A New Earth Project’s Post

Read the story of Catherine, who studies our Master's Degree in Political Ecology, Degrowth and Environmental Justice 📒 🌿

At the Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory, we recognize the deep abuses committed as a result of systemic racism, white privilege, and environmental injustice. We believe in taking concrete steps towards a more equitable and inclusive approach to address the problems facing our oceans and communities. Over the last few years, we have thoughtfully mapped out our commitment to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) in our field of marine science. We proactively strive to bring the voices, intellect, and talents of people of all colors, backgrounds, and identities into our work to further science and conservation. Therefore, we commit to taking tangible actions to achieve our vision of a more diverse and inclusive organization. Our DEIJ action plan details these commitments and the steps we must take to achieve them. As an organization and as individuals, it is our responsibility to continually grow our understanding and efforts to help create a more just and equitable future. We are sharing our DEIJ action plan with you, our colleagues, partners, and friends, to hold ourselves accountable to this mission and to make it available as a resource for others striving towards a shared vision. The planet’s health relies on all of us working together for the benefit of all. 👥🌎 Check out the seven goals of our action plan below👇 Learn more about our commitments to DEIJ and view our action plan here: https://lnkd.in/g_GmcZdj We acknowledge that the University of California was founded upon exclusions and erasures of many Indigenous peoples, including those on whose lands our offices at UC Santa Barbara are located, the villages and unceded lands of the Chumash people. We affirm the critical role of Indigenous peoples in our collective efforts to restore the health of the ocean and commit to elevating their voices and leadership in marine science and conservation.

Presenting research at the AEHS West 33rd Annual International Conference on Soil, Water, and Air is an exhilarating opportunity, particularly when it involves groundbreaking work on a topic as critical as the impact of warfare on environmental health. This year, we have the privilege to share our study on the issue of heavy metal soil contamination on Iwo Jima's Invasion Beach, a site of immense historical significance from WWII, renowned for its distinctive black volcanic sand. Our research delves into a largely unexplored area, despite the beach's popularity and the common practice of collecting its sand as war mementos. The core of our investigation focuses on examining the heavy metal composition of the sand and debris through XRF analysis, a technique that promises to shed light on the potential contamination risks these souvenirs may pose. Through a detailed review of existing scientific literature on volcanic sands and the analysis of soil samples from areas affected by war, we aim to provide a thorough understanding of how warfare can leave a lasting mark on soil quality and contribute to contamination. Our study is not just a scientific inquiry; it's a call to action. We underscore the critical need for adopting sustainable and accurate armaments to reduce the ecological impact of warfare. While it may seem a distant goal to eliminate warfare entirely, minimizing its environmental consequences is an urgent and achievable aim. The contemporary context of ongoing conflicts, such as those in Ukraine and Gaza, makes our research not only relevant but vital. We advocate for further exploration into sustainable alternatives, like biodegradable ammunition, to foster environmentally responsible warfare practices. In conclusion, our presentation at the AEHS conference is not merely a dissemination of our findings but a message of the imperative to understand and mitigate the impacts of warfare on soil contamination. It's an exciting platform to highlight the necessity of sustainable practices in preserving our planet for future generations, making this opportunity not only thrilling but deeply meaningful.

On the latest episode of Down to Earth, Sara Dant joins us to talk about her vision of regeneration and sustainability, in which we are all participants, where business, agriculture, and healthy ecosystems can co-exist. Sara's book, "Losing Eden: An Environmental History of the American West," covers the long history of human habitation on the North American continent — from the time that megafauna like elephants, camels, and sabertooth felines roamed the land, to Indigenous harmonious co-existence with nature, to European colonization and market capitalism, which resulted in unspeakably brutal exploitation of species, landscapes, air, and water. Listen now: https://lnkd.in/gA7Rkzf5

Did you know that optimistic, kind, and altruistic people age better and live longer? Science nailed it down: being kind rewards us at the DNA level. Watch this recording on the power of altruistic values in shaping our personal and planetary wellbeing. Thanks Nova Institute for Health for these much needed conversations! #planetaryhealth #planetarywellbeing

We are one human species, united by our shared journey. 🌍 Curious to learn more about our collective power? Ask your questions below and follow for more of my personal insights on how we can grow together!

52+ years. 26 Congresses. 10 Presidents of the United States. That’s how long Ocean Conservancy has been protecting our ocean—and we’re 👏 not 👏 stopping 👏 now.      No matter the administration, no matter the makeup of Congress or state legislatures, with YOUR help, we will continue working to advance pro-ocean policies. We’ve done it before and we’ll do it again.       We’re in this together, and with you by our side, we can ensure a healthy ocean and a thriving planet, forever and for everyone. https://lnkd.in/dy3GmmVz

For the Love of Lampreys - in honor of Valentines Day, learn a little bit more about these ancient fish species that inhabit our rivers and oceans. KEEN's 25 Blogs for 25 Years of Get Intimate with the Shrub-Steppe - here is blog #3 by Dave'y Lumley (KEEN Board Member). https://wix.to/oDUz6Bz #keen25blogsproject

Rivers are Life began with the concept that like-minded businesses, educational institutions, non-governmental organizations and collaborators could come together to be the collective voice for rivers and help move the needle for river sustainability. We are proud to be working with some genuinely world-changing partners like Louisiana State University Center of River Studies, who make our community possible. Learn more about them in our film "Voices from the Water:" https://bit.ly/3Q0XEko

🎉 We have exciting news to share! IRC was a collaborating organization and our Executive Director, George D. Gann, CERP, was a contributing author on the recently published UN Decade Standards of Practice for Ecosystem Restoration. The United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021-2030 recognizes the critical need to protect, conserve and reverse degradation of our world’s native and productive ecosystems and this publication is a momentous step forward for ecosystem recovery. The concept of ecosystem restoration includes ecological restoration as well as other restorative activities such as reduction of societal impacts, improving ecosystem management, and repairing ecosystem functions and services. You can read more about the standards here 👇 . https://lnkd.in/dWUtHfJg