By Alanna Waldman As our world population continues to grow, it implies a higher demand for resources. Whether these resources are food, water, or land, the effect of this growth on our environment is often detrimental to biodiversity and the health of our natural ecosystems, especially our marine ecosystems. The ocean covers 71% of the [...]

By Paige Minteer The evolution of humans is the result of a number of speciation events that have built upon one another to create the modern-day human species: Homo sapiens. Humans are believed to have evolved from a line of ancestors dating millions of years ago and originating in Africa.  The subsequent Homo sapien ancestors [...]

By Amanda Ungco Proud of their culture and successes, Americans have soaked up the American dream and have broadened their wings to influence the rest of the world. Many of these influences manifest themselves as good deeds, bringing students, volunteers and various charity organizations to third world countries in an attempt to better the universal [...]

by Brenna Schneider As a small, isolated island, the country of Palau has a limited number of income options. Today the tourism industry is a vital source of income for this nation state, as it makes up about 56% of Palau’s gross domestic product (GDP) (Vianna et al, 2012). There are more than 40,000 divers [...]

By Michael Young and David Ginsburg Editors Note: The team has been in Palau for the past week conducting surveys. This post deals with the central opportunity afforded by this year’s trip. Approximately 500 miles north of the equator, the Republic of Palau lies just outside of the northern Pacific typhoon belt. Given its geographic [...]

By Caroline Smith The term ‘Heritage’ is not always an easy word for people to define. However, a word that is often used to describe one’s heritage is legacy. It is what we have done in the past, and what we will pass on to the future. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, or [...]

by Amelia Moura The Senkaku/Diaoyu islands have a long, complex, history of sovereignty disputes. This string of three uninhabitable islands and five rocks which, in total, amount to only 2.7 square miles in the East China Sea, has a past defined by conflicting claims by Japan, China, and even Taiwan. Each country recognizes that the [...]

By: Caitlin Martin Coral reefs are one of the most diverse ecosystems on this planet. They are home to numerous species of marine life and offer a plethora of benefits both to natural ecosystems and to the human population. Coral reefs bring in enormous funds to coastal countries through tourism, fishing, and discoveries of new [...]

by Britanny Cheng What has more than 750 reefs and islands, has been claimed by 5 different countries, and has been the center of political disputes since the 1900s? Answer: the Spratly Islands, located off the coast of the Philippines and Malaysia. This region has been claimed by both of these nations as well as [...]

By Justin Pearce China’s economy and population are growing rapidly. As their population increases, so does the demand for food. Feeding 1.3 billion people is no small feat, so being resourceful is essential; China has started looking everywhere possible for food, including the world’s oceans, lakes, and rivers. Can a country so large remain resourceful [...]