The EPIB Trail Volume 20 Issue 1 by TheEPIBTrail

Meet Our Staff

William Clark Writer & Editor

Graphic Designer

Darssita Bhattacharya

Writer, Editor, & Graphic Designer

Natalia Robles Carré

Evan DeAngelis Writer & Editor

Meet Our Staff

Lenna de la Cruz

Graphic Designer

Anastasia Formelio

Isabella Fowler Editor & Designer

Morgan Garrow Writer

Sofia Little Writer, Editorin-Chief

Marshall McCullough Editor, Technical Advisor

Analiese Haag

Writer & Editor

Lauren Koo

Graphic Designer

Meet Our Staff

Anna McHugh Writer & Editor

Aleen Mirza Graphic Designer

Writer

Caleigh Pokallus

Writer & Editor

Annika Noel

Meet Our Staff

Graphic Designer

Lindsey Wiessner Writer & Editor, Head of Publishing

Emily Yang Director of Communications

Molly Yesalavich Editor & Designer

Lexi Tassone

LETTERFROM THEEDITOR

DearReaders,

IamexcitedtopublishthefirstTrailissueofthespringsemester!TheTrail strivestoupliftstudentvoices,andthissemesterhasbeenfilledwithnewideas, creativity,andcollaboration.

Beyondourarticles,we’vebeenexpandingourcreativeefforts.We’recurating Spotifyplaylistsforeachissue,capturingmorenaturephotographyonandoff campus,andlaunchingapodcasttobringourarticlestolife startingwiththis issue.Aswegrowourreachandcommunicationmethods,TheTrailremains deeplyvalues-driven,fosteringconnectionsamongenvironmentaliststhrougha collaborativeapproach. Thisissuefocusesonprofiles highlightingcompaniesandindividualsaligned withourenvironmentalinterests.Ratherthantraditionalinterviews,wetooka research-drivenapproach,sharpeningourinvestigativeskillstocritically examinecompanytransparencyandpersonalinnovation.

Asyouread,Iencourageyoutoreflectonthecompaniesandpeopleyou admire.Dotheirvaluesalignwithyours?Howtransparentarethey?

IamincrediblyproudofeveryonewhocontributedtoTheTrailthissemester. Thisissueisatestamenttothededicationandhardworkofourwriters,editors, anddesigners.Thankyoufortakingtimetopickupourissue.

Going Green: Rutgers Path to Going Green: Rutgers Path to Carbon Neutrality Carbon Neutrality

By:DarssitaBhattacharya

In times of crisis, with the looming threat of climatechangegrowingevermoreurgent,weare witnessing drastic environmental shifts. The impactofclimatechangeisundeniable,asseenin recent disasters like the devastating California wildfires,whichdestroyedover16,000structures and claimed 29 lives in Southern California (Irfan, 2025). The region continues to face compoundingrisks,withheavyrainfalltriggering floods, debris flows, and the constant threat of mudslides(Holthaus,2025).

BeyondtheWestCoast,extremeweatherevents arewreakinghavocacrossthecountry.Recentlya powerfulpolarvortexsweptthroughthecentral United States, unleashing severe winter storms andarcticblasts,affectingover95millionpeople (Dura, 2025). Meanwhile, Kentucky has been battered by straight-line winds, severe storms, flooding, and landslides, leading to significant property damage and infrastructure disruptions (Dura,2025).Therealityisclear:urgentactionis needed That’s why Rutgers University is stepping up, striving to make a difference by committing to carbon neutrality. Through innovativesustainabilityinitiatives,theuniversity istakingastandtohelpprotectourplanetfor

future generations. Change begins with setting clear goals and implementing actionable plans. On April 7, 2022, President and University ProfessorJonathanHollowayannouncedRutgers University's commitment to achieving carbon neutralityby2040(OfficeofthePresident,2022) Attheheartofthismissionisbuildingadedicated community, a role led by the Office of Climate Action.

Moreover, the Climate Action Plan leverages Rutgers’s academic, operational, and economic resources to drive just and equitable climate solutions.AsstatedbytheOfficeofthePresident, theplancallsontheuniversitytoplayanactive role in eliminating greenhouse gas emissions, reinforcing its leadership in sustainability and environmental responsibility. Rutgers aims to advance decarbonization and climate adaptation in collaboration with communities across the state. By the end of the decade, the university planstoreducedirectfossilfuelemissionsby20%, transition to clean energy, and significantly cut carbon emissions targeting a 45% reduction by 2030andkeepingtheinstitutionontrackfornetzeroemissionsby2040(OfficeofthePresident, 2022).Beyondemissionreductions,theOfficeof ClimateActionisalsoaddressingcriticalareas

TheCaliforniaWildfires TheCaliforniaWildfires

Moreover,theClimateActionPlanleverages Rutgers’s academic, operational, and economicresourcestodrivejustandequitable climate solutions. As stated by the Office of thePresident,theplancallsontheuniversity to play an active role in eliminating greenhouse gas emissions, reinforcing its leadershipinsustainabilityandenvironmental responsibility. Rutgers aims to advance decarbonization and climate adaptation in collaboration with communities across the state.Bytheendofthedecade,theuniversity planstoreducedirectfossilfuelemissionsby 20%, transition to clean energy, and significantly cut carbon emissions targeting a 45% reduction by 2030 and keeping the institutionontrackfornet-zeroemissionsby 2040(OfficeofthePresident,2022).Beyond emission reductions, the Office of Climate Actionisalsoaddressingcriticalareassuchas capitalplanning,integratingdecarbonization efforts, and embedding climate adaptation and sustainability into research, campus life, and university policies (Rutgers Office of ClimateAction,2024a).

The Office of Climate Action has established key standards within the Climate ActionPlan,focusingonadaptation,food systems, energy and buildings, land use and building design, procurement and waste, and transportation. Each climate action group is tasked with advancing Rutgers’ mission of carbon neutrality, starting with adaptability. The adaptation team collaborates across campuses to engage host communities and develop comprehensive, equitable climate strategies (Rutgers Office of Climate Action, 2024a). Efforts in food systems aim to cut indirect emissions by 30% by 2030, achieved through initiatives such as adopting a more plant-forward menu, implementing climateconscious food labeling, encouraging reusable bottles and hydration stations, collaborating withlocalcommunitiesonanaerobicdigestion and commercial composting, and prioritizing locallysourced,freshproducts(RutgersOffice ofClimateAction,2024b).

Meanwhile,theenergyandbuildingssectoris working to reduce direct emissions from building facilities by 20% by 2030 by improving efficiency and implementing advanced monitoring and control systems (RutgersOfficeofClimateAction,2025).The university also plans to transition away from fossil fuel-based heating and co-generation by expanding on-campus solar energy generation and increasing reliance on off-grid renewable electricity sources (Rutgers Office of Climate Action,2025).Throughthesetargetedactions,

Rutgers is making meaningful progress toward a sustainable and climate-conscious future. While multiple sectors are contributing to Carbon Neutral Rutgers 2040, these three work collaboratively, each focusing on specific goals that collectively drivetheuniversitytowarditsultimatevision.

Attimes,itmayfeellikewearefightinga losingbattleagainstclimatechange,buteven small efforts can make a difference. A single university in New Jersey committing to sustainabilityandsettingclearintentionsfora greener future serves as a powerful reminder thatindividualactionsmatter.Italsoinspires businesses and institutions to adopt more environmentally conscious practices, reinforcing the urgency of protecting our planet.Afterall,wehaveonlyoneEarth,and it is our shared responsibility to cherish and preserveit.

RUSSEL E. TRAIN

Innovator, Leader, Inspiration

By: Annika Noel

Russell E. Train was a man who understood whatneededtobedoneandtookdecisiveaction toachieveit.Hewasanenvironmentalforcein and of himself, and he made a very positive impactontheworldinawaymanycannotsay they have He was one of the key actors in bringing the environment to the national stage, andnotjustinfrontofthenationbutinfrontof powerful positions like the President. Interestingly, Russell was a conservative who caredverymuchabouttheeconomicstateofthe country, but he balanced that with the knowledgethattheenvironmentcouldn'tbethe cost. Russell is especially relevant now as our country becomes increasingly divided between profitandtheplanet.Russelldemonstratedthat it is possible to balance economic interests and environmental conservation, creating a better worldintheprocess.

Train was born in June of 1920, raised in Washingtonstate,andtrainedasalawyerwhen he began his career. He first became passionate about protecting the environment through safaris in 1956 and 1958. He was a tax court judge until he pivoted his career purely to conservation.

Despite maintaining his Republican politics, he was committed to advocating for protecting natureandwildlife,andimprovingpeople’slives throughenvironmentalprotection(EPA,2016). Hisbipartisanattitudesandambitiousbutwellgrounded ideas for pushing the environmental movement forward made him especially influential in government positions (Rinde, 2023) So influential to the US and its environmentalprogressthathewasawardedthe Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1991 for recognitionofhiswork.

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He also made his impact in high government offices like as Chairman of the White House Council of Environmental Quality and as the administrator of the EPA (and he helped convince Nixon to create both of these). As Chairman,heservedforovertenyearsfrom1969 to 1977, starting in the Nixon Administration, where he advocated strongly for nature conservation and the environment (Heinz, 2001).

In the EPA, he focused on protecting biodiversity, stopping pollution, and protecting citizens from toxic exposure Most notably, TrainwastheleadingfigurebehindtheNational Environmental Policy Act of 1969, which is a foundational document for US environmental policy that requires federal agencies to do an environmental impact assessment before proceedingwithactions(Schneider,2012).

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has been a forceworldwideforover60years.Itisoneofthe biggest environmental organizations and is present in almost 100 countries. The current president and CEO of the WWF says, “People look to WWF and its leadership to bring imagination and perseverance to the important work of conservation, and to build bridges betweengovernment,civilsociety,andbusiness indevisingsolutionsatthescaleofthechallenges weface.Theworlddemandsnolessofus.”his mindsethascarriedonwardfromitsinceptionso many years ago. The good work that the organization has accomplished also has to be recognized,suchasRussellbeingtheWWF-US’s first vice president in 1961 alongside the US branch’spresident,IraNGabrielson.Russellwas the US lead when it came to negotiating the landmark CITES agreement (WWF, 2023) He was chairman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of WildFloraandFauna,betterknownasCITES,is an extremely important piece of international environmentallawandisthebasisforalotofthe policiestheUSandtheworldhaveforprotecting endangered species, specifically from trade It also specifically protects habitats by helping to establish reserves and parks to ensure that habitatsareavailablefor

the wildlife that need them. Part of Russell’s legacy is the Russell E Train Education for Nature Program or EFN, which aims to build capacity for conservation by giving scholarships tohelpcontinuetraining;sinceitstartedin1994, theEFNhasawardedover1000scholarshipsand grants to help those continuing their conservationeducation(WWF,2023).

In his time, Train created an incredible legacy and mark on the world in the name of conservation and helping nature. It is more importantnowthanevertorememberthosewho camebeforeusandhowchangewasmade.Even against the odds, incredible things can happen, andweshouldallremembertheimpactwecan have on our world. Russell E Train is one of millions who have come before us to help the planetandcareaboutnature,andwehaveaduty to ourselves, the future, and their legacy to continuetotryandcreateabetterworld.

Hannah Ritchie:

Data Scientist Reframes the Future of Sustainability

By: Morgan Garrow

Climate anxiety is a growing issue, greatly impactingyoungergenerationsanxiousabout the state of the world and their futures. Doomsday narratives and fear can help raise awarenessandurgencybutalsomayparalyze and halt necessary action when individuals feelcompletelyoverwhelmedbytheproblem. This is the dilemma that Hannah Ritchie, a data scientist and senior researcher at the UniversityofOxford,tacklesinherresearch and awareness efforts. Her book, “Not the EndoftheWorld:HowWeCanBetheFirst Generation to Build a Sustainable Planet”, uses data and historical contextualization to lay out her optimistic framework on the climatecrisis(Bibi2024).

Hannah Ritchie suggests that humans have neverachievedasustainablewayoflife.This concept may be difficult to understand, as many people associate former, small-scale ways of life as having little impact on the environment. However, the modern definition of sustainability encompasses the preservation of both the environment and humanqualityofliving,whichRichieargues society has never adequately accomplished. Sheexplainshowthehumanpopulationwas significantlysmallerinthepast,which

certainly had a lower environmental impact. But as life expectancy improved and the population grew significantly due to agricultural and medical innovations, so did extractionandoverconsumption.ButRichie’s framework puts forth that this population growth and improved quality of life doesn’t have to come at the cost of environmental degradation. As technology changes and environmental regulations are implemented, nations in the Western world have accomplished this decoupling of economic and population growth from environmental destruction(Ritchie2024).

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Ritchie is hopeful that with increased funding and proper incentives, the wealthy Western nations will continue the transition towardsustainablesolutions,especiallyasthe technologybecomeseconomicallybeneficial. To understand this, look to solar panels greatlydecreasinginpriceoverjustacouple of decades due to subsidies and other governmentprograms.Theproblemisthatin developing nations, the upfront cost of renewableenergyinfrastructureistoobigan investment, meaning they will fall back on fossilfuelstomeettheneedsofcitizens.This isthefoundationofRitchie’sargument,that we have the technology and resources to achieve a sustainable world, but we must focus on coordinating internationally to uplift the nations that cannot fund the transition(Ritchie2024).

Mostuniqueandnoteworthyintheworkof Hannah Ritchie is the concept that the climate crisis of the present moment should be framed as an opportunity rather than a catastrophe. She believes that given the progress and adaptability of humans just in thepastcentury,wearecapableofaddressing both environmental and social issues with enoughactionandcoordination.

Sheemphasizesthedetrimentofadoomsday narrative,whichwasonceaneffectivestrategy forcreatingawarenessofthenewresearchand problems,butnowactsasanimpedimentto real progress. This topic is particularly relevantwiththechangesintheU.S.federal administration and handling of environmentalprogress,makingitdifficultto be hopeful as an environmentalist. But looking to researchers and advocates such as Ritchiecanprovidehopeinturbulenttimes, highlighting the global trends towards a sustainablefuture.

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Profile on ChatGPT

and the Environment

Lindsey Wiessner

As a college student in 2025, it is impossible to get through a day of classes without hearing about some sort of artificial intelligence program. There has been much debate over what the impacts of AI will be on a range of topics, from education to employment. One topic that’s become increasingly discussed is the impact that AI has on the environment. ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence program that gives responses to questions or prompts that it is given (Kramer, 2022). In 2023, just a year after ChatGPT’s introduction, the program released an estimated 8.4 tons of carbon dioxide every year while also using considerable amounts of water (McLean, 2024). While Microsoft was running training for ChatGPT, for example, the program used an estimated 700,000 liters of water, putting considerable strain on this valuable resource (McLean, 2024). Even small conversations, with only 20-50 questions, consume the equivalent of 500mL of water (McLean, 2024). While 500mL may not seem like much water at first glance, the scope and popularity of ChatGPT increases water usage as use of the program continues to increase.

Another issue is that artificial intelligence programs, including ChatGPT, are not required to report their carbon footprint (McLean, 2024). This means that while estimates can be made by experts interested in the issue, there is no way to know the exact

amount of carbon emissions that are produced by ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence companies (McLean, 2024). This is extremely problematic since it is more difficult for advocacy organizations to argue for lower emissions when the exact statistics for these emissions are unknown. Because of this, many groups, including Earth.org, argue for full transparency on carbon emissions for all artificial intelligence companies, including ChatGPT (McLean, 2024). This transparency can represent the first step to more sustainable usage of artificial intelligence. Additionally, this transparency will allow for more knowledge of the environmental impacts of ChatGPT and other AI programs for the general public, which could lead to a reduction in the reliance that many users have on artificial intelligence, which will lead to an overall reduction in usage.

While ChatGPT has become a leader in the artificial intelligence world, many other chatbased AI programs have been inspired by the program and have similar processes and environmental impacts. For example, Deepseek, a new Chinese startup company, works and operates very similarly to ChatGPT but with an open-source format (Drenon, 2025). With the addition of this new, largescale program to the artificial intelligence world, the impacts on the environment have a large potential to be even more severe.

Throughout the next few decades, the creation of AI programs will continue to escalate, and if they are not encouraged to operate sustainably, the environmental harm they cause will similarly increase. Required disclosure of environmental impacts is the best way to hold these companies responsible for that harm. Without this accountability, there is little information that can be used against these companies to inspire them to change.

In addition to these large-scale solutions, there are also ways that we, as college students, can mitigate the environmental impacts of ChatGPT and other AI programs. The easiest and most obvious way to do this is by simply using AI less. Instead of asking ChatGPT to summarize an article or answer a question, you can read article headings and use non-AI search browsers to find answers.

Another key way to reduce your AI use is to learn how to identify artificial intelligence images and avoid

using these images in your work Finally, educating yourself and other students about the topic is essential. Even though knowledge has been increasing on the environmental impacts of ChatGPT and other AI resources, there are still many people who do not know just how much of an impact these programs have. By doing something as simple as bringing up the environmental impacts when ChatGPT comes up in conversation, you can raiseawarenessaboutthisproblemsignificantly.

Looking Up

By Analiese Haag

Amidlavishattire,grandmansions,private cars, and luxurious getaways, finding a sustainable celebrity role model is no easy task.Thesocietalandprofessionaldemands of Hollywood often lead to extravagant lifestyles with high carbon footprints (Consequences of Environmental Film, 2019). Yet, given their immense influence and financial power, one must ask: can celebritiesusetheirplatformtoaddressthe climate crisis? While many remain silent, one actor has consistently leveraged his globalreachtoadvocateforenvironmental action LeonardoDiCaprio. Leonardo DiCaprio made his mark in Hollywoodatjust19,earninghisfirstOscar nomination for What's Eating Gilbert Grape.Overtheyears,hebuiltanimpressive career, receiving six more Academy Award nominations and ultimately winning Best Actorin2016forTheRevenant.Whenhe finally took the stage to accept this longawaited award, surrounded by standing ovations from fellow filmmakers, he chose nottobaskinpersonaltriumph.Instead,he used the moment to bring attention to climate issues, stating, "The Revenant was about man's relationship to the natural world. A world that we collectively felt in 2015 was the hottest year in recorded history.

Our production needed to move to the southerntipofthisplanetjusttobeableto find snow. Climate change is real, it is happening right now. It is the most urgent threatfacingourentirespecies,andweneed toworktogethertostopprocrastinating...Let us not take this planet for granted" (DiCaprio, 2016). Climate is an issue DiCaprioisdeeplypassionateabout,anditis intrinsically connected to the film industry. Inthismoment,DiCaprioforcedHollywood producers,actors,andaudiencesalike—to confronttheentertainmentindustry’srolein environmental destruction. The production of movies–particularly the transportation involved–canresultinmassivepollution,and moviesthemselvescanserveasanescapefrom therealityofenvironmentaldecaycreatedby generations of consumption (Hoad, 2020). By bringing climate change to center stage, DiCaprio challenged the industry to acknowledgeitsimpactandresponsibility. His commitment to environmental activism extends far beyond just words. In 1998, he foundedtheLeonardoDiCaprioFoundation (LDF), a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness and funding environmental initiatives around the globe (UNEP, 2018). HeisalsoafoundingmemberofRe:wild

anNGOfocusedonintegratinglocaland Indigenous knowledge to tackle environmental challenges at the community level. Additionally, DiCaprio serves on the boards of several influential organizations, including the Natural Resources Defense Council, International FundforAnimalWelfare,WorldWildlife Fund, Global Green USA, and Earth Alliance (Re:wild Board of Directors, 2024).Inrecognitionofthis,hewasnamed aUNMessengerofPeacewithafocuson climate change at the 2014 Climate Summit(MessengersofPeace,2014).

Despite his efforts, critics argue that DiCaprio likemanywealthycelebrities could do more to reduce his carbon footprint. However, unlike most of his peers,hehasactivelyusedhisresourcesto ensure that environmental issues are not ignored in Hollywood. Besides philanthropy, he produced and narrated numerous documentaries– including WaterPlanet,GlobalWarming,and11th Hour-demonstratinghowtheartscanbea powerful medium for combating climate denial(WWFLeaders,2025).

Most recently, DiCaprio played a leading role in Don't Look Up, a science-fiction political satire that became the mostviewed Netflix movie in a single week (Yossman,2022).

Thefilmservesasametaphorforclimate inaction while highlighting storytelling. Storytelling, particularly through fiction, canreachawideaudienceanddeliverthe message of the urgent need for action in waysthatresonatewithdiverseviewers.

Asmediaconsumers,wehavethepowerto support projects with sustainable productionmethods,meaningfulmessages, and individuals committed to positive change. Leonardo DiCaprio exemplifies what Hollywood can achieve in raising awarenessofglobalissues,butmuchmore remainstobedone.Actors,musicians,and producers should not be given a bypass when it comes to suitability. We can no longer ignore the pollution caused by the entertainment industry; it's time to look up, recognize the urgent need for change, anddemandthatcelebritiesdothesame.

Forbetterorworse,wearenowlivingina time when the future of environmental policy,climatechangemitigation,andthe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) itself is growing increasingly unclear. While this may be cause for concern, there is room for hope, as there arestillmanystateandlocalagencies,nongovernmental organizations, and social/politicalmovementsthatarefocused onprotectingtheenvironment.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) is a state agency that “ uses the best available sciencetoguidetheconservationofnatural and historic resources, ensure a stable climate and resilient communities, and secure clean and healthy air, water and lands throughout New Jersey” (NJDEP, 2025). Essentially, the NJDEP is New Jersey’s version of the federal EPA. The agency ’ s main priorities are to reduce and respond to climate change, protect New Jersey’s water, revitalize our communities and protect public health, manage and promote thriving natural and historic resources,andstrengthentheDEP.

Itisimportanttoknowwholeadssucha crucialdepartmentforstateenvironmental and public health. The head of this New JerseyDepartmentisCommissionerShawn M. LaTourette, who was appointed by GovernorPhilMurphyin2021.

pioneered efforts to focus on environmental justice, reduce greenhouse gasemissions,strengthenthestate’sclimate change resilience, expand renewable energy, embellish water infrastructure, redevelop brownfields, promote community renewal, and increase the conservationofnaturalresources(NJDEP, 2025). Just this February, LaTourette, alongwithPhilMurphy,approved13new Brownfield Development Areas, which look to create a “fairer and greener New Jersey”. These projects seek to remediate previouslyenvironmentallydegradedareas for the betterment of our underprivileged communities.

Prior to becoming the Commissioner, he was a Rutgers University undergraduate andlawschoolgraduate.LaTourettethen becamealawyerandpolicymaker,working in the environmental sector for over 20 years. LaTourette has spent his career serving“inexecutiverolesandasatrusted adviser to governments, community and non-profit organizations, and leaders in industry and infrastructure, while also litigating high-stakes lawsuits involving environmental, energy, and public health concerns ” (NJDEP, 2025). Starting in 2023, LaTourette has also served as an adjunct professor at the Rutgers Law School in Camden. It is clear from his background that LaTourette has always held a passion for taking care of the environment and those who have been affectedbyenvironmentalinjustices. WhenhefirstjoinedtheNJDEP,hisrole wasasthechieflegalandregulatorypolicy adviser to the former Commissioner. DuringhistimeattheDEP,hehas

While the future of environmental protection in the United States seems fuzzy, there is still hope in the Garden State.TheNJDEP’sCommissionerShawn M.LaTourettehasshownhiscommitment toagreenfutureforNJandcontinuesto pursuepoliciesandactionsthatreflectthis.

LEE ZELDIN: LEE ZELDIN:

VIRONMENTCZAR VIRONMENTCZAR

By: William Clark

Since President Trump’s inauguration, the flurry of executive orders, appointment hearings, and confirmations have been dizzying. An appointment that did not get nearly enough attention in the popular media was that of Lee Zeldin, former House representative of New York’s 1st district (Daly, 2025). Sworn in on January 29th, his appointment is part of an increasingly worrying trend within the second Trump Administration, which seeks to cut “government waste” wherever they deem it is. This directive from the Office of Management and Budget, as well as “DOGE”, threatens crucial EPA funds: water infrastructure, watershed cleanup, Superfund, and brownfield programs (Guillen, 2025). This confirmation is of great concern. These deferences to the whims of the Presidency undermine the purpose of the agency, and Zeldin’s voting record and present actions immediately postconfirmation give us an insight as to where the future of environmental protection may be in the upcoming years.

Lee Zeldin’s voting history is reflective of his potential as EPA “Czar”, which is to say it lacks much of the environmentalist perspective and experience typically expected for someone fulfilling this office. From the League of Conservation Voters, his “National Environmental Scorecard” gives us an overview of how members of Congress vote on matters of the environment, public health, worker protection, and other crucial issues involving protecting both American citizens and ecosystems.

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f 14-percent, his poor, regularly voting against bills tackling both international and national climate change efforts, extending the moratorium on PFAS (also known as “forever chemicals”), funding wildlife conservation, wastewater systems, clean energy, and other parts of the greater transition to a climate-resilient America (National Environmental Scorecard). His latest scorecard reflects his anti-environment, pro-industry agenda with a 5-percent proenvironment vote, which tells environmentalist organizations and voters that his potential for environmental stewardship is lacking.

Incidentally, his vote against the moratorium on PFAS directly conflicts with a pledge he made at his confirmation hearing. There, he claimed PFAS would be a “top priority”, despite his record showing it to be the least of his concerns. His past and present behavior flies in the face of the widespread EPA announcement describing the dangers of PFAS done under the prior Biden Administration (Samantaroy, 2025).

Much of the environmental progress done by the prior administration is being stalled. As per the US EPA website, Zeldin began the cuts, canceling contracts equivalent to $60 million related to environmental justice and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs. An environmental justice grant worth $50 million that went toward the Climate Justice Alliance was also cut (US EPA, 2025). Disguised as cost-saving measures, this represents a dangerous backsliding of environmental protections that millions of Americans are desperately unaware of.

Not only have these recent actions set Zeldin apart from past but the framework he o radically different from original purpose. More rather than environm Zeldin’s “five pillars” realm of what an Protection Agency A meant to advocate for.

There is a decided focus on the “revival” of industry and energy sectors in the United States, advocating for new oil and natural gas drilling infrastructure, and an emphasis on developing America’s AI industry (Milman and Noor, 2025). Only one of the pillars minimally discusses environmental protection: Clean air, land, and water. But how will these promises be kept if the agency is incapable of operating as it once did?

As President Trump began his “costcutting” measures and chants of “Drill, Baby, Drill”, Zeldin was in lock-step with the shock doctrine, reeling back what they may see as regulatory excess, and continues to be so Coinciding with new department leadership was mass firings, demotions of head officials, and political stacking within the agency of industry representatives. Public mentions of prior top-ticket issues of the EPA, like the ongoing climate crisis and pollution in overburdened communities, are nonexistent (Milman and Noor, 2025).

BABY BABY DRILL DRILL DRILL DRILL

“LeeZeldinasEPAChief”byAdamZyglis/TheBuffaloNews, CagleCartoons

Of all the concerns to be had with Zeldin as the new EPA Administrator, the most flagrant issue is a conflict of interest. Citizens for Responsibility & Ethics in Washington (CREW), an ethics watchdog organization that focuses on legal and investigative action, called upon the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works to look at Zeldin’s postCongressional history, where in the past year he has received payment from public relations firms to write op-eds on fracking policy and corporate ESG (environmental, social, and governance) practices (CREW). Environmentalist groups are dubious about Lee Zeldin for a plethora of reasons. The programs and policy initiatives put forth by the Environmental Protection Agency are under scrutiny from the very person put in charge of them, many of which are likely to be cut if deemed excess. Just as the current presidential administration has proved itself to be unpredictable, the same seems to be true of Zeldin’s EPA.

ENVIRONMENTALNGOS: ARAYOFHOPEFORTHENATION

By:EvanDeAngelis

Environmental NGOs promise to play an outsizedroleinthecomingyearsastheFederal Government's role in regulating environmental protection promises to shrink and weaken. Several organizations will help in mounting resistance and serving the purpose of good by trying to uphold older, higher standards. The League of Conservation Voters is just one exampleofthemanyorganizationsthatexistfor thisgreatcause.

The League of Conservation Voters or LoCV purportstobuildpoliticalpowerforthepeople andtheplanet,itchargesitselfwith.Theywork withthegoalsoftryingtoinfluencepolicy,hold politiciansaccountable,andwinelectionsinthe interest of trying to create safe and healthy communities.

This organization makes some bold claims officially, stating, “We campaign for policy and legislation,includingpassingthemostsignificant climatebillinU.S.history.”,“Wefighttoexpand ballot access and protect and strengthen our democracy through legislation and executive action,” and “We elect champions for climate anddemocracy.”

The organization has had a large role in some major successes, like the Inflation Reduction Act, which invested roughly $370 billion in transformative investments in green energy, energy security, and environmental justice efforts. The law is the most significant climate bill in history and the single largest investment theU.S.hasevermadetowardsolvingtheclimate crisis.

TheLCV’sVictoryFundissaidtohaveinvested morethan$100millionin2022toelectclimateconscious, justice-forward, and pro-democracy leaders at all levels of the ballot that cycle. The LCV says how they “engaged two million ClimateVoters,knockedontwomilliondoors, andrannearly200adstobuildsupportforproenvironmentcandidatesacrossthecountry.”

Since this organization finished launching its ‘Clean Energy for All’ campaign in 2018, the LCV and more than 30 state affiliates have secured 100% clean energy commitments from more than 1,300 successful local, state, and federalcandidatesby2022.TheLCVclaimsthat in “29 states, we have translated those commitmentsintopolicyprogress,including15 states that have committed to 100% clean energy. ”

Additionally,theorganizationtakesgreatpride in working with Conservation Colorado and otherpartnerslikeU.S.SenatorsMichaelBennet andJohnHickenlooper,U.S.RepresentativeJoe Neguse (CO-02), and Governor Jared Polis to securepermanentprotectionfortheCampHaleContinentalDivideareainthesameyear.

ReflectingontheLCVasanorganizationthat canmakeimportantchanges,thereismuch,still, to be desired. Unfortunately, this organization has not posted any relevant information regardingrecentadvancementsorprogressasof 2022. The ability to continually produce valuable information and make stakeholders awareoftheworkthatisbeingdoneisacrucial aspect of the operations of a non-governmental organization,suchastheLCV.

ByCaleighPokallus

Thefishingindustrycausesmanyproblems when it comes to the environment. Overfishing and pollution have turned out tobeaprominentenvironmentalissue.One man from Cornwall decided to think outside the box in hopes of solving one of these issues. Plastic pollution. Lost fishing equipment in the ocean is incredibly harmful to marine life, coral reefs, and marine habitats. Ian Falconer, founder and chief executive officer of Fishy Filaments, decided that he had to help this immense issue that has become normal around him. Discardedfishinggearmakesupabout10% of litter in the oceans; each year, between 500,000and1,000,000tonsoffishinggearis either thrown out or lost at sea (Nicolas, 2020). Living in Cornwall, he noticed the immenseamountoffishingtakingplaceand realized that this industry is one of the leadingcausesofplasticpollutionthatisso harmfultoaquaticlife.Thismatterdoesn't justaffecttheocean:“millionsmorefishing netsareburntorthrownintolandfill”.Most are made from non-recycled nylon, and producingthisplasticgeneratestwomillion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent emissions each year. It is a polluting cycle” (Ackerman, 2024).

Due to the extensive fishing industry in Cornwall, Falconer decided he had to take mattersintohisownhands.

Fishy Filaments created a chemical free recycling process that can deep-clean and turn these commercial fishing nets into engineering-gradenylon.Thenylonmaterial is strong enough to use 3D printing to producecarparts,whichhasinterestedafew major automotive companies such as Ford andMercedes-Benz Falconer’scareerdidnot beginwithjustthiscompany,hecreatedhis firststart-upcompanyin2013,butclosedit in 2016 due to the fact that he could not successfully compose sustainable metal powders to use in 3D printing. The abundance of fishing nets in Cornwall allowedthebeginningofthiscompanytorun quitesmoothly.

Pictured:IanFalconer

g his interview with The UK Times, ed, “Living in Cornwall there’s only herreallybigsourceofwasteplastics: hingindustry,”.“Itreallywasamatter of weeks between making that decision [to try using nets as a source material] and gettingmyhandsonsomefishingnetsand startingtodosometests”(Nicholas,2024). Veryquicklyafterhegottheharbormaster on board with his idea, he began proving that he could turn these problematic nets intoafilamentusedfor3Dprinting.

Afteranimmenseamountofhardworkand dedication, the company now has an agreementwiththeCornishhakefleetthat statesthatboatsdonatetheirnetsoncethey begin deteriorating. Once they receive the nets, Falconer and his team begin cleaning and shredding the nets into bits at their head-plant. Not long after word spread aboutthisnever-before-seenmaterial,major companies began expressing interest in Falconer’s product. Because recycled nylon hadneverbeencreatedprior,therewasalot ofuncertaintysurroundingtheideathatthis couldwork.

FordandMercedes-Benzwereintriguedby thisnewmaterialandreachedoutinhopes of “compound” projects with the company. In 2022, Philips Lighting released a line of sustainable lamps using this nylon from Fishy Filaments; this line shatteredthemediaandwonawardsforits uniqueapproachtolighting.Thecompany has now become so large that they are struggling to meet the demand for their material. They are now looking to move into a larger plant with more capacity for holding and creating recycled nylon. Due to the new found popularity, Fishy Filaments is now facing competitor companiesthatsourcenetsfromtheUKas welltomakeadifferentversionofthesame product.Inthelong-term,Falconerisvery confidentinhisabilitytosourcenetsand producealargeroutputofnylon.Hisgoal is to heavily reduce the amount of nets ending up in the landfill and upscale his production. Fishy Filaments and local governments are even willing to pay fishermen to donate their nets to keep as many nets out of the ocean and lanfil as possible. Falconer has created an exceptionalcompanywithalarger-than-life environmentalimpact.Thebestpartis,he isnowherenearfinished!

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Meryl Shriver-Rice: Decolonizing Digital Interventions

By Sofia Little

AfterinterviewingDr.MerylShriver-Rice,it was impossible not to feel simultaneously overwhelmed and excited by our conversation. The many career paths she explored and continues to explore as an interdisciplinarysocialscientistwhosework focuses on environmental justice and Indigenous knowledge was inspiring. Her research spans archaeology, anthropology, and digital humanities, exploring ethical considerations in representing Indigenous peoplesandtheenvironment.Akeyfocusis on decolonizing data practices, particularly concerningdisplayingandarchivinghuman remains and cultural heritage. Her upcomingbook,DecolonialApproachesto

Data Ethics, Community-Based Work, and Re-Storying, co-authored with anthropologist Sarah Hiepler, examines these issues through case studies and offers practical guidance for researchers and practitioners working in these fields. This articleoutlinesourdiscussionregardingher professional background, which led her to writethisbook

Dr. Meryl Shriver-Rice is an interdisciplinarysocialscientistwhosework bridgesanthropology,biology,archaeology, and communication. With four degrees in different fields including a master’s in paleoethnobotany and a PhD in social sciences her academic journey has been anything but linear. Originally, she aspired to become a conservation biologist specializing in entomology, fascinated by biodiversityandthesearchfornewspecies. However, her path shifted when she combined anthropology and biology, eventuallyleadinghertopaleoethnobotany, whereshestudiedunderoneoftheworld’s leadingethnobotanists. Herupbringingalsoplayedasignificantrole in shaping her career. Raised by schoolteacher parents, she spent her summers traveling across the country in a Volkswagenvan,hoppingfromonenational parktoanother.Theseexperiencesinstilled in her a deep appreciation for nature and environmental conservation, ultimately influencing her interdisciplinary approach toresearch.

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Herworkinmuseumsandculturalresource management particularly salvage archaeology exposedhertohowsocieties, governments, and developers fail to prioritizeBlackcemeteriesandoftenremove Indigenous remains while leaving white settlers'gravesundisturbed.Thisexperience deeply influenced her research and advocacy, shaping her critical lens on internal colonialism. Through this perspective, she began questioning whose death matters and who is afforded sacredness, leading her to think about the broader implications of whose lives are valuedintheU.S.

Shriver-Rice’scommitmenttosocialjustice eventually led her beyond traditional archaeology. Her military experience also played a role in her worldview. She briefly trainedasanofficerintheAirForceduring theyearofSeptember11th,initiallywanting to become a pilot. However, realizing she didnotwanttoparticipateinwar,sheleft, carryingwithagreaterunderstandingofthe military’sinstitutionalstructure.

Inadditiontoteaching,shecurrentlyserves as a consultant for the Institute for American Indian Studies Museum in Connecticut, where she works with NAGPRA (Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act) policies. With new regulations requiring federally recognized tribes to be consulted before their cultural materials are displayed, her role ensures that Indigenous communities haveavoiceinthehandlingoftheirheritage. She also organizes public events featuring Indigenous educators, fostering greater awareness and education on Indigenous historiesandperspectives.

Her upcoming book explores the ethical implications of digital interventions in museumandarchivalspaces.Sheandhercoauthor examine how digital platforms can eitherperpetuatecolonialnarrativesorserve astoolsfordecolonization.Oneexampleshe highlightsistheMuseumofAnthropology in Vancouver, which features digital installations where Indigenous individuals share their perspectives on artifacts rather thanleavingthemasstaticobjectsfromthe past.Thebookalsodiscussestherethinking of racist language in archives and the importanceoftriggerwarningsforsensitive historicalmaterials.

Her co-author, Sarah Hiepler, contributes research on the ethics of displaying human remains,analyzingwhysomemummiesand skeletal remains remain on display while others are removed. Their combined expertise dismantles assumptions about digital preservation and exhibition, questioning whether displaying scanned remains, even without the physical body, stillviolatesethicalboundaries.

Beyond museum spaces, Shriver-Rice emphasizes re-storying the process of undoing dominant colonial narratives and replacing them with more accurate, community-centered histories. Her grant work with the Black Seminoles aligns with thismission,utilizingdigitaltoolstoamplify Indigenous histories. She also emphasizes theimportanceofrecognizingperformative activism and virtue signaling for social capitalwhenengaginginsocialjusticework.

The book serves as a practical guide for researchers especially those from white Western backgrounds who want to work inthesespaceswithoutcausingharm.

For students interested in similar career trajectories, Shriver-Rice offers valuable advice: “You might take strange turns that feellikeyouareleavingyourpath youfeel panicked but you may have needed that turn”.Sheemphasizestheimportanceofnot being afraid to be interdisciplinary. Additionally,sheadvisesaspiringauthorsto engage with journal editors early in the publishingprocesstofindtherightplatform fortheirwork.

Looking ahead, Shriver-Rice is eager to continue her research in historical ecology, environmentaljustice,andtheroleofdigital archives in community-based participatory research. Her career exemplifies the power of interdisciplinary work in addressing pressing ethical and environmental challenges,leavingalastingimpactonboth academia and the communities she collaborateswith.

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GoingGreen:Rutger'sPathtoCarbonNeutrality

Adaptation-RutgersOfficeofClimateAction (2024,September30) RutgersOfficeofClimateAction https://climateactionrutgersedu/climate-action-groups/operations/adaptation/ Dura,J (2025,February18) PolarvortexsendstemperaturesplungingtorecordlevelsacrossUS APNews https://apnewscom/article/winter-weather-cold-north-dakota-67b5ef82d6482df88655e736f7da3213

Energy&Buildings-RutgersOfficeofClimateAction (2025,January16) RutgersOfficeofClimateAction https://climateactionrutgersedu/climate-action-groups/operations/energy-buildings/

FoodSystems-RutgersOfficeofClimateAction (2024,December16) RutgersOfficeofClimateAction https://climateactionrutgersedu/climate-action-groups/operations/food-systems/

Holthaus,E (2025,February12) California’sProblemNowIsn’tFire It’sRain WIRED https://wwwwiredcom/story/californias-problem-now-isnt-fire-its-rain-wildfires-atmospheric-rivers/ Irfan,U (2025,February3) TheLAfireshaveashockingpricetag andwe’llallhavetopickupthetab Vox https://wwwvoxcom/climate/397756/la-wildfire-insurance-palisades-california-fair-plan-climate

OurEffortstoAddressClimateChange (2024) Rutgersedu https://wwwrutgersedu/president/our-efforts-addressclimate-change

RusselE.Train-Innovator,Leader,Inspiration

“History|WWF.”Worldwildlife.Org,WorldWildlifeFund,2023,www.worldwildlife.org/about/history.

Schneider,Keith.“RussellE.Train,ConservationistWhoHelpedCreatetheE.P.A.,Diesat92.”TheNewYorkTimes, TheNewYorkTimes,18Sept.2012,www.nytimes.com/2012/09/18/science/earth/russell-e-train-92-dies-helped-createthe-epa.html.

Rinde,Meir.“RichardNixonandtheRiseofAmericanEnvironmentalism.”ScienceHistoryInstitute,ScienceHistory Institute:Museum&Library,31May2023,www.sciencehistory.org/stories/magazine/richard-nixon-and-the-rise-ofamerican-environmentalism/.

“RussellTrain.”TheHeinzAwards,TheHeinzAwards,2001,www.heinzawards.org/pages/russell-train.

Drenon,B.,&Ng,K.(2025,February4).WhatisDeepSeek-andwhyiseveryonetalkingabout it?.BBCNews.https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yv5976z9po Kramer,Zoe.(2022,December).WhatisChatGPTandhowdoesitwork?Freshened. https://www.freshered.com/what-is-chat-gpt-and-how-does-it-work/. McLean,S.(2024,May31).TheenvironmentalimpactofCHATGPT.Earth.Org. https://earth.org/environmental-impact-chatgpt/.

LookingUp

Access.(n.d.).LeonardoDiCaprioStepsOutForAGoodCauseAtRe:wild‘ArtOfNature’EventAtArtBaselInMiami. photograph.Retrieved2025,fromhttps://www.accessonline.com/articles/julianne-hough-asks-for-prayers-after-brotherderek-houghs-wife-hayley-erbert-has-emergency-surgery.

Consequencesofenvironmentalfilm.TheWorldOverlookedIntegratingScienceandArt.(2019). https://envhumanities.sites.gettysburg.edu/es225b-spring19/environmental-costs-of-produ cing-an-environmental-film/consequences-of-environmental-film/ GuardianNewsandMedia.(2006,November14).Dirtymovies:WhyHollywoodisapolluter. TheGuardian.https://www.theguardian.com/film/2006/nov/14/waste.usa

“LeonardoDiCaprio.”Climate&CleanAirCoalition,2018, www.ccacoalition.org/content/leonardo-dicaprio.

“LeonardoDiCaprioWinningBestActor|88thOscars(2016).”YouTube,2016, youtu.be/xpyrefzvTpI.

UnitedNations.(2014).LeonardoDiCaprio.UnitedNations. https://www.un.org/en/messengers-peace/leonardo-dicaprio

“WildYourLife.”Re:Wild,2024,www.rewild.org/rewild-your-life. WorldWildlifeFund.(2025).LeonardoDiCaprio|leaders|WWF.WorldWildlifeFund. https://www.worldwildlife.org/leaders/leonardo-dicaprio

Yossman,K.J.“AdamMcKay’s‘don’tLookup’SmashesNetflixViewingRecords withover150MillionHoursViewed.”Variety,Variety,6Jan.2022,variety.com/2022/film/news/dont-look-up-netflixweekly-viewing-records-1235147910/.

“10ClimateChangeMoviestoWatchin2024.”Earth.Org,Earth.Org,30Mar.2024, earth.org/climate-change-movies/.

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NJDEPCommissionerDraft

MURPHYADMINISTRATIONREAFFIRMSCOMMITMENTTOAFAIRERANDGREENERNEWJERSEY BYAPPROVING13BROWNFIELDDEVELOPMENTAREAS-InsiderNJ.(2017).InsiderNJ. https://www.insidernj.com/press-release/murphy-administration-reaffirms-commitment-to-a-fairer-and-greener-newjersey-by-approving-13-brownfield-development-areas/

NJDEP.(n.d.).NewJerseyDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection.https://dep.nj.gov/

LeeZeldin:“EnvironmentCzar”

Daly,M.(2025,January29).SenateConfirmsZeldintoLeadEnvironmentalProtectionAgencyasTrumpvowstocut ClimateRules.APNews;AssociatedPress.https://apnews.com/article/trump-cabinet-zeldin-epa-climate-change9f0def092a907deb5209c2b9ac14a81d

Guillen,A.(2025,January29).SenateConfirmsZeldintoheadEPA[DigitalNewspaper].Politico;AxelSpringSE. https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/01/29/congress/senate-confirms-zeldin-to-head-epa-00201213 Milman,O.,&Noor,D.(2025,February6).Trump’sEPAtoprioritizeAI,lobbyistsandstaffcutsin‘missionto traumatize.’TheGuardian.https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/feb/06/trump-epa-lee-zeldin NationalEnvironmentalScorecard.(2024,January10).LeagueofConservationVotersScorecard. https://scorecard.lcv.org/moc/lee-zeldin

Samantaroy,S.(2025,January23).NewEPAhead’sVotingRecordConflictswithPledgetoAddressForeverChemicals HealthPolicyWatch[JournalismNetwork].HealthPolicyWatch.https://healthpolicy-watch.news/epa-heads-votingrecord-conflicts-with-pledge-to-address-forever-chemicals/ SenatemustgetanswersfromZeldinaboutfinancialconflictsandop-edpayments.(n.d.).CREW|Citizensfor ResponsibilityandEthicsinWashington.RetrievedFebruary17,2025,fromhttps://www.citizensforethics.org/legalaction/testimony/senate-must-get-answers-from-zeldin-about-financial-conflicts-and-op-ed-payments/ USEPA,O.(2025,February14).Epaadministratorleezeldincancelsninemorecontracts,savingnearly$60million[News Release].https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-administrator-lee-zeldin-cancels-nine-more-contracts-saving-nearly-60million

EnvironmentalNGOs:ARayofHopefortheNation

LCV-BuildPowerforPeopleandthePlanet.(2025,March3).LeagueofConservationVoters.https://www.lcv.org/ Top52022:YearinReview.(2023,March29).LeagueofConservationVoters.https://www.lcv.org/blog/2022-top-5/

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IanFalconer:FishyFilaments

Ackerman,Naomi.“Cornishstart-uplandsbigcustomersbyrecyclingfishingnets.”TheUKTimes,23August2024, https://www.thetimes.com/business-money/entrepreneurs/article/cornish-start-up-turns-fishing-nets-into-3d-printingmaterialsy-enterprise-network-wrlqll3hd?utm_source=chatgpt.com&region=global.Accessed16February2025.

Nicolas,Alexander.“Ghostfishinggear|Stories.”WWF,20October2020,https://www.worldwildlife.org/stories/ghostfishing-gear.Accessed19February2025.

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