If the future of zoos were animatronic, would you be interested?

What are animatronic animals? For young children and new families, a walk through the zoo represents a common tradition across much of the globe. A zoo is a place where children explore the natural world behind the comfort of thick glass, with evidence suggesting such places can even boost future scientific and conservation endeavours inContinue reading “If the future of zoos were animatronic, would you be interested?”

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.”

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…

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?”

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 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.”

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?”

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?”

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?”

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?”

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.”