The shipment of e-waste from developed to developing countries, was prohibited in 1989 by the Basel Convention, but has not been ratified by Afghanistan, Haiti or the United States (the largest global producer of e-waste.) This rapidly expanding uncontrolled waste stream has major effects on developing states such as China and Nigeria.  Christine Cutting DISRES [...]

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Fractals are geometric patterns that can be reduced to smaller and smaller parts, each one a perfect (although reduced) copy of the whole; they are infinitely complex and all around us. Fractals have a unique property known as self-similarity. This can be seen in the most basic and obvious fractal: a tree. The patterns of [...]

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What could better symbolize the interconnection of the world than its oceans? The ocean provides jobs, food, recreation and challenge. It is home to the biggest and smallest of creatures, accessible to millions of humans who sail, surf, swim, dive, and try to harness its power. It is beautiful, dangerous and awesome. World Oceans Day [...]

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In this TED talk, Johan Rockstrom identifies nine “planetary boundaries”: climate change, ozone depletion, atmospheric aerosol loading, ocean acidification, global freshwater use, land system change, rate of biodiversity loss and biogeochemical loading. Understanding these systems can guide us in protecting our planet’s many overlapping ecosystems, moving us toward transformative change, turning crisis into opportunities. About [...]

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John C. Ayers is a Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Vanderbilt University. As a geochemist he specializes in sustainability and also the chemistry of natural waters. The following is the introductory chapter for a book Professor Ayers is writing titled “Sustainability: Reducing Risk and Living Well in a World of Shrinking Resources”.   [...]

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Renown aerial photographer, Yann Arthus-Bertrand, has spent decades photographing the earth from the sky. His remarkable perspective compels him to speak to us about our future. In this TED talk, Arthus-Bertrand reviews his three most recent projects on humanity and its habitat. Follow this link to watch his breathtaking film HOME. This film was conceived [...]

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Juan Miguel Cruz is 19, a St Croix native, a scholarship student at the University of the Virgin Islands and an SCA intern. But to his friends, he is “Turtle Boy.” He laughs at the moniker. “It’s OK,” he says. Assigned to Christiansted National Historic Site, Buck Island Reef National Monument, and the Salt River [...]

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