What is desertification? Desertification is a form of land degradation where productive and fertile land becomes arid; incapable of supporting biodiversity. This can occur through natural land “evolution” or human activity increasingly impacting the climate and natural habitats. Farming cattle can often cause deforestation and overgrazing, 2 prominent contributors to desertification. Other practices/operations like largeContinue reading “The global implication of desertification.”
Author Archives: Kyan J. Davies-Jackson
The cleaning marvel that fails to wipe away its environmental footprint.
What is Bleach? Bleach is the generic name for an industrial and commercial product most commonly used as a cleaning agent in millions of households. Bleach is widely used in the paper, cleaning, water treatment, and dental industries across the globe. Despite the miraculous cleaning powers, bleach is rife with chemicals – endangering the livesContinue reading “The cleaning marvel that fails to wipe away its environmental footprint.”
A pandemic more often – how global warming may awaken long gone viruses.
What are viruses? Viruses are microscopic organisms that require hosts such as plants, bacteria and animals. A virus is typically 20 nanometres to 400 nanometres in diameter. Like all other organisms, a virus is made up of DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) or RNA (Ribonucleic acid) but is surrounded by a defensive coat called a “capsid”. SomeContinue reading “A pandemic more often – how global warming may awaken long gone viruses.”
Is the Great Pacific garbage patch a threat to global food security?
What is food security? According to the UN (United Nations), the World Food Summit back in 1996 defined “food security” as the ability to produce enough food to support the global population and ensure everyone at all times, has access to affordable and nutritious food sources. Access to such foods will allow consumers to meetContinue reading “Is the Great Pacific garbage patch a threat to global food security?”
How to be sustainable during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Environmental issues during COVID-19: Whilst the world may seem to have ground to a stop, our impact on the planet has only carried on. Our transport sector has slowed down (all puns intended) yet our use of plastic masks and single-use products has escalated. It seems we’ve replaced one problem but encouraged another in itsContinue reading “How to be sustainable during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.”
Your grass lawn is a global disaster.
What’s the issue with grass lawns? Grass lawns found predominantly in first-world countries have become a staple in landscaping and development, occupying huge amounts of land and resources. Whilst the immaculate grass lawns look impressive, the history behind this obsession carries a dark past and has dominated vast amounts of land that could otherwise beContinue reading “Your grass lawn is a global disaster.”
Could hemp be used to combat human environmental chaos?
What is hemp?Hemp is a part of the Cannabis sativa class and is often associated with marijuana; a plant used for medical and industrial purposes. Hemp was first grown in central Asia as early as 280 BCE and used in ancient China to grow and produce foods, textiles and paper. Hemp sits alongside bamboo asContinue reading “Could hemp be used to combat human environmental chaos?”
The consequences of invasive species.
What are invasive species? Invasive species are any organisms that have been introduced into different habitats around the globe. These are sometimes referred to as non-indigenous, alien, exotic and/or immigrant species. The consequence of introducing invasive organisms into foreign ecosystems has huge environmental, economic and social damage. Today, there are around 17,000 classified invasive speciesContinue reading “The consequences of invasive species.”
Why the term “net-zero” is nothing to get excited about.
What does “net-zero” mean? Net-zero refers to eliminating all greenhouse gas emission production or funding activities that offset however many emissions are produced (e.g. tree planting or carbon capture). Doing so would greatly lower the consequences of climate change; helping maintain the fragile ecosystem and human health. Many experts today believe the globe must reachContinue reading “Why the term “net-zero” is nothing to get excited about.”
The magnificence of fungi.
What are fungi?Fungi are a part of the eukaryotic organisms class and can range from microorganisms like mould and yeast to more commonly known varieties like mushrooms. In 2017, there were between 2.2 million and 3.8 million different species within the fungi kingdom. Fungi inhabit almost every location on planet earth, yet mostly unnoticeable withContinue reading “The magnificence of fungi.”
How to have a sustainable Christmas in 2021 and years to come.
Why is Christmas unsustainable? Christmas is the season of celebration where families connect and the endless supply of food just keeps on coming. However, due to immense food consumption, gifts and bright lights, Christmas is often an invisible villain making the season of celebration, a season of destruction to the environment. Nevertheless, there is aContinue reading “How to have a sustainable Christmas in 2021 and years to come.”
Why we need to rethink what bees we are saving.
Why are bees so important? As many know, bees pollinate plants which are vital to the survival of ecosystems; us included. Over the day, a bee will visit hundreds of different flowers to gather pollen, and will, subsequently, deposit a small amount of that pollen into the stigma of another flower. This exercise helps pollinateContinue reading “Why we need to rethink what bees we are saving.”
Are waste-to-energy plants the green solution to traditional landfills?
What is waste-to-energy? Waste-to-energy is a relatively new idea. In simple terms, it burns common waste at incredibly high temperatures to produce steam which moves a turbine, consequentially, generating electricity that can be used to power houses, factories, buildings etc. By burning the waste, the overall volume of the matter declines which also requires lessContinue reading “Are waste-to-energy plants the green solution to traditional landfills?”
Is aquaponics a sneak peek into the future of sustainable agriculture?
What is aquaponics? Aquaponics is one of many ways to source organic food. The method combines aquaculture (essentially fish farming) and hydroponics (growing plants without soil). Together, comes “aquaponics”. This method of growing food is more environmentally sound compared to the modern agricultural monocropping practices that demand vast plots of land, and tremendous water andContinue reading “Is aquaponics a sneak peek into the future of sustainable agriculture?”
The true impact your cotton clothes have on the planet.
What are the most common clothing materials? The main clothing materials used are synthetics (polyester, nylon and elastane), cotton, wool and silk. These materials can be used in clothing products and beyond the clothing industry. However, this text will specifically explore the cotton industry and the humanitarian and planetary effects associated. Whilst a cotton shirtContinue reading “The true impact your cotton clothes have on the planet.”
Is algae the future of plastics?
What are algae? Algae is a simple organism that is mostly aquatic, nucleus-bearing or photosynthetic. It is a dark green plant that contains no roots, stems, vascular tissues or leaves. This organism can be found in multiple different structures like single-celled phytoplankton that sit above water or even in seaweed structures called macroalgae. Algae canContinue reading “Is algae the future of plastics?”
Bitcoins quiet e-waste problem causing a loud and clear impact on the planet.
What is Bitcoin? Bitcoin is one of many new decentralised digital currencies founded back in 2009. Decentralised digital currencies are bank-free methods of transferring a certain amount of money to other people without the need for a third group/party (e.g. bank). The currency can be passed from one user online to another on the BitcoinContinue reading “Bitcoins quiet e-waste problem causing a loud and clear impact on the planet.”
Creating a more sustainable lifestyle for yourself.
Bamboo toothbrushes Switching out the conventional plastic toothbrush for a bamboo alternative is one of the simplest things you can do to minimise your ecological footprint. Bamboo toothbrushes can be found in almost any supermarket, pharmacy, etc and can make a real difference for an individual’s impact in the personal hygiene sector. Why bamboo instead?AContinue reading “Creating a more sustainable lifestyle for yourself.”
Carbon-free steel and its role in helping reach carbon neutrality.
What is carbon-free steel? Carbon-free steel is steel manufactured without carbon and coke which are the main ingredients used in the traditional manufacturing process. Carbon and coke are two critical contributors to greenhouse gas emissions in the production of steel. Sweden has recently produced the world’s first shipment of carbon-free steel. Its characteristics resemble thatContinue reading “Carbon-free steel and its role in helping reach carbon neutrality.”
Is Masdar City a glimpse into the future of green development?
What is Masdar City? Masdar City is a new city operating on 100% renewable energy and has been designed to create the most sustainable lifestyle possible, located in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The streets and buildings are strategically placed close to one another, providing shelter from the scorching temperatures in the Middle East. TheContinue reading “Is Masdar City a glimpse into the future of green development?”
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