Escaping Death to be Denied Saftey
By:Ryan Pfingst
Staff Writer
Refugees from places such as war-torn Syria and Iraq are only trying to move to where they’ll be safe and secure. The question is: Where would that be? For many, the answer has been Europe. Over half a million people have fled from January 2015 to September 2015 to various European countries. Germany has received the most at over 200,000 refugees accepted, according to the New York Times. This number has only risen since then, and there is no end in sight to the largest refugee crisis since World War II. These migrants have a very difficult road ahead of them once they leave their home country. Many try to migrate to Europe by crossing the Mediterranean Sea and arriving in Greece or Italy. The majority of Syrians travel through Turkey and by ship to Greece. Others travel from the North African coast by ship to Italy.
No matter what route they choose to take, there are smugglers and criminals trying to overcharge them for a crowded boat ride to Europe. Most pay over $1,000 just for the chance to make it to Europe, according to the New York Times. As for the boat rides from Turkey to Greece, most make it, for it is not a very long trip. However, from the North African Coast to the tip of Italy, many are unprepared for the almost week-long journey they embark on. According to CNN, over 3,000 people have died trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea. Those that do survive the journey to Europe, unfortunately do not usually receive a very friendly welcoming. Most want to travel north to countries such as Germany, Sweden, and Hungary. This influxation of refugees has caused many European nations to rethink their open-door policy. The most extreme example is Hungary, who has built a barbed-wire fence across its border with Serbia and onto its border with Croatia, in order to keep out unwanted immigrants. Germany, the most accepting of migrants out of the European countries in the past, now wants to make it easier to deport the ones who don’t achieve full refugee status. According to CNN, “The European Union made the decision in late September to distribute 120,000 asylum seekers throughout member countries. Based on this plan, all member countries will have a minimum number of refugees to take in based on their economic status. Any country who has met or exceeded their quota will be exempt from this distribution plan.” Countries such as Germany will not have to take in any more migrants, because they have already taken in a plethora of refugees. However, countries such as France, who have not taken in as many refugees as they could, will be required to accept a much larger number than they have had to in the past.
This crisis is not simply a European one, but rather it is a global issue. With these powerful European nations overwhelmed, many have been calling upon the powerful countries, especially the United States to help out. Some residents of the United States are calling upon the U.S. to take in more refugees. Emma Davis, a current WVHS sophomore, said, “We aren’t really required to do anything because it's not really any of our business. I think that the U.S. is a huge country. We have lots of money, lots of room, and there is enough to sustain more people, and we should be able to take those people in. In the Middle East, we were there, and we were kind of stirring things up, and now we should be able to lend a hand, and make things better, even though we weren’t really involved with Syria.”
As a result of these demands from other countries and from fellow Americans, President Obama has announced that he will be raising the refugee limit in the U.S. by 10,000 refugees this fiscal year, which began at the beginning of this month. Most of these refugees will be coming from Syria, according to CNN. This means that this problem will not simply go away if people don’t acknowledge it, rather it will come closer to home. A family in Warwick could adopt a family of Syrian refugees, and Syrian children could possibly join our school system. Some people are accepting of this, while others worry about the security risks. In a post 9/11 America, terrorism is a major concern, and therefore people are worried about taking in terrorists along with these refugees. Claire Curran, another WHVS sophomore, disagreed and thought, “A few could potentially be terrorists, but I think the majority are definitely not. I mean, terrorists are not exclusively from the Middle East. There are terrorists in the U.S. right now.”
No matter how one spins it, this is a huge issue, and it will only grow. There are many solutions to any issue, especially this one, but ignoring it is not one of them. Action can be taken in order to prevent this from getting even more out of hand than it already is. No matter what a person thinks about this, the fact of the matter is that these people are leaving their homes to find safety, resulting in a huge world migrant crisis that will not go away any time soon.
Staff Writer
Refugees from places such as war-torn Syria and Iraq are only trying to move to where they’ll be safe and secure. The question is: Where would that be? For many, the answer has been Europe. Over half a million people have fled from January 2015 to September 2015 to various European countries. Germany has received the most at over 200,000 refugees accepted, according to the New York Times. This number has only risen since then, and there is no end in sight to the largest refugee crisis since World War II. These migrants have a very difficult road ahead of them once they leave their home country. Many try to migrate to Europe by crossing the Mediterranean Sea and arriving in Greece or Italy. The majority of Syrians travel through Turkey and by ship to Greece. Others travel from the North African coast by ship to Italy.
No matter what route they choose to take, there are smugglers and criminals trying to overcharge them for a crowded boat ride to Europe. Most pay over $1,000 just for the chance to make it to Europe, according to the New York Times. As for the boat rides from Turkey to Greece, most make it, for it is not a very long trip. However, from the North African Coast to the tip of Italy, many are unprepared for the almost week-long journey they embark on. According to CNN, over 3,000 people have died trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea. Those that do survive the journey to Europe, unfortunately do not usually receive a very friendly welcoming. Most want to travel north to countries such as Germany, Sweden, and Hungary. This influxation of refugees has caused many European nations to rethink their open-door policy. The most extreme example is Hungary, who has built a barbed-wire fence across its border with Serbia and onto its border with Croatia, in order to keep out unwanted immigrants. Germany, the most accepting of migrants out of the European countries in the past, now wants to make it easier to deport the ones who don’t achieve full refugee status. According to CNN, “The European Union made the decision in late September to distribute 120,000 asylum seekers throughout member countries. Based on this plan, all member countries will have a minimum number of refugees to take in based on their economic status. Any country who has met or exceeded their quota will be exempt from this distribution plan.” Countries such as Germany will not have to take in any more migrants, because they have already taken in a plethora of refugees. However, countries such as France, who have not taken in as many refugees as they could, will be required to accept a much larger number than they have had to in the past.
This crisis is not simply a European one, but rather it is a global issue. With these powerful European nations overwhelmed, many have been calling upon the powerful countries, especially the United States to help out. Some residents of the United States are calling upon the U.S. to take in more refugees. Emma Davis, a current WVHS sophomore, said, “We aren’t really required to do anything because it's not really any of our business. I think that the U.S. is a huge country. We have lots of money, lots of room, and there is enough to sustain more people, and we should be able to take those people in. In the Middle East, we were there, and we were kind of stirring things up, and now we should be able to lend a hand, and make things better, even though we weren’t really involved with Syria.”
As a result of these demands from other countries and from fellow Americans, President Obama has announced that he will be raising the refugee limit in the U.S. by 10,000 refugees this fiscal year, which began at the beginning of this month. Most of these refugees will be coming from Syria, according to CNN. This means that this problem will not simply go away if people don’t acknowledge it, rather it will come closer to home. A family in Warwick could adopt a family of Syrian refugees, and Syrian children could possibly join our school system. Some people are accepting of this, while others worry about the security risks. In a post 9/11 America, terrorism is a major concern, and therefore people are worried about taking in terrorists along with these refugees. Claire Curran, another WHVS sophomore, disagreed and thought, “A few could potentially be terrorists, but I think the majority are definitely not. I mean, terrorists are not exclusively from the Middle East. There are terrorists in the U.S. right now.”
No matter how one spins it, this is a huge issue, and it will only grow. There are many solutions to any issue, especially this one, but ignoring it is not one of them. Action can be taken in order to prevent this from getting even more out of hand than it already is. No matter what a person thinks about this, the fact of the matter is that these people are leaving their homes to find safety, resulting in a huge world migrant crisis that will not go away any time soon.
The Human Effect
By: Daniella Micallef
Staff Writer
Animals are a huge part of the world in which we reside. Some environmental problems that affect animals are oil spills, wildfires, destruction of coral reefs, global warming, plastic bags and littering. A junior, Alia Ocker, stated, “I think that the environment needs to be taken care of to ensure the survival of all species. Once a species becomes extinct, another one falls like the domino effect. The next thing you know your grandchildren are crying because the world is ending.” We need to start taking care of our environment to prevent this from happening.
As global warming increases, animals like polar bears who live in a cold climate might not have a suitable home anymore. A senior, Christine McSweeny, mentioned, “Most people on Earth are not being conscious about what they are doing to the environment. People are being lazy. I love polar bears but since the Earth is heating up and the ice is melting, polar bears are going to drown because they are not great swimmers.” According to the Environmental Protection Agency, and in particular the article entitled ‘A Guide to Global Climate Change’, if the temperature keeps increasing, up to one fourth of plants and animals could become extinct in as little as 100 years. Losing one species will affect others. They all rely on each other for food. For example, If we don't help these animals and plants adapt to the environment by protecting and preserving their homes, we might never see them again. Student, Mikayla Dieterle, junior, declared, “Global warming is a real thing. The ice is eventually going to melt but I won't be alive to see that happen. When it does happen, only sea animals will survive, so the food web will become unbalanced.” In 1,000 years the world may actually end. If we don't get the greenhouse gases under control, coastal cities will be enveloped in water. Antarctica will melt along with the rest of Earth's ice, warming ocean waters will expand and the total rise of the sea will be about 200 feet. We need to start taking this issue seriously. By burning fossil fuels, the planet could raise 20 degrees fahrenheit. In the ocean, fishes homes are coral reefs but coral reefs are becoming destroyed as well. The warm water has caused coral bleaching which damages corals. In 25 years, live corals will become rare due to the mix of warm water and ocean acidity caused by more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Losing these corals will not only make fish homeless but it will disrupt the food web. To help reduce this from happening, swimmers, boaters and divers have to be careful around them.
Oil spills are another big issue. According to the EPA and in particular the article, ‘How Oil Harms Animals and Plants in Marine Environments’, When oil is spilled, the poisonous chemicals can destroy the animal. The oil can get in the animal's eyes and coats which will reduce the ability of maintaining body temperature. Oil floats so animals found on the surface are most affected if the oil washes ashore. Animals like, seabirds and otters are victims of oil destruction. Sea otters depend on their fur to stay warm but if it's harmed by oil, then it's going to be harder to receive warmth. To prevent this from happening, be careful around the water. If you're in the ocean and see oil, take it out.Forests are homes for many different types of plants and animals. As the Earth gets warmer and droughts increase, wildfires will become more common. In dry conditions, wildfires are able to spread easier, more rapidly and will last longer. If the Earth gets as little as 3.6 degrees warmer, wildfires in the western region of the United States will burn four times more than before. Even though a person's impact may be limited, there are steps one can take to make a difference. Take precautions, be smart where you start a fire and be prepared for the danger to come.
Littering costs lives! Animals become injured, ill or dead because of trash left on the ground. They swallow or get tangled in the litter that people carelessly leave around. According to the EPA and in particular the article entitled ‘The Deadly Truth About Trash’, a raccoon's paw was once stuck in beer cans for so long, he tried to learn how to walk with them. When a vet found him and took off the cans, there was nothing but raw flesh. Sea animals have also been affected immensely by litter. They have swallowed fishing hooks which puncture joints and cause infections. Now, think about it, have you ever thrown food out the window? If you have, most likely you've drawn an animal toward the road. Animals become curious and hungry when they smell the garbage. Mr. Ogden, an English teacher stated, “When I see litter, I feel angered and compelled to the point that I will pick the garbage up myself.” To prevent animals from dying and becoming injured, don’t litter and be careful where you leave your garbage. Also, when you are throwing away garbage, cut up any plastic that can potentially harm an animal.
Plastic bags have killed many animals and places like Warwick have tried to reduce the number of deaths. Sea animals like whales, swallow plastic bags while catching fish. A platypus’ body was left with major cuts due to plastic bags. Flamingos strangle themselves with plastic bags unable to break away. Turtle, seals, dolphins and other aquatic animals go through the same situation. As a matter of fact, 100,000 mammals and birds die from plastic bags each year. Warwick has adopted the motto “reduce, reuse and recycle”. This summer, Warwick had a contest for ages 6-14 to create a design for a reusable bag. William Chester, a senior stated, “This is a good idea but it could cause problems. The town should encourage reusable bags by giving discounts for them or make you pay extra for plastic bags. We can do a better job of not letting animals have access to the bags. I think it is sad that they die from it but it's also survival of the fittest.”
Overall, the environment has to be taken care of. There are so many hazards that affect the living. Global warming, littering, plastic bags, oil spills, wildfires and the destruction of coral reefs are just a few examples. Make a change in the world and save the animals.
Staff Writer
Animals are a huge part of the world in which we reside. Some environmental problems that affect animals are oil spills, wildfires, destruction of coral reefs, global warming, plastic bags and littering. A junior, Alia Ocker, stated, “I think that the environment needs to be taken care of to ensure the survival of all species. Once a species becomes extinct, another one falls like the domino effect. The next thing you know your grandchildren are crying because the world is ending.” We need to start taking care of our environment to prevent this from happening.
As global warming increases, animals like polar bears who live in a cold climate might not have a suitable home anymore. A senior, Christine McSweeny, mentioned, “Most people on Earth are not being conscious about what they are doing to the environment. People are being lazy. I love polar bears but since the Earth is heating up and the ice is melting, polar bears are going to drown because they are not great swimmers.” According to the Environmental Protection Agency, and in particular the article entitled ‘A Guide to Global Climate Change’, if the temperature keeps increasing, up to one fourth of plants and animals could become extinct in as little as 100 years. Losing one species will affect others. They all rely on each other for food. For example, If we don't help these animals and plants adapt to the environment by protecting and preserving their homes, we might never see them again. Student, Mikayla Dieterle, junior, declared, “Global warming is a real thing. The ice is eventually going to melt but I won't be alive to see that happen. When it does happen, only sea animals will survive, so the food web will become unbalanced.” In 1,000 years the world may actually end. If we don't get the greenhouse gases under control, coastal cities will be enveloped in water. Antarctica will melt along with the rest of Earth's ice, warming ocean waters will expand and the total rise of the sea will be about 200 feet. We need to start taking this issue seriously. By burning fossil fuels, the planet could raise 20 degrees fahrenheit. In the ocean, fishes homes are coral reefs but coral reefs are becoming destroyed as well. The warm water has caused coral bleaching which damages corals. In 25 years, live corals will become rare due to the mix of warm water and ocean acidity caused by more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Losing these corals will not only make fish homeless but it will disrupt the food web. To help reduce this from happening, swimmers, boaters and divers have to be careful around them.
Oil spills are another big issue. According to the EPA and in particular the article, ‘How Oil Harms Animals and Plants in Marine Environments’, When oil is spilled, the poisonous chemicals can destroy the animal. The oil can get in the animal's eyes and coats which will reduce the ability of maintaining body temperature. Oil floats so animals found on the surface are most affected if the oil washes ashore. Animals like, seabirds and otters are victims of oil destruction. Sea otters depend on their fur to stay warm but if it's harmed by oil, then it's going to be harder to receive warmth. To prevent this from happening, be careful around the water. If you're in the ocean and see oil, take it out.Forests are homes for many different types of plants and animals. As the Earth gets warmer and droughts increase, wildfires will become more common. In dry conditions, wildfires are able to spread easier, more rapidly and will last longer. If the Earth gets as little as 3.6 degrees warmer, wildfires in the western region of the United States will burn four times more than before. Even though a person's impact may be limited, there are steps one can take to make a difference. Take precautions, be smart where you start a fire and be prepared for the danger to come.
Littering costs lives! Animals become injured, ill or dead because of trash left on the ground. They swallow or get tangled in the litter that people carelessly leave around. According to the EPA and in particular the article entitled ‘The Deadly Truth About Trash’, a raccoon's paw was once stuck in beer cans for so long, he tried to learn how to walk with them. When a vet found him and took off the cans, there was nothing but raw flesh. Sea animals have also been affected immensely by litter. They have swallowed fishing hooks which puncture joints and cause infections. Now, think about it, have you ever thrown food out the window? If you have, most likely you've drawn an animal toward the road. Animals become curious and hungry when they smell the garbage. Mr. Ogden, an English teacher stated, “When I see litter, I feel angered and compelled to the point that I will pick the garbage up myself.” To prevent animals from dying and becoming injured, don’t litter and be careful where you leave your garbage. Also, when you are throwing away garbage, cut up any plastic that can potentially harm an animal.
Plastic bags have killed many animals and places like Warwick have tried to reduce the number of deaths. Sea animals like whales, swallow plastic bags while catching fish. A platypus’ body was left with major cuts due to plastic bags. Flamingos strangle themselves with plastic bags unable to break away. Turtle, seals, dolphins and other aquatic animals go through the same situation. As a matter of fact, 100,000 mammals and birds die from plastic bags each year. Warwick has adopted the motto “reduce, reuse and recycle”. This summer, Warwick had a contest for ages 6-14 to create a design for a reusable bag. William Chester, a senior stated, “This is a good idea but it could cause problems. The town should encourage reusable bags by giving discounts for them or make you pay extra for plastic bags. We can do a better job of not letting animals have access to the bags. I think it is sad that they die from it but it's also survival of the fittest.”
Overall, the environment has to be taken care of. There are so many hazards that affect the living. Global warming, littering, plastic bags, oil spills, wildfires and the destruction of coral reefs are just a few examples. Make a change in the world and save the animals.