Environmental Communication

I chose to create the  ECObserver Blog  to provide a platform to communicate environmental issues and tips to the general public.  Originally, I was planning to create a piece of environmental art to put on display and develop a verbal presentation to accompany it; however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this was no longer an option. After some thought, I decided to build a website that would feature my previously made artwork and provide information to people who want to make lifestyle changes and reduce their negative environmental impact.  I purchased a web domain because I intend to continue this project on my own.  This website includes a 'Blog' where I will post about environmental issues and green lifestyle tips; 'Environmental Art' , a 'For Teachers' page, and a 'Resources' page to connect the reader to other resources worth noting.  This website takes into consideration many aspects of environmental communication.  There is an attitude-behav...

Whale hello there and welcome aboard! My name is McKenzie Mungai and I am a senior at Eckerd College. I am majoring in Marine Education & Conservation and minoring in Psychology.  I have had a passion for conserving and protecting our oceans since I was in kindergarten. I have wanted to be a marine biologist for as long as I can remember and this past summer, I was lucky enough to carry out of my life long dreams. I worked in Juneau, Alaska as a whale watching naturalist. This was an unforgettable summer for me and I hope to continue on after graduation. Being able to have a hand in conservation and teaching others about the importance of protecting and conserving the humpback whales, was a life changing event for me. I am very passionate about this and my main goal is to ensure that others are too. There are a few rules and regulations that we must follow, while out on the water to not only ensure the safety of our guests and crew, but also our humpback whales. For example, th...

I hope for your help to explore and protect the wild ocean in ways that will restore the health and, in so doing, secure hope for humankind. Health to the ocean means health for us. -Sylvia Earle             Saint Petersburg, Florida is one of the most beautiful places to live. Judging by the number of vacationers we get a year, almost 15 million, I would say the claim is practically indisputable (Sorolis). But, we have major problem. Tourists are great for our economy, but can be terrible for our beaches. A large part of the trash that ends up along our shores is the fallout from Spring Break beach parties and family events. It is not uncommon to see red solo cups and miscellaneous food packaging litter the sand as seagulls try and pick through the last bits of chip crumbs. Saint Petersburg is my home, and because tourists make up such a large part of our economy, I wanted to create a campaign which was aimed at educating tourists about the dangers o...

Hi, I am Alexander Langley. I am a college student at Eckerd College double majoring in Marine Biology and Environmental Studies. After traveling to Belize in January and seeing how much coral is dying, I started investigating causes and what I could do. One cause that I found most interesting was water pollution. Factory pollution is a factor, but it was more the impact from chemicals, fertilizers, and trash that are carried to our waterways. This made me realize that all of our individual actions build a mountain of problems for the longevity of our oceans. Through my project I focused on conveying to local community residents and businesses the impact that stormwater runoff has on local water sources, rivers, and oceans. Everybody can help fix the issue if they are willing to take small steps to address their immediate environment. My slogan is “Stormwater Warriors keep our water clean” Before beginning this project, I mapped the stormwater runoff issue from a perspective...

                      Only Rain Belongs Down the Drain Did you know that not picking up after upper dog on a family walk can contribute to a much larger issue than you think?  What is nutrient pollution ? According to NOAA its defined as,  the process where too many nutrients,  mainly nitrogen and phosphorus , are added to bodies of water and can act like fertilizer, causing excessive growth of algae.  https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/nutpollution.html What causes this issue? Animal waste litter motor oil yard clippings fertilizers and pesticides soapy car washes  Rain and snowmelt wash pollutants from streets, construction sites, and land into storm sewers and ditches. Eventually, these empty the polluted stormwater directly unto steams and rivers with no treatment. https://www2.erie.gov/environment/index....

The Current: AComposting Podcast  addresses the “So What?” of composting. Our first interview with student compost leader, Kylie Litaker, explains that composting is an easy way to fight climate change. Not only does compost enrich soil, but it also reduces greenhouses emissions from landfills and reduces the need for fertilizer, overall reducing carbon footprints and saving any gardener money.  The podcast hopes to engage listeners by emphasizing direct action and self initiation, that all individuals have the ability to reduce food waste and compost (Pezuello and Cox 2019). Also Kylie’s provide at home compost tips, creating a bottom-up foundation!    While anyone could tune into the podcast, the primary audience is Eckerd.We recognize that Eckerd students and faculty are the decision makers here, and our interviews are from Eckerd members so it's most relevant to them.    People support the position that reinforces their c...

For our final project, we decided to create an educational activity book that includes important information about coral degradation, coloring pages, games, crafts instructions, and tips the reader can use to promote a more sustainable future. The book we have created is aimed towards the middle to high school age range but we believe that all ages can engage with the activities. The goal of the project is to help increase the scientific literacy among the general public. “[M]ost of our citizens have had only fleeting encounters with a world of science that can appear baffling, intimidating, and even downright unfriendly” (Mooney, C., & Kirshenbaum, S. 2010 p.4) We strongly believe that with the creation of this book, we are exposing the children of the future to information that might not be found within the typical textbook. We wanted to take our love and knowledge of coral, and show people that what they know is not the whole truth. Many people are familiar with climate change...

In this 3 AM darkness there’s nothing left for us to see, but everything to hear. The cicadas, who have made their ways to the treetops, have been playing their tune since before we even got here – and I’m left feeling like a spectator to a hidden orchestra. This performance is not for us. But we’ll never realize that and just go on listening. The cicadas’ song sets the baseline rhythm for the whole park – a steady whirring, tap, tap, tap, replays over and over again in the space above our heads until we can’t remember what silence felt like. I know how much you hate it, you’ve told me before, even now you brought your headphones to protect yourself – you extend one ear bud out to me as a show of affection, but I decline. I like, too much, the way their hums fill my bones until I too feel like part of their song.             This is an excerpt from my current draft of a short story I’ve been working on as my final project for the environmental c...