The Alienation of God in Our World
God.
The idea has driven men and women to wars and caused destruction.
They fought over the who, the how, the when, the where, the why?
The idea of God has transcended time, been passed down through generations, cultures and families.
Each individual has their own idea of God;
A supernatural being, a spirit, a greater power, the beginning,
The end, heaven, the world, genesis, Allah, savior, redeemer;
Each person believes in God or does not;
Everyone believes in something.
Those who believe in a greater power, those people who fought for their beliefs, those who were oppressed, killed, or persecuted because of their beliefs, all had one thing in common: Faith.
Their faith drives them to live their lives,
Drives them to have moral standards and judge their words and actions.
It leads them to start families and persist through struggles, all the while believing that in the end they will be saved, or reincarnate, or whatever other belief that individual has about life after death.
This idea of God is truly what keeps many people going;
It keeps some cultures and societies unified.
This idea of God helps to keep order and sets rules for how to live.
In today’s society, the idea of God is being uprooted, destroyed.
Our world today is defined by poverty, violence, corruption, greed, selfishness, lies, cheating, stealing, and many other vices.
Denying or destroying the idea of God, and the values/principles/beliefs associated, is a principle cause in the existence of those aforementioned vices.
There was once a bold line. Killing is bad. Society is against it.
As time moves on, that line fades and fades and before you know it,
excuses and justifications are produced to try and make those ideas ok or acceptable.
That line today is almost non-existent.
It is ignored and stepped over. Repeatedly.
Politicians that are elected to serve and protect the people, often ignore their constituents' wishes.
Laws are passed that diminish the value of the human person and allow those who have broken moral code to escape with impunity.
The power and unifying bond of marriage is stepped on and continually abused.
All of these injustices and more occur every single day and yet,
They continue to happen.
If there is no God, if there is no faith, if there is no judgment or morals or repercussions,
What is in store for humanity, for our existence, for future generations?
Sebastian Iacuone '24
God.
The idea has driven men and women to wars and caused destruction.
They fought over the who, the how, the when, the where, the why?
The idea of God has transcended time, been passed down through generations, cultures and families.
Each individual has their own idea of God;
A supernatural being, a spirit, a greater power, the beginning,
The end, heaven, the world, genesis, Allah, savior, redeemer;
Each person believes in God or does not;
Everyone believes in something.
Those who believe in a greater power, those people who fought for their beliefs, those who were oppressed, killed, or persecuted because of their beliefs, all had one thing in common: Faith.
Their faith drives them to live their lives,
Drives them to have moral standards and judge their words and actions.
It leads them to start families and persist through struggles, all the while believing that in the end they will be saved, or reincarnate, or whatever other belief that individual has about life after death.
This idea of God is truly what keeps many people going;
It keeps some cultures and societies unified.
This idea of God helps to keep order and sets rules for how to live.
In today’s society, the idea of God is being uprooted, destroyed.
Our world today is defined by poverty, violence, corruption, greed, selfishness, lies, cheating, stealing, and many other vices.
Denying or destroying the idea of God, and the values/principles/beliefs associated, is a principle cause in the existence of those aforementioned vices.
There was once a bold line. Killing is bad. Society is against it.
As time moves on, that line fades and fades and before you know it,
excuses and justifications are produced to try and make those ideas ok or acceptable.
That line today is almost non-existent.
It is ignored and stepped over. Repeatedly.
Politicians that are elected to serve and protect the people, often ignore their constituents' wishes.
Laws are passed that diminish the value of the human person and allow those who have broken moral code to escape with impunity.
The power and unifying bond of marriage is stepped on and continually abused.
All of these injustices and more occur every single day and yet,
They continue to happen.
If there is no God, if there is no faith, if there is no judgment or morals or repercussions,
What is in store for humanity, for our existence, for future generations?
Sebastian Iacuone '24
Addressing Mental Health in the Pandemic
Coming back to school from our 2-week Christmas holiday break on January 6, 2020, an outburst of news caught everyone's attention with headlines delivering information about China. Articles like “Millions In China Under New Restrictions Amid COVID-19 Spike Near Beijing” and “China coronavirus: Six questions scientists are asking” were just examples. I remember certain phrases of “Oh, that’s unfortunate, but that’s never gonna affect us” and observing prejudices against people wearing masks. We all thought nothing of it. We all just carried on with our lives.
Starting on a Friday at Mount St. Charles Academy. I was sitting in my US History II class with Mr. Seaver when President Alan Tenreiro started to talk on the loudspeaker. We knew this was something to listen to because out of all of the Mount administration, he was not one to announce little scholarly news on a routinely basis. As he explained to us how serious this virus was, all everyone could think of was, “Yes! No school for two weeks,” but Mount was prepared. We were taught what virtual schooling would be like and the expectations that were to come out of it. That Monday, March 16, 2020, at 7:45 AM everyone was logging onto Google Meets. I give complete credit dealing with this as a school community. My parents were very impressed considering my brother’s school could barely keep a handle on things.
A week or two into quarantine, many people had different things going on.Things became the new normal. Personally, I took up a new hobby of running/walking everyday as a safe escape from the bubble I considered my house. A routinely group FaceTime took place just about every night. A social media app called TikTok became the new trend to get on. The entertainment that came from this app started so many trends, inferior things like acai bowls, whipped coffee, the “renegade dance”, and many more that kept us all occupied while at home.
But two weeks became a month. And a month has come to this present day and it is still a worldwide issue with new variants spreading.
Issues Starting to Rise
As the weeks kept following, the more announcements and information was broadcasted about this dangerous virus. Nationwide restrictions and procedures were set in place in the interest of everyone’s safety. Mental health was starting to become a large issue all over the world more than it already was. I know for many people around me including myself, could barely get through the day.
To name some of the issues; there was very limited access to doctors, the furloughed/unemployed don’t have access to either good or any health insurance, for a large percentage of people; loneliness, anxiousness, fear, sadness, and stress became their everyday feelings—feelings of being stuck, students in school without any kind of support for their mental and physical health through a difficult time, and unsafe environments in houses during lockdown were/are a struggle.
In Depth of the Continuing Struggles
Seeing a doctor for a non-COVID-19-related issue was almost impossible. Accepting new patients into hospitals or offices was not allowed. For those that needed any kind of therapy or medicine, it was a painful process to have patience for. It seemed like you would have to wait for eternity in order to receive any kind of acceptance of health care. In the health community, physical health was prioritized over mental health.
Danielle LeBlanc '22
Coming back to school from our 2-week Christmas holiday break on January 6, 2020, an outburst of news caught everyone's attention with headlines delivering information about China. Articles like “Millions In China Under New Restrictions Amid COVID-19 Spike Near Beijing” and “China coronavirus: Six questions scientists are asking” were just examples. I remember certain phrases of “Oh, that’s unfortunate, but that’s never gonna affect us” and observing prejudices against people wearing masks. We all thought nothing of it. We all just carried on with our lives.
Starting on a Friday at Mount St. Charles Academy. I was sitting in my US History II class with Mr. Seaver when President Alan Tenreiro started to talk on the loudspeaker. We knew this was something to listen to because out of all of the Mount administration, he was not one to announce little scholarly news on a routinely basis. As he explained to us how serious this virus was, all everyone could think of was, “Yes! No school for two weeks,” but Mount was prepared. We were taught what virtual schooling would be like and the expectations that were to come out of it. That Monday, March 16, 2020, at 7:45 AM everyone was logging onto Google Meets. I give complete credit dealing with this as a school community. My parents were very impressed considering my brother’s school could barely keep a handle on things.
A week or two into quarantine, many people had different things going on.Things became the new normal. Personally, I took up a new hobby of running/walking everyday as a safe escape from the bubble I considered my house. A routinely group FaceTime took place just about every night. A social media app called TikTok became the new trend to get on. The entertainment that came from this app started so many trends, inferior things like acai bowls, whipped coffee, the “renegade dance”, and many more that kept us all occupied while at home.
But two weeks became a month. And a month has come to this present day and it is still a worldwide issue with new variants spreading.
Issues Starting to Rise
As the weeks kept following, the more announcements and information was broadcasted about this dangerous virus. Nationwide restrictions and procedures were set in place in the interest of everyone’s safety. Mental health was starting to become a large issue all over the world more than it already was. I know for many people around me including myself, could barely get through the day.
To name some of the issues; there was very limited access to doctors, the furloughed/unemployed don’t have access to either good or any health insurance, for a large percentage of people; loneliness, anxiousness, fear, sadness, and stress became their everyday feelings—feelings of being stuck, students in school without any kind of support for their mental and physical health through a difficult time, and unsafe environments in houses during lockdown were/are a struggle.
In Depth of the Continuing Struggles
Seeing a doctor for a non-COVID-19-related issue was almost impossible. Accepting new patients into hospitals or offices was not allowed. For those that needed any kind of therapy or medicine, it was a painful process to have patience for. It seemed like you would have to wait for eternity in order to receive any kind of acceptance of health care. In the health community, physical health was prioritized over mental health.
Danielle LeBlanc '22
Global Issues Impact
For my Senior year I wanted to take a handful of electives that I thought would be beneficial for when I graduate and afterwards. I took classes like personal finance, economics, and global issues to see if I could learn more about the world that I am going to step into. Because it is almost the end of the semester, the reflection I have on these three classes is that I have made the right decision. I found with my personal finance and economics classes that I have learned a lot about how to manage my money and the best ways to introduce myself to insurance, buying a house, and dealing with medical insurance. For my global issues class I feel I got a great understanding of how different perspectives work in every part of the world.
At first I was unsure about global issues as a class because I wasn’t totally convinced that it would follow my theme for this school year. Turns out I was wrong and that it was one of the better classes that I chose to take this year. Besides learning about different perspectives I have also learned about how to handle yourself responsibly when talking about a world issue that others could have opposing views about. This could benefit me later in life if I ever get to the point of a debate or a discussion with someone who thinks differently than I do. The class Global Issues also taught me that other perspectives and beliefs help complete the story or discussion. I learned that hearing the other side of an argument helps your own because you will be able to work around the strong points but, it also helps you understand why they feel this way about a certain topic.
In class this year we have learned about everything that has happened in 2021, from COVID, climate change summit meetings, natural disasters in different parts of the world, and the breaking news of the US leaving Afghanistan. As a person who is interested in ongoing topics it was a touching experience to give me thoughts on these specific subjects along with learning about how others feel about the same topics.
My teacher may not notice this but, Global issues as a class has had a huge impact on my growth and understanding of the world we live in. The class has opened my eyes to so much more than sports and socializing with friends. At the end of the day it has made me care more about the life that I want to live and always making sure I’m aware of my surroundings with this crazy world we live in.
Aidan Darlington '22
For my Senior year I wanted to take a handful of electives that I thought would be beneficial for when I graduate and afterwards. I took classes like personal finance, economics, and global issues to see if I could learn more about the world that I am going to step into. Because it is almost the end of the semester, the reflection I have on these three classes is that I have made the right decision. I found with my personal finance and economics classes that I have learned a lot about how to manage my money and the best ways to introduce myself to insurance, buying a house, and dealing with medical insurance. For my global issues class I feel I got a great understanding of how different perspectives work in every part of the world.
At first I was unsure about global issues as a class because I wasn’t totally convinced that it would follow my theme for this school year. Turns out I was wrong and that it was one of the better classes that I chose to take this year. Besides learning about different perspectives I have also learned about how to handle yourself responsibly when talking about a world issue that others could have opposing views about. This could benefit me later in life if I ever get to the point of a debate or a discussion with someone who thinks differently than I do. The class Global Issues also taught me that other perspectives and beliefs help complete the story or discussion. I learned that hearing the other side of an argument helps your own because you will be able to work around the strong points but, it also helps you understand why they feel this way about a certain topic.
In class this year we have learned about everything that has happened in 2021, from COVID, climate change summit meetings, natural disasters in different parts of the world, and the breaking news of the US leaving Afghanistan. As a person who is interested in ongoing topics it was a touching experience to give me thoughts on these specific subjects along with learning about how others feel about the same topics.
My teacher may not notice this but, Global issues as a class has had a huge impact on my growth and understanding of the world we live in. The class has opened my eyes to so much more than sports and socializing with friends. At the end of the day it has made me care more about the life that I want to live and always making sure I’m aware of my surroundings with this crazy world we live in.
Aidan Darlington '22
Will Measles Be The Next Pandemic?
Vaccines have been created across the world to combat a variety of diseases. Vaccines such as measles, mumps, rubella, tuberculosis, and the three hepatitis vaccines are among the most common vaccines to receive. Throughout the world, people can be seen receiving these vaccines at important age markers to protect themselves from potentially life-threatening diseases. These vaccines are also a passport to living life since, without them, you may be barred from doing things such as school and sports/activities.
Since the 18th century, the anti-vaxxer community has continued to increase. With that being said, there have been outbreaks of closely eliminated diseases such as measles. A major example can be seen when one UCLA college student proceeded to get measles and put over 800 people into quarantine as they await if they are measles positive. This student failed to recognize he had measles and had gone all over campus, to dining halls, public libraries and hung out with people for two weeks. Another noticeable situation was in 2019 when Europe saw three times the number of cases of measles than normal and hit a 20 year high. Some of their countries are among the least vaccinated countries against measles. Something to note is that the measles vaccine has a 97% effectivity rate of not getting measles if people get the two doses required. While this is all great, without people getting vaccinated, it is leaving the door open for a host of measles diseases and possible variations that could lead to another major epidemic.
The main argument anti-vaxxers use to support their case is that vaccines cause autism when in many scientific studies, it was proven that there is no connection between autism and vaccines. There seems to be a belief that the “toxins” in the vaccines cause autism but if that was the case, there would be more autism cases at a certain age. Most of these vaccines have been tested for decades and almost every person that receives them and does not get autism. The argument about autism and vaccines is not well supported since there isn’t enough data that can connect autism and vaccines. When people choose not to vaccinate their children, they are putting their children at risk as well as those around them since most of these diseases are HIGHLY contagious.
Another argument that is made against vaccines is a religious argument. As someone who is religious and goes to religious school, it is a reasonable argument. As the catholic faith looked to the Pope for guidance on whether or not to get the COVID vaccine, so did most of the other faiths. There are a few faiths that do not believe in the vaccine such as The Church of Christ, Scientist, and Dutch Reform Congregations as well as a few others that do not believe vaccines are part of the faith as God will provide for these people. In these situations, there is minimal a person can do since it's what they believe and it interferes with their faith.
The presence of anti-vaxxers has led to detrimental effects of spreading preventable diseases when there is no major reason not to receive the vaccine other than religion and the majority of people do not belong to these faiths. These vaccines are all accessible and safe and it is time to eradicate more life-threatening diseases to live a healthier life.
Bibliography
Eradication of Diseases - Our World in Data
Measles outbreak: Quarantines issued at UCLA, Cal State LA; hundreds of students, faculty under orders - ABC7 San Francisco (abc7news.com)
More than 140,000 die from measles as cases surge worldwide (who.int) Worldwide measles deaths climb 50% from 2016 to 2019 claiming over 207 500 lives in 2019 (who.int)
Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) Vaccination | CDC
Transmission of Measles | CDC
Anti-Vaxxers Could Fuel Spike in Childhood Diseases: 'It Will Be Horrific' (newsweek.com)
Vaccines Cause Autism – Yale Scientific Magazine
Anti-immunization Propaganda | Anti-Vaxxers - UPSC Notes (GS I) (byjus.com) Which Infectious Diseases Have Been Eliminated From The United States? - WorldAtlas Global Measles Outbreaks (cdc.gov)
Anti-vaxxers gaining ground in India ahead of MR immunization round - The Hindu https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/anti-vaxxers-who-gave-in-are-now-scrambling-to -undo-their-jab/articleshow/88232085.cms
This is the most anti-vaxxer country in the world - MarketWatch
Measles (MMR) Vaccination Rate by Country - WorldAtlas
Epidemic, Endemic, Pandemic: What are the Differences? | Columbia Public Health https://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/48c4a73a3c26ecca7f12bce5e4bcd22c
Alexis Ells ‘23
Vaccines have been created across the world to combat a variety of diseases. Vaccines such as measles, mumps, rubella, tuberculosis, and the three hepatitis vaccines are among the most common vaccines to receive. Throughout the world, people can be seen receiving these vaccines at important age markers to protect themselves from potentially life-threatening diseases. These vaccines are also a passport to living life since, without them, you may be barred from doing things such as school and sports/activities.
Since the 18th century, the anti-vaxxer community has continued to increase. With that being said, there have been outbreaks of closely eliminated diseases such as measles. A major example can be seen when one UCLA college student proceeded to get measles and put over 800 people into quarantine as they await if they are measles positive. This student failed to recognize he had measles and had gone all over campus, to dining halls, public libraries and hung out with people for two weeks. Another noticeable situation was in 2019 when Europe saw three times the number of cases of measles than normal and hit a 20 year high. Some of their countries are among the least vaccinated countries against measles. Something to note is that the measles vaccine has a 97% effectivity rate of not getting measles if people get the two doses required. While this is all great, without people getting vaccinated, it is leaving the door open for a host of measles diseases and possible variations that could lead to another major epidemic.
The main argument anti-vaxxers use to support their case is that vaccines cause autism when in many scientific studies, it was proven that there is no connection between autism and vaccines. There seems to be a belief that the “toxins” in the vaccines cause autism but if that was the case, there would be more autism cases at a certain age. Most of these vaccines have been tested for decades and almost every person that receives them and does not get autism. The argument about autism and vaccines is not well supported since there isn’t enough data that can connect autism and vaccines. When people choose not to vaccinate their children, they are putting their children at risk as well as those around them since most of these diseases are HIGHLY contagious.
Another argument that is made against vaccines is a religious argument. As someone who is religious and goes to religious school, it is a reasonable argument. As the catholic faith looked to the Pope for guidance on whether or not to get the COVID vaccine, so did most of the other faiths. There are a few faiths that do not believe in the vaccine such as The Church of Christ, Scientist, and Dutch Reform Congregations as well as a few others that do not believe vaccines are part of the faith as God will provide for these people. In these situations, there is minimal a person can do since it's what they believe and it interferes with their faith.
The presence of anti-vaxxers has led to detrimental effects of spreading preventable diseases when there is no major reason not to receive the vaccine other than religion and the majority of people do not belong to these faiths. These vaccines are all accessible and safe and it is time to eradicate more life-threatening diseases to live a healthier life.
Bibliography
Eradication of Diseases - Our World in Data
Measles outbreak: Quarantines issued at UCLA, Cal State LA; hundreds of students, faculty under orders - ABC7 San Francisco (abc7news.com)
More than 140,000 die from measles as cases surge worldwide (who.int) Worldwide measles deaths climb 50% from 2016 to 2019 claiming over 207 500 lives in 2019 (who.int)
Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) Vaccination | CDC
Transmission of Measles | CDC
Anti-Vaxxers Could Fuel Spike in Childhood Diseases: 'It Will Be Horrific' (newsweek.com)
Vaccines Cause Autism – Yale Scientific Magazine
Anti-immunization Propaganda | Anti-Vaxxers - UPSC Notes (GS I) (byjus.com) Which Infectious Diseases Have Been Eliminated From The United States? - WorldAtlas Global Measles Outbreaks (cdc.gov)
Anti-vaxxers gaining ground in India ahead of MR immunization round - The Hindu https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/anti-vaxxers-who-gave-in-are-now-scrambling-to -undo-their-jab/articleshow/88232085.cms
This is the most anti-vaxxer country in the world - MarketWatch
Measles (MMR) Vaccination Rate by Country - WorldAtlas
Epidemic, Endemic, Pandemic: What are the Differences? | Columbia Public Health https://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/48c4a73a3c26ecca7f12bce5e4bcd22c
Alexis Ells ‘23
5-Minute Current Events: What is Happening in Ukraine and Russia?
I have always been inclined to learn about, be aware of, and participate in the going on’s of the world. It has helped me to become a better rounded person, converse at family gatherings, and encourage ever-changing opinions to form in my adolescent brain. I assume this inclination stems from watching the Today Show while eating cheerios every morning in elementary school, and absurdly enjoying knowledge in and outside of the classroom. However, the other day I was enlightened by a conversation I had while in dance class. I was approached by a good friend asking me about what was happening overseas claiming “since you [I] know those kinds of things.” Though there is only so much I can know as a high school junior who’s credit is attributed to winding down at night by reading the New York Times, Huff Post, and Politico, it did however spark what could turn out to be a good idea. I want to attempt to provide the basic outlines of current events and clarify recent headlines for those who may be interested in learning about the world without having to sift through article after article to find main points. So here it goes: 5-Minute Current Events. This month: Ukraine and Russia.
What is Happening Between Russia and Ukraine?:
I am positive that by now you have seen “How to Avoid the Draft” TikToks or potential “WW3” threats all over social media and even on national news that have been the center of fear mongering in many young people. But what is really happening between Ukraine and Russia, and why is it unfolding so quickly? I feel it is important to start with some background information. Russia was previously known as the Soviet Union before its collapse in 1991 which included many countries we know as independent nations today once deemed “soviet states,” including Ukraine. Territorial and political turmoil is not new to Ukraine as the sovereign country has experienced efforts by Russian separatists over the past 8 years overthrowing President Viktor Yanukovych, and the Russian invasion on the Crimean Peninsula in the spring of 2014. Ukraine under its new governing presidency however has expressed interest in joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which was met by concerns from leading member nations including the U.S. ultimately declining the Ukrainian pleas to avoid greater Russian conflicts in the west. To get to the center of the actual conflict, here is a timeline of inciting incidents leading to the recent invasion:
January 2021: Ukrainian President Zelensky requests from the newly inaugurated Biden administration to be included in NATO.
Spring 2021: Russian troops are sent to the Ukrainian border for “training.”
December 2021: Russia makes it know that the nation feels threatened by NATO forces sending aid and materials to eastern European members of the treaty.
January 2022: NATO members start to deploy troops in eastern Europe (not in Ukraine) and send more weaponry to European allied nations. Russia claims that their demands have yet to be addressed in the necessary ways.
February 2022: The U.S. sends 3,000 troops to Ukrainian bordering NATO members such as Poland as Russia declares that troops should not be sent to former Soviet nations. Though NATO nations are friends with Ukraine, they are not obligated to aid in a militaristic way to protect further extreme Russian advancements. It is warned by NATO nations that economic sanctions will be made if war is waged in Ukraine by Russia.
February 24th, 2022: Vladmir Putin launches military attacks on and an invasion of Ukraine, most notably to the detriment of Kiev, the Ukrainian capital city.
More developments arise by the hour, but in the interest of keeping any potential teen-reader’s attention span for 5 minutes, I recommend checking out your news site of choice for further details, or even following politically invested influencers such as Amelie Zilber or Marcus Dipola for quick updates throughout the day. The United States and other NATO figure heads send their sympathies and aids to Ukraine, however military efforts come with greater risk than gain with the impending Russian threat of Nuclear war. For those who are inclined to help the innocent people of Ukraine, consider donating to UNICEF, Voices of Children, Sunflowers of Peace, and many more.
Sources of research:
https://www.rescue.org/article/ukraine-russia-crisis-what-happening
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/events-leading-up-russias-invasion-ukraine-2022-02-28/
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/18/world/europe/russia-ukraine-timeline.html
https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/24/europe/ukraine-russia-attack-timeline-intl/index.html
Madigan Wirkus '23
I have always been inclined to learn about, be aware of, and participate in the going on’s of the world. It has helped me to become a better rounded person, converse at family gatherings, and encourage ever-changing opinions to form in my adolescent brain. I assume this inclination stems from watching the Today Show while eating cheerios every morning in elementary school, and absurdly enjoying knowledge in and outside of the classroom. However, the other day I was enlightened by a conversation I had while in dance class. I was approached by a good friend asking me about what was happening overseas claiming “since you [I] know those kinds of things.” Though there is only so much I can know as a high school junior who’s credit is attributed to winding down at night by reading the New York Times, Huff Post, and Politico, it did however spark what could turn out to be a good idea. I want to attempt to provide the basic outlines of current events and clarify recent headlines for those who may be interested in learning about the world without having to sift through article after article to find main points. So here it goes: 5-Minute Current Events. This month: Ukraine and Russia.
What is Happening Between Russia and Ukraine?:
I am positive that by now you have seen “How to Avoid the Draft” TikToks or potential “WW3” threats all over social media and even on national news that have been the center of fear mongering in many young people. But what is really happening between Ukraine and Russia, and why is it unfolding so quickly? I feel it is important to start with some background information. Russia was previously known as the Soviet Union before its collapse in 1991 which included many countries we know as independent nations today once deemed “soviet states,” including Ukraine. Territorial and political turmoil is not new to Ukraine as the sovereign country has experienced efforts by Russian separatists over the past 8 years overthrowing President Viktor Yanukovych, and the Russian invasion on the Crimean Peninsula in the spring of 2014. Ukraine under its new governing presidency however has expressed interest in joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which was met by concerns from leading member nations including the U.S. ultimately declining the Ukrainian pleas to avoid greater Russian conflicts in the west. To get to the center of the actual conflict, here is a timeline of inciting incidents leading to the recent invasion:
January 2021: Ukrainian President Zelensky requests from the newly inaugurated Biden administration to be included in NATO.
Spring 2021: Russian troops are sent to the Ukrainian border for “training.”
December 2021: Russia makes it know that the nation feels threatened by NATO forces sending aid and materials to eastern European members of the treaty.
January 2022: NATO members start to deploy troops in eastern Europe (not in Ukraine) and send more weaponry to European allied nations. Russia claims that their demands have yet to be addressed in the necessary ways.
February 2022: The U.S. sends 3,000 troops to Ukrainian bordering NATO members such as Poland as Russia declares that troops should not be sent to former Soviet nations. Though NATO nations are friends with Ukraine, they are not obligated to aid in a militaristic way to protect further extreme Russian advancements. It is warned by NATO nations that economic sanctions will be made if war is waged in Ukraine by Russia.
February 24th, 2022: Vladmir Putin launches military attacks on and an invasion of Ukraine, most notably to the detriment of Kiev, the Ukrainian capital city.
More developments arise by the hour, but in the interest of keeping any potential teen-reader’s attention span for 5 minutes, I recommend checking out your news site of choice for further details, or even following politically invested influencers such as Amelie Zilber or Marcus Dipola for quick updates throughout the day. The United States and other NATO figure heads send their sympathies and aids to Ukraine, however military efforts come with greater risk than gain with the impending Russian threat of Nuclear war. For those who are inclined to help the innocent people of Ukraine, consider donating to UNICEF, Voices of Children, Sunflowers of Peace, and many more.
Sources of research:
https://www.rescue.org/article/ukraine-russia-crisis-what-happening
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/events-leading-up-russias-invasion-ukraine-2022-02-28/
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/18/world/europe/russia-ukraine-timeline.html
https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/24/europe/ukraine-russia-attack-timeline-intl/index.html
Madigan Wirkus '23
Where Are You Holiday Snow?
Like so many people in New England, I find myself getting excited for that first snow every year. While we had a small flurry a few weeks ago, it melted so quickly the next day that the enjoyment was almost non-existent! I’ve been hoping for another snowfall but Mother Nature has yet to oblige. According to AcuWeather.com, we are seeing the lowest amount of snow at the beginning of the winter season since 2003!
I always hold out hope for that beautiful white Christmas morning every year. Although, as we’ve seen for the past few years, stunning scenes are becoming less and less common in New England. There is less snow and more rain with warm weather each Christmas. Even when it does snow, it only sticks around for a few hours before either melting or being blown away!
As for snow-covered Christmas day this year, farmersalmanac.com states that Southern New England is less likely to see any snow. Luckily for those of us who look forward to this weather phenomenon, there is still a chance of seeing snowflakes shift down from the sky! Keep a look out on ncei.noaa.gov for news as we get closer to the holidays and keep your fingers crossed as you wait for the most magical time of the year-I know I will be!
Links used/Further reading:
https://www.accuweather.com/en/winter-weather/wheres-the-snow-comparing-2021s-lack-of-flakes-to-previous-years/1055629
https://www.farmersalmanac.com/probability-white-christmas
https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/news/white-christmas
Amanada Thrul '23
Like so many people in New England, I find myself getting excited for that first snow every year. While we had a small flurry a few weeks ago, it melted so quickly the next day that the enjoyment was almost non-existent! I’ve been hoping for another snowfall but Mother Nature has yet to oblige. According to AcuWeather.com, we are seeing the lowest amount of snow at the beginning of the winter season since 2003!
I always hold out hope for that beautiful white Christmas morning every year. Although, as we’ve seen for the past few years, stunning scenes are becoming less and less common in New England. There is less snow and more rain with warm weather each Christmas. Even when it does snow, it only sticks around for a few hours before either melting or being blown away!
As for snow-covered Christmas day this year, farmersalmanac.com states that Southern New England is less likely to see any snow. Luckily for those of us who look forward to this weather phenomenon, there is still a chance of seeing snowflakes shift down from the sky! Keep a look out on ncei.noaa.gov for news as we get closer to the holidays and keep your fingers crossed as you wait for the most magical time of the year-I know I will be!
Links used/Further reading:
https://www.accuweather.com/en/winter-weather/wheres-the-snow-comparing-2021s-lack-of-flakes-to-previous-years/1055629
https://www.farmersalmanac.com/probability-white-christmas
https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/news/white-christmas
Amanada Thrul '23
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Pros vs Cons of Online Shopping This Holiday Season Edition 2
Entering our second “COVID Christmas”, we wanted to reflect on last year’s article…
With COVID cases on the rise, many are looking to online shopping services this year. We’re here to break down the pros & cons.
Pros:
1. Winter in New England can get extremely cold. There are many people who dread leaving their comfortable, warm houses to somehow find their way into the freezing cold wind, rain, or snow of the winter and have to shop for presents. With online shopping, you do not have to worry about leaving the house and you can get all of your shopping done in the comfort of your own home. Yup, it’s still pretty cold here, not much has changed.
2. During the holiday season the stores can get extremely hectic. Leaving your house and not knowing when you are going to be expected back is a real issue since the lines are crazy. When you online shop, waiting in those lines is not a problem since you are already sitting in your own house. Due to the staffing shortage just about everywhere, lines are even longer than last year.
3. Along with no long lines, online shopping also helps to keep you from being in contact with any store or anyone inside of the store. During a normal Christmas season, holiday shoppers can be difficult to deal with since everyone is in a rush and trying to finish their shopping quickly. This year, especially with COVID, people do not want to leave their house and come in contact with anyone who could potentially make them sick. This is why online shopping has become a good alternative because you are able to buy the Christmas presents for your family and friends without having to leave your house. Covid cases are on the rise again and many are being more vigilant than ever in hopes of not reliving 2020.
4. This year, it might be hard to see some of your family or friends who you have bought presents for. With online shopping, you are able to purchase a gift for whoever you want and even have it wrapped and shipped to their house so they can receive it in time for Christmas. Again, many are being more vigilant this year, and this remains a great option.
5. When you are walking throughout the stores, sometimes it is hard to see the variety they may have. They could have items in the back that would be a perfect gift, but no one would know because it is not displayed on the floor. With online shopping, you are able to see a wide variety of the items they have and are even able to sort and find exactly what you are looking for. Because of distribution chain delays, many stores are back ordered and selling out quickly, so online can offer more options, styles, colors, sizes, etc.
Cons:
1. The obvious downside to online shopping is the shipping. You don’t have the ability to walk out of the store with a gift in hand. This means you need to think ahead & allow for delivery time. There are options to get expedited shipping, but those come at a cost. Unfortunately, many people have had to deal with shipping and their gifts not coming in on time and once again, with the staffing shortage, there are even more delays on shipping.
2. The next con that comes with online shipping is the cost. Because the items are being shipped, there are handling fees, delivery fees, processing fees, etc. At a time when money is already tight for so many, these are an added expense. Prices have only increased because of supply and demand, along with inflation, making in-person shopping much more affordable.
We can’t ignore the stories that have made national news are “Porch Pirates”. When having packages delivered, they can be easily stolen off of your porch. Again, there are options to have to sign for delivery, but that’d require you to be home at the time of delivery. As always, this remains a concern, especially with crime rates increasing in many areas.
3. Parents can easily fool children by hiding gifts that are coming from Santa. With children home, & delivery trucks making noise, it can be hard to hide packages from family members. With many people heading back into the office, our efforts to hide packages as they arrive can sometimes fall short, however; many children have also moved back to in-person school.
Many are having packages ruined because of the weather. If you live in a snowy climate like New England, cardboard boxes can become soggy & wet. Again, not much we can do about this moody New England weather.
4. Lastly, when ordering online, we must think about the unknown. You can’t try anything on, see how items will look on or if they even look like the pictures. Items can come broken or ruined. Supply chain delays can make it even longer to make a return, or exchange broken or damaged items in time for the holidays.
Lauren DeVito & Bella Jordan '22
Entering our second “COVID Christmas”, we wanted to reflect on last year’s article…
With COVID cases on the rise, many are looking to online shopping services this year. We’re here to break down the pros & cons.
Pros:
1. Winter in New England can get extremely cold. There are many people who dread leaving their comfortable, warm houses to somehow find their way into the freezing cold wind, rain, or snow of the winter and have to shop for presents. With online shopping, you do not have to worry about leaving the house and you can get all of your shopping done in the comfort of your own home. Yup, it’s still pretty cold here, not much has changed.
2. During the holiday season the stores can get extremely hectic. Leaving your house and not knowing when you are going to be expected back is a real issue since the lines are crazy. When you online shop, waiting in those lines is not a problem since you are already sitting in your own house. Due to the staffing shortage just about everywhere, lines are even longer than last year.
3. Along with no long lines, online shopping also helps to keep you from being in contact with any store or anyone inside of the store. During a normal Christmas season, holiday shoppers can be difficult to deal with since everyone is in a rush and trying to finish their shopping quickly. This year, especially with COVID, people do not want to leave their house and come in contact with anyone who could potentially make them sick. This is why online shopping has become a good alternative because you are able to buy the Christmas presents for your family and friends without having to leave your house. Covid cases are on the rise again and many are being more vigilant than ever in hopes of not reliving 2020.
4. This year, it might be hard to see some of your family or friends who you have bought presents for. With online shopping, you are able to purchase a gift for whoever you want and even have it wrapped and shipped to their house so they can receive it in time for Christmas. Again, many are being more vigilant this year, and this remains a great option.
5. When you are walking throughout the stores, sometimes it is hard to see the variety they may have. They could have items in the back that would be a perfect gift, but no one would know because it is not displayed on the floor. With online shopping, you are able to see a wide variety of the items they have and are even able to sort and find exactly what you are looking for. Because of distribution chain delays, many stores are back ordered and selling out quickly, so online can offer more options, styles, colors, sizes, etc.
Cons:
1. The obvious downside to online shopping is the shipping. You don’t have the ability to walk out of the store with a gift in hand. This means you need to think ahead & allow for delivery time. There are options to get expedited shipping, but those come at a cost. Unfortunately, many people have had to deal with shipping and their gifts not coming in on time and once again, with the staffing shortage, there are even more delays on shipping.
2. The next con that comes with online shipping is the cost. Because the items are being shipped, there are handling fees, delivery fees, processing fees, etc. At a time when money is already tight for so many, these are an added expense. Prices have only increased because of supply and demand, along with inflation, making in-person shopping much more affordable.
We can’t ignore the stories that have made national news are “Porch Pirates”. When having packages delivered, they can be easily stolen off of your porch. Again, there are options to have to sign for delivery, but that’d require you to be home at the time of delivery. As always, this remains a concern, especially with crime rates increasing in many areas.
3. Parents can easily fool children by hiding gifts that are coming from Santa. With children home, & delivery trucks making noise, it can be hard to hide packages from family members. With many people heading back into the office, our efforts to hide packages as they arrive can sometimes fall short, however; many children have also moved back to in-person school.
Many are having packages ruined because of the weather. If you live in a snowy climate like New England, cardboard boxes can become soggy & wet. Again, not much we can do about this moody New England weather.
4. Lastly, when ordering online, we must think about the unknown. You can’t try anything on, see how items will look on or if they even look like the pictures. Items can come broken or ruined. Supply chain delays can make it even longer to make a return, or exchange broken or damaged items in time for the holidays.
Lauren DeVito & Bella Jordan '22
Honoring Our Veterans
On November 11th, 1918, after more than four years of slaughter and destruction and the loss of millions of civilians and soldiers, the Allies who had won the war at this point, signed an Armistice with Germany. This Treaty, which came into effect at eleven a.m on November 11, 1918, hence, "the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month,” marked the end of World War I, the “war to end all wars.” On November 11th of each year, people all over the world celebrate Armistice Day, commonly known as Veterans Day in the United States. In Great Britain and its dominions (including Canada), it is known as Remembrance Day.
This year on Veterans Day, the Infantry Lodge Associates conducted their 102nd ceremony at the Squantum Club in East Providence which celebrates the Armistice and honors America’s veterans, past and current. The ceremony also takes time to induct several nominated individuals into several different honorary military societies, reflecting their individual service on behalf of our nation, including active duty and retired, National Guard, Army Reserve, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard, and to the people of the State of Rhode Island. The induction ceremony encompasses the Military Orders of St. Barbara who is the patron saint of artillery, St. Christopher, the patron saint of logisticians, and St. Maurice, the patron saint of the infantry. Before these individuals are inducted, the veterans and guests present have a special lunch. While serving overseas in WWI, American soldiers from Rhode Island longed for the following foods: New England clam chowder, hot dogs, ice cream, Narragansett beer; therefore, each year, that is what these guests enjoy on Veterans Day.
I was fortunate enough to attend this event the past couple of years and it is nothing short of stupendous. As I stood among these men and women who proudly served their country and made many sacrifices in doing so, I was filled with many emotions, among them patriotism and sadness. Patriotism because I have immense respect for the men and women of the United States Military and greatly appreciate everything they do for our country, and sadness because of the neglect and disrespect our veterans face in their own country. Last May, protestors defaced the World War II Memorial which is dedicated to soldiers killed in combat, with graffiti, spray painting messages all over the monuments (Fox 50). A similar instance in Canada occurred this past Remembrance Day, where a veteran’s memorial was vandalized with green paint stating “The real heroes are the vaccinated" (Fox News).
One may think those acts of vandalism are simply rare instances of dishonor towards veterans but they would be dead wrong. In classrooms all over the United States, including in Rhode Island, students who can do so, do not say/stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Refraining from partaking in our nation’s pledge not only shows apathy towards the American values we hold so dear, but it also shows apathy towards the men and women in the military who fight and even die protecting those values. During the Veterans Day ceremony which I attended, we all stood up and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. It filled me with pride and hope as the room permeated with fervent patriotism and honor.
We must respect and appreciate the work and dedication of America’s soldiers. Without them, our country would be vulnerable and defenseless to threats from all over the world. It is of utmost importance that we stand each morning as students and as Americans to pay our respects to our country and the soldiers who defend it.
The aforementioned apathy and unpatriotic attitude towards our country not only dishonors America’s soldiers but also leads to extreme neglect. To date, thousands of veterans experience homelessness and emotional difficulties from the horrors of war, and even more are at risk. Thankfully, many organizations exist to help these individuals start new lives after their time in the military, such as Tunnel To Towers, Wounded Warriors, and the Semper Fi Fund. It is our duty to support our veterans because they continue to support us unconditionally when we need them. With that said, it is integral to our nation that you make an effort, no matter the size or significance, to appreciate our country and the very many veterans who have served and who are currently serving our country at home and abroad.
Sebastian Iacuone '24
On November 11th, 1918, after more than four years of slaughter and destruction and the loss of millions of civilians and soldiers, the Allies who had won the war at this point, signed an Armistice with Germany. This Treaty, which came into effect at eleven a.m on November 11, 1918, hence, "the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month,” marked the end of World War I, the “war to end all wars.” On November 11th of each year, people all over the world celebrate Armistice Day, commonly known as Veterans Day in the United States. In Great Britain and its dominions (including Canada), it is known as Remembrance Day.
This year on Veterans Day, the Infantry Lodge Associates conducted their 102nd ceremony at the Squantum Club in East Providence which celebrates the Armistice and honors America’s veterans, past and current. The ceremony also takes time to induct several nominated individuals into several different honorary military societies, reflecting their individual service on behalf of our nation, including active duty and retired, National Guard, Army Reserve, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard, and to the people of the State of Rhode Island. The induction ceremony encompasses the Military Orders of St. Barbara who is the patron saint of artillery, St. Christopher, the patron saint of logisticians, and St. Maurice, the patron saint of the infantry. Before these individuals are inducted, the veterans and guests present have a special lunch. While serving overseas in WWI, American soldiers from Rhode Island longed for the following foods: New England clam chowder, hot dogs, ice cream, Narragansett beer; therefore, each year, that is what these guests enjoy on Veterans Day.
I was fortunate enough to attend this event the past couple of years and it is nothing short of stupendous. As I stood among these men and women who proudly served their country and made many sacrifices in doing so, I was filled with many emotions, among them patriotism and sadness. Patriotism because I have immense respect for the men and women of the United States Military and greatly appreciate everything they do for our country, and sadness because of the neglect and disrespect our veterans face in their own country. Last May, protestors defaced the World War II Memorial which is dedicated to soldiers killed in combat, with graffiti, spray painting messages all over the monuments (Fox 50). A similar instance in Canada occurred this past Remembrance Day, where a veteran’s memorial was vandalized with green paint stating “The real heroes are the vaccinated" (Fox News).
One may think those acts of vandalism are simply rare instances of dishonor towards veterans but they would be dead wrong. In classrooms all over the United States, including in Rhode Island, students who can do so, do not say/stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Refraining from partaking in our nation’s pledge not only shows apathy towards the American values we hold so dear, but it also shows apathy towards the men and women in the military who fight and even die protecting those values. During the Veterans Day ceremony which I attended, we all stood up and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. It filled me with pride and hope as the room permeated with fervent patriotism and honor.
We must respect and appreciate the work and dedication of America’s soldiers. Without them, our country would be vulnerable and defenseless to threats from all over the world. It is of utmost importance that we stand each morning as students and as Americans to pay our respects to our country and the soldiers who defend it.
The aforementioned apathy and unpatriotic attitude towards our country not only dishonors America’s soldiers but also leads to extreme neglect. To date, thousands of veterans experience homelessness and emotional difficulties from the horrors of war, and even more are at risk. Thankfully, many organizations exist to help these individuals start new lives after their time in the military, such as Tunnel To Towers, Wounded Warriors, and the Semper Fi Fund. It is our duty to support our veterans because they continue to support us unconditionally when we need them. With that said, it is integral to our nation that you make an effort, no matter the size or significance, to appreciate our country and the very many veterans who have served and who are currently serving our country at home and abroad.
Sebastian Iacuone '24
The Shift to Renewable Energy: Effects on American Society
American society revolves around the American industry and use of fossil fuels. In recent years, a shift toward more “environmentally friendly” renewable green energy production has evolved. Renewable energy is energy collected from practically inexhaustible and renewable resources of the Earth: solar, wind, hydropower, biomass, and geothermal (EIA). This shift originated because of society’s increased awareness of the effects of pollution on the Earth and the need to decrease it. According to the NAP, “2.4 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) were emitted from electrical generation in the United States, about 40 percent of the country’s energy-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.” Additionally, the manufacturing of fossil fuels is “responsible for the emission of other pollutants, such as nitrogen oxide (NOx) and sulfur dioxide (SO2)”(NAP). As a result, the U.S. has instituted a new initiative to decrease oil production and start using solar panels, wind turbines, and other “green” sources to produce energy for our nation. These new technologies are designed to have less of an impact on the environment and use less natural resources. For example, solar photovoltaic systems- the technology that converts the sun’s energy into electricity- require much less water than thermoelectric systems. Moreover, solar fields seem to take up more land but actually have a lower impact on their surrounding environment than power plants do (NAP). Power plants typically consume large amounts of land; whereas, solar panels can be assembled on roofs and other space-efficient places. Despite these positives, this recent transition to renewable energy has not been a smooth one. In January of 2021, President Biden shut down the Keystone XL Pipeline which is located between Canada and the U.S. and was projected to deliver 800,000 barrels of oil (GEI). As a result, thousands of jobs were lost and the U.S. became even more dependent on foreign oil. Could there have been a smoother transition? Could the U.S. have remained 50/50 on fossil fuels/renewable energy until a clear plan was set in place that would not have these effects?
In regards to the effects of the shift to renewable energy on workers and businesses, we need to analyze a cause and effect relationship related to this transition. As the country starts to reduce dependency on fossil fuels in various manufacturing sectors and introduce alternative green energy technologies, businesses will need to transition as well. That means we will need to start the production of solar panels and other renewable energy systems and find/train workers on these systems. The government may offer attractive tax incentives to promote investment. However, because this transition occurred so quickly, it is very expensive to produce or outsource these systems internationally. As a result, manufacturers have to increase their prices which means energy businesses will have to pay more. Overall, increasing the cost of energy for Americans. Yes, your electric bill! This will ultimately affect the economy because we will be more reliant on foreign products and less self-sufficient.
Not only does this transition affect the economy, but it also has a significant effect on American life and land. Places like China, which produces solar panels, have observed significant pollution as a byproduct of production. The production of these panels has significant emissions of CO2, NOx, and other air pollutants and requires the use of many hazardous materials. (NAP). The NAP, also stated that “In addition to SiCl4, these substances include silane, a highly flammable intermediate of polysilicon production, and hydrofluoric acid (HF) and other toxic gases and acids used in cleaning silicon wafers and in texturing and etching. Large amounts of acidic and alkaline wastewater are produced, so wastewater treatment and acid recycling are also critical steps.” In addition to the impact on water, wildlife will also be affected by renewable energy technologies. In 2003, wind turbines were the cause of roughly 20,000 to 40,000 bird deaths in the U.S. (NRC, 2007). All of these factors have a significant impact on our lives and the world.
Rather than looking at the facts, we need to dive deeper and analyze these impacts. For example, what happens to a solar panel after its lifespan is depleted? Often, those panels are put in landfills where harmful pollutants are released into the atmosphere (EnergySage). As the U.S. progresses as a nation and continues its plan to become dependent on green energy many different aspects of society are affected. Fossil Fuel dependent manufacturing is not completely bad or good and the same goes for renewable energy. However, the way in which we approach this problem will ultimately determine the strength of our country and our ability to support ourselves in crucial times.
Sources:
Renewable energy explained - US Energy Information Administration
Background of Keystone XL
NAE (National Academy of Engineering)/NRC (National Research Council)/CAE/CAS. 2007. Energy Futures and Urban Air Pollution: Challenges for China and the United States. Washington, D.C.: National Academies Press.
Solar Panel Recycling: How it Works and Why it's Important | EnergySage
Sebastian Iacuone '24
American society revolves around the American industry and use of fossil fuels. In recent years, a shift toward more “environmentally friendly” renewable green energy production has evolved. Renewable energy is energy collected from practically inexhaustible and renewable resources of the Earth: solar, wind, hydropower, biomass, and geothermal (EIA). This shift originated because of society’s increased awareness of the effects of pollution on the Earth and the need to decrease it. According to the NAP, “2.4 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) were emitted from electrical generation in the United States, about 40 percent of the country’s energy-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.” Additionally, the manufacturing of fossil fuels is “responsible for the emission of other pollutants, such as nitrogen oxide (NOx) and sulfur dioxide (SO2)”(NAP). As a result, the U.S. has instituted a new initiative to decrease oil production and start using solar panels, wind turbines, and other “green” sources to produce energy for our nation. These new technologies are designed to have less of an impact on the environment and use less natural resources. For example, solar photovoltaic systems- the technology that converts the sun’s energy into electricity- require much less water than thermoelectric systems. Moreover, solar fields seem to take up more land but actually have a lower impact on their surrounding environment than power plants do (NAP). Power plants typically consume large amounts of land; whereas, solar panels can be assembled on roofs and other space-efficient places. Despite these positives, this recent transition to renewable energy has not been a smooth one. In January of 2021, President Biden shut down the Keystone XL Pipeline which is located between Canada and the U.S. and was projected to deliver 800,000 barrels of oil (GEI). As a result, thousands of jobs were lost and the U.S. became even more dependent on foreign oil. Could there have been a smoother transition? Could the U.S. have remained 50/50 on fossil fuels/renewable energy until a clear plan was set in place that would not have these effects?
In regards to the effects of the shift to renewable energy on workers and businesses, we need to analyze a cause and effect relationship related to this transition. As the country starts to reduce dependency on fossil fuels in various manufacturing sectors and introduce alternative green energy technologies, businesses will need to transition as well. That means we will need to start the production of solar panels and other renewable energy systems and find/train workers on these systems. The government may offer attractive tax incentives to promote investment. However, because this transition occurred so quickly, it is very expensive to produce or outsource these systems internationally. As a result, manufacturers have to increase their prices which means energy businesses will have to pay more. Overall, increasing the cost of energy for Americans. Yes, your electric bill! This will ultimately affect the economy because we will be more reliant on foreign products and less self-sufficient.
Not only does this transition affect the economy, but it also has a significant effect on American life and land. Places like China, which produces solar panels, have observed significant pollution as a byproduct of production. The production of these panels has significant emissions of CO2, NOx, and other air pollutants and requires the use of many hazardous materials. (NAP). The NAP, also stated that “In addition to SiCl4, these substances include silane, a highly flammable intermediate of polysilicon production, and hydrofluoric acid (HF) and other toxic gases and acids used in cleaning silicon wafers and in texturing and etching. Large amounts of acidic and alkaline wastewater are produced, so wastewater treatment and acid recycling are also critical steps.” In addition to the impact on water, wildlife will also be affected by renewable energy technologies. In 2003, wind turbines were the cause of roughly 20,000 to 40,000 bird deaths in the U.S. (NRC, 2007). All of these factors have a significant impact on our lives and the world.
Rather than looking at the facts, we need to dive deeper and analyze these impacts. For example, what happens to a solar panel after its lifespan is depleted? Often, those panels are put in landfills where harmful pollutants are released into the atmosphere (EnergySage). As the U.S. progresses as a nation and continues its plan to become dependent on green energy many different aspects of society are affected. Fossil Fuel dependent manufacturing is not completely bad or good and the same goes for renewable energy. However, the way in which we approach this problem will ultimately determine the strength of our country and our ability to support ourselves in crucial times.
Sources:
Renewable energy explained - US Energy Information Administration
Background of Keystone XL
NAE (National Academy of Engineering)/NRC (National Research Council)/CAE/CAS. 2007. Energy Futures and Urban Air Pollution: Challenges for China and the United States. Washington, D.C.: National Academies Press.
Solar Panel Recycling: How it Works and Why it's Important | EnergySage
Sebastian Iacuone '24
