainability by transforming transportation infrastructure to be more eco-friendly. The Dutch railways run their trains using 100% wind energy and have the highest density of electric vehicle charging stations in the rest of the world. The Netherlands is also known as a bike-friendly nation. Due to the country’s dedication, it will be easy for its citizens to incorporate sustainability in transportation. With these initiatives, the Netherlands is leading sustainability and teaching other countries to become more sustainable.

The sustainability initiatives in Iceland, Denmark and the Netherlands put them in the top spot for a green future. Since the United States has an alarming consumption of natural resources, climate officials should look for ways and utilize some of the best practices from Iceland, Denmark and the Netherlands to make the U.S. environment more sustainable. Addressing climate issues is a great first step for the U.S. as it will help see the long-term negative impact.

Additionally, shipping has increased globally; the U.S. can try to make shipping sustainable and follow Denmark’s steps to become a carbon-neutral fleet. Though it would not be easy to do, it is necessary for the betterment of everyone. Overall, the U.S. needs to put in policies to develop better sustainability plans and follow the lead of other top countries.

Climate Change: Before & After

*How climate change has affected various regions around the world.

By: Saba Aamir Layout Designer

The Danube River

The Great Barrier Reef

San Blas Archipelago

AP Photo/Queensland Tourism

AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic

Shutterstock/Jarno Gonzalez

REUTERS/Carlos Jasso

REUTERS/Handout

Shutterstock/Goran Cakmazovic

IS USF SUBSTAINABLE?

By: Noëllie Inard Entertainment Editor

We all know that the University of St. Francis (USF) cares about the environment. Between the last Winterim that was centered around sustainability and the required green events for every club, USF seems to do a lot when it comes to sustainability, but is it really enough?

We know sustainability goes through the things we eat, especially how much meat we consume. If we take a look at the food options on campus, it’s impossible for a vegetarian or vegan to be healthy. Meat is present in every meal and sometimes even in different forms while no other options are offered.

Not only does it keep students from feeling included and being healthy on campus but it also promotes a non-sustainable diet and does not encourage students to try new things. It’s unfortunate that we need religious events to have more offered vegetarian options. On top of that, the food waste in the cafeteria is huge, and this one lies as much on the students who take way too much and as much on the cafeteria workers who give way too much.

Moreover, despite having some conversations going about the University starting to use reusable plates, cups and utensils for

students to use, we are still left with hundreds of boxes and cups thrown away every day and not even in the good trash can. The truth is that students don’t know how to recycle and don’t care about it, letting the university waste a lot of opportunities to improve its recycling. This is why reusable utensils would be needed.

Even though USF implements sustainable actions and events through its clubs, in its everyday life, USF seems to lack some essential sustainable habits, such as turning off the lights.

Did you ever ask yourself how much the electricity bill has to cost? The lights are on 24/7 in the hallways, bathrooms and even classrooms when people forget to turn them off. While an automatic light is needed to help students navigate the university at night, it is hard to understand the use of lights in Motherhouse at 2 AM.

So, between the waste of foods and the non-sustainable food choices, the lack of recycling on top of the lights being on 24/7, it seems that, despite taking many actions on paper, USF still has a long way to go to be truly sustainable.

How Sustainable Are You?

By: Elvia Cardenas Staff Writer

Students from USF were asked what they do to practice sustainability. This was their response.

*All students are given fake names for anonymity

- Harvey

“I reuse plastic bottles to water my plants in my dorm because I HATE one-time-use bottles.”

- Jay

“Idon’tbuyclothesoftenand they’reusuallythrifted,soIdon’t contributetofastfashionvery much.”

- Mary

“ThereisnothingIdoona day-to-daybasis,butmostof the arts and crafts I do with myyoungersiblingsarefrom recycledmaterials.”

- Kate

"When brushing my teeth, I always turn off the water. I only turn it on to wet my toothbrush and at the end, to rinse my mouth."

- Sara

“I am actively looking through boxes to see if they are recyclable because not everything is considered recyclable.”

“I make sure to always leave my house with a reusable water bottle and straw.”

- Jack

Spring Cleaning

By: Mathias Woerner Sports Editor

While everyone here at USF might not be thrilled that we left spring break in the rearview mirror last week, baseball’s spring festivities are in full swing. The Major League Baseball (MLB) preseason began in late February with teams flocking to Arizona and Florida to prepare for another 162-game marathon. Seeing as we’re at about the halfway point of spring training, it’s about time to look at the season ahead.

For all of the emphasis on history and tradition that baseball touts, there are some new factors to consider for the 2023 season. Let’s start with the beginning: Opening Day. All major league teams will start the season on March 30, making it the first time that all 30 teams will start the season on the same day since 1968 according to www.yahoosports.com. For historical context, that is before regular season interleague play began.

For the first time ever, all 30 clubs will face one another at least one time during the season in an effort to make the sport more national for consumers. This is only one of many changes that are being made at the behest of Theo Epstein, former executive for the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs who is now working for MLB to consult on the health and the future of baseball. Seeing some antiquated aspects of the sport, Epstein and others are working to modernize the game while keeping the essence and spirit intact.

game action like stolen bases and close calls, while also making the space safer for the athletes. Pitchers will now be allowed a maximum of two pick-off attempts per at-bat and position players are no longer being allowed to shift. Not everyone is on board with the new changes, like Alex Cora, the controversial manager of the Red Sox who scoffed at the change to the size of the bases, saying, “They look like pizza boxes.” These small changes do not compare to the fundamental main changes being introduced in the sport.

With emphasis on bringing more action and variability to the game, baseball is making all sorts of tweaks like increasing the size of the bases from 15 inches per side to 18 inches. The difference is slight but Epstein and MLB hope this will increase

Baseball has long been seen as the nation’s pastime but as mobile devices and social media have become the main passive entertainment in people’s lives, this concept has gone by the wayside and baseball is now adjusting. For the first time, baseball will be on a clock. Pitchers will have 20 seconds in between pitches to get the next delivery to the plate. The idea has been tested in the minor leagues and has yielded positive results in the eyes of policymakers, who saw the average game time decrease by 25 minutes according to www.espn.com.

One change that was introduced last season and will be made permanent this year is the ghost runner rule. The rule stipulates that every extra inning starts with a ‘ghost runner’ on second, with the runner being the player who made the last out of the previous inning. These alterations are always met with some resistance by fans, but the hope is that the blowback will not outweigh the interest drawn to the sport for this upcoming baseball season.

Love of C untry

By: Mathias Woerner Sports Editor

There is something different about the baseball fan’s spring this year. For the first time in six long years, fans can rejoice for the World Baseball Classic.

The WBC is a global celebration of the sport of baseball and serves as the first high leverage baseball of the season. The World Baseball Classic brings attention to the fans all around the world who share in the love so many have for the sport of baseball. Different national organizations sponsor baseball in nations across the globe but the WBC offers the unique opportunity to see competitive international baseball with world class athletes. Increased player participation, media coverage and fan anticipation for the event has been promising for the success of the 2023 edition.

Julio Rodriguez, the 2022 AL Rookie of the Year for the Seattle Mariners, said of the World Baseball Classic to Bleacher Report’s Walk Off, “It’s just different. You’re playing for everything you represent...everything that made you who you are.” Rodriguez is representing the Dominican Republic in the tournament and is one of many high-profile superstars of Major League Baseball to participate in the WBC this year. Notable stars to commit to Team USA for the tournament include Nolan Arenado, Mookie Betts, Pete Alonso, defending NL MVP Paul Goldschmidt, and the incomparable Mike Trout. This is a trend in the right direction as the tournament continues to gain traction in the baseball community.

As of now, we are in the middle of the tournament, played amongst 20 national baseball teams from different countries around the world. These teams have been grouped into four pools of five teams, where teams started tournament play by facing the teams in their pool, with the two leading teams from each pool advancing to the quarterfinal round.

The first place teams from the pools play the runner-up from another pool and then the remaining four teams take part in a traditional bracket style format to determine the champion. The aptly named World Baseball Classic is being held in various international sites. Two of the WBC sites are here in the United States, playing in Miami, FL and Phoenix, AZ, with the global sites located in Tokyo, Japan and Taichung, Taiwan. As the field gets narrowed down, the teams will converge to Tokyo and Miami for the quarterfinal round before the home stretch of the tournament settles in Miami, FL at loanDepot Field until a champion of the 2023 World Baseball Classic is crowned.

Fans have been deprived of this wonderful experience for six years after it was deviated two years off of the 4-year cycle by COVID-19, but the celebration is making a return to the global sports stage on what hopefully is a regular basis from this point on. The WBC does not have the advantage of tradition, which has made scheduling, participation and attention a constant battle since the first run in 2006.

As the governing bodies of baseball hope to build a better reputation for the World Baseball Classic, this year’s edition is making a lot of headway. The road to an international baseball celebration has gone through different iterations and struggles, but the hope is that the excitement the World Baseball Classic has been generating is a launch pad for the future of international baseball and spreading love for the game of baseball.

Photo:

By: Valerie Reyes Editor-in-Chief

APRIL EVENTS APRIL EVENTS

MONTHLY THEME: SPRING INTO NUTRITION

April marks the beginning of Spring along with new opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, appreciate nature during Earth Day, and savor the flavors of the season with others.

TUESDAY, APRIL 4

TUESDAY, APRIL 4

C IS FOR CITRUS

For National Vitamin C Day, Quest is crafting dishes and snacks that are loaded with citrusy fruits, a fresh source for this important vitamin!

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12

CHEESY GOODNESS

Quest is serving up some ooey gooey cheesy goodness on National Grilled Cheese Day! This classic sandwich has been a favorite for generations!

FRIDAY, APRIL 21

FRIDAY, APRIL 21

EARTH DAY

In celebration of Earth Day, Quest is serving delicious, plant-based dishes using wholesome ingredients grown right from the Earth's bountiful soil!

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26

TWIST OF FUN

It's National Pretzel Day and our team will feature Hot Pretzels served with yummy dipping sauces to add some extra flavor and fun!