Sustainability
Doom, Dust and Ashes
Nobody can hear a scream in the vacuum of space, or so they say. I remember so vividly the day the earth was no more. All the stories we wrote, all the history we made, all the families, our homes, our lives, our loves and friendships, all gone in the awfulness of a burning fiery inferno of our own making.
By Novel Allen3 years ago in Earth
Davos delivers on private sector commitment to decarbonize
The November 2021 Climate Summit (COP26) in Glasgow consolidated the momentum toward a transition to green growth and a decarbonized economy. Unsurprisingly, this involved a more robust partnership with the private sector to invest in clean tech and clean energy. One of the key milestones of the COP26, was the United States launch of the First Movers Coalition (FMC). This is a platform for companies and governments to commit to purchase green products and services (such as green hydrogen, green steel, and green cement) and thus jump-start the creation of markets for innovative clean energy technologies that are key for tackling the climate crisis.
By Andrea Zanon3 years ago in Earth
Megadroughts and massive impacts to environment and economy
Drought is a slow-moving natural disaster, a kind of creeping phenomenon, which destroys livelihood and economies, but the impacts of which show up over a long time-period. As its impacts become evident over a longer time period, it is harder to mitigate. Furthermore, drought does not cause the same sort of structural damage as hurricanes, floods and forest fires do. For these reasons droughts have hindered the development of systematic databases, yearly estimates of costing and impacts and, ultimately, the formulation of drought risk management by many governments around the world.
By Andrea Zanon3 years ago in Earth
Italian Tomatoes, rice, and extra virgin olive oil will cost more due to the megadrought
It will likely cost 20 to 50% more to buy Italian arborio rice (rice used to make risotto), extra virgin olive oil and tomato sauce due to the megadrought affecting Italy. This drought is different as it is affecting the entire country including the northern regions of Piedmont, Lombardy and Veneto, an area which normally has enormous amounts of water. The water richness in the north (the agriculture and industrial hub of Italy) has created a false sense of water security, leading to under-investment in water harvesting, management and storing. This is different in the south of the country where water has always been scarce resulting in better drought mitigation systems.
By Andrea Zanon3 years ago in Earth
Artists at work (saving the planet). Top Story - August 2022.
An Artist’s Almanac, 2023 is a journey across the UK to discover the sustainable practices of artists whose work is rooted in the protection and conservation of the Earth. Documented by environmental photographer Benjamin Youd, it features the work and process of 12 artists, as well as the environmental biodiversity of each artist’s region. It’s a beautiful book, inspiring in its variety of approaches.
By Sheryl Garratt3 years ago in Earth
Taylor Swift, Big Oil and Soggy Paper Straws
Taylor Swift has topped yet another chart this week but it's not a billboard top 100 this time. A report from a sustainable marketing firm, Yard, recently calculated the emissions from the private jets of famous celebrities and if the findings are to be believed, Taylor Swift’s private jet was in use for 170 out of the first 200 days of the year and it emitted close to 8000 metric tonnes of CO2e, which is 1200 times what a normal person emits each year. While Swift’s representatives have tried to do some damage control by claiming that the jet was also loaned out to others and wasn't always used by her, this has done little to quell the internet.
By Rishi Rathi3 years ago in Earth
We Need to be Talking About Palm Oil. Top Story - August 2022.
Shopping in 2022 feels like traversing a minefield. It feels like you’re making a political statement depending on the brands you purchase! With every corporate Twitter hashtagging their brand’s cause of choice (and some even lobbying for it), going to the grocery store requires making little choices that butterfly-effect themselves into government policy.
By Olivia L. Dobbs3 years ago in Earth
Live In The Southwest? You Might Want To Move...
The emergency water situation in the South West has never been more critical. The water level in Lake Mead is predicted to drop a further 26 feet by July 2023 and if the drought continues at this rate, millions of people could be without water in the not too distant future.
By Sharon Vencia3 years ago in Earth
