For our final dive into some of the issues impacting our Earth, this week we will be examining how truly interconnected our own health, animal health, and environmental health is. This concept is encompassed by the concept of One Health, an approach to health that strives to maximize the well-being of all of the planet’s… Read more It’s All Connected: One Health

This week we’ll continue to look at the ways in which biodiversity in the United States is threatened, as well as the strategies that we can use to combat this issue. Of the factors impacting our country’s wildlife, one of the most influential is habitat loss.  When the term “habitat loss” is mentioned, often peoples’… Read more Halting Habitat Loss

This week, we’ll be examining endangered species in Pennsylvania. While the term “endangered” often evokes imagery of flashier, more publicized animals like the giant panda or Siberian tigers, there are many animals in equal danger of extinction within our own state. Currently, the Pennsylvania Game Commission lists 23 species as endangered and 6 species as… Read more Massasaugas and Mussels: Exploring Pennsylvania’s Endangered Species

This week, I’m highlighting another problem that threatens environmental health in the United States: invasive species. In general, the term applies to any organisms that are not native to a given ecosystem and whose introduction can cause harm. This encompasses plants and animals, as well as microbial species. The issue is often that these species… Read more Putting a Stop to Invasive Species

This week, I’m highlighting one of the most prolific pollinators out there: the bee. While the many issues facing these insects have come to the public’s attention over recent decades, oftentimes the focus is misplaced. When most people picture bees, their immediate focus is on the well-known honey bee. However, oftentimes, these are not the… Read more Pollinator Problems: Bees

Seafood is often labeled as a fundamental part of a healthy diet; for instance, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that individuals eat at least eight ounces per week. However, what is best for human health doesn’t always translate into what is best for the rest of Earth’s inhabitants.  Irresponsible fishing practices have resulted in… Read more The Sustainable Seafood Situation