The Monarch

The Plight of Farmworkers: What Is the Real Cost of Our Food?

While California has often ignored its farmworkers, many young Mitty activists are fighting for the issues they face to be brought to justice.

Skyler Mazzone and Aarav Bavishi • February 26, 2024

It has been often stated that if California were its own country, it would be the 4th largest economy in the world. Home to the headquarters of Google, Apple, Disney, Netflix, and many other corporate...

America Can’t Play the Fiddle While Maui Burns

In the last month, a series of wildfires has devastated the land of Maui, leaving the region barren and ashen. But, what caused the sudden conflagrations, and what their long term effects on the island and its people?

Nayva Tyagali and Anik Chobe • October 18, 2023

On the morning of August 8, the citizens of Lahaina, a historic West Maui town, bore witness to a brush fire that, in the next few weeks, would grow to swallow up the entirety of the small town, and ultimately burn through 10 square miles of the Hawaiian island of Maui.

Fast Fashion, the Environment, and Human Right

With the help of social media, the fast fashion industry is taking the world by storm. But what countless people don't know is that this phenomenon is threatening lives and our planet.

Cameron To, Staff Writer • October 18, 2023

Shein, one of the most lucrative fast-fashion brands, has recently responded to its allegations of unethical working conditions by using a questionable source of propaganda: TikTok influencers. Influencers are depicted touring the "ethical" and "livable" Shein factories, essentially re-branding Shein's tarnished reputation of notorious sweatshops. Yet, this move by Shein only backfired, ensuing even more criticism and backlash regarding the potential ramifications of the fast-fashion industry, but one question comes to mind: what is to come if fast-fashion companies continue their harmful practices?

Is Biden Sacrificing America’s Willow Trees for the Willow Project?

After promising to consciously limit carbon emissions, President Biden just approved an oil drilling project that will release more than 10 million metric tons of CO2 a year.

Navya Tyagali and Ruby (Eunseo) Lee • May 2, 2023

On March 13, President Biden approved the United States’ largest oil drilling project in decades, which would allow for an $8 billion initiative to drill in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, America’s single largest expanse of untouched wilderness.

Japan: A Tempestuous Misfortune

Japan and other island nations around the world are facing some of the most severe impacts of climate change. With more extreme weather events on the rise, welfare is being threatened.

George Feng and Ryan Tsai • February 17, 2023

Why does climate change pose such a menace to Japan, and how do we get people to fight against it?

It’s Low Tide for California’s Homeless

For California’s most vulnerable, an influx of rain brings an influx of consequences. Without shelter, the homeless population faces the foreseeable challenge of surviving in extreme weather.

Anika Bhutani and Katherine Wilcox • February 17, 2023

After several weeks of intense rainfall, Californians are finally able to walk outside their front doors without onslaughts of heavy rain. While the rain only lasted for a few weeks, the amount of water...

Conscious Billionaire (?)

A new breed of the uber-rich leaving behind a legacy of environmental justice.

Rahul Ramarao, Staff Writer • October 18, 2022

On September 21, 2022, Yvon Chouinard forfeited his company, Patagonia, so that the profits gained could be used in order to battle climate change. Was that his sole intention?

California’s Push Against Climate Change

California’s EV mandate to take action against harmful greenhouse gases. How will this affect our environment?

Anika Bhutani and Katherine Wilcox • October 18, 2022

Governor Newsom ordered the California Air Resources Board to develop regulations to cease the sale of new gasoline cars, while increasing the sales of electric (EV) and other zero-emission cars by 2035.

Green Bins for Change

California’s new bill targets methane emissions by reducing its greatest source, organic waste, before it reaches landfills.

Valerie Chen, Staff Writer • February 20, 2022

With climate change on the rise, it is all the more necessary to help prevent it. However, many methods, such as reducing waste to fit in a single jar, are extremely difficult to achieve. That is why Senate Bill 1383 is perfect for the job, as it does not require huge commitments but can still make a significant impact.

Individual Action Is A Drop in the Bucket of California Drought Reform

We have been approaching the issue of droughts in California incorrectly—it's time for collective action

Anika Chatradhi, Staff Writer • October 23, 2021

You know you’re in California when you look out the window and see a Martian landscape complete with hazy orange skies. Nearly every single year we dread our fifth season: fire season—and 2021 is no exception.