The game is afoot: Challenging what’s on our hands

GLOBAL

Rachel Lei of Heritage High School
31 March 2024

the MARCH newsletter

The interconnections of red thread mark separated pieces of evidence, each one cascading on the last. This evidence and how professionals perceive it rely on established understandings of the world. 

One of these seemingly well-understood ideas is the nature of human fingerprints, each person having their own special set of curves on their hands. However, the trail of the thin, red thread has led students at Columbia University to discover that fingerprints might not be as unique as people previously thought.

Recently, advancements in fingerprinting emerged in automation and digital identification, where devices such as smartphones use sensors as a substitute for the traditional passcode. 

According to a report published by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), fingerprint identification systems are “based primarily on the minutiae, or the location and direction of the ridge endings and bifurcations.” 

In other words, fingerprint technology commonly studies and identifies the key patterns in skin, where presumably unique ridge patterns occur. In the criminal justice field, these technologies are essential for matching up individuals in crime cases, as well as protecting important information behind digital systems. 

Thus, innovations in the field were historically focused on the identification of fingerprints and unique patterns, not on developing technology to find similarities. But following this trail of crumbs, Columbia Engineering student Gabe Guo developed a series of experiments to challenge seemingly established facts by utilizing emerging artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. 

Through AI, a small percentage of fingerprints in a given dataset bore similar features to one another. Here, AI would occasionally conclude that fingerprints from different people were supposed to be fingerprints from the same person’s hands. 

According to Holly Evarts from Columbia University who reported on the study, this was because the AI wasn’t analyzing fingers’ minutiae, but instead was looking at “the angles and curvatures of the swirls and loops in the center of the fingerprint.” 

In forensic science, this technique would allow for greater accuracy in identifying suspects and comparing fingerprint evidence on-field. At the same time, however, the study acknowledges that the experiments’ results do provide several limitations. 

The first limitation relates to the implications of “intra-person fingerprint similarity.” Because fingerprints could potentially be identified to more than one person, more caution will be needed if AI were to be used in the field. Researchers in the study advise of the development of alternative architectures to mitigate these results. 

Another limitation explored in the paper is the relative ineffectiveness of the technology itself. It states that the AI system used is still “markedly below that of state-of-the-art systems designed for same-finger matching,” so the discoveries may not even apply to the field until the future. Because of its lower-level performance compared to current systems, the AI system used in the study would thus be inappropriate to use for authenticating evidence in court situations. 

Despite these constraints, these findings remain significant in the fact that its increased accuracy in identifying fingerprint patterns would someday help “narrow down the candidate list” created by existing fingerprint identification systems. Not only would this be critical in the criminal justice field, but it would also advance password systems that rely on fingerprint data. 

Due to technological nuances, this red thread may already have led to a dead end. But by continuing to roll out the thread, scientists could potentially pin it to a new piece of evidence on the corkboard.

The power of love celebrates relationships in a variety of ways

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Kyra Trifiletti of Heritage High School
February 2023

the FEBRUARY newsletter

Valentine’s Day is a time when love flourishes and countless hearts flutter with anticipation for the big day. Coming from the legend of Saint Valentine, a tale about a Roman priest who defied Emperor Claudius II’s rule and acted as a martyr for love by secretly solemnizing marriages between military men and their lovers. Today, Valentine’s Day symbolizes the essence of love, but it goes deeper than that through its direct effects on human health and bonds. 

Dr. Helen Fisher, an anthropologist renowned for her research on the biology of love and attraction, has studied the profound impacts love can have on the brain extensively. 

“Love activates the reward systems in the brain, akin to the effects of a drug,” Fisher said, explaining how love can have euphoric effects on the brain, making those who are in love feel increasingly happy throughout their relationship.

Supporting Dr. Fisher and Dr. John Gottman, who has done famous work on marital stability and relationships, emphasizes the importance of communication and mutual respect in helping relationships endure hardship. 

“Key elements such as understanding and respect are pivotal for the success of relationships,” Gottman remarked, moving beyond the scientific basis of the benefits of love. 

Valentine’s Day is celebrated globally and cultural adaptations showcase the diverse expressions of love worldwide, from the “Sisters’ Meal” festival in South West China to Denmark’s tradition of exchanging handmade cards, each variation is a sentiment in the universal language of love. 

Though love isn’t simply romantic, Romania’s fusion of Valentine’s Day with spring celebrations and Estonia’s inclusive “Friendship Day” exemplifies how love is much more than romantic connections, love exists in friendships, communities and more. 

The benefits of love extend beyond simple emotional fulfillment, it also contributes to improved physical health and social well-being. Studies have linked stable relationships with higher happiness levels, reduced stress and decreased depressive events. Overall, love can foster a sense of belonging, enhance one’s self-worth, and counter any negative self-perceptions of oneself.

“Being in love or being in a stable relationship contributes significantly to mental and physical health,” explained Dr. Sarah Hughes, a clinical psychologist specializing in relationship therapy, adding“From lowering blood pressure to strengthening immune function, love’s impact is comprehensive.”

In society, love’s expression and celebration have only been augmented by social media, offering new ways to maintain relationships and challenge tradition. Throughout time, it has been clear that the essence of love – its ability to connect, heal, and change lives – has only been strengthened as we advance in technology, giving us further ways for relationships to spark and endure. 

Matthew Tays a senior at Heritage High School, shared his perspective on Valentine’s Day. Initially, Tays brushed off the holiday, but after entering a relationship, he is much more eager to celebrate the day. While Valentine’s Day is an exciting holiday, Tays expresses his desire for a more inclusive celebration of love, including various types of love beyond romantic love.

“I used to never celebrate Valentine’s Day, I kind’ve just saw it as another day until I started dating my girlfriend, now I celebrate and look forward to the holiday every year,” Tays said, while adding “I do think there should be another national holiday to celebrate types of platonic love though, I think America’s celebration of Valentine’s Day is very focused on romantic love, but I think days dedicated to your family overall or community would be nice.” 

Valentine’s Day serves as a reminder of love’s enduring and healing powers, not just between romantic partners but also as the fundamental connection between humans. For those seeking to delve deeper into the science of love and its cultural variations, the works of Dr. Fisher and Dr. Gottman, combined with personal reflections from local individuals, offer insights into the complexities of love, and its role in our lives.

新年快乐 – To a New Year!

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Rachel Lei of Heritage High School
February 2023

the FEBRUARY newsletter

A scaled, serpentine body embellished with deer’ horns and demon eyes portrays a creature of myth and cultural significance: the Chinese dragon. The year 2024 marks the dragon’s rotation on the Chinese calendar, where the deity is symbolic of revival and infinite potential. For a year of new opportunities and memories, let’s welcome the start of the Chinese New Year or the new Spring Festival! 

Following the traditional Chinese lunisolar calendar, February 10 signifies the beginning of the year. 

The Chinese Language Institute explains that, unlike the commonly used Gregorian calendar, the traditional Chinese calendar follows both the moon’s “29.53-day synodic orbit” and the Earth’s orbit around the sun, where an additional month is added every three years. Because of this, the Lunar New Year is thrown off by a few weeks when compared to the Gregorian cycle. 

Following traditional beliefs, several weeks of celebrations commence after new years. According to Fefe Ho of the Chinese New Year site, many of these ceremonies are held to pray to ancestors and gods, and the festivals have become integrated into several Asian religions over time. As explained by the Chinese Welfare Association, traditions are practiced to recognize the “passing of the Nian,” which was a mythical beast defeated to welcome the new year and now shares a name with the word “year” in Mandarin Chinese. 

Celebratory customs include setting off firecrackers; hanging red paper and calligraphy works; and eating foods such as nian gao (New Year Sweet Rice Cake, 红糖年糕) and char siu (Chinese BBQ Pork, 叉烧). Another tradition, passing red envelopes with money, remains one of the most exciting traditions for children. 

Lastly, Heritage High’s Chinese Culture Club member, Fiore Bin, notes that her celebrations always include family gatherings and the lucky color red in clothing and decorations. However, these aren’t the only ways to celebrate new years – students interviewed sometimes celebrate with praying, feasts, and even playing popular games like Mahjong. 

A variety of sayings and phrases complements these practices. To encourage cultural appreciation, the below lists several sayings anyone can celebrate the new year with! 

1. Happy New Years – 新年快乐
   1. Mandarin: xīn nián kuài lè
   2. Cantonese: sun nin fai lok
2. To good health – 身体健康
   1. Mandarin: shēn tǐ jiàn kāng
   2. Cantonese: sun tai gin hong 
3. Wishing you good fortune – 恭喜发财
   1. Mandarin: gōngxǐ fācái
   2. Cantonese: gong hei fat choy

Other ways to celebrate Chinese New Year include participating in school culture club activities; attending the festival at Downtown Brentwood on February 24; or even just cooking traditional foods with loved ones. 

As expressed by Sherrie Ou, a current local resident who was raised in China, no matter how one celebrates Chinese festivities, “Chinese New Year remains a bridge between tradition and those foreign to Chinese culture” for anyone waiting for the new year’s roar.

January 2024 climate report reveals alarming global trends

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Kyra Trifiletti of Heritage High School
30 January 2024

the January newsletter

Since 1938, the world has been grappling with the impending and mostly unknown ramifications of climate change; however, with the January 2024 climate report, more awareness has been brought to the current state of the world. The report, compiled by experts and scientists from around the world, serves as blatant proof of global warming and ultimately emphasizes the urgent need for climate measures.

One of the most daunting findings of the report is the record-breaking global temperatures discovered in January 2024. According to the World Meteorological Organization, WMO, the average global temperature in January 2024 was 1.2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, which is consistent with the ongoing trend of rising temperatures, a clear benchmark of global warming.

However, the repercussions of climate change are not simply numbers; they’re being observed at a community level. Heritage High School senior Sophia Eilersen shares her concerns underlining the real-life need for climate policies. 

“There was the big oil drilling issue last year that Project Climate Change marched against. That project would have adverse effects on our community if it had gone through,” said Eilersen.  

The report also emphasizes the surge in extreme weather events observed across various regions. Heatwaves, storms, hurricanes, floods and wildfires have become more recurrent and severe.

In light of these findings, Eilersen believes the way climate change is presented in the media and society plays a pivotal role in public perceptions and actions. 

“I think the biggest issue in the climate space is the presentation of the problem in the media and society in general; I feel like most people don’t take the issue seriously because of how Hollywood portrays it,” explained Eilersen. Her insights shed light on the significance of narrative, and the necessity for a solution-focused approach, as opposed to pessimism. 

North America has encountered increased winter storms and wildfires, while Europe has faced abnormal temperature fluctuations. Similarly, the Asia-Pacific region has witnessed a larger frequency of cyclones and typhoons, severely affecting countries like the Philippines and Indonesia. Each of these extreme weather events, manifestations of climate change, has far-reaching repercussions, from infrastructure damage to threats to food security, affecting several countries.

In this context, ecosystems–the networks of living organisms, and their environments, are under immense stress. Coral reefs are becoming increasingly threatened by rising sea temperatures and ocean acidification, leading to coral bleaching, and the widespread deterioration of coral reefs, displacing many species.

Similarly, modifications to terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems have been observed due to escalating temperatures and shifts in species diversity. However, these modifications are not isolated, cascading several other environmental impacts. For example, biodiversity loss is also being accelerated, with habitat loss and the disruption of migration patterns, due to events such as forest fires and pollution, further exacerbating climate challenges. 

The socio-economic impacts have also become increasingly evident. Agriculture and food security are at risk as erratic weather patterns lead to crop failures and shifts in growing seasons. As well as health risks due to the increased spread of diseases influenced by changing climate patterns and heat-related illnesses. Water scarcity and access issues are also emerging challenges due to the changing precipitation patterns, leading to the displacement of some communities.

Governments, organizations and communities worldwide have initiated policy responses and actions to address the challenges posed by climate change. Some actions have challenged carbon reduction, with targets being set to achieve net-zero emissions by mid-century, while investments in renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, reforestation and afforestation efforts occur simultaneously, all combating deforestation and supporting biodiversity. 

Eilersen’s path to climate activism was a personal decision spurred by the immediacy and gravity of the issue.

“I just felt that I needed to do more to fix a problem that will affect me my entire life,” she said, 

The January 2024 climate report serves as a powerful conversation starter, highlighting the critical importance of addressing climate change as a global priority. While progress has been made within policy responses and actions, much more is needed. 

The challenges posed by rising temperatures, extreme weather events and ecosystem disruption require collective efforts from governments, industries, communities and individuals. Society as a whole needs to understand the urgency of mitigating and adapting to climate change for the well-being of current and future generations. 

For young advocates feeling overwhelmed by the scale of climate change, “finding a group of like-minded individuals is so important,” said Eilersen. “It’s really easy to get discouraged by an issue that is so large and incomprehensible so it’s helpful to find people to support you and your efforts.”

Climate change

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Rojan Habon of Heritage High School
30 November 2023

the November newsletter

Climate change is the continuous and ongoing shifts in temperatures and weather patterns, due to numerous worldwide contributors such as wildfires, the production of non-biodegradable and disposable materials and fossil fuels. The main factors since the 1800s have been humans, this is mainly driven by the use of fossil fuels which emit greenhouse gasses into our atmosphere. 

This is also known as the greenhouse effect when greenhouse gasses are trapped in our atmosphere including carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and water vapor. The greenhouse gas effect essentially means these gasses trap the sun’s rays of heat inside creating an increase in heat throughout the years. This is the effect that was proven to explain why increased heat levels occur. 

The ongoing increase in fossil fuels has caused temperatures to increase and slowly heat year round. Since the 1800s humans have been seen to contribute to climate change, as seen by NASA, humans have been a contributor to climate change and stated, “It is undeniable that human activities have produced the atmospheric gasses that have trapped more of the Sun’s energy in the Earth system.”

Revealing, human actions of fossil fuel use have consequently raised global temperatures over the years. Now, what has this looked like in recent decades? 

Over time the constant production of gasses that are contained in the atmosphere has been building up. As seen by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the Earth’s temperature has risen “at a rate of 0.14°F (0.08°C) per decade since 1880.”

The heat has caused sea levels to increase, populations to go extinct and alter human health. 

The timeline of climate change dates back to the 1800s as the increase in carbon dioxide was being noticed. In the 1900s, the global warming trend was noticeable with the constant use of fossil fuels and cheap energy due to the Industrial Revolution. 

With sea levels rising, concerns for the abundant amount of carbon dioxide and sustainable environmental action are taking place. In the 2000s, large amounts of carbon dioxide were in the atmosphere with an abundant amount of environmental agencies taking action to sustain the environment. 

Additionally found by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, it is predicted by 2100 to rise, “between 2 and 9.7°F (1.1 to 5.4°C).”

The rising temperatures have created an unsafe environment to live in. Due to climate change, the World Health Organization found, “37% of heat-related deaths to human-induced climate change.” 
As this is expected to increase it will have continuous consequences throughout the decades. This leads to more deaths as temperatures are seen to rise in the future if there is no help.

Three Years Later: The Pandemic’s Impact on Students

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Rachel Lei of Heritage High School
30 September 2023

the SEPTEMBER newsletter

For over two years, students around the globe were forced to quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic that threatened the lives of many. Today, even after three years since the beginning of the pandemic, students still face the repercussions of the quarantine.

Though life has seemingly returned back to normal, the struggles schools face across the nation say otherwise. Studies have tracked students’ academic achievements post-covid, and the results are alarming. A research paper from Brown University found significant score drops in common-core subjects, with nearly 0.20-0.27 standard deviations lower in math compared to previous years. A lower standard deviation indicates data is clustered around the “average”, meaning children are less likely to perform “proficient” or “above proficient” on tests. For comparison, the Brookings Institution provides independent research published on March 3rd, 2022 that shows that “drops are significantly larger than estimated impacts from other large-scale school disruptions, such as after Hurricane Katrina”. 

However, this impact in students’ academic achievements isn’t just shown in wide-scaled reports- rather, we can look into the patterns found in schools in the Bay Area. According to an article written by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) on December 14th, 2022, scores in arithmetic and literacy dropped in California elementary schools, years critical for childrens’ social and mental development. The PPIC notes that over the pandemic, only 37% of fourth-graders met state standards compared to 45% two years prior. Teachers also found that students had difficulty grasping the basics of reading during the pandemic. As Californian news outlet KQED reported on December 21st, 2022, teachers from a Southern California district saw an 18% drop in third grade students meeting English language arts standards.  

This drop in performance could be attributed to the effects of social isolation over quarantine. A paper published on June 24th, 2021 from BMC Public Health explains that social isolation may cause coping issues and cognitive decline, leading to poor performance in academics and absenteeism. On August 10th, 2023, the Bay-Area-based Mercury News reported: “Nearly every district had a spike in chronic absenteeism…with the average rate jumping from 12.1% to 30%… That translates into 1.77 million students who missed at least 20 days of school”. Shirani Chandra, a current student at Heritage High School, reports similar experiences. “Everyone seems to not care about school,” she expresses after talking about seeing people increasingly use drugs and skip classes. Other reports focused on the health of students in California have also noted worsening mental health in students. From the news outlet CBS Bay Area on August 16th, 2023: “Three years after the pandemic, many school districts are still playing catch up, trying to address an explosion of cases.” As Heritage High School student Adrian Chelal recalls, the isolation of online schooling made making new friends increasingly difficult and anxiety-inducing.

There is light at the end of the tunnel, however. Many schools across the nation have been investing in more social workers, as CBS Bay Area notes. Even at Heritage High School, new psychologists have been appointed and more resources were sent out at the beginning of this month to help students. Those resources include the addition of the Zen Den and various professionals available for students to call. Elizabeth Lindsay from Heritage High School notes, however, that the stress and emotional drain students face should be addressed on a wider level than just appointing a handful of counselors to hundreds of students each.

Nights of remembering

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Muskaan Adeel of Los Medanos College
30 Apr. 2023

the April newsletter

Ramadan is a time centered around fasting, prayer and reflection for Muslims worldwide. During this time, Muslims fast from dawn until sunset, abstaining from food, drink and other physical needs. The act of fasting during Ramadan is not just a physical challenge, but it also serves as a way to develop self-discipline, empathy and compassion. By abstaining from food and drink, Muslims can better understand the struggles of those who do not have access to necessities such as food and water.

The significance of Ramadan to Muslims is multifaceted. For one, it is a time of spiritual renewal and a chance to reconnect with one’s faith. Through increased prayer and recitation of the Quran, Muslims deepen their relationship with God and are encouraged to reflect on seeking spiritual growth and enlightenment.

“Ramadan, to me, is a time to reset. It’s when I reflect on the past year and plan for the coming one,” said Hanifah Abatcha, a junior at UC Berkeley. “The focus in this time is spiritual, which during the bustle of the year becomes overshadowed by other things, but the personal and communal effort to build one’s spirituality is so strong it sets the tone for the rest of the year and changes my perspective on the past one.” 

Additionally, Ramadan is a time of community and togetherness. Muslims often break their fast together with family and friends, sharing meals and engaging in communal worship. This sense of solidarity is an important aspect of the Ramadan experience, as it reinforces the idea that Muslims are part of a larger global community. It is a time to share food with the less fortunate, offer financial assistance and volunteer time to help those in need.

“During Ramadan, my family and I have a tradition after our iftar meal, we all gather to watch this popular Arab prank show called Ramez while eating an Arab dessert called Atayef, which is typically only made during the month of Ramadan,” said Ayiah Sarina, a sophomore at Samuel Meritt. “This tradition has become an integral part of our Ramadan experience, and we have continued to partake in it for the past six years.” 

Ramadan is also a time of reflection and self-improvement. Muslims are encouraged to use this month to evaluate their actions and behaviors and to make a conscious effort to improve themselves. This may involve acts of charity, forgiveness, or self-reflection as individuals strive to become better versions of themselves.

“Ramadan is not just “starving” yourself it’s a time of sincere repentance, you realize all the things you took for granted and become grateful. Ramadan is the easiest time to receive mercy from God,” said Rehanna Karimmi, a sophomore at Los Medanos College.

Finally, Ramadan is a time to remember those who are less fortunate. Muslims are encouraged to give to charity and to help those in need, particularly during this month. This emphasis on compassion and generosity is an important part of the Ramadan experience, as it reinforces the idea that Muslims have a responsibility to care for those around them.

Ramadan serves as a vital time of spiritual renewal, community and self-improvement. By fasting, praying and engaging in acts of charity, Muslims seek to deepen their relationship with God and become better versions of themselves.

Earth Day inspires change for future generations

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Kyra Trifiletti of Heritage High School
30 April. 2023

the April newsletter

Earth Day is an annual celebration on April 22 aimed at raising public awareness and support for restoring the conditions of Earth and maintaining its protection. Since the first Earth Day in 1970, the event has grown into a global event, uniting people from all walks of life to take action in support of the environment. 

Exaggerating the significance of Earth Day is simply not possible, particularly in light of the current condition of climate change and environmental destruction. Earth Day serves as a reminder to care for the environment and brings awareness to the impacts of issues like deforestation and pollution. 

Every year, a theme for Earth Day is selected. This year, the theme is, “Restore Our Earth,” which aims to highlight the pressing need for environmental restoration and conservation initiatives. The focus is on taking steps to maintain biodiversity, restore destroyed ecosystems and minimize the effects of climate change. 

Ella Eustachy (11), an environmental activist from Heritage High School, says, “there are so many rising environmental issues, and we have such little time. It’s really important that people get involved, and take action before we run out of time.” Eustachy reinforces that the time to fix the issues impacting Earth is not unlimited, and immediate efforts are needed.

Educating oneself, and others on prevalent environmental issues is essential to garnering support, and inspiring action. 

“A Lot of people don’t even know all the things that are going on or ways to help. Which is why I think Earth Day is great for starting the conversation about our environment and helping teach others about what they can do to help” said Eustachy. 

There are various ways to get involved in Earth Day activities, one way could be by planting a tree in your backyard or the local area or adopting a more sustainable way of life by taking shorter showers, and learning how to compost. 

Expanding one’s knowledge on matters of the Environment is as simple as attending environmental conferences, or reading articles on current environmental issues. Use your voice to argue in favor of laws and policies supporting environmental protection and help inspire others to take action before it’s too late.

Serving as a reminder to protect the environment, Earth Day emphasizes the pressing need for environmental restoration and conservation. By continually taking small, meaningful actions, a difference in preserving the planet can be made, and a sustainable and healthy Earth for generations to come is ensured.

A collapse in the financial market

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Alison Chiu of Heritage High School
30 Mar. 2023

the MARCH newsletter

Silicon Valley Bank, a specialized bank for the technology sector, collapsed financially on March 10. Causing ripples throughout the sector that eventually led the U.S. government to step in.

The bank specialized in technology startups and other related businesses, but its collapse made them the “biggest U.S. bank to fail since the 2008 financial crisis,” according to the New York Times. The bank claimed “nearly half of all U.S. venture-backed startups” and “44% of the U.S. venture-backed technology and healthcare companies that went public in 2022” were clients.

The bank was responsible for taking money from its clients and then storing them in other places like bonds. However, as the Federal Reserve was increasing interest rates to try to bring inflation under control, the process of storing the money in a different place resulted in it being worth less, creating losses for the bank.

Another issue noted by experts at The Hill was the bank’s ratio of equity capital to total assets. While economists at Stanford University suggested that the ratio should be at least 20%, as of 2020, Silicon Valley Bank was only at 5.8%.

The low equity capital to total assets ratio and the decreasing value of its bonds culminated in Silicon Valley Bank stating publicly on March 8. It needed to shore up its balance sheet and increase $2 billion in capital to improve its financial strength by getting rid of liabilities or increasing its assets. These moves resulted in the bank eventually losing $1.8 billion.

When new changes happen with banks that see signs of a high-risk loss of investments and value, stakeholders pull out in mass panic: something that happened with Silicon Valley Bank.

Because of Silicon Valley Bank’s new actions in trying to shore up its balance, many investors and clients became spooked at what seemed like impending doom for the bank. As a result, Silicon Valley Bank’s shares plummeted significantly over the next couple of days.

On March 10, after more desperate searches for a buyer for the bank, regulators, established by the government to control banks, took over Silicon Valley Bank and its “$175 billion in customer deposits,” according to New York Times.

The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and another bank specializing in cryptocurrency, Silvergate, meant the collapse of two large banks in the technology industry saw bank stocks decreasing overall. Although analysts from CNN Business claimed that the collapses were “unlikely to set off the kind of domino effect that gripped the banking industry during the financial crisis,” other banks eventually fell from the panic around existing collapses, such as Signature Bank.

These new waves of panic resulted in the Federal Reserve, the Treasury Department and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporations beginning to calm down the hysteria by assuring that depositors’ money was safe and that taxpayers were not going to pay for any bailouts. President Joe Biden reassured the public of the same points in a speech on March 13.

Over the next couple of days, many banks’ shares continued a dramatic journey of ups and downs, as many banks tried to regain their footing in the midst of much panic and craze, as the federal government took moves to help some of the banks. Even though the situation was similar to the financial crisis in 2008, it differed in that Silicon Valley Bank and other banks were not revived, but the crisis surrounding it was.

The future for the technology industry and various companies that were dependent on Silicon Valley Bank is not quite clear, but the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has guaranteed deposits for each company up to $250,000, depending on the size of the company.

The Ozone is slowly rebuilding

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Kyra Trifiletti of Heritage High School
30 Jan. 2023

the JANUARY newsletter

Research conducted every 4 years by the UN has revealed that the Earth’s Ozone layer is rebuilding. After discovering a hole over the South Pole in the late 1980s, the Ozone layer has been one of the largest debacles regarding Earth’s environmental status.

After discovering the hole in the Ozone, the Montreal Protocol was swiftly enacted in 1987. This protocol would ensure that there was a global phase-out of HCFC, hydrochlorofluorocarbons.

These gasses are found in aerosols, refrigerants, air conditioning, and more. When HCFCs are used, they can cause catastrophic reactions between particles. These interactions between HCFCs and Ozone molecules slowly damaged the Ozone layer, and with enough damage, the layer would be lost.

Consequently, this would increase the risk of ultraviolet rays to the environment and humans, resulting in skin cancer, extreme sunburns, and more. However, due to protocols like Montreal, and Kigali amendments, the Ozone layer is estimated to be completely restored by 2040, yet the Arctic will be fixed by 2045, and the Antarctic by 2066.

With the Montreal Protocols, the Executive Secretary of the UN Environment Programme’s Ozone Secretariat, Meg Seki, said, “Over the last 35 years, the Protocol has become a true champion for the environment. The assessments and reviews undertaken by the Scientific Assessment Panel remain a vital component of the work of the Protocol that helps inform policy and decision-makers.”

Seki highlights the success of the Montreal Protocol and reaffirms its significance in the fight against climate change.

Through the implementation of the Montreal Protocol, the Earth has mitigated a 1 C increase in our Earth’s global temperatures. Scientists warn that an increase to 1.5 C would drastically increase the risks of natural disasters such as floods, fires, droughts, and food shortages.

Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization, Petteri Taalas, explained why the restoration of the Ozone was dire, “our success in phasing out ozone-eating chemicals show us what can and must be done as a matter of urgency to transition away from fossil fuels, reduce greenhouse gasses, and limit temperature increase.”

Taalas emphasizes the idea that the Ozone’s recovery can act as proof to society that environmental issues are manageable, and the only way to fix environmental issues is by banding together.

On Jan. 15, 2022, Hunga Tonga erupted and the powerful blast released an alarming amount of water vapor, aerosols, and ash; the three main contributors to the environmental crisis.

Additionally, China’s sudden increase of CFC-11, an HCFC used in foam insulation and refrigerant, violated the agreements of the Montreal Protocol. China delayed restoration by a decade; however, it was only by a year due to the Chinese government cracking down on the use of CFC-11, and eliminating its use in 2019.

Due to the effects of volcanic eruptions like Hunga Tonga and the increased use of CFC-11 in China, the levels of Ozone recovery have not been steady.

Throughout these struggles, the effort to restore the Ozone remains, and the estimations for full Ozone recuperation stand strong.