Activism & Social Change – Ecosystemic Magazine

15Oct

By Mina HoltzmanNo Comments

Activism & Social Change

Quitobaquito Springs Under Threat

Writer: Gilly Lyons Environmental groups, researchers and members of the Indigenous O’odham tribe have raised concerns surrounding the significant construction near the desert oasis known as the Quitobaquito Springs. Impacts to the springs come as a result of the Trump administration’s push in recent years for the continuous construction of the wall lining the US-Mexico border. The springs, located in south-west Arizona within the Organ Pipe Cactus national monument, have been under attack for centuries. This space is traditional and sacred to the people of the O’odham tribe, as it is a site for trading, growing food and spiritual ceremonies, as well as home to a vast ecosystem.The springs are also home to a number of species, including the Sonoyta pupfish, small mollusks...

London Climate Activists Sentenced as Free Speech Debate Grows

24Mar

By Mina HoltzmanNo Comments

Activism & Social Change

London Climate Activists Sentenced as Free Speech Debate Grows

In London earlier this year, hundreds of protesters gathered outside the high court in solidarity with members of the “Just Stop Oil” advocacy group. Defendants were collectively given over forty-one years' worth of sentences for a series of nonviolent protests in support of stopping large oil companies. The sixteen environmental activists appeared in court to attempt to change their unduly harsh sentences. Their appearance in court attracted many supporters and celebrities who gathered in solidarity. Protesters and supporters have made a similar argument regarding the sixteen activists: nonviolent protests should never receive harsh punishments, let alone multiple years in jail. This was viewed as an attack on free speech and could prevent future climate activists from join...

Mission 300 Aims to Provide Clean Electricity to 300 Million in Central Africa

24Mar

By Stella StoneNo Comments

Activism & Social Change, Eco-STEM, Global News & Policy

Mission 300 Aims to Provide Clean Electricity to 300 Million in Central Africa

Mission 300, a UN-sanctioned bilateral initiative, will expand electricity access to more than 300 million African citizens over the next six years. This plan will combat rising electricity concerns on the continent. In late January, 30 African heads of state gathered in the Tanzanian capital, Dar es Salaam, to allocate $50 billion from the World Bank and African Development Bank to develop and implement renewable electricity. According to the World Bank, while this is only half of the continent's unelectrified population, it would bring power to five million people monthly. Husk Power Systems, an American company producing solar mini-grids, was unwilling to sell its electricity at the government's desired price and, therefore, pulled out of Tanzania recently after establishing ...

The Life and Legacy of George Washington Carver

10Apr

By May ChanNo Comments

Activism & Social Change, History

The Life and Legacy of George Washington Carver

Written by May Chan A young boy, born into the shackles of slavery, was destined to become a towering figure in American history. George Washington Carver's life reads like a tale of triumph against all odds. From the cotton fields of Missouri to the halls of universities, Carver's life is a rollercoaster ride of resilience, innovation, and fights against racial discrimination. From a young age, Carver’s intellectual curiosity was recognized by people around him and he was accepted into Highland College. However, when the college discovered he was Black, his admission was withdrawn. In disappointment, he found work with a family in Ness County in search of land to homestead. From 1886 to 1889, he homesteaded on a quarter section of land where he built a sod house and worked the land. He...

Hurricane Katrina: African-Americans Once Struck Down Fighting Back

24Mar

By Saanvi BapatNo Comments

Activism & Social Change

Hurricane Katrina: African-Americans Once Struck Down Fighting Back

Written by Saanvi Bapat 2025 will mark the 20th anniversary of a huge tragedy, Hurricane Katrina. In August of 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, causing widespread death, injury, and damage. But this tragedy also came with a huge racial component added. About one-half of those who were displaced came from New Orleans. New Orleans’ social and economic composition left the storm heavily impacting the poor and African American communities. In fact, 51% of those who died were Black, and the mortality rate among Black people was 1.7 to 4 times higher than that among white people for those 18 and older. In addition to this, initial reactions to the government’s response to the tragedy showed the divide between those of different racial backgrounds. Two-thirds of Af...

24Mar

By Saanvi BapatNo Comments

Activism & Social Change

On Climate Change & Wealth Inequality

Written by Saanvi Bapat Climate change is a problem that affects every single person all over the world. But in fact, those who are most affected are already suffering from socioeconomic inequalities. BIPOC communities, or those that are Black, Indigenous, or People of Color are disproportionately impacted by the effects of climate change, even though they have contributed very little to it. There is a large intersection between racial wealth inequality and the impact of climate change. The racial wealth gap highly prevalent in our world today stems from the lack of financial access for those of color due to systemic and structural racism, and as a result, these people have fewer resources to face climate change. Climate change means higher temperatures, leading to many for...

How the Effects of the Anthropocene will Create Climate Refugees

16Dec

By Maira ZaidiNo Comments

Activism & Social Change

How the Effects of the Anthropocene will Create Climate Refugees

Refugee displacement can commonly be attributed to causes including war, persecution, and natural disasters. In the rapidly changing Anthropocene, a new reason may join that list: climate change. More specifically, its catastrophic impacts can destroy communities, infrastructure and agricultural land, forcing people to flee their homes in search of safer environments. In some cases, entire regions may become unsuitable for safe human living, leading to mass migrations and the creation of climate refugees. Deadly natural disasters occur more frequently and strike harder as a result of climate change. In November 2020, two Category 4 hurricanes hit Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, displacing thousands. Several phenomena can lead to the creation of climate refugees, including agricultura...

Indigenous Communities Advocate for Mitzy Cortes and Her Fight for Climate Solutions

16Dec

By Angela DingNo Comments

Activism & Social Change, Notes From the Editors

Indigenous Communities Advocate for Mitzy Cortes and Her Fight for Climate Solutions

Who deserves to be in the center of climate conversations? Who is the most qualified to spearhead solutions to the climate crisis? To Mitzy Cortés, the answer is obvious. Indigenous peoples disproportionately experience climate impacts and are the only ones that have the thorough knowledge of local environments, and their protection of the land will restore the climate. Mitzy Cortés is a young environmental activist from San Sebastián Tecomaxtlahuaca and part of the indigenous Mixtec people of Mexico. As an inherent part of her culture, she was raised to love the living world around her and center her lifestyle around environmental awareness. However, while sustainability was a value she personally upheld, she realized the rest of the world became severely misaligned with protecting the en...

Developing Countries in Global South Bear the Brunt of Climate Change Effects

16Dec

By Stella StoneNo Comments

Activism & Social Change

Developing Countries in Global South Bear the Brunt of Climate Change Effects

Heat waves. Flooding. Crop failures. Drought. These are worldwide issues in the Anthropocene, but nowhere are their effects felt more than in developing countries in the Global South. Though these nations are nowhere near topping the list of climate polluters, they feel the effects more acutely. Some countries are warming much faster than others. For example, South Sudan’s temperatures are increasing at two and a half times the global average. Currently, 1% of the world is unlivable due to high temperatures. By 2050, that number is projected to rise to 19%. Most of this area is below the equator, predominantly in northern South America and western Africa. This increase in temperature and natural disasters leads to multitudes of harmful effects that already peripheralized countries...

20Jun

By Sofia CalderonNo Comments

Activism & Social Change

Why Volunteering Matters

Image courtesy of Hannah BusingBy Sofia Calderon “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead At the beginning of my freshman year, I joined my school’s biggest club. With over 200 members, our club had its eyes set on supporting our community in any way we could. Through a student-led board, leaders of the club reached out to other community organizations to find out when and where we could help. One of my very first events was the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. At a local park, we helped to pass out water and T-shirts and inform visitors of the event. The summative activity was a walk on a two-mile pond loop. My friends and I walked, talked, and laughed about the past few hours an...