Title: Environmental Impact from the War in Gaza

Presenter(s): Almwood, Everett

Faculty Mentor: Nina Kunimoto

College: Edmonds College | Field: Social and Human Services | Presentation: Poster

Abstract: Despite how difficult it is in putting the heaviness of politics aside with the significance of the human toll that the conflict has had, it’s important to look at the current state of the environment itself in Gaza as yet another silent victim often overlooked by the rest of the world suffering from the brutal events unfolding in this region. Contamination of underground water reserves from raw sewage due to dwindling salinization supplies and forcibly shut down treatment facilities will be felt by every living being, from humans to wildlife alike. A vast majority of farmlands, crops, and trees have been devastatingly reduced to a mere fraction of their previous healthy numbers. The most significant river, called the Wadi Gaza, along with a number of other key geographical areas important to maintaining the once biodiverse ecosystem that suffered destruction has left the remaining soil in such a poor state that it now faces desertification for decades to come. This doesn’t even begin to touch on the 70 million tonnes of excess greenhouse gases expelled into the atmosphere from continued bombardment throughout this ongoing military siege.

Title: Immigrant access to healthcare

Presenter(s): Hodson, Jenna

Faculty Mentor: Nina Kunimoto

College: Edmonds College | Field: Sociology | Presentation: Poster

Abstract: In Washington state, a serious issue that immigrants face is accessing healthcare. The barriers that most contribute to this are language barriers, cultural differences, and high costs. Because of these barriers, many immigrants are left without the care they need to stay healthy. Such as yearly check-ups, vaccinations, and various other necessities. My project is mainly focused on understanding how these barriers are connected to global immigration and inequality. To do research, I interviewed a family friend who is an immigrant, did policy research, and looked for organizations that look into this matter on a deeper level. Organizations such as the Northwest Health Law Advocate and OneAmerica are actively working to improve healthcare access for immigrants and culturally/language-responsive care. Despite the efforts of organizations, many immigrants still feel excluded from healthcare. In this project, I want to delve deeper into a more inclusive system and Washington state policies. Health care is a human rights and everyone deserves to have the same equality of access to it.

Title: Child Labor and Developing Countries in Africa

Presenter(s): Nakashizuka, Aya

Faculty Mentor: Nina Kunimoto

College: Edmonds College | Field: Sociology | Presentation: Poster

In class, I learned that “Africa was originally a rich continent,” and when I compared that idea to the current situation, I felt a strong sense of discomfort about the injustice. Even if foreign multinational corporations have the right to buy and use Africa’s resources, I feel uneasy about the fact that the profits made from those resources are not returned to the people there. What’s more troubling is that children—the very ones who hold the future—are being used in this process. They work all day under harsh conditions, with low pay and long hours, and have no chance to attend school. The money they earn isn’t even enough to buy a proper meal. This cycle of child labor continues from parent to child, and then to the next generation, forming a deeply rooted loop of poverty and exploitation. Yet, there seems to be little effort from  international organizations like the WTO to address the problem, and the interests of  multinational companies appear to be prioritized. I want to discuss about this issue.

Title: From River to Ruin: Hydropower and Cambodia's Beating Heart

Presenter(s): Oeung, Somunint

Faculty Mentor: Nina Kunimoto

College: Edmonds College | Field: Environmental Studies | Presentation: Poster

The 3rd longest river in Asia, the Mekong runs from the Tibetan Plateau and drains into the South China Sea through the Mekong Delta. For centuries, it has sustained the livelihoods of millions of people, its biodiversity rivaled only by that of the Amazon River. In Cambodia, the Mekong engages in a special relationship with the local Tonle Sap to produce an ecological cycle that feeds almost the entire country. However, in recent decades, this vital water source has come under multiple stresses, including receding water levels, soil degradation, and loss of keystone species. In the Lower Mekong Basin, where the river cuts through mainland Southeast Asia, the cause for many of these issues can largely be attributed to upstream hydropower development. China, which comprises the Upper Basin, has built several dams that disrupt the delicate cycle of the Mekong. This study examines how these dams are destroying the livelihoods of Cambodian fishers and devastating the Tonle Sap, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. Through interviews with affected community members and policymakers, the research in this study reveals the firsthand experiences of those impacted by these dams and the ecological disasters they bring. To address this issue, this study concludes that the most important factors are addressing the complex relationships that currently exist between China and the Lower Basin countries and discussing the political dynamics of the Mekong alongside scientific and social contexts. This study emphasizes the urgency for governments to recognize the long-term costs of short-sighted economic development that fails to fully consider the ecology and the people.

Title: LGBTQ+ Resilience: Building Community and Creating Well-Being Worldwide

Presenter(s): Sorenson, Savannah

Faculty Mentor: Nina Kunimoto

College: Edmonds College | Field: Social and Human Services | Presentation: Poster

This research explores resilience within the LGBTQ+ community and how mutual aid, grassroots organizers, and organizations contribute to individual and communal well-being. I will explore local and global efforts to support the LGBTQ+ community. Often, LGBTQ+ issues are not viewed with an intersectional lens, and I aim to address how communities are filling this gap. Ultimately, this research argues that inclusive communities and support is critical for achieving well-being and justice for LGBTQ+ people worldwide.