Environmental Studies 160 defied all of my preconceptions. That is not meant to sound scary or ominous, but I found it to be quite true. If I can immediately offer one very important piece of advice, it is to enter the class with an open mind. Expect your nearest and dearest environmental beliefs and ideas […]
Earth Day Altercations
Upon entering ENVS 160 in January, I expected a repeat of my AP Environmental Science class from high school. I entered on my high horse, believing that I would already be familiar with the topics that the class would address. However, I am astonished at the many ways in which my world views have changed, […]
Rethinking Individual Action: Channeling Environmentalism Into Institutions
Paul F. Steinberg’s Who Rules the Earth? (2015) presents environmental theories that challenge the way society approaches and teaches environmentalism. Steinberg’s central argument is that institutional action is far more likely to make positive world changes than an individually focused mindset. In other words, we need to think big. Steinberg provides numerous examples of successful institutional […]
The Interconnectedness of Varying Perspectives
Though ENVS 160 has expanded my knowledge regarding numerous perspectives, mindsets, and teachings of environmentalism using a variety of readings, I quickly discovered that each author and each idea was connected in some way to another. After careful consideration, I settled on just three. Break away from individuality to make a difference (AE-WRE) We are […]
A Ridiculous Number of Sides to Every Argument
My introduction to the world of environmental studies came at an exceedingly young age. Growing up in Salt Lake City, I watched every winter as a dense cloud of smog settled over the city. These inversions sparked my constant worry for the health of the people in my city and I immediately jumped into learning […]
Lithium: Charging the Future of Energy
Paige Barta, Leela Hornbach, Molly Sheridan Lithium Production and Overview It’s no secret that crude oil extraction ought not fuel the future, especially when lithium can help recharging it. Lithium, is a silver—white alkali metal. It is the least dense solid element and lightest metal. Lithium is highly reactive, for this reason it generally appears […]