Here are four very serious problems with natural gas: (1) drilling & fracking cause major emissions that harm the health of people and animals within a mile or so of the site; (2) indoor uses of natural gas (including in gas stoves) produce nitrous oxides that endanger people's health; (3) fracking wastewater is toxic and often highly radioactive; and (4) natural gas is a … [Read more...] about What’s so bad about natural gas?
Health
Making Lithium Batteries
EV and their batteries don't only create huge environmental, health, and environmental justice problems in the mining process— they also create problems in the factories that make the batteries. This story describe harmful working conditions in the Ultium Cells plant in Ohio, but the same problems are found in other plants as well. Like other 'clean energy' plants, they have … [Read more...] about Making Lithium Batteries
Week Nine: The Final Countdown
I can't believe we're already in week nine of the "Rethinking the Food System" project. Looking at all of the material, research, and effort we put into this project is rewarding and honestly changed my perspective on sustainability. Coming into the project, I was worried about not being able to keep up with the science/environmental aspect of the project, since I'm an English … [Read more...] about Week Nine: The Final Countdown
Week Eight: Wrapping Things Up
With our presentation being only about two weeks away, we spent the last week brainstorming how to deliver our information. This project has revealed many complexities involving the food system, and we want to share our work in a way that everyone can engage with. How can we share this information so that all types of individuals are interested, even people who don't prioritize … [Read more...] about Week Eight: Wrapping Things Up
Week Six: All About Revision
Now that we're a little over halfway through the "Rethinking the Food System" project, our goals are becoming clearer. This week, we dedicated most of our time to revision. Being an English major, I think revision is the most difficult step in the writing process. Although our project is not formally a writing project, the same mindset applies to its multifaceted revision. With … [Read more...] about Week Six: All About Revision
Week Five: Halfway There!
Now that we're at the halfway point of our project, we can see the end product(s) coming into view. Although our meetings are decreasing each week, we still met with three people this past week. On Monday, we met with Dr. Nishika Vidanage-Lulejian, a public health professor at Cedar Crest College. She also works for the CDC. As expected, Dr. Vidanage-Lulejian explained some … [Read more...] about Week Five: Halfway There!
Week Four: (Almost) Halfway There
As the "Rethinking the Food System" project progresses, the trajectory of our outcomes become more apparent. This week, we focused heavily on revising our Wellness Policy Model that we plan to present to schools. The model outlines imperative actions surrounding food and waste reduction that we believe schools can improve on. Our goal is not to demand that schools completely … [Read more...] about Week Four: (Almost) Halfway There
Week Three: Rethinking the Food System, One Meeting at a Time
Now that we're in the third week of our "Rethinking the Food System" project, the focus of our work is coming into view. We're realizing that our biggest obstacle will be to encourage schools to change, but we hope to at least rock the boat with our sample wellness policy. Luckily, we had great meetings this week that gave us more than enough inspiration going forward. Our … [Read more...] about Week Three: Rethinking the Food System, One Meeting at a Time
Week Two: The Complexity in “Rethinking the Food System”
It's now our second week into the food project, and the information just keeps expanding. The amount of resources, people, organizations, readings, and opinions we have acquired this past week is exceptional. I think I speak for everyone on the project when I say that this week has been one big information dump in the best way. Here's a very brief re-cap of the amazing … [Read more...] about Week Two: The Complexity in “Rethinking the Food System”
“Rethinking the Food System” Introduction Week
We're a week into the "Rethinking the Food System" project, and the amount of information and meetings we have lined up is great. Food systems are vast, intersecting, complex, and difficult to revolutionize. For this project, the other interns, Peter, and I are focused on offering more sustainable options to restaurants, schools, and other organizations that would benefit from … [Read more...] about “Rethinking the Food System” Introduction Week