Author: JILLIEN GERACE

The Randall’s Island Park Alliance (RIPA) operates an Urban Farm on Randall’s Island in New York City, serving as a valuable resource for the community. The Urban Farm is dedicated to sustainable agriculture practices, education, and donating fresh, locally-grown produce.

RIPA’s Urban Farm plays a crucial role in addressing various environmental and social challenges. One of its primary objectives is to promote urban agriculture and demonstrate the benefits of growing food in an urban setting. Through the farm, RIPA encourages residents to engage in sustainable food production, empowering them to develop skills, and knowledge about organic farming techniques and healthy eating habits. The weekly weekend event educated people of all ages, including an area for toddler education.

The Urban Farm also contributes to improving food security in the local community. By cultivating a diverse range of vegetables, herbs, and fruits, it provides residents with access to nutritious, fresh produce that may otherwise be scarce or expensive in the area. The farm’s efforts help to bridge the gap in food access and promote healthier diets among community members. 

Furthermore, the Urban Farm supports environmental sustainability. It utilizes organic farming practices, avoiding harmful chemicals and pesticides, which minimizes the impact on soil health and water quality. The farm also employs composting techniques, utilizing organic waste to enrich the soil and reduce waste sent to landfills. These sustainable practices contribute to the conservation of natural resources and help mitigate the environmental impact of conventional agricultural practices.

Overall, RIPA’s Urban Farm is an essential initiative that combines sustainable agriculture, education, and community engagement. Matt, an employee from the farm explained that “we are farmer educators, so everything we grow, we donate to a food pantry in East Harlem, and then we educate K-12 classes and summer camp here” and sharing this farm in the urban environment truly inspires him.

By providing fresh produce, promoting urban farming, and embracing environmentally-friendly practices, the farm contributes to the well-being of the community and fosters a more sustainable and resilient urban environment. Which is also his inspiration for working there.

In his TED talk “The actual cost of preventing climate breakdown,” Yuval Noah Harari discusses the economic and political implications of addressing climate change and the challenges of achieving global cooperation on this issue. Harari speaks on the fact that the cost of transitioning to sustainable energy sources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions is significant, but argues that the cost of inaction would be far greater.

The significance of Harari’s talk is in the urgency of addressing climate change and the need for effective global cooperation to do so. Climate change is among the most pressing issues facing our planet and the economic and political implications of addressing this issue are significant. Harari’s talk provides an education on the economic and political challenges of addressing climate change, as well as the potential benefits of taking action.

For our class, Harari’s talk is particularly relevant as it provides an example of the intersection between science, policy, and economics in addressing environmental issues. Students can learn about the economic and political forces that drive climate change, as well as the challenges of achieving global cooperation on this issue.

Harari’s talk also highlights the importance of effective communication and public engagement in promoting sustainability initiatives. Addressing climate change requires the involvement and support of individuals and communities, and effective communication is critical to building this support. Students in an interdisciplinary environmental sustainability/journalism class can learn about the role of communication and public engagement in promoting sustainability and addressing climate change.

Harari’s talk, “The actual cost of preventing climate breakdown,” is a revealing and educational talk that has relevance for our class. The talk provides a compelling case for the urgency of addressing climate change and the economic and political challenges of doing so, as well as the potential benefits of taking action.

TED talk: “What seaweed and cow burps have to do with climate change,” spoken by Ermias Kebreab: discusses the role of agriculture in contributing to climate change and the potential of seaweed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from livestock. Kebreab informs of the fact that livestock production is a significant contributor to global emissions, and that innovative solutions such as seaweed farming can help to mitigate this impact.

Kebreab’s talk educates the need to address the environmental impacts of food production, particularly in light of the growing global population. Agriculture is responsible for a significant portion of global emissions, and reducing the environmental impact of food production is critical to addressing climate change and promoting sustainability. Kebreab’s talk provides a clear and accessible introduction to the role of agriculture in contributing to climate change and the potential of seaweed as a solution.

For our class, Kebreab’s Ted Talk is a particularly applicable topic as it provides an example of the intersection between science, policy, and communication in addressing environmental issues. Students can learn about the complex interactions between agriculture, climate change, and human health, as well as the potential of innovative solutions such as seaweed farming.

Kebreab’s talk also reiterates the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in promoting sustainability and addressing environmental challenges. Addressing the environmental impact of food production requires the involvement of multiple disciplines, including agriculture, biology, economics, and policy. Students in our class can learn about the challenges and opportunities of working across disciplinary boundaries to promote sustainability and combat climate change after watching.

“What seaweed and cow burps have to do with climate change” is an engaging and informative video that is highly relevant for a senior college level, interdisciplinary environmental sustainability/journalism class. The talk provides enlightenment for the importance of addressing the environmental impact of food production and the potential of innovative solutions such as seaweed farming.

In the TED talk, “How wind energy could power Earth…18 times over,” Dan Jørgensen discusses the potential of wind energy as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. Jørgensen highlights the fact that wind energy is abundant, cost-effective, and capable of meeting a significant portion of the world’s energy needs.

The importance of Jørgensen’s talk lies in the dier need to transition away from fossil fuels and towards sustainable energy sources. Climate change and environmental degradation are among the most pressing issues facing our planet, and the transition to renewable energy sources, such as wind, is critical to addressing these challenges. Jørgensen’s talk provides a clear and accessible introduction to the potential of wind energy and the benefits and challenges of this technology.

For our class, Jørgensen’s talk is relevant. As it provides an example of the intersection between science, policy, and communication in addressing environmental issues. Students can learn about the technological advancements and policy measures needed to promote wind energy production and use, as well as, the importance of effective communication in promoting sustainability initiatives.

Jørgensen’s talk reminds listeners of the importance of collaboration and global cooperation in addressing environmental challenges. Wind energy is a global resource, and its potential can only be fully realized through international partnerships and coordinated efforts. Students in our course can learn about the role of diplomacy and international relations in promoting sustainability and combating climate change.

Overall, “How wind energy could power Earth…18 times over” is a thought-provoking and explanatory talk that is note-worthy for our class. The talk provides a clear case for the potential of wind energy and the urgent need to transition away from fossil fuels towards sustainable energy sources.

In her TED talk “How green hydrogen could end the fossil fuel era,” Vaitea Cowan speaks on the potential of green hydrogen as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. Cowan explains that green hydrogen is produced using renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, and can be used to power a wide range of applications: including transportation and industrial processes.

The significance of Cowan’s talk lies in the urgent need to transition away from fossil fuels and towards sustainable energy sources. Fossil fuels are a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, and their earthly extraction and use have devastating impacts on the environment and human health. Cowan states that green hydrogen provides a promising solution to these problems, as it can be produced using clean energy sources, and has the potential to replace fossil fuels in multiple applications.

Cowan’s talk is particularly relevant for our class because it highlights the importance of sustainable energy solutions in addressing the environmental challenges of our time. The talk provides a clear and accessible introduction to the concept of green hydrogen and its potential as a sustainable energy source. Students can learn about the benefits and challenges of green hydrogen, as well as, the policy and investment measures needed to scale up its production and use.

Furthermore, Cowan’s talk provides a valuable example of how individuals can contribute to the transition to sustainable energy  through innovation and entrepreneurship. Cowan herself is a young entrepreneur, who is working to develop green hydrogen solutions, and her talk can inspire students to pursue similar paths and make a positive impact on the environment and society. Overall, “How green hydrogen could end the fossil fuel era” is a solution-based, informative talk that is relevant for this class.

Did you know that the Lower-Hudson River Estuary is basically artificial? The culprit is micro-plastics. Which are pieces of plastic (five millimeters or less in size) that are a recently studied phenomenon affecting the Earth globally, especially our oceans. Scientists are just, in the past five years, finding out how plastic has and will be changing our Earth and all that is upon it, including you.

By 2050, plastic pieces will out- number fish, according to a report by the MacArthur Foundation. This means at the current pace we are consuming and discarding plastic; our oceans will face the consequences of dying populations and acidic dead zones that destroy entire ecosystems. These ecosystems and populations have an intense impact on the environmental, social, and economic factors that society depends on: for natural Earth processes to occur, to feed the planet, and have safe waters that surround all global landscapes. Scientists found that there is “an average of 256,322 micro-plastic particles/km squared” throughout various collection sites in the Lower-Hudson River Estuary (NY-NJ Baykeeper, 2016). Not so shockingly, these micro-plastics are also found throughout the modern, human body attached to various organs and in the blood stream. The long term effects of this phenomenon in humans are not well known, though the chemicals found in plastic materials is known to causes adverse effects on human health.

Research was conducted, in a collaboration between the Hudson River Park Alliance and Brooklyn College, to survey and compare the concentration of micro-plastics from previous years in the Lower-Hudson River Estuary. The results of the study found that “in 2016, 2018 and 2019, the second most common type of micro-plastic found was foam (13%). This is consistent with the Park’s 2019 macroplastic, shoreline survey where foam is the dominant marine debris found in cleanups (50%), followed by beverage bottles (29%) and food packaging (5%)” (Marine Pollution Bulletin 161 (2020) 111702). These surveys were also only conducted on the surface level of the river and did not breach the lower depths of the river, which is hypothesized in higher yielding results of microplastics infiltrating our beloved waterway.

The Department of Environmental Protection currently, only tests the water routinely for bacteria, chlorine, and PH levels. A bill by Council Member Keith Powers, was recently introduced that would expand for more extensive, routine testing for micro-plastics and all other contaminants in New York City’s surrounding waters that cause damage that scientists do not even know the future extent of. Relying on studies from universities and environmental scientists was that start, local and national governments must take actions to monitor our waters to observe the ecosystems within and prevent more catastrophic damages to occur to our home. The micro-plastic research is in the hands of global governments and scientists around the world to mitigate the damages of the non-biodegradable material. 

^The Ocean’s Biggest Garbage Pile Is Full of Floating Life – The New York Times^

The solution starts with you. Vote for politicians who support extensive testing of microplastics in your local waters and the monitoring of our dying estuarine ecosystems, so solutions may be implemented to revive them. Purchase sustainably, consume and discard less plastic, and educate the people on the effects of plastics in our blood streams, rivers, oceans, and on every crevice of our Earth. Regenerate our ecosystems by living environmentally conscious for the future the planet’s largest mass: the ocean.

The East River has been polluted since the early days of the Industrial Revolution from street runoff, storm drains, and illegal dumping into the waters. The East River/ estuary has been becoming inhabitable for many species, for many years. In Williamsburg Brooklyn, a man-made waterfront has been approved by the New York City Council for construction to be built in 2024. The construction will include the addition of three large high-rise apartment buildings, a sandy beach, and green pools that are disconnected from the harbor and independent from the city sewer, electric grid, and storm water overflow: with the addition of other recreational activities for people to enjoy.

This project is officially called the River Ring waterfront that is being created to restore the habitat and create a space where New Yorkers can enjoy safe, protected water access. Newly protective waters will help restore the coastal habitat by implementing natural features that improve water quality; making it more safe to interact with the waterway. The public waterfront is a privately funded project that does not impede on New Yorkers tax dollars. The project will also be an addition to the future of renewable energy and a power source in emergency situations.

We know the East River is ready for this restoration, but are the people ready to protect the new waterfront? The project is backed by counts of expert testimonials, but the future is how the people treat the new recreational area and the surrounding areas of the East River: which is shown to be negatively affected in the past.