Oct, 2021

A Comprehensive Guide to Organic Food.

Many of us are trying to live a healthier lifestyle and are trying to be more environmentally friendly. We are all trying to eat more organic food because we are told they are better for our health. But what exactly is organic food? Are we being sold a dream, or do truly organic foods exist? For most of us, the last time we heard the term organic was in chemistry class, and honestly, that’s a box I’d rather not open because high school was one of the seven circles of hell for me. Don’t worry because we are here to help you understand the world of organic food.

So can food be truly organic?

Well, you won’t like the answer. The common consensus is that it depends on the brand and produce; organic doesn’t have a universal meaning and is used as a catch-all to sell produces to consumers in the organic craze. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the term organic is defined as any product that avoids using “man-made fertilizers, pesticides, growth regulators and livestock feed additives.” If you find something in the grocery store with the label “USDA Organic” or “Certified Organic”, it means that produce is 95 percent or more organic. The remaining 5 percents are foods or additives that the USDA has preapproved. This means that even your so-called organic vegetable might have a small amount of additives (be it approved by the USDA) in them.

The benefit of Organic Food.

Contain less or fewer pesticides. As this explicitly banded for organic food, well up to a level that is, it is better for your health. People who are allergic to certain pesticides or chemicals can enjoy them without worrying about anything.
It is GMO-free. GMO means Genetically modified Organisms and is also known as genetically engineered food (GE); examples of this are seedless watermelon and sugar beets. Organic food isn’t genetically modified at all; it let nature run its natural course. This means these plants will be left to grow as if they were in nature, albeit with some help, but still, it’s the most organic food you can get unless you go foraging.
They tend to be fresher. Because they are not jacked up with preservatives, thus meaning they don’t last long. So they have to be consumed as soon as they are harvested and put on the shelves. They tend to be sold by small farmers and are usually sold in farmers market and thus you are able to enjoy freshers and healthier food.
They are better for the environment. Because they use less pesticide and additives, thus create fewer pollutants for the surrounding ecosystem. Organic food is better for the soil, conserving water, increasing soil fertility, and reducing soil erosion and our health.

Do they contain any pesticides?

As mentioned earlier, they do contain a certain level of pesticide, though it is lower than the amount found in non-organic food. So, despite popular beliefs, yes, organic foods aren’t 100% organic; it’s not really false advertising because if you read the fine print, you’ll know that it’s there. But, let’s be honest, who reads the fine print? It’s like the terms and conditions that we all click to acknowledge that we barely even read. The difference with organic food and produce is that they only use natural pesticides rather than synthetic ones that conventional farmers use. Though they are believed to be less toxic, there is some risk associated with their consumption.

Risk of pesticide.

Though you have a lower risk of being exposed to harmful pesticides with organic foods, the possibility is still there. However, the effects aren’t immediate; it takes years and even decades to show because of our slow exposure to small amounts and accumulates over time. It can cause health issues such as weakening the immune system, headaches, and even congenital disabilities.

Studies have also shown that exposure to pesticides even at small doses can increase the development of cancers like leukemia, prostate and breast cancer, and brain tumor. Children and fetuses are even more at risk because their immune systems aren’t fully developed and can cause severe complications, like developmental issues, motor dysfunction, and even developmental delays.

The best way to get rid of pesticides and avoid their consumption is to wash and rinse your produce thoroughly and consume organic produce as much as possible. Though they also contain a certain amount of chemicals, it is significantly less than you will find in your average produce. Sound off in the comment section below and tell us if you learnt anything new today.

Sep, 2021

Earth Overshoot Day: Humanity Has Already Exhausted the Planet’s Resources.

As of July 29, 2021, humanity is living on credit. The day of overshoot marks the symbolic date when human beings are supposed to have consumed all the renewable resources that the planet is capable of providing them in one year. From this day on, we are drawing irrevocably from the Earth’s natural reserves.

We are using 70 % more than the Earth can renew, but how long will we live above the set amount of resources? Just think about it as your savings; if you are living beyond your means and tapping into your savings each month…how long will it take before you run out of money?

We have been overshooting the planet’s resources since 1970. 1970 was the last year that the overshoot occurred in December. Since then, we have been running out during the first three quarters of the year.

How Much Earth Will We Need?

Earth, Planet, Space, World, Celestial Object — Will We Need More Earth?

It is also on the basis of a similar calculation that we can estimate the number of planet Earths that humanity would need to have to sustain its consumption of renewable resources in one year. Estimated at 1.7 in 2017, it could probably exceed two before the middle of the twenty-first century.

The exceedance day can also be calculated on a country scale. In France, the overshoot occurred this year on May 5. If a country’s overshoot day occurs earlier than the global exceedance day, it means that this country has a higher domestic consumption than the global average.

If all the world’s population consumed renewable resources like France, humanity would increase its ecological deficit. It would take 2.9 Earths to sustain humanity if everyone lived like the French.

According to the World Wildlife Fund’s yearly “Living Planet Report,” which assesses our ecological impact, we will require a second planet by 2030 and the equivalent of 2.8 planets by 2050 to fulfill our material requirements if things carry on in the same vein.

Why Are We Overshooting Earth?

Over-fishing.

Overfishing is commonly described as the tragedy of the commons, which occurs when a shared, restricted resource is depleted as a result of people acting in self-interest for short-term benefit. Fish do not belong to anybody or any country since they are not restricted to a certain location, such as inside national borders. Even if one country restricts its capture, others are likely to compensate.

Growing population.

The U.S. population multiplied from 130 million to more than 260 million during the past 60 years and is calculated to double again to 520 million throughout the next 60 years based on the current rate of increase of 1.1 percent per year.

Overpopulation has been seen through the significant rise in human activity—damming of rivers, rising water usage, expansion of agriculture, increasing use of irrigation and fertilizers, loss of forests, and more motor vehicles since World War 2. There has also been a dramatic increase in the usage of coal, oil, and gas, as well as a quick increase in the amount of methane and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which are greenhouse gases produced by changes in land use and combustion of such fuels.

How Can You Reduce The Use Of Natural Resources?

Windmill, Trees, Sustainability, Wind Turbine, Nature — Try To Use Natural Renewable Energy Sources.

Save Water

We are new to this, and we are still repeating ourselves. We need water to survive, and the human body cannot go three days without water, which means that wasting water will be detrimental to humanity.

Some tips will be to take showers instead of a bath, of course, run shorter showers and turn off the faucet if you are not using water. Small actions will eventually add up for greater differences.

Energy Consumption

Try to look for environmentally friendly ways to consume energy; for example, opt for solar panels and wind energy.

The installation of renewable energy may cost a little more than gas but keep in mind that it is only the installation and you won’t have to pay as much each month if anything.

Recycle

Try to recycle items like plastic bottles or even cardboard. It will help in reusing the materials that you already have. You can also opt for reuse; for example, do not throw away the ice cream tubs and use them to conserve food.

Each one of us can make a difference. We need to realize the importance of preserving our natural resources. Let us know in the comments what you think of earth overshoot…

Sep, 2021

The Perfect Guide For Water Saving At Home.

The average household uses roughly 94 liters of water per day, per person, and very little of it is actually for our drinking consumption. We mostly use this vital resource to wash ourselves, our clothes and our belongings, and also to flush our toilets. This article looks at ways where we can cut down on our water wastage:

Bottle, Mineral Water, Glass, Pour, Pouring — Save Water.

1. Take a shower instead of a bath

A bath uses over 100 liters of water, that will eventually be evacuated. While long, luxurious bubble baths can be fun, and in some cases, even essential for our peace of mind, try to minimize them. Instead, opt for a short shower. In addition to saving water, you use less energy because you need to heat less water.

2. Use an economical shower head

An energy-saving showerhead consumes 6 liters per minute, or even less if you’re efficient under the shower (it rinses well even if it consumes less).

3. Flush less water down the toilet

The toilet uses the most water in the house. To save water, you can replace the flush with a two-button flush. A small one for small pees (3 liters) and a large one for big pees (6 liters). This requires buying a new flush.

4. Fix Any Leaks

To determine if there are leaks in the house, read the water meter at night before going to bed (do not run the washing machine or dishwasher that night, nor get up to pee) and compare the value with that of the following day. Usually, the numbers should be the same. If they are not, there is a leak. The only thing to do is to identify where the leak is.

5. Don’t let the water run unnecessarily

If you wash your dishes by hand, leaving the water running can consume up to 200 liters per dish. It is more economical to fill both bowls in the sink.

Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth. You can also use a cup, and this will save you about 10 liters.

Turn off the water in the shower when soaping up. Every minute without water saves several liters.

Tap, Water Faucet, Open, Jet, Water, Garden — Always close the tap.

6. Choose water-saving appliances

If you are a homeowner, fitting your shower with a thermostatic mixer is a good idea. The hot water comes out faster and you save a few liters of water per shower.

When you buy big appliances (washing machines, dishwashers…), pay attention to their water consumption. The best dishwashers use less than 10 liters of water per cycle (the consumption is written on the energy label, even if it is water). And of course, you should only run them when they are full.

7. Water sparingly

You can also save water in the garden:

Replace the garden hose with a watering can;

Waterless often but for more extended periods to allow the soil to become deeply moistened. Rotating watering with alternating jets allows for “soft” watering too.

Make sure that the soil is loose enough and worked. This allows for more efficient watering since water runs off on a compacted soil;

in the vegetable garden or in the flower beds, cover the soil between the plants with straw, grass clippings, leaves, etc., to help retain water;

water in the evening to avoid waste due to evaporation (it is warmer during the day) and evapotranspiration (steam released by plants).

8. Use rainwater

Drinking water is only necessary for 5% of our water consumption, and for the rest, we can use rainwater. Depending on the use (toilet, washing machine, shower, or even kitchen), the level of filtration will be different. You should find out beforehand so as not to make any mistakes. This advice is only for homeowners…

Water is essential, so use it wisely. Let us know in the comments what you do at home to avoid water wastage…

Sep, 2021

How to Clean Your Windows Without Polluting the Air

Make a natural window and mirror cleaner without smelly chemicals… Stop fogging and make your bathroom mirror shine without harming the environment… Thanks to our DIY tips in this post, it’s possible to make a natural cleaning spray for windows and mirrors. Make your household chores more honest, more ecological, and more economical.

How to make a natural spray cleaner for windows and mirrors?

Material needed

To make your window spray, you don’t need professional equipment. It’s quick and easy.

– A measuring glass with a spout or a scale and a funnel

– A refillable spray bottle

– A self-adhesive label to note the nature of the product and the recipe for the next time

The ingredients and the making of the natural window cleaner

There are only 3 natural ingredients needed for this DIY:

– White vinegar, the ultimate natural multi-purpose product for green cleaning, and it cleans and descales.

– Demineralized water that acts as a natural detergent when it is emptied of its minerals.

– Essential oils of lavender or lemongrass for their sweet smell.

Organic alcohol vinegar 6% 1 l

Alcohol vinegar is ideal for making vegetable preserves, but you can also use it for home maintenance and to descale toilets or faucets.

For a 1 liter bottle, you need to mix 750 ml of demineralized water and 250 ml of white vinegar. Pour the solution obtained into the spray bottle using the spout of the measuring glass or a funnel. Then add a few drops of essential oil of your choice. Your natural window and mirror cleaner are ready to use.

Lemon Essential Oil 12 ml

For a delicious lemon scent in your home, slip a few drops of this essential oil into your room diffuser.

An additional tip for glass shower enclosures: add a little fresh lemon juice to the mixture. Rich in citric acid, lemon juice maximizes the descaling effect of the natural glass cleaner.

Then proceed in the same way as with a conventional glass cleaner. Before applying the natural cleaner, dust the surfaces to be cleaned to remove all volatile substances. Use a soft microfiber cloth for sparkling, streak-free windows.

Why use demineralized water in a natural glass and mirror cleaner?

Demineralized water is unfit for consumption because it is drained of the minerals essential to the human body. It is best known for its use in irons and steam cleaners, which it protects from malfunctions caused by limescale. But demineralized water is also an excellent natural detergent. Pure water is used by professional window cleaners, especially for cleaning at height, and it has the advantage of not leaving any traces when drying.

Instead of buying demineralized water, did you know that you can produce it at home? You may even be doing it already without knowing it. This is the case if you have a condensation dryer. The water collected in the condensation dryer tank is stripped of all its minerals through heating and evaporation.

To avoid textile residue in your natural window and mirror cleaner, run this water through a coffee filter before mixing it with vinegar.

4 natural tips for a sparkling mirror

In the bathroom, splashes of hard water quickly leave marks on mirrors or shower walls. There are many natural tips to complement the cleaning spray to remedy this.

1. Lemon juice

Cut a lemon in half and apply the juice to a soft cloth. Rub the mirror and wipe it clean—impeccable reflections, without chemical odor.

2. Whiting chalk powder

Whiting chalk powder is a soft, fine-grained white sedimentary rock consisting of nearly pure calcium carbonate, containing minute fossil fragments of marine organisms, usually without a cementing material. It is used to create a cleaning paste that has the particularity of making mirrors shine. Mix 250 grams of this powder with half a glass of liquid soap and a glass of hot water. Then apply the resulting paste to the mirror and wipe with a soft cloth.

3. Potatoes

The kitchen is full of ingredients that you can use in other rooms of the house. For example, a raw potato cut in half is an excellent natural cleaner. Rub the flesh of the potato on the mirror to get rid of toothpaste spills. Then wipe with a damp cloth and a few drops of vinegar to finish the cleaning.

4. Vegetable glycerin

It is most frequently used in natural cosmetics for its emollient and moisturizing properties. But vegetable glycerin can be used in addition to the natural mirror cleaning spray in the bathroom. After washing, it helps to limit the appearance of fog. Soak a microfiber cloth with vegetable glycerin and apply it to the mirror without rinsing.

Organic vegetable glycerin 200 ml

Glycerin is known for its moisturizing and emollient properties and is often used as a humectant in cosmetics to prevent them from drying out.

No more chemical household products to clean windows and mirrors

A few spritzes here and there to wash tiles, mirrors, smartphone or touchpad screens, car windshields… It may not seem like much, but everyday cleaning products are also a source of significant pollution in the home and the environment.

Industrial sprays that boast shiny windows without any trace are no exception to the rule. These products contain allergenic components, mainly because of the presence of preservatives from the isothiazolinone family. Window and mirror cleaners that contain ingredients such as methylisothiazolinone or methylchloroisothiazolinone should therefore be strictly avoided. Rather than spending time deciphering labels in the household products aisle, turn to the simplicity of natural homemade cleaners.

The DIY trend also solves the problem of plastic cans of conventional sprays. Disposable bottles are indeed real environmental scourges that significantly contribute to pollution. As for disposable soaked window wipes, they are not a better alternative. They produce about 20 times more waste because they are not usually recyclable, and they are just as harmful and much more expensive.

Sep, 2021

The Inferno Principle: Can the World Support Us?

Today, people are increasingly confronting the undesirable social, health, economic and environmental impacts of an ever-expanding world – take the example of soaring housing costs, increased taxes, overcrowded schools, deadlock traffic, inadequate food and water along with air, light and noise pollution. Even when you go on vacations, you’ll be disappointed with beach closures because of pollution run-off and overflowing or failing sewage systems.

A complete stunner: human population growth is seen as the root of these pressing social, economic and environmental problems.

Over the last century, the human population has more than quadrupled, surpassing the 7 billion mark and is predicted to grow over 9 billion by 2043. The rise in numbers has been so drastic and rapid that development objectives, consumption, production, employment and income distribution have been significantly affected.

You see, the challenge of this century is to meet the increasing needs and wants of a growing population while at the same time ensuring that current production and consumption patterns follow a more sustainable development model.

How can that be possible, especially when we have reached over 7 billion and the sustainable population size is around 3 billion?

If we go by Paul Ehrlich’s definition, “overpopulation is a population being unable to sustain itself without depleting non-renewable resources.”

In fact, many experts even supported the fact that stopping unsustainable population growth was the key to protecting the environment.

Now, the question is how do we deal with this new rising challenge?

The Malthusian Theory

In an era of sinking economies, fewer jobs, higher-priced food and changing climates, it’s not surprising if an old sore concept is making a comeback.

I remember learning about the Malthusian theory of population growth in Dan Brown’s opus of fiction and opus of facts. The man predicted that the exponential increases in human population growth would surpass the arithmetical increases in food supply, thus leading to dire consequences like famine, disease and war.

I don’t know how many agree with this notion, but somewhere his theory simply makes sense to me. He might have been wrong on some points, but his fundamental message is not completely wrong.

The absolute law of nature is that all powers of the earth must be equal to ensure the existence of a society. But, when food production cannot keep up with the rising population, chances are communities might suffer due to this imbalance.

So, Thomas Malthus was not wrong. His theory was an attempt to warn the human civilization of an impending catastrophe – a by-product of a grossly bloated human population and its never-ending needs.

But, the thing is until some natural calamity leaps out and make a dent in the world population growth, there will be no end to the need to limit people’s consumption of the earth’s resources.

But, we cannot wait for God in his superiority and divinity to unburden man and send a calamity from His heavenly abode.

Time is limited and the world population growth is constantly pushing the consequences of an imminent crisis to a higher plateau.

But, does that mean we follow in the footsteps of Bertrand Zobrist? More precisely, a mass extinction event?

And, so Bertrand Zobrist Enters the Picture

So, to answer your question, especially those who have not yet read one of Dan Brown’s finest books, Bertrand Zobrist is a fictional character – more the antagonist – in the novel Inferno.

I find it better to introduce him as a Malthusian nut job who is obsessed with the fear that the world is coming to a drastic end and the entire human civilization would be swept by a nearing cataclysm, also known as overpopulation.

He blames the World Health Organization, the Catholic Church (as if the church could convince people) and just anyone who has babies – and who turn a blind eye to this catastrophe.

And, so what kind of great solution does this “genius” genetic engineer come up with?

A man-made virus that would unleash a plague and reduce the world population by 1/3.

Hmm… devising a biological weapon to get rid of people… that sounds less like a 21st-century solution to a pressing challenge and more like a logic borrowed from 18th century’s religious figures who doubted God’s plan for humanity.

I guess that’s exactly where this nut job got his inspiration from.

I know it’s a pivotal time in the human history with scary challenges and the decisions we make today will definitely affect our tomorrow.

But, is getting rid of people the only way to address this challenge?

Sep, 2021

5 Ways to Have a Positive Impact With Your Money

The pandemic has seen a surge in trading on the stock market, with more young people than ever before turning to investment to generate savings. This new generation of investors is also driving ethical and sustainable investment trends across the globe. In Australasia, sustainable investing grew by 25% between 2018 and 2020 and a recent report from Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA) found 69% of millennials consider social issues when investing.
Values-based investing takes many forms — socially responsible investing (SRI), environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing, ethical investing and impact investing. In addition to these investment strategies, there are simple steps you can take to ensure your money is having a positive impact, such as switching banks or energy providers.
Below, we outline five ways to align your finances and personal values.

Reconsider Where You Bank

This might seem basic but research shows many young Australians still use the same bank as their parents. A 2019 survey by Credit Union Australia found that 50% of Australians between 18 and 24 opt for the same bank as their mum and dad. This helps explain the continued dominance of the ‘big four’ banks — NAB, CommBank, Westpac and ANZ — which hold more than 80% of mortgage borrowers in Australia.
What is your bank doing with your money? It might seem simple but when considering the institution’s ethics you give your cash to, it should be the first question you ask. Lack of transparency can make it challenging to find an answer, but online resources show what industries banks invest in. A market analysis released in 2019 revealed that despite making public climate commitments, the big four Australian banks loaned $7 billion to 33 new or expansionary fossil fuel projects between 2016 and 2019.
You have a few options as a consumer in terms of how to approach this. Firstly, you could send a strong message to the big banks by taking your money elsewhere. Several Australian banks do not invest in destructive industries like fossil fuels and gambling. Some only invest in projects that have a positive environmental and social impact, such as Bank Australia.

Switch to an Ethical Super Fund

Another way to have a positive impact on your money is switching to an ethical super fund. Again, start by doing some research into your current fund’s investments and seeking out ethical alternatives. The Responsible Investment Association Australasia website has fact sheets and guides to help you learn the basics of responsible investing. They have also published a research paper on the Australian super funds engaging in this practice.
Once you’ve compiled a shortlist of super funds you’re interested in, head to their websites to read more about the specific projects they support. Look for a fund’s investment policy, charter or criteria to find detailed information about their screening process and the impacts of their investments.

Explore Impact Investing

While there are many types of ethical and sustainable investing, impact investment is perhaps most closely aligned with the principles of a circular economy. Impact investing goes beyond screening out negative investments to actively invest in projects with social and environmental benefits. This type of investment is part of a new regenerative finance paradigm that conceptualizes money as a force for positive systems change.
Impact investment supports projects that generate measurable social, environmental or cultural outcomes alongside financial returns, from renewable energy to social housing. Impact investing finances both biological and social regeneration projects, with the underlying aim of improving equity and well-being.

Use Sustainable Investment Platforms

Once you know enough about investing to give it a go, the next step is to determine what platforms to use. This will also require some research into the robo-advisor platforms and micro-investment apps offering ethical investment opportunities.
Robo-advisors are digital platforms that provide algorithm-generated investment services. A number of these platforms are dedicated to specific social or environmental causes, such as Ellevest which aims to improve gender equality or EarthFolio, which invests in funds with solid ESG (environment, social and governance) practices.
Many micro-investment apps also come with the option of building ethical or sustainable investment portfolios. These apps allow you to invest small amounts of money over time, with minimum investments starting at $1.

Use Your Purchasing Power for Good

Last but definitely not least is using your purchasing power for good. Every time you shop for food, clothes or other goods is an opportunity to support local, ethical and sustainable businesses. This might mean buying your fruit and veg from a local market — giving money directly to producers and avoiding all the carbon miles and packaging associated with supermarket veg — or buying from a small company that uses recycled materials to make its products. As consumers, we can vote with our dollars for the businesses working towards the kind of world we want to live in.

Let us know in the comments below if you plan on being socially responsible with your money.

Sep, 2021

Recycling Mystery: Tires

Let’s be honest: Tires make the world go round. Unless you’re a professional speed walker, your method of transportation probably involves tires of some sort.
But these tires don’t last forever. Whether it’s an irreparable flat or loss of tread, eventually, tires need to be replaced. Some tires can be retreaded for a second life, but what happens to tires when they’re no longer safe for driving? Let’s break down the ins and outs of recycling and properly disposing of your worn-out tires.

The Great Rubber Mountain

If you don’t see value in recycling tires, let us introduce you to the concept of stockpiles, acres of tires stacked by the thousands in one concentrated area.

Tire stockpiles can lead to several unpleasant situations:

They are breeding grounds for mosquitoes and vermin, especially when they are filled with rainwater.
They are prone to catching fire. Since tires are made largely of oil, the fires are difficult to extinguish (some can last for months) and produce an acrid, black smoke.

According to the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association, about 1 billion scrap tires were in stockpiles in the United States in 1990. State efforts to clean up stockpiles have made progress, but by 2017, around 60 million tires were still stockpiled in the U.S.

Fuel Up

The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association reported that in 2019, 43% of annual scrap tire generation was burned for energy, also known as tire-derived fuel (TDF). Tires can generate comparable energy to crude oil or coal. The Rubber Manufacturer’s Association estimates that the average passenger car tire produces over two gallons of oil when burned.

More than 40% of TDF goes to cement kilns but other uses include paper factories and electric companies. This means that keeping tires out of landfills affects the ground you walk on, the paper you write on and the lights in your home and office.

The trick with TDF is that tires must be shredded first since whole tires would be too large for a furnace. Shredding recovers much of the metal in a tire, such as the rim and lead weights used for balance. The metal can be extracted and recycled, leaving crumb rubber to use as fuel.

The Dirt on Disposal

There are ways that tires can be recycled into new products and most of these uses take place after shredding since there is more demand for crumb rubber than whole tires.

Crumb rubber can be used as the surface for playgrounds because its soft padding helps prevent injuries. However, there has been debate over this use because of the potential toxins that tires may release, including lead and mercury. The EPA conducted studies into the exposure rates to residual chemicals playing on fields using crumb rubber in response to these claims. The studies found that while there were chemical traces still present, human exposure appeared to be limited.

Shredded tires are also an additive for playing fields since they provide a strong retaining wall that improves drainage. This leads to stronger grass and a reduced chance of field-related sports injuries.

Old tires even have a purpose in construction. Rubberized asphalt can make longer-lasting roads that produce less traffic noise and is popular in many states. Its absorbing qualities also make it ideal for running tracks, causing less stress for runners’ legs.

Lastly, tires can be recycled into new tires by converting them into synthetic rubber. This is not a common solution because of the cost involved. But it could become a more popular solution in the future if improved technology can make it more cost-effective.

The Next Time You Get a Flat

The most important question still remains: How do you actually recycle tires? For starters, many retailers that sell tires will accept a limited number when you make a purchase. If you’re shopping for new tires, be sure to ask if they will recycle your old tires.
Your state may also have a waste tire plan which your state environmental department would head. Many states require recyclers to file for a permit to accept tires, so they will also know of locations that accept tires for recycling.
If you can’t find anywhere to dispose of your old tires, consider a way to reuse them. You can build a tire swing for the kids, use them as a planter in your backyard, build a sandbox for your children or even turn them into household furniture!

Let us know in the comments how you plan to recycle your old tires.

Sep, 2021

Green Hotels: How Do I Identify Sustainable Travel Lodging?

Are you a globe trotter but want to have a small footprint? You aren’t alone. According to a study by Booking.com, 83% of global travellers think sustainability is vital. Green accommodations are an essential element of a more sustainable approach to travel. Unfortunately, it can be tough to tell which hotels are really green. To help set apart the cream of the crop, several organizations created green certification programs.

What Is a Green Hotel?

There are a variety of hotels that might achieve a sustainable hotel certification and these come in all shades of green. Some were constructed with sustainability in mind and may be LEED-certified buildings. After opening their doors, others have made improvements like installing water-saving plumbing fixtures and using natural cleaning products. Some may give back through volunteer or donation programs and consider their impact on the broader community.

Unfortunately, some hotels and resorts may employ greenwashing to attract green travellers but might not meet rigorous standards. A few major hotel chains that have shown a concerted effort to green their operations include Hilton, Marriot, Hyatt and Starwood Hotels.

What Are Green Hotel Certifications?

It is critical to discern which hotels are the most sustainable to reduce our impact while on the road. Certifications include industry guidelines and best practices but each certification program has its own criteria and standards. Well-designed certifications can help identify genuine leaders from those greenwashing themselves without really having substance. They also help guide companies on ways to continuously improve, thus becoming more sustainable over time.
Some green hotel certification programs may emphasize one aspect of sustainability more than another, so your personal preference also comes into play when choosing which certification programs to trust.

Are There Trustworthy Green Hotel Certifications?

Numerous certification programs can help choose accommodations. The following are from the most rigorous and respected to the more questionable ones towards the bottom.

Green Globe

This program measures travel and tourism businesses and their supply chains and contains 44 core criteria. Green Globe considers itself the “highest standard for sustainability worldwide” and even appoints a third-party auditor to work with clients on-site. It even shows on its website how it compares to other certification programs.

The certification program has specific criteria for various types of tourism-related businesses, including golf courses, restaurants, tour operators, attractions and resorts. Companies can have three different statutes: Certified, Gold and Platinum. Companies can achieve the Platinum standards if they have been certified for ten consecutive years. In addition, Green Globe has received Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) recognition, helping to increase trust in this certification.

Green Key Global

This certification program was designed for hotels and meeting venues across the globe. With 1,600 certified hotels and 350 venues across 20 countries, this program has a broad reach across North and South America.
Green Key uses a grading system with five keys being the highest and provides guidance on improving a rating. The assessment examines multiple areas of operation, including waste, energy, water, community outreach and indoor air quality. Like Green Globe, Green Key is GSTC-recognized. In addition, it parts with BookDifferent which offers a searchable database of hotels along with their estimated carbon footprint.

Travelife

This international certification program is available for tour operators and accommodations in over 50 countries. Its program includes 163 criteria related to human rights, community engagement and environmental impact. Organizations must renew their membership after two years and undergo an audit and the program is GSTC-recognized. Unfortunately, this company doesn’t offer a simple search tool but has a database of certified hotels by country.

Are There Green Certification Programs Specific to Geographic Areas?

Yes, your destination shapes which certification programs are most helpful. The GSTC maintains a list of certification programs it recognizes. Many of these specialize in a particular geographic region such as Europe or Australia.

Your Actions Make a Difference

Ultimately, part of the impact of a hotel stay depends on our behavior, even if you do find a green hotel. If possible, avoid drinking bottled water (unless it’s the only safe option), alert hotel housekeeping that you don’t need freshly laundered towels or sheets daily (for extended stays) and turn down the AC or heat when going out. Book your hotel in a walkable area and walk or take public transportation to your destinations when possible. If the hotel doesn’t collect recycling, try to find places to recycle your items off-site. And bring your own toiletries in reusable containers to avoid waste.

Let us know in the comments how likely you are to book your hotel at a sustainable travel lodging.

Sep, 2021

How Does Veganism Really Help the Environment?

Some people claim that going vegan will save the planet but to what extent is this true? There is a rise in the number of people going vegan nowadays and for numerous reasons. Vegan people supposedly have lower health risks for conditions such as heart diseases or cholesterol, although the science behind this is still very skewed.

Meat and dairy (farmed cattle) now account for 14.5 percent of all man-made greenhouse gas emissions, according to the United Nations. That’s nearly the same amount of pollution as every vehicle, rail, ship, and airline on the globe! If the world decided to go vegan, this will drop by 70 %. The relationship between carbon emission and farming is undeniable.

There are many other impacts of meat consumption. Meat production is linked to the destruction of forests in South America, both directly and indirectly. Large swaths of the Amazon are being deforested to make way for cattle ranching and soybean cultivation for animal feed. Meat-eating contributes to greenhouse gas emissions such as methane, Carbon dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. Climate change, such as global warming, is exacerbated by these gases. Also, meat production requires a large amount of water.

Should You Stop Eating Meat?

Cows, Calve, Calf, Nature, Livestock, Cattle, Animal — How Does Veganism Really Help the Environment?

The meat industry has been getting a lot of bad press in recent years, as fad vegan diets and the associated industries put more pressure on governing bodies to alienate meat-eaters. However, it is true that with a growing global population, the amount of meat that would need to be produced to satisfy everyone is staggering, which does lead to valid environmental concerns.

No one can dictate what others should eat (although vegans are trying their best to). Everyone is free to make their decisions, however, a lot of experts do recommend the reduction of meat consumption and even suggest government make policies about meat consumption.

Having a vegan diet does not mean being unhealthy. People nowadays often associate being vegan with being unhealthy, as there is less protein in plants than what is found in meat, but there are a lot of substitutes to meat to replace the protein requirement.

Alternatives such as…

Salad, Fruit, Berry, Healthy, Vitamins, Fresh, Food — Alternatives…

Many individuals regard cow’s milk as essential to their diets. It may be drunk, poured over cereal, or mixed into smoothies, tea, or coffee. While many individuals can or choose not to consume milk owing to personal choices, dietary constraints, allergies, or intolerance, it is not for everyone. Alternatives are soy milk, almond milk, coconut milk, oat milk, and so on… There now are a lot of more expensive alternatives to cow milk.

This can also be seen in the rising demand for meat substitutes. Plant-based burgers, sausages, and other meat alternatives are now available in all well-known supermarkets, made from legumes, vegetables, grains, and other components. When compared to meat, meat alternatives have a number of advantages. Vegan burgers, for example, are supposedly cholesterol-free and typically have fewer calories.

Some alternatives are tofu, soy protein, oat flakes, chickpeas, or pea protein. Once considered as bland food, there are now so many recipes linked to these alternatives, that happen to be very tasty.

Health Benefit

People who don’t eat meat — vegetarians — generally eat fewer calories and less fat, weigh less and have a lower risk of heart disease than non-vegetarians do. People who eat red meat are at an increased risk of death from heart disease, stroke, or diabetes.

There is a new term “flexitarian”, to describe someone who eats mostly plant-based food, but at time consume meat and I think everyone should be ‘flexitarian’. We should have a quota of meat consumption and not go beyond it, for Earth to be a better place. Everyone should work on a flexible diet to protect the planet. Let us know in the comments if you are thinking of giving a vegan diet a try…

Aug, 2021

How Communities Used to Deal With the Disposal of Waste?

In any community, large or small, an astonishing amount of waste materials accumulates even in the course of a single day. There are human wastes resulting from the chemical changes that food and drink undergo in the body. There are large quantities of household wastes. A housewife cuts away certain portions of vegetables and other foods in preparing a meal and after that meal, bones, fruit rinds and uneaten food must be disposed of.

Old shoes, boxes, crates, cartons, useless articles of metal and rubber, discarded toys and whatnot add to the pile of refuse. There are industrial wastes too resulting from a vast variety of manufacturing operations. All of these waste materials must be disposed of in some way or other.

In the average fair-sized community, certain wastes are carried away by water through a sewage system. Others, such as garbage, trash, ashes and brushwood, are collected periodically and carried to a central disposal plant.

So, lets’ discover how previous communities dealt with this age-old problem.

The Disposal of Wastes

The disposal of sewage, as we know it today, is a recent engineering practice.

There were sewers in antiquity in India, Rome and a few other places, but they served mainly to collect storm water or like Rome’s famous Cloaca Maxima to drain marshy areas.

If you go back to the middle ages, sewage flowed along open drains that ran through the streets. Later, it was carried in conduits to open cesspools located on the outskirts of cities. It was not until the nineteenth century that modern practices of sewage disposal were widely adopted. Even today, in many communities, particularly in the Far East, men come to homes at night, collect night soil (human wastes) and carry it away in carts.

In certain places, particularly China and Japan, night soil is used extensively as fertilizer – that which is collected from the wealthier sections of the community commands the highest prices. This practice has its good points, since it returns to the soil certain valuable organic materials that were taken from it when the crops were harvested. However, most of us dislike the idea of having human excretion hauled through the streets and health authorities do not like to have us eat raw foods grown in excretion-fertilized soil.

Our sanitary engineers use an entirely different method of disposing of human wastes and certain other types of refuse. They collect them in a system of sewers, bring them to a sewage-disposal plant, treat them so as to render them harmless and then empty the purified sewage into seas, lakes or rivers.

In the best systems, the sanitary sewers servicing homes are separate from the storm sewers that take the storm waters from streets. In the older systems, however, sanitary and storm sewage are carried in the same pipes. It is easy to understand why sanitary engineers are opposed to such combined sewers, as they are called.

After all, storm water is still rain water, except for a little debris that is washed off the streets, it is unpolluted and it is not necessary to treat it before it is emptied into a receiving stream. It is sheer waste to build sewage-treatment plants that will have to be big enough to treat not only sewage but also comparatively pure rain water that requires no particular treatment.

The nomadic tribes of old were not bothered at all by the problem of waste collection. They merely cast out their refuse and let the weather destroy it or the birds and beasts eat it. However, as communities grew larger, men came to recognize that they would have to adopt some method or other of collection and disposal.

Today, things have changed and more sustainable principles were implemented to ensure a more environmentally-friendly waste disposal. If you want to learn more about it, wait for the second article.