

“The Way of Water” is stunning, important and helps redeem the original “Avatar”
Like many, Aime Wichtendahl was initially a skeptic about “The Way of Water,” James Cameron’s massive and much-anticipated sequel to the original “Avatar” film.
But after taking in the three-hour film, Wichtendahl is a fan of the new “Avatar 2” and gained a renewed appreciation of the original “Avatar” released in 2009.
“James Cameron is trying to help us learn. By tapping into the universal nostalgia we all feel – that once there was a time everything was perfect before someone screwed it up – he’s trying to tell us something. He’s trying to wake us up to how we’re impacting the world around us. ‘The Way of Water’ illustrates that despite our best efforts, humanity remains incapable of change.“
Read Wichtendahl’s review of this blockbuster film here.


A future to avoid on display with Maya Lin’s Ghost Forest
NEW YORK CITY -- How do you persuade naysayers that climate change is real, that the earth is fragile and needs protection? How do you call people to action to forestall environmental collapse and the natural world’s death? American architect and sculptor Maya Lin's...



Thrift Bandit is eastern Iowa’s socially responsible outlaw of recycled fashion
When they realized they were both wearing “polyester grandpa pants” and cardigan sweaters, Michael and Stef Duncan knew they were destined for each other. They didn’t realize those grandpa pants would also inspire a business they would co-run. The Thrift Bandit aims...



Des Moines’ history of systemic racism said to be built around housing restrictions
The city of Des Moines intentionally undertook policies in the 1930s and 1960s to limit housing options for Black residents, writes a University of Iowa student. In addition, writes Ross Clowser, the city's failure to clean up areas deemed by the EPA to be...



Honor 50th annual Earth Day online this year
Today is the 50th celebration of Earth Day, and as I researched through the cancelled events, I felt a sadness that this historic day could not be celebrated in the way it deserves. But even though we are sheltering in place and can’t get together for Earth Day, this...



Climate change effects are far-reaching in Iowa
Iowa is far from the coasts, and far from the polar ice caps. But it is not far from the effects of climate change. Climate change affects Iowa in a very real way, affecting our crops and our personal health. “Greenhouse gases are warming the atmosphere and the...



Thrift Bandit is eastern Iowa’s socially responsible outlaw of recycled fashion
When they realized they were both wearing “polyester grandpa pants” and cardigan sweaters, Michael and Stef Duncan knew they were destined for each other. They didn’t realize those grandpa pants would also inspire a business they would co-run. The Thrift Bandit aims...



Des Moines’ history of systemic racism said to be built around housing restrictions
The city of Des Moines intentionally undertook policies in the 1930s and 1960s to limit housing options for Black residents, writes a University of Iowa student. In addition, writes Ross Clowser, the city's failure to clean up areas deemed by the EPA to be...



Honor 50th annual Earth Day online this year
Today is the 50th celebration of Earth Day, and as I researched through the cancelled events, I felt a sadness that this historic day could not be celebrated in the way it deserves. But even though we are sheltering in place and can’t get together for Earth Day, this...



Climate change effects are far-reaching in Iowa
Iowa is far from the coasts, and far from the polar ice caps. But it is not far from the effects of climate change. Climate change affects Iowa in a very real way, affecting our crops and our personal health. “Greenhouse gases are warming the atmosphere and the...