Mining is quite a prominent practice, essential to get the raw materials numerous industries need to survive. Humans thrive on being able to explore and extract all kinds of minerals. However, environmental stewards should join the conversation and gauge their sustainability. Open-pit and sub-surface mining are two of the main types of mining. Corporations use each one interchangeably, depending on the landscape and need. Here’s an assessment of how they work and how sustainable they are. Open-Pit Mining Open-pit mining is a process that extracts matter close to the ground. Mining often has a reputation for going underground, but this process does not go too deep, which is why it’s…
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3 Environmental Benefits of Plant-Based Foods
As farming has grown from small-scale to massive factory models, people have become increasingly concerned about its environmental effects. For many, a simple solution is to switch out meat and dairy products for a plant-based diet. Studies show there are several environmental benefits of plant-based foods, including less water consumption, reduced emissions, and less land needed for food production. 1. Plant-Based Foods Use Less Water There’s some debate about whether plant-based diets are as nutrient-rich and healthy as omnivore ones. However, raising meat takes a significantly larger amount of water than growing crops. Since the 1960s, the amount of meat produced globally has more than quadrupled. Asia is the world’s largest meat producer,…
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Forever Chemicals: Where They Are and How to Avoid Them
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a family of lab-made chemicals used for repelling oil and water. Modern consumer goods have made people’s lives more convenient since the mid-20th century because of them. However, as with many innovations to advance civilization, their use threatens wildlife and human health. These pollutants are also known as forever chemicals since they are nearly indestructible. They hardly degrade in nature and can be incredibly mobile, making them challenging to contain and allowing them to contaminate large areas quickly. What Items Contain PFAS? Consumer products designed to be grease- and water-resistant almost always have any of the 15,000 PFAS ever invented. Paper and cardboard packaging manufacturers add…
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Eco-Anxiety: A Growing Crisis
The American Psychological Association describes eco-anxiety as having persistent fears of environmental doom — a state of despair
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Permaculture Principles for a More Resilient Future
Permaculture is a timeless resource for veteran and budding planetary advocates alike, even in a home garden.
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One Can
Less is More: Getting to One Can of Garbage a Year
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Flower Power at Heart of Methane Reduction
A daffodil extract could help reduce emissions by 30 percent when added to feed.
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And the Good News Is
15 + years we have been publishing the Green Living Journal, we have been encouraged by the many changes that have occurred.
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“And The Good News Is…..”
When things are wrong do we contact our elected leaders, or a manufacturer, talk to our circles of friends, sign petitions, and connect with our neighbors?
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One
Think about the little actions you take every day and how they add up. I’m writing this just after the turn of the year, at the beginning of 2023. It’s the tradition to make resolutions in January. This year, I will work on ONE thing at a time. ONE is so much less daunting than the whole long list of “shoulds” – those things that we feel we should accomplish. A counselor I knew said “Don’t should on yourself.” I agree! I am one of those individuals who always have lots of thoughts inserting themselves into their heads. Lately, the thoughts are about ONE: • One planet home • One…
