Hidden Aftermath: War’s Toxic Legacy | Carrie Shuster | TEDxEncinitas Blvd
When wars end, we think the damage ends too. But what if the real harm lingers unseen — buried in the very soil beneath our feet? In this deeply personal talk, environmental scientist and Navy veteran Carrie Shuster takes us beneath the iconic battlefield of Iwo Jima to uncover a hidden geological scar — the toxic residues of heavy metals left behind by one of WWII's most intense battles. Through original fieldwork, soil sampling, and environmental modeling, she exposes how lead, mercury, and other pollutants still persist nearly 80 years later, not just as remnants of history but as ongoing threats to ecosystems and human health. From Iwo Jima to modern conflict zones, this talk challenges us to recognize war not only as a geopolitical crisis, but as an environmental one — one whose residues may outlive us all. Carrie Shuster is an environmental scientist and veteran revealing the hidden pollution of war and advocating for sustainable, accountable military practices. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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