By Vanessa Kichline The President’s announcement this June that the United States plans to withdraw from theParis Climate Accord was a disappointment—but not necessarily a surprise—to the international community. The response here at home was mixed, but many leaders in business and local governments spoke out against the decision. It’s …
When we hear about Syria in the news we are repeatedly disheartened. We see a country in shambles, bombs exploding, injured children… The media discusses the increased political tensions in the area and the threat of international war. The world is trying to find homes for millions of refugees fleeing the …
As the impacts of climate change become more of a reality, many cities are developing sustainability plans to guide them towards a greener future. While setting the goals within these plans can be challenging, it is an even greater challenge to achieve them. Many of these plans focus on specific …
With an increasing demand for alternative energy production, offshore wind has become a hot topic of discussion. For the last twenty years Germany, United Kingdom, and many other European countries have been leading the way for offshore wind production to meet energy demands. Quite recently, the United States constructed its …
Winos, take notice! For many of us, it can be difficult to discern how climate change will tangibly impact everyday life. If you are an everyday wine drinker (like myself), you might be surprised (and disappointed) to learn that your happy hour beverage of choice is strongly linked to a changing …
Mangroves are arguably the coolest ecosystem on the planet, in addition to being one of the most biologically productive. Mangroves are trees with above-ground root systems that are partially submerged in water. They are located predominantly in tropical and subtropical coastal regions where freshwater meets the sea. These ecological powerhouses …
It feels like a challenging time to be working on environmental issues here in the United States as a wave of populism and climate change denial seems to be sweeping the country. To gain some perspective on working toward sustainability goals, I spoke with Professor Sue Hartley. Professor Hartley is the Director of …
An important component of being an environmentalist is helping people connect with nature who are otherwise not keen about the ecological beauty in and near their surroundings. Particularly in urban settings, residents can easily fall out of touch with the natural environment that is often sparsely preserved in densely populated …
Reflecting back on my 6-month internship at the Alliance to Save Energy, one element stands out above all others: my coworkers. The Beginning of My Internship This was my first “real” full-time job, and by “real,” I mean business attire, 9-5, 5 days a week, office computer work. It …
In my last blog post, I wrote about my graduate internship with the City of Hermosa Beach and the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (COG), and my evolution into a “Huge Policy Wonk” (HPW). I’ve since finished the internship and begun my thesis. Motivated by my work with Hermosa, …
