Wednesday, April 9Maximizing our Collective Impact

Eco-STEM

How Climate Change is Disrupting Crucial Tree-Fungi Partnerships
24Mar By Juliana KatzensteinNo Comments
Eco-STEM

How Climate Change is Disrupting Crucial Tree-Fungi Partnerships

One of the most critical interactions in the natural world is one that is unseen, as it takes place underground. Trees rely on ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) to provide the nutrients they need in order to survive in exchange for carbon, a relationship that is crucial for their survival. According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, more than a third of the world’s tree species are currently at risk of extinction. In fact, they account for more than a quarter of all species on the Red List. This rapid extinction is caused by climate change. The shift in climate is causing  species to relocate to different regions as their original homes become uninhabitable for them. However, scientists have noticed a lag in migration in tree species. The reason has to do with the partner of the t...
Read More
“Drill, baby, drill”: The Republican Party’s Love Affair with Big Oil
24Mar By Kai SchropferNo Comments
Eco-STEM, Global News & Policy

“Drill, baby, drill”: The Republican Party’s Love Affair with Big Oil

Illustration / Courtney Jones; Alex Brandon and Carlos Osorio, Associated Press; and Adobe Stock “Drill, baby, drill” was the tagline phrase that defined Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, promising to cut inflation and reduce America's dependence on Middle Eastern oil by increasing oil drilling and production. Although the phrase rose to fame during the fall of 2024, chanted by Trump at numerous rallies and other political events, the term was actually coined by Republican Michael Steele, a vocal critic of Trump-era policies. Steele used the term to rally Americans through the 2008 Economic Crisis and high Middle Eastern oil prices, with the goal of separating the American economy from conflict in and with the Middle East.  In its beginnings, “drill, baby, drill” was motivat...
Read More
Invasive Species: A Different Perspective
16Dec By Kai SchropferNo Comments
Eco-STEM

Invasive Species: A Different Perspective

As the world becomes increasingly globalized, with international and transoceanic travel at our fingertips, a new challenge presents itself. Many creatures have become unwanted passengers stealing a ride on boats, planes, trains, and automobiles. Invasive species are becoming more prominent as the world becomes more connected. There are over 6,500 invasive species in the United States alone, accounting for almost 4% of all species in the country (BIA). The common narrative is that invasive species are a detriment to ecosystems, and that a single organism that is out of place has the potential to destroy a whole region. This view is upheld by many invasive species, such as the Asian Long-Horned Beetle, which has already destroyed millions of evergreen trees on the West Coast, or the Burmese...
Read More
How Plastic Dissolves Into Ocean and Animal Systems
26Aug By Saanvi BapatNo Comments
Eco-STEM

How Plastic Dissolves Into Ocean and Animal Systems

Image by FLY Written by Saanvi Bapat Going to the beach to spend a relaxing day in the warm sand while gazing upon the vibrant blue ocean is something that many people look forward to. But below the surface, a disaster is slowly unfolding. Strolling along the shore and munching on snacks like chips, pretzels, and those mouthwatering sandwiches you packed in Ziploc bags may seem like a completely innocent act; however, if you forget to pick up one small runaway Ziploc or chip bag, it can contribute to a global crisis. There are about 75 to 199 million tons of plastic in our beloved oceans. All this plastic ends up here mainly because of three reasons: the lack of recycling, littering, and putting plastic products into toilets or washing machines. Of the total annual 260 m...
Read More
How Genetic Engineering in Microbiology Can Create Climate Change Solutions
26Aug By Annika LinnetNo Comments
Eco-STEM

How Genetic Engineering in Microbiology Can Create Climate Change Solutions

Image by CDC Written by Annika Linnet Normally when people hear the word “genetics'', they think of gene therapy or oncology. Genetic engineering is usually associated with the medical field but has several uses. A growing prospect in genetics is its use in agriculture and microbiology. GMOs, or genetically modified organisms, are a great example of genetic engineering in agriculture. Often misperceived as toxic, GMOs are actually just fruit and vegetable seeds that are slightly altered to thrive in different environments, creating more food for more people. One concern when it comes to GMOs is the risk that comes with monocultures, or crops with limited genetic diversity that can eventually become more susceptible to extinction and cause habitat loss. While concerns such as thes...
Read More
A Conversation With George Thatos
20Jun By Ariana ThorntonNo Comments
Eco-STEM, Interviews

A Conversation With George Thatos

Transcribed by Ariana Thornton George Thatos is the co-founder and head of design at Coastal Technologies Corp (https://coastalprotectiontechnologies.com), a startup whose mission is to deliver the most cutting-edge, effective technology to give humanity a fighting chance in the face of a rising climate crisis. Ecosystemic's Editor-in-Chiefs Ariana Thornton and Anais Joubert chatted with George Thatos about his interest in sustainable technology, CTC's philosophy, and the company's latest projects. What originally inspired you to create Coastal Technologies Corp., and did you have a passion for the coast growing up? I've been very interested in the environment for my whole life. I've always been someone who watched YouTube videos of animals, and I've always been really into hikin...
Read More
A Look At Fast Fashion Vs. Slow Fashion
20Jun By Saanvi BapatNo Comments
Eco-STEM

A Look At Fast Fashion Vs. Slow Fashion

Image courtesy of Rio LecatompessyBy Saanvi Bapat How many times have you gone to the mall and walked into famous stores, such as Forever 21, H&M, Zara, or Gap? How many of you are wearing clothes from those stores right now while reading this? I, for one, am typing this in a hoodie from H&M and pants from Forever 21. Buying from these stores means trendy clothes at little cost to your wallet but a rarely considered yet enormous cost to the environment. This is called fast fashion. Let’s look at another option. Think about your local small business boutiques and shops that might be family-owned or your neighbor’s start-up that was built from scratch. Buying from here is generally more expensive and you may have to pre-order that hoodie you want in your size two weeks in...
Read More
GreenWave’s Regenerative Ocean Farming: Building Coastal Resilience
20Jun By Amelia PNo Comments
Eco-STEM

GreenWave’s Regenerative Ocean Farming: Building Coastal Resilience

By Amelia Petty A fisherman, Bren Smith, realized amidst his long hours at sea fishing off the coast of Newfoundland for a depleting population of hunted wildlife that the ocean’s potential as a food and energy source is far greater than we have been utilizing. After experiencing the hardships of the Newfoundland cod stock crash, and an eye-opening view into the unsustainable practices at a salmon aquaculture farm in Northern Canada, Smith understood that a new approach needed to be taken in the way that the world utilizes and feeds from the ocean. Years later, Smith moved to the Long Island Sound, where he started fishing and farming various shellfish and seaweed simultaneously. What he learned was that this mode of polyculture farming required no external “inputs” of food, fertiliz...
Read More
Planetwalker: How the Actions of One Can Make a Difference
11Mar By Amelia PNo Comments
Eco-STEM

Planetwalker: How the Actions of One Can Make a Difference

By Amelia Petty To help the earth, people are told to pick up trash, ride the bus to school, and recycle plastic bags. Environmentalists spread the message of the power of individual contribution to the large issue of climate change and environmental destruction. Though, despite this narrative, people sometimes doubt the true impact of one person’s actions. They worry that picking up one piece of trash, or recycling a container will not stop the enormity of the climate crisis. However, this has been proven wrong by the actions of Dr. John Francis, also known as the Planetwalker. He is proof of the impact of just one person committing to this lifestyle makes a difference. He made it his mission to help the environment through sustainable living. Francis refused motorized transportation a...
Read More