By now, we’ve all heard about the banned books. School boards pulling “The Bluest Eye” off shelves, Florida cracking down on AP African American Studies, or students disciplined for protesting. Free speech, we’re told, is under attack in America’s schools. And it is, just not in the way we think. The biggest threat to free speech in schools isn’t about which books are banned or which opinions get drowned out at school board meetings. The real issue is quieter and more complicated–America is failing to teach students what free speech actually means. Civic illiteracy, not censorship, is the deeper, more…

Millions of animals – from mice to monkeys – endure confinement, manipulation, pain and severe psychological distress in the name of understanding the human mind. An estimated 7.5 percent of all psychological experiments are conducted on animals. But is this practice truly necessary, especially in the 21st century?  Consider Kanzi, a bonobo who drew attention due to his exceptional language skills. In the 1970s, researchers subjected Kanzi to a series of experiments designed to test his ability to understand human language. These included blasting loud noises and showing him disturbing images, all while monitoring his reactions. While the study yielded…

Mangrove forests are among the most valuable ecosystems on Earth, providing critical ecological and economic services. They serve as natural barriers against storm surges, store large amounts of carbon and support diverse marine life. However, they are rapidly disappearing due to deforestation, coastal development and climate change. By restoring mangrove habitats, we can combat climate change and strengthen the resilience of coastal communities, helping our future and economy in the process. This proposal advocates for a nationwide mangrove restoration initiative that combines federal funding, community involvement, and private sector incentives to restore and protect mangrove ecosystems along the U.S. coasts.…

Climate change was addressed during the Trump-Harris debate, and that’s about all that can be said. This political performance highlighted just how passionate disagreement over little to no substance can be. The candidates’ stances on the climate crisis contrasted sharply, reflecting a broader divide on environmental policy. The one big thing they shared: neither candidate had a clear climate plan. Canned talking points overshadowed policy. Kamala Harris stressed that climate change is “$150 billion every year. As such, the next president will face the reality of governing during a time of increasing climate disasters. Both candidates touched on energy policy,…

The rise of social media influencers has led to a unique marketing strategy: public relations (PR) packages. These gift sets, often filled with popular products or new releases from brands, are sent with the hopes of getting promoted on social media platforms. While seemingly harmless, the growing trend of PR packages has raised concerns about its environmental impact. PR packages often contain an abundance of products, many of which may go unused. Influencers are sent so much that sometimes most of their products expire before they can be used. This surplus can also lead to overconsumption, and although some influencers…

The age of social media has given rise to a new marketing tactic: influencer public relations (PR) packages. These overflowing gift sets, featuring a brand’s latest or most popular products, are sent with the hopes of getting mentioned – a quick and easy advertisement from the influencer. However, consumerist culture’s abundance of packaging and promotion raises red flags about environmental impact. PR packages often lead to overconsumption. Bombarded with an endless stream of products, influencers receive too many products to use. A significant portion of these items expire before ever being touched, thus creating a cycle of waste. While some…

For generations, zoos have been places of environmental education. Seeing unique animals up close is undeniably impactful, but at what cost? The ethical issue of confining animals in enclosures for our own entertainment needs to be addressed. Animals have very limited space in zoos – tigers and lions have around 18,000 times less space in zoos than they would in the wild. This restriction leads to health problems like muscle atrophy and obesity. Furthermore, artificial environments and lack of stimulation contribute to chronic stress in captive animals, shown through repetitive behaviors like pacing. Disrupting natural social structures by separating families or…

Nuclear energy is at the crossroads of climate action and environmental justice. While it is a powerful tool to transition away from fossil fuels, some have raised concerns about its environmental justice implications. The issue of waste disposal is the biggest concern. The U.S. alone has over 80,000 metric tons of highly radioactive waste with lifespans totaling thousands of years. Proposed storage sites for this waste are often located in areas with high minority and low-income populations, leading to questions about environmental racism. Communities fear becoming dumping grounds for a problem with no clear solution. Another environmental justice concern is the health…

Animal psychological experiments involve studying the behavior and mental processes of non-human animals in controlled settings. Researchers use this approach to understand a variety of topics, including learning, memory, emotions and decision-making. The hope is that these insights can shed light on human psychology and potentially lead to better treatments for psychological issues. These experiments can range from mild to invasive – simpler studies might involve observing how animals interact with puzzles or navigate mazes, while more complex research might involve surgically implanting devices to monitor brain activity or subjecting animals to drugs or stressful situations. While the exact figures…

Photo illustration by Slate. Images via Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images, Timothy McKay/iStock/Getty Images Plus and Omelchenko Andrii/iStock/Getty Images Plus. Taylor Swift, a pop sensation and public figure, has recently faced severe criticism for her significant carbon footprint—primarily due to the frequent use of her private jet. Reports indicate that in 2023, Swift’s private jet flights generated approximately 8,300 tons of carbon emissions. This is significantly higher than the average person’s annual emissions, specifically 1800 times higher, depending on the location. With flights ranging from 12 hours across the world to 13 minutes across a city, Swift faces pressure to…