The project, a collaboration between the University of Washington and Chief Leschi Schools, sought to simultaneously create leadership opportunities for students, and cultivate a lasting partnership between the academic community and the largest of seven tribal schools in the state of Washington.
Read more »School of Marine and Environmental Affairs celebrates 50th
The School of Marine and Environmental Affairs (SMEA) turned 50 this academic year, so we asked Nives Dolšak, professor and director of SMEA, and Dave Fluharty, professor and longest serving SMEA faculty member, for their perspectives on this milestone. With 11 core faculty and strong support from professors of practice, adjunct, affiliate and emeritus faculty, SMEA offers a two-year, interdisciplinary, in-residence program with graduates receiving a Master of Marine Affairs degree.
Read more »Plastic pollution in the oceans is an equity issue, says UW-led report
Many people are aware of plastic pollution in the oceans. Photos of turtles or seabirds entangled in plastic garbage first went viral in the 1990s, and the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is now the focus of highly publicized cleanup efforts. Less recognized is how marine plastic waste affects human populations, and the unequal burden on different communities. A report, “Towards an Equitable Approach to Marine Plastics Pollution,” outlines the current situation and attempts to address the problem.
Read more at UW News »How Alaska Native communities are building resilience to climate change
On the shores of the Chukchi Sea in far northwest Alaska, climate change is already impacting the traditional way of life of the Iñupiaq people. The inhabitants of this region have lived off the land for thousands of years, hunting caribou and bearded seals, fishing for salmon and sheefish, and foraging wild berries and plants. But as the planet warms and Arctic sea ice thins, accessing and harvesting these traditional foods has become more difficult.
Read more »‘Forgetting Nature’: Peter Kahn offers warning in short documentary film
The documentary film is brief but its message is powerful: We humans are losing our connection to the natural world, at our great peril. “In some sense, we think we are the most advanced culture — we take such pride in technology and advancement,” says Peter Kahn, University of Washington professor in the Department of Psychology and the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences.
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