“While the world wastes about 2.5 billion tons of food every year, the United States discards more food than any other country in the world: nearly 60 million tons — 120 billion pounds — every year. That’s estimated to be almost 40 percent of the entire US food supply, and equates to 325 pounds of waste per person.” That’s the data from Recycle Track Systems (RTS) for food waste in 2024. Meanwhile, there are around 35 million or more people in the US who don’t have enough to eat. Yet, we still continue to waste so much. Why?   Sure, people’s actions are a problem ..read more

It is estimated that by 2050, Earth’s global temperature will increase by a staggering 1.5 degrees Celsius. With the urgency of climate change and the enthusiasm in Silicon Valley for a more sustainable future, many new startups focusing on sustainability are emerging. Sustainability is becoming more of a main focus than a charitable act for many companies, and the Valley is becoming a center for positive environmental change. On June 21, 2024, the area held its first annual “Sustainability Growth Summit,” a conference which brings together policymakers, business leaders, and innovators to dis ..read more

Waste management has always been a part of many societies since waste is not a problem we can overlook. Throughout history we have seen how improper waste management has led to many health crises such as in New York when it was first becoming a major city. Around 1895, New York had a sanitation department present, but the system was not properly utilized until around 1925 due to corruption, leading to the streets of New York being filled with trash. With waste being associated with many health issues, cities must have systems established to manage the waste that they generate. As we continue ..read more

In the upcoming election this November, San Francisco voters will be able to determine the future of the Upper Great Highway with Proposition K. The Upper Great Highway is a roadway stretching two miles alongside Ocean Beach on the westernmost side of San Francisco from Lincoln Way, near Golden Gate Park, to Sloat Boulevard, near the Zoo. Proposition K is a proposal to use part of the Upper Great Highway as a public open recreation space, permanently closing the road to private motor vehicles seven days a week. Currently, the Upper Great Highway is closed on weekends and public holidays to ser ..read more

For over a century, the Klamath River has been incomplete. As it has winded from the deserts of south-central Oregon to the temperate rainforests of California’s North Coast and emptied into the Pacific Ocean, its star residents have been largely absent. Chinook salmon, also known as king salmon, once surged upstream in groups over 100,000; this yearly migration to cooler waters is necessary to lay their eggs, and the young fish that hatch there eventually make their way back to the open ocean (Upper Klamath-Trinity, 2017). The 20th-century construction of multiple hydroelectric dams, however ..read more

The word “sustainability” is often connotated with planting trees, eliminating ocean pollution, and reducing waste. While these are incredible feats, they are only seeds in the forest of sustainability.  The United Nations defines sustainability as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (United Nations). This means nurturing global homeostasis amongst nature, technological innovations, and evolving civilizations. Cultivating sustainability means empowering current and future generations to thrive environmentally, s ..read more

As the Fall 2024 semester kicks off and students flock back to campus, it’s the perfect moment to pause and think about how we can all pitch in to create a more sustainable environment. Why should you care? Because every piece of waste we reduce contributes to a healthier planet and a brighter future for all of us. Reducing waste isn’t just a trend—it’s a necessity. So, let’s dive into five simple yet impactful ways you can make a difference at USF! 1. Bring Reusable Items One of the easiest ways to make a big impact is to ditch single-use plastics and embrace reusables. Think water bottles, c ..read more

Carbon credits are everywhere. From airlines to governments to clothing brands, entities are able to purchase carbon credits to offset their carbon emissions, often to meet climate goals or claim carbon neutrality. On the surface, it seems promising–in order to get much needed funding for environmental projects, private companies can offset their emissions with the click of a button. But is this system too good to be true? To begin, it’s important to know the basics of what carbon credits are and how they work. Corporations, governments, or ordinary people, usually in the Global North, can pur ..read more

California produces more food than any other state in the US and consequently also has the largest amount of farmworkers. There has been an ongoing history of racial, economic, environmental, and social injustice in the agriculture industry, especially in California, and it is of critical importance that more people understand this issue. I feel there is a major disconnect between urban and rural communities, and between major food producing communities and non-food producing communities. Social, cultural, and economic transformation must take place in order to foster healing and change in our ..read more

Steelheads waiting for a snack… Last month, I had the pleasure of spending the weekend in Sacramento with friends, and one suggested we go visit a nearby (and free!) trout and salmon hatchery. We’re all huge fish fans, so we jumped at the chance and soon found ourselves at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery.  You may be wondering what the Nimbus Fish Hatchery does and why it’s so special. After arriving, we found out that this facility performs a crucial service for California’s river ecosystems: native fish conservation! This hatchery raises and releases steelhead trout and Chinook salmon, which ..read more