Commuting by car is so ubiquitously American, it’s hard to imagine an alternative for many. Over ¾ of workers in the United States drove to work by themselves in 2013, and an additional 10% carpooled.[1]Continue reading
Raising Awareness of the Value of Coral Reefs by Jalen Gibbs
The Hawaiian Islands are known for their many natural wonders. Among the most popular are the 410,000 acres of coral reefs surrounding the islands.[1] These reefs provide a variety of ecosystem services that we dependContinue reading
A Sustainability-Driven, Zoning Approach to Flood Mitigation by Woodley Burrow
Floods and Zoning in Houston, Texas My hometown, Houston, is the preeminent non-zoning city of America. While most other large cities have adopted zoning ordinances, Houston cherishes its anti-zoning policy as an achievement. Even inContinue reading
Fecal Dust in West Texas by Emma Rose Shore
West Texas, especially the 13th district and the surrounding area, has long been afflicted by a pollutant that regulators have chosen to ignore. While it may seem a quaint issue, fecal dust from concentrated animalContinue reading
Icons of White Supremacy: Our National Parks by J.P Barringer
“The National Parks: America’s Best Idea”.[1] These are the headlines that accompanied the centennial celebration of the formation of the National Park Service in 2016. All across the nation, people celebrated the conservation efforts ofContinue reading
The North Carolina Hog Industry: How an Environmental Problem can Become a Solution by Finn Doherty
In the state of North Carolina, there are almost as many hogs as there are people. Coming in at the third highest count of hogs in US states[1], the state of North Carolina has aboutContinue reading
A Consideration of how the US can become a world leader in emissions reductions, and thus, climate action. by Alec James
Greenhouse gas is a term that is frequently used in climate change media and research, but what does this term refer to, and how relevant is it to our lives? Individually, these gases exert differentContinue reading
We Should All be Vegans: The Detriments of Regularly Eating Meat by Sophie Horst
The agriculture industry employs 26% of all workers globally, making it a critical component of our economy and the primary income source for many.[1] The UN Food and Agriculture Organization states that livestock is about 40%Continue reading
You Reap What You Sow: The Case for Banning GMOs in the United States by Elizabeth Bock
Bigger is always better, right? That is the mantra that GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) manufacturers practice and preach. The giant strawberries you are snacking on are the result of genetic manipulation.[1] These alterations allow scientistsContinue reading
Extended Producer Responsibility: There May Be Hope for Regulating the Fashion Industry’s Environmental Impact by Audrey Magnuson
The global fashion industry accounts for 8-10% of the world’s total greenhouse gas emissions and around 85% of garments produced will end up in landfills even though 95% of those materials are recyclable.[1] When accountingContinue reading