What is antibiotic resistance? The WHO (World Health Organisation) classifies antibiotic resistance as “one of the biggest threats to global health, food security, and development today.” Antibiotics are antimicrobial drugs provided to humans and animals to fight off infections and prevent harmful bacteria from multiplying. Examples include penicillin, amoxicillin, and doxycycline. Antibiotic resistance, conversely, isContinue reading “Antibiotic resistance: our dated food industry at the heart of a global emergency.”
Category Archives: Public Health
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.”
PFAS: the scientific acronym with mainstream consequences.
What is PFAS? PFAS also referred to as per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances, is a large group of chemicals that are necessary ingredients in many everyday appliances and products that people use. According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), over 9,000 PFAS have been identified. Among the most common are PFOA and PFOS, manyContinue reading “PFAS: the scientific acronym with mainstream consequences.”
Factory farm operations in low socio-economic, indigenous, and black communities.
We all know factory farming is cruel, produces cheap meat (for good reason), and is the supporting foundation of many large fast food chains and supermarkets. What many of us fail to realise is that this very industry – the one that’s supposed to provide food for our society – is also a major social injustice culprit affecting thousands of poor, indigenous, and black communities around the globe. Read more to find out how…
Noise pollution – where did the tranquillity go and how can we regain it?
What is noise pollution? Noise pollution, also commonly known as sound pollution and/or environmental noise is the spread of harmful levels of noise affecting both human and animal life. Noise pollution, according to National Geographic, affects millions of people globally. According to a 2005 study in the United States alone, 30 million people are subjectedContinue reading “Noise pollution – where did the tranquillity go and how can we regain it?”
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.”
What is light pollution and just how detrimental is it?
What is light pollution? According to National Geographic, light pollution is the excessive or poor use of artificial light outdoors. Types of light pollution include glare – excessive brightness that causes visual discomfort; skyglow – brightness over the night sky in populated areas; light trespass – artificial light directed into non-intended or irrelevant spaces; andContinue reading “What is light pollution and just how detrimental is it?”
Are plant-based diets the key to healthy, sustainable and prolonged lives?
Plant-based options: Consumers can purchase many plant-based foods and/or alternatives, such as plant-based meat and dairy, beans, legumes, oils, nuts, seeds etc. People who have transitioned from regular to vegetarian or vegan diets often purchase meat and dairy substitutes like vegan-friendly beef, pork, bacon, mince, chicken, sausages, cheese, cream and much more. According to dataContinue reading “Are plant-based diets the key to healthy, sustainable and prolonged lives?”
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.”
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.”
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?”
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 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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