Consilience is an online sustainable development journal with global presence and scope, run by stud Consilience Journal is dedicated to promoting interdisciplinary dialogue on sustainable development.
The journal seeks to publish at the frontier of sustainable development understanding and thought, with contributions from both within Columbia University and across the world. We work to engage a broad audience of academics, practitioners, and the general public, and to elevate youth voices and new insights in sustainable development.
Operating as usual
Urban forestry finds itself facing a “pernicious paradox” where communities must choose between rejecting environmental amenities in order to resist the gentrification that is bound to follow. Click the link to find out more and read Renata's article on briefings! https://journals.library.columbia.edu/index.php/consilience/blog/view/355
Increased demand for cryptocurrencies has led to a substantial rise in energy consumption for cryptocurrency mining. The resulting swell of carbon emissions is ripe for analysis as the environmental impacts largely negate the benefits of virtual, decentralized currencies. Click the link to find out more and read Ben's new briefings article!
https://journals.library.columbia.edu/index.php/consilience/blog/view/349
What to learn more about how shadow conservation of Ethiopian church forests offers insight into global sustainability challenges? Read our new Briefings article by Shloka here!
https://journals.library.columbia.edu/index.php/consilience/blog/view/346
When we think of a zero waster, an image of a white, upper-middle class blogger with a mason jar of a year’s worth of waste comes to mind. While the movement began as a way to combat excessive consumption and plastic pollution, it has become whitewashed and gentrified, leaving out critical BIPOC voices and indigenous environmental contributions. How can we reduce waste without breaking our bank accounts for plastic-free products? How can the zero waste movement become more inclusive and intersectional? Read Sorah's briefings article to find out more! https://journals.library.columbia.edu/index.php/consilience/blog/view/343
One of the changes to our daily lives that has become second nature to us is the use of PPE, such as masks, on a daily basis. But with millions of people using masks everyday, there is an incredible amount of waste generated. What is happening to all the waste generated from the pandemic? Read Briefings new article by Arooba here to find out!
https://journals.library.columbia.edu/index.php/consilience/blog/view/326
Consilience is proud to introduce a new bi-weekly newsletter. Sign up to receive the latest updates on new sustainable development research and ways to help your own community.
For those interested sign up here: https://lb.benchmarkemail.com/listbuilder/signupnew?JAxkftwYca21wFi7J46czf5pwVnAjsSIgwutXHI4a9TtO5iNRn8gS049TyW7spdJ
Issue XXIII is here!
Read the issue: https://consiliencejournal.org
Although carbon emissions have decreased during the pandemic, it is evident that the climate change crisis is just as dire as it has always been. Want to learn more? Click the link to read the lastest briefings article by new writer Leila Belgaid!
https://journals.library.columbia.edu/index.php/consilience/blog/view/286
Interested in the intersection between climate change and public policy? Check out briefing's new article by writer Eric Scheuch as he tackles SIPA visiting faculty and UCSB Professor Dr. Leah Stokes' propositions in her book, Short Circuiting Policy: https://journals.library.columbia.edu/index.php/consilience/blog
The COVID-19 pandemic is part of a much larger problem that will continue to cause drastic changes to our society if it is not addressed. Want to find out more? Click the link to read our new article by briefings writer Arooba!
https://journals.library.columbia.edu/index.php/consilience/blog
Join us at the Columbia virtual Activities Days on Friday 10/02 and Sunday 10/04!
Link for Consilience booth on Friday 10am-12pm: https://meet.google.com/smf-yhxf-san
Link for Consilience booth on Sunday 8pm-10pm: meet.google.com/qes-qtpf-hqm
Consilience: The Journal of Sustainable Development updated their website address.
The dueling crises of climate change and a COVID-19-induced economic recession have you wondering what the government can do?
Briefings writer Eric Scheuch argues that the time is right for a new round of green stimulus, and explores what such stimulus might look like. Check it out! https://journals.library.columbia.edu/index.php/consilience/blog/view/266https://journals.library.columbia.edu/index.php/consilience/blog/view/266
Consilience is now accepting applications!
Joining is a great way to get involved in Columbia’s sustainability community, and we welcome members from all academic backgrounds. There are writer, editor and managerial roles available. We also accept submissions to our Briefings blog from all Columbia students, and this semester we aim to highlight discussions at the intersection of environmental, racial and social justice.
Come to our virtual information session to learn more - we look forward to seeing you!
Zoom link: https://tinyurl.com/consilienceinfozoom
Application form: https://tinyurl.com/consiliencefall20
Consilience: The Journal of Sustainable Development updated their information in their About section.
Consilience has released its 2019-20 Year in Review!
We are proud to have had a successful year of rapid growth and development.
Highlights include:
- publishing Issue XXII of our academic journal, featuring research articles spanning 6 continents in scope and an opening perspective from global sustainable development leader Jeffrey Sachs
- launching Briefings, our blog arm comprised of short-form articles produced by student staff writers
- co-hosting Columbia’s annual Youth Climate Summit with Columbia EcoReps, engaging 250 local high school students in workshops on the climate movement
Read the full overview on the Earth Institute’s State of the Planet: https://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2020/09/04/year-review-consilience-journal/
Editors of the journal Consilience look back on the successes of the 2019-2020 school year, and discuss goals for the new school year.
Continuing our spotlight series, we highlight Zachary Porreca's perceptive study.
From Philadelphia, PA, Zachary is beginning a PhD program in Natural Resource Economics at West Virginia University, following his undergraduate study at Bloomsbury University of Pennsylvania.
His paper reveals the results of his statistical modelling on the World Bank’s Development Indicators. He explores the correlation between environmental wellbeing and quality of life, emphasizing the importance of controlling carbon emissions.
Read his article here: https://journals.library.columbia.edu/index.php/consilience/article/view/6746
What exactly does life after coal look like? Briefings Writer Eric Scheuch reflects on his childhood in rural West Virginia and the story of coal in the heart of Appalachia.
July 13, 2020 Life After Coal: The Decline and Rise of West Virginia Coal Country By Eric Scheuch In the West Virginia coalfields – on the edge of which my aunt and uncle live and where I spent holidays and vacations as a kid – the economic mood ranges from depressed to apocalyptic. At one poin...
In the first of our Issue XXII article spotlight series, we highlight the insightful work of Dr Bob Offei Manteaw.
Dr Manteaw is a Research Fellow and Lecturer at the Center for Climate Change and Sustainability Studies at the University of Ghana. Having also taught in Canada and the US and holding both Ghanaian and Canadian citizenship, Dr Manteaw’s globally diverse scholarship lends itself to his contributions to international agencies including UNICEF and the World Bank.
In his article, Dr Manteaw explores transboundary adaptation planning in West Africa. In light of his research, he provides a compelling case for the importance of establishing adaptive learning processes that allow for the uncertainties and non-linearity of climate change.
Read the article here: https://journals.library.columbia.edu/index.php/consilience/article/view/6737
Read the latest thinking on a wide range of sustainable development topics in our 22nd Issue. The contents are geographically diverse, including coverage of India, Ghana, Brazil and Australia.
Look out for our upcoming spotlight series featuring specific articles/authors.
View the issue: consiliencejournal.org
ISSUE XXII is here!
We’re thrilled to include a thought-provoking Perspective from Jeffrey Sachs, Director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University’s The Earth Institute, on the need for global cooperation and a multilateral system in response to COVID-19.
View the issue: https://journals.library.columbia.edu/index.php/consilience/issue/view/651
People across the Pacific Islands are suffering from a diabetes epidemic due to a combination of their ethnic predisposition, remnants of colonialism, and economic incentives for processed foods. Briefings Editor Chloe Schneewind examines the root factors putting millions of lives at risk and how their historical nuances implicate most of the developed world in this issue.
May 22, 2020 Colonialism and the Pacific Diabetes Epidemic By Chloe Schneewind The average American might imagine the Pacific Islands to be filled with sunshine and blissful vacation spots, however there is an ongoing and unrecognized health crisis. Across thousands of islands scattered in the Pac...
The International Union for Conservation of Nature has advocated for a switch to a sustainable alternative called ecotourism. But with the lack of set rules for ecotourism, there have been many drawbacks to its application. Briefings Writer Arooba Ahmed takes a look at how ecotourism has negatively impacted indigenous communities.
May 22, 2020 Ecotourism and Indigenous Communities By Arooba Ahmed Members of the Maasai tribe dressed in traditional clothes posing for an advertisement via Financial Times. It’s almost time for summer vacation and you’re scrolling on your laptop looking for vacation ideas. Suddenly, an ad pops...
The immediate stakes of climate change can be overwhelming to the point of despair. Can we stay motivated by clinging to optimism, or are we better off processing our grief and accepting the value of a partial victory? As an alternative, Briefings Writer Max Goodman makes the case for climate stoicism.
May 10, 2020 Why We Need Climate Stoicism to Overcome Climate Despair By Max Goodman The phenomenon of climate despair is on the rise. Among the young, educated, and climate-concerned folks that society hopes will “be the change,” many have become overwhelmed and immobilized by anxiety. The ...
Citizens’ Assemblies provide an opportunity for a random sampling of citizens to be involved in the policy-making process. Briefings Editor Sasha Weber advocates for Columbia University to hold a Citizens’ Climate Assembly to generate climate mitigation policies that reflect the needs and values of the people directly affected by them.
May 3, 2020 How A Citizens’ Climate Assembly Can Make Columbia University A Leader in Climate Action By Sasha Weber Climate change activists block the road near the House of Parliament in London. Photo: Isabel Infantes via Financial Times When traditional policy-making strategies are not enoug...
Briefings Writer Eric Scheuch argues that as nuclear energy currently generates a majority of America’s carbon-free electricity, it is quickly becoming the energy source that we cannot afford to keep – and also cannot afford to lose.
April 25, 2020 An Atomic Catch 22: Climate Change and the Decline of America's Nuclear Fleet By Eric Scheuch The now shuttered nuclear power plant at Three Mile Island. Photo: Michele Sersch via flickr Just outside of Harrisburg Pennsylvania lies the shuttered hulk of America’s most infamous nucle...
Ahead of the 50th Earth Day, Briefings staff writer and Sunrise Movement member Sabrina Shih reflects on the climate strikes that have become a staple of the movement for her, and what this means for an Earth Day in the midst of a pandemic that keeps us physically apart.
April 21, 2020 Why We Strike By Sabrina Shih On September 20, 2019, armed with our handmade signs and bursting anticipation for the Global Climate Strike, Sunrise Columbia and our fellow students on strike broke into song on the 1 train. Cue the uncomfortable shifting from the rest of the passengers...
While urban agriculture is often praised for promoting sustainable growing techniques, one of its most important qualities is its encouragement of social connections and civic engagement.
April 13, 2020 Urban Farms: Growing Community Across the Five Boroughs By Lydia Wood-Hull On 134th Street, between Lenox Avenue and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard, an agricultural oasis stands amid a bustling, urban Harlem. Rows and rows of leafy plants and vegetables spill over the edges of rais...
First and foremost, the Consilience team hopes that all of our readers are safe and healthy during these challenging times.
In order to positively engage our community during these times, Consilience is CALLING ALL ARTISTS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS to submit their sustainability artwork or photography. The Consilience website is currently under reconstruction and is seeking artwork/photography to feature as the site header.
The team is not looking for anything specific, but the piece should allude to the themes of the Journal and may want to allude to Columbia. Thematic examples include sustainability, interaction between civilization and nature and rural development. For reference, it would be placed in the same format as the header for this website: https://lawandarts.org/.
This is not a competition, the Journal hopes that opening up submissions will provide an artistic outlet for those interested. The selected piece will likely gain a lot of traffic: the Journal website reaches over 30,000 individuals, with readers hailing from over 161 countries.
If your submission is not selected to be used as the header, it will be considered for publication in our May 2020 Issue.
If you are interested, please submit your piece by Friday, April 17 2020.
Submit your work and find more info about the submissions process here: https://forms.gle/TBNHZDMFBG51wovC8
Create a new survey on your own or with others at the same time. Choose from a variety of survey types and analyze results in Google Forms. Free from Google.
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