Volume 14 Issue 1

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Volume 14 | Issue 1

A Letter From

The Editors

Welcome back to another semester of The Trail! Since our previous leaders, Micah and Marissa, graduated, our new leadership crew has been working hard to take what we learned from them and apply it to our new issues. Although it has been challenging, we have enjoyed reading, editing, and designing this issue, and we are excited to finally share it with everyone. We appreciate your support, and as new leaders, we truly appreciate any feedback from our readers at epibtrail@gmail.com. Thank you, and enjoy!

--Mia, Natalia, Sarah, and Anna

The Trail Staff Authors

Editors

Designers

Anna Forsman

Olivia Woodruff

Natalia Binkowski

Olivia Woodruff

Natalia Binkowksi

Sarah Ekenezar

Jeremy Lewan

Angel Tello

Mia Weinberg

Sarah Ekenezar

Katherine Reilly

Emily Mahaffy

Enya Laumbach Angel Tello

Mia Weinberg # | The Trail

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Table of Contents BPA Exposure………………………………………...1 Britney Coleman

A Lesson in Reforestation: Costa Rica’s Success Story …..3 Mia Weinberg

A Collection of Poems………………………………...4 Anna Forsman

Dangers Unbeknownst to Us…………………………...5 Angel Tello

Old McDonald Had a Camel…?...........................................8 Enya Laumbach

The Power of Water…………………………………...11 Sarah Ekenezar

Bucket List for the Traveler: Murrells Inlet, South Carolina..12 Jeremy Lewan

A Collection of Poems (continued)……………………..15 Anna Forsman

Personal Protective Equipment and Carbon Emissions…...16 Olivia Woodruff Table of Contents

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From water bottles to receipts to baby products, we are chronically exposed to BPA

By Britney Coleman

Bisphenol A, abbreviated BPA, is an industrial chemical most commonly used in polycarbonate plastics. Humans, animals, and the environment are exposed to BPA daily in several ways. While each isolated exposure may seem minor, it is important to understand the risks associated with chronic exposure to BPA (small doses over an extended period of time).

The list of health effects associated with BPA is lengthy because it is in an endocrine-disrupting chemical or EDC. EDC’s are chemicals that interfere with proper hormone function, including blocking and mimicking hormones. Every single body system requires adequate hormone function to carry out essential bodily functions. Therefore, BPA exposure can lead to health implications across all body systems.

-Cancer -Infertility and decreased sperm count or quality -Abnormalities in sex organs (studies have shown that BPA can change the sex of certain animals altogether) -Neurological disorders -Learning disabilities -Impaired immune function -Respiratory problems -Metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes and obesity -Cardiovascular problems -ADD and ADHD Understanding the potential health implications of BPA exposure is especially important for parents and 1# | The Trail

pregnant women or women planning to become pregnant. This is because babies, especially in utero, are the most vulnerable to BPA.

One of the most commonly used items containing BPA is plastic bottles.

Water bottles, soda bottles, shampoo, conditioner, lotion bottles, you name it! The plastic bottles are made out of harmful chemicals such as BPA that leach into the liquid contained inside them.

Because plastic bottles are used for packaging essentially everything nowadays, bottled goods result in exposure through all of the three main routes: ingestion (ex. bottled beverages), dermal (bottled lotions), and inhalation (bottled perfumes and colognes).

Picture this - you are trying to reduce exposure to BPA by avoiding food packaged in plastic, so you switch to canned goods instead…only to find out that canned goods are lined with plastic containing BPA! Yup - food cans are not only made up of metals, as many people believe but also a plastic lining on the inside. Its purpose is to prevent the rusting or corrosion of the metal which comes in contact with the food or liquid inside.

Unfortunately, as with bottles, harmful chemicals such as BPA leach from this plastic lining. Studies have found that people who consume more canned goods have significantly higher levels of BPA in their bodies than those who consume fresh foods.

The good news is that companies are beginning to make bottles and canned goods free of BPA. When shopping, look for bottles and cans labeled ‘BPA-Free’.

This not only reduces exposure and benefits health,

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Volume 14 | Issue 1 but it also pushes for future change. Not supporting companies that continue to use BPA despite knowing the numerous risks posed by the endocrine -disrupting chemical shows that consumers are aware of what is being put in their products and are not okay with it. As sales for BPA-free products go up, other companies will begin to follow suit.

This one is a surprise to many people because it is not plastic, but do not be fooled. Studies have found that thermal paper can contain up to 1,000 times more BPA than canned goods.

Thermal paper, most commonly used for printing receipts and tickets, works by imprinting characters through the use of heat instead of ink. BPA coats the surface of thermal paper in order to function as a heat-activated developer. Unlike how BPA is bound in plastics, the BPA on receipts and tickets is ‘free’ or ‘unbound’, meaning that it easily rubs off onto the skin.

Therefore, normal handling of receipts and tickets leads to dermal absorption of BPA. Studies have even found that cashiers have higher levels of BPA in their bodily fluids than other occupations.

The good news is that there is a quick and easy way to reduce exposure to thermal paper. If you are a customer, ask to have your receipt emailed or texted to you. If you are a cashier, you can prompt customers to receive their receipt in these ways, as well. If you want to make an even bigger difference, speak out about the dangers of thermal paper and demand the usage of non-phenol thermal paper.

How easy is it to just throw that container of leftovers from last night into the microwave? Or how about warming up some milk for a baby in their baby bottle? Unfortunately, while convenient, microwaving plastic is certainly not healthy.

Microwaving food and drinks in plastic increases exposure to BPA. This is due to the fact that heat increases the speed at which BPA leaches from plastic and, therefore, increases the levels in the food or beverage being microwaved.

Instead of microwaving food in plastic containers or plastic wrap, use glass plates and containers. This may seem like a small change, but it is of great importance and can significantly reduce exposure.

As consumers, we have more control than we think. While it may be impossible to completely avoid BPA, exposure can easily be reduced through the actions listed above. Small changes are usually the most effective because they are less intimidating and more sustainable. Also, do not be afraid to write to companies, local officials, agencies, etc. to tell them how you feel and hold them accountable!

Lastly, by continuing to purchase products containing BPA in cases where there are alternatives, we are telling companies that it is okay to continue using it.

However, by avoiding these products, we are telling companies that a change must be made. Companies may turn a blind eye to public health, but they won’t turn a blind eye to a decrease in revenue.

In order to alleviate fear, it is necessary to postface by addressing a negative connotation commonly associated with chemicals. The word may seem scary, but not all chemicals are bad. In fact, everything in life is made up of chemicals. So, try not to worry yourself just based on the word itself - or chemical names which can also sound scary. Instead, dig deeper into what the chemical actually is, what it does, and in what type of exposure (chronic or acute) is it safe or toxic. Based on this information, you can then make a decision on whether not it would be best to limit exposure. Just remember, the keyword is ‘limit’. Most things are impossible to avoid altogether, but even just limiting exposure, in whatever way is easiest for you, is a step in the right direction. Small changes add up and as more people take action, more will be done to protect the public from harmful chemicals. Remember, as consumers, we have the power.

Almeida, Susana, et al. “Bisphenol A: Food Exposure and Impact on Human Health.” Wiley Online Library, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, 5 Sept. 2018, onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1541-4337.12388.

Hormone Health Network."Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals EDCs | Hormone Health Network." Hormone.org, Endocrine Society, 14 December 2020, https://www.hormone.org/your-health-and-hormones/endocrine-disrupting-

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A Lesson in Reforestation: Costa Rica’s Success Story

By Mia Weinberg

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osta Rica, the small yet incredibly biodiverse Central American country is known for its pristine natural wonders including protected rainforests, black sand beaches, and numerous volcanoes.

It has been praised for being a world leader in conservation, sustainability, and carbon neutrality.

However, this was not always the case. Just three decades ago, loggers had destroyed over half of Costa Rica’s rainforest to clear land for agriculture and cattle ranching (Konyn, 1). Today, one million hectares (2.5 million acres) of this land has been reforested due to government programs and the efforts of thousands of stewards of the land. It was the first tropical nation to not only stop deforestation, but reverse it. Just how has Costa Rica managed to return so much land to its natural lush state, and what can we learn from them?

Before the Costa Rican government offered incentives for reforestation, it incentivized mass deforestation for 28 years. When fast food began to gain popularity in the US, Costa Rica responded to the unprecedented demand for beef by offering financial incentives to landowners who used their land for cattle ranching. The government charged a tax on land that was considered “unproductive,” including rainforests. This meant that many landowners could not afford to keep their land forested, even if they wished to.

The story of Costa Rican coffee grower Arturo Echandi Jimenez highlights the financial and ecological pressure placed on landowners at the time. In 1939, Jimenez purchased 1,112 acres of pristine rainforest in central Costa Rica (Rodriguez, 1). He cleared about ⅕ of the land for his coffee farm, which allowed him to make a living for his family while preserving hundreds of acres of rainforest. The tree cover of the forest even provided 3# | The Trail

optimal conditions for his coffee plants. When the government began taxing land that was not used for cattle ranching, Jimenez had no choice but to cut down all of his rainforest for cattle so that his business would stay afloat. Although he had no interest or experience in raising cattle, Jimenez, like thousands of Costa Rican farmers, was given no choice.

The damage caused by these policies was colossal. In 1940, forest covered 75% of Costa Rica’s land. By 1995, it only covered 25%

(United Nations, 2). Finally, the government responded in the form of a new economic incentive program. The Ministry of Environment proposed a plan that would allow landowners to continue to make a living, but placed monetary value on ecosystem services rather than ecosystem destruction. The Payment for Environmental Services (PES) program paid farmers for the carbon sequestration, and biodiversity of their land. Instead of incentivizing people to destroy forest, the government was paying farmers to restore it. The governmental shift in ethics took some adjustment for many landowners.

Jimenez, whose grandson helped to develop the PES program, first responded with “I thought trees had lumber, not carbon” (Rodriguez, 3).

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This illustrates the psychological effect that previous policies had on landowners. They were conditioned to approach nature with a utilitarian attitude, placing value on the commodification of resources rather than their value in an ecosystem. PES has also been a tool for poverty reduction and education. Landowners are now aware of the benefits of carbon sequestration and water filtration, and are paid to be stewards of the land. Today, thousands of landowners in Costa Rica take pride in the beauty of their forested land, and the thousands of species that it supports. Natural resources are invaluable to every species on the planet, and the simple recognition

References alleksana. (2020). Green Trees Covered With Fog. Pexels. photograph. Retrieved October 31, 2021, from https://www.pexels.com/photo/wood-light-dawn -landscape-4239623/.

Hartmann, L. (2018). Herd of White-and-black Cows on Grass Field. Pexels. photograph. Retrieved October 31, 2021, from https://www.pexels.com/photo/ herd-of-white-and-black-cows-on-grass-field1276237/.

What to do in Tortuguero National Park in Costa Rica. (2021). City Express Hotels. Retrieved December 21, 2021, from https://www.cityexpress.com/en/ travel-blog/tortuguero-national-park-naturalsanctuary-the-costa-rican-caribbean Konyn, C. (2021, October 28). How Costa Rica reversed deforestation and became an environmental model: Earth.org - past: Present: Future. Earth.Org - Past | Present | Future. Retrieved October 31, 2021, from https://earth.org/how-costa-rica-reversed -deforestation/.

Lewis, N. (2020, July 27). This country regrew its lost forest. can the world learn from it? CNN. Retrieved October 31, 2021, from https:// www.cnn.com/2020/07/27/americas/reforestationcosta-rica-c2e-spc/index.html.

of this can completely shift our relationship to forests, seas, and mountains. Even after a dark period of destruction, Costa Rica was able to reverse much of the damage that was done to its land and become a world leader in reforestation.

Their story can serve as a lesson to all of those losing hope for the planet’s future; positive change is always possible.

Rodriguez, C. M. (2014, October 24). How Costa Rica has been unlocking the value of its rainforest.

Greenbiz. Retrieved October 31, 2021, from https:// www.greenbiz.com/article/how-costa-rica-has-beenunlocking-value-its-rainforest.

United Nations. (n.d.). Payments for Environmental Services Program | Costa Rica . United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Retrieved October 31, 2021, from https://unfccc.int/ climate-action/momentum-for-change/financing-forclimate-friendly-investment/payments-forenvironmental-services-program.

Tortuguero National Park in Costa Rica

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Anna Forsman I stand up in these mountains Speaking solemn hues I am an honest muse Questioning solitude Never once alone — My mothers & sisters Share in life with my energy Endlessly I sip from their wells of knowledge Intrigued, humbled, learning depth through collectivism, unity, sisterhood & sharing We are never alone in our feelings & spirits I thank all of the women who brought me here Who taught

me here We let the Water Touch our Feet And sit in the moments That were meant to be There is a quiet wild in us That accounts for all days off As days off Often require stillness There is a fertile wilderness in us That speaks of Heart

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Dangers Unbeknownst to Us

Volume 14 | Issue 1

By: Angel Tello harmaceutical and personal care products, or PPCPs, are extensively and ubiquitously used around the globe for personal health and cosmetic purposes. Unfortunately, these products have grown to become a significant component of the expanding group of chemical contaminants of emerging concern, as little is known about the impact of continuous exposure to these contaminants on the environment or human health.

As we transition into 2022, our look-good liability has evolved to be more expansive than ever before.

have been attributed to adding these chemicals to the water system (Cizmas et al., 2015). Other sources that may potentially introduce PPCPs into the environment include disposing expired or unused PPCPs in the toilet or sink, and through waste from domestic animals.

The water and wastewater treatment communities have been especially concerned about PPCP contamination because of the universal nature of PPCPs, as well as their ability to persist or only partially degrade in water and during wastewater treatment. PPCPs dissolve easily and do not evaporate at normal temperatures and pressures, so The United States’ Environmental Protection they are frequently found in aquatic environments, Agency defines PPCPs as “any product used by individuals for personal health or cosmetic reasons or which may even include human drinking water used by agribusiness to enhance growth or health of sources (Ebele et al., 2017). Essentially, if PCPPs invade our water system, they are nearly impossible livestock” (Environmental Protection Agency). This definition consists of the thousands of synthetic and to avoid. For humans, consuming potable water that may contain trace concentrations of thousands of naturally occurring chemicals that encompass various PPCPs has been identified as a major route of fragrances, cosmetics, prescription and over-theexposure. Other primary exposure routes include the counter drugs, and veterinary medicines. Highly consumption of seafood containing PPCPs and their recognizable examples of PPCPs include caffeine, derivatives, as well as dermal contact with untreated Ibuprofen, Naproxen, and estrogens, and although these compounds may seem innocuous at first, little water when bathing or showering. is known about the effects of their long-term and The primary concern to researchers is the fact omnipresent exposure to human health. that many of the compounds in these self-care Studies conducted over the past few decades have detected contaminants such as antibiotics, prescription drugs, steroids, reproductive hormones, and personal care products in both surface water and ground water in the United States (Ebele et al., 2017).

PPCPs typically enter the water system when passed through the body and into sewer lines or washed off the body and into the ground or sewage system through shower drains. Even unremarkable activities such as shaving, using lotions, or taking medication

products or medications contain compounds or metabolites that remain biologically active. Scientists have become increasingly worried that the presence of PPCPs in water supplies will expose individuals and ecosystems to endocrine-disrupting compounds

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And promote antibiotic resistant bacteria.

Studies have shown that certain PPCPs such as estrogen act as endocrine disruptors, which are compounds that alter the normal functioning of the hormone system and result in a variety of adverse health effects. According to the EPA, “The emerging contaminants may also demonstrate low acute toxicity but cause significant reproductive effects at very low levels of exposure” (Environmental Protection Agency). In addition, there exists a potential for the development of antibiotic resistant bacteria due to contamination from improper disposal of antibiotics. A study in Austria found “similarities in the antibiotic resistance patterns in Escherichia coli isolated from sewage sludge and patients under medical treatment in 2000 and 2009” (Cizmas et al., 2015). There is increasing proof that the production and accumulation of antibiotic resistance in the natural environment promotes antibiotic resistance in medical and urban settings.

Therefore, it is vital that antibiotics are properly disposed of and are not exposed to the water system.

consistent exposure, even to minimal concentrations.

As it stands, the research field of PCPP contaminants is not free from controversy. In 2016, scientists affiliated with the journal Science of the Total Environment argued that there is a low potential for adverse human health effects because the drugs detected in water systems had only been detected at very low concentrations (Serra et al., 2016). However, scientists affiliated with the EPA have warned the general public from adopting this particular way of thinking, as it dismisses the significance of human exposure to biologically active drugs in drinking water for people whom the pharmaceuticals are not intended or approved for.

According to the California Department of Toxic Substances Control, there may be “the potential for non-target, unintended effects at sub-therapeutic doses; unknown additive or synergistic effects due to exposure to chemical mixtures; and the potential for effects following continual long-term exposure to low concentrations” (Government of California).

The EPA has stated that drugs are designed Little is known about the ultimate morbidity and mortality rate of PCPP pollution when it comes intentionally to interact with receptors at very low to humans, but a 2019 study showed that “nearly all concentrations to produce a biological effect, so it aquatic ecosystems are affected by sublethal levels may be unwise to ignore the problem just because of anthropogenic chemical contamination” (Parrish the concentrations seem insignificant (Environmental Protection Agency). Exposure risk et al., 2019). This same study found that mosquito for humans is still a major concern because humans predator consumption rates were drastically are subject to continual, multi-generational reduced when exposed to three different PCPPs (caffeine, DEET (N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide), and exposure, as well as possible low-dose side effects that may be too subtle to be noticed by medical triclosan). Therefore, we have tangible evidence that PCPP pollution is affecting the ecosystem, food professionals and ultimately lead to a more lethal disease within the human body. There is a demand webs, and predator-prey dynamics. With such dramatic changes happening on a micro scale with for research on the subtle effects of PPCA smaller creatures, scientists are justified to feel contamination because they may accumulate with continuous exposure and become more significant. concerned about how these contaminants are affecting human bodies on a cellular level with

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Then, how may we prevent the masses from being entirely and constantly exposed to these risks?

Many activists and international environmental protection agencies have called upon law remedies, such as negligence and strict liability, to address concerns over the rapidly increasing concentration of PPCPs in water supplies. However, this remedy relies entirely on the success of this legal action.

Taking legal action to address such a convoluted issue is often excessively expensive and time consuming. In addition, successful litigation will require plaintiffs to prove causation, which would involve specific manufacturers that produced a specific the PPCP in the lawsuit, and which specific PPCP resulted in the proven harm. These are obstacles that may be difficult to overcome, as it is difficult to track and study singular PCPPs and where they were derived to establish a causation.

An alternative solution for addressing PPCP contamination in drinking water would be to refocus on removing PPCPs from its sources.

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products should be redesigned to minimize their concentration in human and animal excretion of wastes, which would then in turn diminish the volume of PCPPs in the water system. When treatment is required, the use of alternative drugs should be considered first. In addition, a thorough public education program to inform individuals and communities on how to properly dispose of their pharmaceuticals and personal care products will be essential in reducing PPCP contaminations.

We as the public must address the hazard of PPCP contamination before it is allowed to get any worse. In the United States, water reuse will likely increase as the population grows and the country

experiences an increasing number of droughts. This fact, paired with the growing number of PPCPs being used in new products and medications, has the potential to lead to an even greater volume of PPCP in water systems. Additional research in water treatment technologies and advocacy for safe water will be required to maintain healthy aquatic ecosystems and improve the health and safety of global water supplies.

References Cizmas, L., Sharma, V. K., Gray, C. M., & McDonald, T. J. (2015).

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products in waters: occurrence, toxicity, and risk. Environmental chemistry letters, 13(4), 381–394. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-015-0524-4 Ebele, A. J., Abdallah, M. A. E., & Harrad, S. (2017).

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in the freshwater aquatic environment. Emerging Contaminants, 3(1), 1-16.

Eckstein, G., & Sherk, G. W. (2011). Alternative Strategies for Managing Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Products in Water Resources. Texas Tech University School of Law. Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). Contaminants of Emerging Concern including Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products. EPA. Retrieved October 26, 2021.

Government of California. (n.d.). Toxicological Issues Associated With PPCPs. Department of Toxic Substances Control. Retrieved October 26, 2021, from https://dtsc.ca.gov/ pharmaceutical-waste/toxicological-issues-associated-with-ppcps/.

Parrish, S. C., S. M. Dormio, S. L. Richards, K. A. McCoy, and M. W. McCoy. (2019). Life in a contaminant milieu: PPCP mixtures generate unpredictable outcomes across trophic levels and life stages. Ecosphere, 10(12):e02970. 10.1002/ ecs2.2970 Serra-Roig, M. P., Jurado, A., Díaz-Cruz, M. S., Vázquez-Suñé, E., Pujades, E., & Barceló, D. (2016). Occurrence, fate and risk assessment of personal care products in river-groundwater interface. The Science of the total environment, 568, 829–837. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.06.006

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Old McDonald Had A... Camel?

By: Enya Laumbach

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traditional herd animals like cows out of the way. hen you think of typical farm They have a more generalist and adaptable diet animals, what do you picture? You probably see than cows and goats and their long necks mean chickens, horses, pigs and cows, maybe even some they can graze or strip leaves from trees. goats and sheep. However, there may very well be Grasslands which they feed from don’t become a new addition to that list soon. Camels seem to depleted due to their lack of hoofs, and neither do be the hot new farm animal in much of the they exacerbate already scarce water resources developing world. What is it that's making these during droughts as cows do. And while cows and gangly looking fellas so special? small stock dry up during droughts and prolonged dry spells, camels continue to lactate, even with First, we should specify which camel it is we’re talking about. As you might know there are minimal water (Elhadi et al., 2015). two major species of the genus Camelus, Yup, you’re reading that right, the hot new Dromedaries with one-hump and Bactrians with thing in agriculture is camel milk. A well fed camel two. Bactrians are native to the steppes of central can yield up to 20 liters per day (Tadesse & Dessie, asia while Dromedaries hail from the deserts of 2003). In addition, camel milk is said to be Arabia. The species that has been seeing an superior to cow’s milk, both in taste and nutrition. explosion in popularity recently is the Dromedary Camel milk is three times as rich in Vitamin C than camel. It’s origins in the dry, hostile desert has cow's milk, rich in iron, unsaturated fatty acids, made it well suited for an increasingly dry and and B vitamins, and is even said to have extra hostile Earth. That’s right, as it is with almost health benefits for people with diabetes, anything these days, it all comes back to climate tuberculosis, and stomach ulcers. It also has the added benefit of longer shelf life, meaning more is change.

With climate change, rising temperature in able to make it to market from rural communities rural areas has made the water and foliage needed (Singh et al., 2017). The middle class in many developing nations, such as Kenya, are already to sustain a herd scarce. developing a taste for camel milk, and Dromedary camels according to the United Nations Food and however are one of the Agriculture Organization (FAO), the herd animals least affected by these changes, and in some communities they're pushing

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Global camel milk industry could be worth up to 10 billion dollars a year. In Kenya, there is already talk of a 'camel rush', as demand outstrips supply.

While camels aren’t the perfect replacement for cows; they take longer to raise and produce less offspring, making them not particularly good at meat production, and there a breeds of cattle like Holsteins which are far more prolific dairy producers than the best camel; they are making the difference in those more rural and poor communities which are made the most vulnerable by climate change.

Camel agriculture too has begun to make the leap from smallholder agriculture, as in that which is primarily to feed a family, to commercial and large scale agriculture in places like Kenya.

contribution to household diet and income.

Pastoralism, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13570-015 -0028-7 FAO, & USAID. (2017). KENYA Country Brief Republic of Kenya.

Singh, R., Mal, G., Kumar, D., Patil, N. V., & Pathak, K. M. L. (2017). Camel Milk: An Important Natural Adjuvant. In Agricultural Research (Vol. 6, Issue 4, pp.

327–340). Springer India. https://doi.org/10.1007/ s40003-017-0284-4 Tadesse, M., & Dessie, T. (2003). Milk production performance of Zebu, Holstein Friesian and their crosses in Ethiopia. Livestock Research for Rural Development, 15(3), 28–37. http://www.lrrd.org/ lrrd15/3/Tade153.htm

Dromedary camels may very well be the key to sustainable agriculture in a world affected by irreversible climate, and it might not be long until we start seeing a glass of camel milk with every bowl of cheerios in the morning.

References Elhadi, Y. A., Nyariki, D. M., & Wasonga, O. V. (2015). Role of camel milk in pastoral livelihoods in Kenya:

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The Power

Of Water By: Sarah Ekenezar

In the mainstream discussions of alternative energy sources, hydroelectric energy appears to be an underdog that could potentially elevate entire communities that have readily available water sources. Hydroelectricity has relatively low greenhouse gas emissions, particularly from plants in temperate weather zones (Wehrli). It is a “form of energy that harnesses the power of water in motion—such as water flowing over a waterfall—to generate electricity” (NG). It has been used for at least two thousand years, with some of the earliest forms found in ancient Greece; a particular instance was when people used water to turn a mill that ground wheat into flour (NG). In terms of function, hydroelectric plants usually have a water reservoir, a valve that limits the amount of water that exits, and a place for the exiting water to stay in (NG).

Just before the water spills over an elevated surface like a hill, it gains potential energy which becomes

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kinetic energy, or energy of movement, as the water goes down (NG). This water can move a turbine’s blades to produce electricity, and more or less water may be released to meet the necessary energy demands of the community (NG).

In recent years, the hydroelectric power movement has picked up steam in East African nations like Kenya, and one brilliant mind named John Magiro Wangare has played a pivotal role in its growing popularity. Wangare, the founder of the ‘Mini Hydro Power Plant,’ says, “It is important to help my community, some people have the idea but don't have enough resources” (GBS & Dangote). His ultimate goal is expanding access to electricity throughout rural Kenya, such as his hometown of Njumbi; here, people primarily relied on kerosene for light which is both expensive and produces harmful fumes when heated (GBS & Dangote).

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As a professional electrician today, Wangare sometimes reflects on times in childhood when he walked around three kilometers to purchase kerosene for lamps (GBS & Dangote). He started his innovative hydroelectricity project ten years ago while in secondary school, as he developed an interest in electricity early on (GBS & Dangote). He noticed that his brother’s bicycle lit up when its wheels turned and became fascinated by the concept. Wangare wanted to expand on the idea and figure out what could power it. He later sold around 300 rabbits to buy a larger mechanism that was similar to the one of his brother’s and began working on his power plant with scrap materials (GBS & Dangote).

Using the force of a local river, he was able to generate energy for his turbine.

Today, his power plant produces approximately 250 kilowatts for 250 connected homes (and counting), thus helping his community for the better. It is stories like this that serve to remind us that we hold incredible power in our minds that can be used for positive change.

References Cited N.n. (6 Mar. 2018). Meet the Man Who Built His Own Power Plant. Great Big Story & Dangote.

Retrieved November 1, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=9YrcruOIAPs N.n. (n.d.) Screenshot. Retrieved November 1, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=9YrcruOIAPs N.n. Hydroelectric Energy. National Geographic. Retrieved November 1, 2021, from https://www.nationalgeographic.org/ encyclopedia/hydroelectric-energy/

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Bucket List for the Traveler: Murrells Inlet, South Carolina

Jeremy Lewan

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ucked away 13 miles south of the frenzy of the Myrtle Beach Strip, Murrells Inlet has become a serene retreat for naturelovers and retirees alike (“Murrells Inlet 2020”). It's not surprising that as the current “seafood capital of South Carolina,” Murrells Inlet was a former bustling fishing village for the Winyah and Waccamaw Indians (“Welcome to Murrells Inlet”). Later, it also became home to rice and indigo plantations for European settlers. At one point, it even served as a lair for the infamous pirate, Blackbeard (“Welcome to Murrells Inlet”).

Today, Murrells Inlet is known for its Marshwalk, a ½-mile long wooden walkway, complete with premier seafood restaurants, live music, and unspoiled

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views of the surrounding protected tidal wildlife refuge (Dean).

I went to Murrells Inlet with my friend

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As such, it has become a spot sought out by birdwatchers and eco-tourists. It is also frequented by water-sports enthusiasts, as kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, parasailing, jet-skiing, and deep-sea fishing excursions are available from the Marshwalk (Dean; “Murrells Inlet: Nature”).

A segment of the Marshwalk.

Also in Murrells Inlet is Brookgreen Gardens, the world's largest outdoor sculpture and botanical garden (“Murrells Inlet: Nature”). Art and history buffs can spend Table of Contents

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Murrells Inlet is a quaint and legendary getaway, intertwining nature, entertainment, and world-class seafood all in a half-mile walk. Be sure to have some Southern hushpuppies, savory deep-fried cornmeal bites (W). (They were invented here!)

Sources Dean, P. (n.d.). The Marsh Walk. Retrieved September 15, 2021, from https:// ontheflysouth.com/the-marsh-walk/ Murrells Inlet 2020. (n.d.). Retrieved September 15, 2021, from https://murrellsinletsc.com/

Murrells Inlet: Nature, Seafood & Relaxation. (n.d.).

Retrieved September 15, 2021, from https:// www.visitmyrtlebeach.com/plan/ neighborhoods/murrells-inet/ W. (2013, June 16). Seafood Capital of South Carolina. Retrieved September 15, 2021, from https://www.wheretraveler.com/myrtle-beach/ seafood-capital-south-carolina Welcome to Murrells Inlet, S.C. (n.d.). Retrieved September 15, 2021, from https:// www.myrtlebeach.com/myrtle-beach-area/ murrells-inlet/

Late night strolls on the Marshwalk.

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Volume 14 | Issue 1

Poetry (continued)

By Anna Forsman

Full body leaning over the edge of a 1900s iron bridge Encountering the lives you’ve lived within and without me An exchange with a humming water How we realize we are not the I living here, but the Life itself that permeates, penetrates, animates All that we are & All that we know

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16# | The Trail 14

Volume 14 | Issue 1

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has completely altered the way humans interact with their surroundings, which has brought a lot of positives for the environment. However, there have also been some downfalls that have not been as publicly reported as the positives. With everyone staying home under lockdown orders, one would think that less human activity would ultimately, without a doubt, produce significant strides for the health of the environment, right? Well, it is true that the lockdown measures helped decrease air and noise pollution and allowed wildlife to come back into their natural habitats. However, with restrictions easing, we are now seeing that carbon emissions are skyrocketing, and things like single-use plastics for packaging and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) have strted to pile up in waterways and green spaces.

Beth ardiner, a writer for National Geographic, states, “In early April, with shutdowns widespread, daily global carbon emissions were down by 17 percent compared to last year. But as of June 11, new data show that they are only about 5 percent lower than at the same point in 2019, even though normal activity has not yet

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Volume 14 | Issue 1 fully restarted” (Gardiner 2021). While the pause from mass commuting was beneficial for many, including the climate, now that we can be more in-person with each other, people tend to go out more than they did before the pandemic. This is similar to the 2007-08 financial crisis when emissions dropped and then bounced back (Gardiner 2021). With the increase of emissions, the number of plastics in the oceans has increased from the pandemic, largely due to PPE. A very crucial part of people protecting themselves from COVID-19 has been the use of PPE. The purpose of PPE is to prevent the spread of germs, meaning it is typically meant to be thrown out after a single-use, resulting in large amounts of PPE waste. This has been clearly seen in oceans and along beaches. A journal article by Gabriel E. De-la-Torre and Tadele Assefa Argaw Mentioned that PPE could rapidly develop microplastics and even be a source of chemical contaminants (Aragaw and Dela-Torre 2021). They also commented that the cause of the many products of PPE being found in waterways and along beaches could be due to many factors ranging from fishing activity to poor waste management to oceanic currents (Aragaw and De-la -Torre 2021). Because the research on the long-term effects is still being done, there is not a lot of concrete evidence about what the impact of PPE will have on aquatic ecosystems. However, it is clear that PPE has perpetuated the issue of plastic pollution even more.

In addition to the increased production of plastics, there has also been increased production of disinfectants. Things like hand soaps, sprays for door handles and tables, and even disinfectants for roads have been used all around the world. They have become dangerous to the environment, as these products are deadly to natural inhabitants. BDO Global, a company involved with supply chain management, shares that “Much of the disinfectants and antiseptics, such as hand soap which contains a high percentage of the hormone-disrupting pesticide Triclosan (TSC - Triclosan converts to dioxin, a highly toxic compound when exposed to sunlight), is naturally finding its way into our water systems” (BDO Global 2021). With the rapid need to disinfect and protect from the virus, there are also some sad truths, like how harsh and severely harmful the products that we are using are to the environment.

No one knew what to expect from this pandemic, and it was promising to see that there were some positives for the environment in the midst of a very challenging, depressing time for humanity. Sadly, in order to protect humans from spreading the virus to each other, it ultimately resulted in us having to increase the number of plastics we were using (PPE) and the number of harsh chemicals used in disinfectants. On top of that, now that vaccines have become more readily available, people have taken advantage of their ability to safely see others and travel, making carbon emissions rise again. Due to the fact that we are still dealing with the COVID-19

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Volume 14 | Issue 1 References Image from CDC

BDO Global. (6 January 2021). “How Does COVID-19 Impact the Environment?” BDO, BDO Global. Website. Retrieved November 3, 2021. www.bdo.global/en-gb/insights/global-industries/natural-resources/howdoes-covid-19-impact-the-environment.

CDC. “Women in Yellow Protective Suit Wearing White Face Mask”. Pexels. Photograph. Retrieved November 3, 2021. https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-in-yellow-protective-suit-wearing-white-face-mask3992948/ De-La-Torre, Gabriel E., and Tadele Assefa Aragaw. (February 2021) “What We Need to Know about PPE Associated with the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Marine Environment.” Marine Pollution Bulletin, vol. 163, 2021, p. 111879., doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111879. Journal Article. Retrieved November 3, 2021. https:// www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X20309978 Gardiner, Beth. (3 May 2021). “Why COVID-19 Will End up Harming the Environment.” Science, National Geographic. Article. Retrieved November 3, 2021. www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/why-covid-19 -will-end-up-harming-the-environment?loggedin=true.

Grabowska, Karolina. “Set of Medical Protective Face Masks”. Pexels. Photograph. Retrieved November 3, 2021. https://www.pexels.com/photo/set-of-medical-protective-face-masks-4197564/ Jozwiak, Marcin. “White Smoke Coming Out From a Building”. Pexels. Photograph. Retrieved November 3, 2021. https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-smoke-coming-out-from-a-building-3634730/ Trask, Amanda, et al. (2021) “COVID-19 and the Environment.” Geneva Environment Network. Website. Retrieved November 3, 2021. www.genevaenvironmentnetwork.org/resources/updates/updates-on-covid-19-andthe-environment/.

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Volume 14 | Issue 1 Image by Marcin Jozwiak

Image by Karolina Grabowska

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Volume 14 | Issue 1

Crossings: Ravi Shankar Between forest and field, a threshold like stepping from a cathedral into the street— the quality of air alters, an eclipse lifts, boundlessness opens, earth itself retextured into weeds where woods once were.

Even planes of motion shift from vertical navigation to horizontal quiescence: there’s a standing invitation to lie back as sky’s unpredictable theater proceeds.

Suspended in this ephemeral moment after leaving a forest, before entering a field, the nature of reality is revealed.

FINISH

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