Ecoleaders' Newsletter - JAN25

Northfield Mount Hermon

January 2025

ECOLEADERS’ NEWSLETTER

Layout by Jasper Neff and Amy Vongvasin

Photo by Matthew Cavanaugh

NEWS OF THE MONTH

GLOBAL NEWS

Protecting Marine Areas in the Southern ocean, what polar bear poop tells scientists about climate change, and how the supreme court is dealing with the lawsuits against oil companies.

Learn about what the technology advancements of A.I means for this generation and our planet. Does it have the power to help save climate change?

YOUTH CLIMATE ACTIVISM

A.I. & THE CLIMATE Meet the young people leading the charge to protect our planet and future—and find out how you can become one of them!

Causes and ecological impacts of wildfires, from their natural role in ecosystems to the challenges posed by climate change and urban development

WHATS UP WITH THE ECOLEADERS

WILDFIRES Upcoming Lobby Day, Emma Willard school, The Connecticut River Climate Summit!!

GLOBAL NEWS

A CRY OF HELP FOR MARINE PROTECTED AREAS

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by Charlotte Relyea-Strawn

With an increase in commercial fishing on krill in the arctic oceans, people are expressing that the ones who are in charge of protecting marine life are failing.

Krill play a huge role in the ecosystem of the southern ocean because even though they are only two inches in length, together they form one of the largest biomasses on Earth.

“Every single species in Antarctica feeds on krill, or something that feeds on krill,” Rodolfo Werner Marine Biologist says. Two factors have put krill in a risky position.

Krill are already in danger because of sea and air temperatures rising, but because of commercial fishing they are in more of a vulnerable position than they were

A humpback whale lunges out of the water while feeding on krill in the Gerlache Strait in the Western Antarctic Peninsula. Photo by Ryan Reisinger

before. Less ice makes it easier to catch krill as they hangout closer to shore where penguins, seals, and whales are seeking them out. Krill fishing is currently the largest fishery in Antarctica and expected to grow.

MONITORING POLAR BEAR HEALTH Polar bears are so important because of the role they play in balancing the arctic ecosystem, and maintaining the cycle of the food web. Although, with ice caps shrinking and warmer weather the health of polar bears has been closely monitored by scientists. Polar bear poop has actually become a valuable tool to learn how climate change has been affecting their gut microbiome, which tells scientists about their diet and health. “It’s one of those dreams where if you could find a way for them to do well but not need us, that would be the perfect solution,” says Stephanie Collins, a professor at Dalhousie University.

LEGISLATIVE ACTION AGAINST OIL COMPANIES

Photo by World Wild Fund, Sendre Kinnerod

In 2021, Honolulu, Hawai’i raised a lawsuit against fossil fuel because of the environmental impacts of major burning of oil and gas. This case supposedly made companies responsible for paying more than a billion dollars of damage. Now 40 other cases accusing fossil fuel industries are sparking up throughout the country, but these industries are stubborn. They attempted to stop the case in Honolulu and erase the records, but the U.S Supreme Court justices continue moving the cases forward in the lower courts.

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In Honolulu the lawsuit they ensued is asking these companies to provide money so they can repair damage that the recent storms and droughts have caused. They are not aiming to reduce emissions, but holding these companies responsible for giving their part to pay off some of the costs. Essentially these lawsuits want to punish the companies and hold them accountable for their actions. There is a lot of controversy in these cases, with what the industries want versus the people, and why the supreme court is not playing a large role in this issue.

WHAT WILL POWER THE A.I REVOLUTION? -NEW YORK TIMES

By Charlote Relyea-Strawn

Microsoft announced in the beginning of January that they are going to invest 80 billion dollars this year in their company for artificial intelligence data. In order for this to work effectively, Microsoft and other tech companies are in dire need of electricity, which will put a dent in the power grid of natural gas and coal.

With A.I becoming the forefront of many technology initiatives it will affect warming temperatures because of the electricity that is being produced to fuel these data centers. Throughout the next three years, the U.S Department of Energy expects that data centers will triple in their energy consumption, and by 2028 approximately 12 percent of this nation’s electricity usage will be the result of these data centers.

In past years, Microsoft and other similar companies have been trying to help global warming by taking steps such as the promise Microsoft made in 2020 remove all its historic emissions from the atmosphere. Now with their high demand on energy, they are moving in the opposite direction and this is taking a toll on our global temperatures.

Instead of simply cutting into the earth’s natural gas supply to gather the energy needed for these data centers they have started also making large investments in nuclear energy.The drawback of using nuclear energy is that it can take many years to pay off, and these data centers don’t have that spare time. ‘“The challenge is, this is a decade away, and they need power in 12 or 18 months,” said Jason Bordoff, the founding director of the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University. “And there are few options to do that in the very short term other than natural gas.”’

A.I can manage airline and traffic routes, and make technological and energy advancements. While it may seem unimaginable at the time, there’s hope that the power of A.I can be used to instead help solve climate change.

“On the one hand, A.I. is going to take energy, and on the other hand, A.I. can help improve how we deploy clean energy,” Bordoff says. He is optimistic that with the tools A.I has they can be used turned help the effects of climate change, and benefit the earth around us.

The Three Mile Island nuclear power plant near Middletown, Pa., in October. Photo by Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA, via Shutterstock

THE YOUNG PEOPLE TACKLING THE CLIMATE CRISIS

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by Jasper Neff

Since concerns about global warming first gained public attention, young people have been the driving force of the climate movement. When it comes to long-term issues like climate change, future generations are the most affected, motivating young people to challenge the leadership of today and convince them to take action. And the impacts of these ongoing efforts are already observable.

Greta Thunberg’s Fridays for Future movement, where students skip school on Fridays to attend climate protests, is raising awareness about environmental concerns and pressuring politicians to acknowledge the realities of our changing world. Why should students focus on their education when politicians are jeopardizing their futures? Strikes like these provide young people with a platform to express their concerns about climate policies, connect with like-minded peers, and form future collaborations.

Photo by Hanna Franzen from Shuttershock

But youth involvement doesn’t stop there. Young people are also taking the lead through grassroots organizations and initiatives. From urban gardening startups to Clean Up Clubs, youth activists around the world are making tangible impacts in their communities through environment-focused projects.

And this doesn’t have to mean organizing massive coalitions or non-profits (although these types of organizations are a great way to get involved and demonstrate commitment to environmental causes).

Making small changes in your school or community is a powerful way to show that protecting the planet is a top priority for the next generation. When environmental stewardship becomes a common expectation, addressing climate change shifts from being the concern of a few to the responsibility of all.

Perhaps the most significant shift has been young people’s involvement in politics and the legal system.

In recent years, teenagers have made headlines by suing their governments over climate inaction. One of the most notable cases is Held v. Montana,

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where 16 young plaintiffs sued the state for its reliance on fossil fuels and failure to address climate change.

The case, the first of its kind to go to trial, argued that Montana’s energy policies violated their constitutional right to a healthy environment. The teenagers cited extreme weather in their home state and physical and mental harm as grounds for bringing the case to court, and that Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) infringed on their rights by limiting the evaluation of greenhouse gas emissions in environmental assessments. In December 2024, the Supreme Court officially affirmed the case, and many other states with environmental protections in their constitutions are likely to follow in Montana’s footsteps.

Beyond extreme actions like lawsuits, everyday citizens, both young and old, are lobbying for change in government spaces. Lobbying involves communicating with policymakers to influence their decisions. Lobbyists keep lawmakers updated on recent climate events, clarify the complexity of various issues, and share personal stories to garner support for environmental protection bills. Youth lobbyists at the 27th Conference of the Parties (COP27) played a key role in establishing a loss and damage fund and securing increased pledges to the Adaptation Fund, which supports developing countries in adapting to and withstanding climate-related disasters.

Photo by Canva Stock

Members of the NMH community will have the opportunity to experience lobbying firsthand this February by attending Lobby Day at the Massachusetts Statehouse.

Hosted by Our Climate, one of our partner organizations, this event will allow students to meet with legislators, advocate for specific climate-related bills, and learn essential skills for engaging with government officials. If you are interested in participating in Lobby Day and becoming one of these young people paving the way toward a more sustainable future, reach out to mtang26@nmhschool.org or check out the Lobby Day section on the “What’s Up With the Ecoleaders” page of the newsletter.

Photo by Blaise Hope

WILDFIRES: THE COST OF A HOTTER PLANET

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by Priya Chatterjee

Despite being a natural occurrence, wildfires have become more destructive in recent years. These fires are becoming increasingly frequent, fierce, and destructive as a result of human activity encroaching on natural environments and the acceleration of climate change. Despite garnering national attention, the recent flames in Los Angeles are only one aspect of a bigger worldwide catastrophe. Addressing the increasing threat posed by wildfires requires an understanding of both their causes and ecological effects.

What Causes Wildfires?

Wildfires can ignite naturally or through human activities. Lightning strikes, volcanic eruptions, and spontaneous combustion in dry vegetation are some of nature’s ways of sparking flames.

However, around 85% of wildfires in the US are caused by human activity, including arson, abandoned cigarettes, and unattended campfires. By lengthening fire seasons, producing hotter, drier weather, and increasing the frequency of extreme weather events like droughts, climate change makes these hazards worse.

In urban areas like Los Angeles, the interplay between human settlement and wildland vegetation creates a volatile mix. Urban sprawl into fire-prone areas, combined with prolonged drought and intense winds like the Santa Anas, creates conditions where fires can ignite and spread rapidly.

Photo by BBC News

The Ecological Impact of Wildfires Wildfires are vital to the health of ecosystems, despite their reputation for being destructive. Periodic fires remove dead vegetation, recycle nutrients into the soil, and promote the establishment of specific plant species in landscapes that have adapted to fire. Certain seeds, such as lodgepole pine seeds, need a fire's strong heat to sprout. Modern wildfires' severity and frequency, however, upset these natural cycles, making it difficult for ecosystems to recover. Topsoil is destroyed by frequent fires, which increases the likelihood of erosion and hinders plant growth. The destruction of wildlife habitats frequently results in the relocation or extinction of species. For instance, the recent fires in Los Angeles have had a major effect on the area's wildlife and plants, including species that are already endangered, such as the Santa Monica Mountains' mountain lions and the California condor. Massive volumes of carbon dioxide are also released by wildfires, which feeds a vicious cycle of climate change. And then, as forests burn, their ability to act as carbon sinks diminishes, just accelerating global warming even further.

Learning from Los Angeles and Beyond Tackling the issue means taking a multifaceted approach: using controlled burns and smarter forest management, planning urban development to avoid high-risk areas, and addressing climate change to tackle the bigger picture. These steps won’t eliminate wildfires—they’re a natural part of many ecosystems —but they can help reduce the devastation and give communities and landscapes a better chance to recover.

WHAT’S UP WITH THE ECOLEADERS? LOBBY DAY

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by Jasper Neff

Pictured below are CJC members preparing posters for the statehouse march happening this year on February 11th for Youth Climate Lobbying Day. This event brings youths from across Massachusetts to attend meetings with policymakers and advocate for various environmental protection bills before the next legislative session. Some of the policies up for debate from prior years include a zero carbon renovation bill, political transparency, farm-to-school grants, and climate education requirements in public institutions.

The Eco-Leaders have spent the past few weeks preparing for members of the NMH community to join this effort, and personally reaching out to legislators to arrange meetings and discuss strategy. And there’s still time for you to get involved! Reach out to Michelle Tang at mtang26@nmhschool.org by February 4th in order to miss a day of school and strengthen your advocacy skills.

EMMA WILLARD SCHOOL VISIT On January 19th, members of an environmental club at Emma Willard school visited NMH to talk with the Eco-leaders and examine how they might implement some of our current sustainability initiatives. The two schools shared about ongoing projects as well as ways we might collaborate to increase participation among our respective student bodies, develop partnerships between our administrations, and balancing workload with dedicated time for environmental work.

STAY TUNED! Other current Eco-Leader projects include prepping for Green Cup Challenge and the 2025 Connecticut River Climate Summit, a conference hosted by NMH in partnership with other schools that live along the riverbank. Stay tuned for more details about these upcoming events!

LET’S WORK TOGETHER TOWARDS A MORE SUSTAINBLE FUTURE

REACH US AT

ecoleaders@nmhschool.org

SUBMIT ANY QUESTIONS, IDEAS, OR CONCERNS!!!

REFERENCES