Carbon is mentioned often in our daily lives. You hear the words – decarbonization, CO2 or carbon dioxide, carbon footprint, carbon emissions, carbon cycle, calcium carbonate, fossil carbon and much much more. The single most important word we hear repeatedly is ‘carbon.’ According to Britannica, carbon is a nonmetallic chemical element of the periodic table. It is not particularly plentiful—it …
I strongly support renewable energy initiatives. From electric vehicles to solar panels, I’ve worked hard to build a greener life for myself and my family. But adopting renewable energy becomes more complex and resource-intensive as you scale up. How can you adapt, or in some cases, rebuild an energy grid that already struggles to keep up with demand? What does …
The other day I came across this article, I Can Change the World? How Different Personality Types Respond to Environmental Concerns from the website 16 Personalities. The article covers a survey conducted using the Myers-Briggs personality test. Each personality type is determined and then categorized into certain roles, like Sentinel or Explorer. It’s these roles that help community members understand …
I felt challenged as an environmentalist when I watched the 2014 Netflix documentary “Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret”. One of the experts from the film, Howard Lyman says, “You can’t be an environmentalist and eat animal products—period.” Mr. Lyman came into the public eye on a 1996 taping of The Oprah Winfrey Show titled “Dangerous Food.” At that time, he was …
Where were you when Hurricane Katrina hit? It’s one of those natural disasters that you can never forget. It’s August 2005. Hurricane Katrina bears down upon the American gulf coast. A large and destructive Category five hurricane, Katrina killed over 1,800 people and caused $125 billion dollars in damage between August 23rd and 31st. New Orleans and the surrounding coastline …
Everything. I was so impressed with this story about the firm MASS Design that I had to share their story which aired recently on the long-running program 60 Minutes. MASS stands for Model of Architecture Serving Society. It is a nonprofit firm, based in Boston. They think of architecture as a mechanism to create change. This group is “rethinking their …
After our blog on the impact of extreme heat and how it affects our companions on planet Earth, I thought it would be a good idea to write about sunscreen. After all, it can be a useful tool for people looking to avoid dangerous exposure to UV. What I didn’t expect is just how much of a rabbit hole researching …
Before we get started, let’s avoid some confusion by explaining the following key terms. Once you understand the difference between them, you’ll have a much easier time learning about the topic in this blog. BPI certification: While BPI stands for Biodegradable Products Institute, BPI certification ensures the materials in the certified product are compostable. Biodegradable: A product or material that …
September 2021 seemed filled with news on the impact of global warming on the planet’s creatures.Our changing climate changes the size of our fishCNN’s program Champions for Change spotlights leaders making a positive impact in an underserved community. Journalist Kate Bolduan chose Seafood Watch, a guide for consumers “to change purchasing habits to more ocean-friendly choices” and to urge “businesses, …
International Zero Waste Week originated in the United Kingdom in 2008 to aid organizations in reducing waste being sent to landfills. It is acknowledged annually during the first full week of September. In recognition of International Zero Waste Week, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, or TDEC, recognizes Zero Waste Day every October 27th. They held the inaugural Zero …
