Is This Hurricane Season Different?

Did you know that we’re currently in the middle of peak Atlantic hurricane season? From August through October, hurricane activity is usually at its busiest. This week, Hurricane Francine struck the Gulf coast of Louisiana this week as a Category 2 before weakening to a tropical storm. Earlier this year the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasted that 2024 would be a very active season, one for the history books! Strangely, however, the Atlantic Ocean has been unusually quiet, following Hurricane Ernesto on August 12th. Let’s learn more… Predicting Hurricanes...

Lessons From Sweden On Sustainability

A common debate against sustainable development is that climate action will stunt the economy. Sweden is proving this argument wrong, showing how sustainability and economic growth are not mutually exclusive and can grow in tandem. To achieve "net zero" by 2045, countries need to cut their emissions by 85%, compared to 1990. Sweden has achieved an 80% reduction since 1990, securing its place as the second most sustainable country in the world after Finland. And yet, Sweden’s economy has been growing steadily since 1970 and ranked sixth in the IMD World Competitiveness Ranking Report. So how...

Klamath River Runs Free!

The Klamath Dam at the Oregon-California border has played a pivotal role since 1918, providing power to more than 70,000 households each year! The Klamath River Dam Project sits on the second-largest river in the state of California and was authorized by the federal government in 1905. Additionally, the dam formed a reservoir that provided irrigation and a natural safeguard against wildfires in the high-risk region. However, in the past few decades, the Klamath Dam has become a major hindrance to the local environment. The dam’s impact is so profound that local indigenous tribal activists...

Swiss Women Win Climate Case

In a surprising turn of events, a group of elderly Swiss women sued their government in Europe’s biggest human rights court… and won! A Swiss group called KlimaSeniorinnen, or Senior Women for Climate Protection, brought forth a case to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) regarding the ongoing climate crisis. This group, consisting of around 2000 women ages 64 and older, argued that Switzerland was violating their human rights by not taking adequate action against climate change, which greatly affects the lives and health of the Swiss people. How The Case Unfolded The group cited data...

What Is A Food Forest?

Imagine walking through a forest where every plant is edible. This is the concept of a food forest! Food forests are gaining popularity worldwide. From major cities like Atlanta, GA, to tropical forests in Costa Rica, food forests can be planted anywhere. But what are food forests, and what can you grow in them? Do they serve a greater purpose in the community? Let’s find out! Food Forest: The Basics Food forests (or forest gardens) are grown using a method of planting mimicking the way plants naturally grow. In other words, they create an interdependent ecosystem. Food forests consist of...

Sponge Cities: What Are They?

The term sponge city might conjure up a creative image of a city made of sponges, but the actual definition of sponge cities isn’t as literal as it seems. Instead, picture a city filled with green spaces and bodies of water. Sounds pretty, doesn’t it? But these landscapes are more than just a pleasant idea; they actually serve to lessen the consequences of extreme climate events. Let’s read on to find out what a sponge city is… What is a Sponge City? Sponge city is a term that originated in China to describe urban spaces that are re-designed with areas for greenery. They absorb stormwater the...

Culdesac: A Walkable City!

Arizona, aka the Copper State, is the only place in the world where the saguaro cactus grows. Recently, Arizona also became home to a city named Culdesac Tempe, based on the European-style 15-minute city . What inspired the creation of this city, and how is Culdesac different from other x-minute cities? Let’s find out. What is Culdesac Tempe? A self-proclaimed 5-minute city located in Tempe, Arizona, Culdesac sets itself apart from other x-minute cities, as it was envisioned and designed as a car-free zone. Laid out over 17 acres of land, Culdesac ensures residents have metropolitan...

Cultural Burning To Curb Wildfires

Every summer, wildfires make headlines. California in particular is hit hard, with more than 300 million acres destroyed in the last few years. But what if I told you that purposefully setting “good” forest fires actually reduces the risk of wildfires? But how can we set fire, to stop fire? Let’s find out! What is Cultural Burning? Cultural burning occurs when small fires are purposely set to renew the land. It was crucial to Indigenous American lifestyles and beneficial to the environment. When brush is burned regularly, the ashes fertilize the soil, preparing it for new plants. These fires...

Do Labels Impact How We Eat?

We have all heard that reducing meat and dairy consumption is an important behavioral change that can help with our planet's climate. However, what is a successful strategy to get people to consume more plant-based food? Brigham and Women's Faulkner Hospital has an answer. They pioneered a vegetarian/vegan option to reduce climate change. Faulkner is one of 60 hospitals, universities, major corporations, and cities that have signed an international pledge to reduce food-related greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2030. One of the main strategies they are using: not mentioning the word “vegan”...

King Charles Releases A Book

As the U.K. prepares for the coronation of King Charles, we look at another side of him. Earlier this year, the King released a book called Climate Change: A Ladybird Book. In the book, King Charles writes about climate change in simple terms that a middle schooler can understand. According to the BBC, biodiversity is declining faster than at any time in human history. One of the main reasons? Humans. According to a study by the United Nations, the need to support the growing human population leads to the overexploitation of animals, plants, and other organisms. This contributes to the Earth’...

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