Eco-STEM – Ecosystemic Magazine

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 Bu...

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 ...

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...

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 hiki...

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 i...

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, fertili...

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 tra...

Climate Change Is Here, If Hurricane Ian Is Any Indication

10Nov

By Anya VedantambeNo Comments

Eco-STEM

Climate Change Is Here, If Hurricane Ian Is Any Indication

By Anya Vedantambe Beginning on September 23, 2022, Tropical Storm Ian swept through the Caribbean, devastating the Southeastern Coast of the United States. Claiming over 110 lives, this was the deadliest storm in Florida since 1935 (AccuWeather, 2022). The damage caused by Hurricane Ian can lead to insight into some of the effects that climate change will have on our planet. But isn’t climate change supposed to be something well off into the future? We can see now how rising sea levels, extreme weather, and uncontrollable flooding are not just intangible instances existing far off into the 21st century and beyond. If Hurricane Ian is any indication, the effects of climate change are already here. News outlets began to release stories coming from Florida ranging from firefight...

8Nov

By May ChanNo Comments

Eco-STEM

Mangroves Combat Climate Change

By May Chan In Hong Kong, there is a coastal wildlife reserve full of trees with dense tangles of prop roots; the roots make trees appear to be standing on stilts above water. Those odd-looking trees are called mangrove trees. According to the National Ocean Service, mangrove trees: “only grow in areas with low-oxygen soil of tropical or subtropical latitudes near the equator,” and where slow-moving waters allow fine sediments to collect. Their location makes them adept for protecting coasts from erosion and acting as a haven for living creatures, such as cormorants, snails, and insects. Moreover, a recent study found that mangrove trees are capable of absorbing significant amounts of carbon, which plays a large role in regulating the Earth's climate. Source: May Chan (A view ...

Abortion and Environmental Issues are Healthcare Issues

22May

By Anya VedantambeNo Comments

Eco-STEM, Global News & Policy

Abortion and Environmental Issues are Healthcare Issues

By Anya Vedantambe When I, as a middle schooler who was living through a politically turbulent time in early 2020, heard rumors of a disease sweeping across the globe, I experienced mixed emotions. It was a disease and could of course shatter the lives of many–– but a tiny part of me was slightly grateful that the whole world would experience something, something that could draw us closer and possibly bridge political divides. 2020 me believed that disease and health issues could be the one thing that could bring the world together, because no one wanted to be sick. What happened over the course of the next two years shocked me. Mitigation strategies for the pandemic somehow became just as politicized as many of the other issues on which there were large partisan divides. Even now, in...