Is Climbing Everest Ethical? Why the World’s Highest Peak is in Danger

Pollution and overcrowding are making it increasingly controversial to climb the world's highest summit.

Tourists photographing Everest. Peter West Carey. CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

Mount Everest, the tallest peak in the world, attracts thousands of mountaineering tourists each year. Each of these travelers takes on significant personal risk, however, as climbers ascend the mountain its limited oxygen and the cold can lead to life-threatening conditions including frostbite, exhaustion and altitude sickness. Although approximately 4,000 people have successfully reached the top, Mount Everest continues to claim victims. The death toll varies annually; eighteen climbers died on the mountain in 2023 alone. Over the last century, more than 330 people have died on Everest. Not only is climbing Everest dangerous, but it has also become the subject of an increasingly controversial debate. A surge in climbers has led to overcrowding and significant pollution, with tons of waste left behind each season.

Climbing Everest has become more accessible in recent years, with 90% of climbers now participating in guided tours. These tours, often guided by members of the local ethnic Sherpa population, allow tourists without professional climbing experience to ascend Everest. The two most popular routes, the Northeast Ridge and the Southeast Ridge, are now notoriously crowded during climbing season in April and May. 

Climbing Everest is costly. An $11,000 permit is required from the government, and total expenses typically range from $30,000 to $100,000. Despite the high costs, the revenue generated from this tourism does not substantially benefit the local community. The Nepalese government claims that Sherpa guides may earn around $6,000 per trip, cooks $2,500, and lead Sherpa guides up to $10,000. However, many believe that the Sherpa mountaineers are underpaid relative to the risks they undertake. Efforts are also underway to mitigate the environmental impact of Everest expeditions. Climbers are now required to pay a $4,000 deposit, which is refunded upon their return if they collect eighteen pounds of garbage. The economic debate surrounding Everest is nuanced. Though some argue that the Nepalese government should limit how many people can climb Everest yearly, the country relies significantly on Everest tourism for economic income.

Government officials assembled at Everest. Mark Horrell. CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Everest has been dubbed “the world’s largest rubbish dump” due to the substantial waste accumulated over the decades. The Himalayan mountains are ecologically sensitive, and while the exact amount is unclear, thousands of tons of waste have been discarded on Everest. The mountain has also become a macabre resting place for deceased climbers. Roughly 200 bodies, many belonging to native Sherpa guides who died on the mountain, still remain on the path, and mountaineers must walk over them to reach the summit.

Get Involved:

Mount Everest Biogas Project aims to eliminate human waste at Everest, as well as convert waste into renewable energy (methane), which can be used to power local communities. Learn more about their work and donate here.

The Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC),founded by the local Sherpa people, aims to manage waste in the Khumbu Region. Learn more about their work here.

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Agnes Moser Volland

Agnes is a student at UC Berkeley majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies and minoring in Creative Writing, with a research focus on road trip culture in America. She currently writes for BARE Magazine and Caravan Travel & Style Magazine. She is working on a novel that follows two sisters as they road trip down Highway 40, from California to Oklahoma. In the future, she hopes to pursue a career in journalism, publishing, or research.

Zambian Women Fight Poaching with Jewelry

Mulberry Mongoose, a Zambian woman-run jewelry shop, turns poaching snares into art. 

South Luangwa National Park. Thomas Fuhrmann. CC BY-SA 4.0

Located just 15 minutes from the South Luangwa National Park's main gate in Zambia, Mulberry Mongoose is not just a jewelry brand; it's a movement of conservation, empowerment and creativity. The enterprise's business model is to transform poachers' snare wires into intricate jewelry. The workshop team is composed of 80% women and 100% locals born and raised in Zambia, and has become famous for its innovative methods of production. So far the company has raised over $150,000 for conservation. The story of Mulberry Mongoose is a testament to the power of turning adversity into art, with the motto of "creating beauty from brutality." 

Original Snare Necklace. Courtesy of Mulberry Mongoose.

The shop was founded by the English entrepreneur Kate Wilson, who married Dave, a native of Zimbabwe. Before meeting her husband she had never stepped foot on African soil, but given his passion for the African bush, she ended up moving with him to South Luangwa. It was there that she realized her perspective of Africa was fundamentally flawed. Inspired by her own Zambia journey of self-actualization and realization, she decided to set up an ethical craft business that reflected her core values of growth, discipline, care, transparency and joyful bravery. 

South Luangwa National Park is famed for its wildlife, having one of the highest concentrations of leopards in Africa. Like many parks in Africa, it struggles to protect its wildlife against poachers. Snare traps are an especially brutal method of hunting used by illegal wildlife poachers. They are the biggest killer of iconic wildlife in Southern Africa, killing tens of thousands of animals each year, including elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes and wild dogs. The traps are set by areas of high wildlife movement such as watering holes to catch antelopes, which are consumed by locals mainly for purpose of selling it on the illegal bushmeat trade. Unfortunately, snare traps are dreadful tools of destruction, they also do not discriminate, and often other animals can trigger the snare, leading to a slow and painful death by strangulation, dislocation, or near decapitation Without veterinary intervention, the animals are certain to perish.

Snare wire traps are collected by rangers and stored in containers across the continent. Mulberry Mongoose has been granted special permission to access the containers. Its team carefully extracts, untangles and cuts the wire into strips, which are then transformed into the materials they use to create their signature jewelry, a process requiring incredible strength and precision. This transformation not only prevents the wires from causing further harm but also turns them into symbols of hope and resilience.

Snare Chain Necklace with White Pearl. Courtesy of Mulberry Mongoose. 

The team worked with a Mfuwe carpenter to train the shop’s female artisans to work with the difficult materials. Grace Mwanza, one of the artisans, told National Geographic how the skills she learned at her job enabled her to build her own house. “The process requires incredible strength,” said Kate Wilson, the business’ founder. “We course through nearly 5 steel drill bits per week!” 

The project supports conservation efforts as well as local communities. Mulberry Mongoose gift bags are made with colorful chitenge material bought from businesswomen and turned into beautiful gift pouches by Mfuwe tailors. Its artisans use unique materials bought from local entrepreneurs, such as hand-carved wooden beads, seeds, vintage coins, and farmers’ feathers to ensure that their designs are authentically African and benefit their rural communities, while also showcasing the unique beauty of the African bush and the dexterity and ingenuity of African artisans. A portion of the proceeds from their jewelry sales go to NGOs dedicated to protecting wildlife and supporting rangers. The shop has removed 27,000 snare traps from circulation and transformed over 164,000 feet of snare wire into works of art.

Rhino Conservation Snare & Vegetable Ivory Bracelet. Courtesy of Mulberry Mongoose.

The Mulberry Mongoose team is renowned for its passion and hospitality. You can drop into their "Shop Less Ordinary: between 7:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. any day of the week. Visitors will receive a warm welcome and a free guided tour of the team's purpose-built workshop and learn their story of conservation, female empowerment, rural African employment and ingenuity. You can even try coiling or hammering poachers’ snare wire yourself! Their shop is a beautiful space with an extraordinary variety of designs, worn by the likes of supermodel Doutzen Kroes, businessman Richard Branson, former president Bill Clinton, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

“On a typical day, a package will leave our shop for the Mfuwe airport, where the truck drives by a watering hole for hippopotamus and a natural basin where giraffes and elephants meet,” said Wilson. “It may take a bit longer to receive our jewelry, but I want to take people on the journey of why we do what we do—to conserve the species of this pristine wilderness we call home.”

TO GET INVOLVED

Mulberry Mongoose: Visit the website to learn more about Mulberry Mongoose’s team and story and to shop online. If you are lucky enough to travel to the South Luangwa you can visit the shop itself to learn firsthand from the passionate members. Their site also includes an online shop, with the proceeds benefiting the local community and conservation efforts. They ship orders from their remote workshop anywhere in the world in under 14 days. They also stock ethical retail businesses including conservation shops and safari boutiques. Last you can follow them on Instagram or Facebook as Mulberry Mongoose.

Conservation South Luangwa: This organization’s mission is to work with community and conservation partners in the protection of the wildlife and habitats of the South Luangwa ecosystem. Their goal is to ensure the long-term survival of wildlife and habitats in South Luangwa under the custodianship of the Zambian people. Their site includes information about getting involved and donating.

Zambian Carnivore Programme: This organization seeks to conserve Zambia’s large carnivores and the ecosystems they reside in through science, action and strengthening local leadership. ZCP hopes to create restored and thriving ecosystems that are collaboratively conserved by local communities, scientists and policy-makers through evidence-based approaches. Its website includes information about getting involved and donating.

Conservation Lower Zambezi: Conservation Lower Zambezi is an NGO committed to the conservation of wildlife and the environment in Lower Zambezi, Zambia, and was founded in 1994 to provide support to the Department of National Parks and Wildlife and help it fulfill its mandate to mitigate threats to wildlife from poaching in the region. The organization's website has information about getting involved and donating.

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Rebecca Pitcairn

Rebecca studies Italian Language and Literature, Classical Civilizations, and English Writing at the University of Pittsburgh. She hopes to one day attain a PhD in Classical Archeology. She is passionate about feminism and climate justice. She enjoys reading, playing the lyre, and longboarding in her free time. 

Fanning the Flames: Heat Waves Across America Set to Get Worse

An unending barrage of heat waves has pummeled North America in 2024, with climate change the likely culprit.

The sun rises on another 100-degree day in California. Pixabay. CC0

Climate change is an ongoing and severe crisis that is affecting all parts of the globe in different ways. From rising sea levels to increasingly chaotic weather patterns, every part of human society is at risk of some adverse effects.

North America has been suffering droughts on the west coast and frequent hurricanes and tornadoes on the east, but the entire continent is united in facing historically high temperatures. Almost the entire month of July has seen a solid string of heat waves, appearing in every corner of the continent. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), these heat waves have become far more frequent in the last few years, rising from two waves yearly in the 1960s to around six annually in the 2010s. In addition, heat waves have become more intense over the last few decades, with temperatures in Mexico and Central America brushing 125 degrees Fahrenheit in a historic first. Las Vegas also recently witnessed a record-breaking 115 degree day on July 12th, topping off a seven-day streak of broken records.

And these heat waves are only set to continue. As of the time of writing, heat waves are expected to renew their assault on the west coast, with temperatures projected to reach up to 110 degrees Fahrenheit and effect Washington, Nevada, Oregon, Arizona, Idaho and California. In 2023, Las Vegas never dropped from 100 degrees during the entire month of July, while this year’s forecast suggests that the average will have risen to 103 degrees by the end of the month. In addition, July 20th saw parts of Florida setting daily temperature records at around 97 degrees. This is a solid increase across the board for this time of year, with those same parts of Florida sitting at around a mean temperature of 84.9 degrees last year.

The biggest immediate threats presented by the rising temperatures, however, are wildfires. Hot and dry conditions naturally portend fires, and the already dangerous wildfire seasons in California and Canada have only gotten worse as the heat steadily increases. As of July 21st, several wildfires are raging in Oregon and western Canada, and incoming thunderstorms are predicted to make things substantially more difficult for the firefighters struggling to contain the blazes.

Although official statements stop short of absolute certainty, the vast majority of organizations are pinning the blame for these heat waves squarely on climate change. A series of incidents—the rising frequency and intensity of heat waves across the globe over the last few years, reports from 2022 about sidewalks melting in Europe, and 2023's historically devastating Canadian wildfire season—have raised concerns about the damage climate change can do even in the short term. That 2024's heat waves have been worse are suggestive of what is to come.

According to the Canadian Climate Institute, climate change has been proven to raise the frequency of severe heat waves, as well as slowing them down and causing them to linger over certain areas. Additionally, a statement released by the World Weather Attribution suggests that wildfire risk has become significantly higher as a result of climate change, making 2023’s wildfire season in Quebec close to 50% more intense.

It is becoming increasingly clear how rapidly climate change is altering the planet. Heat waves have been increasing in severity for the past few years, with 2023 setting global heat records and 2024 looking to blow even those historic numbers out of the water. These events are becoming increasingly common as time goes on, and it is possible that global average temperatures will rise five  degrees by 2050, and around 10 degrees by the end of the century. Even the deviations we’re experiencing now are severe, but it looks like the world is going to get even hotter—and fast.

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Ryan Livingston

Ryan is a senior at The College of New Jersey, majoring in English and minoring in marketing. Since a young age, Ryan has been passionate about human rights and environmental action and uses his writing to educate wherever he can. He hopes to pursue a career in professional writing and spread his message even further.

Dirty Water: The Frantic Rush to Clean the Seine Before the 2024 Olympics

Officials of the French government are trying to clean the Seine, which has been deemed unswimmable for a century, in time for the 2024 Summer Olympics swim competition.

Pont Alexandre III on the River Seine, Billy Wilson, CC BY-NC 2.0

With the 2024 Olympics set for Paris, the French government has faced backlash for its efforts to quickly clean the Seine, the main river that runs through Paris. The Seine is approximately 13 kilometers long and, in Paris, accompanied by 37 bridges. The staple has promoted water travel and inspired classic French songs such as, “Sous le Pont Mirabeau” and “Sous les Ponts de Paris.” The Seine also has a long history of supplying water to Parisians. In Medieval Paris, citizens and street vendors would collect water from the Seine before they had access to running water. In 1802, Napoleon constructed the Canal St Martin connecting the Seine to the Bassin de La Villette with the goal of supplying water via public fountains throughout the city. The River Seine was in wide use, with people engaging in walks along its banks and recreational swimming, until a decree was passed in 1923 that banned such activities due to pollution and waste runoff. News Writer Olivia Craighead explains that, “The city is old as hell, and as such, sometimes sewage ends up in the Seine.” While people are still allowed to visit its banks, the River Seine has been closed to swimmers since the decree. Until the announcement of the 2024 Olympics.

Since the 2008 Olympics, there have been two open water swimming events: the triathlon and the 10k marathon swim. Pierre Rabadan, the deputy mayor in charge of sports, Olympics, and Paralympics, has said that, “Our objective is an Olympic legacy.” In 2015, Paris introduced the "Plan Baignade" (“Swimming Plan” in English), a plan to make the river swimmable for the Olympics and regular citizens by 2024. As a result, the government has invested upwards of $1.5 billion to make their plan a reality. Despite their efforts, test results from the week of June 10 reveal that E. coli levels in the river are over twice the maximum allowed in water for Olympic events. Marc Guillame, a top government official for Paris, says that these recent readings “are not in line with the standards we will have in the summer.” With the Seine, most bacteria is killed with sunlight and warm temperatures, both of which Paris has seen very little of at this point in the summer. Instead, it has endured heavy rain and cloudy conditions. Phillippe Leclercq, an 18 year old living on a houseboat on the River Seine, notes that, “When it’s good, it’s a nice green color, lately it’s just been brown.”

To ease concerns citizens and athletes have about the River Seines’ cleanliness, President Emmanuel Macron and Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo have pledged to be the first swimmers. Originally scheduled to take a dip on June 23, the two have moved their swim back to July 14. Hidalgo stresses that this was not due to the condition of the water, but the current weather and political atmosphere: “Yes, I will swim in the River Seine, not now because the weather is not so well in Paris, but also because we have an election. It is not possible to organize the jump to the river during the election.”

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Aanya Panyadahundi

Aanya is a student at the University of Michigan studying sociology and journalism on a pre-law path. She loves to travel the world whenever she can, always eager to learn more about the different cultures and societies around her. In her free time, she likes to play the violin, ski, and listen to podcasts

Waste Not, Want Not: 6 Unique Companies Revolutionizing Food Waste

With nearly a third of the world's food going to waste, here are some small companies working to make food waste edible.

Food waste. EarthFix. CC BY-NC 2.0

Every year 1.3 billion tons of food is wasted, costing over $1 trillion around the world. Even though food waste breaks down faster than other types of waste such as plastics, the decomposition produces a significant amount of carbon dioxide, which exacerbates climate change. There are ongoing efforts to confront this issue, such as the Biden-Harris Administration’s National Strategy for Reducing Food Loss and Waste and Recycling Organics announced on June 12, 2024. Many small companies and organizations are working to address this issue as well. Here are six businesses that have found innovative ways to transform food waste.

1. Back to the Roots’ Mushroom Growing Kits

Mushroom grow kits. Suzie's Farm. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Every year about six million tons of coffee grounds end up in landfills around the world. Back to the Roots is a company that sells mushroom growing kits that use recycled coffee grounds. Back to the Roots aims to make food growing accessible while keeping used coffee grounds out of the landfill.

After connecting with each other during college through a shared interest in growing mushrooms from recycled coffee grounds, Back to the Roots’ co-founders Alejandro Velez and Nikhil Arora began growing mushrooms in Velez’s fraternity. 

Back to the Roots has found many ways to give back to communities. Through their #GrowOneGiveOne campaign, customers can post a picture with their growing kits and Back to the Roots will send a growing kit and curriculum to an elementary school classroom. People can also access free kids gardening curriculums and gardening resources, including a garden glossary, grow calendar and grow guide. You can explore Back to the Roots’ mushroom growing kits and resources here.

2. Cascara Foods’ Supplements

Health supplements. Jdurchen. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Cascara Foods is a Chilean company that transforms food waste into health supplements. Nutrients from fruit pulp and peels are used in supplements for digestion, joints and more. Cascara was started in 2017 in order to combat climate change, and the company strives to upcycle as much fruit waste as possible. 

Currently, recycled apple, blueberry and strawberry fibers can be found in Cascara's supplements. The apple fiber is leftover from local producers in the apple juice industry and contains more than 90% of the total fiber of the whole fruit. Blueberry fiber salvaged from the juicing industry and strawberry fiber sourced from the puree industry are both sources of antioxidants and can also serve as natural food colorings. Check out Cascara Foods’ supplements here.

3. EatKinda’s Cauliflower Ice Cream

Cosmetically imperfect cauliflower. Pictoscribe -. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

EatKinda is a New Zealand-based company that sells ice cream made from cosmetically imperfect cauliflower. As with many other countries, New Zealand’s supermarket standards often reject produce based on aesthetic issues such as size or color, creating unnecessary food waste. EatKinda collects cauliflower from local farmers and supermarkets that would otherwise end up in the landfill and transforms it into a delectable treat.

EatKinda’s co-founder Jenni Matheson stumbled across her cauliflower ice cream recipe after a failed attempt at making a vegan cheesecake. Then, when Matheson met food technologist Mrinali Kumar, they got to work and EatKinda was born.

EatKinda currently offers three vegan flavors, including Strawberry Swirl, Double Chocolate and Mint Choc Bikkie, and its products can be found in 90 stores throughout New Zealand. The cauliflower ice cream has recently gone viral on TikTok, and EatKinda is in the process of seeking investors to expand into Australia and beyond. Here is where you can learn more about EatKinda.

4. Imperfect Food’s Grocery Delivery Service

Delivered produce. Aine. CC BY-SA 2.0

Imperfect Foods is an American company that combines sustainability with convenience. By delivering retailer-rejected food products to customers’ doors in 100% recycled boxes, Imperfect Foods has saved over 160 million lbs of food waste from the landfills. All of these food items had been rejected for various reasons including aesthetic issues, surpluses or being near their best-buy dates.

Sustainability is kept in mind through every step of the grocery delivery process. By delivering all the groceries for each neighborhood in one trip and using 100% recycled boxes collected from previous orders, Imperfect reduces waste and carbon emissions. By signing up online, customers can limit food waste and get everything from farm-fresh produce to pantry staples delivered to their door. You can discover more about Imperfect Foods here.

5. Sweet Benin’s Cashew Apple Juice

Cashew fruit. Richard Vignola. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

The cashew industry is prominent in Benin, but every year ten million tons of cashew apples are left to rot in fields across Africa. Sweet Benin limits food waste and supports local communities by working with producers to transform these leftover cashew apples into juice. 

The cashew apple is the fruit attached to the cashew nut. Despite the many uses for cashew apples, many consider the fruit trash because of a misconception that it is poisonous. Sweet Benin started countering this misconception after partnering with the non-profit TechnoServe in 2017. Since then, the company has strived to support economic growth while prioritizing women in the hiring process. TechnoServe offers further information here.

6. Toast Brewing’s Beer

Surplus bread. Melinda Young Stuart. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

With about 44% of bread going to waste, Toast Brewing has set out to transform this surplus into beer. The over three million slices of bread saved by Toast Brewing since 2016 could be stacked nearly as high as five Mount Everests. So much bread can be saved because Toasted uses it to replace 25% of the malted barley it uses to brew beer.

Toast Brewing supports sustainability through charity as well. 100% of the profits go to environmental charities. The company has also partnered with the social enterprise Change Please and created a cafe taproom that helps fight houselessness and food waste. You can discover more and order Toast Brewing products online here.

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Madison Paulus

Madison is a student at George Washington University studying international affairs, journalism, mass communication, and Arabic. Born and raised in Seattle, Washington, Madison grew up in a creative, open-minded environment. With passions for human rights and social justice, Madison uses her writing skills to educate and advocate. In the future, Madison hopes to pursue a career in science communication or travel journalism.

Climate Change on Trial: Vermont Passes Climate Reparations Bill

After historic flooding, Vermont calls for “Big Oil” to pay its share of the damages.

The Great Vermont Flood of 2023 in Montpelier, Vermont. The National Guard, CC BY-SA 2.0

Climate change has become a serious issue across the globe. Freak weather events, increased global temperatures and glacial melt, among other crises, have made it almost impossible to ignore. And for residents in one state, climate change has come right to their doors for what lawmakers intend to make the last time.

Vermont suffered severe flooding during the summer of 2023—the water completely submerged parking meters in the capital city of Montpelier. Thousands of residents lost cars, homes and businesses. According to the National Weather Service, the damages from this event alone rivaled—and even exceeded—the damage caused by Hurricane Irene back in 2011.

Now, the state government has passed a bill forcing fossil fuel companies to pay for a portion of the damages caused by climate change. Vermont is now the first state in the Union to take these organizations to task for externalities caused by fossil fuel emissions. According to the bill, the Agency of Natural Resources will create a report by 2026 that estimates the cost of climate change-based damage since 1995. This will examine aspects such as public health, agriculture and economic development.

The bill has been lauded for its progressive approach to climate justice, as holding companies accountable for pollution is, perhaps unsurprisingly, very widely supported. However, several Vermont politicians have also expressed concern over what will surely turn into a knock-down, drag-out legal battle come the report’s publication.

This bill marks a huge turning point in the climate justice movement. Although the legal battle has yet to begin, the precedent set by this bill is groundbreaking. The federal government has taken little serious action toward climate change reparations, as they are a divisive issue on a national level. Some consider the process to have very little legal basis, which naturally spawns skepticism that the legislation can actually be enforced.

However, regardless of how the bill has been received, the progress here is undeniable. There’s something to be said for the power of precedent in legal situations. Reparations have been divisive in the court system on account of being largely untested in a legal setting. Most court cases on a federal level are decided largely based on the results of similar cases in the past. Much of the heel-dragging over climate change, then, can be explained by how new and untested many of these legal approaches are.

It’s far more difficult to pass a bill at the federal level than the state, especially when trying to attack such an inflammatory issue. That said, states taking action—successful or not—could begin to wear down that resistance. If Vermont manages to extract reparations from the targeted companies, other states may follow suit. With enough states unified towards climate reparations, the federal government may be forced to take a stance. It likely won’t be for some time, but Vermont’s actions now are potentially paving the way for a massive shift in the governmental response to climate change in future years.

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Ryan Livingston

Ryan is a senior at The College of New Jersey, majoring in English and minoring in marketing. Since a young age, Ryan has been passionate about human rights and environmental action and uses his writing to educate wherever he can. He hopes to pursue a career in professional writing and spread his message even further.

Feeling Unlucky: Why Gambling Hotspots Are So Bad for the Environment

Balancing the economic benefits of the casino industry against its environmental costs in Las Vegas and Macau.

Las Vegas strip at night. Las Vegas City Files. PDM 1.0

Rapid urbanization is one of the driving causes of pollution worldwide, and gambling hotspots are no exception, using precious resources to fight heat, water scarcity and pollution. The gambling centers of Las Vegas and Macau generate billions of dollars a year from tourist revenue, promoting overconsumption via colossal retail stores, high-rise casinos and souvenir shops. Beneath their twinkling lights, however, lies a reality riddled with addiction, excess and greed, and environmental impacts that are all too often overlooked. 

Motorists waiting at traffic light. Dickson Phua. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Located in an arid desert landscape, Las Vegas’s temperatures can crawl up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer months, making it one of the hottest in the U.S.; other than Reno, it is the fastest-warming city in the country. Just twenty miles east of Las Vegas, Lake Mead’s water level has significantly dropped over the years. With temperatures rapidly rising, residents and tourists alike face the possibility of rarely going outside, as there’s little more to do outside than wander up and down the strip and lounge at a hotel pool. According to SWANA (Solid Waste Association of North America), Las Vegas produces more than five billion pounds of waste each year. While Las Vegas is attempting to rebrand itself as an eco-friendly city, conservation efforts are still underway. In 2016, the city began powering government buildings and streetlights with renewable energy, and most high-rises have installed solar panels on their roofs. The Sphere, Las Vegas’s newest concert venue, has an agreement to meet its electricity needs with solar power, but this must be approved by the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada, which likely won’t happen until 2027.

Aerial view of Las Vegas at night, Carol M. Highsmith's America Project, PDM 1.0

With casino-hotels lining the Cotai Strip, Macau has been dubbed “the Las Vegas of Asia” for its gambling, shopping and nightlife scene. With tourists flocking the city from mainland China and Portugal, vehicle exhaust from traffic has led to air pollution and excessive greenhouse gas emissions. With a population of just 600,000, a 2023 census indicated that roughly 30 million tourists flock to Macau every year, resulting in overcrowding. The subtropical landscape doesn’t reach temperatures as high as Las Vegas, but the climate is continuing to rise, with average summer temperatures of 83 degrees Fahrenheit. Similar to Las Vegas, Macau is striving to be more eco-friendly, incentivizing citizens to drive electric cars and use green lighting products through tax subsidies, in compliance with environmentally friendly standards.

Panoramic view of Macau. Andrew Moore. CC BY-SA 2.0

The impacts of gambling are not entirely negative, particularly for the local economy. The American casino industry generates over $40 billion annually, which funds local development and creates hundreds of customer service jobs. With most casinos operating 24/7, energy consumption is the most significant environmental effect. As global temperatures rise, an excessive amount of energy is spent on air conditioning and lighting. Today, many are turning to online gambling as a more “sustainable” option, thanks to rapid technological advancements. Gambling hotspots like Las Vegas and Macau can adopt greener practices, such as improving public transportation and implementing recycling and composting programs. While gambling hotspots fuel local economies and tourism, their environmental and social impacts cannot be ignored, calling for a balanced approach that prioritizes sustainable practices and responsible urban development.

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Agnes Volland

Agnes is a student at UC Berkeley majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies and minoring in Creative Writing, with a research focus on road trip culture in America. She currently writes for BARE Magazine and Caravan Travel & Style Magazine. She is working on a novel that follows two sisters as they road trip down Highway 40, from California to Oklahoma. In the future, she hopes to pursue a career in journalism, publishing, or research.

5 Sea Creatures That Could Save Your Life

We can create tons of life-saving medications from the ocean—as long as we can keep it alive.

A coral reef. Francesco Ungaro, CC0

It has been said that we know less about our oceans than we do about the surface of Mars. We have already discovered more than 200,000 different species, but scientists agree that we have still only barely scratched the surface of what may be down there for us to find.

Some of these creatures are capable of producing life-saving drugs, curing or treating everything from diabetes to certain types of cancer. Most of our current medications come from terrestrial plants and animals, but given that the ocean represents 95% of Earth’s biodiversity, we are somewhere around 300 to 400 times more likely to find the next big cure in the ocean.

But in spite of this enormous potential, the oceans are in severe danger due to climate change, overfishing and pollution. Here are five different ocean creatures that could potentially save your life—and why we need to keep them alive and healthy.

Seahorses

A yellow long-snouted seahorse. Victor Micallef, CC BY-SA 4.0

The first face on our list is a familiar one; seahorses are one of the more famous animals that make their homes on coral reefs, and have proven to be one of the most useful as well. These aquatic equines’ medicinal properties were recorded as long ago as 700 AD, when their extracts were first used in China to cure asthma and arthritis. More recently, seahorses have also been used to treat kidney and liver diseases.

But the population today is larger than ever, so the demand for these treatments is growing every day. Since the 1980s, demand for seahorses in the pharmaceutical industry has dramatically increased, resulting in a frighteningly steep decline in the number still living in the wild. Studies have shown that at least 35% of all species of seahorse are endangered.

This is due primarily to overfishing—aside from the mass harvesting for pharmaceuticals, seahorses are also frequently accidentally caught by commercial fishermen and simply left to die. If this population declines much further, a historically successful treatment for several different diseases may be on the line.

Sea Hares

A sea hare in Monterey Bay. Chad King / NOAA MBNMS, CC0

A much less pleasant animal to look at, sea hares are still incredibly useful. A particular species from the Indian Ocean secretes a chemical that may be able to treat tumors, leukemia, and breast and liver cancer. Although the compound is still undergoing chemical trials, the results are promising and scientists believe the unassuming slug may be our best shot at dealing with many of the trickiest cancers in the human body.

Although sea hares are not currently endangered, they are threatened by ocean acidification and climate change. Also, since they are most commonly found along rocky shorelines, they are at risk from agricultural runoff and coastal development. Though we have not pushed them to extinction quite yet, continuing to develop our shorelines without proper caution could rob us of a very promising treatment for some of our most devastating diseases.

Sea Sponges

A yellow tube sea sponge. Nick Hobgood, CC BY-SA 3.0

There are countless different types of sea sponge and soft coral all over the ocean floor. In the last few decades, as more and more of them are discovered, we have found countless uses for just about every part of them.

One species in particular, known in the scientific community as Tectitethya crypta, has been used to treat HIV and AIDS. The sponge’s fatty acids in particular are a crucial component in many modern medications. Others have been used to treat breast cancer, leukemia, Ebola and even COVID-19. Needless to say, sea sponges are some of the most beneficial animals in the world, and experts say we haven’t even scratched the surface of what else they may be able to do for us.

Sea sponges are some of the most widespread ocean animals in the world, and have existed since before even the dinosaurs—however, that doesn’t mean they are safe from humanity. Deep-sea mining threatens their habitats by destroying the very land that the sponges grow on. Companies have claimed that deep-sea mining is far more environmentally friendly than other processes on land, however, it might only seem this way because we know so little about the ecosystems that sit just above the valuable mineral deposits in the deep sea. If we continue to haphazardly destroy these animals’ homes, countless potential miracle cures could be lost forever.

Corals

A soft coral in Bali. AlexeiAVA, CC BY 4.0

The backbone of all reefs, coral is widely thought of as a simple plant. Shockingly, these stationary structures are actually animals! Tiny polyps, the real minds behind the beautiful skeletal coral, secrete a thin limestone covering that attaches to the seafloor and eventually grows into the twisting and spiraling forms that we’re familiar with. These polyps have been used in the past to facilitate bone growth, and even to replace shattered or fractured bones in the human body. Ground-up corals can also be used to treat, of all things, Alzheimer’s and heart disease.

As well as being the mascot of the reef, coral is also the poster child for ocean acidification. Coral bleaching, the largest problem facing reefs around the world, is when the polyps that make their homes in the coral flee in response to warming waters or high concentrations of carbon. Without their inhabitants, the coral turns white and brittle, and can be broken by the slightest impact. Unsustainable fishing practices have also resulted in the destruction of entire chunks of reefs, whether it be through dynamiting or simply by tearing them up with oversized fishing nets. Besides providing a home for unimaginable numbers of animals and plants, corals are some of the richest sources of medicine and treatments in the ocean.

Sea Squirts

A sea squirt. Nick Hobgood, CC BY-SA 3.0

Sea squirts, despite their unappealing name and unassuming appearance, are being used to treat—and eventually, maybe even cure—one of the most dangerous skin cancers in the world. Found along the coast of almost every major ocean in the world, sea squirts contain a chemical that actually prevents cancer cells from regenerating. However, scientists have not yet figured out how to make this chemical in the lab, meaning they’re relying on harvesting sea squirts to produce the treatment.

Although some sea squirts are incredibly common (even being considered invasive in some places), various human activities threaten their habitats. Much like the sea hare, they live close to the surface on rocky shorelines and along reefs, meaning they’re more at risk from chemical runoff and coastal development. Unless we can take more precautions, harvesting these useful blobs will become much harder.

TO GET INVOLVED

Between global warming, ocean acidification and pollution, the dangers facing marine life can seem overwhelming. But there are many ways that an individual can make a difference and help the ocean survive. Organizations like Coral Guardian and the Reef Life Foundation work tirelessly to maintain reefs around the world with the help of donations and coral adoptions.

There are also countless hazardous waste recycling centers all over the country where you can safely dispose of harmful chemicals that you no longer need, rather than tossing them into landfills. And practicing eco-friendly behavior—avoiding single-use plastic, only applying zinc- or titanium-based sunscreen, and simply helping to pick up litter before it makes its way into the ocean—goes further than you might think.

The ocean is threatened from a million different places, but if we all do our part, it will provide for us for many years to come. There are countless undiscovered plants and animals living down there—there’s no telling what we’ll find next, and how it can help us in return.

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Ryan Livingston

Ryan is a senior at The College of New Jersey, majoring in English and minoring in marketing. Since a young age, Ryan has been passionate about human rights and environmental action and uses his writing to educate wherever he can. He hopes to pursue a career in professional writing and spread his message even further.

Food Fight: European Farmers Battle Food Outsourcing

As climate concerns grow, many feel that the EU’s new agricultural policies are uprooting farmers’ way of life.

Farmers blocking a Berlin road in protest. Leonhard Lenz. CC0

Global warming, climate change, and greenhouse gasses have been hot-button topics for decades, but recent events have painted them in a much more alarming light. Many countries around the world have begun instating policies and procedures to combat this crisis, from carbon taxes to efforts at land preservation and conservation.

But just like every major change, it comes at a cost. Farmers, the backbone of the food market and a group with interests very much built around the environmental status quo, have been upended by recent policy changes. The EU has turned its attention to agriculture in recent months, proposing a variety of policies that will decrease the amount of land being used for farms, dubbed the Green Deal. In addition to stricter regulations, rising operating costs and taxes have also been cited as causes for discontent among the farming population of Europe.

This series of events reached a head in December of 2023, when farmers first began protesting across the continent. At first, it was simple picketing and protests, but in the months since, every possible display of discontent—from holding up traffic to spraying manure and throwing produce—has plagued much of the EU. Farmers in Berlin blocked the road around the Brandenburg Gate with tractors, and others in Brussels lit bales of hay on fire to deter police.

Over the last few weeks, the EU has made several concessions for the aggravated farmers. In addition to relaxing many of the regulations and reducing taxes on the diesel fuel used for tractors and farm equipment, the EU has apparently canceled its plan to import grain and other crops that could be grown in Europe from Ukraine. This in particular drove an especially angry contingent of protests, as the lower price and food standards of imported grain make domestic crops less profitable.

In the months since March, many of the more aggressive demonstrations mentioned above have begun to taper off in response to the EU’s capitulations. This demonstrates a problem that many governments are struggling to face in regards to climate change. The situation gets worse and its effects more severe, but swift action often ends up displacing people who rely on how the system has always been.

Hundreds of millions of people around the world have built their whole lives on the current status quo. Many of the changes that the EU suggested threatened their livelihoods by increasing the competition and undermining their typical methods. Unfortunately, there are not yet systems in place to account for the losses these individuals suffer, meaning future attempts to reduce the impact of climate change will risk the same backlash.

The EU may have been trying to minimize habitat destruction and land overuse, but in the process it risked harming the backbone of its economy and even its food supply. Climate change is an undeniable issue, but one that affects every person in the world differently. Any attempt to fix it will inevitably create some losers, whether the people in charge have accounted for them or not.

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Ryan Livingston

Ryan is a senior at The College of New Jersey, majoring in English and minoring in marketing. Since a young age, Ryan has been passionate about human rights and environmental action and uses his writing to educate wherever he can. He hopes to pursue a career in professional writing and spread his message even further.

From Drought to Deluge: Afghanistan’s Flash Floods

As the 6th most vulnerable country to climate change, Afghanistan has faced intensified food insecurity following a disastrous series of floods throughout April and May 2024.

Flood relief efforts in Herat, Afghanistan. NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan. CC BY-SA 2.0

Over the past few months, hundreds in Afghanistan have died due to flooding. In April 2024, at least 70 people died from flash floods throughout Afghanistan. The floods and heavy rains have also destroyed several schools and mosques, in addition to more than 2,000 homes.

Throughout May 2024, over 1,000 houses were destroyed and more than 300 people died from floods in Afghanistan. The hardest-hit provinces include Badakhshan, Baghlan, Ghor and Herat. 

On May 10th and 11th floods affected over 60,000 people. The floods destroyed about 500 houses throughout Afghanistan’s Baghlan and Badakhshan provinces with 16 deaths recorded as of May 27th, 2024. Of the 16 deaths, 10 were members of the same family. 

The most recent series of floods on May 18th and May 19th, 2024 took the lives of over 100 people and destroyed nearly 1,500 homes. The death toll is expected to rise as search and rescue operations continue.

Because of climate change flooding has increased, and Afghanistan is not the only country facing destructive floods in May 2024. Over the last month, Afghanistan, East Africa and Brazil have been hit with flooding in the wake of torrential rains. Climate change contributes to increased rainfall and flooding because of hotter climates contributing to snow and ice melt and intensified weather fluctuations.

In Afghanistan, the high number of floods and casualties throughout the first half of 2024 followed a dry winter that left the ground unable to adequately absorb the abnormally high rainfall. Afghanistan’s average temperature has increased by about 1.8°C since 1950. Unusually warm temperatures have exacerbated the problem, as snow melts prematurely into the rivers. 

Considering flooding is expected to increase throughout the coming months because of the erratic weather spurred by climate change, there is a need for more investments in infrastructure, specifically climate adaptation projects. 

Organizations like the UN Development Programme and other UN agencies are dedicated to supporting Afghanistan in risk management, climate resilience and improved resource management.

GET INVOLVED

Emergency assistance is needed by the 38 million people throughout Afghanistan. As the floods have rendered many areas inaccessible by ground transportation, organizations such as the World Food Programme have resorted to using donkeys to transport food and supplies to those in need. To support relief efforts, donations can be made to organizations like the World Food Programme and the UN Refugee Agency.

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Madison Paulus

Madison is a student at George Washington University studying international affairs, journalism, mass communication, and Arabic. Born and raised in Seattle, Washington, Madison grew up in a creative, open-minded environment. With passions for human rights and social justice, Madison uses her writing skills to educate and advocate. In the future, Madison hopes to pursue a career in science communication or travel journalism.

Nature’s Day in Court: Ireland’s Green Revolution

Ireland may become the first European country to constitutionally recognize that ecosystems possess legal rights.

Seascape in Ireland. Giuseppe Milo. CC BY 2.0 DEED

Ireland, a nation renowned for breathtaking landscapes, may become the first European country to enshrine the rights of its nature into the national constitution. In December, the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action called on the government to begin steps towards a referendum. The referendum, if successful, would recognize that ecosystems possess legal rights comparable to those of humans and corporations.

In December, the Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action proposed a series of administrative measures for drafting constitutional amendments to the Irish government. The amendments would bestow nature with inherent rights to existence, perpetuation and restoration. Elements of nature would be seen as having the rights to flourish and be respected. The amendment would additionally recognize that humans have a right to a clean environment and protect the right of any person or organization to defend or enforce those rights on the behalf of nature.

The movement to legislate the rights of nature has grown in recent years. In Ireland, the proposition to amend the constitution emanated from the loss of biodiversity within the country as of 2023. The Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss addressed the unprecedented rate at which human activity has driven the mass extinction of plants and animals, with over 1 million more at risk of the same. The danger to Ireland's native species has been attributed to the overall change in its climate.

Similar to Ireland, the ecosystems of other countries have equally felt the effects of climate change. In the Andean plain of Bolivia, reduced precipitation and increased temperatures have facilitated rapid desertification. In Uganda, the pace of species extinctions has accelerated as a result of prolonged periods of drought and erratic rainfall due to deforestation. These countries, among others including Ecuador, New Zealand, and Spain, have a form of national law to recognize the rights of nature, or legal personhood for ecosystems. These laws typically provide a higher level of protection to ecosystems than environmental protection laws alone, although not all are constitutionally bound. Some countries that have written the Rights of Nature include Ecuador, New Zealand, India and Mexico.

Policymakers around the world have begun to embrace a changing idea of how nature itself is treated under law. Several governments have legally bound the ‘rights of nature’ to protect certain land and water from human development. In Bangladesh, all rivers are now under legal protection. In Colombia, the Supreme Court recognized the rights of the Amazon River. Ecuador, the first country in the world to recognize the rights of nature, gives “Mother Earth” legal standing in its constitution. This jurisprudence has prompted a massive shift away from the view of nature as a ‘thing’ that humans have a right to use and eventually destroy. Dr Peter Doran of the School of Law at Queen's University Belfast argued to the Joint Committee in Ireland that granting constitutional protection to nature would not only save species and habitats but also reorient human priorities, which would have much more long term positive consequences.

Despite the good intentions behind giving nature constitutional rights, some have called the law ‘anti-human,’ claiming that it will stop extractive projects such as mining or that the rights for nature are unlikely to provide a plausible solution to the issues environmentalists aim to resolve. Proponents respond that the laws aim to protect the integrity of nature so that it may persist in the future, not abolish the rights that humans have to, among other things, private property.

The Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights appeared before Ireland’s Joint Committee to testify for why the rights of nature should be constitutionally recognized. This next step for Ireland is now in the hands of the government and the Oireachtas (parliament). For legal effect, the amendments must be approved by both houses of the Oireachtas, Dail Eireann and the Seanad, and win a majority of the popular vote in a national referendum.

TO GET INVOLVED:

The Nature Conservancy is an organization focused on creating solutions to climate change and biodiversity loss. By tackling these issues with projects involving clean energy policies, carbon storage and agricultural innovation, there is no shortage of opportunities for the public to help. The organization lists ways to get involved on their website that range from volunteering to taking a pledge to donating.

Global Alliance for Rights of Nature is a global network of organizations made up of people from all walks of life who are committed to the recognition of the Rights of Nature. The group aims to honor the relationship between humans and nature, additionally pursuing the creation of a system that treats nature as a rights-bearing entity, not a resource to be exploited at will. To better emphasize the interconnectedness of humans and their environment, the group offers the opportunity to get involved as a member, donate, or even participate in internships.

Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund aims to build sustainable communities that assist people in asserting their right to local self-governance and the rights of nature. The group assists indigenous peoples, civil societies and communities in advancing laws for the protection of nature that involves providing legislative and policy drafting, legal research, and public engagement and education. With this, the public is able to join the movement, which offers many opportunities to volunteer in a community or help to organize a campaign.

EarthJustice is a nonprofit public interest environmental law organization that is founded on the belief that everyone has the right to a healthy environment. Through projects focusing on defending a right to clean air, clean water and wild places, the group believes that a better future can be built. With 15 offices and 200 lawyers, as well as an impressive total of 500 legal cases it has represented free of charge, there is no shortage of opportunities for the public to participate, whether through signing petitions or donating.

Mira White

Mira is a student at Brown University studying international and public affairs. Passionate about travel and language learning, she is eager to visit each continent to better understand the world and the people across it. In her free time she perfects her French, hoping to someday live in France working as a freelance journalist or in international affairs.

The Dark Side of Light Pollution

As light pollution engulfs over 80 percent of the world's skies, artificial light has demonstrated its detrimental impacts on the health of humans, ecosystems and the planet.

Light pollution in Los Angeles. Erik Levin. CC BY-NC 2.0

Artificial lighting fixtures like street lights and billboards have become commonplace for billions across the globe. While artificial light has been in use for centuries, light pollution has dramatically increased over the past few decades. Considering the global urban population is projected to rise by up to 68 percent in the next 25 years, the demand for artificial light is unlikely to subside.

Light is integral to life on Earth, influencing the planet's creatures down to their DNA. From reproduction to protection from predators, many life-sustaining behaviors rely on the cycle of day and night. Artificial light has been shown to disrupt life in many kinds of ecosystems. In the wetlands, artificial light interferes with nocturnal mating rituals. Starlight and the Sun's rays also serve as important navigation devices for many animals and insects. When artificial light disrupts these natural signals animals like baby sea turtles and birds can be drawn to their demise.

Within ecosystems, seemingly small changes brought by the presence of artificial light can have cascading effects. For example, some predators have evolved to target insects swarming artificial light. As vital members of the food chain, the decline of insect populations poses a threat to everything in the food web.

The reach of artificial light is not limited to urban areas, as it has been found to seep below the soil and into the oceans. Artificial light hinders the ability of microorganisms in the dirt to use carbon. Meanwhile, artificial light in the oceans has been found at depths of more than 66 feet, affecting the life-sustaining activities of many marine species.

The negative effects of artificial light are not always direct. The electricity required to sustain the current consumption of artificial light mostly comes from coal-fueled power plants. This production emits 15 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere every year, contributing to climate change and posing further threats to ecosystems.

People are not immune to the negative effects of their own creations. A mere 15 minutes of exposure to bright artificial light has the power to halt melatonin production. Due to its disruptive effects on circadian rhythms, artificial light can contribute to health conditions ranging from sleep disorders to heart disease. While artificial light is often used as a tool for safety and security, it can have the opposite effect. For example, glaring light can cause poor visibility.

While artificial light may be necessary for people to function at night, nearly one-third of all lighting is unnecessary, leaving ample room to cut down on its negative effects. Scholars propose prioritizing dark sky conservation in electric lighting design, using warm-colored light, and avoiding blue-colored light. Blue-colored light is particularly harmful for people and ecosystems alike because it scatters farther than warm-colored light. People can limit their light pollution by shielding, dimming, and turning off lights. Advocacy organizations suggest keeping light pollution in mind when shopping for lighting products. Environmentally friendly models will have adequate shielding to prevent glare and limit the amount of light escaping into surrounding areas. 

TO GET INVOLVED

To advocate for limiting light pollution, get involved in non-profits like DarkSky and Light Justice, which offer opportunities for advocacy and education.

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Madison Paulus

Madison is a student at George Washington University studying international affairs, journalism, mass communication, and Arabic. Born and raised in Seattle, Washington, Madison grew up in a creative, open-minded environment. With passions for human rights and social justice, Madison uses her writing skills to educate and advocate. In the future, Madison hopes to pursue a career in science communication or travel journalism.

Chile’s Forest Fires: A Glimpse Through the Smoke

Wildfires are engulfing Chile, claiming the lives of about 130 people so far and sparking questions about potential causes and solutions. 

A 2014 forest fire in the Valparaíso region of Chile. Gabriela. CC BY-NC 2.0

As of February 9, 2024, nearly 5,000 people have been affected by what appear to be Chile’s deadliest forest fires on record. These devastating waves of flame follow the planet's hottest year and hottest January to date. Chile is not the only South American country to face an inferno following a scorching January, with forest fires reported in Colombia and Argentina as well.

Fires and climate change are in a feedback loop, amplifying each other. Consequences of climate change, including higher temperatures and heat waves, contribute to drier conditions and longer fire seasons. The fires create areas of dead, dry vegetation at greater risk of future fires, while the smoke from the fires pumps carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, further warming the planet. 

As the planet continues to warm, natural phenomena such as El Nino are intensified, resulting in hotter heat waves accompanied by dry spells, particularly affecting countries in northern South America such as Colombia and Venezuela. As recorded in 2018, about 21% of Chile is forest. The nation's tree cover, paired with its long dry season and heat waves, has proved to be a deadly combination. Forest fires in Chile have contributed to a range of destructive consequences throughout the years, including the loss of lives and biodiversity. 

Chile’s government has made strides to address climate change as a member of 20 international environmental agreements. Chile’s Forestry Service (CONAF) collaborates with the private forestry sector to implement preventative measures. In 2021, former Chilean President Sebastián Piñera presented the National Forest Fire Protection Plan. This plan allocated necessary resources to fire prevention and management, including firefighters, vehicles and technologies to predict and monitor fires. Despite these efforts, forest fires have continued in the country.

Scholars have identified that preventative measures are necessary in addressing forest fires. For example, controlled burns have been used by Indigenous People in North America for millenniums. Controlled burns are meticulously planned fires intentionally set to improve the health of a forest and reduce the risk of large-scale forest fires by decreasing the presence of dry vegetation. Other innovative measures to prevent forest fires include a gel-like fire retardant developed by researchers at Stanford University and technologies that can predict wildfires like Chile’s “Red Button” program.

Despite the issue of wildfires being amplified by climate change, about 99% of forest fires in Chile are caused by people, which is why education is another critical preventative measure. Tactics people can employ to prevent forest fires include taking steps to avoid creating sparks or fire when the area is hot, dry and windy and to refrain from driving over dry vegetation, as vehicle exhaust can reach temperatures over 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

Currently, the Chilean government is working tirelessly to combat the ongoing forest fires. For those looking to support these efforts, nonprofits like GlobalGiving provide platforms to donate to those affected, and social media offers a way for everyone to raise awareness.

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Madison Paulus

Madison is a student at George Washington University studying international affairs, journalism, mass communication, and Arabic. Born and raised in Seattle, Washington, Madison grew up in a creative, open-minded environment. With passions for human rights and social justice, Madison uses her writing skills to educate and advocate. In the future, Madison hopes to pursue a career in science communication or travel journalism.

5 Animals at Risk of Extinction

The risk of depleting ocean resources and the practice of poaching is driving many vulnerable species to extinction.

Two elephants playing in a forest scene. Future Kiiid. CC0.

A growing number of the planet's animals are teetering on the brink of extinction. These critically endangered species face an uncertain future due to the dire effects of poaching, habitat loss, climate change and other environmental pressures. Wildlife populations of a variety of species have been declining in recent years in a phenomenon known as the Global Extinction Crisis. The risks this entails are a drop in biodiversity as well as decreased resource availability for people. Efforts to combat this trend include the protection of natural habitats, reduced pollution and the enactment of measures to restrict or eliminate overfishing and overhunting.

Blue Whale

Blue Whale Tail Deep Dive. Seabass London. CC by 2.0.

The blue whale, or Balaenoptera musculus, is the largest creature on Earth and a symbol of oceanic grandeur.  Despite their colossal size, blue whales are surprisingly vulnerable due to various human-induced factors. Collisions with large vessels and entanglement in fishing gear pose grave risks to their survival. Furthermore, the pervasive issue of climate change has disrupted the availability of their primary prey, krill, as warming oceans alter the distribution of these tiny crustaceans. Efforts such as establishing marine protected areas, restricting boat speed and advocating for sustainable fishing practices are crucial steps to safeguard the future of blue whales.

Black Rhino

Black Rhino in the Savannah. Chris Clark. CC0.

The black rhinoceros, alternately diceros bicornis in scientific Latin, resides in climatically warm eastern and southern Africa in countries like Kenya and Zambia. They are the smaller of the two main African rhino species, the other being the white rhino, but just as threatened. Overall, the species is listed as “critically endangered”, but three subspecies of the rhinoceros, including the western and southern black rhino, have already been declared extinct. By the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) approximation, there are just under 6,500 black rhinos in Africa, a number currently increasing due to conservation efforts.. Despite this, they are threatened by habitat reduction and poaching, the animals long being prized for their famous horns.  Between 1960 and 1995, the population suffered severe reduction in its numbers and survival rates because of this brutal practice.  Conservation efforts, such as anti-poaching laws, community measures and habitat awareness are critical to preventing the complete disappearance of the black rhino from our planet.

Yangtze Finless Porpoise

Finless Porpoises Swimming. Foooomio. CC by 2.0.

The Yangtze Finless Porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis) inhabits the Yangtze River in China, and is the only living freshwater porpoise in the world. Members of this species are sleek and snoutless, with no fin on their dorsal ridge, the latter giving them their name. These aquatic creatures have adapted to the turbulent and often complex environment of the river, but they are still struggling;  They are primarily threatened by overfishing, pollution, dam construction along the Yangtze and accidental entanglement in fishing nets and equipment. This reduces the population very quickly, so much that there are only between 1,000 and 1,500 viable cetaceans remaining currently. In order to combat the increasing annual decline, China has established finless porpoises as “first level protected species,” the highest level of protection the country offers.

Sumatran Elephant

Sumatran elephant in Tesso Nilo National Park, Indonesia. NonprofitOrgs. CC by 2.0.

The Sumatran Elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) is one of three subspecies of Asian elephants, native to the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. They have a smaller build than an African elephant and sometimes possess a curved back. The unfortunate fact about their population in the wild is that it has declined by four fifths 80% in the past three elephant generations. This is due to the illegal poaching for their ivory and their body parts, which further compounds the threats faced by the Sumatran elephant. Also because of deforestation and logging, a large portion of the forest in which they live is too small to contain a significant population. Because of the fragmentation of their habitats, the elephants stray into agricultural areas in search of food, which worsens elephant and human contact.  Due to these factors, there are an estimated 2,800 elephants residing on all of Sumatra.  Collaborative initiatives pertaining to reforestation and involving both the government and communities would be the best course of action in preserving the Sumatran elephant.

Hawksbill Turtle

Hawksbill Sea Turtle at Carey de Concha. USFWS/Southeast. CC0.

The Hawksbill Turtle, or Eretmochelys imbricata, is mainly found in subtropical/tropical areas of the ocean. It is distinguished by its flatter body shape and beakish sharp mouth. Hawksbill turtles play a huge role in maintaining the health of coral reef systems by controlling sponge populations.  Like many iconic creatures, hunting represents the biggest encroachment on the reptile's livelihood, with poachers targeting the turtles for their eggs, skin and shells. Their beautifully patterned shells fetch an unfortunately high price on theblack market.  In the last 30 years, turtle populations have declined by 80% because of other causes like climate change, plastic pollution, rising sea levels, and accidental capture in fishing gear.  Because of these significant factors, there are possibly only 57,000 Hawksbill turtles left.

So how can we help? People can support conservation organizations by volunteering their time to the protection of endangered species. Your involvement or donations can help fund critical conservation projects. People can practice responsible tourism, choosing eco-friendly and ethical wildlife tourism options that do not harm natural habitats. Thirdly, you can advocate for and support initiatives that intend to restore habitats for endangered species, such as reforestation efforts and marine-protected areas. Finally, we can work to make pollution less of a concern by recycling and supporting clean energy to mitigate climate change.

TO GET INVOLVED

Find out more about the World Wildlife Fund, which works to eliminate the worst effects on animals remaining in the world and protect diverse species.

Discover SeeTurtleOrg’s mission, which includes volunteering trips and organizations that dedicate their resources to saving marine life, specifically sea turtles.

Find out about the Defenders of Wildlife, which works to prevent animals and their habitats from becoming vulnerable or imperiled, as well as aims to protect the health of susceptible species.

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Riley Baker

Riley Baker is a first-year student at James Madison University majoring in Writing, Rhetoric, and Technical Communication.  She enjoys elements of storytelling and creative writing and likes listening to music. In addition, she is interested in journalistic-style writing and editing and intends to focus on writing articles about lesser-known travel locations and impactful world topics.