10
Mar, 2022
How Do I Become an Environmentalist?

How Do I Become an Environmentalist?

From 6-years-olds to university students, housewives, and even retired people, we are all concerned about the protection of the environment. Saving water, shopping wisely and using long-lasting bulbs are some of the most common and effective ways of reducing your carbon footprint. However, if you take your role as an environmentally-friendly citizen seriously, how about becoming an environmentalist?

Investigate Various Environmental Issues to Find Your Areas of Interests

Investigate Various Environmental Issues to Find Your Areas of Interests

There appear to be an infinite number of interconnected environmental issues for you to address. You can help protect endangered species, clean up pollution, reduce carbon dioxide emissions, recycle, and promote renewable energy through environmental activism, among other things. Discover what interests you so that you can contribute.

You can learn more about nature and environmental science by reading. Read books, magazines, websites, and news articles about nature, environmental science, and environmentalist causes to stay informed.

You can also find ways to contribute no matter what you do during the day. You don’t have to narrow your focus, but doing so can help expose you to new ways to contribute to environmental causes.

Find Local Environmental Groups in Your Area With Which You Can Collaborate

Find Local Environmental Groups in Your Area With Which You Can Collaborate

Working with an existing group in your area is the quickest way to get involved right away. Look online for volunteer opportunities and regional chapters of well-known environmental organizations such as the Sierra Club. For students who want to get involved, many schools and universities have environmental groups.

For example, if you are still in school, you could join a service organization such as Key Club and suggest environmental efforts. You could adopt a road or a beach and help clean it up.

If you want to travel abroad, there are numerous opportunities available all over the world. Volunteers are frequently accepted at animal preserves, and you can also contribute to a variety of other conservation projects.

For volunteer opportunities, contact environmentalists and organizations. Certain individuals and conservation organizations have emerged as environmental leaders. Look for contact information online, then write, call, or email them for ideas. Ask any questions you have about getting involved or making a difference in your community.

Many environmental organizations and activists collaborate with schools, businesses, and other organizations. They frequently give speeches to educate others about the environment.

Make Use of Your Skills to Advocate for the Environment in Your Own Unique Way

Make Use of Your Skills to Advocate for the Environment in Your Own Unique Way

There are numerous ways to be an active environmentalist. If you enjoy interacting with people, you might enjoy becoming a docent and leading nature walks at your local park. If you prefer writing, you could write to your local politicians to advocate for environmental protection. Find activities that make you happy and contribute in a way that feels natural to you.

Even simple tasks like baking banana bread or painting faces can be beneficial. You could put these skills to use by raising funds at an Earth Day fair or another event.

Not every activity will feel like a good fit for you. Don’t be disheartened if an opportunity does not pan out. You can always find new ways to help the environment.

Invite Others to Join You in Your Environmental Efforts

Invite Others to Join You in Your Environmental Efforts

An activist’s goal is not to change modern industrial society on his or her own, but to mobilize broad grassroots support for serious reform. To begin, try discussing your beliefs and activities with family and friends. Encourage them to join you in your volunteer efforts or, at the very least, to make small changes such as recycling. Once you’re comfortable doing so, encourage your community to make small sacrifices to protect the air, water, and food on which they rely.

You can reach a larger audience by attending local political forums, street fairs, and other similar events.

Even if people appear hesitant to assist you, maintain a friendly demeanor. Not everyone shares your enthusiasm for environmental causes. Your best bet for reaching out to others is to be helpful and informative while volunteering for worthy causes.

 

14
Jan, 2022

Your Extensive Guide To Natural And Non-Toxic Period Products

Sustainability is trending right now- everyone is aiming to be more sustainable to save our resources and limit waste. It is a trending topic on social media; actors, activists and influencers are all talking about sustainability, but one aspect is constantly disregarded.

According to statistics, women have an average of 456 periods in their life, which translates to 9,120 tampons used all of them end up in landfills. It is also good to highlight that single-use menstrual products generate more than 200,000 tonnes of waste annually.

There is a lot of misinformation concerning period products, even though they are readily available. On top of this, green-washing is becoming more prominent. If you don’t know about green-washing, it is a marketing strategy used by different companies to make their products seems as if it was sustainable even if it is not.

white and blue box on white table

If you are willing to be more sustainable, you may want to research before buying a product. We have noted some important things that may be useful;

Natural materials; You will want to look for period products with little to no synthetic materials such as plastics. As you may already know, plastics are not biodegradable and can last for hundreds of years. Plastic can be as bad for you as for the environment; period products made of plastics can develop rashes and are uncomfortable compared to cotton. 

Non-Toxic; Apart from the primary materials, other things made up period products, for example, phthalates, parabens, dioxins, and PFAS. Your vagina is a sensible part of your body, and when you use any period products, these toxins may enter your body. 

Sustainable packaging; Apart from the product, the packaging should be made sustainably. Stay away from plastic, even if it is recyclable. I would recommend you go for paper. 

Ethics; Some brands claim to be sustainable but are not, so it is better to choose a completely transparent brand. Be honest and truthful about their supply chain, where they are getting their material from, their workers’ conditions, etc. 

Impact; The brand you choose should be only looking to make a profit; of course, it does count a lot, but they should be impacting the world and contributing in their ways. There are a lot of girls in the world that don’t have access to proper sanitary products, which affects their lives as they cannot go to school during this time which is 5-8 days missed. Please choose a brand that contributes to making the world a better place. 

Now, different options are more sustainable than the standard pads or tampons seen in supermarkets.

Period Panties

The name describes itself; it is panties used when you have your period. There is no need to use pads or tampons. Different models depending on your flow. The maximum time you can keep them on is 6 hours. If you take good care of it, it can last 6 months. 

Menstrual Cup

white and blue box on brown wooden table

These menstrual cups, also known as period cups, are made of medical latex, so they should be inserted into the vagina during your menstruation. It does not absorb the blood but instead collects it, and then you should disregard the content every 6 to 12 hours, depending on your flow.

Menstrual cups are made of 4 % plastics but compared to standard pads made with 35 % and tampons 6 % plastic, they are reusable. Studies have shown that menstrual cups have a less environmental impact than pads or tampons.

Reusable Pads

The reusable pads have the same set of instructions as the period panties. Except for this one, you have to attach it to your panties and then wash it when you are done using it, instead of throwing it away as regular panties.

There are a lot of alternatives to standard period products right now, and we should embrace them. Let us know in the comments if you are willing to try these Eco-friendly alternatives…

4
Jan, 2022
bitcoin

The Impact of Bitcoin On The Planet

The way we see and use money has changed drastically, and we’ve come a long way since the barter system. More and more of us, Gen Z and Millennials, are using less and less physical money and are more likely to use our cards or internet transactions to pay for our bills. With the advent of technology, we are more and more in tune with technology, and it has become one with us. Bitcoin or cryptocurrency are gaining in popularity these days, and people are investing in them, but apart from their names, how much do you really know about Bitcoins. Fear not because we are here to help you discover what Bitcoins are and their impact on our planet.

What is Bitcoin?

bitcoin

The identity of the person who created Bitcoins is still a mystery. It was created in 2009 and is a decentralized form of digital currency and follows the ideas that were set by the pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto and his idea of white paper. This specific cryptocurrency offers a promise of lower transaction fees compared to traditional online payment mechanisms do. In addition, it is operated by a decentralized authority which is the opposite of government-issued currencies. It is kept secure by cryptography, and this is why it is known as a cryptocurrency. Unlike dollar bills, there are no physical bitcoins, and only their balance is kept on a public ledger that everyone can have access to. Bitcoin transactions are verified by a massive amount of computing power, a process known as mining. Bitcoins are not issued by any banks or governments, and they are one of the most popular cryptocurrencies on the market. Currently, there are about 15 000 different cryptocurrencies on the market, and there are over 400 exchanges that exist worldwide.

The flaws of cryptocurrencies

Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies alike have some major flaws, and the mining process is highly energy-intensive. Here are some of these flaws:

Energy consumption

bitcoin

The mining of Bitcoin uses about 122.87 terawatt-hours of electricity every year, and this is more energy than the entire countries use. The mining of cryptocurrency uses more energy than the United Arab Emirates, Netherlands, and even Argentina. According to a study conducted by Digiconomist (which is a cryptocurrency analytics site), to mine a single cryptocurrency, we need to use 2.106.37 kilowatt-hour of electricity. This number equates to the amount of power that the average America Household uses in about 72 days. The Ethereum network, according to the Digiconomist, uses or requires an estimated 99.6 Terawatts-hours of electricity to run annually, and this is more energy than the Philippines or Belgium uses. One single Enthereum transaction consumes about 220.5 kilowatt-hours of electricity, approximately about the same amount of power an average American household uses in 7.44 days. The energy demand to mine cryptocurrency is predicted to increase in the coming years as crypto increases and mining efficiency decreases.

Bitcoin mining produces about 96 million carbon dioxide emissions annually, which equates to the amount of carbon emission generated by some smaller countries. Mining for Ethereum also produces more than 47 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions every year. Studies conducted by the University of Cambridge report that 35% of most Bitcoin mining in 2021 took place in the United States. This is detrimental to the environment because the US gets most of its electricity from burning electricity. Interestingly enough, the study conducted by Cambridge University also discovered that renewable energy sources powered 39% of proof-of-work mining. It should also be noted that the mining of cryptocurrency also generates an insane amount of electronic waste because mining hardware becomes obsolete quickly. According to the Digiconomist, the Bitcoin network alone creates approximately 30 thousand tons of electronic waste annually.

Sound off in the comments section below and tell us if you want to read more about Bitcoin or cryptocurrencies and their impact on the environment.

26
Dec, 2021

Recycling After Christmas

Consider the following scenario: It’s December 25th afternoon, and your living room is a jumble of wrapping paper, gift boxes, ribbons, and bows. So, what’s next?

My best suggestion is to prevent getting into this predicament in the first place by wrapping your gifts in a Zero Waste manner. There are numerous ways to wrap gifts beautifully utilizing recyclable, reusable, biodegradable, or natural materials. Don’t worry if you didn’t pursue the low-waste route this year; there’s always next year!

Gift, Present, Wood, Package, Gift Box

 

It’s crucial to remember that, no matter how tempting it may seem, you should only put things in the recycling bin if you’re sure they’re recyclable.

What’s the harm in that, right? When we throw non-recyclable goods into the blue bin and hope for the best, the rest of the container becomes contaminated. This frequently means that the entire recycling bin will be thrown out because it is easier to do so than to sort out all of the non-recyclable materials.

Bows are frequently fashioned with a combination of plastic-coated paper, staples, and sticky glue, making them difficult to recycle. Bows are therefore unappealing to paper mills and recycling plants, notwithstanding their aesthetic appeal.

The good news is that bows can be used again and over again. If they get less sticky, simply apply a layer of Kraft Tape to the bottom, and they’ll be as good as new.

It’s better to toss your bows if they’ve been warned down or aren’t remarkable enough to save.

Whether or not you can recycle wrapping paper is determined by the paper’s composition.

If you chose a glittering, glossy, metallic, cellophane, or velvety finish, it’s best to throw it away. These types of paper aren’t recyclable because they either don’t have enough paper fibers (called impostor paper) or have a thin layer of plastic covering them.

It is possible to recycle plain wrapping paper. Scrunching your wrapping paper into a ball is a smart way to see if it passes the blue bin test. It can be recycled if it scrunches.

The recyclability of gift bags, like wrapping paper, is determined by the bag’s substance. Your gift bag can be recycled if it is entirely made of paper. The bag cannot be recycled if it is sparkling, glossy, shiny, or velvety.

But don’t throw it away! Gift bags can be used over and over again. If a name was written on the name tag, simply clip it off and throw it; the bag will be as good as new. Toss the bag if it begins to rip and is no longer salvageable.

Sorry, I’m sure you’re sick of hearing this, but it all relies on the card’s material.

Cards made of pure paper can be recycled without difficulty. Toss the card if it contains a lot of sparkles (think: glitter, metallic embossing, etc.) or is printed on glossy photo paper.

You can also choose to use digital cards.

Christmas, Gifts, Presents

 

Cardboard is one of the greatest recyclable materials since it is clean and easy to reprocess. Every ton of reclaimed cardboard saves 17 trees from being cut down to manufacture new cardboard.

The most important thing to remember is to break them down into flat pieces when it comes to boxes. Otherwise, recycling trucks take up too much room, requiring several journeys and increased fossil fuel consumption.

It’s fine if your box has tape on it! A small amount of tape does not matter. Peel some of the plastic tapes off the box to make the recycling process go more smoothly.

Christmas is a very joyful moment that we love to spend with our families, but it is important that we still keep in mind that we have to protect the environment. Let us know in the comments how do you dispose of your wrapping papers…

14
Dec, 2021

Why Fashion Brands Don’t Just Stop Overproducing?

Conversations about fashion sustainability usually center on new materials, zero-waste design, or the idea that we can consume our way out of the climate catastrophe. However, as the dialogue progresses, a growing number of individuals are wondering, “Why don’t brands just manufacture less stuff?” Over-consumption has been a problem for a long time and is usually the least addressed topic. We are going for greener fabrics, vegan leather, but not over-production issues. 

 

 While exact figures are tough to get, it is estimated that between 80 and 150 billion pieces of clothing are created and sold each year. The biggest culprit is, of course, fast fashion, and unfortunately, many of these pieces end in landfills. 

Why Fashion Brands Don’t Just Stop Overproducing?
Why Fashion Brands Don’t Just Stop Overproducing?

 

 To minimize greenhouse gas emissions, reduce clothing waste, and alleviate environmental deterioration, fashion must eliminate chronic overproduction – and, by extension, over-consumption. As flashy and amazing as all of these environmental technologies and projects are, there’s just no other way to do it. This should be by far the main concern for all fashion producers. 

 

Why does fashion overproduce?

 

Because technology has reduced the cost of fashion production and allowed consumers to shop for deals on the internet, firms strive to deliver the fastest, cheapest, and most convenient service to satisfy their customers. The only way for a fashion company to earn from this business model is to produce and sell millions of products.

 

 How Can De-Growth Be Used in the Fashion Industry?

 

 De-growth is an economic strategy that focuses on reducing consumption and production; while it is a very complex part of limiting over-production, it is reliable.  

 

It would save energy and minimize the number of materials we use, allowing us to focus our efforts on establishing a more equal and healthy society. Although it may not appear that fashion can exist inside this system, our relationship with fashion would improve if we were not subjected to the fashion industry’s pressure.

 

It is not only the role of the producers; consumers, governments, and businesses will need to work together to accomplish a significant transformation from a consumption-driven to a degrowth economy.

 

The Countries Already Pursuing DeGrowth

 

It is crucial to have government support to have a true change in these situations. Legislative action is critical to any substantial systemic change; if governments continue to provide tax benefits and subsidies to fashion firms, they will remain lucrative. More government intervention, both positive and punishing, is required.

Why Fashion Brands Don’t Just Stop Overproducing?
Why Fashion Brands Don’t Just Stop Overproducing?

 

Laws will help to ease over-production. This included tax reform to reward companies that produce clothing with a lower environmental impact. This proposed virgin plastic tax would include polyester, taxing brands a penny per garment produced to fund sorting and recycling infrastructure, and prohibiting the incineration and landfilling of unsold stock that could be reused or recycled. 

 

What Can You Do?

 

These solutions can feel abstract and out of our grasp to the common customer. It’s easier to apply it to yourself as an individual than to consider the country as a whole. You may want to start to think on a smaller scale. Think about actions that you can start within your home; for example, limit your purchase from fast-fashion producers. Then you can bring ideas to your community and grow accordingly.   

 

One thing is certain: fashion cannot continue to produce apparel at its current rate. De-growth provides a framework for moving away from our growth-driven economy. Still, its success is dependent on international cooperation, individual action, government and business accountability, and a sense of urgency. 

 

We all must work toward sustainability together to make the world greener. Share with us in the comments what are the ways to diminish overproduction… 

Green-washing Alert: What is Bamboo Fabric, and is it Sustainable?

With pollution and climate change on the rise, people are trying to be mindful of our resources. We’ve sounded the alarm too many times, and it seems that now is the time to change our destructive habits before it’s too late. Many brands have responded to the cry for help, but some unscrupulous brands are taking advantage of the situation. They merely see sustainability as a trend or a label they can plaster everywhere to increase sales. The worst part is that some of them don’t even change their production to fit into the sustainability category but just label their product as such. Let’s find out what greenwashing is and why bamboo is not sustainable in the fashion industry…

Bamboo…

bamboo trees during day
Bamboo Are A Sustainable.

Lately, we’ve been experiencing a real bamboo craze. We have toothbrushes, straws, and even cutlery made of bamboo. The reason for this new obsession is that bamboo is a very sustainable material…. but does the same applies to bamboo fabrics?

Did you know that the textile industry is one of the top five most polluting industries in the world? People are rushing to find solutions to make the fashion industry more eco-friendly and reduce its impact on the environment, but some brands take advantage of this situation to increase their profit margins.

Greenwashing…

If you’ve never heard of greenwashing, let me introduce you to the concept. Brands that claim to be sustainable, but are only partially sustainable, or not at all, engage in greenwashing. Environmental issues give our marketers ideas; terms like “green”, “eco,” or even “natural” are thrown at any product to increase sales. Do some customers believe that something that is natural is automatically sustainable, but is this really the case?

Is Bamboo Eco-friendly?

Bamboo fiber Raw Bamboo Fibre, for Textile Spinning,Yarn, Packaging Type: Loose, Rs 500 /kg | ID: 21391530997

Brands that use bamboo rely on true facts: Bamboo is the fastest growing plant, as it grows up to ninety centimeters per day, and it also removes pollutants from the soil and purifies the air. However, all manufacturers have pounced on this material, leading to great demand and the destruction of bamboo forests- not something that is sustainable in any sense of the word. 

Bamboo is one of the biggest businesses in China, worth more than $60 billion. Research has shown that bamboo is not grown or harvested ethically, defeating the whole project from the get-go.

If the harvesting is unsustainable, what of the production side of things? There are two ways of producing textiles from bamboo: bamboo rayon and closed-loop.

Bamboo rayon is not sustainable at all, and producing it resembles the way synthetic fibers are made. A lot of energy and chemicals are used in its production, and there is so little bamboo in the final product that it cannot be called sustainable.

Closed-loop is closer to the sustainable side. Ethical companies try to replace toxic chemicals with much less toxic ones. It’s not perfect, but it’s better.

Should You Buy Bamboo Fabric?

I guess you’re all waiting for a clear and direct answer, but I don’t know. I would have waited until I was sure the raw material was grown and harvested sustainably, but if you want to try it out as is, that’s fine, and I have some tips for you.

When buying, try to ask the seller about the fabric to avoid buying bamboo rayon or bamboo viscose. Pay attention to the production method and look for the closed-loop production process used to make the Lyocell bamboo fabric. Ensure there are fair trade certifications and that the bamboo producer is organic (look for FSC certification).

Sustainable production of fabric has a long way to go, so we will have to be patient. Let us know in the comments what you think of bamboo fabrics…

31
May, 2021
Climate

You Will Never Believe: Common Daily Habits That Are Killing the Environment

Many claim that it takes only three weeks for a person to form a habit. But the problem is that there are many daily human activities that are slowly, slowly destroying the environment. If you want to know what these activities are, read the article below!

 

#1. Commuting

Steering Wheel, Car, Mercedes-Benz

Buying a car and commuting to work by car is now a trend, especially since now vehicles have become surprisingly affordable. For example, there are around 273.6 million motor vehicles in the United States alone. But, what people don’t realize is that when gasoline is burned, hazardous substances are released into the atmosphere and it is the precious environment that pays the price of these fumes. And, imagine if there are at least 200 employees in a company, how many greenhouse gases are being generated when these employees are driving their cars to work.

Now, I am not asking you to walk or cycle to work every day (especially if it concerns long distances), but what you can do is to take public transport or to carpool with your colleagues.

#2. Improper Disposal of Batteries and Ink

Battery, Recycling, Energy, Batteries, Rechargeable

When your life is taken up by work, family problems and even the Covid-19 pandemic, you don’t give much, if not any, importance to the disposal of batteries and ink. But, what happens if household batteries are not disposed of properly?

Well, as household batteries have traces of mercury and some other toxic chemicals, they can affect both wildlife and aquatic life if they are released into the ecosystems.

However, did you know that ink cartridges can have a more toxic impact on the environment? When they are disposed of incorrectly, they can poison the soil they enter with chemicals and these chemicals accumulate in animals (through a process called biomagnification). And, of course, when these substances are passed through the food chain, they can also end up causing harm to human beings.

#3. Throwing Food as Waste

Why farmers are throwing away food amid rising demand for food

In some countries, such as China, Russia, Thailand and the Philippines, it is a formal and cultural courtesy not to eat everything on your plate. Instead, if you empty your plate completely during a meal, it would mean that you are still hungry and were not given enough food. However, throwing food is not recommended at all. And no, I am not saying that only because there are many unfortunate people who cannot have access to this basic necessity (even though that’s entirely true).

Throwing food is not a good idea because many forests are cleared and emissions are produced in the process of cultivation, transportation, and processing.

In addition, if waste food is not disposed of properly, it can increase organic matter in waterways and other aquatic environments and thus stimulate algae growth.

#4.Boiling Water With Electrical Appliances

File:Water boiler.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

Do you often boil water in the kitchen for your morning cup of coffee or use electric heating for hot showers? If so, let me tell you that these are extremely inefficient. Why? Well, the amount of energy required to boil water with electricity makes it one of makes it one of the most costly methods as compared to gas. And, since most of the electricity is produced by coal and diesel engines, using a boiler or a simple coffee maker can have a big toll on the environment.

#5. Washing One’s Face

15 Easy Rules for Washing Your Face the Right Way

Ok, let’s get this straight: I am neither blaming you for washing your face nor am I asking you not to wash it at all.

According to researchers, face washes that most people tend to use consist mainly of plastic exfoliating micro-beads, which pose as a serious environmental problem. These beads are dangerous to the marine life as they are not usually filtered during sewage treatment as they are too small. But once they are released into water bodies, they are swallowed by aquatic animals and as a result, these swallowed beads can poison their organs and damage their gills.

Do you know some other activities that can affect the environment? If yes, please share them with us in the comment section below!

 

 

1
Apr, 2021

How Do I Teach My Friends About Sustainable Living?

“Go green, go green!” Just by repeating and repeating this motto to your friends is not enough to spread and make them understand the message of sustainable living. And, remember your friends are not like your parents or teachers, so nothing is stopping you from having some fun while teaching them about going green!

  1. Use Instagram

Instagram, App, Apple, Smartphone, Details

Did you know that, according to the Instagram statistics for 2021, there are approximately 1.074 billion Instagram users around the world? So, why not use Instagram to spread the message about sustainability?

I believe that the social media platforms can be used to promote our environment. For instance, you could start an Instagram account about eco-sustainability and invite all your friends to follow. You can then post eco-friendly practices and knowledge that inspire them and encourage them to start composting or using all-natural and green products.

Now, you don’t have to limit yourself to your friends only. You can also go beyond and encourage relatives or even complete strangers to be more eco-friendly.

  1. Create a Zoom Book Club

Coffee, Book, Flowers, Setting, Romantic, Rustic

During the pandemic, it is indeed true that Zoom was a huge help to many business, organizations and even educational institutions. Unless you are a kid and did not like fact that you had to see your teacher’s face even during the lockdown, many of us appreciate Zoom’s efficiency as a video conferencing software program.

But did you also know that you can start an online book club through Zoom? And, let me tell you that virtual book clubs can be really rewarding. Besides, you can even connect with friends who don’t live in your city.

So, if you want to get your green message out, why not start a book club on Zoom dedicated to sustainable living. It would be an excellent way to socialize at a distance with your friends and at the same time learn more about your environment. There will be an abundance of good books to read on the topic and in an online book club, you will also be able to help your friends to find new books, opening them up to new authors and new experiences. In addition, you can also engage in chats about sustainability as long as you like and due to the online natures of these types of book clubs, you will be able to use tools and technology to track and chart your reading.

  1. Start a Community Garden

Earth, Scion, Leaf, Sustainability, Nature, Plants

Another great way to teach your friends about sustainable living: create a community garden!

Now, what is a community garden? It refers to a piece of land that is garden by a group of people. A community garden contributes to a cleaner environment and can also create social ties and a sense of community spirit. In this case, it will not help you to accomplish your objective but will also bring you closer to your friends.

So, get started by either choosing a barren patch of earth in your neighborhood or a container garden in the common area of an apartment building and ask your friends to give you a hand.

  1. Challenge Friends to Sign up for Community Clean-Ups

Gardening, Wheelbarrows, Blade, Trash, Garden, Tool

Having friends are all about fun and doing crazy stuff together. One way to have fun and still teach your friends about sustainability is by challenging them to sign up for community clean-ups.

For all those who don’t know, community clean-ups are when volunteers come together to clean, repair and improve public spaces that have been polluted and misused. Moreover, by helping the environment, you will also have some outdoor fun. And, if you want to, you can take some pictures or videos of your friends picking up trash, planting or delivering water to other volunteers.

  1. Organize a Joint Garage Sale

Garage Sale In Monroe | Despite the rain, this Monroe garage… | Flickr

Why do you think it’s good to organize a joint garage sale and invite your friends to add their unwanted stuff to the inventory? Because it will be an excellent way to keep stuff out the landfill. And, let’s not forget that in the process, you can also make a little pocket money. It will also help to free up space in your home.

Will you use these tips to raise awareness? Please share your comments!

 

 

2
Mar, 2021

The Rio Declaration – Part 3

Adopted during the 20th century, the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development is a document that emphasises the relationships of the different states and their roles and responsibilities in protecting and improving economic development and the environment. In the second article, we were able to take a look at the first fifteen principles laid out in the Rio declaration and today, we shall learn about the twelve remaining ones.

Writing, Pen, Man, Ink, Paper, Pencils, Hands

Principle 16

National authorities should endeavour to promote the internalisation of environmental costs and the use of economic instruments, taking into account the approach that the polluter should, in principle, bear the cost of pollution, with due regard to the public interest and without distorting international trade and investment.

Principle 17

Environmental impact assessment, as a national instrument, shall be undertaken for proposed activities that are likely to have a significant adverse impact on the environment and are subject to a decision of a competent national authority.

Principle 18

States shall immediately notify other States of any natural disasters or other emergencies that are likely to produce sudden harmful effects on the environment of those States. Every effort shall be made by the international community to help States so afflicted.

Principle 19

States shall provide prior and timely notification and relevant information to potentially affected States on activities that may have a significant adverse transboundary environmental effect and shall consult with those States at an early stage and in good faith.

Principle 20

Women have a vital role in environmental management and development. Their full participation is therefore essential to achieve sustainable development.

Principle 21

The creativity, ideals and courage of the youth of the world should be mobilised to forge a global partnership In order to achieve sustainable development and ensure a better future for all.

Principle 22

Indigenous people and their communities, and other local communities, have a vital role in environmental management and development because of their knowledge and traditional practices. States should recognise and duly support their identity, culture and interests and enable their effective participation in the achievement of sustainable development.

Principle 23

The environment and natural resources of people under oppression, domination and occupation shall be protected.

Principle 24

Warfare is inherently destructive of sustainable development. States shall therefore respect international law providing protection for the environment in times of armed conflict and cooperate in its further development, as necessary.

Principle 25

Peace, development and environmental protection are interdependent and indivisible.

Principle 26

States shall resolve all their environmental disputes peacefully and by appropriate means in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations.

Principle 27

States and people shall cooperate in good faith and in a spirit of partnership in the fulfillment of the principles embodied in this Declaration and in the further development of international law in the field of sustainable development.

Now, that you know all of the 27 principles, do you think that the Rio Declaration was able to meet the expectations of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development?

However, who remembers what was the purpose of The Earth Summit? So, for all those Ghajinis out there, below you will find an extract to remind you on what we discussed in the first article:

The following issues were addressed during the Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit:

• To unite the member states to cooperate together internationally and address urgent problems of environmental protection and socio-economic development

• A systematic analysis of certain production patterns such as the production of toxic components like lead in gasoline or poisonous waste includes radioactive chemicals.

• Find alternative sources of energy to replace the use of fossil fuels.

• A change in the public transportation systems to reduce vehicle emissions, traffic congestion in cities and the health conditions caused by pollutants and dirt particles.

• The rise in water consumption and its insufficient supply.

So, what is your point of view on the Rio Declaration? Please share your comments!

1
Mar, 2021

The Rio Declaration – Part 2

In the first article, we discussed the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development and the objectives behind the conference. We also briefly touched on the Rio Declaration. Today, let’s take a closer look at the first fifteen principles of the declaration.

Principle 1

Human beings are at the centre of concerns for sustainable development. They are entitled to a healthy and productive life in harmony with nature.

Principle 2

States have, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and the principles 13 of international law, the sovereign right to exploit their own resources pursuant to their own environmental and developmental policies, and the responsibility to ensure that activities within their jurisdiction or control do not cause damage to the environment of other States or of areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction.

Principle 3

The right to development must be fulfilled so as to equitable meet developmental and environmental needs of present and future generations.

Principle 4

In order to achieve sustainable development, environmental protection shall constitute an integral part of the development process and cannot be considered in isolation from it.

Principle 5

All States and all people shall cooperate in the essential task of eradicating poverty as an indispensable requirement for sustainable development, in order to decrease the disparities in standards of living and better meet the needs of the majority of the people of the world.

Principle 6

The special situation and needs of developing countries, particularly the least developed and those most environmentally vulnerable, shall be given special priority. International actions in the field of environment and development should also address the interests and needs of all countries.

Principle 7

States shall cooperate in a spirit of global partnership to conserve, protect and restore the health and integrity of the earth’s ecosystem. In view of the different contributions to global environmental degradation, States have common but differentiated responsibilities. The developed countries acknowledge the responsibility that they bear in the international pursuit of sustainable development in view of the pressures their societies place on the global environment and of the technologies and financial resources they command.

Principle 8

To achieve sustainable development and a higher quality of life for all people, States should reduce and eliminate unsustainable patterns of production and consumption and promote appropriate demographic policies.

Principle 9

States should cooperate to strengthen endogenous capacity-building for sustainable development by improving scientific understanding through exchanges of scientific and technological knowledge, and by enhancing the development, adaptation, diffusion and transfer of technologies, including new and innovative technologies.

Principle 10

Environmental issues are best handled with the participation of all concerned citizens, at the relevant level. At the national level, each individual shall have appropriate access to information concerning the environment that is held by public authorities, including information on hazardous materials and activities in their communities, and the opportunity to participate in decision-making processes. States shall facilitate and encourage public awareness and participation by making information widely available. Effective access to judicial and administrative proceedings, including redress and remedy, shall be provided.

Principle 11

States shall enact effective environmental legislation. Environmental standards, management objectives and priorities should reflect the environmental and developmental context to which they apply. Standards applied by some countries may be inappropriate and of unwarranted economic and social cost to other countries, in particular developing countries.

Principle 12

States should cooperate to promote a supportive and open international economic system that would lead to economic growth and sustainable development in all countries, to better address the problems of environmental degradation. Trade policy measures for environmental purposes should not constitute a means of arbitrary or unjustifiable discrimination or a disguised restriction on international trade. Unilateral actions to deal with environmental challenges outside the jurisdiction of the importing country should be avoided. Environmental measures addressing transboundary or global environmental problems should, as far as possible, be based on an international consensus.

Principle 13

States shall develop national law regarding liability and compensation for the victims of pollution and other environmental damage. States shall also cooperate in an expeditious and more determined manner to develop further international law regarding liability and compensation for adverse effects of environmental damage caused by activities within their jurisdiction or control to areas beyond their jurisdiction.

Principle 14

States should effectively cooperate to discourage or prevent the relocation and transfer to other States of any activities and substances that cause severe environmental degradation or are found to be harmful to human health.

Principle 15

In order to protect the environment, the precautionary approach shall be widely applied by States according to their capabilities. Where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degradation.

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