When it comes to water usage, there are several different angles to consider: blue water, green water, and water scarcity, for example. There are also significant differences in the reported water footprints of various consumer goods. There is, however, fairly universal agreement on the best way to reduce our water footprint. Continue reading The best way to reduce your water footprint
A key research paper investigated whether we will be able to feed the human population in 2050 without further deforestation. The researchers examined 500 scenarios of food production (high-yield intensive agriculture versus lower-yielding organic) and consumption (various diets) to find out which scenarios do not require additional encroachment on forests. The details of which scenarios work and which don’t provide crucial guidance on our food shopping habits. Continue reading How to feed the world without further deforestation
The term planetary boundaries comes from an international group of scientists who have defined nine major threats to life on planet Earth and metrics for each of them. Aren’t you curious about what made it onto the list? It’s like The Oscars for the planet! Continue reading Earth is beyond 6 of 9 planetary boundaries. (Wait, what?)
The US election result does not spell good news for climate change. But that just underscores how important our personal actions are – they are all we can rely on, for a while. Which corporations thrive and also the breakdown of what these corporations produce very much depends on our purchases. Continue reading Our actions as consumers are now critical
In this post I’m going to outline a game plan to incentivize all the lonely Starbucks lovers to finally start bringing their own reusable cups! The bonus stars that you earn by bringing a personal cup will score you a free bag of coffee beans in no time. If you select organic beans, this will put a little extra pressure on Starbucks to source ethically. Continue reading Starbucks Lovers: Bring your own darn mug! PS: Free coffee!
I want to talk about the impact of the election result on climate change. It’s important to know that our ability to mitigate climate change largely depends on us, personally, not on the government. Around 82% of total US emissions result from the actions of individual American residents. Here’s a plan of action… Continue reading The US election result & climate change
This is the first of two posts detailing how the UPF conversation is a front line in the war against plant-based food. As a case study, I take a look at a high-profile research paper, published in The Lancet last month, and the media coverage that delivers a very misleading message. Continue reading Ultra-processed food: How meat and dairy are co-opting the narrative
Beef and legumes, the most popular sources of protein in the animal and plant worlds, respectively, are at opposite extremes in terms of environmental and social impact. There has been a large-scale war playing out over this dilemma – here is a summary of some of the battlegrounds. Continue reading The war over the most critical ethical dilemma
Agroforestry involves the integration of forestry and agriculture: producing a crop while maintaining native tree life, as much as possible. It’s a key solution to climate change and biodiversity loss – but how can we best support agroforestry as consumers? Continue reading Agroforestry and how to support it
Cellulose is the most abundant renewable carbon source on the planet. Plants capture more carbon dioxide (CO2) gas from the atmosphere than we humans generate and much of it is stored as cellulose. We need to make better use of this resource instead of burning or wasting it. Here are some examples… Continue reading Why is cellulose so important?
The Green Stars Project 