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…
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What Is the Impact of Climate Change on Human Migration?
The effects of climate change on human migration are widespread. In recent years, people have fled worsening sea level rise, droughts, heat waves, and floods. The environmental changes have forced vulnerable communities from their homes and businesses as they search for safer ground and solutions. Take a closer look at climate-induced migrations worldwide and how different countries address them. The Worldwide Effect of Climate Change on Human Migration Climate change has impacted the world differently, with some nations faring better than others. However, developing countries have grappled with more environmental issues, leading to a mass exodus of people seeking refuge in unaffected areas. Here is the effect of climate change…
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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.
