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.”
Category Archives: What We Can Do
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?”
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?”
Poaching and llegal wildlife trade – why?
What are illegal wildlife trade and poaching? Illegal wildlife trade is among the most horrific yet discrete industries in the world. The multi-billion-dollar industry distributes animals around the globe – alive or dead – for pet markets, medicine, jewellery etc. The demand for valuable items like Elephant tusks or Rhinoceros horns is the driving forceContinue reading “Poaching and llegal wildlife trade – why?”
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?”
The huge environmental, social and health implications of meat and dairy.
The environmental impacts of meat & dairy: According to the Science Journal, eliminating meat and dairy is the single biggest way to reduce your environmental footprint. If we were to stop consuming meat and dairy, we could save over 75% of farmland globally. For context, that’s a land size equivalent to China, the United States,Continue reading “The huge environmental, social and health implications of meat and dairy.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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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