activism
Grassroots campaigns have proven instrumental in bringing about political, social or environmental change; you've got to start somewhere-might as well start here.
The End of the World
While an apocalyptic event is not newsworthy, we humans are great at one thing: destroying our planet. Star visitors laugh at our ignorance daily. In the United States, at least, we are not tackling climate change at all. Climate change is real. The most ardent Republican needs to know this. Climate change could kill us with rising sea levels. In 30 years, the coastal cities could flood unless we do something about it now. We live during a time when tyrannical leaders are popular with the masses. People want to feel safe in order not to think about much.
By Iria Vasquez-Paez8 years ago in The Swamp
Want to Save Marine Life? Let's Ban the Plastics
Right now, our oceans need more help than ever. This is because recent studies have shown that there tens, if not, thousands of pieces of plastic products that floating around in the oceans. Yet, the only way to remove them is if every person, regardless of where they live and work, works to remove all plastic trash from the ecosystem before a bird, marine mammal, or sea turtle begins to choke on it. In fact, millions of tons of plastic waste enter the oceans every year while the average person living in the United States throws away about 185 pounds of plastic per year. Yet, every piece of plastic that people use on a daily basis, only to be later thrown out is still out there today.
By Jenna Deedy8 years ago in The Swamp
The Townhouse Issue in Ottawa
There is a large issue happening in Ottawa that does not seem to be getting much attention at the moment. It certainly isn't getting any attention from government and is getting not much attention from media. However, it affects my family and many others here in Ottawa, Ontario, and we need to talk about it.
By Beth Gibbons8 years ago in The Swamp
Yulin Dog Meat Festival Outrages Animal Rights Activists
All around the world, animal rights activists, including comedian Ricky Gervais, have been outraged by China's annual Yulin Dog Meat Festival. This 10-day dog meat festival sees hundreds of dogs slaughtered and butchered before being prepared for cooking and eating by locals and visitors to the event.
By Paul Conneally8 years ago in The Swamp
Troubled Waters
The ocean is in great danger. The ocean needs our help along with the thousands upon thousands of species that cannot speak for themselves. Ocean pollution is a problem that is mainly caused by human influence. How does ocean pollution affect you? Well, if you wanted to go to the beach instead of those beautiful Tumblr pictures you thought you would see, you would see the opposite. Trash along the beaches due to people not wanting to pick it up themselves. You might see beer cans or cigarettes in the sand. Or, you could encounter strange things like popped balloons or the rest of a candy wrapper. Despite your religion, philosophy, or dietary restrictions, the ocean is vital to all of us.
By Isabella S8 years ago in The Swamp
Internet, a Broken Tool
It connects everyone, it starts revolutions, provides access to places across the world in seconds, it entertains and informs you, and it gives you a voice. The internet is something that has taken the world by storm in the last couple decades, and it has revolutionized us at a speed and in a fashion that has forced us to adopt in an agile way. According to The Office of Statistics, 90 percent of British households accessed the internet in 2017, that is about 59,916,154 people in England alone. The internet is a tool with limitless purpose; a tool that has become a large part of our daily lives and the activities we carry out. Personally, I use it in order to find directions, for entertainment, communication, research, and countless other tasks that allow me to be a productive and changing person.
By Victoria Gawlik8 years ago in The Swamp
You Are Becoming the Oppressor
History provides countless examples of genocide rising while citizens allowed it to do so by their silence and inaction. Germany, Rwanda, and the Native Americans come to mind. I, for one, will not be counted in the history books as an American who sat idly by while watching my own country commit egregious human rights violations within our own borders. Now is the time for all decent, patriotic Americans who believe in the values espoused by our founders to speak out against the migrant detention policy decisions of the Trump administration.
By Stephen Walden8 years ago in The Swamp
White Silence on Juneteenth
Today is Juneteenth, a celebration of the day on which the last remaining slaves were made aware of their freedom in 1865. However, it must be noted that not long after this was accomplished, an entirely new condition akin to slavery was implemented throughout the states.
By Stephen Walden8 years ago in The Swamp
First Amendment Rights
Some people do not respect First Amendment rights such as the right to freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of protest (assembly), and petition the government for a negotiation of grievances. The first amendment is classy. Thomas Jefferson believed in a separation of church and state but in modern times, extremists do not want this reasonable act to continue. They would rather turn the United States into a theocracy, this is something some religious people want, be aware. You see, the government cannot change the law just like that without a reason. In the early days of colonizing the United States, many immigrants had fled religious persecution in their own countries, sometimes to find more in the United States.
By Iria Vasquez-Paez8 years ago in The Swamp
What Pride Month Means in the Age of Trump
We're halfway through Pride Month in America, and it's time to take our temperature or run the risk of burning out. The current administration has recognized June as National Ocean Month, National Carribean-American Heritage Month, National African-American Music Appreciation Music Month, and a number of other 30-day recognition, but has failed to use their stature to officially recognize Pride Month.
By Stephen Walden8 years ago in The Swamp
The United States Has a Long History of Racism
Nothing shocks me more than what I saw in the newspapers following the Charlottesville protest, pictures of white men with torches marching in a long line, a few inches deep, thick and foreboding. The United States has a long history of resisting equal rights for all since we have a history of slavery in our remote past. Slaves were branded on their physical body if they were owned or ran away. There may not be such thing as equality in the United States if we are still marginalizing people who aren’t white. If we are mistreating people for being gay and refusing them service, in particular, this is what is contributing to the breakdown of our society.
By Iria Vasquez-Paez8 years ago in The Swamp
