Introduction: On December 10th, 2010, FIFA announced that Qatar would host the 2022 World Cup, bringing the world’s largest sporting event to the Middle East for the first time since the tournament’s inauguration in 1930. As of publication, the tournament has been running for 4 days (AEST) and will continue until the 18th of December,Continue reading “The environmental impact of the Qatar World Cup.”
Category Archives: Environmental Depletion
Debunking the frequent fallacies of veganism.
Veganism: To be vegan is to be asked (daily) what on earth? Just why? And where do you get your protein from? Vegans throughout their life can expect nothing less than an onslaught of questions and/or ill-founded comments. It is very important, however, that such habitual questions and myths regarding vegan lifestyles are addressed asContinue reading “Debunking the frequent fallacies of veganism.”
Define the term carbon offsetting: an absolute joke.
What is carbon offsetting? Carbon offsetting is the practice of paying organisations, on your behalf, money towards projects that compensate for your emission damage. For instance, an oil or airline company may donate $15 million annually to an organisation that reforests land or improves carbon capture operations. Companies like Delta Airlines during 2017 – 2019Continue reading “Define the term carbon offsetting: an absolute joke.”
Climate injustice: how unfair is climate change and who is responsible?
What is climate injustice? Climate injustice refers to how certain areas of the world or even communities within the same country, will experience different effects and severities of climate change. The injustice in this, however, is that countries of the lowest socio-economic and political status – those that have done nothing to ignite climate changeContinue reading “Climate injustice: how unfair is climate change and who is responsible?”
The consequences of capitalism and a new approach forward.
What is capitalism? Capitalism is the political and economic system that is controlled by private ownership – dictating shipping, manufacturing and distribution – to gain profits and divorce control from the state. The main principles of capitalism include capital accumulation, private control of operations, competition, voluntary exchange, wage labour and property rights recognition. The raceContinue reading “The consequences of capitalism and a new approach forward.”
The ecological, societal and economic ramifications of climate change.
Climate change vs. global warming: The USGS (United States Geological Survey) explains that climate change is the long-term effects on the climate including precipitation levels, wind patterns and temperature. The UN (United Nations) mentions that climate change can also be caused by environmental activity – disassociated with humans – and in fact, there is evidenceContinue reading “The ecological, societal and economic ramifications of climate change.”
The dark side of electric cars – part two.
What are cancer villagers? As the name may suggest, cancer villages are areas where cancer rates exceed national or global averages. This is often because of industrial and/or agricultural contamination of nearby land. In 2013, Chinese NGOs and the media suggested there were over 459 of them spread throughout the country. One of the mainContinue reading “The dark side of electric cars – part two.”
The dark side of electric cars – part one.
The rise of electric cars: Tesla Motors founded back in 2003, was another start-up aiming to rid the world of petroleum-powered vehicles. It released the ‘Roadster’ in 2008 with a range of 394 kilometres (245 miles) and was supposedly the first completely electric vehicle. Many were sceptical that the company would survive, even the CEOContinue reading “The dark side of electric cars – part one.”
The global implication of desertification.
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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