Welcome back to Did You See This? — The SUNN Post’s biweekly column spotlighting news that students like you (and me!) need to know. Here are today’s headlines.
The Headline
Wildfires rage on in the United States and across the world, destroying communities and leaving millions breathing smoky air.
The Rundown
As summer draws to a close, seasonal wildfires persist in the U.S. and Europe. Major fires have spread through the Pacific Northwest, tearing through Oregon and hitting Washington’s Spokane County. Fires earlier this summer devastated Canada’s northwest region.
According to NASA, extreme wildfires have become more frequent and intense over the past two decades — partly due to warmer temperatures. That increased prevalence has tangible impacts on children, teens and young adults living in affected areas. Wildfires tend to reduce outdoor air quality — as a result, parents opt to keep kids inside rather than risking respiratory damage from outdoor activities. For Gen Zers beginning their professional lives, climate-related factors like wildfire susceptibility can affect decisions about where they want to live and work — and high-risk areas are losing appeal.
Where to Find More:
For live updates on wildfire spread, keep an eye on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s fire and smoke map: It tracks active burns and impacted air quality nationwide. For a closer look at how wildfire smoke is affecting young people across the U.S. and beyond, take a look at The Smoke Generation, a recent article by SUNN Post contributor Andie Korenge. “The effects of wildfire smoke on young people extend beyond the lungs,” Korenge writes.
The Headline
As e-bikes surge in popularity across the country, New York City lawmakers are considering a safety crackdown.
The Rundown
After a series of fatal crashes involving e-bikes, including one that killed a teenager last week, New York City is considering implementing new laws which would regulate sales and use of the vehicles. This year, 11 people in New York City died riding electric bikes in the first seven months of the year — last year, that number was eight. The proposed legislation would limit speeds, plus expand enforcement for bike-related traffic laws and impose more scrutiny on bikes that violate existing rules.
E-bikes are particularly popular with unlicensed drivers. In cities with bike and scooter safety infrastructure, adults may choose this transit method over driving for reasons including efficiency, affordability and eco-friendliness. In suburban areas, though, the vast majority of adults drive — meaning those opting for e-bikes are mostly teens not yet old enough to get a driver’s license.
Though e-bikes offer students in car-dependent communities more independence, riding unlicensed and without the necessary understanding of the rules of the road creates a higher risk for accidents. Teens who use e-bikes or similar vehicles should prepare for the possibility that areas across the country may choose to follow New York City’s example.
Where to Find More:
For recommendations on how to ensure your vehicles comply with New York City’s regulations, check out this helpful article from The New York Times. For a professional’s opinion on the rise in e-bike use, take a look at content from TikTok user Dr. Cornelia Griggs — Griggs, an emergency room physician, has made several videos about her experiences treating young victims of e-bike crashes.
The Headline
Student-led protests in India are mounting into a demonstration of frustration with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.
The Rundown
In recent weeks, tens of thousands of students in India have participated in one of the largest youth-led protest movements in the nation’s history, expressing frustration with the country’s education system and economy. The protests began after a leak compromised an intensive medical school entrance exam, forcing retakes — students have also questioned whether intellectual merit was the only way to succeed on the incredibly high-pressure assessment. Quickly, the protestors’ messaging shifted to encompass wider frustration with the Indian government, helmed by Narendra Modi.
The students call themselves the “Cockroach Janta Party,” a name drawn from a comment by Indian Supreme Court Justice Surya Kant: In May, Kant publicly compared unemployed young people to cockroaches. Though the origins of their group’s name were semi-satirical, the Gen Zers behind the movement take their work very seriously. “What if all cockroaches come together?” party founder Abhijeet Dipke asked on X in response to Kant’s remark.
These young people are some of the first to mount a meaningful demonstration of dissent against Modi’s government, which has been in power for 12 years. The use of social media as an organizing tool and humor as a uniting force sets the Cockroach Janta Party apart from more traditional protest movements. And the protests’ results are undeniable: The government has begun to capitulate to some student demands, and the group successfully pushed the country’s education minister to step down.
Where to Find More:
For updates on the party’s demands and accomplishments, readers can keep up with its official Instagram page. Dipke’s organizing began on social media, and the party still uses it as a direct, efficient way to reach followers and share news. For broader coverage of the protests, keep an eye on related hashtags: on Instagram, both “#CockroachesUnite” and “#CJP” link to content related to the party.
The Bonuses:
A few longer stories to dive into over the weekend!
From the Wall Street Journal: The ‘Fraud Squad’ at Caltech Will Catch You if You Lie on Your Application
- From the London Review of Books: An Uncomplicated Man
- From the Atlantic: Gen Z Is Testing the Limits of How Weird Parties Can Get
