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New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

A boy and two girls stand side by side smiling at the camera. Each holds different styles of food shopping bags. Behind them, the green trees of Washington Square Park.

Gallatin first-years mobilize students to donate meal swipes to mutual aid

XR University NYC, revived in March, is challenging students to address issues ranging from climate change to food insecurity.
Tori Morales, Staff Writer May 2, 2022

It’s no secret that NYU has a food insecurity problem. The university’s Swipe it Forward program, which allows students to donate meal swipes that would otherwise go to waste,...

A tree-planting program spearheaded by Mayor Eric Adams and New York City’s borough presidents has overcome partisan barriers to improve habitability and living conditions for low-income residents. (Image via Wikimedia Commons)

Opinion: Adams’ new tree-planting program will bring New York back

The mayor's revitalized "Million More Trees" project will expand green space in the city and welcome people back after the pandemic drove them away in 2020.
Jules Roscoe, UTA Staff Editor February 16, 2022

Mayor Eric Adams joined the New York City borough presidents on Monday morning to announce another "Million Trees" program. The meeting, as The New York Times reported, called...

181 Mercer St., located between Bleecker and West Houston Streets, will be NYU's new multi-use building. NYU brands the building as sustainable, but the university’s board still includes members who have ties to oil and gas companies. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

Opinion: NYU is using 181 Mercer for corporate greenwashing

181 Mercer Street should not distract from NYU’s failed record on climate. 
Maggie Stutz, Contributing Writer October 20, 2021

Green is the new millennial pink. It’s popular to care about the environment. People are considered trendy when they carry cute sustainably-made water bottles and shop at resale...

NYU trustee and BlackRock CEO Larry Fink has called on wealthy nations to reduce carbon emissions. As an investor in the fossil fuel industry himself, his actions contradict his rhetoric. (Staff Photo by Alexandra Chan)

Editorial: Larry Fink is a climate hypocrite

By calling on nations to reduce carbon emissions, but holding investments in fossil fuel corporations through BlackRock, NYU trustee Larry Fink fails to put his money where his mouth is.
WSN Editorial Board October 18, 2021

NYU trustee and BlackRock CEO Laurence Fink wrote an op-ed in The New York Times last Wednesday arguing that wealthy countries must continue to invest more money in green infrastructure....

On Sept. 1, Hurricane Ida brought unprecedented amounts of rain to New York City and caused alarming floods. The damage has prompted more scrutiny on the city's future environmental agenda. (Staff Photo by Shaina Ahmed)

Opinion: Hurricane Ida highlights need for a more comprehensive climate strategy

The historic devastation Hurricane Ida wrought upon New York underscores the urgency of investing in climate infrastructure. Eric Adams’ climate plans, which remain vague, must prioritize climate resiliency and corporate accountability.
Michelle Han, Deputy Opinion Editor September 13, 2021

Hurricane Ida dumped record levels of rain across New York City on Sept. 1, shutting down packed streets and highways and flooding subway stations. Damage and tragedy overwhelmed...

Sustainability has become a marketing tool. Greenwashing tricks customers into spending money on unsustainable products under false pretenses. (Staff Illustration by Alexandra Chan)

Greenwashing: How companies are putting up an eco-friendly front

Greenwashing dupes consumers into spending their hard-earned green on unsustainable and unethical products.
Sam Brinton, Beauty & Style Editor May 6, 2021

This past Earth Day, I opened my email expecting the usual obnoxious junk and spam. What I received was something that annoyed me even more: Earth Day marketing emails. Why were...

Protestors march in Manhattan as part of a climate strike. Sustainability movements must recognize the need for intersectionality. (Staff Photo by Alexandra Chan)

Opinion: Let’s include voices of color into the sustainability movement

The sustainability movement needs to take strides to become more intersectional and community oriented.
Batoul Saleh, Staff Writer May 5, 2021

For the most part, Earth Day inspires people to post on social media with calls to action about the climate, the environment and how we, as individuals, can combat these changes....

Since March 1, Grocery stores such as Trader Joe’s began charging a small fee for each bag used. The plastic bag ban is the latest policy in the city’s efforts to reduce single-use waste. (Photo by Mia Karle)

New York Is Banning Plastic Bags, NYU Students and Alumni React

The Bag Waste Reduction Act going into effect March 1 will ban plastic bags and charge for paper bags in hopes of reducing single-use waste.
Mia Karle, Contributing Writer March 2, 2020

Out of an estimated 100 billion plastic bags used by Americans each year, 23 billion are from New York State alone. Beginning March 1, 2020, the Bag Waste Reduction Act will go...

The Slow Progress of the Plastic Bag Ban

The Slow Progress of the Plastic Bag Ban

Though New York’s recent ban on single-use plastic bags is well-intentioned, it doesn’t do enough to solve the plastics crisis in the state.
WSN Editorial Board March 2, 2020

Yesterday, New York State’s ban on single-use plastic bags officially went into effect. It was implemented after the state legislature voted to include the ban in this year’s...

A shopper who is aware of the environmental impacts of fast fashion chooses between two more sustainable options. As fast fashion companies are all about keeping up with the latest styles, they strive to generate products as fast as possible, leading to unethical practices and poor quality clothing. (Illustration by Li-Chun Pan)

Cheap Clothes Have a High Price Tag — and It’s Impacting Everyone

What are students doing to combat their fast fashion consumption?
Marielle Marlys, Staff Writer February 28, 2020

Though the price of fast fashion is appealing to many consumers, the industry faces irreversible consequences with regard to the global economy and climate patterns. Online clothing...

"Miss Anthropocene," Grime's latest album, is a dark and mysterious masterpiece. It also acted as a perfect vessel for Grimes to continue to sport her classic gothic swagger under the veil of electrobeats. (Staff photo by Alex Tran)

Grimes’ ‘Miss Anthropocene’ Declares Oblivion

Grimes’ latest album, “Miss Anthropocene,” is the soundtrack to the end of the world.
Destine Manson, Contributing Writer February 26, 2020

“Miss Anthropocene” mirrors the pace of one’s thoughts at 4 a.m. The first track on the album, “So Heavy I Fell Through the Earth,” feels like a whirlwind of energy and...

Depop and Poshmark, apps designed for reselling and purchasing clothing, are popular among students. (Staff Photo by Elaine Chen)

‘Depop’-ulating the Wardrobe: How NYU Students Sell Unwanted Clothing

A growing number of students are selling clothing online, rather than to secondhand stores.
Chad Evans, Staff Writer October 30, 2019

Think of it as thrifting, but from your phone. Everyone’s browsed Depop or Poshmark, apps designed for reselling and purchasing clothing, at least once before in search of some...