“I refuse to turn my back on what is one of the greatest threats and greatest opportunities America faces,” said Hillary Clinton on her position on climate change, generating approval from environmental activists. Yet, she has also received criticism for her refusal to talk about the Keystone XL Pipeline project. When asked if she supported the project, Clinton replied, “If it’s undecided when I become president, I will answer your question. This is President Obama’s decision. I’m not going to second-guess him.” She cited that she is “in a different position than any other candidate,” because she played a part in putting the project together during her role as Secretary of State. This statement caused many to criticize her for her wariness to offend different parts of the democratic party. Should Clinton stop avoiding the topic and state her position?
Boyan Slat has an idea to clean up the oceans. Is this the next big thing for the environment?
Engineering student Boyan Slat has come up with a way to clean up the oceans. Specifically, he is trying to clean up the eight million tons of non-biodegradable plastic that ends up in the ocean every year (The New York Times). Slat is aware that this trash circulates in five systems of rotating water currents (otherwise known as gyres). He has come up with the idea of taking advantage of the gyres by creating a shipless system that allows floating borders (anchored in place in attachments to the bottom of the ocean) to catch any trash pushed in by the currents. This system would also allow sea life to pass safely below. Slat’s Ocean Clean Up Foundation raised over $2 million by June 2014, but the first of Slat’s floating structures will not be released until 2016. Do you think Slat is onto something?
