IN-DEPTH
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Sunscreen's effects from beach to bleach
the negative effects bigger organisms like fish and other marine animals that live close of sunscreen on the to the coast.” espite its obvious benefits in preventing sunburn, environment. On Moreover, oxybenzone often causes DNA damage to other skin cancer and premature aging, modern sunscreen marine life, which disrupts an organism’s endocrine system Jan. 1, 2022, is often released into marine ecosystems, where it can — an internal system responsible for relaying hormones, Hawaii banned take a detrimental toll on marine life. the sale leading to reproductive and Oxybenzone is found in 80 percent of of nondevelopmental problems. chemical sunscreens. It not only poses mineral The two main forms of a danger to marine life but is also the sunscreen sold are chemical and most frequently detected sunscreen su n screen , mineral sunscreens. Chemical People may not know which chemical in natural waters. It is known prohibiting most sunscreens are known to ingredients are harmful or to prevent skin aging; however, it sunscreens that contain include toxic chemicals, harmless to them and the dissolves easily in water and does not oxybenzone and octinoxate. whereas mineral sunscreens are readily biodegrade. While the purpose of sunscreen is environment. generally recognized as harmless. One of oxybenzone’s most to protect the human skin from radiation, Despite being the healthier Jason Lee, devastating forms of destruction is coral its destructive effects on marine life may option, mineral sunscreens are bleaching in hard corals, otherwise Biology and physiology be overlooked. As the issue has become often avoided because they leave referred to as reef-building corals, increasingly dire, people are making white residue on one’s skin. Wearing teacher which grow in colonies. Many forms of progressive efforts to preserve a green planet sunscreen that seamlessly blends into marine life depend on coral reefs for by keeping track of their waste footprint, spreading the skin may be more appealing for food and shelter, and any damage from awareness and using eco-friendly options. many people. coral bleaching causes a major decline in biodiversity. “In the future, I just hope that we’ll be making new “People may not know which ingredients are “Sunscreen is usually diluted in the water, where it has harmful or harmless to them and the environment,” biology sunscreens that are safer for the environment, as well as an effect on small organisms like algae in the corals or the and physiology teacher Jason Lee said. “Everyone votes with new experiments to give us a better understanding of the embryos of invertebrates like sea urchins,” said Julie Pourtois, their dollar, so when you’re buying chemical sunscreens, you way different sunscreen ingredients affect marine life,” a fourth-year Ph.D. student in Stanford University’s Hopkins are telling companies that this is what the customers want.” Pourtois said. Marine Station. “Over time, we may start to see effects on Some states have already taken action in an attempt to limit BY ASHLEY HUANG AND LILLY WU
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4,000 to 6,000 tons of sunscreen are washed into the ocean each year. GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY DEEKSHA RAJ JASMINE RIHAL AND EILEEN ZHU
Passing down culture BY TANIKA ANBU
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and history in different perspectives.” Cultural traditions and customs can also strengthen the cultural connection between the newer generation and their ancestry. Cultural transmission happens in several forms, whether that be through family teachings and language or material items such as clothes. Cultural wardrobe, like kilts and saris, are ways that people stay connected to their culture. Adaptations and modernizations make these generational connections more applicable and customizable to each person that adopts the culture. The voices of past generations can also shape one's identity and beliefs. “You always carry a part of your ancestors with you when you follow cultural beliefs,” freshman Nithya Kanagala said. “If people in your culture have certain morals, the next generation may have similar morals, and pass them on to the next generation — it’s a cycle.” While passing down customs can nurture bonds between generations, it may have disadvantages. Traditions and customs concerning prejudice and discrimination have often been harmful to society. With the freedom to define the newer generations, the possibilities of cultural redefinition are endless.
eligion, superstition and culture have been passed down for ages, continuing to influence and impact each new generation, furthering the connection between people and their histories. Blood doesn’t solely connect us to our past; instead it is the ideas and cultures that form long-lasting bonds. For centuries, the older generation has passed down their way of life to the newer generation, allowing their legacies to continue years later. Religion is one element that continues to influence newer generations, and while it carries t h e influence of its starting years, it evolves and adapts to the current day. “Religion provides a set of morals and values to live by,” sophomore Athreyer Iyer said. “It gives you structure a n d helps you develop good habits, but there are also other ways to find a connection to your culture and past.” Religions such as Hinduism and Christianity can help devotees find a routine that guides their lifestyle. In Hinduism, for instance, the practice of Sandhyavandanam guides people to wake up at sunrise and complete ritual praying. This helps instill discipline and principle in practitioners' lives. “Religion serves as one way to make sense of being, of existing, as well as serving as a foundation for how to exist,” De Anza College Sociology Professor Kamau Birago said. “Relaying the past to the present can help newer generations understand their ancestry GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY MAPLE LEUNG AND JASMINE RIHAL