Ella Eslamian

This week’s challenge sent me to the coast to learn about macroalgae protection and restoration. I went to La Jolla Cove in San Diego. It was really eye-opening walking along the beach and noticing the patches of seaweed. Some areas had tons of it, and others barely had any.

I spent a little time this week learning about micro wind turbines. I had no idea how useful they could be. They’re small enough to go on rooftops or tall buildings and can still generate a decent amount of energy just from the wind up there! It is super cool that the Eiffel Tower has them now. I feel like they could go on top of schools, office buildings, or even those giant parking garages. It’s not a fix-all, but it’s one of those things that, if we used it in more places, could actually make a difference.

For this week’s challenge, I went on a 30-minute walk every day, and honestly, I loved it! It was beautiful. It gave me a chance to unplug and just notice things around me, like the random flowers growing through the sidewalk cracks, or how many people are out walking their dogs at the same time every day. I also noticed how not walkable some parts of my neighborhood are. Uneven sidewalks, barely any shade, and a few crosswalks that feel a little sketchy. It made me think how much better walking could be if cities actually prioritized it—like more trees, more benches, and safer crossings would make a huge difference.

Family planning is definitely a civil rights issue. Everyone deserves the right to make decisions about their own body and future. It’s not just about healthcare. It’s about access, autonomy, and having a voice/being heard. When systems actually listen to what women say and want, instead of making decisions for them, it improves everything (education, opportunity, and health). It’s basic respect. And it is crazy to me that it is a controversial topic.

This week’s eco challenge was to cook with seaweed—and I made sushi for the first time! I kept it simple with avocado, cucumber, and carrots wrapped in nori and sushi rice. It was a little messy (rolling is harder than it looks), but so fun and yummy. I didn’t realize how versatile and sustainable seaweed is. It’s good for you and the planet, since it helps capture carbon and support ocean ecosystems. I will definitely be cooking with seaweed again.