Skin health is constantly threatened by various environmental factors, from harmful ultraviolet rays to city smog and industrial contaminants. Poor air quality is a significant culprit in painful breakouts, infections, aging, and dullness, leaving many questioning how to take care of their skin in pollution. A comprehensive skincare routine is your best defense against environmental aggressors. Coupled with today’s wide-ranging natural products for a clearer complexion, you aren’t lacking options for quality treatments. Here’s what you need to know about protecting your skin from harmful air pollution and rejuvenating it to its former radiance. Environmental Effects on Skin Health Research continues to underscore the harmful dermatological effects of pollution. For…
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Sustainable Decluttering: Methods and Benefits
Sustainability is no longer a trend but a global movement. With rising temperatures and the mounting landfill crisis, people are looking for ways to incorporate environmentally friendly practices into their homes. If you want to save the environment while keeping your space tidy, sustainable decluttering might be for you. Discover its principles, benefits, and actionable methods. Key Principles of Sustainable Decluttering Decluttering sustainably can be tricky if you’re unaware of the basics. It’s more than just organizing your items — it’s also about minimizing your environmental impact. Here are its key principles: Benefits of Decluttering Sustainably Decluttering your home can be overwhelming, but these advantages can provide much-needed motivation. 1. Boosts…
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What Are Time Banks? What You Need to Know About Service-Based Currency
Have you ever wished services were paid in a currency other than cash? Time banks offer an interesting solution that takes “time is money” seriously. This relationship model can create a harmonious environment as long as it’s done correctly. How Time Banks Work Think of time banking as giving out human dollars. Instead of monetizing services, it operates on equal-value exchanges and is highly focused on the minutes spent doing them. For example, you mow someone’s lawn for an hour. The time spent turns into credit under their account. They can use it to redeem assistance from you. Time banking is similar to holding favors for one another since it focuses on…
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The Importance of Urban Trees’ Cooling Effects
Cities — packed with buildings and pavement — absorb heat all day and release it back into the air at night. This creates the urban heat island (UHI), whereby cities are hotter than surrounding areas. The effects of UHIs are far-reaching, impacting both the environment and human and pet health. Urban trees within densely populated towns promote sustainable and livable spaces. These green giants offer many benefits that enhance the environment and quality of life for city dwellers. Why Trees Are Important in Urban Areas With up to 80% of the U.S. population residing in urban cities, trees are fundamental to mitigating the effects of UHIs. High temperatures in metropolitans promote the…
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8 Ways to Become a More Eco-Conscious Traveler
The environmental impacts of unsustainable traveling worsen each year, from increased carbon emissions and energy consumption to food waste and water pollution. Consequently, the need to balance wanderlust with responsible, eco-conscious practices is more prominent than ever. Thankfully, finding sustainable ways to travel is easier than you may think. Follow these eight strategies to minimize your ecological footprint as you explore new and exciting destinations — whether around the block or on the other side of the world. 1. Pack Light and Smart Packing light allows you to move around more easily, avoid extra baggage fees, and spend considerably less time at luggage claim. It can also help you travel…
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5 Best Water Bottles for the Environment
Staying hydrated is vital for good health. Unfortunately, most drinking water is packaged in single-use plastic bottles. While these containers are convenient, most end up in landfills and water bodies, contributing a substantial chunk to global waste. Plastic bottles are a major environmental burden. They clog the soil, pollute oceans, and take centuries to decompose. By using an eco-friendly alternative, you’re positively impacting the earth and your health. Here are the best reusable water bottles for you and the planet: Top Reusable Water Bottles for the Environment All eco-friendly drinking bottles are made from materials that are ideal for extended use. 1. BPA-Free Plastic Bottles BPA-free plastic is a safer alternative to traditional plastic bottles.…
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The Sustainability of Open Pit vs. Subsurface Mining
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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Why Is the Right to Repair Important?
The right to repair is an act of defiance of market captivity. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have made almost every device irreparable by third parties or too expensive to fix. Independent technicians and do-it-yourselfers aren’t the only losers in the status quo — the environment suffers, too. Will this movement turn the tide? What Is Right to Repair? The right-to-repair campaign is the clamor for more freedom to fix broken items. It arises from the increasing irreparability of electronic equipment and machinery. The movement’s proponents aim to counter most manufacturers’ policies of promoting product replacement through various means, including ending software support, restricting parts swaps, gatekeeping acceptable spare components and keeping…
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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…
