HOW MANY GENERATIONS OF FUTURE
DO WE STILL HAVE?
Everybody in the world is affected … because we all live on the same planet • PLASTIC TAKES 20‑600 YEARS TO DEGENERATE • FOOD WASTE generates METHANE (CH4)—a gas 28‑80 times more potent than CO2 • Globally, about 33% of all food is thrown away • THE LAND ‘employs’ 20% of the world’s population. Harming it affects their livelihood. • DEFORESTATION, METAL MINING & processing disrupt ecosystems, consume enormous amount of resources, and release greenhouse gases into the air • ‘LANDSCAPE AMNESIA’ (a.k.a. gradualism) = people perceive climate change as normal if it happens gradually, but would object if it happened suddenly • ULTIMATELY, everything is produced for humans: from consumer goods (e.g. electronics) to infrastructure (e.g. bridges) • WE THE PEOPLE have the power to become climate‑informed, and effect change
Existence of life is possible only within systems • Every year, 400 million tons of heavy metals, toxic sludge & other industrial waste are dumped into the world’s waters • LARGE CORPORATIONS produce because there is DEMAND FOR THEIR PRODUCTS • Microplastics have been found in human livers, kidneys, placentas • WETLANDS = Ecosystems where water covers the soil. The underwater plants within are essential in trapping & storing harmful carbon, away from humans • BUYING long‑term‑use products (instead of disposable ones) protects the environment, helps reduce climate change, helps humans’ ability to have a GOOD LIFE • GOOD NEWS: Because methane (CH4) is so powerful but shorter‑lived, cutting food waste (and therefore, methane generation) can result in meaningful reduction in the growth of climate change • Big difference in attitude: DOING LESS BAD vs DOING MORE GOOD
Everybody in the world is affected • PLASTIC TAKES 20‑600 YEARS TO DEGENERATE • FOOD WASTE generates METHANE gas (CH4) … 28‑80 times more potent than CO2 • Harming THE LAND affects the livelihood of 20% of world population • DEFORESTATION & METAL MINING disrupt ecosystems • ‘LANDSCAPE AMNESIA’ in climate change: People perceive it as normal because it happens gradually, but would object if it happened suddenly •
LARGE CORPORATIONS produce because there is DEMAND FOR THEIR PRODUCTS • Microplastics have been found in human livers, kidneys, placentas • Underwater plants in WETLANDS are essential in trapping & storing harmful carbon, away from humans • BUYING long‑term‑use products (instead of disposable ones) protects the environment, helps reduce climate change, helps humans • Big difference in attitude: DOING LESS BAD vs DOING MORE GOOD
THE GLOBEMENTUM EQUATION
MITIGATE — PREVENT — REGENERATE
=
THE SEAS & THE SKY
Plastic waste in the seas, food‑waste‑generated methane in the air
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THE LAND
Paper & Tree waste
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THE PEOPLE
It takes people to ruin or to save our Earth
there is something individuals like you can do about climate change …
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THE FUNDAMENTALS
A GENERAL UNDERSTANDING OF CLIMATE CHANGE
In the midst of a myriad of available information, this piece aims to provide a simple explanation of what climate change really is—beyond its usage of being a political football or a hysterical tool—what the causes are, and how it already has a presence in the everyday life … not only in the future. Already. Now.
And, what we as individuals and families can do about it.
A MORE SPECIFIC UNDERSTANDING OF CLIMATE CHANGE:
Causes, Consequences, Who Is Affected
A digestible explanation of the overall details of how the Earth’s natural functions correlate, what climate change involves … and the role humans play in this phenomenon, today.
THE BASICS OF PLASTIC WASTE
Plastic is unique—but, for the wrong reason: It takes 20‑600 years to degenerate. It decomposes into ever‑smaller pieces, and much of plastic ever produced is still with us.
The meaning of the word PLASTIC: artificial, unnatural. That means, plastic contains chemicals that are harmful to the human body, particularly to the hormone‑, reproductive‑, and neurological systems. So, being mindful of our everyday use of plastic can make a personal impact today—and for future generations.
THE BASICS OF FOOD WASTE:
Who Generates Methane?
We boycott ‘big oil’ and other industrial polluters … but, shouldn’t we also boycott individual consumers? Because human‑activity‑generated methane (such as from food waste) also causes and increases climate change.
Yet, if every person would change the simple everyday habit of wasting food, on a personal basis, there could be a noticeable improvement in the rate of climate change.
THE LAND WE LIVE ON:
Servant or Master?
The land of the Earth has various roles in sustaining human life. Yet, if exploited beyond its capacity by us (the very humans it sustains), then aren’t we shooting ourselves in the foot?
This piece provides a breakdown of the different types of habitats of the Earth, and each of their roles in sustaining our lives … one of those being dead plants in wetlands, providing clean air for us all. But, do we even know what wetlands are? Answers inside …
THE BASICS OF METAL WASTE
Metal is a valuable and finite resource. And, it affects our lives in more ways than just being used as parts for our never-ceasing appetite for electronic gadgets, kitchen appliances, stainless steel water bottles, and other products.
In fact, metal waste and climate change are intertwined. But even we, individuals and households, can do something about it … and even get money for it. Just see how a souvenir fridge magnet from your refrigerator door can help you in that process.
LANDSCAPE AMNESIA:
Pun Intended
Do we allow ‘landscape amnesia’ (i.e. gradualism) to take hold in our minds and in our landscape? Do we allow human exploitation of the Earth’s resources, and climate change to increase … thinking that no big bang will happen in our lifetime?
But, how about our (grand)children’s lifetimes? Is that of any concern for us?
AN INDIVIDUAL PERSON’S CONTRIBUTION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
Are we, individuals, really just powerless sufferers of behemoth corporations’ polluting activities, and of climate change?
Even more notably: for whom do those companies produce their goods? Surely, they could employ different methods, and use different raw materials, but without the influence of the public they have no interest to do so.
… And, we haven’t mentioned our personal habits that directly contribute to the worsening climate change … we all have some.
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ANATOMY OF (most) PIECES:
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to see the gist of it
expanded view:
to read more details
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what YOU (as an individual) can do against climate change
THE INSIGHTS
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DOING LESS BAD vs DOING MORE GOOD
Feeling good about your recycling or other climate‑friendly home practices? You should! But, is that enough at this stage of climate change?
The difference between doing less bad by mitigating (e.g. keep buying plastic‑bottled drinks, but at least recycling those bottles) and doing more good (not buying them, and in turn preventing the harm by not allowing them to be produced, in the first place) is what can turn the tide in the climate change phenomenon, in our days.
There is a difference between mitigating and preventing and regenerating.
The everyday consumer has a lot more power than meets the eye in order to move beyond household‑level mitigation to take part in global‑level prevention and regeneration.
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CIRCULARITY
How can we fit an infinite line on the finite line of a circle, without retracing it? … Not any better than practicing infinite consumption on the finite Earth.
And so, we will not be able to continue our infinite ‘take‑make‑waste’ style consumption without re‑using the very resources that we extracted from the Earth. Instead, we can manufacture ‘made‑to‑be‑remade’ consumer goods from those resources.
The future of the human race might just be determined by whether we use a linear‑ or a circular approach to satisfy our ever‑growing appetite for an ever‑growing variety of goods.
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CHOCOLATE SECURITY OR CHOCOLATE LUXURY:
Conditional on Climate Security
We have been living in ‘chocolate security.’ But, will this passion become a rare luxury?
Without proper human action to preserve the land and humid climate where the cacao tree grows, and without proper steps to stop the progression of aridity (i.e. dryness of the land), cacao production will drastically decline … and, along with it, will chocolate prices take an incredible rise.
Chocolate availability in the next two‑to‑four decades will reflect the level of human action today …
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A LIFE‑SUSTAINING RELATIONSHIP:
Ocean & Humans
PART 2 (of 5)
Food Security, Health and Well-Being
There is MUCH more than meets the eye when considering the benefits of the ocean in our life than just mentioning our seafood supply or the occasional vacation at the oceanside.
In fact, the ocean plays a significant role in our land‑based food supply by being a source for superior fertilizers, and by supporting land-based agriculture through regulating the climate and powering the water cycle. And yet, it’s role in our lives expands even more: the ocean is a source for marine‑derived medicine and biotechnology, enabling ever‑more advanced medical treatments … not to mention the favorable mental- and societal health impacts we can gain by visiting the ‘blue spaces’ during our every days.
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ECOTOURISM
Ecotourism + Sustainability + Responsible Travel = Benefit for all: tourists, local population, and the environment
Ecotourism is more than being a spectator … it involves travel to well‑preserved nature‑based locations, focusing on observing the natural environment, contributing to its conservation, and conducting all these activities in a low‑impact, non‑consumptive way. Being a participant by connecting with nature and the local communities enriches both humans and nature.
Yet, taken to excessive levels (even with good intentions) ecotourism could result in the opposite of the desired effects. And, we haven’t mentioned ‘greenwashing’ …
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PERSONAL CONSEQUENCES OF CLIMATE CHANGE
Personal consequences of climate change are not only third‑world countries’ burden any more. They are becoming rife in the West, too, in many aspects of everyday life: rising food prices, cost of housing and insurance, rising electricity bills, traffic jams, air travel disruptions, rising taxes, changes in sleeping patterns, allergies, cognitive‑ and mental health, etc.
The “Why should I bother thinking about climate change? I have air conditioning.” mentality will no longer suffice. Because climate change manifests in many more aspects of daily life than just in elevated room temperature.
So … why bother? Details inside …
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VAPING AND THE CLIMATE:
A Breathtaking Relationship
Is vaping less harmful than smoking? Only for the user, and only in its immediate effect … but not for the climate and ALL other humans.
Often trumpeted as the healthier alternative to cigarettes, switching to vaping might have traded the failing health of our planet for even worse harmful effects. While cigarettes (only) pollute the air and cigarette butts have been a most abundant plastic waste, vapes have introduced additional forms of harm to our environment, our ways of life, and the future of the Earth—our only place to live our lives.
These additional forms of harm are …
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UNPACKED:
Paper, Plastic, or Metal?
We all have heard it: “Don’t waste” — so much so that such remarks have become easily dismissible clichés.
In today’s world, avoiding the use of certain materials, or practicing 100% wasteless lifestyle is nearly impossible … First, because in the modern world, most of our everyday‑use products are made from materials over which we have no control. Secondly, because human nature is not suitable for complete restriction of the self … sooner or later, we all would trip in hardline restrictions.
But, how about making mindful decisions about what—and how much—we use in our everyday life? For example, when eating out … when packing a gift to be shipped to family … when ordering multiple items separately from the same seller … when having a choice to buy the food in a plastic container or in a glass jar … when one napkin would be enough instead of leaving another three on the table … when you could opt for a reusable grocery bag instead of a plastic one that will have its life ended immediately after getting home … and, so on.
Just making mindful decisions about these seemingly small everyday things can make a difference in stopping the growth of climate change, and in giving a chance to future generations to enjoy life on this Earth as much as we have.
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IS CLIMATE CHANGE FASHIONABLE …
OR FASHION CLIMATE‑CHANGEABLE?
Fast fashion equals fast pleasure equals faster climate change. The facts behind the attractive attires that the fast‑fashion industry produces are not quite as pretty.
Being the third largest greenhouse gas emitter (only behind food and construction), the second largest water user among consumer industries, and a major extractor of natural resources, the fashion industry has become so fast that—nowadays—not only is it difficult to keep up with the latest fashion, but is also difficult to fathom the damage this industry does to the Earth … and, ultimately, to human life on Earth.
But, some brands are taking notice. And, so can the final consumers …
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A LIFE‑SUSTAINING RELATIONSHIP:
Ocean & Humans
PART 1 (of 5)
Oxygen: Breathing Life Into Humans
Ever thought about where the oxygen we breathe came from? Or, about why most of the Earth (71%) is covered by water? After all, we don’t drink ocean water … so why so much water for such small land?
The ocean plays a crucial role in our (humans) being alive—not just because of the seafood some of us eat, but because of the whole ecosystem it supports: from generating oxygen, to supporting our land‑based food supply chain, to regulating our climate, to driving economies and supporting global trade by providing a means for transportation of goods, and even providing livelihood for millions of people. These are ‘just’ the roles the ocean plays in literally keeping us alive.
Yet, the only thing most of us can see are the various ways the ocean serves our pleasures by providing for activities, such as sailing, swimming, enjoying cruise trips, or just marveling at its beauty.
It’s now time to look ‘into’ the ocean more deeply.
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