When we think of valuable resources, sand may not be the first thing that comes to mind. Gold, iron, and other ores and metals may be more highly valued, but believe me when I tell you that as of 2019, sand made up over 85% of mineral extraction worldwide. …
In addition to its beautiful scenery, beaches, and historical sites, Central Vietnam is known for extreme flooding events that are both deadly and destructive. In 2020 alone, over 240 people were either killed or went missing due to a series of floods from October through November. Property losses were valued …
I’m in a classroom giving a lesson on the ecology of the Hudson River. As I always do, I start the class by asking the students: “How many of you have been down to the River?” And as usual, only about half the students raise their hands. I don’t probe …
Springtime in Maine is a beautiful thing. The morning air still holds the chill of winter. The faint scent of green and growing life tiptoes around your nose, suddenly bursting into fullness where a patch of afternoon sun has warmed a budding tree branch. When I lived there, I loved …
We can see the effects of climate change in many ways: increased forest fires, more extreme seasonal temperatures, more dramatic weather events. But rarely do we think about the effect of a warming climate on ecosystems that aren’t as closely connected to our own world—like the ocean. The ocean plays …
Our ability to address climate change depends on a convergence of multiple disciplines and actors. Effective collaboration on an interdisciplinary level requires leadership. But what makes an influential leader? On the topic of what makes a great leader in the environmental sector, Trey Taylor of Verdant Power shared a series …
Some of my most vivid outdoor memories revolve around the campfire. Whether I was sitting in the laps of my parents with a steaming mug of hot cocoa or wielding sticks with marshmallows, through all these memories there is always one constant: food. As your kids grow up, you might …
How well do we really know our animal siblings? A year or so ago, I listened to this RadioLab episode on animal intelligence—and it blew me away. Not only was it funny and entertaining, it introduced an idea I had never thought of. Dan Engber, a science writer, argued that the …
While I was sitting at home one night, I decided to watch a new Netflix documentary titled “Seaspiracy.” The name was catchy and seemed interesting as I love learning about the ocean and our waterways. Little did I know that I was in for a rude awakening. While watching …
“Seeds are living things…intimately connected and intertwined with story, and lineage and place and people” – Rowan White, Sierra Seeds Can you remember the last time you held a seed? We all have ancestors who carried seeds, yet today we have little relationship with the food we eat and the …
