Happy Earth Day!
This semester in anticipation of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, we decided to feature some of the breadth of research we have going on in this department dealing with societal impacts on the environment and ecosystems. Right now we are living in a moment that exemplifies the Anthropocene: the global interconnectedness of our society – flows of goods, people, capital, commodities, energy and waste, and our unprecedented impact on ecosystems all play a role in COVID-19 pandemic.
This semester we examined how the boundaries among traditional disciplines continue to be eroded to confront global change, the invisible people on whom our increasingly urban lives depend, how the practice of science itself can serve industrial goals, the roles that cities can play in addressing environmental problems (and the promise and pitfalls), and that we can advocate for action, as scientists, and citizens.
Earth Day, now more than ever, is a movement to bring awareness and change to our lives as human beings. This movement to make sure that the Earth, our home, is there for future generations; to make sure that our forests, rivers, oceans, skies, wildlife, and even our cities are healthy, safe, and sustainable is an important one. April 22nd is the date we recognize this movement officially but there is much you can do to ensure the healthy coexistence of human kind and nature on a daily basis and not just one day.
- Get involved
- Vote for environmental issues and candidates
- Reduce your own carbon footprint
- Shop local
- Plant a tree
- Support conservation efforts