Greenhawks

Quarantine Sanity: Journaling

In case you didn’t read my last post, which was a prelude to my content for the semester, I plan to contribute a ~Quarantine Sanity~ piece each month, which will focus on our mental health by providing versatile mechanisms/habits/activities that you are able to do during this time for YOU. With that said, I am so excited because my first ~quarantine sanity~ activity is journaling, a (healthy) coping mechanism that was my saving grace throughout the six months I spent at home earlier this year.

GHM Alumni Profile: From the Classroom To the Courtroom

To celebrate GreenHawks Media’s 10th anniversary in 2020, the site will continue to feature profiles of alumni staff writers that contributed to the publication’s content and mission during their time at Miami University. Our first October spotlight is Olivia Bauer, a 2019 alum. Olivia served as Editor in Chief during the 2017-18 and 2018-19 school years.

A year of wear: why I quit buying clothes

I took a year off from buying any clothing, new or used. And what came out of it was a deeper appreciation for fashion as an art form and a more personal relationship with the clothes I already had. All without spending a penny.

Environmental Justice and Landscape Architecture

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines environmental justice as “the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.” The Office of Environmental Justice was established in 1992 as a branch of the EPA and “has worked to address the disproportionately adverse human health and environmental impacts in overburdened communities by integrating environmental justice considerations throughout the Agency.” The organization provides financial and technical support for local, state and federal governments to relieve the stress put on populations particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. 

Low-Waste Product: I Tried a Menstrual Cup

For the last year or so, I have been trying to take small steps towards living a more low-waste life. It is something that can’t be done right away in the world we live in. To be able to manage it effectively, small changes in your daily life need to be taken. I have been making those changes, and this last week I have made what I feel to be one of the biggest changes in my lifestyle: I tried a menstrual cup. 

From Her Hands To Ours: The Environmental Legacy of RBG

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed away at the age of 87 last week. She has left behind a grateful nation who will not forget her legacy of advocating for women’s rights and the equality of others. It should be known that her passing is mourned by environmental activists as well. Her vote was more than once pivotal to the environmental community. Former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator and current President of the Natural Resources Defense Council Gina McCarthy said “Through her expansive mind, sound temperament and unwavering judicial integrity, she plied the Constitution as a living instrument of American life, lending it meaning in the life of us all,” to address RBG’s impactful work for environmental rights. What follows is a small timeline of her most noted moments in environmental policy while sitting as a Supreme Court Judge.

Crawford signs PCLC Climate Commitment

Miami University President Greg Crawford signed the Presidents’ Climate Leadership Commitment (PCLC) in a virtual ceremony on Tuesday, Sept. 22 

Six Environmental Podcasts You Should Be Listening To

Are you a podcast person? Do you want to be? As students, I know our lives are busy and on-the-go. I listened to six environmental podcasts so I could share them with you! Of course, actively changing and adopting behaviors is vital, but so is simply learning– and these podcasts provide an opportunity to do so.

GHM Alumni Profile: Founder Reflects on the Road From Miami

To celebrate GreenHawks Media’s 10th anniversary in 2020, the site will feature profiles of staff alumni that contributed to the publication’s content and mission during their time at Miami University. Our second September spotlight is Adam Harris, one of the founders of GreenHawks Media.

Food & Habits Are Good for the Soul

Hello!! I want to start off with a big welcome for those that have moved into Oxford this week. I am so excited for you guys, and you came just at the right time - in my biased opinion, Miami is the prettiest during the fall. 

Photos From Yesterday's PCLC Signing

An Inside Look Into President Crawford’s Signing of a Robust Climate Commitment

“[Signing the PCLC] will elevate our awareness that achieving carbon neutrality and climate resilience requires the dedication of everyone in the University community, and it will inspire us to act as One Miami.”

Capturing the Last of Summer

Welcome back to Oxford, Miami students! Whether Oxford is a new or familiar place to you, it must be exciting to be here. However, between the excitement of this new time and its accompanying anxieties, it can sometimes be difficult to find space to breathe. This weekend, I took some time to find spots that provide a serene space where you can hit the reset button and take a moment to be still. Here is a series of photos I've collected while exploring natural areas in and around Oxford– and if possible, I'd encourage anyone to take a moment of your spare time to find some calm in the abundant nature around campus!

Sustainable Brands for Athletes

Growing up as an athlete was always tasking. Your body is constantly asking more from you, and you’re doing the best you can to treat it with patience and kindness. You train for hours on end to get one play right. It’s a constant go-go-go with little time to recover.

City of Oxford Makes Strides to Combat Climate Change

On Sept. 3, 2019, the City of Oxford signed the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy. Now, in conjunction with Miami University President Gregory Crawford signing the President’s Climate Leadership Commitments (PCLC), Mayor Mike Smith will reaffirm this pledge on Sept. 22, 2020. The event will highlight both commitment to taking action on climate change and raising awareness of the sustainable initiatives in our community. I was able to talk to Seth Cropenbaker, Assistant to the City Manager, and Jessica Greene, Assistant City Manager, to learn more about this collaboration and the City of Oxford’s pledges to a sustainable future.

Carbon Offsets: Miami’s Pathway to Carbon Neutrality

As a student enrolled in Miami’s Master of Environmental Science program, I conducted research over the summer of 2020 regarding the University’s impending commitment to carbon neutrality and the steps a university needs to take to produce a viable carbon offset. The intended product of this practicum is a report that administrators at Miami can utilize when implementing carbon offsets.

Community Gardens: A Solution to Growing Food Insecurity in the Face of Degradation

Almost 2,500 years ago, Hippocrates said “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” Yet with each coming year, people are finding it increasingly difficult to meet their daily nutritional needs. In 2018, nearly 40 million Americans alone were food insecure, meaning they lacked reliable access to a sufficient quantity of food. And this dilemma isn’t disappearing anytime soon, as experts fear that climate change and environmental degradation will only exacerbate rates of food insecurity in the future. Our growing population puts great strain on our food system- a system built on unsustainable agricultural practices that contribute to soil and land degradation, further hindering our ability to produce food. 

That Time I Climbed Everest Base Camp

My 2019 trek to Everest Base Camp was very eye-opening to the startlingly real environmental problems that the Himalayan region faces. I reached base camp in Nepal in the beginning of June of last year. The trek took a total of eight days to reach base camp from Lukla, Nepal, and three days to return. Since I hiked on the Nepali side, I was in the Khumbu region, which is home to three of the top ten tallest mountains in the world: Mt. Everest at number one, Lhtose at number four, and Annapurna which ranks at number ten.

Outdoors in Oxford: New Trail Loading...

A new trail is officially open in Oxford! Once finished, this 12 mile trail will run around campus and up to Talawanda Middle School and Oxford Community Park. Anyone is able to use this trail, and you can travel it any way you want: rollerblading, walking, running, biking, with pets or without. It is covered by a canopy of trees and follows alongside Four Mile Creek and through the woods. Further along the trail there is a beautiful, historic covered bridge to take pictures in front of and enjoy!

Plant-Based Staples for College Students

Before going plant-based last October, I always had the misconception that a plant-based diet was more expensive than an animal-based one. As a college student, this was one of the factors that kept me away from trying out a plant-based lifestyle. However, as I near the one year mark of being plant-based, I have actually found that my groceries are cheaper. Here is a list of seven plant-based items that I live on (in addition to lots of fruits and vegetables) that are wallet friendly: