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Climate Change

What is climate change?

One effect of climate change is the rise in temperatures. As a result, the hot summer days you’ve been experiencing are gradually becoming hotter. Up close, this change seems small but the effects are drastic to our Earth. So, let’s cut all those emissions that log up our atmosphere! These emissions include carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. We can’t literally cut it, but us humans can certainly help decrease it! It’s important to know what climate change is because I doubt that anyone wants to have their ice cream melt faster!

Climate vs. Weather

​Weather

  • Weather is the changes we see outside day to day.

  • Weather can change in a span of a few hours

  • Relates to: “heat or cold, wetness or dryness, calm or storm, clearness or cloudiness” (Merriam-Webster)

​

Climate

  • The average weather of a region

  • Change occurs over hundreds or millions of years

  • Relates to: temperature, precipitation and wind velocity

Earth’s temperature has gone up by about 1°F in the last century (keep in mind, change in climate normally occurs over hundreds or millions of years). As a result, ocean levels are rising, timing of when plants grow change, and ice caps are melting.

SOURCES

  • “What is Climate Change” (NASA Climate Kids)

  • “What is Climate Change?” (NASA)

  • “Greenhouse Gas Emissions” (EPA.Gov)“Climate” (Merriam-Webster)“Weather” (Merriam-Webster)

climate change

Humans and Climate Change

Fossil Fuels

  • Since 1998- Just 100 fossil fuel extraction companies released 71% carbon emissions into the atmosphere

  • Exxon and the oil industry were aware of the climate dangers in 1970s with their scientists in the American Petroleum Institute and In-House climate models

  • 1/3 of CEO's find that working with the government to be a priority

  • Across 86 countries, the 10% richest people used 20x more energy than the poorest 10% from flights, holidays, and long distance drives

  • Most importantly is to not place the blame on any one consumer but rather push for better policies to cut emissions

Fast Fashion

  • Polyester is non-biodegradable and made from fossil fuels - one wash load releases up to 700,000 micro plastic fibers and half a million ton pollute the sea

  • 2015 - The fast fashion industry produced 1/750 million tons of carbon emissions (Pulse of Fashion Report)

Waste and Trash

  • 2012 - Americans threw out 262 million tons of waste (Natural Climate Change Journal)

  • Methane Emissions- 25x more damaging than carbon dioxide per pound over a 100 year period

  • The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimated nearly 1/5 of methane emissions are from landfills

  • Almost 30% of all food is wasted

SOURCES

  • "How Your Trash is Contributing to Climate Change" - TIME

  • "The five: ways that fashion threatens the planet" - The Guardian

  • "Eating meat has 'dire' consequences for the planet says report" - National Geographic

  • "Are Meat Eaters Contributing to Climate Change?" - WebMD

  • "How business interacts with government: McKinsey Global Survey results" - McKinsey & Company

  • "Exxon: The Rad Not Taken" - Inside Climate News

  • "Who is really to blame for climate change?" - BBC Future

humans + climate change

NATURAL CAUSES OF CLIMATE CHANGE

What are some of the natural effects of climate change?

​

  • Ocean currents affect climate change as it poses as a conveyor belt to manage temperatures around the world. For example, the ocean currents carry warm water near the equator to the North/South Poles and vice versa.

  • The sun also affects global temperatures as when more exposure to the sun is caused, so will the average temperatures throughout the atmosphere. However, so far, the sun has not been causing drastic changes.

  • Climate change is also affected by the changes in pattern of the Earth’s orbit. For example, if the Earth’s tilt increases, then the winter will be more chilly and summer will be hotter and vice versa for when the Earth doesn’t tilt that much. This happens over a very long period of time and it is hard to quickly recognize that it’s happening.

  • One positive aspect of the natural effects of climate change include eruptions caused by volcanoes. This form of natural effect is very helpful to the atmosphere because when the gas from the eruption mixes with dust in the air, sulfate aerosols are created. Sulfate aerosols cause the atmosphere to help cool down and it makes up for the greenhouse gases created by the volcanos. This was proved after Mount Pinatubo erupted and caused the overall world temperature to decrease by 0.5% (Celsius).

  • Another natural cause of climate change is just from the globe’s natural form of a climate system. For instance, there is the cycle called El Niño–La Niña. This cycle causes various short-term effects on temperature globally. La Niña is what helps lessen the temperature while El Niño does the exact opposite.

  • Although some fires are needed by trees to survive, climate change is making the forests more susceptible to fires and making them more extreme.

Statistics

​​

  • Natural causes can definitely add up and become a cause for some of the reasons for changes in climate although, these natural causes do not create drastic changes in the atmospheric temperatures like it is now and in the past. Nevertheless, NASA states that, “In its Fifth Assessment Report, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a group of 1,300 independent scientific experts from countries all over the world under the auspices of the United Nations, concluded there's a more than 95 percent probability that human activities over the past 50 years have warmed our planet.”

SOURCES​

  • "How does the ocean affect climate and weather on land?" - NOAA

  • "Teacher Background: Natural Climate Change" - NOAA

  • "Global Climate Change: What You Need to Know" - NRDC

  • "The Causes of Climate Change" - NASA

natural causes

HOW A FIGHT FOR CLIMATE ACTION IS A FIGHT FOR RACIAL JUSTICE

What is "Redlining"?

​​

  • Redlining is a process by which the Home Owner’s Loan Coalition (HOLC), a federally funded program to help homeowners refinance their mortgages, used to establish whether certain neighborhoods would make promising investments or should be restricted for distributing mortgages. The HOLC color-coded neighborhoods beginning from 1934, red being considered as undesirable, yellow considered as risky because of the “threat of infiltration of foreign-born, negro, or lower grade populations,” blue was considered as somewhat desirable, and green was represented by “professionalism” in a primarily European American neighborhood.

  • Although the Fair Housing Act of 1968 outlawed racial discrimination in housing, the effects of redlining still persist. Redlined areas that have a primarily minority-filled population, are now disproportionately underdeveloped compared to Green areas (desirable areas that were predominantly white) and still primarily consist of minorities.

Racism in healthcare

​​

  • Underlying and unconscious racial biases, stereotypes, or pre-formed beliefs of Black Americans result in undertreatment and poor communication compared to their white counterparts. Lack of diversity training contributes to the continuation of medical racism.

  • A study by researchers at the University of Virginia found that, white medical students and residents who had at least one or more false beliefs about Black Americans (50% of those in the study), for example, blacks have less sensitive nerve endings than whites, “often rated black patients' pain as lower than that of white patients and made less appropriate recommendations about how they should be treated”. These false beliefs cause inadequate management of a patient’s pain.

  • A 2010 study from the University of Michigan Health found that black patients referred to a pain clinic were given approximately half the amount of medicine that a white person was provided with.

  • Dr. Lisa Cooper of the John Hopkins University School of Medicine noted that “doctors with racial biases tend to lecture black patients, speak more slowly to them and make their office visits longer”.

  • Poor communication leads to patients canceling follow up appointments due to feeling less trust towards the doctor. The quality of healthcare received by Black Americans causes disparities in the system.

  • This hurts the treatment of POC when they are affected by climate change.

SOURCES​

  • "The History of Redlining" - ThoughtCo

  • "Redlining's Legacy of Inequality: Low Homeownership Rates, Less Equity for Black Households" - Forbes

  • "Climate change is a racial justice problem" - The Washington Post

  • "To solve The Twin Problems of Racial Injustice and Climate Change, We Need to Stop Parachuting in 'Experts'" - Time

Climate change's effects on systemic racism

​​​

  • Research shows that neighborhoods that have been "redlined" have more pavement, fewer trees and higher average. temperatures. This combination can lead to deadly heat illness

  • Studies found that coastal communities down South of the US are at the greater risk from the effects of sea levels rising, and a large portion of people in those areas are African American.

  • A paper in the journal Science found that climate change poses economic harm in the US' poorest countries where many of the countries, the population consists of mostly POC.

  • POC in these poor countries that are most at risk from climate change have the fewest resources to cope with the effects due to the disparities caused from "redlining".

  • According to a study be the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, more than 30% of African America New Orleans residents didn't own cars when Hurricane Katrina (an effect of the climate changing) hit which made it near impossible to evacuate.

climate action + racial justice

GLOBAL WARMING

What is global warming?

​

  • Ocean currents affect climate change as it poses as a conveyor belt to manage temperatures around the world. For example, the ocean currents carry warm water near the equator to the North/South Poles and vice versa.

  • The sun also affects global temperatures as when more exposure to the sun is caused, so will the average temperatures throughout the atmosphere. However, so far, the sun has not been causing drastic changes.

  • Climate change is also affected by the changes in pattern of the Earth’s orbit. For example, if the Earth’s tilt increases, then the winter will be more chilly and summer will be hotter and vice versa for when the Earth doesn’t tilt that much. This happens over a very long period of time and it is hard to quickly recognize that it’s happening.

  • One positive aspect of the natural effects of climate change include eruptions caused by volcanoes. This form of natural effect is very helpful to the atmosphere because when the gas from the eruption mixes with dust in the air, sulfate aerosols are created. Sulfate aerosols cause the atmosphere to help cool down and it makes up for the greenhouse gases created by the volcanos. This was proved after Mount Pinatubo erupted and caused the overall world temperature to decrease by 0.5% (Celsius).

  • Another natural cause of climate change is just from the globe’s natural form of a climate system. For instance, there is the cycle called El Niño–La Niña. This cycle causes various short-term effects on temperature globally. La Niña is what helps lessen the temperature while El Niño does the exact opposite.

  • Although some fires are needed by trees to survive, climate change is making the forests more susceptible to fires and making them more extreme.

How does global warming and climate change affect the environment?

​​

  • Natural causes can definitely add up and become a cause for some of the reasons for changes in climate although, these natural causes do not create drastic changes in the atmospheric temperatures like it is now and in the past. Nevertheless, NASA states that, “In its Fifth Assessment Report, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a group of 1,300 independent scientific experts from countries all over the world under the auspices of the United Nations, concluded there's a more than 95 percent probability that human activities over the past 50 years have warmed our planet.”

SOURCES​

  • -"Global Warming 101" - NRDC

  • "What is the Difference Between Global Warming and Climate Change?" - Climate.gov

Climate change vs. global warming

​

  • “Global warming refers only to the Earth’s rising surface temperature, while climate change includes warming and the 'side effects' of warming—like melting glaciers, heavier rainstorms, or more frequent drought. Said another way, global warming is one symptom of the much larger problem of human-caused climate change” (Climate.gov).

  • Most of the time, world leaders or scientists often refer to global warming as more of an effect that is human-related “due to the rapid increase in carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from people burning coal, oil, and gas” (Climate.gov) while climate change is perceived as something that happens naturally and from human-related effects.

global warming

NATURAL CAUSES OF CLIMATE CHANGE

WHAT IS IN OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT

What is a carbon footprint?

​​

  • The total amount of carbon dioxide typically measured in tons, produced directly and indirectly from human activities in a given time frame (usually a year).

Carbon dioxide 

​​

  • It enters the atmosphere through burning fossil fuels, solid waste, trees and other biological materials, and also as a result of certain chemical reactions, carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere when it is absorbed by plants.

Methane 

​​

  • It is emitted during the production and transport of fossil fuels, natural gas. It also results from livestock and other agricultural practices and by the decay of organic waste in municipal solid waste landfills.

    Each of the following activities add 1 kg (~900kg in a ton) of carbon dioxide to your personal carbon footprint:

​

  • Travel by public transportation (train or bus) a distance of 6.5 to 7 miles

  • Drive with your car a distance of 3.74 miles (assuming 7.3 liters petrol per 39 mpg)

  • Operate your computer for 32 hours (60 Watt consumption assumed)

  • Production of 5 plastic bags

  • Production of 2 plastic bottles

  • Production of 1/3 of an American cheeseburger

Fossil Fuels

​

  • Non-renewable fuels made from decomposed plants and other organisms supply ~80% of the world's energy. Fossil fuels give electricity, heat, and transportation.

  • When burned, they emit carbon dioxide into our atmosphere, which traps heat and contributes to global warming and climate change.

    They include:

​​

  • Coal: Which supplies 1/3 of all energy used worldwide, with China, India, and the US leading as the top users and producers in 2018. The CO2 emitted are responsible for 44% of the world's total

  • Oil: Petroleum is responsible for almost 1/2 of all CO2 emissions in the US and approximately 1/3 of the world's total.

  • Natural Gas: It is odorless and is mainly made up of methane. Usage and production drastically increased in the U.S. because of advances in fracking (a technique used for drilling) in the past 20 years

​

Each greenhouse gas' effect on climate change depends on three main factors:


1. How much is in the atmosphere?
2. How long do the gasses stay in the atmosphere?
3. How strongly do the gasses impact the atmosphere?

SOURCES​

  • "What is a carbon footprint - definition" - Time for Change

  • "Overview of Greenhouse Gases" - EPA

  • "Fossil fuels, explained" - National Geographic

carbon footprint

GREENHOUSE GASES

What is the greenhouse effect?

​​

  • “Identified by scientists as far back as 1896, the greenhouse effect is the natural warming of the earth that results when gases in the atmosphere trap heat from the sun that would otherwise escape into space” (NRDC).

What are greenhouse gas emissions? 

​​

  • In the atmosphere, greenhouse gases absorb heat
    One of the most prominent greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide. Some of the ways carbon dioxide is produced is when fossil fuels are burned and deforestation. However, the restoration of the forest will decrease the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
    Other gases include fluorinated gases, methane, and nitrous oxide.

How does greenhouse gas emissions harmfully impact the world around us?

​​

  • “Identified by scientists as far back as 1896, the greenhouse effect is the natural warming of the earth that results when gases in the atmosphere trap heat from the sun that would otherwise escape into space” (NRDC).

  • Since greenhouse gases stabilize the planet’s energy, the humans’ disruption of the increase of burning fossil fuels is what increases global temperatures.

  • Once the gases are absorbed, they can stay for thousands of years in the atmosphere. This can pose as an issue as it will continuously impact the world for generations and generations.

  • Complications with food supply

  • More wildfiresHazardous weather

  • Extinct species

What are some solutions to decrease greenhouse gas emissions such as carbon dioxide?

​​​

  • Sustainable energy methods

  • Halt deforestation and increase the number of trees

  • “capturing CO2 from power plants and factories” (National Geographic)

SOURCES​​

  • "Overview of Greenhouse Gases" -EPA

  • "What is the Greenhouse Effect?" - NASA

  • "Carbon Dioxide Levels Are at a Record High. Here's What Your Need to Know." - National Geographic

  • "Greenhouse Effect 101" - NRDC

greenhouse gases

NATURAL CAUSES OF CLIMATE CHANGE

What are some of the natural effects of climate change?

​

  • Ocean currents affect climate change as it poses as a conveyor belt to manage temperatures around the world. For example, the ocean currents carry warm water near the equator to the North/South Poles and vice versa.

  • The sun also affects global temperatures as when more exposure to the sun is caused, so will the average temperatures throughout the atmosphere. However, so far, the sun has not been causing drastic changes.

  • Climate change is also affected by the changes in pattern of the Earth’s orbit. For example, if the Earth’s tilt increases, then the winter will be more chilly and summer will be hotter and vice versa for when the Earth doesn’t tilt that much. This happens over a very long period of time and it is hard to quickly recognize that it’s happening.

  • One positive aspect of the natural effects of climate change include eruptions caused by volcanoes. This form of natural effect is very helpful to the atmosphere because when the gas from the eruption mixes with dust in the air, sulfate aerosols are created. Sulfate aerosols cause the atmosphere to help cool down and it makes up for the greenhouse gases created by the volcanos. This was proved after Mount Pinatubo erupted and caused the overall world temperature to decrease by 0.5% (Celsius).

  • Another natural cause of climate change is just from the globe’s natural form of a climate system. For instance, there is the cycle called El Niño–La Niña. This cycle causes various short-term effects on temperature globally. La Niña is what helps lessen the temperature while El Niño does the exact opposite.

  • Although some fires are needed by trees to survive, climate change is making the forests more susceptible to fires and making them more extreme.

Statistics

​​

  • Natural causes can definitely add up and become a cause for some of the reasons for changes in climate although, these natural causes do not create drastic changes in the atmospheric temperatures like it is now and in the past. Nevertheless, NASA states that, “In its Fifth Assessment Report, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a group of 1,300 independent scientific experts from countries all over the world under the auspices of the United Nations, concluded there's a more than 95 percent probability that human activities over the past 50 years have warmed our planet.”

SOURCES​

  • "How does the ocean affect climate and weather on land?" - NOAA

  • "Teacher Background: Natural Climate Change" - NOAA

  • "Global Climate Change: What You Need to Know" - NRDC

  • "The Causes of Climate Change" - NASA

SOLAR PANELS

What are solar panels used for?

​

  • Solar energy can be used for your home, business, schools, and town

- 7,332 K-12 schools, or 5.5% of all K-12 public and private schools, use solar power in the US. 79% of the solar installed on schools was financed by a third party so it could be bought regardless of the budget size

- 6% of U.S. homeowners have solar panels installed at home. (Pew Research Center) 

- Community solar can be used for businesses or households who cannot own a personal solar system. It is a local solar facility shared by multiple community subscribers built on leased land and easily returnable to its original state

  • 1.6% of total U.S. electricity generation is solar energy.

  • There are over 242,000 solar workers which is more than the coal, oil, and natural gas industries combined!

  • 90-97% of the material used for solar panels can be recycled or sold.

  • Only about 21,250 square miles of solar panels (which is half of the amount leased by oil and gas) would be needed to meet the US’s electric needs.

What are the benefits of solar panels?

​​

  • Natural causes can definitely add up and become a cause for some of the reasons for changes in climate although, these natural causes do not create drastic changes in the atmospheric temperatures like it is now and in the past. Nevertheless, NASA states that, “In its Fifth Assessment Report, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a group of 1,300 independent scientific experts from countries all over the world under the auspices of the United Nations, concluded there's a more than 95 percent probability that human activities over the past 50 years have warmed our planet.”

  • Saves water-Regular electricity production entirely depends on water to cool off generators, refine fuel, and to help transport the fuel in pipes.

  • does not pollute the air

  • Widespread use of solar energy slows climate change
    -Toxic gases from the generation of electricity contribute to the greenhouse effect and air pollution.

  • Solar energy reduces the carbon footprint

  • Solar energy reduces the dependence on fossil fuels

  • It has Zero energy production costs
    - Solar does not need outside supply, attachment, or support to work.

  • -The only cost is from purchasing and installing solar panels and power-saving batteries which stores energy.

  • Little or no loss of energy during transportation
    -Regular electricity is produced then supplied to substations. The energy is distributed to people who may live far away from the substation. 

      -Solar energy is easily produced and used directly from the source which minimizes the distance covered and energy loss of any kind.

  • Versatile installation

       -can be mounted anywhere as long as it is direct to the sun

  • Energy produced coincides with the demand
    -Energy demands are high during the day where it is ready to use and/or stored, and demands drop significantly in the night.

  • Impact on the environment
    -Solar energy does not produce any by-products or waste
    -It may years to carry out maintenance because they are built to withstand harsh weather conditions.

  • Improved security of the power grid
    -The more people use solar energy, the demand for electricity goes down so the power grid has less blackouts, voltage dips, fires, and overloads to manage.

  • It has economic savings

  • Positive Impact on the economy

  • solar energy creates jobs

SOURCES​​

  • "13 Important Health & Environmental Benefits of Solar Energy" - Green Coast

  • "Solar Schools" -The Solar Foundation

  • "More U.S. Homeowners Say They Are Considering Home Solar Panels" - Pew Research Center

  • Community Solar" - SEIA

solar panels

ECO-FRIENDLY SEARCH ENGINES

​​​

  • Ecosia - For every 45 searches, using the ad revenue, one tree is planted.

  • Ocean Hero - For every 5 searches, one ocean-bounded plastic water bottle is recovered.

  • Ekoru - 60% of the ad revenue goes to Big Blue Ocean Cleanup and Operation Posidonia.

  • GiveWater - Donates all profits to charitable partners to provide $5 per person with ongoing water.

  • Search Scene - Donates 95% of ad revenue to charities fighting the causes and effects of climate change.

SEARCH ENGINES

ADVOCATE FOR TRASHLESS TUESDAYS AT YOUR SCHOOL!

What are Trashless Tuesdays?

​​

  • Trashless Tuesdays provide an opportunity to make an effort to bring in a lunch that does not accumulate waste.

What can I do to contribute?

​

  • Some things you can use in a trashless lunch are: reusable containers, reusable bottles, cloth napkins, and reusable forks and spoons.
    Recyclable items are: paper & cardboard, metal cans, and plastic. Remember, wet or soiled items, recycle plastic bags & wrappers, styrofoam and food can not be recycled.

What can I recycle? 

​​

  • There are three rules that have to be kept in mind before you place an item in the recycling bin.

    Know what to throw
    Empty. Clean. Dry.
    Don’t bag it.

​

       When in doubt, trash it.

How can I get my school to participate?

​​

  • It can definitely be hard to get the program implemented at school, but if you persevere, it can be a great opportunity to raise environmental awareness. Get a team of your friends and even teachers to talk to the school administration.

​​

​You can:

​

  • Survey students (Are students environmentally conscious?; Do students make an effort to be more waste-free?; How are students already being waste-free?)

  • Present videos and presentations/ slideshows on what can be recycled, alternatives, and why it’s important.

  • Give awards for students or classes who participate in the program.

TRASHLESS TUESDAYS

READ OUR CO-FOUNDER'S CHILDREN'S BOOK ON THE DANGERS OF CLIMATE CHANGE

Matcha Ice Cream - An Analogy to Climate Change

Written by and Cover Art by: Crystal Yeh
Illustrated by: Katherine Li

Climate change can be a broad and heavy topic to take on and educate oneself on. Adapted into a kid-friendly format, read the story of a young girl whose passion for climate activism awakens after a local ice cream shop goes out of business from human-caused disaster... Who caused it and what lengths will this girl have to reach to save her town? Read this book to find out! It shares a valuable lesson, perfect for all ages.

​

This book was written by Crystal Yeh through the Cherry Hill High School East Writing Club's Children's Book Project. Special thanks to Vivian Rong, Alena Zhang, and Katherine Li for helping make the book come to life.

nuclear energy

NUCLEAR ENERGY

What is nuclear energy?

​

  • Nuclear energy comes when an atom is split in a reactor that heats water into steam which turns a turbine, generating electricity.

  • “All power plants convert heat into electricity using steam. At nuclear power plants, the heat to make the steam is created when atoms split apart — called fission. When atoms split apart, they release heat” (nrc.gov)

How much is it used?

  • As of 2019, there are ninety-three nuclear reactors across twenty-eight states in the U.S. These reactors produce around twenty percent of the U.S.’ electricity.

  • While the plants are always on, they are well-operated in order to keep away from interruptions. They are built to withstand intense weather and are constantly supporting the grid. 

What are the benefits of nuclear energy?
 

​​

  • Nuclear energy supplies a lot of carbon-free energy, which helps in combating climate change.

  • The production of nuclear energy provides over one-hundred-thousand stable jobs as well as helps local economies with money for the state and local tax revenue.

  • Nuclear energy provides 24/7 power without traces of toxic pollutants such as mercury, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and particulate matter, which are not good to breathe in.

  • To find more benefits to nuclear energy, go to https://www.nei.org/fundamentals/what-is-nuclear-energy

What are the risks?

​​

  • Nuclear energy does produce radioactive waste that, unless it is secured, will pollute the environment.

    • The idea of radiation seems scary, however, people are constantly being exposed to small amounts of radioactivity from radon in the air and/ or cosmic rays.

    • Radiation is not harmful as long as it is in small quantities, but what is very dangerous is the radioactive waste from nuclear energy production.

  • Nuclear power creates a threat to the nation and its security because the power plants can be a target by people who wish to cause disaster and destruction. As well as being a target, when placed in the wrong hands, the uranium that is used to produce power can be used to create nuclear weapons. Because of these reasons, it is crucial that there is security surrounding nuclear power plants and materials.

  • To find more information about the risks of nuclear energy, go to https://springpowerandgas.us/the-pros-cons-of-nuclear-energy-is-it-safe/ 
     

SOURCES​​

  • "What is Nuclear Energy" (nei.org)

  • "What is Nuclear Energy" (nrc.gov)

  • "The Pros & Cons of Nuclear Energy: Is it Safe" (springpowerandgas.us)

  • "Nuclear Energy" (National Geographic)

sunscreens and microplastics

SUNSCREENS AND MICROPLASTICS

What are microbeads/ microplastics and why should we avoid them/ how are they harmful?

​

  • Microbeads are a type of microplastic whose function is to scrub or exfoliate. 

  • The term ‘microplastic’ refers to all the kinds of miniature plastic particles (they are smaller than 5mm).

    • Microplastics are barely visible to the naked eye.

    • Microplastics are purposely put into cosmetics and toiletries. 

    • Microplastics are often used as emulsifying agents (which is an ingredient used to absorb newly-formed water) and/ or cheap fillers.

  • These microplastics can flow from a drainage pipe into the sewer system. Sewage treatment plants are not designed to filter microplastics out, causing them to end up in the ocean.

  • When fish eat these microplastics, since humans eat fish, humans will be exposed to these microplastics.

  • These microplastics will expose us to chemicals that are harmful to our bodies and other species. 

Sunscreen ingredients to avoid and why

  • Note: these are not ALL the risks, but some of them.

​​

  • Oxybenzone

    • Oxybenzone has been found to:

      • cause allergic skin reactions

      • to be a big risk to children 

      • to disrupt the endocrine

      • Increase one’s risk to develop breast cancer and endometriosis

  • Octinoxate (Octyl methoxycinnamate)

    • This chemical easily is absorbed into the skin, and, even after the sunscreen has been applied, will keep being absorbed. This chemical has been found in blood 16 times above the Food and Drug Administration's suggested safety margin.

    • In animal studies, Octinoxate had affected the production of thyroid hormones and had hormone related effects on the metabolic system, “with some evidence for other endocrine targets, including androgen and progesterone signaling (Krause 2012)” (ewg.org).

    • This chemical has been found to cause allergic reactions after being exposed to ultraviolet lights.

  • Octisalate

    • This is an organic ultraviolet filter that easily absorbs into the skin at rates over 10 times over 0.5 nanograms/ milliliter, which is the Food and Drug Administration's cutoff for systemic exposure.

    • The cutoff is the highest concentration that could be found in one’s blood before safety concerns arise. 

    • In 2019, the Food and Drug Administration gave out an update suggesting that there was not enough information to decide whether this chemical can be categorized as safe and effective to be used in sunscreens.

    • One case reported that Octisalate had been connected to allergic contact dermatitis, which is a skin irritation. ​

  • Octocrylene

    • This chemical has been found to quickly absorb into the skin at levels around 14 times the Food and Drug Administration cutoff for systemic exposure, however, it has been suggested that, due to lack of information, it can not be determined whether Octocrylene can be described as safe and effective. 

    • Studies have shown that this chemical causes high amounts of skin allergies.

    • Octocrylene has been connected to toxicity in water, and has the ability to harm coral.

  • Avobenzone

    • This is an organic filter that is widely used and provides protection from ultraviolet rays. Avobenzone is not stable, however, and needs to be mixed with acting stabilizers.

    • These acting stabilizers prevent Avobenzone from breaking down when exposed to sunlight.

    • Avobenzone breakdowns have the ability to cause allergic reactions.

    • Avobenzone can disturb the endocrine system, and has shown to block testosterone effects in cellular studies. 

SOURCES​​

  • "Plastic Free Sunscreens" (beatthemicrobead.org)

  • "Sunscreen Guide" (ewg.org)

  • "Emulsifying Agent" (sciencedirect.com)

  • "The Environmentalist's Guide to Sunscreen" Aviva Lerman (YouTube)

HYDROELECTRICITY

What is hydroelectricity?
 

​​

  • Hydroelectricity is a type of energy that uses moving water to generate electricity.

How does it work?

​​

  • Most power plants for hydroelectricity have reservoirs of water and gates that control how much water can exit the reservoir. As it begins to spill downward, water obtains potential energy which is then converted to kinetic energy. With this energy, the water can be used to turn turbine blades which will generate electricity. 

Types of hydroelectric energy power plants

​​​

  • Impoundment facility

    • Dams are used to control the stored running water. When water is needed, the stored water is released from the dams. Once the water is released, it goes through a turbine, turning the blades and powering a generator.

  • Diversion facility

    • Instead of dams, canals are used to move the water to the turbines.

  • Pumped-storage facility

    • In this plant, solar, wind, and nuclear energy are collected and stored to be used in the future. The way it stores energy is by pumping water upwards from a lower pool to a reservoir.
       

Benefits of hydroelectric power/energy
(note: these are some, not all, benefits)

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  • Because it’s fueled by water, hydropower is a clean source of fuel and won’t pollute the environment.

  • Because water is a renewable resource, this form of electricity is cheaper and more reliable than fossil fuels. 

  • Hydropower efforts help to create flood control, water supply, and irrigation.

Risks of hydroelectric power (note: these are some, not all, risks)

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  • Hydroelectricity depends on the amount of precipitation that falls, which isn’t always the same amount, which can cause instability in the production of hydropower.

  • Hydropower plants can affect natural habitats, land usage, and homes in the area surrounding the dam.

  • “In some cases, hydroelectricity can disrupt wildlife habitat. Hydroelectric power plants can cause a loss or modification of fish habitat, and lead to the entrapment of fish and the restriction of their passages” (manufacturing.net) .
     

SOURCES​​

  • "Hydroelectric Energy" (nationalgeographic.org)

  • "Pros and Cons of Hydropower" (manufacturing.net)

hydroelectricity
children's book

READ OUR CO-FOUNDER'S CHILDREN'S BOOK ON THE IMPORTANCE OF SOLVING CLIMATE CHANGE

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Matcha Ice Cream - An Analogy to Climate Change

Written by and Cover Art by: Crystal Yeh
Illustrated by: Katherine Li

Climate change can be a broad and heavy topic to take on and educate oneself on. Adapted into a kid-friendly format, read the story of a young girl whose passion for climate activism awakens after a local ice cream shop goes out of business from human-caused disaster... Who caused it and what lengths will this girl have to reach to save her town? Read this book to find out! It shares a valuable lesson, perfect for all ages. Available as an eBook and paperback on Amazon! 

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This book was written by Crystal Yeh through the Cherry Hill High School East Writing Club's Children's Book Project. Special thanks to Vivian Rong, Alena Zhang, and Katherine Li for helping make the book come to life.

The Ocean is a Mighty Beast - An Analogy to Ocean Pollution

Written by: Crystal Yeh
Illustrated by: Katrina Veltman

Where does our trash go when we throw it away? When years of carelessness catch up to punish the village, the village must work together and conquer the ocean beast. In a sudden twist, this book reveals who the true enemy was. A lesson fit for all ages, sharing how there is still hope to work together can help us combat the negative impacts of ocean pollution. Available as an eBook and paperback on Amazon! 

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This book was written by Crystal Yeh through the Cherry Hill High School East Writing Club's Children's Book Project. Special thanks to Vivian Rong, Alena Zhang, and Katrina Veltman for helping make the book come to life.

2025 LEAP for Climate

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