PEST Newsletter Volume 2

Issue 1

The PEST newsletter was founded during the 2017-18 school year, and our mission is to increase environmental awareness within the Peddie community by presenting an environmental problem each week and ways that you can make a difference.

As Peddie Falcons and the future leaders of tomorrow, we all have the obligation to be global citizens and part of that responsibility is understanding problems in the world around us.   

That being said, here is the volume 2 of the PEST Newsletter (now with a far more simplified format and the continued tradition of an “Enviro-meme). Enjoy!

Give a Tree a Hug

The problem:	Deforestation
What?!	The blue-green spinning marble that we share is approximately 30% forest, and, every year, large portions (18.7 million acres every year to be exact) of earth’s forests are destroyed and re-purposed …perhaps as chemistry textbooks.
Did you know?	18.7 million acres annually translates to about 27 soccer fields per minute.(https://www.worldwildlife.org/threats/deforestation)
3 things you can do:	Print double-sided Recycle all uncontaminated papers Use as little paper as possible (you have a laptop, try OneNote?)

Issue 2

Why the weather is so warm now during Blair Week…

The problem:	Climate change!
What?!	A change in the global climate patterns that leads to an increasing level of carbon dioxide being released (mainly by fossil fuels) into the atmosphere.
Did you know?	A report by the UN recently warned that we have about 12 years before climate change starts causing extreme droughts and floods around the world.
3 things you can do:	VOTE!!! (for our 18+) Think about your carbon footprint. (Carbon Footprint Calculator) Recycle, Compost, and all that good stuff 🙂

Issue 3

So…about those styrofoam cups…

The problem:	Styrofoam cups
What?!	Styrofoam is non-biodegradable and lasts forever! They are major pollutants of coastlines and waterways. By the way, they can be directly harmful to humans too.
Did you know?	Styrene, which is a harmful key ingredient used in styrofoam cups, is found in about 40% of Americans (yes… inside)! The Environmental Working Group (EWG) says that it may be a human carcinogen, which means it has the potential to cause cancer.
3 things you can do:	Stop (or at least reduce) your own use of styrofoam cups! Think twice before grabbing one from the dining hall. Following that last point, get to the dining hall at least 5 minutes early, so that you don’t feel a need to use styrofoam cups Avoid products with styrofoam in general.

Issue 4

Rock beats scissors. Scissors beat paper. Paper beats plastic?

The problem:	Shopping with plastic bags
What?!	You know those plastic bags they give you at Target? Yeah, uh, they take up to 100 years to degrade. That’s a problem. By the way, most plastic bags are only used once…
Did you know?	“Less than a fifth of all plastic gets recycled globally. In the U.S. it’s less than 10 percent.” (nationalgeographic.com).
3 things you can do:	Bring your own reusable shopping bag to stores. https://www.amazon.com/reusable-grocery-bags/b?ie=UTF8&node=1252210011 Forgot your *reusable*  bag at home? Opt for paper bags instead of plastic… still bad, but still more easily recyclable (better)! At the bare minimum, put more things in one bag and use fewer bags next time you go shopping… it’s easy, come on.

Issue 5

Light Pollution

The problem:	Light Pollution
What?!	Light pollution is the excessive, misdirected or obtrusive use of harmful artificial lights (typically at night).
Did you know?	Light pollution kills millions of birds each year by disrupting their migratory patterns.
3 things you can do:	Start with the light switch: turn lights off when unnecessary (especially in dorm lounges!) Replace high energy light bulbs with energy-efficient LED ones Put motion sensors on outdoor lamps, it might save you money in the long term too

Issue 6

The problem:	The Albedo Effect
What?!	Albedo is the reflectivity of an object in space. On earth, the albedo effect plays a big role in climate change. As the earth warms due to greenhouse gas emissions, snow from polar ice caps, glaciers, etc. melt. However, as the snow melts, more of the earth is exposed to the bright rays of the sun. Because the earth is darker than the snow, the earth absorbs more of the sun’s heat further warming itself creating a self-reinforcing cycle. This has a negative impact because the previously snow-covered areas were naturally able to reflect the sun’s rays away from the earth because of its light color. To make matters worse, the melted snow may then go into the dark ocean which absorbs even more heat, further warming the earth. Think of this as people’s different hair colors underneath the sun. After being in the sun for long, dark brown hair is very hot because the dark color absorbs the light. On the contrary, light hair such as blond hair does not get as hot as dark hair does under the sun as the sun’s rays and reflected due to the light color. (Too Long Didn’t Read: as soon as a little snow melts and exposes what’s underneath, the melting propagates more and more melting.)
Did you know?	“The albedo of the Earth is 0.367…A perfectly reflective surface would get an albedo score of 1, while a completely dark object would have an albedo of 0.” (Universe Today) “Sea ice, for example, with an albedo of between 0.5 and 0.7, absorbs only 30 to 50 percent of incoming sunlight. Should ice compose the entire planet, the Earth would shiver at -62 degrees F. Deserts have an albedo between 0.37 and 0.49. If the Earth were all desert, the temperature would rise to 13 degrees Celsius.” (Pacific Standard)
3 things you can do:	Reduce your carbon/ecological footprint. You can check your current carbon footprint using http://www.footprintcalculator.org/signup Advocate for policy combating climate change. Donate money to organizations such as NASA to continue research into harmful environmental processes

Issue 7

The problem:	The 2004 Taylor Oil Spill
What?!	The collapsed Taylor oil rig has spilled nearly 1.5 Olympic swimming pools worth of oil every month since it collapsed in 2004. In total, this is 153,000,000 gallons.
Did you know?	The leak is predicted to continue into the 2100s if drastic actions aren’t taken to plug the 14 leaking wells.
3 things you can do:	Donate to conservation organizations such as the Louisiana Environmental Action Network, who discovered the spill Call your senators and local representatives to increase corporate transparency and outlaw oil infrastructure in your local waterways Protest the deregulation of the oil industry

Issue 8

It’s not just rhino horns.

The problem:	Illegal Wildlife Trade
What?!	The illegal wildlife trade encompasses all illicit trading of animal parts or specimens.  The business is fueled by the demand for exotic pets, along with jewelry and “medicine” made from animal parts. Illegal trading is the root cause of many declining wildlife populations.
Did you know?	With more than 100 million pangolins traded within the last decade, these scaly anteaters are among the species most impacted by the illegal wildlife trade. (EIA-International.org)
3 things you can do:	Determine the source of jewelry and exotic medicines before purchasing Don’t buy exotic, uncommon pets Spread awareness of the illegal wildlife trade

Issue 9

Methane, “the stuff released when you pass gas”

The problem:	Methane
What?!	Methane is a colorless, odorless flammable gas that is a major contributor to global warming. In the past, scientists underestimated its effects. Recent scientific research, however, has uncovered the long-ignored, devastating effects of excess methane emission.
Did you know?	“The negative effect of methane on the climate is 23 times higher than the effect of CO2” (Timeforchange.org)
3 things you can do:	Be conscious of beef’s environmental impact. Cows are major contributors to global methane emissions! An alternative for meat-lovers would be chicken. Reduce the amount of trash you create (rotting rubbish in landfills releases methane as well). Pressure your representatives to vote for laws which reduce the amount of land reserved for livestock and the number of crops allocated to them. (We feed a high proportion of our total crops to livestock when 41 million people live in food-insecure households!)

Issue 10

Small Trash Islands…

The problem:	Trash in the Ocean
What?!	Trash that ends up in the ocean can eventually end up the size of small islands which is an immediate problem for marine life.
Did you know?	Every minute, around one truckload of plastic is dumped into the ocean, and currently, there are 1.4 billion pounds of trash in the sea.
3 things you can do:	Recycle when you can and use the proper bins for disposal. Clean up after yourself. Pick up trash that’s lying around outside (you don’t need to clean the entire back fields… just pick up that wrapper that’s in front of you.)

Issue 11

Yes, sounds can be pollutants.

The problem:	Noise Pollution
What?!	“Noise pollution” is generally defined as regular exposure to elevated sound levels that may lead to adverse effects in humans and marine, land, and flying animal species.
Did you know?	The CDC found that mining was the industry with the loudest work environment.
3 things you can do:	Invest in a nice pair of headphones Be conscious of your surroundings when you’re about to blast music or make loud sounds (forests are not good places to go all out on your JBL boombox) Write to your representatives about supporting noise regulation policies

Issue 12

Re-cyclops will have his revenge (for you “The Office” aficionados)

The problem:	Recycling
What?!	Many people don’t pay attention to what can or cannot be recycled. Always be aware of what you’re throwing into the trash. Pro Tip (IMPORTANT): a single piece of trash/contamination in a recycling bin ruins the entire bin … if you don’t know 100% know if something is recyclable, throw it away!
Did you know?	“Recycling can prevent the waste of potentially useful materials and reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials, thereby reducing: energy usage, air pollution (from incineration), and water pollution (from landfilling).” (Wikipedia.org)
3 things you can do:	Know your recyclable materials. Easy guide to recycling Pay attention to what you put in your trash. RECYCLE!

Issue 13

Dear Peddie, thank you all so much for your support and effort in the implementation of composting (only 4 days ago). The time that each of you took to make sure you were using the compost bins correctly is a testament to the thoughtful, caring community that we have here. -PEST

So… composting, am I right?

The problem:	WASTED FOOD
What?!	Just like not recycling plastic, wasting food harms the Earth in similar ways.Producing, packaging, shipping and disposing of food all take a toll on the Earth. And rather than ending up in the mouths of the hungry (1 of whom DIES every SECOND), wasted food just ends up in landfills.
Did you know?	“Annually, the United States adds 35 million tons of food waste to landfills.”  The US ranks NUMBER ONE  in the world for WASTEFULNESS.In fact,  the amount of food wasted by the richest countries EQUALS  the food production of sub-Saharan Africa.
3 things you can do:	Make sure that you are composting correctly. It’s easy: FOOD + NAPKINS in the compost bins! Think carefully about portion sizes before you get food from the dining hall or purchase food. Oftentimes, we grab more than we can actually stomach when we are hungry. Be creative with leftovers when you cook at home! https://ivaluefood.com/resources/cooking-eating/creative-ways-to-use-leftovers/

Issue 14

Humankind, the Giant Asteroid

The problem:	Loss of biodiversity
What?!	“Biodiversity” = the diversity of the various organisms that make up an ecosystem. When the biodiversity of an ecosystem goes down, the ecosystem is more vulnerable to stressors such as disease and further extinction, which puts our food sources and resources at risk.
Did you know?	“Extinction data revealed a rate of 100 to 1,000 species lost per million per year, mostly due to human-caused habitat destruction and climate change.” (National Geographic) Some scientists say we’re in the middle of the sixth mass extinction, and it’s caused by humans.
3 things you can do:	Help clean up beaches or parks Keep an eye on your house pets! (Cats are considered an invasive species, and kill 4.4 million songbirds a day in the US alone.– American Museum of Natural History) Help pollinators like bees by planting wildflowers in your backyards

Issue 15

The problem:	“HABs”(Harmful Algal Blooms)
What?!	Excess nutrients such as phosphates and nitrates can cause a growth of algae and cyanobacteria which turns into algal blooms. This alga then gets decomposed by populations of oxygen-consuming bacteria that deplete the dissolved oxygen in the water, creating a dead zone in which fish and aquatic animals cannot survive because there is a lack of oxygen.
Did you know?	“Some types [of algal blooms] are toxic to humans, while others are not. Red tide is a variety of bloom that is toxic to humans.” (World of Phenomena)
2 things you can do:	DO NOT over-fertilize your land and only use the recommended amount. Many algal blooms are caused by runoff commercial fertilizers used by humans. If your house runs on a septic system, make sure that it is well-maintained and does not leak into nearby water sources as wastewater contains a wealth of food for potential algae growth.

Issue 16

An elephant analogy for how much plastic we make and waste

The problem:	Single-use plastics
What?!	We need to reduce our use of them! (It’s a total waste…)
Did you know?	About 170 million metric tons of single-use plastic is produced annually (Earthday.org) For reference, a single metric ton = roughly an elephant’s weight (2000ish lbs)… Now, imagine 1 elephant (pretty big, don’t you think?) Now, imagine 10 elephants (looks like a lot right, more than plenty of zoos have?)Now, imagine 100 elephants (pretty tough, you wouldn’t be able to see them in the same frame)Now, imagine 1,000 elephants (if it took you 1sec to name every elephant, you would need at least 16min30sec… Peddie Cross Country will have guys that run full 5K’s in that time next year) Now, you have another 1000 elephants for every 1 elephant you just had… Now, you have another 170 elephants for every 1 elephant you just had… “170,000,000 elephants” is looking like a lot of elephants, isn’t it?
*Many* things you can do:	carry a reusable bag use plastic-free containers pack a travel kit buy in bulk buy used items recycle “good” plastics wear natural clothes

Issue 17

Earth Day (special edition)*

***Get ready to celebrate Earth Week at Peddie starting Thursday, April 25!***

The problem:	Earth Day falls on the final day of long weekend: today!
What?!	On April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans took to the streets in protest, believing in the need for a sustainable future. The first 1970 Earth Day united Democrats and Republicans, rich and poor, tycoons and workers, and city-dwellers and farmers. At the end of that year, the US Environmental Protection Agency was created, and the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts were passed.
Did you know?	Earth is… our only home, a place we all share our caretaker, who grants us space to run and play our guardian, who provides us with food and water. our lover, who cares despite how much we damage her. a being that has its own needs too.
3 things you can do:	Tell a family members, neighbor, or friend: “Happy Earth Day” Live consciously and remember why we celebrate today by tuning into the “24 Hours of Sustainability”** documentary/live stream. Sign up for Earth Week activities!!!

Issue 18

Plastic. Water. Bottles.

The problem:	Non-reusable plastic water bottles
What?!	Plastic water bottles take hundreds, even thousands of years to decompose, and only about 1 in 5 of them are recycled! They are very harmful to the environment.
Did you know?	Bottled water is 1000+ times more expensive than tap water! Plus, most tap water is more heavily tested and regulated than bottled water! According to the NRDC (natural resources defense council), in 1000 brands of bottled water one-third of them do not meet their own industry standards for water quality. Plastic single-use water bottles are banned at Peddie, but you will likely see many of them when you’re off campus.
3 things you can do:	Use a reusable water bottle (and encourage your family to as well)!!! While on campus, make use of the filtered water fountains throughout campus (they are amazing). While off campus, if you really need to buy water from the store, consider buying a large water jug instead (same water, less plastic)!

Issue 19

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

The problem:	Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC)
What?!	These compounds make holes in the ozone layer.
Did you know?	CFCs were banned in the US in 1978 from being used in aerosol propellants. But they are still used in refrigerants. The US is trying to phase out their use completely but the public needs to help too.
3 things you can do:	Buy air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment that do not use HCFCs as refrigerant Conduct regular inspection and maintenance of air-conditioning and refrigeration appliances to prevent and minimize refrigerant leakage. Understand what CFCs are (and their harms)  and be a mindful consumer when shopping for products that could contain them.

Issue 20

Carbon Footprint

Calculate yours: https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/consider-your-impact/carbon-calculator/

The problem:	Unnecessary consumption of fossil fuel adds harmful CO2 (greenhouse) gas to the atmosphere
What?!	Carbon footprint = the amount of fossil fuel being used and/or the amount of CO2 being produced by a particular entity/person/place/etc.
Did you know?	“The average annual carbon dioxide emissions per person (in the U.S.), they found, was 20 metric tons, compared to a world average of four tons.” https://www.sciencedaily.com
3 things you can do:	Turn off the light when you leave your room in the morning. Unplug your devices when possible. Turn off the lounge lights if you are up late, or are the last ones in there.

Issue 21

Loss of Biodiversity (the repeating newsletter topic)

The problem:	Human-induced habitat/ecosystem destruction
What?!	In order to rescue biodiversity from what appears to be the sixth of the mass extinctions that result from human-based activities, humankind can’t just love nature. It needs to love animal species too.
Did you know?	Greater biodiversity in ecosystems, species, and individuals leads to a more sustainable and balanced human existence.
3 things you can do:	Get involved in cleaning up our home. Earth is the only home we have! Get connected with nature and wildlife (explore the outdoor and observe what’s around you). Refrain from using plastic-based products and take a more proactive approach in preserving the environment by using reusables.

Thank you so much if you got this far.

The first step to truly caring about the environment is being aware that the status quo is full of problems and on course for disaster.

Truly, education is the key to empowering a youth that must respond to the negative precedents and innaction of its predecessors in the wake of industrialization without sustainability as a priority.

As current adults race to combat and slow (and even restore) this degraded state, the youth must take charge as they approach their own careers as leaders, influencers, and educators while being conscious of these universal, paramount issues.

From education comes action.

If you are a student at Peddie, consider joining our “action” group by emailing us at pest@peddie.org.

Join PEST. We speak for the trees.

The 2018-19 Peddie Environmental Sustainability Team