#the Climate Corporation made the environment “more habitable”

[winniebell]

I play dnd today and I am so excited to play my little feuding eco terrorist Aasimar gal

[balkanradfem]

It was a while ago I read this tumblr post, which still comes to my mind every time I think about the future. It was explaining in an insightful way, how it's not a violent revolution that will bring forward the better future, it's slow and consistent change of our everyday life, of our habits, the resources we use and the way we go about achieving things. If we're hoping for a future where we're not dependent on capitalism, not destroying the environment, not robbed of our labour for a fraction of the money we need to survive, we'll have to slowly die capitalism out, by changing our own living habits.

If a sudden shift happened, and capitalism stopped functioning overnight, for most of the people that would be unsurvivable,  all of the resources, food, jobs and life-sustaining services would stop. And we can't afford that. But, if instead we slowly backed away from it, generated alternatives, created communities and systems that can sustain us without capitalism, then it would only be a matter of time before capitalism is fully dead, with everyone alive, everyone safe. And this slow shift would be able to happen through decades and generations, and it would still be a great positive shift, with a future in sight. Capitalism offers no survivable future, seemingly ready to last as long as it can by destroying whatever is left from the environment and people alike, for the benefit of the few.

So let's see how we got here, or how I feel, looking back, we got here.

People used to be less dependent on a global system of distribution of resources, even just a 100 years ago; survival and trade skills were passed down in families and communities, and people would be able to make inside of their home and communities, a big percentage of things that we today would buy at the store. In those times there was no other way to gain those resources but by relying on people's knowledge, skill and labour. The future, however, promised a more convenient and easy way to gain all those resources, because they would be made by machines, and thus cheaper. And things kept coming in cheaper, for no visible labour required; you just needed to have money to buy them, which not everyone had.

But this too, would change as cheaper and cheaper things arrived, and it became less convenient to make those things yourself or within your community, and more convenient to just trade some money, and have it all be done for you. For people then, it could mean less energy spent on survival, more leisure time, more health and longer lifespan – except, it didn't, because the jobs that they needed to earn that money, tended to take all of that away. So still, there was a lot produced at home or within the communities, independent workshops and artist shops, so people within in the community would benefit from each other, instead of benefiting some faceless global corporation.

And now we know where this went; conveniences started lining up to the point where not having a certain convenience meant that you were below the norm. They sometimes got mixed up with inconveniences, but those inconveniences were 'necessary'. For instance, pollution became necessary, highways, huge trucks delivering goods, the oil industry, destruction of forests and habitats, exploitation of the poor, extinction of certain animals, and by the end of it, the climate change.

When I was born, my mother and grandmother still attempted to pass some skills that their mothers taught them; I remember being taught how to knit at the age of 5, the activity which at that age, seemed awfully tedious and was soon abandoned, and my grandmother showed me how to crochet, which I also soon forgot. After the age of small child, they both looked at the world, shrugged and decided 'she won't need it', and they have stopped trying to teach me any skills of the sort.

Buying things, rather than making them, already seemed the norm. People were readily telling you that you are stupid for trying to make something, when you could get it in the store, for very little money. Having animals at home, or growing food, was slowly getting replaced by buying it cheap, or buying tons of snacks, and biscuits and cakes, which now you could get pre-packaged, readily available to consume at your leisure. If it brought lots of waste from packaging, plastic and other non-degradable materials, nobody cared, it was new, convenient, and available, and we would have it, and live luxuriously.

Soon nobody seemed to talk anymore, about what we used to do before we were able to buy anything we could possibly need at the store; nobody would tell me what were the names of the native plants, and which ones I could make into teas, I was instead told to change my priorities because this kind of behaviour will never get me any money. All of my efforts to do arts and crafts, to forage, to make things from scratch, to paint and invent stories, were called frivolous, because they would not generate the one thing that was now the only thing worth generating: money.

It simplifies things a lot, instead of making various, interesting, self-made and beloved items that would all require different knowledge and skills, a human is now required to put all of their talents into 1 thing that would generate revenue, and then do that one thing, for entire life, and this would present a normal life on earth now. This was how it was presented to me, and it was before I found out that keeping one job for the whole life, was no longer an option, that changing jobs was the norm and was not often volountary.  I did not, however, understand how doing that one job would not make someone go insane, and nobody was explaining that to me, it was just, the life.

So while the world was shifting into this new concept of 'make nothing but money', the first millionaires started to appear, the billionaire was not even conceptual, having 1 million was equal to being the richest person on the planet. That is pretty laughable to us now. Back then, it felt like heading into a new exciting world, but we know better now. We understand that lives consisting of a job and thousands of conveniences, easily sends a human being into a depression. We understand that relying on a job to keep us alive, and having constantly to compete with everyone else unemployed, to get one, has brought us to a place where others are a competition, not a resource, not a community. We understand that living in a world where we have to market ourselves as a resource, causes a lot of us to lose self confidence and the feeling of value, while it sends others into obsession with becoming popular, gaining perceived value, gathering a public image, that would later prove to be profitable.

By this time, unknown to us all, this life of convenience and consumerism had caused immense damage to the environment, and we were mostly kept in the dark about it, so we wouldn't complain. We learned about the holes in the ozone layer, but were told it was merely the fault of certain aerosols, and the rest of the stuff was fine. We would in the future get to watch oil spills and devastation of animal habitats, never fully connecting it to corporations who were responsible. Acid rains were mentioned, but we were told they caused by the new pesticides, but it was the fault of the farmers, they said, who simply used too much of it. Now we know it was the exhaust fumes from cars, factories and coal power plants. Climate change was barely mentioned, and even less believed in. And now, we can no longer ignore it.

So, what do we do in order to progress? We obviously can't go back to where we came from, but we are now made aware that the amount of energy and resources we're consuming, and the amount of toxic waste we're creating, will devastate the planet to the point where a big chunk of it will become inhabitable, millions of both people and animals, will end up dead if we keep going. But wait! How can I blame the people for any of this, when it's obviously the corporations that are doing the most damage, lobbying and hiding what is in actuality going on? And you're completely correct, I would have to say, it is corporations, and for the most time, we really didn't know the extent of damage they were doing. So why are the corporations exactly doing all of this? For profit. And who's giving them all that profit? Well, the consumers, by consuming all of the oil, energy, goods, resources and products they make. So how do we take down the corporations? By not giving them any of the profits. But, we can't do that in the current state of the world, we need cars, and food, and that food to be shipped and delivered from the distant lands, and we are all depressed and if we can't at least have our favourite snack, food we're used to, little treats and pieces of clothing that make us happy, we no longer feel like we can live!

And that's where the slow and meaningful habit shift comes into place. The thing is, we're not the same people we were 50 or 100 years ago, we don't have the skills of our ancestors, we're not used to producing our own resources, we are out of touch with nature, and we struggle to find our communities and feel valued. But we also have, so much more information and education at our fingertips. We have more scientific data, we have more access to information, we have more people creating public resources, we have the experiences and wisdom of generations back, only waiting for us to reach out, to tap into what the humanity knew  centuries ago.

We're made to do various activities! We thrive on changing our habits by season, even by weeks. We thrive in communities, with no competition for resources. We love creating art, music, crafts and beauty just for fun, and the communal value of it cannot be compared to money. We don't like being reduced into human resources or labour force, we don't like repetitive activities that don't produce results or seem nonsensical, we don't like to be stuck within one room for most of the day, we don't like being replaced when we stand up for our rights.

I can already see a lot of people valuing all of the things on this planet that cannot be exchanged for money, but have intricate value in our lives and experiences; wild animals, plants, forests, environments and ecosystems filled with life, little stories and jokes we tell to each other, making crafts just for the sake of making things, creating their own clothes or fabrics, learning how it was done in the past; growing food, foraging, herbalism, basketry, making of soap and fixing things on our own, visible mending, connections and building communities, we are remembering it's what we want and need, and we're not going to build it the way it was in the past; we're going to do it our own way, with the knowledge and experience we have, the way we think is the best. All we need to do is start small. Do one little shift that takes you one tiny step away from consumerism. Add one little enrichment in your life that doesn't have anything to do with money or purchasing. Find little ways to save on energy that doesn't make any dips in your happiness or comfort levels, that only requires a little bit of your attention or focus to do.

Big shifts are not sustainable, and are not survivable, but we didn't get here by a big shift; we got here by a series of small, almost invisible shifts that we barely felt were happening, until it was our new normal. We can do small, painless shifts too, but this time, they're going to be conscious, purposeful, with thoughts of the future behind it, and they're going to come from us. Not the corporations, not the money holders, but us, pushing the future to the direction that we want.

[the-guild-association]

The Underworld

Introduction

Contrary to popular belief, the Underworld is a perfectly habitable and enchanting realm with as many different biomes, climates, people, and culture as its Overworld counterpart, and approximately twice its size to boot. Inaccessible via the Brightlands or the Overworld through conventional means, the Underworld is home to a wide variety of different races and species of people, such as ogres, dark elves, goblins, beastkin, dragons, and more, all of whom work together to maintain its infrastructure and economy.

Division

The Underworld is split into four hemispheres, War, Famine, Pestilence, and Death, and each hemisphere is further comprised of a total of seven different regions, or "countries." Within War, there is Wrath and Lust; within Famine, there is Greed and Gluttony; within Pestilence, there is Sloth and Envy; and within Death, there is Pride.

Similar to the Overworld, each hemisphere has widely different temperature ranges, climates, and landscapes that distinguish it from the others, with the differences expanding even further as we narrow down into the seven regions.

Geography and Climate

War is known for its somewhat volatile climate, lava lakes, tall mountains, and deep valleys, as well as dense rain forests and tropical enclaves. The flora and fauna are equally as vibrant and diverse, reflecting the color spectrum and hardiness of their environment.

Famine is much more temperate, its weather often cool and sandy as it is comprised largely of bodies of water, ranging from small local lakes to massive rivers and oceans that feed into the other hemispheres. The ground consist primarily of sandy terrain, though that isn't to say that there aren't areas with more solid dirt foundations unto which seeds of agriculture can be sewn.

Pestilence is rather rocky, and perhaps the hardest hemisphere to live in, as its environment transitions between jagged cliffs, caves, swamplands, and occasionally wide-open plains. The atmosphere is often damp and musky, but the industrialized areas are actually one of the Underworld's more prominent trade centers, known especially for the rare herbs and animal meats found exclusively to its regions.

And Death has been mostly industrialized, serving as the economic tech and commerce hub of the Underworld where many major corporations have made their bases. The weather is generally temperate, similar to Famine, and outside of the industrialized areas exist tall, roofed forests small streams, and beaches, as well as ancient temples and ancestral ritual grounds from the Underworld's origins.

Leadership

The Underworld is ruled chiefly by the Four Barons, each reflecting the hemisphere that they rule in their values.

War is represented by Kassia, a red archdemon with a fiery, yet friendly disposition who believes in achievement over inheritance. She runs her hemisphere with heavy themes of meritocracy and encourages her people to strive towards the pinnacle of their potential, with systems in place for those less fortunate or privileged to level the playing field. Her philosophy is that in War, anyone can become the best version of themselves, as long as that is what they desire. Her army is considered the strongest organized military force among War, Famine, and Pestilence.

Famine is represented by Esurion, a quiet blue oni with a tendency to go with the flow. He prefers a more hands-off approach to his hemisphere, encouraging his people to be open-minded, flexible, and self-sufficient while leaving much of the less important policies and management to their regional officials. This is not to say that he is a negligent leader, however, as he is highly considerate of his people's health and well-being, and takes that into account when deciding the verdict on larger, more impactful policies. His army is considered on similar standing to Kassia's, sacrificing numbers for a higher average quality per soldier.

Pestilence is represented by Tabulus, a cyclops mage who commands authority. While he doesn't explicitly run a dictatorship, he involves himself in his hemisphere's politics any chance he gets and rules with an iron fist, sometimes even overriding popular demand over what he believes to be the correct course forward. Thus far, this command has actually resulted in great advancement within his hemisphere, and it is uncertain whether this is purely by luck or if he truly understands what is best for his people. When interacting with the commonfolk in-person, he is surprisingly personable. His army is considered the weakest amongst the three militant hemispheres, though he outnumbers them by a substantial margin.

Death is represented by Aeterna, the primordial goddess of death, a homebody with a deep love for mortals. Due to her divinity, she possesses an unorthodox view of the world and the decisions she makes for her hemisphere sometimes feel strange from an outside perspective. This, combined with her enigmatic nature and a tendency not to make public appearances has led some to question her quality as a leader. Nevertheless, what matters most to her is the welfare of her people, and so that is what she often prioritizes, even at the cost of the upper classes. This has garnered her widespread adoration from her people and made the Death hemisphere a very popular place to live - if they can afford it. Unlike the other Barons, Aeterna does not have an official military force.

Together, the Barons work as the four pillars of the Underworld and collaborate for massive projects that involve the entire realm, as well as supply each other with resources that they may lack or need. From a political standpoint, they are intended to have the same power, and Aeterna treats her colleagues as such. Given her divinity, however, it is obvious that this is difficult for her people and fellow Barons to believe, with the majority of folk agreeing that she is the unofficial ruler of the Underworld and leader of the Barons.

The Title

The position of Baron is more than just a title. It is something of a binding agreement to whomever holds it, designed by Aeterna herself. In essence, it serves as a "pause" effect on the holder's natural lifespan, whilst also dramatically amplifying their physical and magical capabilities. In exchange, they are pledged to the cause of developing the Underworld and forbidden from directly harming another Baron.

In an attempt to promote equality among the Barons, the spell bound to the title was designed to be rather resilient. Conventionally, there are only three ways that a Baron can lose their title:

1. If they willingly step down, at which point the Baron's yielded authority will be temporarily held by the other three Barons for them to assign to a proper candidate if one has not already been chosen.

2. If they are killed, which is absurdly difficult, given the title enhancement and natural skill of anyone chosen to be a Baron in the first place.

3. If the other three Barons unanimously agree to revoke the title, which involves a ritual requiring the presence of every Baron, including the offending one.

[harshalisblog]

Ready to Eat Soup Market explores innovation through plant-based product offerings

The Ready to Eat Soup Market is undergoing a significant transformation fueled by the growing demand for plant-based alternatives. As consumers increasingly shift toward healthier and more sustainable eating habits, plant-based soup products are becoming central to product development strategies. Rising vegetarianism, flexitarian diets, and concern for environmental sustainability have collectively created an ideal environment for innovation in this segment.

The Rise of Plant-Based Eating

Plant-based diets are no longer niche. From wellness advocates to environmentally conscious individuals, more consumers are opting for plant-centric meals. This shift has impacted nearly every sector of the food industry, and ready to eat soups are no exception. Soup manufacturers are introducing a wide range of products featuring legumes, grains, mushrooms, tofu, and other plant proteins as main ingredients. These items not only align with dietary trends but also meet demand for variety and international flavors.

Health and Nutritional Appeal

Health benefits are one of the strongest drivers behind plant-based soup innovation. Brands are enriching recipes with superfoods such as quinoa, kale, turmeric, and lentils. These ingredients are rich in fiber, antioxidants, and essential nutrients, catering to consumers who prioritize wellness in their dietary choices. Moreover, plant-based soups are often low in saturated fat and cholesterol-free, making them attractive options for heart-conscious buyers and those managing chronic conditions.

In addition, consumers are more label-conscious today. Clean label and minimal ingredient formulations are influencing purchasing decisions. Companies that can highlight organic, preservative-free, and additive-free plant-based soups gain a significant edge in the market.

Sustainability and Ethical Consumption

Sustainability plays a major role in the growth of plant-based ready to eat soups. Compared to traditional meat-based soups, plant-based options require fewer natural resources and generate a lower carbon footprint. With rising awareness of climate change and food system impacts, consumers are more likely to support brands that promote ethical sourcing and environmentally friendly production.

This has led companies to not only reformulate their soups with plant-based ingredients but also rethink their packaging. Many are shifting to recyclable, compostable, or biodegradable containers to enhance the overall sustainability appeal of their offerings.

Regional Innovations and Flavor Fusion

Plant-based soups are tapping into regional culinary inspirations to appeal to a diverse consumer base. Mediterranean tomato-lentil soups, Thai coconut-curry broths, and Latin American black bean soups are some examples of how brands are fusing global flavors with plant-forward nutrition. These innovations address the growing demand for variety and offer a culinary adventure without the need to prepare meals from scratch.

In Asia, companies are experimenting with traditional ingredients like miso, tofu, and seaweed to appeal to local palettes and younger consumers seeking modern, convenient versions of heritage recipes. In Europe and North America, creamy vegetable bisques made with oat or almond milk are rising in popularity.

Strategic Moves by Leading Players

Major food corporations and niche startups alike are investing in R&D to capture a larger share of the plant-based soup segment. Companies such as Campbell’s, Pacific Foods, and Amy’s Kitchen have rolled out new plant-based SKUs, highlighting their commitment to evolving consumer needs. Meanwhile, startups are gaining ground by focusing exclusively on vegan and organic product lines, often with direct-to-consumer distribution strategies.

Strategic collaborations are also gaining traction. Some brands are partnering with nutritionists and dietitians to develop scientifically backed formulations, while others collaborate with plant-based advocacy organizations to enhance product visibility and credibility.

Challenges and Opportunities

Despite the momentum, plant-based ready to eat soups face challenges. Taste expectations remain high, and some consumers still perceive plant-based options as less flavorful or satisfying compared to meat-based variants. Texture, protein content, and shelf life are areas where continuous innovation is required.

However, the opportunity outweighs the obstacles. Retailers are increasingly dedicating shelf space to plant-based products, and digital grocery platforms are making it easier to reach niche audiences. Brands that focus on authenticity, transparency, and innovation can build strong consumer loyalty in this growing segment.

Future Outlook

Looking ahead, the plant-based segment of the Ready to Eat Soup Market is expected to grow significantly over the next five years. The combination of evolving consumer preferences, global health trends, and environmental concerns positions this niche for mainstream adoption. Companies that can deliver on flavor, nutrition, and ethical values will likely lead the market transformation.

Product innovation will center on high-protein plant options, allergen-free recipes, and even functional soups infused with adaptogens or probiotics. There is also room for personalization—offering consumers the ability to choose soup bases, spice levels, and nutritional add-ons through subscription services or AI-driven platforms.

Conclusion

The Ready to Eat Soup Market is no longer limited to traditional chicken noodle or beef stew varieties. The shift toward plant-based offerings represents a broader movement in consumer behavior toward health, sustainability, and convenience. For brands and investors alike, this is a ripe opportunity to innovate and lead in a rapidly changing food landscape.

[newlifetechnologygroup]

How To Celebrate and Contribute During Earth Day April 22

Curious about what Earth Day is and how you can participate? Understanding Earth Day’s origin, how it has evolved, and how to participate will help you contribute to this global effort to better our environment.

New Life Technology Group explores Earth Day history, accomplishments since its inception, how you can participate, and how New Life Technology Group tackles the global landfill issue while giving back to the Greater Atlanta underserved communities.

Earth Day History

Every April 22, people around the globe come together to celebrate Earth Day – a day dedicated to environmental protection, sustainability, and community action. What began as a grassroots movement in 1970 has become a worldwide phenomenon, inspiring millions to make a difference. Consider the following:

Earth Day was first celebrated on April 22, 1970, when millions of Americans—from college students to everyday citizens—took to the streets to demand cleaner air, water, and land. Spearheaded by Senator Gaylord Nelson, this historic event marked the beginning of the modern environmental movement. The demonstration was a response to growing concerns about pollution, resource depletion, and the unchecked impact of industrialization on nature. The massive turnout captured public attention and convinced lawmakers to adopt sweeping environmental reforms.

Earth Day has evolved into an international movement. Countries from around the globe now participate in events ranging from community clean-ups and tree plantings to educational workshops and policy advocacy. This worldwide collaboration underscores the shared commitment to safeguarding our planet for future generations.

Read more about Earth Day’s origin and evolution HERE.

Significant Earth Day Accomplishments

Since its inception, Earth Day has catalyzed a series of environmental achievements that have reshaped public policy and corporate practices. Key milestones include:

Environmental Legislation: The surge of environmental activism in the 1970s led to the creation and strengthening of laws such as the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act in the United States. These laws set critical standards that have reduced air and water pollution. Global Awareness: Earth Day has played a vital role in raising awareness about climate change, biodiversity loss, and the importance of renewable energy. Educational campaigns and advocacy efforts have made environmental issues a central topic in public discourse. Corporate and Community Action: Many businesses have adopted sustainable practices, and local communities have taken proactive steps to reduce their environmental footprints. From recycling initiatives to energy conservation programs, the influence of Earth Day is evident in the positive changes across various sectors.

These accomplishments have improved environmental quality and sparked further innovation and commitment to sustainability.

How Everyone Can Participate in Earth Day

Participation in Earth Day can be as simplified or involved as you choose. Whether you are an individual, a family, or part of a community group, there are countless ways to make a difference:

Community Clean-Ups: Join or organize a local clean-up event in parks, rivers, or beaches. Removing litter and debris helps protect wildlife and improves the overall health of your community. Tree Planting and Urban Gardening: Trees absorb carbon dioxide, reduce urban heat, and enhance local biodiversity. Planting trees or starting community gardens can have lasting environmental benefits. Educational Workshops: Attend or host workshops that educate people about sustainable practices, renewable energy, and waste reduction. Sharing knowledge empowers communities to embrace eco-friendly habits. Reducing Your Carbon Footprint: Simple changes in daily life – such as using public transportation, reducing energy consumption, and supporting local products – can collectively impact the environment. Advocacy and Policy Support: Engage with local government officials and support policies that promote environmental conservation. Your voice can influence decisions that lead to cleaner air, water, and land.

Donating used and unwanted electronics is an impactful way to participate this Earth Day.

The Global Landfill Issue

The world is facing a mounting crisis in the form of overflowing landfills. Electronic waste, or e-waste, constitutes a significant portion of this growing problem. Discarded electronics – from computers and smartphones to televisions and household appliances—often contain hazardous materials such as lead, mercury, and cadmium. When improperly disposed of, they can leach toxins into the soil and water, risking the environment and public health.

Donating your old electronics helps divert these hazardous materials from landfills. Instead of ending up in waste streams where they can harm ecosystems, your devices are given a new lease on life through responsible recycling and refurbishment. This process prevents environmental contamination and conserves natural resources by reducing the demand for raw materials required to manufacture new products.

New Life Technology Group’s Role

Organizations like New Life Technology Group are at the forefront of responsible electronics recycling. Donating your used computers and other electronic devices to such centers declutters your home and contributes to a healthier planet. New Life Technology Group follows strict protocols to ensure that every donation is processed in an environmentally sound manner. Their certified recycling procedures safely extract and manage hazardous materials, ensuring no harmful substances contaminate our land or water.

New Life Technology Group takes pride in giving back to the community. The organization refurbishes donated computers and redistributes them to underserved children and families through its Computers for Kids Program. For many in disadvantaged communities, access to technology is a gateway to education, job opportunities, and digital literacy. By providing refurbished laptops, New Life Technology Group helps bridge the digital divide, enabling students to complete homework, access online resources, and acquire skills necessary for future success (creating a ripple effect of positive change extending far beyond environmental benefits).

Ensuring Data Security and Privacy

A common concern when donating electronics is the security of personal data. Reputable organizations like New Life Technology Group understand the importance of privacy. Before refurbishing or recycling donated devices, they implement rigorous data destruction processes. Advanced software is used to completely wipe hard drives, ensuring that sensitive information cannot be recovered. This commitment to data security provides peace of mind for donors, knowing that their personal information is handled responsibly.

Watch this video to see New Life Technology’s collection, refurbishing, distribution, and disposal processes.

Celebrating Earth Day Through Informed Action

Earth Day is more than a one-day event – it is a call to action for sustainable living and community engagement. By participating in Earth Day activities and making informed choices, you contribute to a significant movement that values environmental stewardship and social responsibility. Whether cleaning up a local park, reducing your carbon footprint, or donating electronics, every effort counts.

As we celebrate Earth Day on April 22, take a moment to reflect on how your individual actions can lead to significant environmental improvements. Recognize that small, thoughtful contributions—like donating an old computer—can prevent harmful chemicals from seeping into the environment and provide vital tools for education and empowerment in underprivileged communities.

The power of community action lies in our collective responsibility to nurture and protect the environment. By participating in Earth Day, you join millions worldwide in a commitment to sustainability and positive change. Every donated device, every volunteer hour, and every sustainable choice is a step toward a brighter, healthier future for all.

A Call to Action

This Earth Day, consider making a donation that makes a tangible difference. If you have used or unwanted electronics lying around, take the extra step to donate them to a responsible recycling center like New Life Technology Group. Your donation helps mitigate the global landfill crisis by ensuring that hazardous materials are safely managed and transforms lives by providing refurbished technology to underserved children and families. In doing so, you contribute to environmental sustainability and social equity.

We can all celebrate Earth Day by embracing practices that protect our planet and uplift our communities. Let your actions speak louder than words. Commit to reducing waste, conserving resources, and empowering others through thoughtful donations. Every effort, no matter how small, can create meaningful change.

Your Earth Day Contribution

In this article, you discovered Earth Day’s history and accomplishments since its inception, how you can participate, and how New Life Technology Group tackles the global landfill issue while giving back to the Greater Atlanta underserved children and their families.

By recycling your used or outdated computer equipment on Earth Day, you contribute to a global effort to preserve our fragile ecosystems while helping those in need.

Ignoring Earth Day and your opportunity to contribute to the movement perpetuates the increasing landfill issues and delays crucial electronic tools getting to those in need.

Sources: epa.gov/history/epa-history-earth-day news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2020/04/how-earth-day-moved-environmentalism-front-and-center

New Life Technology Group

253 Grogan Dr #120 Dawsonville, GA30534 (404) 313-8215

To see the original version of this article, visit https://newlifetechgroup.com/how-to-celebrate-and-contribute-during-earth-day-april-22/

[esgagile]

The Benefits of Cutting Your Carbon Footprint on a Personal and Global Level

Agile Advisors provides Carbon footprint consultancy In Dubai, the entire quantity of greenhouse gasses (GHGs) produced by human activity is referred to as one's "carbon footprint," it is typically expressed in carbon dioxide equivalents. There are many social, economic, and personal benefits to lowering our carbon footprint in addition to environmental ones. Mitigating climate change is one of the most important reasons to reduce your carbon footprint. The leading causes of global warming are industrial activity, deforestation, and excessive carbon emissions from burning fossil fuels. Reducing your emissions helps mitigate the effects of climate change, lessening the likelihood of extreme weather events like storms, droughts, and rising sea levels. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are two dangerous pollutants released by burning fossil fuels that add to air pollution in addition to carbon dioxide.

Being a Carbon footprint consultancy in Agile Advisors, these toxins worsen asthma, induce respiratory conditions, and even increase the risk of dying young. Emissions reduction will enhance air quality, resulting in fewer pollution-related health problems and better communities. It's common to reduce your carbon footprint by implementing energy-efficient habits. Installing solar panels, utilizing LED lighting, or switching to energy-efficient appliances can save a lot of electricity. This may result in long-term cost savings and decreased utility bills. Over time, even little adjustments like turning off lights when not in use may add up and save household spending. When you choose renewable energy sources over fossil fuels, such as hydroelectric, solar, or wind power, your carbon emissions are immediately decreased. Supporting the development of renewable energy facilitates a more sustainable energy future, employment growth in green industries, and technical innovation.

As a Carbon footprint consultancy In UAE, Investing in or making purchases from renewable energy sources might hasten the shift to a carbon-neutral economy. Lowering carbon emissions and natural resource utilization go hand in hand. Reducing energy consumption can be achieved by, for instance, driving fewer miles, choosing fuel-efficient cars, or using less electricity, which can reduce the need for coal or natural gas. By preserving these resources, we lessen the total environmental damage brought on by the extraction and processing of raw materials, save biodiversity, and preserve ecosystems. Making thoughtful decisions regarding trash, food, energy use, and transportation is necessary to lessen your carbon footprint. This frequently results in adopting more environmentally friendly behaviours, such as recycling, purchasing locally made products, using less plastic, and consuming less meat.

We as Carbon footprint consultancy, these little but essential adjustments over time can result in a better way of living and increased awareness of the effects on the environment. Businesses should reduce their carbon footprint because it benefits the environment and is necessary to achieve corporate social responsibility goals. Businesses that put sustainability first may differentiate themselves from rivals, build consumer loyalty, and improve their brand image. Reducing emissions can also result in adherence to environmental laws, preventing fines and penalties. Investors and customers who care about the environment are more likely to be drawn to businesses that uphold ecological responsibility. People and companies that reduce their carbon footprint encourage others to follow suit. Investing in this industry guarantees long-term economic sustainability and employment creation.

In our role as Carbon footprint consultancy In Dubai, One may encourage friends, family, and coworkers to adopt more environmentally friendly habits by taking personal measures like riding a bike to work, cutting trash, or adopting renewable energy. Large-scale initiatives to reduce carbon emissions have the power to promote legislative initiatives and policy reforms that are intended to mitigate the effects of climate change. The production of meat and dairy products, in particular, accounts for many greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural operations. Reduce your meat intake or switch to a plant-based diet to reduce emissions related to food production. Furthermore, these dietary modifications frequently result in better health outcomes, including decreased risks of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. This covers sustainable agriculture, electric cars, energy-efficient buildings, and renewable energy.

[farsanaashiq]

Unlocking C-Suite Potential: Tackling Today's Top Recruitment Obstacles

The C-Suite, often known as the executive suite, is the highest level of corporate leadership and is where the company's vision is developed and strategic choices are made. For a business to succeed, it is essential to hire the proper people for these key positions. In this post, we'll examine the challenges of hiring for the C-Suite, concentrating on the competitive senior management jobs in Dubai's CEO and CFO positions.

The Changing Business Environment in Dubai

The business environment in Dubai is recognized for its energy and expansion. It functions as a hub for international trade, luring both well-established businesses and cutting-edge start-ups. The recruitment of CEOs and CFOs should be a key priority for companies looking to succeed in the area.

Recruiting Difficulties for the C-Suite

A distinct set of difficulties is presented when hiring for C-Suite positions. The people who fill these positions aren't just workers; they're guardians of the future of the business. Let's look at some of the major challenges that firms encounter while looking for top C-Suite talent:

Restricted Pool of Qualified Candidates:

 The CEO and CFO positions demand a specialised mix of executive presence, sector knowledge, and financial know-how. It can be difficult to find people with these traits, particularly in specialised sectors.

Strong Competition:

 Due to Dubai's competitive environment, numerous businesses are seeking the same talent. There is sometimes a severe shortage of qualified CEOs and CFOs, which creates intense competition among firms.

Cultural Fit: 

Many cultures and habits have an impact on Dubai's diversified business climate. Long-term success depends on a candidate not just possessing the necessary talents but also fitting in naturally with the organization's culture.

Compensation

Offering attractive compensation packages is frequently necessary to entice top C-Suite talent. It takes skill to strike a balance between budgetary restrictions and lucrative compensation.

Discretion 

High levels of discretion are frequently needed while conducting senior executive searches. This may be difficult in a connected society where knowledge spreads quickly.

How to Attract the C-Suite: Effective Techniques

It takes a smart approach to navigate the difficulties of C-Suite recruitment in Dubai. In order to maximize the potential of their senior leadership, businesses might use the following tactics:

Set Clearly Defined Leadership Requirements As your first step, specify the leadership qualities you are looking for in a CEO or CFO. Technical proficiency, work history, and cultural fit are all included. In order to target the correct applicants from the beginning, you must have a well-defined profile.

Use Executive Search Firms: Executive search firms, often known as headhunters, are experts in locating and hiring the best C-Suite talent. They can approach potential candidates covertly and have huge networks.

Use Professional Networks: To connect with possible prospects in Dubai, use professional networks and industry groups. To establish connections with senior executives, go to industry gatherings like seminars and conferences.

Competitive Salary Structures: Keep in mind that top talent is expensive. Provide competitive salary packages that are in line with industry norms and the candidate's background.

Promote Business Culture: During the hiring process, promote the culture and values of your company. When there is a great cultural fit, CEOs and CFOs are more willing to commit to a company.

Streamlined Interview Process: When hiring for the C-Suite, time is of the essence. Top applicants may not participate in a drawn-out or complicated interview process. Make sure your hiring procedure is effective and orderly.

The hiring of top personnel for CEO and CFO jobs in Dubai is both a challenge and an opportunity in Dubai's cutthroat corporate environment. Organizations in Dubai may unlock the challenges by using smart recruitment techniques, fostering growth and success in a dynamic and constantly changing business environment

[unimother]

Lazy Sustainability: Comprehensive Guide - Climate Change Solution e Book

This e book is all it takes to have the right climate change solution mindset and knowledge for the average consumer. Get a Full Guide On Effortless Sustainability and learn in over 160 pages about the possibilites of sustainable habits that can even save you time. Once adopted you can enjoy their benefits for a long time. Enjoy fighting climate change with health, vitality and joy for your kids, animals, plants and actively combat overfishing.

Lazy Sustainability: It All Depends on YOU

In today's fast-paced world, the idea of sustainability often seems overwhelming. Many believe that leading a sustainable life requires drastic lifestyle changes, time, and effort. But the reality? Sustainability can be lazy. Yes, you read that right. Lazy sustainability is all about making small, manageable changes in your daily routine that can have a big impact on the environment. It's about realizing that YOU have the power to make a difference.

A Tale of Two Neighbors

Meet Anna and Bob. Both live in the same neighborhood and care about the environment. Anna believes in making significant lifestyle changes. She grows her own vegetables, has installed solar panels, and cycles everywhere. Bob, on the other hand, is a bit lazier. He's made a few adjustments to his daily routine, like turning off lights, using a compost bin, and supporting local produce.

While Anna's efforts are commendable, Bob's smaller changes are no less impactful. This is the essence of lazy sustainability. It's understanding that every little bit helps.

Decentralized Self-Growing and Recycling at the Consumer Level

Instead of relying on large corporations or governmental bodies, decentralized self-growing and recycling at the consumer level is about taking sustainability into our own hands. It's growing a tomato plant on your balcony, composting your food scraps, or even setting up a small rainwater harvesting system. These decentralized efforts, when multiplied across communities, can lead to significant environmental benefits.

The Power of the Consumer

Every dollar we spend sends a message. If we choose to buy products that are sustainably made, we push companies to adopt eco-friendly practices. It's the principle of supply and demand. If there's a demand for sustainable goods, companies will supply them. As consumers, we have more power than we realize. By making informed choices, we can drive change.

Sustainability for the Children

Our children inherit the planet we leave behind. By adopting sustainable practices, we're not only ensuring a healthier planet for ourselves but also for future generations. Teaching children about the importance of sustainability ensures that they grow up with an environmental conscience. It's about creating a ripple effect, where one generation educates the next, leading to a greener future.

Lazy Doesn’t Mean Ineffective

Lazy sustainability is not about cutting corners or being ineffective. It's about finding the balance between effort and impact. It's the understanding that not everyone can make big changes, but everyone can make some change. And when millions of people make small changes, the cumulative effect can be massive.

Transitioning to Sustainability

Transitioning to a more sustainable lifestyle doesn't have to be hard. Here are some simple steps you can take:

Understand Your Carbon Footprint: Before making changes, understand where you stand. There are many online tools available that calculate your carbon footprint based on your lifestyle choices.

Start Small: Remember, every little bit helps. Start with something manageable, like using cloth bags instead of plastic ones or turning off lights when not in use.

Educate Yourself: The more you know, the better decisions you can make. Read up on sustainable practices, attend workshops, or join a local environmental group.

Involve the Community: Sustainability is more fun (and effective) when done collectively. Start a community garden, organize clean-up drives, or host sustainability workshops.

Celebrate Small Wins: Did you go a week without using a single-use plastic? That's a win! Celebrate your milestones, no matter how small they may seem.

In conclusion, lazy sustainability is not an oxymoron. It's a practical approach to saving the planet. It's the realization that every individual's effort counts, no matter how small. So, the next time you feel overwhelmed by the idea of sustainability, remember: It all depends on YOU.

Chapter 1: Introduction - The Need for Lazy Sustainability

Understanding the Global Crisis

In our rapidly changing world, understanding the environmental crisis is no longer a choice but a necessity. Climate change, deforestation, desertification, droughts, pollution, overconsumption, and depletion of resources are not mere buzzwords—they are the urgent challenges that humanity faces today. Many of these dangers are irreversible once they cross the point of no return. Therefore it’s important that we take action NOW. This can only happen if the people have enough knowledge and the right mindset.

Our insatiable desire for convenience has brought us an alarming amount of waste. Imagine the 5 pounds of trash that the average American generates daily, multiply it by 331 million people, and the sheer scale of waste becomes unfathomable. But even in places where people die of hunger the number of wasted food is not much less. The explanation is simple food is very perishable and unsuitable for long transportation.

Take, for example, the widespread use of non-recyclable food packaging. From glass to plastic, metal, paper, and synthetic materials, food packaging has become a significant contributor to the pollution of our oceans, soil, and air. The UN's declaration of plastic pollution as a "planetary crisis" illustrates the gravity of the situation.

A Story of the Aral Sea

The tragic tale of the Aral Sea serves as a stark reminder of our impact on the environment. Once the fourth-largest lake in the world, the Aral Sea has shrunk to 10% of its original size due to unsustainable water management. The images of stranded boats on the dry lake bed are a haunting testament to the need for responsible stewardship of our planet.

The Importance of Small Actions

The magnitude of the global crisis can be overwhelming. But despair and inaction are not the answers. Small actions, when performed consistently and collectively, can make a significant difference.

Consider the case of food waste. Around 1.3 billion tons of food are wasted globally each year. 2023 this number reached a staggering 2.5 billion tons. By minimizing food waste at home, each individual can contribute to a broader solution. Something as simple as starting a compost pile or worm farm can turn food scraps into valuable fertilizer, reducing landfill waste and enriching the soil.

Lazy sustainability is not about grand gestures but practical, everyday decisions. From using reusable bags, bottles, and straws to repairing broken items and avoiding single-use products, each small step counts. As the saying goes, "A small step by many people is more significant than a big step by a few."

The Concept of "Lazy Sustainability"

Lazy sustainability is a decentralized approach that emphasizes self-growing and recycling at the consumer level. It's about making sustainability accessible, realistic, and effortless. It does not demand radical changes but encourages incremental adjustments that anyone can make.

Lazy Sustainability in Action: Worm Farming

Worm farming illustrates the beauty of lazy sustainability. It's an easy and efficient way to turn kitchen waste into nutrient-rich soil. It's something that anyone can do at home, and it's not only good for the environment but also for the garden.

The Power of Collective Action

Lazy sustainability recognizes the collective power of individual actions. When everyone participates, even in small ways, the cumulative effect can be transformative.

Imagine if every household in a community started composting or growing their vegetables. The reduction in waste and the enhancement of local food security would be substantial.

The Journey Towards a Sustainable Future

The path to a sustainable future is not about sacrifice but about making smarter choices. It's about understanding the impact of our decisions and making conscious efforts to reduce waste, conserve resources, and protect the environment.

It's about embracing holistic sustainability, thinking long-term, harnessing the art of effortlessness, and recognizing that better is more valuable than perfect.

Lazy sustainability is not a quick fix; it's a continuous journey. But it's a journey filled with quick wins, positive impacts, and the joy of knowing that our small actions are part of a larger solution.

Inspiring a Sustainable Virus

Lazy sustainability is a concept that can spread like a virus, infecting communities with a sense of purpose and responsibility. It's about imprinting a generation with the values of environmental stewardship and empowering individuals to make a difference.

From worm farming to black soldier fly farming, from growing at home to understanding the power of the consumer, lazy sustainability offers a roadmap to a healthier, happier, and a more sustainable life. It's a roadmap that does not judge but inspires, that does not demand but encourages.

The need for lazy sustainability is not a trend; it's a call to action. It's a call for each of us to take responsibility for our planet and our future. It's a call to recognize that sustainability is not a burden but an opportunity.

For the sake of our children, our health, and our planet, let's embrace the simplicity, practicality, and beauty of lazy sustainability.

Chapter 2: Holistic Sustainability: More Than Just Recycling

Definition and Importance

A Comprehensive Perspective

Holistic sustainability is the practice of considering and integrating all aspects of sustainability: environmental, economic, and social. Indeed it’s not just about recycling or reducing waste; it's about creating harmony between human needs, nature and the planet's resources. In this broader perspective, every decision we make impacts not only our immediate environment but also the future generations.

Why It's More Than Gold

The startling fact is that the average American produces about 5 pounds of trash per day. Multiply that by the population size, and the magnitude of waste becomes unimaginable. Reducing even an ounce of waste is therefore more valuable than gold, considering the long-term effects on our planet and the limited organic material.

Connecting Environment, Economy, and Society

A Three-Dimensional Approach

To achieve genuine sustainability, it's essential to connect three core dimensions: environment, economy, and society. This trinity forms the basis of holistic sustainability. Let's dive into these connections to understand how they shape our lives.

Environment

Impact of Packaging on the Environment: Modern food packaging is convenient but comes with a price. It leads to pollution of air, soil, and water. Materials like plastics, glass, and metal contribute significantly to environmental degradation. For example, plastic pollution of the oceans is now a "planetary crisis."

Water and Soil Pollution from Food Packaging: Toxic chemicals from packaging materials can leach into groundwater and soil, affecting not only human health but also the entire ecosystem.

Food Production and Its Environmental Toll: From deforestation to the manufacturing of packaging materials, food production can be extremely polluting. The production process consumes resources and emits harmful substances, affecting both the environment and human health.

Economy

Food Waste and Economic Loss: Wasting food translates into enormous economic losses. In the U.S., food and food packaging make up nearly half of all municipal solid waste. The economic implications of this waste are vast and alarming.

Decentralized Self-Growing and Recycling at the Consumer Level: This concept is about empowering individuals to grow their own food and recycle at the local level. By decentralizing these processes, we can reduce transportation costs, minimize waste, and create more resilient local economies. For instance, starting a worm farm at home to turn food scraps into fertilizer can significantly reduce household waste and contribute to the local economy.

Society

Health Concerns and Children's Future: The toxins released from packaging materials can lead to various health issues, including reproductive problems and cancer. This has profound implications for future generations, especially children. Teaching them about sustainable living and involving them in practices like composting, black soldier fly farming, and growing food at home can imprint a generation with sustainable values.

Collective Action and Community Building: Sustainability is a collective effort. By cooking and eating together, sharing resources with neighbors, and supporting sustainable companies, we build a community that values the environment and each other.

Stories and Examples

To make these concepts relatable, let's look at real-life examples:

Story of the Aral Sea: The Aral Sea, once the fourth largest lake in the world, has shrunk dramatically due to over-extraction of water for agricultural purposes. However the water is so salty and full of toxic agricultural runoffs that no fish can live in it. This is a stark reminder of how unsustainable practices can lead to irreversible environmental damage.

The Power of Consumer Choices: By choosing to buy reverse osmosis water filters, reusable bags, bottles and avoiding single-use items, consumers have the power to drive change in the market. Small decisions add up to significant impacts.

Growing at Home: Families who start growing salads, herbs, or tomatoes at home not only enjoy fresh produce but also contribute to reducing the need for packaged food. In fact it even offers insects a small oasis in the deserts of the city. They demonstrate that sustainability is not about sacrifice; it's about making better, not perfect, choices.

The Art of Effortlessness and Long-Term Thinking

Holistic sustainability is not about making drastic changes overnight. It's about the art of effortlessness and long-term thinking. By adopting simple practices like repairing broken items, avoiding fast-changing trends, and driving more with bikes, we can make sustainability a natural part of daily life. These "quick wins" lay the foundation for a sustainable future.

Holistic sustainability goes beyond recycling and encompasses a broader understanding of how our actions affect the environment, economy, and society. By embracing a three-dimensional approach, we can create a sustainable future that values our planet and the well-being of generations to come. Small steps by many people lead to significant changes over time. The time to act is now, and the power to make a difference lies in your hands.

Chapter 3: Mental Wellness: The Psychological Aspect of Sustainability

Modern societies have long grappled with the tension between progress and well-being. The further we progressed with technology, the more we moved away from nature.  As we collectively strive to create a more sustainable world for ourselves and future generations, this balance becomes more crucial than ever. After all, mental health is inextricably linked to the world we inhabit. To be truly sustainable, we must consider not just our environmental footprint, but our psychological one as well.

Our mental health is deeply intertwined with the state of the natural world. By cherishing our connection with animals, plants and their habitats, and by adopting sustainable practices, we nurture not only the planet but our minds as well.

Companions in Mental Wellness

Plants and animals have long been recognized for their calming and therapeutic effects on the human mind. Whether it's tending to houseplants or walking with our pet, the connection with plants and animals can have a profound impact on mental wellness. Here's how:

Mindfulness with Plants: Engaging with plants encourages mindfulness, a practice that involves being fully present and immersed in the moment. Watering, pruning, or simply observing the beauty of plants can be a meditative experience, promoting relaxation and stress reduction.

Nature as a Healing Space: Natural settings have long been recognized as spaces of healing. The mere presence of animals in these spaces, from birdsong to the sight of humming bees, can induce feelings of calm and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Growth and Nurturing: Watching plants grow and flourish can provide a sense of accomplishment and purpose. The act of caring for plants, understanding their needs, and nurturing them to thrive mirrors self-care and personal growth.

Sensory Engagement: The textures, colors, and fragrances of plants stimulate our senses. This sensory engagement can be soothing and healing, especially for those dealing with anxiety or depression.

Biodiversity and Mental Wealth: Diverse ecosystems with a rich array of animals and plants provide sensory richness. This diversity can stimulate our minds, keeping us engaged and curious to explore.

Connection with Earth: Planting and gardening reconnect us with the earth. Digging into the soil, planting seeds, and seeing them germinate and bloom strengthens our connection with nature, fostering a sense of belonging and grounding.

Sustainable Gardening: A Path to Environmental Stewardship

The practice of gardening can be aligned with sustainability by adopting eco-friendly methods. Here's how sustainable gardening contributes to mental wellness:

Organic Gardening: By avoiding synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, organic gardening promotes a healthy ecosystem. Knowing that you are contributing positively to the environment enhances mental satisfaction.

Composting and Recycling: Utilizing kitchen scraps for composting or repurposing containers for plant pots embraces the concept of recycling at the consumer level. This practice not only benefits the environment but also instills a sense of responsibility and creativity.

Water Conservation: Implementing water-saving techniques in the garden is a mindful practice that reflects a conscious effort to preserve our natural resources. It adds an additional layer of purpose to gardening.

Growing Food at Home: Cultivating fruits, vegetables, and herbs at home reduces dependence on packaged food, minimizing waste. The joy of harvesting fresh produce is a rewarding experience that nourishes both the body and mind.

Community Gardens: Participating in community gardens fosters social connections and collective action towards sustainability. It builds a sense of community and shared values, enhancing social well-being.

Therapeutic Horticulture: Engaging in therapeutic horticulture programs offers emotional healing and rehabilitation for individuals dealing with mental health challenges. These programs are often designed with sustainability in mind, creating a nurturing environment that supports both the individual and the planet.

The Detrimental Effects of Lost Connection

As urban living becomes the norm and we distance ourselves from wild spaces, there's a growing sense of 'nature deficit disorder'. The lack of connection to animals and their habitats can contribute to feelings of isolation and disconnection.

Sustainability as a Path to Reconnection

By adopting sustainable practices, we not only protect animal habitats but also reconnect with nature. This reconnection can serve as a pathway to improved mental health.

The Shared Planet Perspective

Recognizing that we share the planet with countless other species can foster feelings of unity and interconnectedness, combatting feelings of loneliness.

The Mental Toll of Environmental Neglect

Witnessing the effects of environmental damage and loss of animal habitats can have a negative impact on our mental well-being, leading to feelings of guilt, hopelessness, and eco-anxiety.

Active Engagement for Mental Health

Participating in conservation efforts, animal welfare activities, or even simple acts like bird-watching can provide a sense of purpose and boost mental health.

The Ethical Treatment of Animals

Understanding and advocating for the ethical treatment of animals in all settings – from wild spaces to agricultural farms – can align our actions with our values, leading to a more harmonious mental state.

The Circle of Life

Acknowledging the natural life cycles in ecosystems, where every creature has a role to play, can offer humans a broader perspective on life, death, and purpose.

Plants and Children: Imprinting a Generation

Introducing children to the world of plants and gardening is a vital step towards imprinting sustainable values. It also contributes to their mental and emotional development:

Educational Experience: Teaching children about plants, their growth, and their importance to the ecosystem is an enriching educational experience. It fosters curiosity, creativity, and a love for nature.

Responsibility and Empathy: Caring for plants instills a sense of responsibility and empathy in children. It teaches them about nurturing, patience, and the interconnectedness of life.

Family Bonding: Gardening together as a family creates quality bonding time. It's an opportunity to work together towards a common goal, strengthening relationships, and building lasting memories.

Balancing Sustainability with Mental Well-being

Imagine the mind as a garden. Just as a garden requires the right balance of sunlight, water, and nutrients to thrive, our minds need a harmonious environment to flourish. However, in today's fast-paced world, the constant barrage of negative news about environmental crises can be overwhelming, leading to eco-anxiety.

The Paradox of Information Overload

Information is power. Yet, in the age of the internet, we're inundated with data about the state of our planet. While it's crucial to be informed, the sheer volume of information can lead to feelings of helplessness. Especially for parents, the future of their children in the context of climate change and environmental degradation can be a significant source of stress.

Conclusion

The connection between plants, animals, mental well-being, and sustainability is multifaceted and profound. From the simple joy of having a houseplant to the broader impact of community gardening, plants offer therapeutic benefits that extend beyond aesthetics. Embracing plants and gardening in a sustainable manner nurtures our mental health and strengthens our commitment to the environment. It's a relationship that heals, inspires, and sustains, offering a pathway to a harmonious and balanced life.

Chapter 4: Quick Wins: Easy Steps to Start Today

In our daily lives, we often feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of environmental challenges and the urgent need for sustainability. This chapter is about empowering you with simple, accessible strategies that make a tangible difference. These are not grand gestures, but small, practical steps that anyone can take. The power of simplicity is profound, and in this chapter, we will explore the top five actions for immediate impact, focusing on the environment, sustainability, and health—especially for the younger generation.

Top 5 Actions for Immediate Impact

1. Decentralized Self-Growing and Recycling at the Consumer Level

Growing at Home: Start with a small garden in your backyard or windowsill. From herbs to vegetables, this simple step not only reduces the need for packaged food but also connects you and your children to the natural process of growth. Composting kitchen waste can further nourish your garden, closing the loop in a miniature ecosystem.

Worm Farming: Consider setting up a small worm farm to process your organic waste into valuable compost. It's an educational experience for children and a positive step towards reducing landfill waste.

Recycling and Repurposing: Engage in recycling within your household. From paper to plastic, proper segregation and recycling can make a big difference. Encourage creativity by repurposing old items into crafts and useful objects.

Chicken Eggs: Female chicken can eat all your leftovers, and give you free eggs and a lot of love in return. In time reducing the harm of livestock factories like antibiotics and unethical living standards.

Aquaponic System: Once set up properly is almost maintenance free because it's a circular system. All you have to do is fill the fish feeder, sow the seeds and harvest.

2. Eliminating Single-Use Plastics

Reusable Alternatives: Replace single-use plastic bags, bottles, straws, and containers with reusable alternatives. This change alone can have a tremendous impact on plastic pollution.

Reverse Osmosis Water Filter: Remove single-use bottles, and transportation of heavy water across the world. Also a lot of  health benefits by removing toxins. Over a year 365 bottles are saved if you only drink one bottle per day, which usually is not the case.

Avoid Over-Packaged Products: Opt for products with minimal or eco-friendly packaging. Even at grocery stores, try to buy local in bulk for your community and use your own containers.

3. Mindful Consumption

Buy What You Need: By purchasing only what you actually need and will use, you're directly reducing waste.

Support Sustainable Brands: Choose products from companies that are committed to sustainable practices.

Eat More Plant-Based Meals: Incorporate more vegetarian or vegan meals into your diet. Even one meatless meal a week can make a significant difference in your environmental footprint.

4. Educate and Imprint a Generation

Involve Children in Sustainable Practices: Let your children participate in recycling, gardening, and other sustainable activities. This not only educates them but also instills lifelong habits and multiplies your sustainable efforts.

Share Stories and Examples: Explain the importance of sustainability through engaging stories and real-life examples. Make it a fun and learning experience.

5. Embrace the Better, Not Perfect Philosophy

Start Small: Don’t strive for perfection; start with what’s doable. Remember, a small step by many is more impactful than a big step by a few.

No Judgement: Encourage yourself and others to do better without harsh judgments. Every effort counts.

The Power of Simplicity

The actions described above are not complex or overwhelming. They are practical and achievable by anyone, regardless of age or background. By adopting these practices, you're not only contributing to environmental sustainability but also teaching valuable lessons to the next generation.

The magic of these quick wins lies in their simplicity. They don't require a radical shift in lifestyle or significant financial investment. They are decentralized, empowering you at the individual and community level. They involve growing and recycling at the consumer level, making you an active participant in the sustainability movement.

Here's how simplicity amplifies the impact:

Holistic Sustainability: Simple practices ensure a balanced approach that considers environmental, social, and economic factors.

Long-Term Thinking: These practices are sustainable over the long run, fostering a continuous commitment to the environment.

Collective Action: The aggregation of small, individual efforts leads to substantial collective action.

You Are the Greatest Force: Each person's contribution is vital, making You the greatest force in this movement.

Stories and Examples

The Neighborhood Composting Initiative: A story of a community that started composting together, turning waste into resources and fostering neighborly bonds. They also increased the amount of recycled plastic and paper because they have less waste volume to deal with.

Sarah's Zero Waste Journey: How a young mother gradually reduced her household's waste through mindful consumption, teaching her children valuable lessons along the way and being a role model by actions not words.

School's Plastic-Free Campaign: An inspiring example of a school that eliminated single-use plastics, involving students in a meaningful cause. Seeing these small practical changes impact their environment motivated them to do even more and inspire others to do so too.

These actions and stories demonstrate that you don't have to be an environmental expert or activist to make a difference. You can start today, right where you are, with what you have. The journey towards a sustainable future is made of these simple, yet powerful steps. And as you walk this path, you're not only preserving the planet for future generations but also nurturing a more mindful, compassionate, and resilient way of life.

[gishwheshistorian]

hi! extremely random question (and please feel free to shoo me if it's too specific or just truly not within the purview of this blog), but has GISH ever had an item where GISHers create some sort of dragon (preferably like a model dragon, out of clay or smthg similar), and if so do you know the year?

I know it's very peculiar; for this I am sorry.

A sculpted model dragon is a bit... tame for a Gish item- I think this is as close as you'll get:

March 2021 item 9: [IMAGE] Dragons often dwell in dungeons, but sometimes they prefer caves — and in a pinch, they’ll take up residence in a pit. You should know: there’s one in your left armpit right now. (23 points)

After that, these are the most dragon/mythical creature adjacent:

2013 item 155: Image. Kale bear and dragon clothes (51 points)

2016 item 93: Image. You know those Chinese festival dragons where several people are hidden under the cloth of the body and tail? Make one of those, but have it be the largest Castiel ever seen: there should be one “head” and then everyone else must be under a massively long, large, and brown home-made looking trench coat behind the head (there must be at least 7 people under the “coat”). Make sure your Castiel New Year’s Festival is celebrated in public in a crowded venue. (92 points)

2017 item 22: Image. We finally have a confirmed sighting of a mythical beast from urban legends (Bigfoot, Nessie, Yeti, etc.) suffering the effects of climate change. (50 points)

April 2020 item 35. [IMAGE] Some people believe big corporations are big bad monsters that gobble up little businesses, destroy our environment, and have way too much control over our buying habits. Others believe that their economic angels and that they help lower prices for consumers, provide more job opportunities, and stimulate economic prosperity. Clearly the individual that should resolve this dichotomy is… a child. With your child (or a child) as your lead designer, make a mythical creature out of all those boxes you have in your garage from big box stores and corporations that is either monster-like or fairy and angelic like – your child’s choice! – Inspired by Casey Elaine L. (35 points)

May 2020 item 104: [IMAGE] Find a crack on the sidewalk and use chalk or washable paints to draw the creature you think lives inside it. (10 points)

2020 item 5: [IMAGE] Livestream Challenge: The LEGO Master Model Builders are working to #RebuildtheWorld, which is full of undiscovered creatures. Luckily, Gishers are on the job. Build a hybrid animal or cryptid creature out of the legendary LOCKING BRICKS, then take a forced-perspective picture of it coming after you. Post your creation to social media tagging @LEGO_Group (@LEGO on Instagram), #RebuildTheWorld & #GISH (59 points)

October 2020 item 8: [IMAGE] Livescream Challenge: The dedicated cryptozoologists at the Cryptid Factor know all the lore about the creepiest creatures on the planet… Well, almost. You’ve stumped them with the specimen you just stumbled upon in your backyard. (21 points)

March 2021 item 18: [IMAGE] Air your dirty laundry: literally. Using dirty laundry, create a scene of a princess riding an airborne pegasus or dragon. (24 points)

March 2021 item 32: [IMAGE] Tablescaping and landscaping both exist, but you’ve never, never set the table like this: Create a tablescape that’s a perfect fairytale landscape of Neverland, complete with mermaid lagoons, pirate ships, and so on. complete with castles, a dragon, and a lake with a sea monster…. you get the idea. But it must also be a tablescape, so make sure that it’s possible to have an elegant dinner. (28 points)

March 2021 item 46: [IMAGE] Ride with us! Using forced perspective and not Photoshop, either walk through your magical kingdom or ride “on” a warg, a racing snail or a giant bat, R.O.U.S. (rodent of unusual size), a landstrider, or your pet transformed for battle… you get the idea. (You may not hurt or harm any fantastical or real creatures in the making of this item). - Inspired by Cameron R. (24 points)

Hope this helps!

[robertreich]

The Solutions to the Climate Crisis No One is Talking About

Both our economy and the environment are in crisis. Wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few while the majority of Americans struggle to get by. The climate crisis is worsening inequality, as those who are most economically vulnerable bear the brunt of flooding, fires, and disruptions of supplies of food, water, and power. At the same time, environmental degradation and climate change are themselves byproducts of widening inequality. The political power of wealthy fossil fuel corporations has stymied action on climate change for decades. Focused only on maximizing their short-term interests, those corporations are becoming even richer and more powerful — while sidelining workers, limiting green innovation, preventing sustainable development, and blocking direct action on our dire climate crisis. Make no mistake: the simultaneous crisis of inequality and climate is no fluke. Both are the result of decades of deliberate choices made, and policies enacted, by ultra-wealthy and powerful corporations. We can address both crises by doing four things: First, create green jobs. Investing in renewable energy could create millions of family sustaining, union jobs and build the infrastructure we need for marginalized communities to access clean water and air. The transition to a renewable energy-powered economy can add 550,000 jobs each year while saving the US economy $78 billion through 2050. In other words, a Green New Deal could turn the climate crisis into an opportunity - one that both addresses the climate emergency and creates a fairer and more equitable society. Second, stop dirty energy. A massive investment in renewable energy jobs isn’t enough to combat the climate crisis. If we are going to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, we must tackle the problem at its source: Stop digging up and burning more oil, gas, and coal. The potential carbon emissions from these fossil fuels in the world’s currently developed fields and mines would take us well beyond the 1.5°C increased warming that Nobel Prize winning global scientists tell us the planet can afford. Given this, it’s absurd to allow fossil fuel corporations to start new dirty energy projects. Even as fossil fuel companies claim to be pivoting toward clean energy, they are planning to invest trillions of dollars in new oil and gas projects that are inconsistent with global commitments to limit climate change. And over half of the industry’s expansion is projected to happen in the United States. Allowing these projects means locking ourselves into carbon emissions we can’t afford now, let alone in the decades to come. Even if the U.S. were to transition to 100 percent renewable energy today, continuing to dig fossil fuels out of the ground will lead us further into climate crisis. If the U.S. doesn’t stop now, whatever we extract will simply be exported and burned overseas. We will all be affected, but the poorest and most vulnerable among us will bear the brunt of the devastating impacts of climate change. Third, kick fossil fuel companies out of our politics. For decades, companies like Exxon, Chevron, Shell, and BP have been polluting our democracy by pouring billions of dollars into our politics and bankrolling elected officials to enact policies that protect their profits. The oil and gas industry spent over $103 million on the 2016 federal elections alone. And that's just what they were required to report: that number doesn't include the untold amounts of "dark money" they’ve been using to buy-off politicians and corrupt our democracy. The most conservative estimates still put their spending at 10 times that of environmental groups and the renewable energy industry. As a result, American taxpayers are shelling out $20 billion a year to bankroll oil and gas projects -- a huge transfer of wealth to the top. And that doesn’t even include hundreds of billions of dollars of indirect subsidies that cost every United States citizen roughly $2,000 a year. This has to stop. And we’ve got to stop giving away public lands for oil and gas drilling. In 2018, under Trump, the Interior Department made $1.1 billion selling public land leases to oil and gas companies, an all-time record -- triple the previous 2008 record, totaling more than 1.5 million acres for drilling alone, threatening multiple cultural sites and countless wildlife. As recently as last September, the Trump administration opened 1.56 million acres of Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling, threatening Indigenous cultural heritage and hundreds of species that call it home. That’s not all. The ban on exporting crude oil should be reintroduced and extended to other fossil fuels. The ban, in place for 40 years, was lifted in 2015, just days after the signing of the Paris Climate Agreement. After years of campaigning by oil executives, industry heads, and their army of lobbyists, the fossil fuel industry finally got its way. We can’t wait for these changes to be introduced in 5 or 10 years time — we need them now. Fourth, require the fossil fuel companies that have profited from environmental injustice compensate the communities they've harmed. As if buying-off our democracy wasn’t enough, these corporations have also deliberately misled the public for years on the amount of damage their products have been causing. 

For instance, as early as 1977, Exxon’s own scientists were warning managers that fossil fuel use would warm the planet and cause irreparable damage. In the 1980s, Exxon shut down its internal climate research program and shifted to funding a network of advocacy groups, lobbying arms, and think tanks whose sole purpose was to cloud public discourse and block action on the climate crisis. The five largest oil companies now spend about $197 million a year on ad campaigns claiming they care about the climate — all the while massively increasing their spending on oil and gas extraction. Meanwhile, millions of Americans, especially poor, Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities, already have to fight to drink clean water and breathe clean air as their communities are devastated by climate-fueled hurricanes, floods, and fires. As of 2015, nearly 21 million people relied on community water systems that violated health-based quality standards. 

Going by population, that’s essentially 200 Flint, Michigans, happening all at once. If we continue on our current path, many more communities run the risk of becoming “sacrifice zones,” where citizens are left to survive the toxic aftermath of industrial activity with little, if any, help from the entities responsible for creating it. Climate denial and rampant pollution are not victimless crimes. Fossil fuel corporations must be held accountable, and be forced to pay for the damage they’ve wrought. If these solutions sound drastic to you, it’s because they are. They have to be if we have any hope of keeping our planet habitable. The climate crisis is not a far-off apocalyptic nightmare — it is our present day. Australia’s bushfires wiped out a billion animals, California’s fire season wreaks more havoc every year, and record-setting storms are tearing through our communities like never before. 

Scientists tell us we have 10 years left to dramatically reduce emissions. We have no room for meek half-measures wrapped up inside giant handouts to the fossil fuel industry. 

We deserve a world without fossil fuels. A world in which workers and communities thrive and our shared climate comes before industry profits. Working together, I know we can make it happen. We have no time to waste.

[a-worldd-for-all]

In all of my advocacy, I’ve come to learn that there is no such thing as ethical consumerism and those who espouse zero waste definitely can be great at inspiring people to be more conscious—especially if we’re going to adjust to the continued reduction of water and other resources.

I try to carry my reusable bottles and mugs when possible, not use more water than necessary, make and buy my coffee locally, and to walk more. I participate in grass roots lobbying, educating my community, and environmental cleanups. But I can’t afford recycling and my building doesn’t offer it. Due to health issues, many products I purchase have lots of packaging, my fatigue requires me to sometimes utilize Whole Food’s free delivery service, and I enjoy driving around scenic places when I just can’t muster the energy to hike.

The challenge is that it’s unrealistic to expect people —many who are economically and politically vulnerable — to use their vital resources to fight climate change or be a bit more ethical. It takes an intersectional lens in order to recognize that environmentally friendly lifestyles are inaccessible and those who promote green washing and performative sustainability make it increasingly so by essentially gentrifying sustainable solutions.

Governments and those who hoard resources in secret accounts and companies that eliminate local businesses have to be the ones to address these issues. The inability to pay for quality food, for example, due to low wages drives the demand for processed and poorly grown food. Habits need to be instilled in the values of communities but we need to believe we’re making a difference rather than fake recycling and changing lightbulbs.

Governments are on the hook for this. They NEED to create policy to reel in the monopolies, fund our government, and commit to bold climate commitments that uplift and empower.

But also, corporate AND government supply chains are sourced unethically ( prison labor, unsustainable practices, lobbying and covering up data, defense industries), and that is in turn passed on to the consumer and citizens of the United States, China, Vietnam, Peru, etc. but, again, can we blame Vietnam and Peru completely?

That’s not to say that there aren’t unicorn companies or dare I say governments that can’t get to a zero carbon footprint, but the point is that the ones who are the main culprits of and most empowered to solve issues like climate change, resource deprivation, authoritarianism and instability, as well as ethnic and cultural homogenization are those with that sway and money.

That’s not to say citizens are entirely off the hook. If you know that one garment is made by persecuted minorities in labor camps and choose that over another option you can afford that’s pretty shitty.

But again, you’d essentially have to live off the grid to live an entirely sustainable or ethical lifestyle even if you tried. Those who claim to be able to do this are those who don’t recognize that using the resources that they have to maintain their lifestyle are best used through taxes, activism, conservation, and research and development. Your Tesla isn’t going to matter unless lower and middle class individuals, as the majority of the population, have access to reliable and affordable options and batteries are ethically and sustainably sourced.

In a lot of ways, buying costly green products that also have labor issues, questionable practices, or are luxury just discredits the action in and of itself.

Before you get upset, I’ll explain what I mean. The purchasing of luxury goods like electric cars (so far Tesla, BMV, Audi, etc. ) means that you’re not really helping the wider industry transition. The amount of overhead and investment money needed should come from the companies, but the reality is that many aren’t profiting as much as you’d think. They are also creating vehicles that aren’t practical for average people.

To underline my point, the wealthy are often those who drive innovation by companies that green wash due to their need to promote and adapt to stay relevant and they are the ones utilizing yachts, luxury cruises, private planes, token hunting, causing deforestation, etc.

But I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the fact that BIPOC individuals are often taking the externalities of these lifestyles. They’re facing persecution and are subjected to environments that rely on poor supply chains and are politically, economically, environmentally, and socially disadvantaged.

Indigenous individuals often use traditional methods of land management, but many don’t have the ability to live off the land due to environmental decimation, forced migration, and other issues. That’s not to mention the history of atrocities from governments, corporations, and citizens against indigenous people.

People of color are often environmentally conscious at the same rates if not higher, but we have to remember that economics and education often requires people or miseducates them into misusing resources pretty frequently and minority communities face these circumstances at an higher rate. They’re also victims of so many systemic injustices.

Frankly, though, I can continue my guerrilla gardening, volunteering, planting trees all over my parents’ house with the hope they don’t kill them, and be more conscious. We can all use reusable bags and plant trees, but that won’t get the plastics out of the water or prevent the oceans from cooking our fish. It won’t help people get paid more, be less sick, or help us get to work.

So what do we do? We organize. We lobby. We get involved and we force accountability. We hold ourselves and community accountable. Government works for us and these attacks on democracy is literally our job to prevent. It’s not like anyone has more to lose than the public citizens.

[architectnews]

12 architecture and design projects from the Savannah College of Art and Design students

From a New York hub that aims to help people live more sustainably, to addressing the decline of water-based travel in Mumbai, the Savannah College of Art and Design presents 12 student projects in our latest school show.

The undergraduate and graduate projects also include an analysis of the tourist industry's impact on the Galapagos Isabela Island's mangrove forests and a project proposing the repurposing of Oregon Pacific Railway's defunct trains for immersive storytelling shows.

Savannah College of Art and Design

School: Savannah College of Art and Design Courses:  Master of Architecture, BFA Architecture, MFA Furniture Design, BFA Furniture Design, MFA Interior Design, BFA Interior Design, BFA Preservation Design, Master of Urban Design Tutors: School of Building Arts Faculty Members

School statement:

"The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) is the preeminent source of knowledge in the building arts. With preservation design and interior design programme as two of the university's original eight programmes, SCAD has prepared talented students for professional careers in this multibillion-dollar market for more than 40 years.

"SCAD enrols upwards of 1,200 building arts students across six disciplines focused on architecture, interior design, furniture design and other building arts-related industries. It is the only art and design university in the United States to offer a Master of Urban Design degree and the first and only university to offer an MFA in Architectural History."

Transfora: Your tool to becoming a sustainable New Yorker by Chloe Arenzana Du Boys

"Leading a sustainable lifestyle in metropolitan cities has become much harder to accomplish because of inconvenience, social constructs and difficulty in changing hard-wired habits. Transfora is a sustainability hub in New York City that provides its users with tools that help provide the essentials to live more sustainably in the city.

"Through a personalised immersive learning experience and a sustainable indoor market, users can learn and engage in eco-conscious actions that they can then easily implement into their lifestyles. It creates a community of 'green citizens' that support, motivate and help each other in their journey towards a sustainable lifestyle."

Student: Chloe Arenzana Du Boys Course: BFA Interior Design with minor in Design for Sustainability Email: chloe_arenzana@yahoo.es

In'terminal: Reunion District by James K. Jung

"In'terminal is a multi-modal transit hub that embodies the transformative power of architecture in the creation and evolution of the built environment. The project aims to redefine the streets not only as spaces in-between but as places to promote social interaction and refuge. It seeks to promote a sustainable urban lifestyle by transforming an abandoned parking garage into social infrastructure.

"By reconciling mobility as the public realm prioritising social capital, In'terminal adopts placemaking strategies layered in rich shared spaces where a community becomes the domain of many – a common network – woven with empathy to unify social identity and a sense of belonging."

Student: James K. Jung Course:  Master of Architecture Email: jamesjung.us@gmail.com

Rising With the Seas by Jillian Nadolski

"This project came as the result of a quarter-long design project for PRES 480 Studio VIII: Innovative Adaptation Collaborative Practicum with Professor CT Nguyen. My design solution was developed to prompt communities to start embracing climate change. It uses the industrial port of Porto Marghera, Italy, as a catalyst.

"The project is built around the idea of 'living with water'. It asks the question: what if we can rise with the seas instead of fighting it? This radical, integrative redevelopment plan hopes to put to rest the longstanding conflict of humans vs nature."

Student: Jillian Nadolski Course: BFA Preservation Design Email: jgnadolski@gmail.com

Fleeting Moments by Kathryn Luu

"Situated in scenic Portland (OR), on the Oregon Pacific Railway (OPR), the proposed Caper Express provides an opportunity for adults to re-experience their childlike wonderment for the Polar Express anew through live 'theatrical dinner' mysteries. By repurposing OPR's defunct trains, adults can take part in immersive storytelling shows tailored to them. It's these fleeting moments that will linger as lifelong memories while the rest fade to grey."

Student: Kathryn Luu Course: BFA Preservation Design Email: Katemacdonald1999@gmail.com

Exploring the emerging Potentials Of Urban Infrastructure - The Hyperloop Urban Hub by Pranav A Ghadashi

"The future is bright, uncompromising and unstoppable! Technology is progressing at accelerating rates. Cities are experiencing a resurgence in population growth, which in turn is pushing transport systems to expand and improve.

"The thesis intends to design a portal that will introduce a new paradigm of transport, reconfigure the urban infrastructure and the mental mapping of a city and thus reshape our habitual understanding of distance and proximity.

"It proposes a hyperloop station that reconfigures the concept of 'regional becoming the new local'. It embraces the potential of transport and explores innovative sustainable strategies integrating the natural environment and urban functions."

Student: Pranav A Ghadashi Course: Master Of Architecture Email: pghada20@student.scad.edu

The Nodal Connector, Incubator for the FinTech industry by Preethi Chitharanjan

"Nodal Connector is an incubator for the financial technology industry. It is a space dedicated to the development of the industry driven by diverse users and technology. The incubator is designed in the fast-growing city of Atlanta, Georgia.

"The nodal connector acts as a catalyst for research and workspaces, with the core idea to connect, collaborate and conserve through primary, secondary and tertiary interactions that influence spatial planning.

"These ideas are the macro, micro and nano-scale networking that happen with diverse users while also attracting the local neighbourhood. The project facilitates a collaborative approach in education, community-driven, professionals and corporate employees while prioritising creators."

Student: Preethi Chitharanjan Course: Master of Architecture Email: preethichitharanjan14@gmail.com

The Portal - Redefining the water transit of the city by stitching the land to the water by Sanjana Sanjay Vadhavkar

"This thesis aims to observe the decline in water-based travel in Mumbai and design a solution to the problem. To revitalise the essential industry for Mumbai, creating a water transit hub would reduce the load on other modes of transportation and transform the water-based industry in the city, bringing a new mode of transportation to Mumbai.

"To bring back the missing identity of a port city, the city plans to redevelop Mumbai's eastern waterfront. In addition to the proposal, this thesis seeks to bring about a change through architecture by resolving the current problems and proposing a terminal that will cope with the city's increasing population demands and give the region a renewed identity. It will be an epitome and a means for the city's potential water transport."

Student: Sanjana Sanjay Vadhavkar Course: Master of Architecture Email: sanjana.vadh@gmail.com

Area 10: The Last Nuclear Bomb Memorial by Sophie Ribeiro

"As part of the Nevada Testing Site, Yucca Flat was the host for over 900 bomb tests. As a result, a crater on the site – Sedan Crater – is 300 feet deep and 1,150 in diameter. Sedan is the proposed site for the Area Ten Interpretation + Research Centre.

"Area Ten will inform people of nuclear war and the consequences of it on humanity and nature through learning spaces that use exhibitions, viewing points and atomic gardening – the study of plants that can grow from the radioactivity of the land.

"The goal is for visitors to leave with an understanding of the site's history and an awareness of the importance of peace."

Student: Sophie Ribeiro Course: BFA Architecture Email: sophielribeiro@hotmail.com

+ by Tasha Akemah

"Almost a century ago, we thought that nuclear weapons were the solution for world peace, but history tells us otherwise. The detonation that ended world war two set humanity for a new course that would determine the future; our present.

"Currently, humanity is facing a similar war, except this time we have to fight it together. This project asks for repent against the crime that society has done to itself by offering hope. The architecture is composed of a series of experiences divided between the structure and the memorial.

"While the structure serves as a church that would house the procession, the memorial offers salvation. The main structure offers a diving facility, and the memorial will restore endangered coral reefs in the area. The war that we were fighting a hundred years ago may have different causes, but both were fighting for the same objective: humanity."

Student: Tasha Akemah Course: BFA Architecture and BFA Architectural History Email: tashakemah@gmail.com

Hiraeth by Teddy Breedlove

"Hiraeth is a collection of furniture designed for the high-end luxury market. The pandemic has made the home the centre of our lives again. It has become a place for personal expression and function.

"As a result, trends have begun to change from a minimalistic approach towards a more ostentatious design language. Hiraeth is contemporary in design language featuring soft curves, ribbing and a neutral colour palette. It brings a breath of fresh air into the home while keeping your soul at peace."

Student: Teddy Breedlove Course: BFA Furniture Design Email: Teddybreedlove@icloud.com

Interwoven by Tingxin (TX) Zheng

"Under the business strategy of fast-fashion brands, disposable clothing is part of a trend toward fast fashion. Consumers start throwing away the old items they owned and moving on to the next trend quickly.

"Interwoven is a multi-functional space for exhibition, experience, retail, communication that connects to people's memories and clothes. It aims to bring the diluted awareness of cherishing clothing back to the people to drive the rebirth of old garments, promote sustainable fashion and inform the community about the increasingly negative effects of fast fashion."

Student: Tingxin (TX) Zheng Course: BFA Interior Design Email: txzheng12@gmail.com

Isabela Island: Infrastructure for Tourism and Conservation by Zhiying Deng

"The proposal is based on the analysis of the Galapagos Isabela Island's mangrove forests and the status of tourism on the island. It aims to provide tourists with a better chance to experience the island's natural resources while not disturbing its species.

"Paths and boat routes are designed within the mangrove forests to allow visitors to experience different mangrove zones and watch species within the habitat while other mangroves are conserved. The design also responds to the climate change and sea-level rise."

Student: Zhiying Deng Course: Master of Urban Design Email: dzyzd123@gmail.com

Partnership content

This school show is a partnership between Dezeen and Savannah College of Art and Design. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.

The post 12 architecture and design projects from the Savannah College of Art and Design students appeared first on Dezeen.

[theroguefeminist]

What are the things an (minor) individual can do to help against climate change?

One book that really helped me rethink how I do things to be greener is called The Story of Stuff--this book is great because it thoroughly criticizes capitalism as the source of this problem while also connecting it to how we all live our daily lives. This video is a great introduction, their website is an excellent resource on ways you can get involved, and they have lots more videos. TL;DR: our society is obsessed with working and producing for the sake of it for endless growth instead of minimizing waste and work so we can rest and value the things we produce and buy. We should shift our thinking from endless production to only working and consuming things when we actually need to.

There’s a lot we can do in lots of different aspects of our lives and I think all of us (including myself for sure) could improve. No way can each of us do all of the things I’m gonna bring up in this post, but most of us could probably do a bit more. What we can do will vary depending on life circumstances and privilege, so keep in mind that not everyone will have access to these things and this is not an indictment on people who don’t do some of them (all of us, myself included) and it’s not even a comprehensive list, but it’s a start. Some of these things may not be possible for you as a minor, but you may be able to suggest them to your parents or keep them in mind once you move out on your own.

To make it simpler I will be breaking it down into different categories.

Political Engagement

Be politically engaged and vote / put pressure on politicians to adopt measures that will minimize global warming (this includes increasing regulation of corporate carbon emissions, protecting clean water, supporting the Green New Deal, protecting habitats, and simpler policies like eliminating single use bags and straws when possible, etc). I know you said you’re a minor, but you can still sign petitions and write to politicians (esp local ones). I’d say start reading up as much as you can on climate change policies and which politicians prioritize this issue so you can be ready once you are able to vote. You can still participate in protests / demonstrations and you may be able to join certain organizations like the Sierra Club (although you may need to be 18+ for some) Local Efforts You can join local organizations and volunteer / participate in beach/wildlife litter clean-ups and other efforts to improve your local environment or town. Pay attention to local issues like your parks, beaches, nearby wildlife, water and air policies, etc. In middle school and high school you’re probably required to do community service, so you can devote your hours to something climate change related. You can also find out what efforts are being made at your school to reduce carbon footprint and even get involved with your school board/ student government to address that.

Transportation

Minimize driving as much as possible. Use public transportation or walk or bike when you can. If you have a choice to work or go to school closer to where you live or to do work remotely, take it and minimize commuting. If you are in the market for a car, try to choose a hybrid or electric car or at least one with higher mileage. If driving is unavoidable where you live or for a specific trip, carpool where possible. Help out your coworkers or classmates by driving them or vice versa. This has the added advantage of helping others.

Energy Use / Pollution 

Be mindful of energy you might be wasting. Try purchasing rechargeable batteries instead of disposable or using rechargeable appliances instead of battery-operated where possible. Avoid leaving devices on or plugged in when they don’t need to be. Use lower light settings on your devices (this is better for your eyes anyway!). Find out if alternative sources of energy are possible for your house (such as solar power instead of coal). Don’t smoke/vape or pick up smoking/vaping as a habit or quit if you have. Avoid creating sources of smoke such as bonfires or wood stoves/fireplaces unless necessary. Minimize use of heaters / air conditioning except when necessary.

Fashion

Resist fast fashion: try to shop at thrift stores or when you buy new clothes, from sustainable outlets or at the very least more durable staples (i.e. something that will stay in fashion and in good shape). You want clothes that last as long as possible instead of following short-lived trends or being cheaply made and wearing out quickly. (Example: the prom dress I wore for high school was a chic but understated black dress that has lasted me over ten years--most people wear their prom dress and then toss it in the trash). When you outgrow your clothes or become tired of them, donate them to a thrift store, someone you know, or charity--don’t throw them away unless they are stained, have holes or are otherwise worn out.

Technology / Goods Don’t ditch your phone, tablet or computer for the latest model unless necessary. Avoid brands that are designed to die quickly and be replaced. Do research and try to purchase well-made products that will last and get repairs where possible. Avoid hasty purchases for things you will only use a short time then throw away. Try to buy things with re-use value instead of disposable (for instance, a re-washable mop or sponge instead of disposable wipes). When you decide you do not want a product anymore, donate it instead of taking it to the dump. You can also research companies that are making efforts to be reduce their carbon footprint and which are the worst offenders and try to buy from greener ones.

Food

Shop with reusable cloth bags or where not possible, recycle or reuse paper bags (one option during covid-19 is keeping reusable bags in your car or getting bags that roll up small to keep in your pocket and bagging them once you leave the store). Compost, give away or donate food you don’t eat before it expires. Avoid food with excessive plastic packaging. Try to buy local at farmer’s markets, local grocery store outlets or co-ops if affordable and feasible. Use biodegradable bags when shopping for produce instead of plastic bags. Consider minimizing your meat and/or dairy intake if possible. Try to buy in bulk where possible. Try to buy sustainably / ethically sourced food where possible.

Waste

Learn how to properly dispose of special kinds of waste like electronics, batteries and medications. Dispose of these properly instead of just tossing them in the trash. Re-use and recycle where possible. Compost. As mentioned above, avoid purchases that involve high levels of waste such as disposable items or those with built in obsolescence or a short life. Avoid unnecessary use of water (i.e. leaving the sink on while you brush your teeth, long showers, frequent baths). Where possible, avoid buying items with a lot of plastic packaging or individually wrapped parts.

Again, It’s not possible for every single person to do all of these things, but probably the majority of us could do more of these things. Just listing this out made me thing of more things I could be doing. I encourage people do do their own research too on ways to minimize their carbon footprint bc there’s probably a lot more than what I listed here.

[violaslayvis]

Betomania has befallen Washington elites: Democratic pundits, political operatives and influencers are having a collective swoon over Democratic representative Beto O’Rourke. He is fresh off a failed Senate run, where he generated internet fame for his skateboarding, musicianship and sunny disposition. Now, he is Washington’s version of Elvis Presley on Ed Sullivan, only the screaming teeny-boppers are Beltway politicos: one rainmaker touted him as “Obama, but white”, a Wall Street-funded group called Third Way declared that “we are big Beto fans” and a former Obama aide penned an entire love letter touting O’Rourke 2020, without even once mentioning where the Texas congressman stands on a single legislative issue.

Perhaps the fuzziness around O’Rourke’s political positions isn’t a mistake. Maybe it is designed to obscure facts about his record that may prove to be inconvenient in a Democratic primary. After all, this is a lawmaker who abruptly backed off unequivocally supporting Medicare for All, aligned himself with the party’s Wall Street faction, voted to gut financial regulations, supported Republican-crafted tax cuts, boosted the fossil fuel industry – and then broke his own pledge to reject donations from oil and gas executives.

The 46-year-old O’Rourke has racked up a voting record helping Republicans ram parts of their agenda through the Congress. In an era of growing economic inequality, O’Rourke has split with the majority of his party to vote for Republican initiatives to weaken Wall Street regulations and accelerate bank mergers – and he once voted for a Republican bill that Democratic legislators said was designed to block the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s from combatting racially discriminatory lending. He also voted for a key part of Donald Trump’s so-called deportation force.

Meanwhile, despite the imminent climate catastrophe facing our planet, O’Rourke has often taken the side of carbon polluters. He has repeatedly voted to help the fossil fuel industry increase its exports. He even helped the GOP defeat a Democratic measure designed to limit the possibility of offshore oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. (For more, click here to read a story I wrote this week about Beto’s voting record.)

The big story here is not just O’Rourke’s record – but also the unstated message of the substance-free hype surrounding his potential presidential candidacy. In light of O’Rourke’s voting record, Betomania signals that Democratic power players are not first and foremost searching for candidates whose records prove they are committed to a set of policies that will address the emergencies facing America and the world. Instead, they are frantically seeking a new version of Barack Obama – a conflict-averse politician who proudly boasted of being “a blank screen on which people of vastly different political stripes project their own views”.

It is easy to understand the political utility of this third-way legend: it lets Democrats continue raising gobs of cash from satisfied corporate donors and moguls, and it at least provides voters with more palatable rhetoric than what the Republican party offers. And yet the record of third-way policies over the past few years have made painfully clear that Obamaism’s refusal to choose a side can be a nihilistic choice unto itself.

Obamacare, for instance, posited that we do not have to choose between profits and human lives, and that no matter what, we must avoid antagonizing the healthcare industry with ideas like Medicare for All. The policy assumes that the healthcare industry can still hit paydirt in a system that also provides all Americans with decent medical care.

Eight years into the experiment, the industry has indeed been raking in record profits, and health insurance CEOs were paid more than $340m in 2017 alone. At the same time, 27 million people are uninsured, millions more are struggling to afford medical care and prescription drugs, and patients still face the threat of insurance industry death panels cutting off their benefits. The situation is now so dire that one out of every three GoFundMe campaigns are fundraising drives to pay medical bills – all while former Obama aides get hired to help the insurance industry block Medicare for All in the new Congress.

When it came to economic inequality, Obamaism similarly sought a third way between the super-rich and everyone else. It was bailouts for bankers and support for a slightly higher minimum wage. It was an economic stimulus bill, but also a proposal to slash social security benefits. It was a few actions to strengthen workplace protections, but abandoning a drawn-out fight for laws strengthening unions. It was a modest uptick in antitrust enforcement, but doing little to systematically hinder monopolization, which has given corporate behemoths more market power to prevent wage increases. It was slapping a few fines on Wall Street firms after the financial crisis, but refusing to prosecute top financial executives – a policy enshrining de facto legal immunity for a predatory banking industry that fleeces workaday Americans.

And when it came to the environment, Obamaism presumed that we do not have to choose between ExxonMobil and a habitable ecosystem. Obama’s particular third way on energy policy was somewhat tougher emissions and efficiency standards and yet also strong support for more drilling, fracking and fossil fuel exports (Weeks after a recent scientific report warning of catastrophic climate change, Obama told an audience that he should be thanked because “suddenly America is the largest oil producer – that was me, people”.)

Of course, another third-way presidency – whether in the form of O’Rourke or some other stalking horse – would save us from more Trump. But here’s the thing: it would almost certainly still be death.

[allyklapak]

An Overview of the Mess at Hand

Fact: the severe state the earth is struggling to survive results from years of mankind’s relentless abuse. Fact: there are still many who turn a blind eye to these harsh realities because of economic, religious, and cultural personal interests. There exists a basis of understanding about the current state of the environment and the detrimental role man has played in its demise. Proper discourse on sustainability, from which solutions may arise, begins with developing a wholistic view of the environment. The environment is comprised of all the elements, both living and nonliving, with which we engage. This engagement creates the connections that environmental science targets for study. [^1] Through analysis of human activity, the extend of the damage done by our hand may be collected and categorized. Identifying destructive behavior and tracing it back to the responsible countries, companies, labor fields or common activities, assigns accountability. I do not believe that pointing fingers would excuse the lesser offenders from doing their part to fight climate change, but it should rather prompt the guiltiest parties into action to protect the planet and their reputations. Scientific principles of sustainability underscore how humans so strongly depend on the environment for survival.[^2] Solar energy is an invaluable and inexhaustible resource that organisms need either directly to photosynthesize or indirectly further down the food chain for energy to function. Maintenance of ecosystems is essential to promote biodiversity. Studies have shown a recent decrease in diversity as species are losing defining characteristics due to increased travel between once remote locations.[^3] A lack of biodiversity suggests a decline in productivity within an ecosystem as species’ specific jobs are left vacant by those that disappear. For example, if creatures that control certain disease carrying insects no longer exist, then these diseases may spread to the ill-equipped human population resulting in wasted time and funds to find a cure. Additionally, chemical cycling is an essential principle because it circulated the waste products of some species to become resources for others.[^3] For example, oxygen is expelled from plants but is vital to humans. Natural resources have been taken for granted through human carelessness and potential obliviousness to the different classes of resources. As aforementioned, solar energy is inexhaustible because it will be supplied by the sun until the star dies. Renewable resources have the potential to be limitless, as they can be naturally replenished, but they rely on mankind to not exceed the sustainable yield, which defines the rate at which resources can be consumed without depleting the entire supply. Conversely, nonrenewable resources, like fossil fuels, have a limited store that cannot be easily replenished. [^4] Acknowledging these differences should give humans the opportunity to see why certain resources are being conserved more urgently than others. Particular areas should be aware of their biocapacity to avoid perpetuating a heavy per capita footprint. A per capita footprint concludes the average footprint of a person from a certain place.[^5] If a nation uses resources at a rate faster than they are naturally replenished, its footprint exceeds the biocapacity and the location falls into an ecological deficit. [^5] The rate at which modern society wastes supplies demands 1.5 earths of resources.[^6] The United States especially squanders resources at an appalling rate. It accounts for 30% of the global environmental footprint, yet is only home to 4.3% of the world’s population.[^7] Similarly, China maintains an unsustainable footprint deficit due to grave degrees of pollution and the enormous population that expends an equally immense grain supply.[^6] The many variations of diagrams mapping ecological footprints portray the fact that well-developed nations in the west, east, and across Europe seem to be most averse to the environment. These maps portray collective data from various models projecting typical resource use. The IPAT model takes into account the population’s size, their affluence, and their use of technology.[^6] The Global Footprint Network’s calculator surveys diet, home energy usage, and transportation habits.[^8] I discovered that if my life habits were universal, humanity would need well over two earths to make up for the loss. After this shocking revelation I began to question the validity of the quiz. I use reusable coffee cups, I recycle, I thrift shop, how could my habits potentially be so problematic? The answer lies in aspects I had never considered to be in my power to change. The epiphany was reached that these minor switches were nearly futile compared to the bigger picture changes such as home power, which rests in the hands of the university. We must press bigger corporations in the fossil fuel industry to convert to cleaner energy. The win-win principle may be applied as working on infrastructure to produce cleaner energy creates new jobs in the interest of the environment. Conflicting world views cloud ethics and hinder unification under the goal for climate progress. Climate issues are class issues because affluent people exacerbate environmental problems through extravagance while the poverty stricken cannot afford to focus on these external concerns.[^10] Human-centered world views recognize the necessity of the world for humans and call for planetary management or stewardship.[^11] Scientists who composed the 1992 warning to humanity cautioned, “A great change in our stewardship of the earth and the life on it is required, if vast human misery is to be avoided and our global home on this planet is not to be irretrievably mutilated.”[^12] Life-centered perspectives feel compelled to protect the threatened species while the earth centered point of view highlights the dependence of human longevity on earth.[^11] I feel that these are almost indistinguishable. They all assent to the inherent obligation humans have to protect the earth and its inhabitants whether that be for their own sake or the sake of other organisms and future generations. Environmental science is based on these connections between man and nature, and some climate deniers cannot make these necessary connections. One of the most striking comparisons made in the text equates the fatality rate of mass starvation, a climate change repercussion, to over 90 full planes crashing each day.[^13] When quantifying the losses in familiar terms, I believe self-preserving individuals would be receptive to sustainability. Ethically we must care for the environment in order to address gender and class inequality and to care for the earth for posterity.[^14] In the 1900s, the movement started by Perkins Marsh to stop the misuse of resources split into two view: preservationists were led by John Muir to keep resources off limits, and conservationists under Teddy Roosevelt managed resources.[^15] Over the years, activists brought issues of pollution and abuse to light and in 1979, the First World Climate Conference took place to discuss the crisis. [^14] In 1992 experts in the field issue a warning to humanity to emphasize the perilous state of the earth.[^12] Scientists broke down this complicated issue into comprehensive and pedestrian terms to iterate their point to the public. In recent years studies including the 2001-2005 Millennium Ecosystem Assessment have emerged to link climate change to personal well being and the survival of humanity as a whole.3 Inaction makes the mess before us more dire every day. The earth will survive, it has for billions of years, but humanity might not. Discussion Question: The dialogue used to discuss climate change often pleads with the public to save our dying planet. However, Miller argues the planet will prevail, but humanity will not. Would the public be more receptive to the pleas of the the climate activists if the language used was more person centered and therefore more personal?

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Miller Jr, G. Tyler. Living in the environment: an introduction to environmental science. No. Ed. 19. Cengage Learning, 2017.

Miller, 5

Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, 2005. Ecosystems and Human Well-being: Synthesis. Island Press, Washington, DC. 10

Miller, 6

Miller, 13

Miller, 14

Miller, 16

“How Many Planets Does It Take to Sustain Your Lifestyle?” Ecological Footprint Calculator. Accessed January 26, 2020. https://www.footprintcalculator.org/result1.

Global Footprint Network National Footprint Accounts, 2019 Edition Downloaded Jan 26, 2020 from http://data.footprintnetwork.org.

Miller 16,17

Miller, 20

“1992 World Scientists' Warning to Humanity.” Union of Concerned Scientists. Accessed January 26, 2020. https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/1992-world-scientists-warning-humanity.

Miller, 18

William J Ripple, Christopher Wolf, Thomas M Newsome, Phoebe Barnard, William R Moomaw, World Scientists’ Warning of a Climate Emergency, BioScience, Volume 70, Issue 1, January 2020, Pages 8–12, https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biz088

Miller, 21

[esgagile]

WHAT ARE PERSONAL SUSTAINABILITY'S PRACTICAL BENEFITS?

Agile Advisors provide Sustainability Reporting Consultant In Dubai, Sustainability is becoming increasingly fashionable, but it is more than simply a slogan. As more individuals become aware of the effects of environmental issues like carbon emissions, climate change, and excessive waste, they also desire to take action. Although global governments, large corporations, and other organizations have the power to enact significant, long-lasting change, each person must also play a part. Personal sustainability improves not just the environment but also your day-to-day living. Let us now emphasize a few of those specific advantages. If you've been considering incorporating eco-friendly habits and modern technology into your house and way of life, this is the ideal moment. Furthermore, it's not as hard as you would believe to modify your behaviors and make small, lasting changes to support a greener way of life.

Being a Sustainability Reporting Consultant in Agile Advisors, Technology and eco-friendly living may not go together at first. Innovative technology, however, is altering that. With technology advancing, more than 60 million American households currently own at least one smart home gadget, and this trend is still ongoing. The first draw of smart home technology is its ability to improve security and convenience. However, there are also advantages for the environment. Smart thermostats, for instance, can be configured from a mobile device in advance and changed as needed. When you're not home, you can reduce the temperature to avoid wasting heat all day. Intelligent LED lighting may also save money by lowering utility expenses. Consider replacing your outdated appliances with new, energy-efficient models if you want to invest more in innovative technology for your house.

In Agile Advisors’ role as Sustainability Report Consultant In Dubai, they can improve convenience, save utility expenditures, and be simple. Smart refrigerators, washing machines, and dishwashers are made to allow you to operate them from any location. You'll constantly have access to free updates, so you may always have the newest technology available, receive notifications when there are problems, and have less upkeep to worry about. You can make valuable improvements to your home to help the environment and yourself and make wise purchases. Upgrades don't have to be expensive; examples include installing low-flow showerheads, caulking windows and doors, and repairing leaks throughout the property. Following sustainable practices in all aspects of your life is critical, not just house renovations. It's acceptable to begin modestly and let your habits evolve as you gain more inspiration.

As a Sustainability Reporting Consultant In Dubai, they will ease the transition from energy waste and improve comfort for your family. Innovative technology is a terrific way to add sustainability to your house, but it can also promote eco-friendly practices. It's simple to alter your everyday routine and make sustainable changes that can have a significant impact, from cutting back on your meat consumption to switching to an eco-friendly diet that emphasizes buying local products. If you need help determining where to begin, consider the areas where you currently use the most energy or produce the most waste. Consider using supermarket bags, reusable containers, and bulk purchases to reduce the single-use plastic you use. Being more sustainable and "going green" are ideas that aren't only trendy. Counteracting the impacts of climate change and other environmental problems that are endangering our world and future is imperative.

We believe as a Sustainability Reporting Consultant, these are direct benefits that you can start reaping immediately. However, personal sustainability's advantages are more significant and will persist for many years. By utilizing technology wisely and making better decisions in your daily life, you can contribute to a cleaner, greener world in the future. You may even encourage others, especially your children, to follow suit. The more benefits individuals derive from sustainability and the healthier the earth is, the more probable these efforts will continue. If you take action now, you will see benefits right away. The upcoming generation will benefit from a cleaner globe free of excess garbage and carbon gas emissions, fewer natural disasters caused by climate change, and a more stable economy.