#2020Q6

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Why people are boycotting eating turkey for thanksgiving

After the American Civil War, the United Sates have made Thanksgiving a national holiday to commemorate “the first Thanksgiving” where the Pilgrims and the Natives shared a meal as a sign of “peace” (the Pilgrims killed the Natives after the dinner) to show gratitude for the upcoming fall and the blossoming of its crops. There is no historical evidence that points out that turkey was served at the dinner table, it is more likely they shared deer and/or duck. It wasn’t until the end of the civil war that the holiday became nationalized as a sign of national union—and turkey started to be served. There are various theories on why turkey began to play its central role in the festivities, but the main and most reliable theory is based on the fact that by autumn, farm animals such as chicken and cows are still productive, laying down eggs and producing milk. Whilst turkeys do not have any other “productive” or consuming function other than live and then die to get eaten.

Due to the tradition, in the 20th century the wild turkey started te become extinct, this made the food industry develop new reproductive and feeding systems that would multiply turkeys and make them larger and cheaper. This outbreak allowed the vegetarians and scientific community to take a step forward and speak out for the rights of turkeys.

"Humans seem to take a perverse pleasure in attributing stupidity to animals when it is almost entirely a question of human ignorance." -Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson

Here is a list with facts about the life of a turkey:

The nervous system of a turkey is very similar to that of mammals. They suffer physical pain and human emotions such as fear, anxiety, frustration, boredom, pleasure, and enjoyment.

Turkeys hold complex social relationships where they can communicate through visual and vocal means.

Turkeys have been observed to display an overwhelming amount of concern and emotion for an injured or dying bird. When a factory-farmed turkey has a convulsive heart attack, it can cause other birds around it to die, arguing the strong sensibility in these birds.

Veterans and autistic people have used turkeys as emotional support pets since their senses can detect when they are experiencing anxiety or when an attack mig

ht occur.

Turkeys have a “happy dance” where they show excitement and joy by the display of ducking and dodging, with wings outstretched and a frisky shake of the head.

Turkeys need each other, whenever a turkey is removed from its group, the turkeys squawk in protest until they are reunited.

These birds mourn the death of a flock member and can anticipate the pain of others.

The production line of factory-farmed turkeys produce more than one bird per second, causing a harmful and oppressing work environment for the factory workers where they cannot move from their assigned position. These workers are usually immigrants with minimum wage salary.

45 million years of evolution separate turkeys from chickens.

Turkeys can run at speeds of up to 25 miles per hour and fly as fast as 55 miles per hour.

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A Green Guide: 5 Ideas to Have More Sustainable Holidays this Year

December has officially started, and the holidays are fast approaching. Although the holiday season creates a certain amount of anxiety when it comes to creating the perfect meal, decor, and finding gifts for all of our loved ones, there are ways to make more sustainable choices. Here are some ways and alternatives to be more eco-responsible these holidays.

Make your own wrapping paper

The most sustainable way to make your own wrapping paper is to repurpose what you already have. This could include reusing gift bags, or gift tags, as well as using old paper bags to wrap your gifts.  Another sustainable alternative is using wax wraps for your gifts. For a quick fix that certainly will make your gifts look extra special is using fabric sacs or making your own ribbons and bows from fabric or materials you already own. An example could be wrapping in the Furoshiki style, a Japanese way of wrapping, like origami but with cloth (here is a video that gives you a tutorial).

Make your own Christmas Decorations

There are so many different Christmas decorations that we can make for our home to feel cozy and welcoming for our loved ones. There are various DIYs on Pinterest on how to make your own ornaments using Oranges by simply drying up orange slices. Another easy ornament to make is with a cinnamon stick

Gift sensibly

The first step to do this is cutting down the number of materialistic items one buys. There are many other possibilities, such as experiences, even virtual ones, for instance, a cooking class. Another idea is making a gift yourself, for example, making a cookie mix jar or sack. Prepare the mix yourself with all the ingredients and put it in a jar or a sack, anything you can find at home. Another one could be making your relatives your own personalized coasters. Lastly, if you do intend on gifting something new, the second step to gifting sensibly these holidays is buying responsibly, supporting local and ethical businesses that you wish to see more of! 

Prepare a Plant-based Meal

Take charge this year. If you are not usually running the show when it comes to Christmas dinner, ask to do so this year. Introduce your family to easy plant-based foods they can recreate at home and show them the value of eating plants for our earth.

Buy a Real Tree

Instead of buying an artificial tree, that will lead to waste and you are not going to keep it for the next decade, do not buy it. Buy a real tree, this will have less impact on the planet. Nonetheless, there is a catch. Do your research. Make sure it is responsibly sourced and the best way to dispose of it after!

Here are three ways of disposing of your Christmas tree soundly: 

Most cities have an urban recycling program.

Chip your Christmas tree and turn it into mulch, this way carbon can return to the soil. 

In rural areas, sometimes public works departments can take your tree and turn it into wood chips for gardens and parks.

There are many more ideas out there as to how we can make more responsible and eco-friendly choices during the holidays, this is a short-list to get you started. Always do your own research, and educate yourself in ways to support and live a more ethical lifestyle. Happy holidays!

Sources:

Wood, Charlie. “The Most Environmentally-Friendly Ways to Get Rid of Your Christmas Tree.” Popular Science, www.popsci.com/environmentally-friendly-christmas-tree-disposal/.

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Lewis Pugh Swims for Climate Change

Lewis Pugh is a British-South African endurance swimmer and ocean advocate for the United Nations Environment Programme. Pugh was the first person to ever complete a long-distance swim in all oceans, including memorable landmarks formed by ice melts. As an athlete in constant contact with marine life, he highlights the importance of keeping our oceans clean and the overwhelming melting of the Himalayan glaciers that could impact global water supply and therefore international peace. 

As a sign of environmental activism and protest, Lewis has been engaging in high endurance swims to raise awareness of the effects of global warming. Pugh became the first person to ever swim under the Antarctic Ice to demonstrate the rapid changes made by climate change. The swim took place in the freezing waters (0°C) of a supra-glacial lake caused by the rising temperatures, where he was only wearing a speedo, a cap, and goggles.Throughout the trajectory, he found several areas of melted ice, where he could resurface, in only a 10 minute swim.

Lewis Pugh describes this act of protest as the most frightening swimming experience of  his life. He faced the threat of the lake suddenly emptying due to a crack in the ice sheet caused by the now "unstable" nature of the glaciers 

"The swim was the accumulation of 33 years of training to swim 10 minutes and 17 seconds down that river. I swam here today as we are in a climate emergency. We need immediate action from all nations to protect our planet." -Lewis Pugh.

The main action Pugh is calling for is for the formation of more  Marine Protected Areas (MPA)  in the Southern Ocean, mainly in Asia. By creating MPAs fishing would be restricted, this helps marine biodiversity bounce back. . Pugh also hopes that his action will urge the United Nations to take the necessary steps and mitigate climate change. 

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Black Friday’s Hyper Consumerism is Harmful to Our Planet

Black Friday, the day of the year where our capitalist society generates hyper-consumerism at its best. Often regarded as the antithesis of sustainable living for many, Black Friday has gained notoriety for its jaw-dropping promotions and sales in the retail industry. According to the World Bank, we now consume 80 billion pieces of clothing each year globally, and as we easily acquire a new piece of clothing, we just as easily discard it. The fashion industry is responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions, which is more than all international flights and maritime shipping together. Needless to say, our throw-away fashion culture comes with detrimental environmental, societal, and human cost.

Black Friday, is known for often causing mass stampedes, fights, or online queues that tend to make for funny memes and viral videos. Nonetheless, it portrays the reality of hyper-consumerism in our society and actually, exposes corporations 'real’ sustainability efforts. Nonetheless, with the recent climate change protests and environmental awareness being spread, popular opinion on the event is starting to change. Not only in terms of customers but also in regard to corporations, with many deciding not to partake in the sales. This collective, conscious, and responsible effort in reducing our carbon footprint in the fashion industry is one of the first steps necessary to increase awareness of ethical consumption. 

A prime example of a company that uses Black Friday for good is Patagonia. They created an ad in 2011 that read “Don’t Buy This Jacket” as well as in 2016, it donated 100% of proceeds from its global retail and online Black Friday sales to nonprofits working to protect our environment.

Then, what are some ways to be sustainable during this Black Friday?

You can support local and ethical businesses.

You can merely buy less and smarter, better pieces that you will not discard with facility.

You can choose not to partake in Black Friday at all, and choose new ways to have new clothing by renting, borrowing, and/or thrifting!

The main issue at hand is the urgent need for the fast-fashion industry to reinvent itself, as its current operating model is exacerbating climate change. Now, fashion retailers no longer create collections based on seasons rather on replacing clothing inventories more frequently by increasing the pace of design and production, some creating up to 20 collections a year such as Zara. Nonetheless, this hyper consumer behavior does not only take place on Black Friday, after Black Friday comes Cyber Monday, and subsequently, come the holiday sales. This behavior continues to be encouraged by big companies, and the need to spend becomes ceaseless. Unless consumers push to change this behavior and demand decreases, supply is bound to be affected. Partaking in boycotting corporations such as Amazon and participating in other movements such as the surge of Green Friday. So I implore to ask yourselves, are you willing to let the earth pay the hefty cost?

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The Irony of Air Conditioners

It's summer, rising temperatures are bringing heat waves that affect both our mental and physical healths, thus we cannot wait to go inside our homes, a store, a restaurant, or a car to turn the AC on and relieve our heatstroke. While we relax in the cooling air of a hot summer, we start to contemplate how the climate crisis is affecting the world, our days, and biodiversity. The irony? Our air conditioning addiction is cooling our bodies yet warming the planet. The history of ACs

Freon or Chlorofluorocarbons were first introduced in the 1930s as the chemical used in air conditioners, fridges, and freezers. This invention was a great household success, although, in 1987, the production of these chemicals was globally banned due to its ozone-depleting effect. 

Every October in Antarctica, new holes in the ozone layer were discovered and directly correlated to Freon; this made freon producers switch to HCFCs, which were supposedly non-ozone-depleting.

What are HCFCs? 

HCFC is a chemical compound made up of carbon, hydrogen, chlorine, and fluorine, produced as a volatile derivative of methane, ethane, and propane. Sadly, its components caused hundreds to thousands of times more global warming effects than carbon dioxide. HCFC is found in mainstream household air conditioners and in cars’ ACs. Even if HCFC producers allegate that the compound isn’t released during active use, in the span of 15 years compounds of Freon are released from the AC if it’s not well maintained. 

Waste impact:

Apart from the toxic component of air conditioners, AC vents require yearly maintenance. It can be costly, so many households throw away the AC vents in the streets of cities in exchange for new ones, creating a vicious waste cycle and releasing toxic chemicals into the air. The U.S. alone throws out a staggering six million window air conditioners each year.  “If your old AC unit ends up in a landfill still with the refrigerants inside, HCFC could leak out into the atmosphere and destroy the ozone layer. Meanwhile, the refrigerant can also emit greenhouse gases that are well-known to contribute to climate change.” -Jackie Thompson, Waste Advantage Magazine. 

How to properly get rid of your AC windows:

Donate your old AC window to some community that needs it 

Find a local organization that can use parts of the AC, such as the motors, coils, and copper tubbing for replacements of other mechanical devices. 

Give your AC vent to an air conditioning company, they will know how to make use of the working parts and how to properly dispose of them. 

Energy is a Social Issue 

We realize that air conditioning is a necessity in many parts of the world due to the rising temperatures. But we find it ironic that we are looking for a cool-down effect that only produces a warm-up impact on the atmosphere. Heatwaves are a social issue. People suffering from extremely high temperatures find themselves saving up for their energy bills due to the high cost of AC. Some populations live in remote desert areas lacking trees and parks. 

Solutions: 

Eric Dean, the author of "After Cooling: on Freon, Global Warming, and the Terrible Cost of Comfort," mentions that a possible solution to balance out extreme temperatures is "The need for things like community solar, or community-controlled energy, rather than having a monopoly company that controls it." This way, AC is powered by renewable energy; thus, its carbon footprint reduces its impact. 

We believe that cooling off is necessary for hot places, but that does not mean that air conditioning is the solution. Sustainable architecture explores how to use termite mounds, beehives, and better building materials that don't absorb heat to keep a household fresh and cool. 

Let us know how you cool off without harming the environment! 

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633 Divers Break the Record for biggest marine cleanup

Plastic consumption forms part of the daily routine of an average human being. Supermarkets are filled with plastic packaging, making it inevitable for consumers to buy food and necessities wrapped in single-use-plastics. Some households try to recycle their plastics, even though only 9% of all plastic has been recycled. It is estimated that 79% of all plastics ever produced are sitting in landfills, nature, and the ocean. 

A recent study found that there are around 150 million plastics currently floating in the ocean. This fact incentivized the Dixie Divers and Deerfield Beach Women's Club to create an annual marine cleanup in Florida. 

This year's beach cleanup broke the Guinness World Record of the most extensive beach cleanup, summing up 633 divers that collected a total of 725 kilos of trash and 27 kilos of fishing nets. 

Such an event makes us reflect on our consumption habits, and the role plastic has on our lives and the environment. If we realize the immense amount of needless waste that the packaging industry and supermarkets generate, we notice it’s time for real change. And what do big corps care the most about? Their revenues...

So here's a list of ways that you can avoid plastic production and consumption:

Shop at your local, small grocers/zero-waste store and bring your own bags.

Ditch take out food; they usually bring your food in plastic containers that will rot in a landfill. Go to the restaurant or cook something for yourself! 

Replace clingfilm with beeswax wraps. 

Buy in bulk stores everything you need in your kitchen. 

Make your own snacks; this way, you will stop buying packaged food.  

Go to the nearest supermarket and incite plastic attacks! If fruits come in plastic wrap, leave them at the cashier with a note inciting change! You can also do this with anything that comes in plastic packaging. 

Make people around you conscious of their consumption habits by stating the facts mentioned in this article! 

Sign a petition to ban single-use plastics. Here is one.

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Food waste turned into home furnishings

“1.3 billion tonnes of food (or 1/3 of food produced) for human consumption is lost or wasted globally per year. 800 million tons of garden waste are generated in the cities annually. So, rather than damaging and destroying our one and only nature, why not up-cycle our natural resources?”

Turkish design studio Ottan has created a novel material, one that upcycles fruit peels, nut shells, fallen leaves, or coffee and turns it into home furnishings.

How does it work?

Founder Ayse Yılmaz came up with the idea when watching colourful autumn leaves fall. Ottan Studio was set up with the mission “to show that we can create anything from nature without consuming it.” Her team of 5 then delved deep into R&D and created a process whereby upcycled organic waste would be cleaned, dried, and grinded, and then mixed with sustainable resins. Lastly, they are injected into moulds. The end material can be widely applied and the studio designs “minimal yet multi-purpose” furnishings with it.  

What do they make with it?

The company is creating containers, lamps, table tops, wall treatments, automobile interiors, coffee machines or fridge doors…Offering a vast palette of colours, all derived from nature without the need of colourants. The potential is endless. Partnering with local municipalities and companies they are keeping vast amounts of food from reaching landfills.

“We don’t dig the mountains, destroy the forests and spend excessive energy to process the raw materials. We use 100% locally-sourced waste and materials. Imagine fallen leaves on the streets…By using those leaves or pruned branches, we can save a 50-year-old tree that would otherwise be cut down to create the new product.”—Ayşe Yılmaz, Ottan founder

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welcome the world's first carbon-negative burger: the kelp burger

Food Startup Akua initially entered the market with a kelp jerky. Today, its announced the release of the first kelp-based burger.

We’ve now seen bleeding burgers, cultured meat burgers, and 3-D printed chicken. Nothing can surprise us.

Kelp is one of the most sustainable plants in the world. Not only, does it require absolutely no resources (land, water or fertilizers) but its also an important carbon storer—Akua terms it “zero'-input” food. All in all, kelp has a negative carbon fooprint. In fact, the company’s kelp jerky is already carbon negative, Akua estimates that by its fifth year in business it will have sequestered one million pounds of carbon.

The kelp burgers does use other ingredients, such as beas, mushrooms, quinoa and tomatoes—making it both a nutritious and delicious alternative. Interestingly, it’ the kelp itself that gives the pattie the meaty taste and texture. However, in comparison to other fake meats, the kelp burgers uses a minimal amount of land ingredients—significantly reducing its carbon footprint.

“ An umami bomb taste, and it’s really satiating in the way that meat is. I think that the kelp burger is going to have a special place in the market in between a fake meat burger and your boring old veggie burger.”—Courtney Boyd Meyers

Seaweed is the protein and resource of the future—a powerful carbon storer and material it has incredible potential to disrupt various sectors. The future is both delicious and green! We can’t wait.

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Fortalece tu sistema inmunológico

La contaminación del aire es responsable de la muerte de 7 millones de personas al año. Estudios realizados por la organización mundial de la salud (OMS) muestran que 9 de cada 10 personas respiran aire que contiene elevados niveles de sustancias tóxicas. Así, la contaminación del aire supone una amenaza para el medio ambiente y nuestra salud; resultando en enfermedades cardíacas, infecciones respiratorias agudas, y cáncer de pulmón entre otras.

La contaminación del aire está causada por la quema de combustibles fósiles como el carbón, el petróleo y el gas, siendo éste uno de los problemas medioambientales más peligrosos. Entre las principales causas podemos encontrar contaminación del aire interior en nuestras casas, la quema de carbón y petróleo en las fábricas, los combustibles fósiles procedentes de la energía de los medios de transporte o la quema de residuos agrícolas.

Ya que además los niveles de contaminación han aumentado considerablemente en la última década, estudios recomiendan llevar una dieta rica en nutrientes y antioxidantes. Para reducir los efectos contaminantes del aire y mantener nuestros pulmones sanos, es importante que cuidemos nuestra salud ingiriendo los nutrientes necesarios para combatir sus efectos. Los antioxidantes que protegen nuestros pulmones luchan contra sustancias contaminantes hasta que éstos atacan células inmunes del cuerpo y causan inflamación. ¿Sabías que los antioxidantes de los alimentos que consumes protegen tu cuerpo contra los efectos de los mismos? 

Aquí una pequeña lista con nutrientes y alimentos que puedes incluir en tu dieta para combatir los efectos de la contaminación del aire: 

Vitamina C: Es el antioxidante más potente para nuestro cuerpo y es crucial para mantener sanos los pulmones y proteger al cuerpo contra enfermedades. Para incluirla en nuestra dieta podemos consumir alimentos como: 

Frutas cítricas: naranjas, limones, pomelos, kiwis, fresas o melón

Verduras: brócoli, pimientos rojos, col, calabaza, kale o tomates 

Vitamina E: Es la encargada de defender los tejidos humanos contra lesiones. En nuestra dieta suele encontrarse en aceites, sin embargo también se encuentra en:

Almendras y semillas de girasol 

Pescados; como el salmón 

Especias y hierbas; como el pimentón, orégano, albahaca y perejil 

Betacaroteno: Es un pigmento vegetal que se encuentra en frutas, verduras, cereales y aceites. Además actúa como antioxidante y produce vitamina A para la salud de nuestra piel. Lo encontramos en: 

Cilantro y hortalizas de hoja; como el amaranto 

También son buenas fuentes la lechuga, espinacas, espárragos y zanahorias.

Ácidos grasos Omega-3: Son los que ayudan al cuerpo a mantener el corazón sano y proteger el perfil lipídico. Nuestro cuerpo necesita estas grasas para fortalecer las neuronas entre otras. 

Pescados azules más pequeños como las sardinas, anchoas o la caballa 

Algas; como el kelp 

Frutos secos; como las nueces o semillas de chia

Medicina ayurveda, Hierbas y especias: 

La cúrcuma ayuda a proteger los pulmones de los efectos contaminantes 

El jengibre, nuez moscada, la menta y la pimienta negra también son útiles para aliviar dolores respiratorios. 

Además de una dieta equilibrada, es muy importante hacer ejercicio físico y moverse por lo menos 30 minutos todos los días. Éstos te ayudarán a mantener un mejor estado de salud y más fuerte para combatir los efectos negativos que la contaminación del aire tiene sobre el organismo. En los tiempos en los que vivimos y teniendo el COVID-19 presente, es esencial que prestemos atención a nuestro sistema y cuidemos tanto nuestra salud física como mental. ¡Así que anímate! Haz una lista de la compra con los alimentos que más te hayan gustado para cuidar tu salud.

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Energía sostenible en hogares españoles: OVO

Ovo Energy Ltd, el segundo mayor proveedor de energía del Reino Unido, también es ahora proveedor en España, y Francia. Ovo se ha asociado con una subsidiaria de Royal Dutch Shell Plc para ofrecer placas solares y baterías a los hogares de España. 

Con este acuerdo, los proveedores de energía, ofrecen sistemas completos que convierten los hogares en centrales eléctricas virtuales. Ovo entró en el mercado español el año pasado y se espera que para 2025, la instalación de energía solar residencial en España alcance un millón de tejados. Así, un 74% de la energía será renovable y contribuirá al objetivo de generación de energías renovables de la ONU para el 2030. 

Aunque la red de España posee energía solar desde hace unos 10 años, con la bajada del coste del mismo, se espera ver un aumento en las próximas instalaciones. Además, esta red permite vender el exceso de energía de hogares a sus vecinos a través de una red de distribución. Los que se adhieran a este plan, podrán utilizar la energía solar para almacenarla y venderla de nuevo en caso de excesiva demanda. Sonnen, el mayor fabricante mundial de baterías, se encargará de instalar estos sistemas en los hogares con la compañía española Webatt Energy. 

Por ahora, el plan de OVO estará disponible en Cataluña, Madrid, Valencia y Andalucía. Veremos si otras regiones deciden apostar por esta oferta y que estas soluciones permitan un ahorro a largo plazo 

"Se puede ver como un producto de inversión donde el usuario final puede ahorrar, pero estará obteniendo un retorno de esa inversión a largo plazo". -Ferenczi 

Debemos reducir el impacto medioambiental. La crisis climática es ahora nuestro mayor reto, y por ello debemos hacer cambios y plantearnos nuevos sistemas energéticos para reducir la huella de carbono. En Ovo Energy apuestan por la electricidad verde, más honesta y más barata. Desde el 2009, Ovo lucha por la transformación del sector de la energía apostando por un futuro mejor. 

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Here a list of 100 ways we could fix our world for a healthier and greener future

you could save the world by:

approving ecocide as an international crime against humanity in the Rome Statute

handing subsidies to regenerative farms and organic products

promoting a circular economy

cutting subsidies to dairy farms

implementing a meat tax

reducing food waste through composting

making supermarkets donate their food waste to food banks

investing in hemp

making corporations pay for unacceptable overuse of freshwater sources

boycotting Amazon.com and opting for smaller retailers instead

implementing a carbon tax

subsidizing renewable energy

becoming a minimalist

going zero-waste

making cities greener by cutting cars and planting trees

encouraging foraging in cities

creating green roofs

dealing with faulty tube systems to avoid freshwater leaks

applying dynamic glass to buildings

eating plantbased

joining a Fridays for Future protest or Extinction Rebellion

offsetting your carbon-footprint

donating to ISA—Instituto Socio Ambiental, to protect the Amazon Rainforest

investing in CCU and CCS technologies

buying clothes from vintage & second-hand shops only

voting for candidates with a long-term view of the future and with strong climate targets

eating less fish or shark

increasing bicycle lanes in cities

improving railway lines

protecting existing forests and rainforests

harnessing ocean power for electricity

using a guppyfriend bag that traps microplastics

avoiding products with toxic chemicals

changing to a bank that does not finance petrol companies

using ocean savers to clean your home

encouraging your city to become a “15-minute city”

taxing companies that pollute the oceans through pesticide use

taxing pesticide companies like Monsanto

subsidizing biopesticide companies

learning how to live according to permaculture principles

conserving tropical peatlands and mangroves as they are huge carbon storers

promoting healthy soils

rewilding forests and lands

improving biodiversity conservation

boycotting palm oil

calling out greenwashers

making shark-derived squalene illegal

helping fishermen transition to diving operators

increasing marine protected areas

investing in cultured meat/fish

learning from indigenous practices to coexist with nature

protecting 30% of the oceans by 2030

updating the legal framework for International Seas

reusing old jars for storing food

using a menstrual cup instead of tampons

investing in vertical farming

purchasing from upcycled clothing brands

making tap water more accessible through drinking stations eg. like eau de Paris

forcing companies that produce a lot of plastic to pay for their own waste disposal eg. recycling or cleaning up the oceans

listening to environmental podcasts

meditating

spending quality time in nature

investing in bio-contributing packaging made from mushrooms

understanding the magical and healing powers of mushrooms in uniting humans to mother Earth

holding corporations accountable for their greenhouse gas emissions, whilst incentivizing green companies through loans and tax cuts

aligning your business with your values

building with green materials and innovative solutions: Carbon Architecture

installing a nebia shower in your home

teaching environmental studies in schools

expanding the green school concept

donating to agroforestry projects

buying from brands that have certifications eg. fair trade, GOTS

building e-highways

banning deep-sea mining

purchasing upcycled and eco-friendly furniture

buying from companies that sell “ugly” fruits & vegetables

banning naval sonar that makes whales killl themselves

subsidizing technology that could improve aviation

increasing a country’s NBS (Nature Based Solutions) to reach climate neutrality

Joining the Resistance

avoiding products with fishy supply chains eg. canned tuna

investing in insect farming for feed

banning microplastics in products eg. in toothpaste

using loose leaf tea only

avoiding single-use plastics

using a bidet instead of toilet paper

investing in agtech startups

purchasing refurbished tech instead

reselling your clothes online

buying less stuff

signing the petition to withdraw the CAP

encouraging big investors to drop Brazilian meat companies that are not transparent

sleeping outside every now and then

investing in waste to energy facilities outside of cities

increasing communal gardens and composts in cities

promoting a system of values based on cooperation and sustainability rather than on greed and constant growth

investing in ice911—the technology that could save the Arctic

realising that 100 corporations are responsible for 71% of greenhouse gas emissions

investing in innovative projects that can radically change our system

taking a permaculture design course at Ecoversity

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"The planet is broken." UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urges countries to actually commit to lowering CO2 emissions

The year 2020 brought a pandemic, social turmoil, and climate catastrophes— rightly concerning people about humanity's future. This Wednesday, the UN, alongside the World Meteorological Organization, released a report on the state 2020's climate. Here is a list of the shortcomings of this eventful year taken from the report

2020 is the third warmest year recorded in history. 

The pandemic’s origin is zoonotic, a result of the destruction of habitats and biodiversity. 

The world has already warmed 1.2 degrees Celsius since pre-industrial times. 

There has been heavy rain and floods in peripheral nations in Asia and Africa, raising global environmental inequalities.

The Arctic recorded a temperature of 100.4 F / 37Cdegrees this June.

2020hosted 30 storms in the Atlantic Ocean.

Although there has been a decrease in carbon dioxide emissions caused by the lockdown, the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has increased. 

Emissions are 62% higher now than when international climate negotiations began in 1990. 

According to the UN's Environmental Program, the eight world's largest fossil fuel producers plan to increase coal, oil, and gas production by 2 percent annually (including: USA, China, India, Australia)

The wealthiest nations (G20) produce more than 60% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions

These same nations have committed more money to producing and consuming fossil fuels ($233B) than to boosting renewables ($146B)for the post pandemic recovery.

Nations have been cooperating in drafting policies and advocating for sustainable practices to reduce emissions and waste. However, this is all smoke and mirrors—all talk and no action. Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has strongly encouraged governments to start acting instead of giving empty promises, because in his words: "The planet is broken." 

Source: the grist

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EU & US veto much-needed Mako shark protections

In the past, both the EU and the US have steadily enforced laws against shark finning. However, this time they were the main obstacles to implementing protections for mako sharks at the meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas.

ICCAT scientists have warned that it could take makos four to five decades to recover, even if the measures were to be implemented. The lack of EU and US adherence at the meeting, means that mako onslaught will continue at unsustainable levels.

“North Atlantic mako depletion is among the world’s most pressing shark conservation crises, A clear and simple remedy was within reach. Yet the EU and US put short-term fishing interests above all else and ruined a golden opportunity for real progress. It’s truly disheartening and awful.”—Sonja Fordham, Shark Advocates International

Spain is responsible for the largest number of mako landings in the world, the US is third. Currently there are no fishing quotas restricting the number of makos caught. Yet, their slow growth makes them vulnerable to overfishing. Shortfin makos are mainly caught for their meat, or for sport. (If you live in Europe and have rarely seen mako on the menu read this article). The proposal was taken to the ICCAT by ten countries led by Canada and Senegal, advised by scientists. However, EU and USA’s veto will lead the mako population to collapse, the proposal was the species’ only chance at survival.

Senegal, Canada, Guatemala, Angola, the Gambia, Gabon, El Salvador, Egypt, Panama and Liberia jointly proposed the science-based North Atlantic makos ban and were supported on the floor by Norway, Guinea Bissau, Uruguay, Japan, China, and Taiwan. ICCAT Parties plan to hold a special meeting next year to reopen talks on the protection of makos.

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7 scrumptious plant-based festive recipes for this Holiday Season

Following a plant-based/vegetarian/vegan diet during the festive season is harder than at any other time of the year. So here’s easy, filling and cosy recipes that will make all the carnivores jealous!

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¿Cómo afecta la subida del nivel del mar en la Tierra?

El nivel del mar en la Tierra está aumentado considerablemente, y lo está haciendo a una velocidad sin precedentes. Debido al aumento global de temperatura surgido en la última década, los glaciares y las capas de hielo se derriten cada vez más. Igualmente, las zonas costeras empiezan a sentir un impacto cada vez mayor, ¿Qué significa esto para la humanidad? 

El cambio climático acarrea una subida del nivel del mar cada vez más extrema, poniendo así en riesgo a la población humana y a la biodiversidad. No sólo podemos sentir la elevación de las temperaturas y comprobar que hay más agua en los océanos, sino que también numerosas poblaciones y animales del planeta están perdiendo sus habitats naturales a causa de este fenómeno. Los expertos no se cansan de advertir que los efectos continuarán incrementando y agravándose con el tiempo si no reducimos el cambio climático.

¿Cuáles son los impactos más notorios?

Inundaciones: Debido al aumento global de temperaturas, científicos han calculado que un promedio de 318 giga toneladas de hielo se derriten por año en Groenlandia y la Antártida. Ciudades como Hampton Roads en Virginia, Estados Unidos entre muchas otras, tienen ya modelos de planificación y prevención de inundaciones ya que éstas son cada vez más frecuentes. Por otra parte, los efectos en el Sudeste Asiático están incrementando y son más vulnerables al cambio climático. En la India, Bangladesh y Nepal, lluvias torrenciales se han llevado más de 1200 vidas calcula UNICEF. En Bangladesh alrededor de 3 millones de niños se ven afectados, y las enfermedades que se transmiten por el agua se están propagando. Así, la crisis climática que golpea a unas zonas del planeta mas fuerte que a otras, se manifiesta y llama a la acción colectiva para poder frenarla.

“Expertos sostienen que en 30 años la elevación del nivel del mar acabará con el 20% de la superficie de Bangladesh. Habrá que trasladar de 25 millones a 30 millones de personas, el mayor número de refugiados climáticos nunca vistos en el mundo.”

Expansión térmica y la circulación del océano: El agua del mar absorbe gran parte del calor generado por el calentamiento global, y esto provoca un cambio en el movimiento de las aguas del océano. Así, vemos un incremento de las tormentas y otros fenómenos atmosféricos de mayor envergadura como huracanes, tifones y tornados que ocurren a día de hoy y son una amenaza para las poblaciones. Recientemente la tormenta Eta amenazó Florida en forma de huracán tras alejarse de Cuba y provocar graves daños en Centroamérica.

“Si bien no es posible establecer una conexión entre los fenómenos meteorológicos individuales y el cambio climático, los científicos han advertido que la intensidad de los fenómenos extremos irá en aumento si no se pone freno al cambio climático”.- Rachel Kyte, vicepresidenta de Desarrollo Sostenible del Banco Mundial.

Hundimiento y erosión de la tierra: A medida que las capas de hielo se derriten, la corteza terrestre responde a la redistribución de su masa y se eleva. Así, un proceso de rebote ocurre provocando que unas zonas de la tierra se hundan o estén disminuyendo. Así mismo, poblaciones ven afectados sus campos de cultivo y viviendas, y tienen que renunciar a ellos buscando nuevos modelos de agricultura. A día de hoy, un 75% de los pobres del mundo viven en zonas rurales, lo que significa que dependen enormemente en la agricultura. Aún contribuyendo a la contaminación mundial en un 5%, son los que más están sufriendo las consecuencias. Y por si no tenían ya suficiente, ahora el cambio climático también amenaza la seguridad alimentaria.

“La agricultura es extremadamente vulnerable al cambio climático. El aumento de las temperaturas termina por reducir la producción de los cultivos deseados, a la vez que provoca la proliferación de malas hierbas y pestes.” - FAO 

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Climate Change responsible for record-breaking hurricane season

As if 2020 wasn’t turbulent enough, the cursed year has set historical records in the number of hurricanes, tropical storms, and typhoons. By November, 29 storms, 12 hurricanes, and 5 major hurricanes have hit North America and the Carribbean—causing 320 fatalities and innumerable infrastructure damages. The last time the US faced a similar hurricane season was in 2005.

Are intensifying hurricanes a prelude to the climate chaos that will descend upon us?

Here’s a list of all the hurricanes  and tropical storms that are affecting the world in the last year:

Hurricane Eta

Hurricane Zeta

Nangka

Norbert

Delta

Chan-hom

Tropical Storm Arthur

Tropical Storm Bertha 

Tropical Storm Cristobal

Troìcal Storm Dolly

Tropical Storm Edouard

Tropical Storm Fay 

Tropical Storm Gonzalo

Hurricane Hanna

Hurricane Isaias

Tropical Depression Ten

Tropical Storm Josephine

Tropical Storm Kyle

Hurricane Laura

Hurricane Marco

Tropical Storm Omar

Hurricane Nana

Hurricane Paulette

Tropical Storm Rene

Hurricane Sally 

Hurricane Teddy

Tropical Storm Vicky

Tropical Storm Beta

Tropical Storm Wilfred 

Subtropical Storm Alpha

Tropical Storm Gamma

Hurricane Epsilon

Social inequalities are highlighted during climate disasters. There is a stark unfairness in climate calamities: whilst big corporations and idle governments are largely responsible for the crises their CEOs/political leaders enjoy stable conditions, whilst the impoverished majority have to endure the consequences of an unstable climate.

Donate to the following organization that are helping send aid to the affected populations of the hurricane:

Red Cross

NACE Center

UNICEF

Goop