The Young Reporters for the Environment Journalism Competition is a way for students aged 11 – 25 to express themselves and be a voice for their environment through awareness, advocacy, or a solution-based submission.
There are 3 categories: Writing, Photography and Videography.
The 2024 themes are:
- Climate Change
- Biodiversity Loss
- Pollution
Check out some of the amazing submissions created by Bermuda’s talented youth below:
Photography
Under the Surface
Maya Fitzmaurice-Trott
Everyone sees the beautiful, bright, blue waters surrounding Bermuda, but often don’t care to think about what is underneath. My photographs were taken when the tide was out, exposing what’s normally hidden underneath the surface.
UN Sustainable Development Goal: [Life Below Water]
Litter pollution goes from our land into the water and will remain there until it is moved by the current, cleaned up, or, what happens most often, completely disintegrates and impacts the underwater habitats
The Balls Are Always in OUR Court
Oliver Roberts-Pitcher
In Bermuda, the public helps with island wide coastal cleanups every year. Bermudian children are taught that we can keep the environment clean by picking up trash and putting it in the trash and instead of using plastic just once we can re-use it or recycle it. We are taught the importance of keeping our island home beautiful as we rely on tourist to come to our shores and enjoy the beautiful landscape we have to offer. The ‘balls are always in our court’ as we, as humans, have the power to do our part in protecting our environment by using some of these methods to reduce plastic pollution and remove it from our shorelines.
UN Sustainable Development Goal: [Life Below Water]
My submission relates to #14 Life Below Water: “Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development” because the ocean is our largest ecosystem and as we live on an island we have a responsibility to protect it. Picking up plastic debris watched up on our shores is one way that I’m helping my island home.
Mangroves: Our Earth’s Silent Heroes, Capturing and Storing Carbon to Help Save Our Planet
Giana Cedenio
Mangroves provide habitats for thousands of species in marine and forest food webs as well as helping in storing carbon from the atmosphere. In spite of being a protected species in Bermuda, mangroves are still threatened by human pollution. Plastic covers the plants aerial roots, limiting their ability for gas exchange. Coastal blue carbon ecosystems, where Mangroves are found, are some of the most threatened ecosystems on Earth, with an estimated 340,000 to 980,000 hectares being destroyed each year.
UN Sustainable Development Goal: [Climate Action]
Mangrove soils are highly effective carbon sinks, locking away large quantities of carbon and stopping It from entering the atmosphere. This means planting more mangrove seedlings is helping to reduce the greenhouse effect as less carbon dioxide is trapped in the atmosphere. Additionally, mangroves aid in protection from storms and sea level rise, prevention of shoreline erosion, regulation of coastal water quality.
The Red Path in Darkness
Maxwell Lacey
I took this picture and submitted it because it shows the vast differences between the dying planet and the path that we all should take to save our planet.
I know that there are some people who contribute towards saving us all, but not enough. I took this picture the emphasize that if you choose the right path it can lead you to success!
UN Sustainable Development Goal: [Life on Land]
My Submission relates to the SDG Goal #15 Life on Land, because it emphasizes the need to take action and to save the Earth from future disasters.
Written Articles
Fighting Biodiversity Loss With Micro Forests
Zoë Mir
As I lowered the young Bermuda Cedar into the rocky soil, carefully packing dirt around the tiny tree, I felt a strong sense of responsibility. After the arrival of humans to Bermuda more than 400 years ago, the natural landscape of this isolated North Atlantic archipelago was forever altered. Limestone buildings began to dominate the scenery while invasive pests like rats arrived aboard ships. Many of Bermuda’s endemic trees, like the Bermuda Cedar, were cut down for wood, and animals such as the now-endangered Bermuda Petrel were hunted to near-extinction.
Now, I was able to do something about these centuries of biodiversity loss. Along with a small group of volunteers working with the Bermuda Zoological Society, I was helping to clear an area of invasive weeds, preparing the land for plants that would help to rebuild the Bermuda ecosystem. Together, we were planting a micro forest—one of 20 now across Bermuda—and playing a small part in bringing back the natural balance of our 21-square-mile island home.
I picked up my shovel and moved through the plot, carefully weaving between native and endemic plants. Unlike the invasives we removed, these plants were much sturdier, built to survive the harsh subtropical wind and rain as well as the bright sun and heavy sea spray. I found a young Bermuda Palmetto to plant next. Like many plants found naturally in Bermuda, the Bermuda Palmetto has an invasive counterpart: the Chinese Fan Palm. Although they look similar, Chinese Fan Palms have higher berry production than Bermuda Palmettos. They quickly form thickets, overshadowing native plants and crowding them out, and their thorns and abundancy make them difficult to remove.
One of the most significant blows to Bermuda’s biodiversity can be traced to the Cedar blight of 1946 to 1953. Bermuda Cedar wood had previously been used for crafts, ship building, furniture, and firewood, but the trees’ population plummeted with the accidental introduction of two species of juniper scale insects. The bugs wiped out 95 percent of the Cedars, destroying habitats for indigenous birds and insects like the Bermuda Bluebird and a now-extinct cicada, which saw serious population declines.
Soon, more invasive wildlife was introduced in an attempt to address the problem, but more often than not, it ended up doing harm. The Casuarina, a non-native tree that was planted widely to replace lost Cedars, created competition for the few remaining Cedars and other native trees. Casuarinas’ shallow roots were also not fit to handle Bermuda’s strong winds, and their needles littered the ground, creating a carpet and turning the soil more acidic. Bermuda’s native and endemic plants were being driven out by invasives, while the forests became continually less recognizable as a few species took over.
Micro forests were designed to tackle these issues. Known across the world by different names, micro forests originated in Japan, where, in the 1970s, Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki invented a way to create dense, rapidly growing native forests. The Miyawaki method involves planting many seedlings close together in a densely packed and random formation, mimicking a real forest with the involvement of layers, from brush to tall-standing trees. While other forests can require centuries to grow, Miyawaki forests can flourish in decades and need little watering or weeding after the first three years. They have been successful all over the world, helping to store carbon, reduce sound pollution, produce cleaner air, improve health, educate local communities, and create habitats that foster biodiversity.
In 2021, Miyawaki forests came to Bermuda with the creation of the Bermuda Zoological Society (BZS) Micro Forest Project. The Miyawaki method is a good fit for Bermuda because it is adaptable to Bermuda’s unique flora and doesn’t require much space. “Micro forests are positively impacting biodiversity by providing new habitats for native and endemic species,” says Nicholas Coelho, a member of the BZS who helped to spearhead the project. “We’ve observed an increase in bird and insect activity, and native plants are thriving in these restored areas.” Between November 2021 and December 2023, the BZS Micro Forest Project planted 4,033 plants with a 94.92 percent survival rate. They have been planted on about 4,917.82 square meters of land, removing an estimated 80,000 invasive plants.
“The project’s long-term goals include creating a network of micro forests that serve as stepping stones for wildlife, promoting connectivity, and enhancing the ecosystem’s resilience,” says Coelho. “We’re also working on community engagement and education, encouraging people to take an active role in environmental restoration.”
It is a huge project, and much of the labor is volunteer-driven, with more than 1,000 people volunteering 2,500 hours at Bermuda’s micro forests. Lee-Anne Cox is one of them. “I volunteered because I want to learn more about our endemic species and to help with this wonderful initiative,” says Cox. “The clearing and learning about the different plant species, both weeds and endemics, was amazing. I would definitely recommend everyone to do this at least once because it is a way to give back to our community, learn about our flora and fauna and a bit of Bermuda history as well.”
After volunteering myself, I decided to create a micro forest at my Bermuda school with my friends. Our project during the 2022-23 school year would increase biodiversity and also create an outdoor educational space. We reached out to the BZS with possible locations for the forest and settled on a rocky area below a limestone cliff at the back of the school.
Working closely with the BZS, we determined which native and endemic plants would be best suited for the environment. Then, while we fundraised to purchase plants, dirt, and mulch and began to prepare the ground, the BZS took drone photos of the area and created a map for our 171 plants, with different species spread in a random pattern to mimic a natural forest. Finally, with guidance from the BZS and the assistance of student and staff volunteers from our school, we received and planted the indigenous shrubs and trees, including Bermuda Cedar, Bermuda Palmetto, Buttonwood, Bermuda Yellowwood, Red Mulberry, Bermuda Snowberry, Turnera, Seaside Goldenrod, and Doc Bush. A year later, the micro forest is still shooting up, and though it requires occasional weeding, it is largely independent.
Being able to walk through a natural space that is being protected reminds me how crucial biodiversity is to our ecosystem in Bermuda and others across the globe. Working on these projects to create micro forests has also revealed to me the delicate balance of nature, which we, as humans, have a duty to maintain.
Citations:
Filtered Perfection, Polluted Reality: How Beauty Social Media Influencers Drive Sunscreen Overuse And Coral Reef Destruction
Jahdia Spencer
The summer is coming, and everyone on TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram is looking forward to posting pictures and videos with sun-kissed skin, beachy waves in the background, and radiant smiles on boats and beaches. Social media has created influencers and content creators who are constantly on a quest for a perfect filter-like glow in a multi-billion-dollar beauty industry, especially for skin care products.
But behind the flawless selfies and posts promoting products lies an inconvenient truth – the sunscreens that fuel this fantasy of a “Hot Girl/Guy Summer” are contributing to the destruction of coral reefs around the world and in Bermuda.
D’Andra Seymour, the Education Specialist at Dolphin Quest Bermuda, states, “Bermuda’s coral reef is one of the healthiest coral reefs in this region and is Bermuda’s most prominent marine resource. Our coral reefs provide our locals with commercial and non-commercial goods and services. They attract more tourists, and the reefs protect our island by breaking up ocean waves, allowing more tourists to visit by cruise ships. Our reefs supply our local fishermen with enough fish to make an honest living.”
On the island, Bermuda depends on the reefs to remain in good health for environmental and economic reasons, yet the sunscreen we wear during the hotter months is one of the major contributors to this healthy reef deteriorating over time.
In the case of sunscreen and protection of the coral reefs, prevention is better than cure. In the Caribbean alone, it is already reported that around 80% of coral reefs have been lost over the past 50 years. For Bermuda, whose economy and culture are intrinsically tied to its reef systems, this decline poses an existential threat.
Studies show that although coral reefs take up only 1% of the ocean floor, they hold 25% of marine fish and species. Ms. Seymour went on to explain, “Coral reefs provide habitat for tons of diverse marine organisms like sponges, oysters, clams, crabs, sea puddings, sea urchins. Parrotfish eat micro-algae, rocks, and coral exoskeleton (dead), which helps create white sand and pink sand in Bermuda.”
The coral reefs and the biodiverse species who live in them aid in one of the most argued beautiful attractions Bermuda can offer: our pink sand beaches. Ironically, as we strive to keep Bermuda beautiful, the beauty and influencer industry constantly encourages the overuse of sunscreen and includes cheap chemicals that destroy the beauty of marine life.
Marine biologists from the American Chemical Society estimate that 14,000 tons of sunscreen end up in our oceans per year. Sunscreen chemicals flushed into the ocean impair growth and photosynthesis in reef-building algae, cause widespread coral bleaching, deform and kill juvenile coral, and disrupt reproductive systems in creatures like sea urchins.
Although sunscreen is critical for preventing sunburns and skin cancer, some of its ingredients are not so beneficial to ocean-dwelling creatures. In particular, sunscreen chemicals shed by swimmers are thought to contribute to coral reef decline.
Researchers have been raising alarms that chemicals found in popular sunscreen brands, such as oxybenzone, octinoxate, and octocrylene (OC), are accumulating in coral as fatty acid esters, proving toxic to these delicate ocean organisms.
The promotion of sunscreen and constant reapplying comes across to those who are unaware as the only way to protect themselves from the sun, and this message is proven to have negative impacts on marine life and its biodiversity. Ms. Seymour suggests, “A good alternative is to wear protective swimwear, hats, or shades while swimming in the ocean. This can decrease the use of sunscreen.”
Sunscreen may not be the only environmental stressor, as pollution and warming temperatures due to global warming have also led to coral reef damage. Adding sunscreen to the equation will only hasten a process that can be slowed down and repaired rapidly if we take action now.
Who is responsible?
Companies bear significant responsibility for the damage being done to coral reefs by sunscreen products. “Bermuda’s coral reefs are a national treasure, supporting diverse marine life, protecting our shorelines, and attracting visitors from around the world,” states Ms. Seymour. “Their destruction at the hands of an industry prioritizing profits over environmental preservation would be unconscionable.” One solution is to align with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 12 by promoting responsible consumption and production practices, utilizing sunscreen formulas that incorporate zinc oxide and titanium oxide instead of harmful chemicals.
But consumers also play an enabling role. Our society has instilled the notion that tanned skin is desirable and more prestigious, while paleness is viewed as less attractive. This toxic beauty standard is now destroying ocean habitats. Whilst changing social norms is a long-term challenge, in the meantime, Miss Seymour recommends “reading through ingredients of all products you buy, as well as knowing what you’re putting onto your body. Buy products that are safe and made from sustainable materials, good for the environment, promoting great conservation. You can also try to avoid spray-on products that disperse sunscreen everywhere around you, which can include sand, where it washes into the ocean.”
The path forward involves greater accountability for influencers, brands, and governments. Some destinations, like Hawaii and Palau, have already banned sunscreens containing certain harmful chemicals. Others are petitioning for stricter labelling requirements, ensuring that the term “reef-friendly” is only applied to products meeting rigorous environmental standards.
Beyond product reformulations, governments must regulate and mandate ingredient transparency and environmental standards for marketing claims. As influencer culture continues shaping consumer behavior, its pursuit of filtered perfection pollutes coastlines worldwide. By prioritizing environmental education over cultivating insecurity, this billion-dollar industry could inspire more sustainable habits – protecting coral reefs and the very beaches providing glamorous backdrops.
The beauty industry has had an ugly toll on the environment and oceans, but with preventative measures, we can enjoy coral reefs for generations to come.
Bibliography:
Danovaro R, B. L. (2008). Sunscreens cause coral bleaching by promoting viral infections. Environ Health Perspect, Apr;116(4):441-7. .
History, S. N. (2023, 08 11). The History of Sunscreen’s Effect on Corals. Tratto da ocean.si.edu: https://ocean.si.edu/ecosystems/coral-reefs/sunscreen-environment#:~:text=It%20is%20estimated%20that%20roughly,sunscreen%20applications%20and%20wastewater%20runoff.
Johnston-Barnes, O. (2021, 8 10). Bermuda’s coral reefs ‘doing well’ but future is uncertain. Tratto da The Royal Gazette: https://www.royalgazette.com/environment/news/article/20210810/bermudas-coral-reefs-doing-well-but-future-is-uncertain/
Puiu, T. (2017, 5 31). Coral reefs generate $36 billion in tourism every year but we offer little in return. Tratto da ZME Science: https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/pollution-ecology/coral-reef-tourism-0432432/
Society, A. C. (2019, 1 9). Science Daily . Tratto da www.sciencedaily.com: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190109110048.htm
Wood, E. (2018). Impacts of sunscreens on coral reefs. Sweden: International Coral Reef Initiative.
The Impact of Climate Change in Bermuda
Niamh Serrana | MSA | Grade 7B
Did you know that Earth’s temperature has been increasing every year by an average of 0.11o Fahrenheit (0.6 o Celsius)? That is 2 o Fahrenheit in total, and that is only the beginning of it. If we don’t stop climate change now, it will be too late for future generations, and time is running out. Sea levels are rising, the air is getting more toxic, and what are we doing about it; nothing. Today, we will be talking specifically about global warming and the impact on Bermuda and the rest of the world. It’s time we make a change.
As you may know, the reason for global warming across the globe is greenhouse gases. They are created by burning fossil fuels, which power a lot of what we use on a daily basis. Greenhouse gases trap heat from the sun’s rays inside the Earth’s atmosphere, causing the global temperature to rise. This is causing ice caps to melt, making the sea levels rise, flooding coastal regions. Bermuda is especially at risk to this because we live on an island surrounded by water, and if sea levels keep rising, Bermuda might face danger of being plunged underwater.
Last year Bermuda received more rainfall than ever since they started recording in the1950s. This leads to roads flooding, the destruction of agricultural areas, infrastructure near the coast being knocked down, and more. Sea levels rising also means beaches getting swept away and rock erosion, destroying coasts and large rocks near the water. It is not only Bermuda that climate change affects, but also the whole world. Flash floods, droughts, wildfires, intense rainfalls and landslides, these are only a few things caused by climate change because of us.
What can we do to help? Well, we can do a lot of things. The production of electricity causes greenhouse gas emissions; therefore, we should try to use electricity as little as possible. Examples of this can be turning off lights when not in use, unplugging chargers, opening the windows instead of using the AC, and more. We can even plant trees, which absorb greenhouse gases. But the easiest, and most efficient way if done right, is spreading awareness. The more people who know about climate change and the effects of it, the more people who can help stop it.
We learned a lot about climate change today. Factories and companies producing greenhouse gases and trapping in all the heat from the sun. What we also learned is how we can stop climate change. Individually, we might not be able to stop it, but together, we can save the world for us and future generations.
SOURCES
Information:
Climate Change (nationalgeographic.org)
Climate Change: Global Temperature | NOAA Climate.gov
Bermuda and Climate Change: A Study to determine the Impacts from Sea Level Rise and Changing Storm Activity | Government of Bermuda (www.gov.bm)
Ocean Levels Rising Due to Global Warming!
Ryan Renaud
Global warming is causing ocean levels to rapidly increase around the world! The definition of global warming is “a gradual increase in the overall temperature of the earth’s atmosphere generally attributed to the greenhouse effect caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide, CFCs, and other pollutants” (Websters Dictionary) This started to be recognized as a problem around the 1950’s and is getting worse every day. If the ocean levels keep on getting higher it will affect all living things on Earth, including the island of Bermuda, and this is why you should be concerned!
The evidence of global warming is that the earth is heating up and there are record heat temperatures being recorded all the time! Scientists across the globe have found the same data that the Earth’s average surface temperature has risen by about 1.8°F since 1880. This is causing the ocean to get warmer and that is making icebergs melt. The icebergs melting causes ocean levels to rise due to there being more water in the sea. Ocean levels rising also means more rain which causes more floods. In 2011, Dr Annie Glasspool wrote a report for the Bermuda National Trust called “The Impact of Climate Change on Bermuda,” which predicted a potential sea-level rise of up to two meters by the end of this century. That would mean a loss of 14% of Bermuda’s land area including large parts of Fairylands, Mills Creek, St. John’s Road and the Serpentine Road areas in and around Hamilton as well as a considerable amount of land at the airport and around the town of St. George’s.
We can’t fix the problem, but we can reduce it by reducing our carbon footprint. Some ways we can do this is eat a more plant-based diet and less meat(less methane gas,) use public transport or carpool (less car pollution,) plant more trees (replenish oxygen,) and use less electricity or install solar panels or LEDS (less fossil fuels,) pick up trash (less trash to go into the ocean,) use less plastic (less plastic to pollute the Earth.)
Sources:
https://www.climate.gov/news-features/climate-qa/what-evidence-exists-earth-warming-and-humans-are-main-cause
https://www.thebermudian.com/news-and-community/climate-crisis/environmental-emergency-sea-level-rise/
https://bernews.com/2010/03/charts-climate-change-effect-on-sea-levels/
Go Green To Make The Globe Clean!
Reese McAlpine | Grade 6 | MSA | Ms. Hamilton
Water pollution occurs when harmful substances contaminate a body of water. Water pollution is a major threat to our health and environment. It can result in human health problems, poisoned wildlife, and long-term ecosystem damage. One of the major contributors to water pollution is plastics. 400 million tons of plastic is produced worldwide each year, and this number continues to grow. Only 10% of all plastic is recycled. About 0.5% of it is carelessly discarded into the ocean. All marine debris comes from people. Humans have filled the world’s oceans with more than 170 trillion pieces of plastic. This amount of plastic would weigh 2.3 million tons. The amount of plastic in the ocean is still increasing by about 4 percent every year. Most plastic ending up in oceans come from land sources. 70-80 % of plastic is transported through land to sea, on rivers or coastlines that get blown away in heavy winds or dumped into the oceans legally and illegally from countries in Asia. A smaller but still significant amount, around 20%, is from fishing nets, lines and gear which has fallen off the boat and is abandoned in the ocean.
(Website used: Ourworldindata.org)
Millions of animals are killed by plastic every year, from birds to fish to other marine organisms. Almost every species of seabird eats plastics. Most of the deaths to these animals are caused by entanglement or starvation. Many animals, including seals, whales, and turtles, become entangled into fishing gear and discarded six-pack rings not being able to find a way out. It then becomes a possibility of them dying from drowning or starvation from the restriction of the nets. They can also die from infections from cuts by the abandoned fishing gear. Animals can also be affected by plastics being thrown into the ocean. It is very easy for animals to mistake plastic as food. Animals will consume the plastic bringing it down into their body which will then block their digestive tracts or piercing organs. Stomach packed with plastic reduces the urge to eat. Microplastics (which are also harmful to the digestive system) are also seen to be consumed by animals. They are broken down into smaller particles from plastic through the sunlight, sea, wind, and wave action. The microplastics will then float into the sea, some able to see and some not, and when fish go to eat something, they will accidentally consume the particles too. Microplastics have been found in more than 100 aquatic species, including fish, shrimp, and mussels that can be found on our dinner plates. If our marine life keeps on getting harmed and destroyed it could affect different food chains and give humans one less nutrient in their diet. It could also affect other organisms leading to extinction. A study has shown that they expect fish to go extinct in the next twenty years if we don’t do anything. Not only does plastic pollution have an impact on marine life but also human health. Not only do fish consume microplastics but so do humans when swimming and drinking water. We also consume different foods and animals which may contain non-seeable microplastics. The microplastics can cause cancer, disrupt hormones, and damage human organs.
Bermudians rely on the ocean for many different things including tourism. Bermuda is known for its beautiful beaches with pink sand which intrigues travelers. No one would want to come anymore if all the beaches were washed up with plastic and only little natural beauty left. We also have many fishermen who catch fish daily for their livelihood and many locals eat fish from our shores. It can hurt our health if the fish are filled with microplastics, and this could also lead to extinction. Many Bermudians also enjoy swimming in the ocean on a hot summer day, but no one wants to have to worry about cutting themselves on plastic floating in the ocean or worrying about the fish being in danger. We also have sporting events such as triathlons and America’s Cup that rely on us to keep our ocean healthy. Luckily, there are different organizations that make a difference in Bermuda. Keep Bermuda Beautiful (KBB) is an environmental charity that has kept Bermuda clean for 60 years. They hold cleanup activities at different beaches and parks for people to help volunteer and contribute. Cash Bash Trash is another organization. Karen Plianthos is the head owner and has removed 2,000 pounds of marine debris from Bermuda waters this past summer and has removed a total of 12, 600 pounds of trash from our local marine environment.
If you would like to contribute, they accept a $1 donation for every pound of plastic they pick up. Organizations that contribute worldwide include the Ocean cleanup which is developing technologies to rid the worlds ocean of plastic. These organizations are aiming to put themselves out of business when all the oceans are clean. Ocean Conservancy is also an organization that helps clean up plastic and was founded by Bil Kardash. They encourage others to remove trash from local beaches and waterways through their International Coastal Cleanup and International Trash Trap Network through their innovative Clean Swell app. Contributors can record the trash they pick up. Not only can you volunteer with these amazing organizations to keep Bermuda and the world beautiful, but you can also use paper bags instead of plastic, remembering not to litter and teach others the importance of it!
Cites or websites used: Ourworldindata.org, Royal Gazette, New York Times, The Bermuda Magazine, Ocean Cleanup Website, and National Geography.
Pictures found: mirror.co.uk, NOAA, dreamstime.com, oceanchampion.com, bpl.co.th, Bernews, pinterest.com, KBB.bm.
Glaciers Are Melting Fast!
Zoe Mutua |
Why are the ice caps melting at such an alarming rate? The reason for that is because climate change. Earth’s climate can change due to natural factors like volcanos, weather patterns, and the position of the Earth to the sun, but scientists agree that predominate cause of climate change is human activity. As earth’s climate progresses, so does the Artic. The more fossil fuel is burned, the more the glaciers melt, and the oceans rise. As sea levels will continue to rise and flood coastal communities. Most of the world glaciers are home to Greenland, the Canadian Artic, and Antarctic. Due to climate change, glaciers are melting rapidly exposing old viruses and bacteria, which pose a health risk to humans and animals.
Since the early 1900s, many glaciers around the world have been quickly melting. This is due to human activities, particularly, since the industrial revolution, carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions have raised temperatures even higher in the poles, resulting in glaciers abruptly disappearing off into the sea and retreating on land. Some places like the Maldives, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, many more are greatly affected by the melting process. Countries in East Africa have been suffering from extreme flooding. 
Unpredictable weather is a result of climate change. In about 50-100years Bermuda could be fully submerged underwater because of the glaciers melting. A portion of the glaciers such as the Rwenzori Mountains, Mount Kilimanjaro, and Mount Kenya are melting rapidly causing severe flooding. It would cost over $30 billion to repair all damages caused. In Somalia specifically the town of Beledweyne over 250,000 people (90 percent of the town’s population) have been forced out of their homes. If this continues it can lead to rising sea levels, which in turn increases coastal erosions, and elevates storm surge, such as warming air and ocean temperatures, creating more frequent and intense coastal storms like hurricanes and typhoons.
To help change this phenomenon, people can reduce our use of carbon emissions. Even the small things like turning off the lights and unplugging appliances when you’re not using them can make an impact. If more 
people contributed to positive changes that would reduce the negative effects of climate change, it would greatly support our planet. A good example would be to reduce the use of electricity by switching to renewable energy, such as use of solar panels. They reduce carbon emission, and plus your electric bills would decrease. If majority promoted solar energy and diminished carbon emissions, it could save thousands of humans, animals, and most importantly save our planet.
What is Happening in Our Oceans?
Eva Vieira | Grade 6 | MSA | Ms. Hamilton
Do you know why most animals that live in the sea are in danger? If you don’t then this is a great opportunity to figure out why! Marine pollution has a massive impact on our environment. This terrible situation has been occurring for several decades now. Our daily actions are affecting this problem and making it worse. Not only is this happening around the world but in Bermuda too and if don’t do something about this problem soon then our beautiful pink sand beaches and coral reefs will drastically change forever!
If you visit any of our beaches, nature reserves and shorelines you will notice some sort of washed up plastic debris around you. The size of the plastic can range from large items like plastic jugs to small pieces of plastic like shopping bags. Along with the larger plastics come microplastics. Microplastic is plastic that has been broken down from larger plastic into extremely small pieces. Fish and other marine animals think microplastics are food and continue to consume them which can make them sick or die.
There are various ways that plastic can enter our oceans like illegally dumping, individual littering, cargo ships and many more. Illegal dumping occurs by misplacing large amounts of garbage in public areas like parks and beaches. Individual littering happens when an individual disposes waste incorrectly. A large amount of waste ends up in the ocean because cargo ships have not secured their shipments or even personal items correctly. These are only some of ways plastic enters our oceans.
How can Bermuda as a community help save our ocean? We can help reduce waste in the ocean by recycling properly, saying no to single use plastic, participating in beach clean ups, and just reducing personal waste in general would be a huge help. In Bermuda there are organizations like KBB (Keep Bermuda Beautiful) and GreenRock here to educate you on all the ways to keep our oceans clear.
Cites or websites used: kbb.bm, royalgazette.com, repeatingislands.com
Ocean Pollution: Fishing Gear and Trash
Hannah Scaife | Grade 6 | MSA | Ms. Hamilton
Ocean Pollution has a significant impact on our environment. People think that if they just throw their trash into the ocean, it is not going to do anything. But it does, and I am going to explain why. Over the past several years there has been a rise in people throwing increased trash into the ocean. This trash includes plastic bags, soda bottles and a lot more plastics that are mixed up in the trash of people living near the coast of our oceans. Over 10% of the ocean pollution is old fishing gear. Also one thing that is especially important to not be discarded into the ocean is fishing gear and old fishing gear that has been lost due to hurricanes and tsunamis, resulting in it getting swept into the ocean. Once it finds its way into our oceans, our sea animals get stuck in the fishing gear and die. If all the sea animals die in the world, the world will not be as colorful anymore and just think, who would make our pink sand? Not our parrot fish because they would all be dead. Most of the animals get trapped in the floating masses of old discarded fishing gear. It is like floating jails in the sea. Everything from turtles to sharks and even large sea mammals like whales and dolphins are trapped by these hazards. It is not a pretty sight, and it is all because of the careless, thoughtless people in our world but, in the end, it affects us all.
Bermuda has many beautiful beaches and the pollution that washes up on our shores has a direct impact on our tourism product. The tourists that visit Bermuda do not want to see dirty beaches littered with fishing gear and plastic bottles all over the place. The tourists will just end up going to islands with cleaner beaches. That is why it is important to keep our oceans clean and free from trash and pollution. Tourists that come to our island spend money and that money goes to help our economy. If everyone keeps littering then our world will not be that fun to hang out around because it would be filled with people’s trash and no one would want to walk around in other people’s trash. Our animals in Bermuda are so beautiful and colorful and all the tourists love to look at them but if people don’t stop littering and putting their old fishing gear into the ocean then we will not see a lot of our beautiful parrot fish and our pretty turtles. It could affect Bermuda and all around the world. If people keep littering Horseshoe Bay is going to be covered in trash and no one is going to be able to sunbathe and enjoy being at the beach and Hamilton Harbor will be covered in trash as well. When people go shopping, they would have to view trash in the water from Front Street. Bermuda is a beautiful island and we want to keep it that way.
If people want to stop this, they could pick up trash and tell people to pick up old fishing gear and trash. After there are groups all over the world trying to help a group.They decided that they would do a project that would encourage people to stop throwing old fishing gear and trash into the ocean. Also another group in California called the Wild Coast is getting ready to collect old fishing gear in the ocean and on the beaches. Another group that is in Bermuda is called KBB which means Keep Bermuda Beautiful. They go out of their way to clean up the trash that is on our beaches and on the streets of our island. Over a single week, more than 100 volunteers on boats searched for and collected lost and broken lobster cages. The volunteers collected over 3,000 traps. The money that they raised from collecting the old fishing gear was put into the project. The people that cleaned up the old fishing nets said that they hope that no one is doing this on purpose. If more and more people use their time to pick up trash and fishing gear we can make our world much more cleaner then it is now. If people clean up after themselves our marine animals can live a long and healthy life and enjoy their clean ocean.
Cites or websites used: readworks.org, klds.geteplc.com/students
Climate Change is Affecting Us Drastically
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Have you ever thought about how the world around us is changing? It’s not just because of the seasons, it’s something called climate change that is making things different and changing our planet Earth. Let’s break it down. Imagine the Earth like a big playground with all sorts of things happening. Now, when they use things like cars and factories, we make these things called greenhouse gases. They’re like invisible blankets that wrap around the Earth and trap heat from the sun. You know what happens when you’re wrapped up in a blanket on a hot day? Well, you would just get hotter; and that’s exactly what they’re doing to Earth. So, because of all these greenhouse gases, the Earth is getting warmer. But here’s the thing. When the Earth gets warmer, it starts acting weird. Sometimes it gets too hot, and other times it gets super cold. It’s like the Earth’s thermostat is broken!
And it’s not just the temperature that’s going wild. Have you heard about all those crazy storms and floods happening lately? For example, “A series of recent storms in the United Kingdom has led to severe flooding, with equivalent of one month of rain in 48 hours in some locations according to reports. Most of England received above average rainfall during October 2019, saturating water catchments, all due the climate change. It’s like the Earth is having a big tantrum because of what we’re doing to it.
But here’s the good news, we can help! Just like how we clean up our bed after messing it up, we can do things to clean up the Earth too. We can use less energy by turning off lights, and unplugging stuff when we’re not using it. Switching off lights, turning the television off at the mains and using cooler washing cycles could have a much bigger impact on reducing carbon dioxide emissions from power stations than previously thought, according to a new study published this month in the journal Energy Policy. And planting trees. Planting trees helps us breathe better because trees suck up the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and replace it with oxygen.
Let’s all save the Earth and work together to stop climate change, because if we take care of our planet, our planet will take care of us too.
Cites or websites used: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/91141/switching-your-lights-bigger-impact-than/ | https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/how-climate-change-making-record-breaking-floods-new-normal | https://www.climate.gov/news-features/understanding-climate/climate-change-global-temperature | https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/01/global-warming-chart-average-temperatures-rising/
Climate Change Affects Around the World
Aaliyah Philpott |
What are the effects of climate change? Climate change is changing our world for the worse. It is starting to make us have hotter summers and colder winters. Causing more fires, destroying our trees. If we don’t stop, we will be losing more land and trees. This will risk our animals, plants, and us. We are causing this! Fossil fuel, greenhouse emissions, coal, and gas, have a big effect on climate change. With this we are trapping the sun’s heat into the earth.
This affects Bermuda because we cannot survive without water. We must collect our water from the amount of rainfall we get, and if we have hotter summers, we might not get the same amount of rain that we had before, Bermuda is not made so snowy winters or hot tropical summers because we are a sub-tropical island. Even though our houses are made for hurricanes the more we have the more we would have to repair the island. The rainfall that we had last summer was the most amount of rain that we have seen in a while. This can be a problem because Bermuda is getting worse with floods and hurricanes, our houses we eventually get destroyed and our island might be flooded sooner or later. This made a lot of potholes, and this may be a cause of climate change.
In conclusion, we can slow down climate change by cutting down on the energy we use such as if we are not in a room, we can turn off the lights. Or we can cut down on eating less dairy and milk. By doing this it can reduce the greenhouse emissions It could be better to get some of our fruits and vegetables locally or even grow them. Since we are cutting down trees, we can also plant more trees. If everyone can do this, we can slowly slow down climate change together.
Information Sources:
10 ways you can help fight the climate crisis (unep.org)
https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/climate-change/effects-of-climate-change
How is climate change affecting the weather today? | MIT Climate Portal
What Is Climate Change? | Facts – Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet (nasa.gov)
Global Climate Change: Why It Affects Bermuda and Its’ Citizens
Adelaide McLeod |
Global warming is a gradual increase in the earth’s temperature generally due to the greenhouse effect caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide caused by gas, fossil fuels, burning of trees and coal, and much more. This has been going on for more than 30 years. We need to stop this is because if we continue to release carbon dioxide, the animals won’t be able to adapt to such rapid change in temperature, causing them to die, and everyone knows if even one species goes extinct, the whole ecosystem could go crazy. The waters will get warmer, and icebergs will melt which means flooding in certain places. It’s not because of seasonal changes in the Earth. It is us.
Now, why is this our problem and how does it affect us? Let’s start with when icebergs melt due to the amount of carbon dioxide, polar bears don’t have anywhere to live, and they are forced to swim for long periods of time to find icebergs. If polar bears go extinct, the seal population will grow and as a result, they must consume more fish than usual. The fish population decreasing is already a problem for us because we catch more fish than can be reproduced. That’s not the only problem global warming has created. Have you seen a Pelagia noctiluca, the Mauve Stinger jellyfish? They come in spring to Bermuda while migrating in small numbers. That was not the case this spring. They occurred in hundreds of thousands, lining the beach and the waters. It isn’t possible to go swimming while they are in the water because they will sting you. Do you ever remember these jellyfish in such numbers? No, because they weren’t here in those numbers. If such a dramatic change can happen between last year and this year, then expect next year to be much, much worse. Rising waters are also a problem for us. Considering we’re an island surrounded by water, that will make it extremely easy for Bermuda to be flooded. It has been predicted in 75- 100 years, Bermuda will be submerged underwater. It’s not just us either. Amsterdam, Basra, New Orleans, Miami, Venice, Georgetown, Savannah, Khulna, and other cities could be submerged or mostly underwater. If we keep releasing carbon dioxide at the rate that we are right now, anything could happen that we could not prevent.
What can we do to help? We can use cars less, and instead use bicycles or walk. Eating less vegetables helps, as it reduces the amount of greenhouse gases released. We can use solar panels, which is better for the environment and doesn’t use fossil fuel. Hanging clothes up in the sun instead of drying them in a dryer is also helpful. There is so many things we can do to help.
Works Cited: https://www.britannica.com/science/climate-change | https://www.royalgazette.com/environment/news/article/20240413/stinging-jellyfish-seen-in-unusual-abundance/
Climate Change
Leandro Rovoredo | MSA | Grade 6 | Ms. Hamilton
Climate change is a very bad thing. It is affecting everyone on our planet. climate change is when the earth around us gets hotter and hotter. It is caused by carbon dioxide going into the atmosphere. The carbon dioxide slowly destroys the atmosphere. It gets weaker and weaker earth becomes hotter and hotter because less of the atmosphere is protecting our earth from the sun’s heat. Climate change is happening everywhere but is affecting the Arctic and Chad the most.
Climate change also affects Bermuda. In Bermuda climate change will cause more rainfall. Even though that might not sound bad, but more rainfall can cause pot holes and some land to collapse. Climate change also causes rising sea levels around the world and Bermuda. Bermuda is a smaller place so its beaches will be much smaller because of sea levels rising. Around the world climate change will also increase droughts. It will also cause increased temperatures which leads to more severe storms.
There are many things we can do to prevent climate change. Reducing our reliance on fossil fuels can help prevent climate change because the majority of climate change is caused by fossil fuel going up into the atmosphere. Another way to prevent climate change is using renewable energy. Renewable energy is energy from natural resources like the sun through solar panels and wind by using turbines.
The Rise of Pollution
Nathan Cuarentas | Grade 7 | MSA
Have you ever wondered what the types of pollution are? Well, there’s multiple, such as water pollution, land pollution, air pollution, such as noise pollution. All of these are major types but there are lots more. Each of which are problems for the environment. In fact, it harms all the living organisms on Earth. No matter how or where, it effects everywhere from the big countries like the United States to the small like Bermuda. Now let’s explore how the Earth is being polluted.
Now, the Earth is being polluted all over the world and we need to stop. However, to stop it we need to know what it is. “Pollution is the addition of any substance (solid, liquid, or gas) or any form of energy (such as heat, sound, or radioactivity) to the environment at a faster rate than it can be dispersed, diluted, decomposed, recycled, or stored in some harmless form. The major kinds of pollution, usually classified by environment, are air pollution, water pollution, and land pollution.” (Britannica). Main reasons why the Earth is so polluted comes mainly from physical items like plastic bottles, cutlery, garbage, plastic bags, glass, paper, being so carelessly thrown away. Unfortunately, some of these things can be recycled but people are ignoring this option. From an air quality standpoint, you can see greenhouse gas emissions, burning fossil fuels, wildfires, lava eruptions, all creating Carbon Dioxide, Methane, Nitrous Oxide which traps the sun’s rays in the atmosphere, making the environment warmer (Britannica). However, there are many other types of pollution being overlooked like noise pollution. Noise pollution is an element of pollution not known as well as the others but is still harmful to the ecosystem because they affect land or animals and even us, causing physical and behavioral problems.
Pollution is something that we can see most of the time, but what can we do about it? Firstly, we need to minimize our plastic usage, and if we do use plastic, we must put it in the trash. If we don’t, the wind takes it to the water or possibly anywhere. An alternative to plastic is paper. Of course, paper isn’t much different, if you leave it outside it still can be blown away, however paper is recyclable which is a great alternative for plastic. Now paper straws aren’t the most enjoyable item in the world, especially in restaurants, but the point is, we need to stop pollution. So, using paper as alternatives is a fantastic way to prevent pollution. As for the fossil fuels problem, we could use wind turbines or other sources of renewable energy. Examples include solar energy (solar panels), geothermal energy (using heat from inside the Earth), hydropower energy (using water to power electricity) and much more (United Nations)! As individuals we could use public transportation such as walking, riding bikes, or taking the bus. In fact, buses in Bermuda are run by electricity.
Noise pollution is trickier than other sources as there aren’t many direct solutions to solving it. However, there are some ways to lower the way we pollute the Earth. There are many sources from this like loud shipping, sonars, ocean exploration. For example, in the ocean, we could possibly make quieter ship designs, making marine protected areas, making quieter sonar usage, or reducing it would be even better. On land there are many sources such as transportation issues – like traffic noises from cars, trucks etc. – construction, and recreational activities – such as loud music from other places, firework displays, and sometimes lawnmowers. – We could make quieter vehicles, managing traffic and so on.
As we all know, there are many ways each of us are polluting the Earth. But in conclusion, we need to learn how to protect our planet and to be less reliant on things that pollute it. None the less, we might not do it, however, we still need to do these small things to help keep our Earth happy and healthy. Imagine if all 8 billion people agreed to make these changes how much better our world would be?
Works Cited:
https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/753702/view/environmentalists-picking-up-trash
https://www.britannica.com/science/air-pollution
https://www.britannica.com/science/pollution-environment
https://www.britannica.com/science/water-pollution
Pollution
Caleb Booth | MSA – ELA | 7B
Have you ever thought about how serious pollution is? Well, if not you’re not alone, multiple people every day do not realize how serious this topic is. If we don’t talk about types of pollution in Bermuda and how to prevent it now, Bermuda won’t look like the Bermuda we know and love. So, I want you, the reader, to enjoy reading this but take this article as advice for the future and share it with others around Bermuda.
Air Pollution
The first type of pollution I will be talking about is air pollution. This topic in Bermuda mainly talks about BELCO, and how they have been involved in concerns. Particularly residents who are in a radius of BELCO’s facility are complaining about soot fallouts and emissions from the power station. Environmental officials have planned to monitor pollution levels around BELCO, and the company has acknowledged the need for emissions mitigation efforts. One-way BELCO can prevent this by Installing an electrostatic precipitator (ESP) component, which is a particle control system that helps remove particles from a smokestack by using electrical charges. This might be a problem though, since the installation process is long and very dangerous, it’s hard to find people who are fit for the job. Another way that they can prevent air pollution is to use fabric filters to help remove dust. These filters must be durable and can withstand excessive heat temperatures inside a smokestack.
Water Pollution
The second type of pollution that is very important in Bermuda is water pollution. In Bermuda land-based sources of pollution impact on our coastal development, agricultural runoff, coral growth, and reproduction, and cause disease that harm sensitive species. It is now well accepted that many corals reef have been destroyed by water pollution. As most of Bermuda probably already knows, reefs are very important to our island. Coral reefs are very resistant to heavy wave action and since they grow up close to the surface, they make a very efficient wave barrier. Without them, the east, north and west coasts of Bermuda would be subject to very heavily pounding waves, this will cause very harmful erosion in the future. In Bermuda we can prevent this by; using less water and avoid wasting it, use natural or non-toxic cleaners, detergents, and fertilizers. Dispose of waste properly, especially toxic substances, medication, and trash. Pick up litter and keep it away from water systems. Fun Fact Different types of plastic are very harmful to fish and humans eat these fish which means in a way we are slowly killing ourselves.
Conclusion
In conclusion this article is made to inform people about the dangers of pollution and how it can affect not only Bermuda but different places around the world. Now you know how we as humans on this earth and residents of Bermuda how we can stop or even prevent more pollution on earth. We can also fix mistakes that we have made in the past and change them for the greater good. I hope you enjoyed this article on pollution in Bermuda and I hope you share this with others around the world, not only in Bermuda. Thank you for reading and have a great day.
Works Cited:
Water Pollution Definition – Types, Causes, Effects (nrdc.org)
Air pollution – The Royal Gazette | Bermuda News, Business, Sports, Events, & Community
Bermuda Electric Light Company | BELCO
What Climate Change is Doing to Our Home
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What Climate Change is
Climate change is the heating of the earth and is usually slow and influences all life. Climate change is a normal thing over Millions of years, the speed allows animals to evolve and adapt to their new homes. The ozone blocks the sun and causes global warming if it were not there we would not exist. The earth has gone from snowball to hot as possible, it usually takes a few million years for it to do this, but it might as well happen in two hundred years at this rate.
How this is bad now
This is not good or bad usually, but this time it is bad. The speed of climate change has sped up incredibly! This is not good as the animals cannot adapt to their habitat’s heat. It affects humans as well; the ice caps are melting, and the water levels are rising high above the islands. Natural landscapes vanished in the blink of an eye for our wants. We have put greed over life and need. Entire nations are falling beneath the water, people losing their homes to the great horizon. That is not the only thing, droughts have started to appear more. We will not see even more, the world’s protective ozone is disappearing, and our lives are getting hotter. Land is becoming desert, 54.6% of ALL Africa is at risk of becoming barren, lethal desert. What is worse is that the earth’s magnetic field is going to flip any day now, it weakens the ozone to an extent at which we could very well go extinct.
How we can stop it
We can stop the burning with less burning fuels such as coal and gas. Some alternatives could be nuclear power, wind power, hydro power, solar power, etc. These are all good energy sources that could put an end to pollution, but they all have consequences. Nuclear power is dangerous, just think about Chernobyl. Solar power is expensive, once a cell dies, you need to buy a new one. Wind power needs high winds to work and accept space. These are soaring prices to pay for a better earth.
More ways to stop climate change
Changing energy sources is not enough. The wood getting cut down is another thing to stop, or at least compromise. We as humans need resources to protect ourselves from the elements. We cut wood as it is everywhere! The problem comes when you realize that all we are cutting them down extremely fast. This is bad because trees produce oxygen from carbon, reducing heat. With trees getting cut, Africa becomes more deserted. They hold water and stop flooding. When chopping trees, the best thing to do is replant them.
Sources:
Brittanica
Geomag.uk
Nsf.gov
Un.org
Air Pollution
Zoe Phillips |
What is air pollution? Air pollution is particles and gases that form in the air. This can come from car and truck exhaust, volcanoes, wildfires, and factories. The particles in the air can harm the health of humans, animals, and plants. If humans breathe in this bad air this can lead to difficulty breathing, flare-ups of allergies and asthma. This can also lead to deadly diseases like lung cancer. Smog is another air pollution in cities that makes it hard to see outside. For example, below: Here are images of Beijing on a clear day after a rain (left) and on a smoggy day (right).
Bermuda’s air quality is good right now but if we started taking the green spaces for construction and other high-rise buildings, we will not have any oxygen to breathe. If we had wildfires or factories like some parts of the world, our little island would not survive. Scientific evidence shows that the Belco plant does produce air pollution to the people that live around the area. This is soot and chemical deposits on roofs, vehicles, and soil. The chemical falls into the water tanks and is making it undrinkable. Strong smell of fumes which stop people from going outside. For some places around the world the air quality is horrible they have too many factories that give out toxic air.
We can continue to do our part by using public transportation, cycling, or walking whenever possible and carpooling. We also need to use less energy, like choosing efficient appliances and heating systems. Also, by turning off electrical things that you are not using. Another way we can help the environment is by buying from local farms instead of using container ships that bring food from different parts of the world. Lastly, we can stop using plastic bags because they are factory made which causes air pollution. Bringing your bags to grocery stores and shopping will help save our planet.
Cites or websites used:
https://greenrock.org/advocacy/clean-air | https://climatekids.nasa.gov/air-pollution/
Climate Change
Phoenix Williams | Ms. Hamilton
Because of Climate Change Sea Levels are rising and it could be the biggest threat to the global supply chains. Also, higher sea temperatures may cause terrible storms in tropical parts of the world. The World Health Organization said that the storms will cause around a quarter of a million additional deaths each year in 2030-50.
In the next twenty-five years Bermuda is expected to experience extreme weather events. Events that happen once every one-hundred years are predicted to occur every year, because of that there will be more intense storms, higher sea levels and tides. Bermuda will be facing a major threat in changes in the marine eco-system including our protective coral reefs that encircle the islands, also due to a lot of salt water being added to our freshwater lenses which may result in horrible reductions in our water supply.
As you know there is a lot of stuff going on in the world like climate change, we all know that climate change is changing the world. But we can slow this climate change by…Spreading the word and Encouraging friends, family, and co-workers to reduce their carbon pollution. We can change our diet to maybe make ourselves healthier, we can also change the way you get to places like you can walk to school instead of taking the car or ride your pedal bike to school.
Cites or websites used:
Bernews and www.gov.bm
For pictures: https://climate.nasa.gov
The Change of Climate Change and The Effect It Has On Bermuda
Nathan Campbell |
What is Climate Change
Climate is an effect on weather over a long period of time and Climate Change is change of climate around the world. Climate change and is causing the world to become warmer which leads to a multitude of effects. There is so much Carbon dioxide, Carbon monoxide, and Methane in the atmosphere that’s warming up our planet, and we’re cutting down trees as well so the trees can’t breathe in the air so it’s warming up the world. The world is warming up and, many melting of the icebergs. The water absorbs the heat which expands the water and now the water needs somewhere to go and now that place is up leading to rising water levels. The sea levels have rose 0.3 inches from 2022 – 2023 and has risen 8-9 inches since 1993. Icebergs melting is a big contribution to the rising water levels in the ocean. Between 2000 and 2019 we lost 267 gigatons of glaciers a year. Hurricanes will get stronger along with global warming. The warmer oceans will give hurricanes a boost because, when the surface water is warm the storm sucks up the heat energy from the water just like a straw sucking up liquid, this creates moisture in the air. Hurricanes start simply with evaporation of warm seawater which pumps water into the low atmosphere.
With all the rising sea levels Bermuda is at a high risk. Bermuda is an island nation that is a part of the British commonwealth. Since the sea levels are rising, Bermuda will be under water very soon. And with the strengthened hurricanes, Bermuda is going to be in trouble. Bermuda’s houses are built especially strong for hurricanes, but it won’t be enough. With the sea levels rising around the world, it will flood more often, and they will be worse than any others flood in history. Many species will be wiped out including turtles with no other place to lay their eggs and the predators that eat them having less space to look for turtles, and turtles lay their eggs where they were born and with the sea levels their birthplace will be gone. Polar bears are rapidly dying because of habitat lose to the heat melting the icebergs, and just warming in general. The fact is that we are losing about 100 species a day. And the world will lose all its biodiversity and the food web will be ruined.
How we can fix it
To help fix climate change we must change. We can stop using gas cars as much, like if it’s a short walk away don’t use your car. We can also use solar panels; it can save you from your electricity bills each month. We can Recycle, recycling helps the environment. We can stop using up electricity when not in use by, turn of the lights in rooms that are empty, unplug things from sockets when you’re not using or charging them. Things the government can do, switch to more windmills, sponsor solar panels and make them cheaper for our planet so people can afford them. Stop mass manufacturing things. Mass manufacturing is causing a lot of air pollution, and some manufacturers need wood, so they kill the plants for wood and now there’s no plants to breathe in the CO2 and destroying thousands of habitats for thousands of animals in the world. We can use the bus, the bus is a great form of transportation it travels everywhere while caring
Biodiversity Loss in Bermuda
Samiya Senthamaraikannan |
Despite the popular belief that most plants and animals will be wiped out by 2050, did we really consider how little time we have to save our biodiversity? Biodiversity is an enormous variety of life on Earth from sprouts in the Amazon Forest to whales in the ocean biodiversity is all around us. “196 countries including EU member states agreed to a new global mission to “halt and reverse” biodiversity loss by 2030” according to carbonBrief.org. Will they really make a change? Will Bermudians improve our islands and stop biodiversity loss.
Biodiversity is important, why? Well, we appreciate biodiversity for many reasons like wildlife supports healthy ecosystems, keeping ecosystems intact, an essential part of the solution to climate change, and overall good for the economy. Biodiversity benefits humans and planet earth in many ways and if humans continue to destroy our biodiversity, we aren’t doing ourselves much favor. As Bermuda expands their businesses or homes animals that live in that area would be forced to leave and if Bermuda keeps using spaces, then there will be so little habitats. which could lead to a drop in species on the island for example if bees aren’t able to find homes in Bermuda and are starting to die out, who would pollinate the crops that farmers rely on to make money? Bermuda makes all its money from tourism, and the reasons Bermuda is a hot vacation spot its because of the beaches and nature but it is also about Bermudas animals. Whale watching, fishing, sightseeing, and snorkeling are some activities that tourists enjoy doing. If we lose our biodiversity and tourists do not find Bermuda attractive enough, then plane ticket sales will drop. Resulting in Bermuda needing to find another way to rely on for money, so Bermuda doesn’t turn into a poverty country.
One Animal of Bermudas heritage is called the Bermuda skink known as “rock lizards” which as of 2024 is a critically endangered species due to habitat loss. It’s so close to extinction that a single storm or fire could wipe the population. Will they disappear like the spike rush. roughly 5% of Bermudas endemic species have become extinct and invasive species are threatened at least 30%. In Zambia hundreds of farmers are receiving training 
and tools in return they need to grow trees on their lands for beekeeping and because of deforestation. In Belize they are regenerating its barrier reefs with species that can be resilient in the face of climate change. In Borneo the nature foundation is supporting communities to restore burnt peatlands by planting one million native trees and blocking drainage channels. If these countries can find ways to restore biodiversity, then why hasn’t Bermuda acted? Here are some ways Bermuda can improve biodiversity creating longtail igloos and bird baths, when boating don’t drop anchors in a seagrass bed, dispose fishing lines, supporting any groups that help with raise awareness, plant milkweed plants, and most of all don’t litter. remove invasive plants from your garden and plant endemic native plants instead. Thank you for reading my news article about boosting awareness of Bermudas biodiversity loss even if you might not see it yourself.
Websites: darwinintiative.org.uk enviromrnt.bm vnep.org and AMNH
Rising Sea Levels
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Did you know that Bermuda might become the real Atlantis? Sea levels all over the world are rising because of climate change, which is when all the heat trapped in our atmosphere. The heat caused by climate change is causing the ocean levels to rise because liquids expand when they are heated and glaciers are melting into the ocean and they are causing the sea level to rise. The rising sea levels are causing people to have to leave their homes across the globe. This article will tell you about the world’s rising sea levels and how they affect Bermuda and many other countries.
Bermuda may seem fine, but in the next 50 to 100 years Bermuda could be mostly submerged in the ocean. Bermuda already has many hurricanes, but because the ocean is getting heated future hurricanes can gain more power because they gain their energy from warm water. This 
could cause stronger hurricanes that can make a big impact on Bermuda. Some of the other affects of climate change is we will have much higher tides. Climate change has many effects on Bermuda, but rising sea levels is the one that I am talking about. In the future many people may have to abandon their homes if they live near the oceanside.
All over the world there are issues with rising sea levels, and I will explain what these issues are. Many cities in the U.S could be impacted by these rising sea levels. One of the cities that will be impacted the most is New York City, because it is right next to the ocean. Many other islands besides Bermuda could be impacted by the rising sea levels. It is reported that in the next two thousand years the ocean will rise by 2.3 meters. We can try to release less greenhouse gases and try not to use our cars as much to not release carbon dioxide. Some ways we can stop those things are to take public transport or walk. If you have anything that you plan on throwing in the trash you can recycle it. Try to invest in reusable energy. And lastly, you can try to make your government take action.
Air Pollution
Claran Dsouza |
Air pollution harms plants and animals by releasing different gases into the atmosphere. These gases contain harmful gases that humans can breathe into. It affects the ozone layer on our Earth, which protects us from not getting ultraviolet rays. At least seven – eight million people die every year due to air pollution. The people who live next to the facilities die the most. Why do humans cause air pollution? Because humans want electricity or transportation.
BELCO pollution is crazy, the smoke coming out from it sticks to anything like cloth and more…breathing toxic air can cause long-term effects like cancer in specific cases and it contains sulfur dioxide, Nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide. It can cause illnesses and discomfort to the nose. The people who live next to the facilities die the most. Air pollution began about a hundred years ago. It began with coal in factories. Air pollution also affects animals the same way it affects us. This smoke came to life during the Industrial Revolution.
Smoke affects the ocean, and sea creatures die when swimming in the polluted water. Large poor and developing nations tend to have more air pollution than in cities in developed nations. The world’s most polluted cities are cities are Karachi, Pakistan, New Delhi, India, Beijing, China, Lima, Peru, and Cairo, Egypt. When you are using electricity, those huge facilities produce a ton of harmful smoke. Young children and older adults, whose immune systems tend to be weaker, are often more sensitive to pollution. Air pollution particles eventually fall back to Earth. Air pollution can directly contaminate the surface of bodies of water and soil, this can kill crops such as killing young trees and plants. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide stick to the air which creates acid rain! Belco is trying to change air pollution by using low oil.
We can make it better by minimizing car gases, planting trees, raising awareness, walking, using bike or driving electric cars, reducing eating meat, having solar panels on peoples’ homes, using, and reducing energy wisely.
Pollution
D’Ani Pitcher |
Pollution is dangerous to humans and sea animals. People that do not care much throw any type of trash away that can harm the sea animals. For example, plastic bags. Plastic bags can also be clear or colored and animals often mistake them for food. Plastic bags are harmful to the environment. Most sea animals get killed or hurt by these plastic bags. The best way to prevent plastic in the water is to not leave it behind for the sea creatures. Plastic bags, bottle’s etc can take hundreds of years to break down so, if you wanted to break down plastic it would take a long time.
How does pollution affect Bermuda? Pollution is very dangerous all over the world. But, in Bermuda we have animals are unique to our island. In May 2021 there were many types of trash in the ocean killing the sea animals. It affects Bermuda’s health and environment. With air pollution it could lead to lung cancer, allergies, heart attacks, and strokes.
So how do we solve this problem? People can care more about the pollution in the ocean. To solve this problem, we can start by standing up by and cleaning up our beaches and the oceans with professional scuba divers. We can also reduce our own use of single-use plastics. Finally, we can reuse items for a gift for a loved one or make a gift for the homeless instead of throwing it in the garbage. One last thing that you can do to end pollution is you can dispose of chemicals and waste properly, not down drains and toilets.
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