Tuskan Times Volume 7 Issue 3

December 2018 Issue

International School of Florence

Volume 7, Issue 3

What’s in this issue?

MIDTERMS: WHAT DO THEY MEAN?, 1 DARWINIAN DISCOVERIES, 3 4 UN PLASTIC BAG BAN, 5 6 ARE WE REACTING TO CLIMATE CHANGE?, 7 8 JUSTICE FOR KHASHOGGI, 910 US MAIL BOMB SUSPECT IDENTIFIED, 1112 OCEAN ACIDIFICATION, 13 14 THE RENAISSANCE MOVEMENT, 1516

18 DAVID AND LISAL EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW 17 HUMANS OF ISF, 18 19

STAFF Editor-in-Chief Isabella Lovalvo Co-Editor Niccolò Platt Layout Editors Giulia Oosterwijk Jacqueline Obert

Artists Grace Ihle Jacqueline Obert Advisor John Pitonzo Front cover by Grace Ihle Back cover by Jacqueline Obert

MIDTERMS: WHAT DO THEY MEAN AND WHY SHOULD I CARE?

By Isabella Lovalvo Let’s face it: even your own country’s politics, let alone another’s, can be enough to make you scratch your head at times. Whether you’re a foreigner or an American in need of a review, if the American midterms have left you in a state of confusion, you’ve come to the right place.

failure to do so, as was seen during the Obama Administration, can render it more difficult for him to take certain actions and pass partisan legislation.

In the case of the 2018 Midterm Elections, the Republicans had controlled both parts of Congress since the 2014 elections, facilitating the passage of legislation under the Trump administration, as well as confirming some of the president’s most controversial picks to their posts. Their maintenance of power in both chambers was seen as necessary to ensure the unfettered continuation of their agenda.

First of all, what are the midterm elections?

Even though they don’t involve the election of a new president, the midterms are a crucial event in the American political system. As Senate terms last six years, while terms in the House last only two, each election features Republicans and Democrats waging war over hundreds of seats in order to determine who will gain control of the two chambers of congress.

Why are the midterm elections important?

Though many see the presidential elections as much more significant, the midterm elections hold wide repercussions for the president and the rest of the government, acting as a sort of referendum to gauge the people’s approval so far. The president, of course, hopes that his party will win or maintain both chambers in congress, as

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What were the key issues leading up to the elections?

As the elections served as a referendum for the Trump presidency, it was clear that candidates would give particular emphasis to key issues on which the administration has so far focused. Health care was a major source of debate; though the Republicans had so far failed to repeal the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, they hoped a victory might allow them to finally do so. The Democrats, meanwhile, warned of the dangers in doing this.

Economy played another significant role, as Republicans pointed to the current 3.7 % u nempl oyme nt r a te in the U S A, t he

lowest in almost fifty years, praising President Trump for tax cuts and impressive GDP growth.

According to polls, the economy was also the number one issue for the Democratic candidates (though notably only second most important for Republican candidates), as well as for 27% of voters.

Lastly, the two parties campaigned on some of the Trump Administration’s more controversial issues.

Trump’s contentious nomination of now Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh and his confirmation to the court succeeded in angering Democrats and re-energizing voters on both sides of the political spectrum. Meanwhile, Trump’s hard-line stance on immigration served as an equally disputable issue in the campaigns, with many Republicans upholding his views and accusing Democrats of maintaining ‘open borders.’ Democrats, meanwhile, vehemently denied this and decried Trump’s immigration policies in the wake of the administration’s actions concerning the migrant caravan, as well as their decision earlier this year to separate migrant children from their parents.

How Did it All Go Down?

This year, all 4 3 5 seats in the H o u s e of Representatives were up for grabs, while voters elected candidates to thirty-five seats in the Senate. Previously, the former had been composed of 193 Democrats and 235 Republicans, while the disparity between the two parties was lesser in the latter, which comprised two Independents, forty-seven Democrats, and fiftyone Republicans.

The most widely predicted scenario was that the

Republicans would maintain their grip on the Senate but lose control of the House; this did indeed prove to be the case, with the Democrats gaining thirty-nine seats, bringing their total number to 234 and well surpassing the 218 seats needed for a majority. True to predictions, however, they failed to win back the Senate, losing two seats to Republicans, who now hold a solid 53-47 majority.

What Does This Mean?

Since the Democrats’ recovery of the House, many have been asking exactly what this means for the Trump Administration and the nation as a whole. Even though the American political sphere is at times volatile and unpredictable, one can make a few inferences concerning what the future has in store for a split Congress.

Democrats are expected to take a hard line against President Trump’s administration, protecting Obama-era policies such as the Affordable Care Act. Nancy Pelosi, who will likely regain her old position of Speaker of the House when the Democrats take the majority in January, stated, “Tomorrow will be a new day. It’s about restoring the Constitution’s checks and balances to the Trump administration. It’s about stopping the GOP and Mitch McConnell’s assaults on Medicare, Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, and the health care of 130 million Americans living with preexisting medical conditions.”

However, this likely isn’t the only issue Democrats plan to tackle. Their newly regained power will allow them to launch further

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investigations into the Trump administration concerning possible collusion with Russia, as well as campaign finance violations and the president’s tax returns.

Leading up to the elections, Trump and other Republicans warned that their loss of the House would mean the president’s impeachment. However, those who favor his removal should refrain from getting too excited. The road to impeaching a president is long and paved with bureaucracy and bipartisanship; though the House

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could impeach Trump with a simple majority vote, the ultimate decision lies with the Senate, who would need a two-thirds majority to remove him, unimaginable after Republican gains in this election. A Democrat House majority makes impeachment possible but highly unlikely, as prior articles concerning the subject have failed to gain anything near a majority vote. Pelosi has also repeatedly stated that impeaching Trump is not on the party’s to-do list. This is not to say that the president’s life won’t be made more difficult after the election results, but to hope or fear that Trump’s term will end before 2020 seems quite unrealistic.

DARWINIAN DISCOVERIES: UNEARTHING THE PAST

By Jay Hughes Ransley What would you think if you saw a walking manatee? Maybe a giraffe with a medium sized neck? Well scientists have discovered that seemingly fictitious creatures like these did once in fact roam the earth. Charles Darwin has been known as the father of evolution since he published his theory. Upon honoring his 200th birthday, on February 12, 2009, the theory of evolution and his other findings have been celebrated, with many in the scientific community producing new findings supporting his original discoveries.

This threw scientists into a loop of new findings; it is now thought to be the oldest ancestor of humans.

But these discoveries don’t just concern hominids.

One example can be found in giraffe fossils. Most giraffe fossils feature short necks, however, the giraffes of today have long necks. There is a fossil that is being prepared for description by the Institute of Technology’s New York Osteopathic medicine; this description shows the intermediate length of the giraffe’s neck. The remains of the 7-million year old creature with a neck shorter than that of the modernday giraffe but longer than other giraffe fossils provides proof that the animal’s iconic feature evolved in stages, lengthening over time.

It is clear to us that the evolutionary tree isn’t really a tree; it’s more like a bush with tentacles branching in several different directions. All hominid fossils found to date form a complex nexus of specimens. In 2001, it was discovered that a newly-discovered species of hominid, Sahelanthropus tchadensis, walked upright 7 million years ago.

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These new discoveries also concern manatees,

Scientists have unraveled so much about

the marine mammals that have flippers and a

evolution in the past few years, and major

downturned snout for grazing the shallow shores.

discoveries will continue to be uncovered as

In 2001, scientists discovered a fossil of a

time goes on. Charles Darwin is considered to

“walking manatee,” which had feet rather than

be the father of evolution, his theories

flippers and walked on land during the Eocene

continuing to be proven over and over again.

Epoch (54.8--33.7 million years ago) in what is

When he first traveled to the Galapagos

now present day Jamaica. It had more of an

islands, he kept in-depth and detailed notes,

aquatic lifestyle, like Hippos. Scientists know that

drawings, and specimens to prove his theory of

mastodons, elephants, and mammoths are all

evolution. He saw the evolution of mammals,

related to each other. The primitive members of

avians, aquatic life, insects, and more. given

this group can be traced back to what Donald

the vast amount of unique specimens available

Prothero, an American paleontologist, geologist,

to him for study on the protected islands of the

and author, who specializes in mammalian

Galapagos. Darwin proved to us that evolution

paleontology, calls “the ultimate transitional

is a very important thing, not only for us but

fossil,” Moeritherium, from the late Eocene of

for the world itself, and the number of

Egypt. It looked more like a small hippo than an

invaluable

elephant and probably lacked a long trunk, but it

modern day science is immeasurable.

had short upper and lower tusks, and the teeth of a primitive Mastodon and ear features found only in other Proboscideans.

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contributions

he

provided

to

U.N PLASTIC BAG BAN: IF YOU CAN’T REUSE IT, REFUSE IT

By Sophia Grella When the cashier at the supermarket offers a

Sooner or later, plastic makes its way to the

customer a plastic bag, many don’t often stop to

ocean, and eventually forms what are called

think about their decision, but instead reply with a

“garbage patches.” This also takes a toll on marine

hurried and automatic response. The reality is that

life. Aside from being a prominent component of

people accept the offer without thinking about the

marine debris, the UN report showed that plastic is

consequences of their decision.

also a marine wildlife killer. Aside from being a

As this has been a pressing issue for decades, the

prominent component of marine debris, the UN

United Nations published a report on, not by chance,

report showed that plastic is also a marine wildlife

World Environment Day 2018, regarding the matter

killer. Turtles, whales, and even seals mistake

of plastic waste and plastic pollution.

floating plastic bags for jellyfish or other foods, and

Its findings were frightening. It is estimated that

therefore ingest it. If this doesn’t immediately cause

a number on the order of five trillion plastic bags are

them to suffocate and drown, it will have

used every year worldwide. Only ten percent of that

detrimental effects on their health and drastically

plastic waste is successfully recycled, while the

shorten their life expectancy.

remainder is set out to invade landfills, where it will

What scared people most of all is that by 2050, it

remain for an estimated period of 450 years, since

is estimated that there will be more plastic in the

that’s the time plastic takes to fully decompose.

ocean than fish. This shocking revelation is what

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caused the UN’s Climate Change Director, Achim Steiner, to immediately call upon a ban for all plastic shopping bags, stating that “Single use plastic bags, which choke marine life, should be banned or phased out rapidly everywhere. There is simply zero justification for manufacturing them anymore, anywhere.” He expressed his plea for help on 8th June, also known as World Ocean Day. Other countries have instead taken the approach of taxing plastic shopping bags in hopes to discourage customers from using them, such as Denmark, England, Indonesia, and Germany. Elisa Tonda, director of the UN Environment Sustainable Lifestyle programme, stated that overall, more than sixty countries plan to place bans or charges on single-use Change is surely on its way. Since the publication of the 5th June report and Steiner’s call to action, there have been multiple steps taken towards reducing plastic waste and managing plastic use altogether. While it will take months, if not years, to fully implement the UN’s ban, there have already been countries who’ve put the ban into practice.

plastics such as bags or polystyrene containers in the near future, and that number is only expected to increase. One way everyone can contribute to reducing plastic waste is simply by refusing to buy a plastic shopping bag and therefore reducing their demand altogether.

Some of the countries which have

banned, or which are in the process of banning the distribution of plastic bags, include China, Israel, Kenya, Canada, Tanzania, South Africa, Singapore, Bangladesh, and parts of India.

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ARE WE REACTING TO CLIMATE CHANGE? By: Niccolo Platt The other day, as I walked out of school, I

Although this might not sound like a very

had to take my coat off. This may make you think

big problem, it most definitely is. Greenhouse

that I am one of those people who would wear a

gases, such as carbon dioxide, which we emit

short sleeved shirt and shorts no matter the weather,

through the burning of fossil fuels, elevate the

seeing as it is currently December, a month usually

amount energy that is contained in the atmosphere,

characterized by icy roads, and several layers of

therefore increasing the temperature. And where do

clothing. I can assure you that I am not one of those

we use these fossil fuels? Mainly in our homes, in

people. I hate the cold, and can’t walk around my

factories, and in our vehicles.

house comfortably without being wrapped up in a

As if all this wasn’t bad enough, he UN

warm blanket. The thing is, it was 18 degrees, and it

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

felt like September rather than 5 December.

(IPCC) recently released a report that if no changes

Obviously, a warm winter day is not a direct

are made, the planet’s atmosphere will reach the

consequence of environmental problems, but it

threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-

brought my mind to climate change, a phenomenon

industrial levels by 2030, increasing the probability

that is causing a vast amount of problems to the

of natural disasters greatly.

environment and to our health. Droughts, which

Thankfully, there are some changes being

give origin to forest fires like the ones in California,

made. Many automobile companies are making

and the rising of sea levels, which have already

efforts to comply with the Paris Agreement

caused the disappearance of several islands in the

requirements to curb climate change. Tesla, the

Pacific, are just a couple of the terrible

company of South African entrepreneur/aspiring

consequences of the increase of global average

Mars colonizer Elon Musk, is at the forefront of

temperatures.

this shift, as the Transition Pathway Initiative

Why is this happening? There isn’t one

assessed that it was the most efficient in terms of

straightforward answer to this question, as many

climate performance, and it has saved more than

different factors are contributing to climate change,

3.5 million tons of CO2 according to Tesla

but one of the most influential ones is certainly the

spokesperson Kamran Mumtaz. Reports suggest

emissions of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

that about 30% of new car sales are projected to be

These are gases that contain the atmosphere’s heat

fully electric or hybrid by 2030. Additionally,

by absorbing infrared radiation, adding to the

electric vehicles could become as affordable as

natural greenhouse effect that enables us to live on

traditional cars by 2022, says CDP research.

the Earth’s surface.

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Major automobile producers, such as BMW and

have to come from renewable sources by 2050, a

General Motors, are working towards cutting the

seemingly impossible target that could actually

production of fuel powered cars completely in the

become achievable if these efforts continue.

near future.

Although these are not a solution to

Another aspect of modern society that is

all of our problems, the automobile industry and

beginning to adapt to environmental awareness

other companies are adapting in a way that will

requirements is the replacement of fossil fuels.

help cushion the impact of climate change on our

Solar energy is the major contributor to this, as it

planet and our existence on it. We are a long way

can be used for an extremely wide range of

from being safe from the threats posed by global

functions, from electrical power, to cooking and

warming, but we are on the right path, as many

heating, by using photovoltaic panels and solar

improvements have been made in the last years.

thermal panels. Many big companies are already

This is not to say that continuing to do what we are

turning to solar energy, such as Apple, who

doing will certainly resolve the climate issues we

announced that “its global facilities are powered

are experiencing, however if we all come together

with 100% clean energy,” and IKEA, where

and contribute to the cause by switching to

currently 91% of its stores are powered by the sun.

sustainable methods, we will be able to change our

Researchers say that 70% of global electricity will

planet’s current situation greatly.

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JUSTICE FOR KHASHOGGI? By: Giulia Oosterwijk On 7 October 2018, a prominent Saudi born

followed by international headlines, claiming that

journalist was killed in the Saudi Arabian consulate

the alleged killing was in fact Saudi Arabia’s doing.

in Istanbul, Turkey. Jamal Khashoggi was a well

An immediate investigation was held within the

known critic of the of the Saudi Royal Family, and

consulate to search for any remnants of the body

wrote in a column for the Washington Post's Global

and traces of evidence against the Saudi Arabian

Opinions section. His writing mocked and scrutinized Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, during his self-imposed exile. Whilst in the US he managed to speak freely on the strict rule of Saudi Arabia, Khashoggi himself was aware of the dangers and consequences, yet continued to attack the royal family. Not only did he criticise the Saudi

government. Officials believe that a hit squad was created by the Crown Prince; roughly eighteen suspects have been identified, including a forensic scientist. Due to the large amount of evidence being found, Saudi Arabia admitted that Khashoggi was killed inside the consulate whilst in a brawl. This

government’s reform programme under the Crown

sudden moment of supposed “honesty” from the

Prince, but even stated that, “The Arab world is

Saudi Arabian authorities was immediately refuted,

facing its own version of an Iron Curtain.”

as Turkish officials stated that they found concrete

Khashoggi presented himself as a threat to the Saudi

evidence of torture. Finally, on 20 October, Saudi

government due to the global attention he was

Arabia admitted that Khashoggi was killed inside

bringing to the kingdom and royal family.

the consulate.

Khashoggi entered the consulate at roughly 13:14 local time, presumably to sort paperwork regarding his marriage. His fiance, Hatice Cengiz, waited for him outside. Neither of them were worried about the visit or any danger, as this was his second time in the consulate. Cengiz was given two mobile phones and waited for ten hours outside the consulate but Khashoggi was never seen after that. Saudi Arabian officials have denied the first wave of allegations; the Crown Prince urged the investigation saying that he is “very keen to know what happened,” and that “[they] have nothing to hide”. The sudden disappearance of Khashoggi has been GLOBAL 9

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Saudi Arabian officials defended their premeditated murder by stating that the acclaimed journalist was overstepping orders, that they were in a state of panic, and that it was justified. Many countries have since been brought to a vital decision between maintaining relations with Saudi Arabia or standing against the regime. As evidence circulates through the news and new statements are given, the light has been shifted towards the tense meeting between Khashoggi’s family and the Crown Prince in Riyadh. The son, Salah Khashoggi, has finally been permitted to leave Saudi Arabia due to the travel ban placed on him as his father was a critic of the kingdom. Khashoggi’s fiance has been pleading for justice at a memorial in London, in addition to calling upon countries to rethink their ties with the oppressive regime. A bipartisan group of legislators has introduced a bill in the US House of Representatives, which calls upon the US arms sales to stop with Saudi Arabia. The slain journalist is a critical test for deep US diplomatic ties with Saudi Arabia, and has also caused the UK to reconsider its connections.

It seems that the Crown Prince has managed to dispose of one critic, yet as a result has heightened the hatred against his kingdom. The Future Investment Initiative (FII) summit would’ve been the highlight of Riyadh’s developing ideals,

yet many companies have withdrawn, presumably due to the Khashoggi controversy.

Sponsors such as The Financial Times, Bloomberg, CNN, and CNBC have stepped away from the summit and will withhold their support until a conclusion has been brought to the murder case. The sudden domino effect has caused the summit’s name to be smeared, as the Economist’s editor-in-chief, Zanny Minton Beddoes, defends his withdrawal from the event by claiming that the Crown Prince’s “brutish handling of even mild critics” has overshadowed the somewhat progressive steps that he has taken.

The ongoing investigation seems to have no real end, and leaves the burning question of how Khashoggi will find justice. Turkey has repeatedly issued requests for the extradition of the suspects, yet Saudi Arabia has denied this and claimed that they will face justice within their kingdom. The tension between countries seems to be consuming the diplomatic and journalist world; international relations are being tested now more than ever. Although Saudi Arabia has defiantly admitted to the cold-blooded murder of an innocent man, it seems that they have created a chain reaction of people standing up against what was once only seen in the past.

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US MAIL BOMB SUSPECT IDENTIFIED By: Dante Fagotti Cesar Sayoc, 56, has been arrested allegedly sending mail bombs to critics of US President Donald Trump.

The bombs were found all over the country, from New York to Los Angeles. None of None of the packages detonated, and the suspect has been taken into custody. He is being accused of five federal crimes: interstate transportation of an explosive, illegal mailing of an explosive, threats against former presidents and other persons, threatening interstate communications, and assaulting current and

How was he caught?

FBI Director Chris Wray said the nationwide investigation extended from “New York to Delaware to Maryland to the District of Columbia to Florida to California.” Mr.Sayoc was caught after his fingerprint was discovered on a package sent to Congresswoman Maxine Waters. The DNA matched a DNA sample collected from Mr. Sayoc’s in one of his previous arrests. Electronic devices were used to track his mobile phone, leading to his arrest in a car park in Plantation, Florida.

Who has been targeted?

former federal officers.

The first device was found

Cesar Sayoc, who has a

in a postbox near the New

long criminal history,

Yo r k

has owned companies

home

of

called Native

businessman George

American Catering &

Soros, a major donor to

Vending, as well as

the Democratic Party, on

Proud Native America

22 October. The item was

One Low Price

discovered by one of his

Drycleaning. In 2002,

employees and bomb

he pleaded guilty in

squad officers later

making a hoax bomb

destroyed it. The

threat to Florida Power & Light. Previously, he

following day, the Secret

had been arrested on multiple occasions for

Service discovered a package addressed to former

charges that included theft, battery, and drug

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. It was found

possession, with convictions in 1991, 2013, and

during a screening of mail sent to the home she

2014. Politically, Sayoc is a registered

shares with her husband, former President Bill

Republican. He registered with the Republican

Clinton, in New York. Furthermore, a third package,

Party on March 4, 2016. Furthermore, he recorded

addressed to former President Barack Obama, was

himself wearing a MAGA hat at one of the

intercepted early on 24 October in Washington DC.

president’s Rallies.

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On Wednesday, a suspected bomb was sent to

Director Mr. Wray noted the devices as “roughly six

CNN’s New York office’s mailroom. Its intended

inches of PVC pipe, a small clock, a battery, some

recipient was former CIA Director John Brennan,

wiring, and what is known as energetic material.”

a vocal critic of Mr. Trump. Later that day, Attorney General Eric Holder was sent a suspected explosive device. This was followed by

The devices are suspected to be pipe bombs. FBI Assistant Director William Sweeney has confirmed that the white powder observed in the packages “did not present a biological threat.”

news that another device, targeting Democratic

This event highlights the current political

Congresswoman Maxine Waters, had been

tension in the US. The Democratic Party and

intercepted. On Thursday, another suspected

Republican Party have become more extreme in

explosive device was found in New York City. It

order to counterbalance one another. The Alternative

had been mailed to the Tribeca Grill in

Right is one of these extreme sectors of the

Manhattan, a restaurant owned by the actor

Republican Party; they consider themselves a range

Robert De Niro. The latter is a vocal Trump

of people who reject mainstream conservatism in

opponent and once called him “a national

favor of authoritarianism, and who have lately seen

disaster.”

a rise in support both in the United States and in

What do we know about the packages?

Europe. Actions such as these and others, allegedly

Fortunately, none of the suspicious packages

attempted by the Alt-Right, have been met with

exploded and no injuries have been reported. FBI

bipartisan calls against violence and in support of moderacy.

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Ocean Acidification is More Dangerous than You Think

By Anaïs Delagneau As the great American physicist Albert Bartlett once said, “The greatest shortcoming of the human race is our inability to understand the exponential function." We also have a limited ability to think in the long term, as explained by Jared Diamond, in his book Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed. Ocean acidification requires an understanding of both. The outcome, however, should not be hard to understand: 70% of the Earth’s surface would no longer be able to curate life. When there are high concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the ocean’s pH is lowered, highly problematic as all organisms can only exist within a narrow pH range. Oceanic acidification is known to influence organisms that contain large amounts of calcium carbonate, such as snails and oysters. Ocean pH is predicted to be 7.8 by 2094. Before the industrial revolution, the ocean’s pH was 8.2 and today, it is 8.1. This decrease of 0.1 is on a logarithmic scale and

represents a whopping 30% change in reality. If we continue living the way we do and one of the building blocks of an ecosystem dies as a result of

this acidification, the entire ecosystem, aquatic and otherwise, could risk being destroyed or at least heavily upset. Since the 1960s, the ocean has been recognised as international, and therefore its issues are a global problem. Yet while there has been progress on other aspects concerning the ocean, little has been achieved to tackle the dire and complex problem that is ocean acidification. The most substantial step taken towards bettering the situation has been through the Paris Agreement, focusing on carbon dioxide emissions. However, the entire world has not taken on the challenge of fossil fuel emission reduction. The United States withdrew from the Agreement, and not all 197 countries ratified it in the first place. Historically, agreements like these have seldom had the desired outcome. The UN Division of Ocean Affairs and Law of the Sea has done tremendous amounts of work. There are also international scientific groups who research the causes and effects of ocean acidification, and who are currently working on possible solutions.

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The problem is, to date, that policy makers haven’t focused on ocean acidification as it has not been internationally perceived as an immediate priority.

For national governments to act on the issue, the science, legislation, and economics must come together. Recently, environmental activists and scientists have made a suggestion to solve the problem in four parts. The first one is simple: combine the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) with a group of independent scientists who have already conducted meaningful research on the topic. The second step would be for them to work together to measure the potential health and economic impacts of the issue, both per country and globally. Thirdly, they would present their findings to push for legislation on the issues (as health risks and economic pressure often lead to policy, as demonstrated by the Montreal Protocol for the ozone layer). Finally, they would create both economic incentives and sanctions for the preservation of safe ocean pH levels. The trick is providing incentives, as most times sanctions are the enforcement mechanism for international affairs. If a country were to realize it would be rewarded for beneficial actions, they would be more likely to take them.

The funds for these incentives would come from the money made from the sanctions, until the policy becomes redundant as every country is complying by the guidelines. The proposed solutions wouldn’t be an end all to the problem and it would certainly take a while to be fully put into motion. It is believed, however, that if it were to be successful, it could also serve as a model to solve additional global problems such as plastic pollution and other issues related to climate change. While many international laws are not currently effective enough, some believe they can be reworked into legislation that leads to positive change.

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Renaissance Movement - Humanity Reborn

By Victoria Grella Nicola Middleton is the founder of ‘The Renaissance Movement’, a group of people working together to promote a ‘spiritual rebirthing’ of the mind and soul.

For those who do not know, could you please define ‘The Renaissance Movement’? This movement is inspired by the Renaissance period of the 14-17th centuries. Florence was the birthplace of the Renaissance, I believe this energy and spirit to be in the city’s soil. It is the gift of Florence to inspire ‘rebirth.’ The Renaissance Movement seeks to inspire people, to awaken a fresh spirit of abundant life, celebrating victorious living within individuals. I see this movement as a rebirthing of what’s hidden deep within each of us. We are unique, special and multifaceted individuals. I see this as a renaissance of the heart, mind, soul and spirit of the individual.

The Renaissance Movement aspires to grow bigger and we place no limits on it. We seek to capture the hearts and minds of anyone really, from locals, to students, to even tourists. This movement inspires you to do new things, think new thoughts, and aspire to deeper depths and greater heights. You are only limited by your dreaming, your imagination, and your courage to go for it. We all need cheering on, and sometimes a gentle nudge, or a loving push, to help us go for it in life.

Life is an incredible adventure. Live it on your own personal unique terms. Make it an exciting and memorable experience! Our goal is for you to arrive at the end of your life and be able to say “Thanks for the ride!”

When/ how did you realise the need for this concept? I wanted to present some form of project to the CAS Programme at ISF. I passionately believe in CAS, as it gives our children the opportunity to experience giving and serving.

When we do this, we are at the root, thinking of and doing things for others, not for ourselves. Ms. Yiannakis told me she was looking for a creative project, w h i c h immediately excited me. It is very much what I am about and also what my business does, so it seemed a very natural fit. I started to present a concept of creativity connected to Florence our lives here. I felt Florence could inspire us and we could in turn give a personal expression of ourselves back to its community. I felt inspired about this being a “win-win- win” concept, for CAS, for the students, and for the city.

Over time, the Renaissance Movement seemed to shape itself. From my initial inspiration and ideas it took the form of an art exhibition.Since then, it has begun to grow and evolve naturally, which feels very fitting for a movement like this.

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What is the preparation process? What do you envision as the final product?

This is a movement during a time when, I believe, humanity needs to rethink and rebirth itself. It feels to me too early to say what the final outcome of The Renaissance Movement will be. I am able to help give fundamental shape and purpose and direction to it, but am unable to control it, nor would I want to. It is important to focus on a deeper discovery of ourselves within our hearts. I envisage a very interesting journey for humanity as we experience what I see as a “spiritual renaissance.” I see humanity selfactualising into the truly creative and freely

expressive creatures we are capable of being, and personally, I don’t see any limits to what we might seek to attain. It would be very difficult for me to say what I envision as the final outcome, but I see something magnificent and glorious, hopefully very pure and radiant, filled with abundant love, life, passion, purpose and creativity.

When/how will ‘The Renaissance Movement’ be exhibited?

I believe a very good and appropriate beginning here in Florence is this CAS art exhibition. It is a tangible project the ISF CAS students are being invited to participate in. We have called the art exhibition “Florence and I: Celebrating Me and My Life.” Students have been invited to express

themselves creatively, using whatever medium they wish. We are asking students to explore their own positive, celebratory relationship and interaction with the City of Florence using traditional painting techniques, poetry, music, photography, videography, multimedia, installations, sculpting, etc. It is my hope to collect enough works of a high standard to put on a meaningful art exhibition. The venue and time is still to be decided. I am keen to open this exhibition to the public of Florence and to launch the Renaissance Movement with it, hopefully during the course of 2019.

How will this project benefit the participants, how will it benefit their day to day life?

This project will benefit you as much as you choose to invest in it. I believe individuals now have the invitation and the opportunity to “go within self,” to find what is hidden on the inside and give creative expression to it. The journey of creating the art is of huge value and benefit for the participants at the deeper emotional and spiritual level.

It will allow individuals to explore, discover, celebrate themselves. How you live and experience your personal life is valuable, important, and worth sharing. I see huge potential value for the individual.

We have the choice to live consciously and to live “on the front foot,” to live as positive, open hearted, and confident individuals loving and respecting one another, and celebrating not just our own lives, but the lives of one another. I want to see this happen in my lifetime. The exhibition might be just a small drop in the ocean, but I believe it’s a drop in the right ocean, and that’s what counts.

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DAVID AND LISA: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

By Peter Wood

As you may or may not know, there has recently been a play at this school. Now, you might be asking yourself, “But what was this play about?”

Well fear not, because I have all the answers you need.

The play is called David and Lisa, as you may have guessed by the title of this article. It recounts the story of a boy named David, a troubled child who hates being touched by people and suffers from OCD, and who is sent to a mental institute for teenagers. At first, he does not like the place at all, but slowly he grows to love it and develops an interest in a girl named Lisa, who suffers from a split personality disorder. Sometimes she's Lisa, a very joyful and happy girl who speaks in rhymes.

Other times she's Muriel, a more serious and mature person who cannot speak, but communicates by writing on a notepad. Of course, there are many more characters in this play to help set the scene, to name a few: Simon, the introverted nerd with a love for chess, Carlos a Puerto Rican who acts like he is part of a gang, Sandra, who acts as if she were 5 years old, Kate the over-sexualized kid who wants attention, and Josette, the cynical kid who is always angry at everyone. Then, of course, there are the three psychiatrists/teachers: Maureen, Dawn, and Alana, who are important figures in helping David to settle in with the rest of the students. And one cannot neglect to mention David’s mother, a very narcissistic woman, and his father, who is very caring about his son but hardly ever sees him due to his work.

Being part of this play myself, I have found that it took a great amount of perseverance to commit

to the cause, it being required to stay after school three to four times a week until 16:45 or even later.

Not to mention, an incredible amount of time and work was poured into perfecting every scene.

Despite all this, to me, it certainly was worth it in the end, not only for the CAS, but also because I got to meet new people and make new friends.

I have never done a project this big before, and I definitely didn’t expect it to be this big either, however it felt accomplishing, and, even though I wasn’t the main character, there’s still a sense of accomplishment that comes with finally perfecting all of my queues and lines, and successfully presenting the play in front of so many people.

However, the person who made all this possible was our director Ms. Mishkin; without her constant support, guidance, and overall kindness, this play would never have been able to take off and achieve success.

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HUMANS OF ISF

By Sophia Lovalvo Anna Sverchevsky

Mr. Dean

“What is your biggest fear?”

“What are you most excited about for the future?” “ I’m really looking forward to seeing my daughter grow up.”

“What is your biggest fear?”

“Honestly, I think my biggest fear would be Italy running out of pizza dough!

“My biggest fear is definitely big objects in the ocean, especially when the water is deep and I can’t touch the bottom.”

“What are you most excited for in the future?”

“There isn’t one thing in particular that I’m excited about. I’m just excited in general for all of the changes and new experiences that life will bring as I get older.”

Averie Fernie “What is one thing on your bucket list?”

“I really want to go to Africa one day.”

Benjamin Grimm “What is your biggest fear?”

“My biggest fear is disappointing someone that I look up to.”

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