Author Archives: lavorgnanm

Personal Change!

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I discovered recently that I have a sensitivity to the chemicals that are commonly used in hair and beauty products. However, the most prominent sensitivity I have is to sodium laureth sulfate (SLS). Because of these sensitivities, I had to change every product I had been using for years. This includes face wash, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, face lotion, body lotion, cosmetics, and any other product that would come in contact with my skin. As I looked into finding these new products, I realized that the search would be more difficult than I had previously hoped. I was looking for products that were SLS, paraben, and silicone free. Although I could find a product or a brand with the correct requirements, it would not work as well as the products I had used in the past, which was frustrating. I spent hours on the internet researching and eventually found a plethora of brands that met the requirements I needed. As I researched I also found out that all of these brands also had the intention of being Eco-friendly. At the time, this was just a bonus of finding a product I could use, but after looking into it more I realized the importance of organic and eco-friendly beauty products. I began to think about the amount of shampoos, cosmetics, etc. that I had used in the past and that altering my routine to only include eco-friendly products would help me to live more sustainably, and also help the environment.

Although I did have to go through a lengthy trial and error process, I ended up finding the Eco-friendly products that work best for me. For my shampoo and conditioner I use Maui moisture. The brand prides itself for being paraben, silicone, SLS, and synthetic dye free. The packaging is post consumer recycled and is also cruelty free. There are multiple kinds that work with every hair type and all of the products smell amazing. I use a body wash from the brand Love Beauty and Planet and most of their bottles are made with 100% recycled content. This brand has the ultimate goal of reducing their carbon footprint, while also creating amazing products. This company is Eco-conscious and give 40$ per carbon ton to a carbon tax fund that works to reduce carbon emissions and land waste. I think this is incredible, especially considering the results from the carbon footprint quiz. My face wash and lotion come from Osmia Organics and the brand does not use parabens, phthalates, sulfates, petrochemicals, or synthetic colors in their products. As for cosmetics, most of my products are from Juice Beauty, W3ll People, or RMS beauty. Not only is Juice Beauty organic, vegan, and cruelty-free, but the company also utilizes solar and wind power, while also using recycled ingredients for packaging their products. W3ll People and RMS beauty both do not use harmful ingredients and aim to include mostly organic ingredients.

Yes, these brands do tend to be more expensive and do not work in the same manner as my products did in the past; however, they do the job and help the planet. I strongly encourage putting some time into researching these brands, and others like them, and switching to more sustainable beauty products. It feels great knowing the ingredients in the products I use are well thought out, safe for my skin, and better for the planet, especially with the knowledge I now have from this course.

Only the courts, or you, can stop South Carolina offshore drilling

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Title of Article:

Hicks Column: Only the courts, or you, can stop South Carolina offshore drilling.

Author: Brian Hicks

Source: The Post and Courier

Citation for Article:

Hicks, Brian. “Hicks Column: Only the courts, or you, can stop South Carolina offshore

drilling.” The Post and Courier, 13 March 2019, https://www.postandcourier.com/ columnists/hicks-column-only-the-courts-or-you-can-stop-south/article_4007a40a-440d-11e9-992e-33f21c7f59b3.html. Accessed 25 March 2019.

Link to Article:

https://www.postandcourier.com/columnists/hicks-column-only-the-courts-or-you-can-stop-south/article_4007a40a-440d-11e9-992e-33f21c7f59b3.html

Main Ideas:

  • What?
    • The article is about Joe Cunningham attempting to communicate the harm of seismic testing by blasting an air horn in a subcommittee hearing. Seismic testing is used by fossil fuel companies to map the oil and gas reserves under the ocean floor with loud airgun blasts underwater.
  • Who?
    • In a House subcommittee hearing, Joe Cunningham blasted an air horn during testimony from a Trump administration official. This official, Chris Oliver, had previously suggested seismic testing would not harm marine life. Cunningham then asked Oliver, “how much louder do you think seismic testing would be?”, in which Oliver was reluctant to respond to. Cunningham then said, “What if I told you it would be 16,000 times louder than what you just heard here?”
  • Why?
    • Currently, five companies are awaiting permits to begins seismic testing along the Eastern seaboard. Joe Cunningham blasted the air horn to demonstrate how loud and disruptive offshore seismic testing would be.
  • When?
    • In January, The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management announced that their workers were on call to process permit applications regarding geological testing for offshore oil and natural gas, in which did not respond well to.
  • Where?
    • The seismic testing would occur offshore along the Eastern Coast.
  • How?
    • Seismic testing involves a vessel towing an array of airguns that blast loud pulses of compressed air into the water that reach deep into the seabed. These loud airgun blasts are used to map oil and gas reserves underwater, as well as deposits below seabeds.
  • Impact:
    • Seismic airgun blasting damages the hearing of marine life that rely on sound to communicate, such as whales and dolphins. It affects whales’ ability to eat, communicate, and reproduce. Each blast can be heard for miles and occurs every few seconds throughout the day. Additionally, North Atlantic right whales could also become extinct due to the damaging effects the blasts have.
  • Relevance to society:
    • This article is relevant to society, because offshore seismic testing would be disruptive to Charleston, as demonstrated by Joe Cunningham blasting the air horn. The testing would also negatively impact fisheries, decreasing the amount of jobs available.
  • Relevance to course:
    • This article is relevant to the course due to the adverse effects that seismic testing has on the environment and on society. Scientists say seismic airgun testing will damage our fishing industry by reducing the catch rates of commercial fish. In addition, seismic testing could potentially drive right whales to extinction. North Atlantic right whales are already endangered and seismic testing would be harmful to the few remaining whales of the species.

The Southeastern Wildlife Exposition!

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This past weekend I attended the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (SEWE) in Marion Square with a roommate of mine. I had never been before, and I really enjoyed all of the aspects it had to offer. Many art exhibits were included in the event, which was enjoyable to see. The abundance of dogs roaming around Marion Square was definitely my favorite part! The Boykin Spaniel Rescue team had volunteers attend the event and walk around with dogs that could be rescued. Throughout the event I was able to see and learn about different types of owls, turtles, dogs, snakes, birds, and alligators. There was an event occuring when I arrived where a faculty member showcased a falcon and an owl in flight, while providing educational content as well. I can’t remember the type at the moment; however, as you walked through the tent that had all of the snakes in it, the faculty member informed you of the types that you should report to them if you were to see them in the wild. This is due to the fact that they are endangered and the organization works to conserve wildlife. My roommate and I were able to see a large type of snapping turtle and watched the man in charge of this portion of the event pick it up. A fact that I learned about alligators, which I did not know before, is that they grow throughout their entire life and can live for 75 to 100 years! I personally found this extremely shocking.

My absolute least favorite part of the event was that I was able to hold a snake, which I only did because my roommate was encouraging it. I also learned that the fastest snake in the world is able to move at around 10 miles per hour, which slightly scares me. Another tent at the event included various species of birds and owls that were from all different climates, for example one type of owl, that had engaging coloring, was from the rain forest. An enjoyable aspect of SEWE was that I was able to meet a calf, named Jersey, that had only been born 3 days prior to the event.

In addition to the many types of animals at the event, there was a great deal of locally grown food products available. There was an entire tent full of fruits and vegetables that had been locally grown. As you walked through the tent, faculty explained where everything came from, which made me think about the fact that we normally have no idea where the produce bought from the grocery store comes from. A stand was in the event that offered many different types and flavors of olive oil. Here it was explained that around half of their products were locally produced or blended. Spread throughout Marion square was multiple opportunities to recycle, along with various educational content regarding ecological conservation. The Southeastern Wildlife Exposition as a whole related to our class, because they share our passion for conserving the environment and all of the species it has to offer!