Tales of Tenth Grade

A few weeks ago, there was talk of new rules that would encourage many people to take a big step towards saving the environment. "Throwaway culture" is a term used to describe overwhelming over consumption and the use of short lived/single use products that our society has become accustomed to. The EU wants to get rid of this cycle by enforcing regulations. By providing an incentive, it could encourage manufacturers to make better quality, longer lasting products. More recommendations under their Circular Economy Action Plan are to increase recycled material in products and reduce their impact on the climate. While this is a movement started in Europe, the rest of the world could follow their lead as people push for an end to throwaway culture. However, with the rise of coronavirus, America has taken a step in the opposite direction. The EPA has temporarily stopped the enforcement of many environmental laws. This is disappointing to many environmental activists but unders...

The k āk āp ō is colorfully patterned parrot known to be the world's fattest parrot and can be found in New Zealand.  The parrots just went through their most successful breeding season, gathering hope for the future of the endangered species.  Recently, the  k āk āp ō  parrots suffered an outbreak of a serious respiratory disease called aspergillosis.   As soon as scientists discovered how quickly the disease was spreading, volunteer vets arrived from around the world to help build pens to house the birds, collect food, and examine birds to determine whether they were ill.  Thanks to the work of these vets, the administering of drugs to stop the spread was successful and the outbreak was contained.  Many birds were nursed back to health, and most of the chicks from the previous breeding season survived and contributed to a rising population count of  k āk āp ō  parrots. Seeing people like these volunteer vets dedicated to hel...

Zoos have been around for years and years and can be found all over the world, used to display exotic animals that people normally wouldn't get the chance to see in the wild.  They're also a popular place to bring kids to learn about animals.  While people enjoy visiting zoos, they can be a terrible place for animals.  Sometimes, animals are kept isolated and prevented from socializing with others of their species.  This lack of companionship is common in zoos and leads to loneliness and depression.  Animals can also go stir-crazy if they're in the wrong environment, in an enclosure that's too small, or kept in solitude.  This can lead to extreme boredom and prompt animals to exhibit in "stereotypical behavior," or "zoochosis," which is restless motion such as pacing.  Sometimes animals go as far as to hurt themselves just because they have nothing else to do. Gus is a polar bear who became famous for his extreme repetitive behaviors.  He o...

          As of last Friday on October 25th, it's been reported that the French Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique contains pesticide. According to Laurence Peter of BBC News, chlordecone, a pesticide linked to cancer has been sprayed on banana crops on the two islands for two decades. As of a result, all nearly all adult local residents contain traces of chlordecone inside their blood.          The French do know of this issue as their President, Emmanuel Macron called it an "environmental scandal." Macron also stated that the state "must take responsibility. In addition, the French parliament has set up a public inquiry that will report its findings this upcoming December.           On the islands, both the soil, the rivers, and the coastal waters have large tracts that are contaminated with the chlordecone. Authorities want to keep it out of the food chain, however, most produce comes from smal...