Hello class, my name is Tyler Pegarella and I’m currently a junior, residing in University Park. I’m originally from Hunlock Creek, Pennsylvania, a few minutes southwest of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area. As a Physical/Environmental Geography major, I’d eventually like to work for the federal government, doing something along the lines of hydrology or environmental assessment. While this course is required for the Geography program, I’d enjoy learning about the United States’ influence on environmental regulations in countries like China, as well as the relationship between endangered species and the poaching industry. I transferred from a small school not too long ago and would be happy to talk with anyone about environment-related research and internship positions they’ve held.

An issue worth discussing is the ongoing debate regarding the clean energy industry and petroleum & natural gas companies. Much of the machinery humans depend on runs on fossil fuels, despite their undeniably negative impact on the global environment. Alternative energy sources exist, but questions arise as to how much energy clean sources can produce, the economy’s dependence on fossil fuels and how much the government should regulate the energy industry, among others. Petroleum companies also usually have the upper hand in political discussions, as petroleum has made a great deal of money already, while clean energy is an emerging industry. Balancing a stable environment with a prosperous economy and still having the energy to power the world should lead to very engaging discussions in the coming years.