| February 2025: "C" Change is Here! |
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February 2025: C Change is Here!
Welcome back to another month of hot Earth focused topics!
Happy February! As the month of love, fresh beginnings, and cozy moments unfolds, we’re here to bring you the latest updates, tips, and inspiration. This edition has a wide array of topics and we hope you will take a few moments to pursue our research.
Here are this month’s topics:
As wildfires continue to devastate Southern California, it is clear that we must re-examine the relationship between cities and nature. This article explores the role catastrophe plays in the ecology and popular psyche of California. The vital role that Indigenous communities play in protecting biodiversity and promoting sustainable practices is examined in this article. It also advocates for measures that encourage their involvement in conservation and draws attention to issues like land exploitation. Food forests transform urban spaces into sustainable ecosystems, offering free produce, fostering community, and combating food insecurity. In Boston, initiatives like the Boston Food Forest Coalition enhance equity, biodiversity, and climate resilience through agroforestry. Several species of rhinos, who are vital to African ecosystems, are endangered. Rhino horns, which are made of keratin, are sourced and sold for their so-called healing properties. But are these healing properties real? And are they worth species extinction? Human activities, like fishing or pollution, have impacted dolphins which decreased some species' ability to survive for more generations. The rapid increase in plastic production poses a threat to keep our global temperature below 1.5 degrees celsius. There is a need for immediate efforts to reduce plastic usage and instead promote reusable items and eco-friendly materials. Miami's stormwater control canal systems manage South Florida’s significant rainfall and storm surges while controlling harmful urban run-off. These systems are part of pilot projects to enhance water quality and mitigate pollutants before discharging into Biscayne Bay, improving both environmental and public health.
Happy Reading!
Sustainably,
Isabella Sollazzo
Newsletter Department Manager
Eric Magers
Executive Director
Autumn Marsh
Climate Action Fellow
Soham Arekar
Climate Action Fellow
Cora Palomar-Nelson
Climate Action Fellow
Sources Cited:
1. Schelenz, Robyn. “How the Indigenous Practice of ‘Good Fire’ Can Help Our Forests Thrive.” University of California, 6 Apr. 2022, <a href="http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/how-indigenous-practice-good-fire-can-help-our-forests-thrive.www.universityofcalifornia.edu... dir="ltr">
2. Reytar, K., Veit, P., & von Braun, J. (2024, November 22). Protecting biodiversity hinges on securing indigenous and community land rights. World Resources Institute. https://www.wri.org/insights/i...
3. Seaton, Jaimie. “Green Spaces in Boston Are Blooming: Here’s What It Means to Bostonians.” The Boston Globe, 20 Oct. 2023, sponsored.bostonglobe.com/point32health/green-spaces/.
4. International Fund for Animal Welfare. (2021, May 6). Rhino poaching: An urgent crisis. International Fund for Animal Welfare. Retrieved January 9, 2025, from https://www.ifaw.org/au/journal/rhino-poaching
5. NOAA Fisheries. (n.d.). Entanglement of Marine Life: Risks and Response | NOAA Fisheries. Noaa.gov. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov...
6. What You Can Do to End Plastic Pollution | Earth Day. (2018, June 8). Earth Day. https://www.earthday.org/what-...
7. EPA. “Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO) Frequent Questions.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 9 May 2024, www.epa.gov/npdes/sanitary-sew...
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| FEBRUARY HIGHLIGHTS |
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| What We Read (and Learned!) This Month |
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| Seaside's Newest Initiative: T.R.A.S.H |
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| Isabella Sollazzo |
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As several articles this month will highlight, waste is one of the leading contributors to global pollution. With production levels at an all-time high, current trends suggest that by 2050, the weight of global waste could surpass that of the human population. Seaside, along with numerous nonprofits, governments, and grassroots organizations, is taking action to combat waste by promoting clean-up efforts, empowering individuals, and restoring our natural spaces. This global volunteer initiative leverages cutting-edge GIS mapping technology to track cleanups and measure progress. Participation requires just a few hours every other month, making it an accessible and impactful way to contribute to a cleaner planet.
Does this sound like something interesting to you? Learn more about how you can interact with current initiatives or start your own HERE.
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| California and Catastrophe |
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| Lauren von Aspen |
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“Los Angeles weather is the weather of catastrophe, of apocalypse, and, just as the reliably long and bitter winters of New England determine the way life is lived there, so the violence and the unpredictability of the Santa Ana affect the entire quality of life in Los Angeles, accentuate its impermanence, its unreliability. The wind shows us how close to the edge we are.”
-Joan Didion, Slouching Towards Bethlehem
Cold tends to humble a population. It forces them to reckon with the fact that there are forces of nature that will forever lie beyond our control. This acknowledgement is cyclical and seasonal, as every winter people worldwide step out their doors bundled up in scarves and overbearing jackets. Not so in Southern California, where even in the depths of winter the weather app can remain untouched. Our lives are generally disconnected from the natural environment, and this is by design. Our cities, namely Los Angeles, are designed in a way that disregards nature. It casts aside traditional knowledge and environmental principles in favor of sprawling industry and automotive infrastructure.
But every so often, on a predictably unpredictable timeline, we are reminded that there is more to California than meets the eye. Take the winds, for example. You can always feel the Santa Ana winds (or Diablos, as they are called up North) in your body even before you can begin to hear its howling. Like Joan Didion writes in Slouching Towards Bethlehem, “ It is hard for people who have not lived in Los Angeles to realize how radically the Santa Ana figures in the local imagination”. Now I cannot claim to be an Angelino, nor would the Angelinos claim anyone from Orange County, but an hour South, in my hometown, the Santa Anas blow just as strongly and indiscriminately. They are hot, dry winds that come from inland, as opposed to the cool, coastal winds that typically blow in from the ocean. The day before they start to blow, I can always feel my skin dry up and my throat start to scratch. And when the winds come, it can be a sight to behold– a powerful force of nature that uproots trees and leaves the neighborhood in shambles. In this weather, where gusts can blow up to a hundred miles an hour, fighting a fire is essentially impossible.
The winds, much like the metaphorical and ecological landscape of California, are highly unpredictable and prone to disaster. Living here, one misstep, or one loose spark, can erupt into a destructive and uncontrollable blaze. This is compounded by the existential threat of “the big one”, a theorized city-levelling earthquake, which tends to come to mind during periods of especially pronounced dread. The Southern California landscape is one of pronounced disequilibrium. Living in California is living in paradise on the brink of catastrophe.
Although we cannot predict earthquakes or wind direction, we can predict fire. Maybe not down to an exact timeline (as Gavin Newsom stated, there is no longer a fire “season” in California), but we do know that it will happen. It always has, and it always will.
While wildfires are a natural part of California’s ecosystems, humans have undoubtedly made the intensity of fires worse. Climate change makes temperatures hotter and drought-prone areas drier, priming Californian vegetation for ferocious blazes. Additionally, human-caused ignition events are on the rise, whether through deliberate arson, firework mishaps, electrical sparks, or even the infamous gender reveal incident. Invasive annual grasses, which were carried over from Europe, dominate Californian grasslands and are more prone to ignition. But most of all, even beyond the effects of climate change, humans have made widespread fire events more deadly, costly, and widespread through the suppression of traditional practices and a general inattention to natural fire regimes when building cities.
Wildfires are native to California. In fact, many of our ecosystems are specially adapted to them; there are pinecones whose seeds are only released in the event of fire, and in chaparral environments the deep seedbank quickly regenerates after a blaze. On the other end of fire adaptation are the giant sequoia and redwood trees, whose thick bark is built to withstand the frequent surface fires that, before policies of fire suppression, once spread through our forests. And for as long as humans have inhabited this state, they have had to contend with fire as well. Indigenous Californians found ways to live and thrive with fire, using it intentionally as a resource-bearing tool. These intentional fire techniques are called cultural burns, named so “not only because of its spiritual and cultural importance to Indigenous communities, but because the burns are designed to cultivate the biodiverse, sustainable growth that make landscapes more resilient”. During times of Indigenous land management, forests were managed through the use of frequent, low severity fires in order to promote the growth of desired vegetation. They also decreased the total biomass and created separation between trees, decreasing the likelihood of high severity wildfire. These management practices were banned by settling Europeans and fire suppression policies were codified into law under the 1850 Act for the Government and Protection of Indians, which outlawed intentional burning in the newly-formed state. Cultural burns, the details of which are passed down generation to generation, serve as a reminder that both Californian ecological and human communities have historically adapted to fire.
The reality of the situation is that fire in California is not going to stop, no matter how much more money we spend on water tanks or fire trucks. As we rebuild, we must prioritize fire mitigation over fire suppression, and the existence of fire must be put at the forefront of our city planning. Some potential measures include creating buffer zones between buildings, managing and enforcing vegetation restrictions, repurposing land away from residential use, and creating fire management plans. The loss of a house is absolutely devastating, and the loss of a life even more so. The anxiety of sitting and waiting, repeatedly checking the fire map to see if your house will be destroyed or not, is a feeling of complete powerlessness. Looking forward, we need to remember “how close to the edge we are”. The winds, and the fires, will return. Only when we accept this reality can we truly protect ourselves and our livelihoods from catastrophe.
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Sources:
1. Didion, Joan. Slouching towards Bethlehem,“The Santa Anas.” Picador Modern Classics, 1968.
2. Hill, Alice C. “After the Fires: How to Rebuild Los Angeles.” Council on Foreign Relations, 2025, www.cfr.org/expert-brief/after-fires-how-rebuild-los-angeles.
3. Large, Holly. “California Governor Says State Has No ‘Fire Season’ Anymore, It’s ‘Year-Round’ – Why?” IFLScience, 9 Jan. 2025, www.iflscience.com/california-governor-says-state-has-no-fire-season-anymore-its-year-round-why-77559. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025.
4. Schelenz, Robyn. “How the Indigenous Practice of ‘Good Fire’ Can Help Our Forests Thrive.” University of California, 6 Apr. 2022, www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/how-indigenous-practice-good-fire-can-help-our-forests-thrive.
5. Shamim, Sarah. “Is Climate Change to Blame for the California Wildfires?” Al Jazeera, 11 Jan. 2025, www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/11/is-climate-change-to-blame-for-the-california-wildfires.
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| The Role of Indigenous Communities in Global Conservation Efforts |
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| Kimberly Martinez |
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Although indigenous groups are frequently referred to as the world's first environmentalists, their contributions to international conservation initiatives are still not fully recognized or rewarded. For generations, Indigenous peoples have protected ecosystems, conserved biodiversity, and led sustainable lives as stewards of the land that they originally inhabited. Given the growing environmental issues the globe is facing, such as deforestation, climate change,and biodiversity loss, this is especially important today. 36% of the world's surviving intact forests are owned by Indigenous Peoples, and over 80% of the planet's remaining biodiversity is found on lands managed by them. It is clear that their knowledge and techniques are crucial to the success of conservation initiatives. However, outside factors like land exploitation and insufficient legal protections usually undermine their efforts. This article makes the case that Indigenous communities' traditional understanding of the environment, sustainable land management techniques, and support for biodiversity preservation make them essential to international conservation initiatives. To guarantee a sustainable future for everybody, it is crucial to acknowledge and encourage their leadership.
For generations, Indigenous communities have developed a deep understanding of their local ecosystems through close engagement with nature. Sustainable methods that are becoming more and more valued in today's conservation efforts are included in this traditional ecological knowledge (TEK). In order to aid in salmon recovery, the Skolt Sami people of Finland, for example, have modified their fishing methods in response to salmon population losses. They have reduced the use of seine nets and restored breeding grounds. Similarly, to lower the risk of wildfires and preserve ecological diversity, Indigenous fire management techniques have been revived in Australia. Supported by government-funded ranger programs, these practices have significantly reduced wildfire risks while maintaining an ecological balance. According to research in the International Journal of Wildland Fire, the return of traditional burning techniques has resulted in a sharp decline in late-season wildfires over almost three-quarters of the North Kimberley region. These illustrations show how TEK not only protects the environment but enhances scientific methods of managing ecosystems. By combining traditional knowledge with modern research, Indigenous groups are essential to achieving sustainable conservation.
In order to preserve biodiversity worldwide, indigenous territories are essential. According to recent research, territories governed by Indigenous Peoples as well as local communities overlap with more than 40% of Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs), which are areas crucial to the survival of rare plant and animal species. For example, research in Canada, Brazil, and Australia has shown that the biodiversity of vertebrates on Indigenous-managed lands is comparable to, and sometimes even greater than, that in regions protected by the government. These results highlight how well Indigenous stewardship preserves and improves biodiversity. However, outside forces like resource exploitation and industrial expansion frequently pose a threat to these areas. Frameworks like the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) provide critical guidance for securing Indigenous land rights, though implementation remains inconsistent. In order to guarantee the ongoing preservation of these crucial ecosystems, it is imperative that Indigenous land rights be acknowledged and legally protected.
Indigenous communities confront numerous obstacles that impede their conservation efforts, despite their vital role in protecting biodiversity. The absence of legal recognition and protection over ancestral lands is a significant problem. Only 11.4% of the land in the world is legally recognized as indigenous, despite the fact that local communities and Indigenous Peoples jointly control or oversee at least half through customary tenure systems, making these places susceptible to outside exploitation. Furthermore, Indigenous groups may be displaced as a result of conservation efforts. For instance, Maasai villages in Tanzania have been forced to leave the Ngorongoro Conservation Area due to government laws intended to preserve the environment, upsetting their customs and way of life. Collaborative management models, such as those supported by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), emphasize indigenous leadership in conservation planning, aiming to address these challenges while achieving global goals. Inadequate finance availability is another major obstacle. Indigenous leaders have called for more efficient funding channels that guarantee direct access to resources, pointing out that the current financial structures are insufficient to sustain their conservation projects. These difficulties highlight the necessity for laws that protect and acknowledge the land rights of Indigenous peoples, include them in decision-making, and give them direct financial support for conservation initiatives.
Indigenous communities manage biodiversity hotspots, promote sustainable practices, and provide a wealth of traditional ecological knowledge, making them essential to global conservation efforts. Their legal instability over land, exclusion from conservation projects, and restricted access to money are only a few of the major obstacles still faced in spite of these accomplishments. Acknowledging along with supporting Indigenous Peoples is a question of justice as well as environmental need. Addressing global environmental concerns requires policies that protect land rights, give Indigenous voices more weight in decision-making, and provide fair access to resources. We can progress toward a more inclusive and sustainable future where conservation activities benefit the world and its stewards by honoring and incorporating Indigenous leadership.
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Sources:
1. Convention on Biological Diversity. (2024, October 1). Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Convention on Biological Diversity. https://www.cbd.int/gbf ;
2. Land Portal. (2024, November 5). Protecting biodiversity hinges on securing indigenous and community land rights. Land Portal. https://landportal.org/blog-po...
3. Nitah, S. (2021). Indigenous peoples proven to sustain biodiversity and address climate change: Now it’s time to recognize and support this leadership. One Earth, 4(7), 907–909. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.onee...;
4. Rainforest Foundation US. (2024, November 27). 2024 A year in review. Rainforest Foundation US. https://rainforestfoundation.o...
5. Reytar, K., Veit, P., & von Braun, J. (2024, November 22). Protecting biodiversity hinges on securing indigenous and community land rights. World Resources Institute. https://www.wri.org/insights/i...
6. Rowley, M. J. (2024, December 5). Comment: For Indigenous peoples, failure to increase biodiversity finance is a matter of life or death. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/sustai...
7. The Nature Conservancy Australia. (2023, February 28). Fighting fire with fire. The Nature Conservancy Australia. https://www.natureaustralia.or...
8. The Wall Street Journal. (2024, December 22). The Safaris and Carbon-Credit Projects Threatening the Serengeti’s Maasai. The Wall Street Journal. https://www.wsj.com/world/afri...
9. United Nations. (2007). United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Division for Inclusive Social Development (DISD). https://social.desa.un.org/iss...
10. World Bank Group. (2023a, April 6). Indigenous peoples. World Bank. https://www.worldbank.org/en/t...
11. World Bank Group. (2023b, August 9). Empowering indigenous peoples to protect forests. World Bank Group. https://www.worldbank.org/en/n...
11. World Wide Fund Australia. (2024, September 22). New study confirms Indigenous Fire Management equals success against wildfires in the Kimberley. WWF Australia. https://wwf.org.au/blogs/new-s...
12. Yale Environment 360. (2018). Native knowledge: What ecologists are learning from indigenous people. Yale E360. https://e360.yale.edu/features...
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| Boston’s Urban Green Spaces: A Movement for Health, Equity, and Sustainability |
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| Evan Hau |
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Imagine barren urban spaces transforming into lush ecosystems brimming with fruits, vegetables, and hope. Across major metropolitan cities, food forests are redefining urban landscapes, turning neglected lots into thriving, self-sustaining gardens that nourish communities, promote equity, and address environmental challenges.
What Are Food Forests?
A food forest, also known as a forest garden, is a food-producing ecosystem that mimics the structure and function of natural forests. These systems typically include seven layers: the overstory (tall trees), understory (smaller trees), shrub layer, herbaceous layer (perennials), root layer, ground cover (low-growing plants), and vine layer. Some advocates even include the mycelial layer, which consists of fungi that support plant life by decomposing organic material and facilitating nutrient exchange.
Food forests are built upon the principles of permaculture, using natural processes to create healthy, resilient environments. Nitrogen-fixing plants enrich the soil by converting atmospheric nitrogen into a form usable by other plants. Pollinator-friendly plants like lavender and clover attract bees and butterflies, enhancing fruit production. Water retention techniques, such as mulch and swales, help prevent erosion and ensure plants have access to moisture during dry spells. Perennials and self-seeding annuals reduce the need for yearly replanting, while ground covers like clover suppress weeds, retain moisture, and protect the soil. Once established, food forests require minimal maintenance and are highly resilient to disruptions such as wildlife browsing or occasional foot traffic.
Boston’s Urban Green Spaces
In Boston, the Boston Food Forest Coalition (BFFC) is at the forefront of this urban farming revolution. This nonprofit organization has transformed 11 vacant lots into food forests that are permanently protected by land trusts. These spaces, which are open to the public, offer fresh produce free of charge while fostering community engagement. BFFC’s mission is rooted in principles of sustainability, social justice, and equity, addressing key urban issues like food insecurity, environmental degradation, and lack of access to green spaces.
Each food forest is designed with input from local communities, ensuring that the specific needs and desires of the neighborhood are met. For example, the Savin Hill Wildlife Garden in Boston prioritizes creating habitats for pollinators, while other parks emphasize edible plants, outdoor education, or multi-use spaces for activities such as yoga, movie nights, and cultural events. By offering these amenities, food forests provide not just food, but opportunities for connection, learning, and wellness.
Food forests also address the growing issue of food insecurity in urban areas. Studies consistently show that low-income neighborhoods, particularly those in communities of color, often lack access to fresh produce and green spaces. This exacerbates health disparities, contributing to higher rates of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease. By creating equitable spaces where people can grow their own food or access it for free, food forests help combat these inequities, contributing to improved physical and mental well-being. Additionally, these green spaces mitigate urban heat islands, enhance biodiversity, and reduce stormwater runoff, making them vital assets in the fight against climate change.
Boston’s food forests are part of a larger movement spreading across the United States. Urban agroforestry—integrating trees and sustainable farming practices into city landscapes—is gaining momentum in cities across the country. In Austin, Texas, for example, a floodplain was transformed into a community orchard, providing a source of food and a buffer against flooding. Similarly, the Miami-Dade County School District has implemented food forests at 71 public schools, creating outdoor classrooms where students can learn about sustainable agriculture and harvest produce for school meal programs.
Nonprofits in states like California, Tennessee, and Kansas are also embracing agroforestry techniques. In San Diego, Coastal Roots Farm uses alley cropping and silvopasture (integrating livestock and trees) to maximize food production in limited space, producing over 80,000 pounds of food annually. In Tennessee, the Grow Enrichment program in Nashville uses forest farming to teach low-income children about ecology and sustainability.
Food forests are reshaping urban landscapes by transforming neglected spaces into thriving ecosystems that nurture both the environment and communities. By promoting sustainability, equity, and resilience, these green spaces provide a powerful solution to urban challenges like food insecurity and climate change. To ensure their continued growth, it’s essential to support initiatives that integrate food forests into city planning and encourage collective action to expand their reach. Through community engagement and education, food forests have the potential to foster a greener, more inclusive future for cities across the nation.
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Sources:
1. Favor, Katherine. “Utilizing Agroforestry in Floodplain Restoration Projects.” ATTRA, Jan. 2023, www.fs.usda.gov/nac/assets/documents/examples/ncat-case-study-utilizing-agroforestry-in-floodplain-restoration-projects.pdf.
2. Seaton, Jaimie. “Green Spaces in Boston Are Blooming: Here’s What It Means to Bostonians.” The Boston Globe, 20 Oct. 2023, sponsored.bostonglobe.com/point32health/green-spaces/.
3. United States Department of Agriculture. “Community Forest Gardens: Case Studies Throughout the United States .” ATTRA, 2023, www.fs.usda.gov/nac/assets/documents/examples/ncat-community-forest-gardens-case-studies-across-us.pdf.
4. “What Is a Food Forest?” Project Food Forest, 2016, projectfoodforest.org/what-is-a-food-forest/.
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| The Hunt for Keratin |
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| Isabella Sollazzo |
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Rhinoceros, rhinos for short, are large megaherbivores that inhabit several parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa. The genus is split into five species; black, white, great one-horned, Javan, and Sumatran rhinos. Only white rhinos are not considered an endangered species, due only to conservation efforts in the past 50 years. All other species range from critically endangered to vulnerable.
These 2,000-pound animals are vital to their natural ecosystems. Rhinos are herbivores who consume large quantities of vegetation, working as natural lawnmowers and weed killers. Their diets help to maintain a balanced ecosystem and keep competitive plants in line. Without rhino moderation, the biodiversity of plants would tilt and ripple out to affect other herbivore species that rely on plant biodiversity, such as elephants and antelopes, which are also endangered. Beyond these natural contributions, rhinos stimulate local economies and promote sustainable development through tourism by creating job opportunities and tangible benefits to communities living alongside these creatures. Rhinos are one of the top animals tourists hope to see on their African safari adventures, though very few rhinos can prosper outside of conservation lands.
Rhinos are endangered by poachers after the animal’s horn, which drives a high price on the black market. For some, the horns are a mantle piece to show off great wealth, but more commonly, they are used as a source of keratin, the same mineral found in our hair and fingernails. Falsities circle about the healing properties of keratin, claiming an ability to cure hangovers and fevers, promote hair and nail growth, and reclaim aging skin. Though several scientific studies and medical journals have debunked these claims, the rumors continue to circulate, people buy keratin supplements, and rhinos slink closer to extinction. Nearly 90% of rhino poaching took place in South Africa in 2022, though less poaching was estimated compared to the previous year.
Several international organizations are working to protect rhino species including the World Wildlife Fund, International Fund for Animal Welfare, and the International Rhino Fund. These organizations work with policymakers to draft legislation protecting rhinos and other endangered species, partner with tech companies to track the illegal selling of rhino horns on the internet and support rhino rehabilitation efforts through land protection and conservation efforts. We can help these efforts through our own sustainable practices. For those who still choose to use keratin products, make sure the mineral is produced sustainably, such as Replicine™ Functional Keratin and Synthetic horn powder, both of which are chemically identical to keratin from rhino horns but are produced in a laboratory and cause no harm to animals. Companies like Nutree Cosmetics and Vegamour offer 100% vegan keratin treatments that are sourced ethically and responsibly, in line with the company's ethical values. With enough effort, rhinos will soon be a sprawling species inhabiting the vast landscapes of Europe, Asia, and Africa.
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| Human Impacts on Dolphins |
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| Snigdha Gurram |
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Dolphins are one of the most intelligent and complex mammals on the planet. From being fast learners to making plans on how to hunt in their pods, they are full of creativity and curious about the world around them. They also exhibit empathy by working together to take care of the sick members. Dolphins live about 40 years, but some female dolphins can live up to 60 years. Waterways rely on the ecosystem stability dolphins provide, however species like the Indus River dolphins, are endangered. Indus River dolphins have been an endangered species since 1991, under the Endangered Species Act, due to entanglement, habitat destruction, and vessel strikes. There are a total of 41 dolphin species and out of those, 5 species are endangered due in part to the increasing severity of climate change and pollution from human activities.
Humans most significantly impact dolphin populations through unsafe fishing practices. This is one of the main causes of death or injury for dolphins, specifically bottlenose dolphins. Bycatch with fishing gear has caused many deaths because of fishing methods and other industrial plants that dispose of their waste into the ocean. Fishing nets, which come from commercial or recreational uses, and other lost or abandoned equipment, entangled many marine animals, leading to countless deaths every year. Ensnared animals can drown or starve to death, and those that survive may suffer from physical trauma and infection. Entanglement interferes with the swimming capabilities of dolphins.
Beyond fishing, pollution is also a major cause of problems for dolphin. There are different pollution factors, including plastic, noise, chemical, and light, that humans cause which create a negative impact. These can result in reduced immunity for dolphins,making it difficult to survive for longer periods of time. Dolphins live in bodies of water which can be polluted from runoff or industrial chemical dumping. Dolphins are subject to breathing in air pollutants as well, ultimately harming them externally and internally.
Human activities like fishing and pollution, whether intentional or not, often trigger chain reactions that harm many life forms on our planet, including dolphins. To mitigate these impacts, it is imperative that humans take sustainable and mindful approaches in their daily lives by keeping the environment and different forms of life in their minds.
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| To Learn to Live in an Age of Waste |
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| Kian Miranda-Rodriguez |
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Have you ever wondered how much waste we produce on a daily basis? What about where that waste goes and what happens to it? We produce mountains of waste every year, all infused with different chemicals, toxins, and other harmful substances. We are currently living in an age of waste.
The concept of waste as a modern phenomenon has existed for over 250 years, tracing its roots to the Industrial Revolution. This would be due to the massive increase in production, extraction and manufacturing over the centuries. From 1950 to 2021, the amount of plastic worldwide has increased from 2 million to 390 million tons. This is a 19,200% increase. If these trends continue, plastic production is expected to reach 1,480 million tons by the year 2050. This is about four times the amount recorded in 2021, and triple the weight of the entire world population.
The rapid increase in plastic production over the past century has resulted in lots of environmental challenges. At current levels, greenhouse gas emissions from the production of plastic are threatening our ability to keep global temperature rise below 1.5°C. By 2050, greenhouse gas emissions from plastic could reach over 56 gigatons (possibly accounting for 10-13% of the entire remaining carbon budget, which is the maximum CO2 we can emit while keeping global warming below 1.5°C or 2°C). Most plastic starts as a fossil fuel, and greenhouse gases are emitted at each stage of the plastic lifecycle. From extraction and transporting, to refining and manufacturing, then, managing plastic waste, plastic’s ongoing impact once it reaches our landscape, waterways, and oceans negatively influences the changing climate. Plastic production requires immediate and sustained efforts which will benefit our environment and address escalating global issues.
Knowing the causes of the Waste Age and how the world has been impacted, informs the actions we can take. In order to help reduce the amount of plastic and waste, we need to understand what we use our plastic for and how we can break the habit of using more than we should. It was estimated that 44% of plastic usage globally can be attributed to packaging, which can include bottles, cans, containers, and many more, with 40% of these being thrown away in less than a month. Reusable items, such as personal water bottles, can be very effective and beneficial, helping us stop buying plastic beverages. If you are at home, a water filter is another good option, and affords you access to cleaner water. You can also bring your own reusable shopping bags to markets and stores to avoid using plastic bags, and even choose clothing and other personal items made of eco-friendly materials instead of microfibers and microplastics.
We live in an age of waste right now, which is why it is important not to waste our time to seize the moment to create a new age of green and sustainability. This starts now with you. How would you like to contribute and help our world today?
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| Miami Urban Stormwater Quality Control Methods |
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| Allison Plante |
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The city of Miami stands as a prime example of modern urban stormwater control systems and infrastructure. With an annual wet season, from April through November, significant rainfall (about 59.73 inches annually) and storm surges infiltrate the city’s streets, causing flooding and sanitary sewage system overflows. To mitigate the impacts of stormwater in this urbanized and impervious area, man-made canals provide a control method of connecting any inland stormwater flow to the Biscayne Bay. The Miami-Dade County canal system includes primary and secondary canals, which are designed to handle significant water flow and prevent flooding. These canals are the backbone of urban stormwater management.
To maintain the overall physical and chemical quality of the collected stormwater before discharging into Biscayne Bay, there are multiple devices and infrastructure set in place. Physical water quality is influenced by solid waste such as oil, large debris, trash, plastic debris, and sediment particles which can enter a canal system through erosion, run-off, and construction activities. The most effective engineering device to mitigate the impacts of physical pollutants on the water quality is filtration systems. In general, surface filters achieve a pollutant removal efficiency rate of 85% to 95% for floating contaminants like oil, grease, and other hydrocarbons. Filtration system devices that are currently used in Miami-Dade County canals include Line Skimmers, Filter Cages, and StormBasins®. These devices’ pollutant removal efficiency rates are currently being studied as they are recent additions into the canal system by Miami-Dade Environmental Resource Management (DERM). The most effective device will be invested in and used in future water quality control projects.
In terms of chemical pollutants, heavy metals such as lead and mercury, pesticides and herbicides, nutrients from fertilizers like nitrogen and phosphorus, and industrial chemicals such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) all negatively affect water quality. Specifically in Miami, there are devices in place to control the amount of chemical pollutants within the stormwater drainage and ultimately in the canals. For nutrient and bacteria control, media devices such as Bold and Gold® Media are used to remove nitrogen, phosphorus, and bacteria from stormwater runoff. The device uses a combination of metal, clay, sand, and recycled rubber to effectively trap pollutants. Bold and GoldⓇ Media has removal rate efficiencies of 95% phosphate removal, 80% nitrogen removal, and 90% fecal indicator bacteria removal. Another important device used within the Miami-Dade canal system is a water quality control infrastructure system called an EcoVault Chamber. This is an example of a baffle box design which incorporates screening, separating, and filtration in order to remove sediments, heavy metals, oils, and nutrients from stormwater run-off.
All the water quality control devices mentioned above are collectively a part of Miami-Dade Environmental Resource Management’s (DERM) recent pilot projects, which strive to improve the physical and chemical quality of the canal system for the betterment of human health and the environment. Thanks to the research and development teams at DERM, tracking the efficiency rates and limitations of each device helps environmental engineers and water resource engineers across the nation to better understand the best practices for water quality control and maintenance, especially in urbanized areas.
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Sources:
1. “Abtech Industries.” AbTech Industries | Catch Basin Inlet Filters, Abtech, abtechindustries.com/catchbasin/. Accessed 13 Jan. 2025.
2. “Bold & Gold Filtration Media - Filter Media - Ferguson Waterworks.” Ferguson Waterworks Geo and Stormwater, Ferguson Waterworks Geo and Stormwater, 25 Sept. 2024, www.fergusongss.com/product/bold-gold-filtration-media/.
3. Branford, DeShaun; Howell, Mackenzie; Murphy, Sarah; Plante, Allie; Zhang, Beile. “Infrastructure Improvements to address Little River Water Quality Impairments” University of Miami, Dr. David Chin, Dec. 2024, Little River Design Report .pdf. Accessed 25 Jan. 2025.
4. “Cartridge Based Inlet Filtration - Stormbasin 2022.” Fabco Industries, Inc, Fabco Industries, 14 Aug. 2024, fabco-industries.com/cartridge-based-inlet-filtration-stormbasin/.
5. “EcoSense International, Inc. EcoVault.” EcoSense International, Inc. , EcoSense International, Inc., George Dussich, emcowaterworks.com/documents/EcoVault%20Brochure-USA.pdf. Accessed 14 Jan. 2025.
6. EPA. “Learn about Polychlorinated Biphenyls.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, www.epa.gov/pcbs/learn-about-polychlorinated-biphenyls. Accessed 14 Jan. 2025.
7. EPA. “Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO) Frequent Questions.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 9 May 2024, www.epa.gov/npdes/sanitary-sewer-overflow-sso-frequent-questions.
8. EPA. “Storm Water Technology Fact Sheet Baffle Box.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, Sept. 2001, nepis.epa.gov.
9. Lastra, Daniel. “Miami-Dade County Implements New Approach to Protect Local Waterways: Biscayne Bay Tribune#.” Miami’s Community News | Your Local Connection, Biscayne Bay Tribune, 11 Aug. 2024, communitynewspapers.com/biscayne-bay/miami-dade-county-implements-new-approach-to-protect-local-waterways/.
10. Proust, Marcel. “Biscayne Bay.” Mapcarta, Mapbox, mapcarta.com/20641620. Accessed 6 Jan. 2025.
11. “SFWMD 30-Year Historical Average Rainfall (1991-2020, Inches).” South Florida Water Management District, South Florida Water Management District, www.sfwmd.gov/weather-radar/rainfall-historical/normal. Accessed 25 Jan. 2025.
12. “What Is Impervious Area in Land Development?” The Land Development Site - An Internet Resource about Land Development, The Land Development Site, 28 May 2023, www.thelanddevelopmentsite.com/what-is-impervious-area-in-land-development/.
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