All things green and planet saving.
The world is in trouble. Although much of the eco-problems we’re dealing with, the big contributors to climate change and pollution are at the feet of corporations, that doesn’t mean that we, the individuals of the world, shouldn’t do anything at all to try and make things better. This article has five pretty simple things you can start or think about starting this year.
AirPods are a product that spawned a million jokes. The wireless earbuds are meant to be convenient but they get lost and broken making them very pricey status symbols. More than that, they become trash in less than two years that can’t be recycled or disposed of. They are an ecological nightmare.
Almond milk is super popular but harvesting the main ingredient requires a lot more than just planting a tree and watching them flourish. It takes the work of a lot of bees and that work is killing them through a variety of ways.
Vogue Italia is taking an interesting move to lower their own carbon footprint. Instead of staging fashion shoots for their January issue, they filled the pages with art. A lovely and bold statement against climate change and fashion’s very high carbon footprint!
Like french fries? Or other assorted potato based dish? You wouldn’t be alone, most people do and we’re going to have to live with less because last season wasn’t great so there might be a shortage and this is partially thanks to climate change.
Recycling won’t solve every pollution issue we have but it will help in some cases. Not everything we use can be recycled and there are even more things that we think can be, but really shouldn’t go into the blue bin. Here’s a quick list of some common items that should just be thrown in the trash.
Solar energy is the go to for renewable energy but what happens at night? Especially when you can’t store the energy gained during the day? Rather than what are currently expensive battery options, we may be able to harness the power of darkness.
Battery life is the bane of all modern technologies. Doesn’t matter how awesome something is, if the battery doesn’t last long enough, it’s functionally worthless. This is true for our phones, cars and renewable energy options. A new type of lithium-sulphur battery may change all of this though.
Happy January! It’s Veganuary! A month where people try on vegan living for a little while and if they like it, stick with it for the whole entire year. Not sure where to start? Well there’s a website for that! The site has recopies and tips to get you through the month. But if you’re doing it for climate reasons, there are some things to consider.
Natural gas is commonly used for heating and it, like so many other things, causes emissions. In order to help cut those emissions, a test is going on at Keele University where natural gas is blended with 20% hydrogen to make a gas that releases less emissions.
Fast fashion is really common and also a huge problem. Not because the clothes are tacky or anything but because they are contributing to massive amounts of waste which considering their often very short shelf life, is unacceptable.
It’s 2020 and we need to be really honest about something: Plastic is a huge problem. Everyone knows that the material harmful to the environment that it often finds itself in but how big of a problem is something that we’re shielded from. Plastic pollution is a massive issue that will take decades to clean up and the only way to cut down on it is to stop using it.
We humans do love our personification of machines so lets meet our new fave. Mr. Trash Wheel is the little boat who is keeping Baltimore harbors clean by floating around and picking up trash. Doesn’t sound like much but he’s become a social media star.
Shutting down the coal industry is vital for fighting climate change. The fuel source that has been an essential part of life for well over a century just isn’t a sustainable option for a variety or reasons. But shutting down the mines and plants leaves people and their communities in the cold. Germany is a masterclass in powering down the coal industry without leaving anyone behind.
We’ve talked about composting toilets before and they’re really catching on! In fact, human waste is being rebranded as “biosolids” and could help us revive our depleted soils and close the waste circle even for more urban environments.
