Since its genesis in 1991, the internet has become the world’s largest marketplace. Trillions of dollars a day are spent on everything from tea kettles to cars. Unfortunately, just as every other black market has found its place online, so too has the illegal animal trade. From niche pets like…
Caving in Sinkholes and their Formation
Florida is famous for sunshine and beaches, hurricanes, and alligators. However, it is also known for something less attractive: sinkholes. A sinkhole is a depression or hole in the ground caused by the natural collapse of a surface layer. According to Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, Florida has more sinkholes…
Not a Drop to Drink: “Day Zero” and the Cape Town Water Crisis
“Day Zero” is coming to Cape Town--the day when the city will be forced to turn off taps to private homes, and residents will line up in the morning to receive water rations. This is the day that Cape Town runs out of water. For a city of 3.78 million…
Green Infrastructure in Gotham City
In large urban areas like New York City, where most streets, sidewalks and rooftops are made up of impervious surfaces, stormwater runoff can cause huge problems. Past incidents including flooded subway and tunnels during Hurricane Sandy and water pollution in Hudson River raised awarenesses of rainfall runoff in the City.…
Fun Under the Sun: Sun Protection and Its Issues
"Summer afternoon, summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language." -Henry James Sun protection is a popular subject as the warmer weather approaches and sun protection brands broadcast the need to apply sunblock to protect against harmful rays. UV Rays, ultraviolet…
Closing the Gap Between the Environmental and Animal Rights Movements
“There is no such thing as a single-issue struggle because we do not live single-issue lives.” -Audre Lorde Many people tend to group environmentalists and animal rights activists together but unfortunately, the two sides often fall against each other due to slight nuances in their positions. Both movements may have…
The Urban Farmer
“If there was only one tree like that in the world, you would think it was beautiful. But because there are so many, you just can't see how beautiful it really is.” -Betty Smith, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn A large city can be a world filled with tall buildings…
Down By the Sea
"Some beach somewhere, there's a big umbrella casting shade over an empty chair. Palm trees are growing, warm breezes blowing. I picture myself there, some beach somewhere." -Anonymous The breezy salty air of the beach allows for refuge and relaxation from the outside world of our lives. It seems to…
The Tourism Dilemma
“One’s destination is never a place, but always a new way of seeing things.” - Henry Miller Eco-tourism is defined by the World Conservation Union as “Environmentally responsible travel to natural areas, in order to enjoy and appreciate nature that promotes conservation, have a low visitor impact and provide for…
Born to Be Wild: A Life in Captivity
What's the reality of being inside a zoo, for the animals and for the people who love and care for those animals? There's a lot of joy, and there's a lot of loss. -Thomas French Passionate debates between animal activists and zoo-lovers are constantly occurring on the argument if…