This blog offers a glimpse into some of the most interesting, yet underappreciated, life forms that share this planet and their fascinating characteristics. A specific feature or attribute will be explored for each given organism which will hopefully serve as both a gateway towards more fascination with the natural world and as a warning toContinue reading “Our fascinating planet of insects, animals and all that lie in between – part one.”
Tag Archives: Climate change
The environmental impact of the Qatar World Cup.
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.”
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.”
Solar geoengineering: the techno-fix to climate change, but for the better?
What is solar geoengineering? Solar geoengineering is an umbrella term for numerous approaches dedicated to cooling or simply suppressing the increase in atmospheric and land temperature, by reflecting solar radiation (electromagnetic radiation from the sun) from the earth back into space. Reflecting radiation from the sun would lower the earth’s global temperature, enough to permitContinue reading “Solar geoengineering: the techno-fix to climate change, but for the better?”
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?”
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.”
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?”
What is bilge dumping and why has it gone unnoticed?
What is bilge dumping? Bilge dumping is an illegal practice where cargo vessels and tankers release bilge water into the ocean. Bilge water is present in most modern vessels fueled by heavy oil. This toxic liquid is thick, oily sludge and extremely hazardous to marine life. Bilge tanks are located in “the lowest compartments ofContinue reading “What is bilge dumping and why has it gone unnoticed?”
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?”
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 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.”
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.”
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.”
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?”
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.”
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