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 Thing About Homelessness and the Rejected Products of a Broken System
The thing about homelessness is that it is a product of a blatantly inefficient society. Few in power recognize it as an existing problem or something they can help solve. But the sooner we acknowledge it, the faster we can solve it. Sounds simple, and it is simple, but no one in a real position of power (Trump, May, Putin) is doing anything about it, simply because they don't care enough.
By ovaryacting8 years ago in The Swamp
The Environmental Hazards of Chemical Pollution
Chemical pollution exists. Some right-leaning people would like to deny this exists. This type of pollution can affect soil, water, and the air itself. Organic pollutants serve as endocrine disruptors, from "Environmental Protection: What Everybody Needs To Know" by Pamela Hill (16), because “endocrine disruptors are substances that interfere with the endocrine system, the system responsible for regulating hormones throughout the body. They are associated with reproductive and developmental problems” (17). Chemical pollution from chemicals such as DDT is rampant in our society right now. Nobody is doing anything about it since the scientists who study this have their hands tied up along with their funding.
By Iria Vasquez-Paez8 years ago in The Swamp
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
