March 8, 2023 Horseshoe crabs are an ancient species, having survived five mass extinctions over hundreds of millions of years. However, human exploitation may finally wipe out this resilient species if recent trends continue. As a recent article by science investigator Deborah Cramer in The New York Times notes, horseshoe crab populations have experienced significant …
Climate and Culture
I just discovered the coastal eco-system of Tuckerton, New Jersey when my family stumbled its way into this historical fishing community in the summer of 2022. My parents found a house (foolishly?) close to the water and I fell in love with Tuckerton Bay, a tiny corner of the Barnegat Bay watershed — with its …
I recently read an inspiring article about a fantastic young activist and leader named Imani Black, the founder of the nonprofit organization Minorities in Aquaculture. Imani is an oyster farmer whose mission is to preserve wildlife and promote sustainability in the Chesapeake Bay area. She aims to provide greater opportunities for minority groups, specifically women …
October 27, 2022 Eutrophication is an increasingly prominent phenomenon of the modern climate crisis that threatens the health of marine ecosystems by depriving organisms of dissolved oxygen. What is Eutrophication? Eutrophication is defined as a natural process in which algae or other aquatic plants feed on nutrients that accumulate in water. These nutrients, including nitrates, …
July 22, 2022 Among the most significant crises our planet faces as a result of human activity is the incessant pollution of our oceans, particularly by plastic waste. We have all heard the horror stories of aquatic animals getting caught in nets and choked by plastic bags, but another lesser-known problem is equally in need …
April 30, 2022 One of the most unique and thought-provoking articles I have read as of late is titled “Funk Music Taught Me How to Be an Environmentalist”, written by Ko Bragg and published by Harper’s Bazaar. It details how African-American musicians, such as Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye, explored natural beauty and gave voice …
April 6, 2022 In a recent New York Times article, titled “‘OK Doomer’ and the Climate Advocates Who Say It’s Not Too Late”, author Cara Buckley denounces both “climate doomism” and “hopeium” as methods of deflecting responsibility for the ever-growing climate crisis. The article primarily targets doomsday rhetoric that propagates fear of an inevitable disaster …