Ever since its invention, we have produced and consumed an incredible amount of plastic. Globally, an estimated 8.3 billion metric tonnes of plastic waste have been disposed of with 9% of that being recycled, 12% incinerated and 79% going to landfill. Each year we produce an additional 300 million tonnes of plastic waste and that … Continue reading The Growing Problem of Plastic Waste
Collateral for Convenience: How Plastic Pollution is Killing Our Oceans
The amount of plastic we are consuming is growing and, if projections are correct, will continue to rise over the coming decades. Between the early 1950s when plastic production first began and now, we've consumed more than 8.3 billion tonnes of plastic and the rate at which we consume seems to be accelerating. More on … Continue reading Collateral for Convenience: How Plastic Pollution is Killing Our Oceans
What If We Responded to Air Pollution Like The Coronavirus?
The impact of the Coronavirus has been felt across every single country in the world. As of June 25th, there have been over 9 million cases of the virus - almost half a million of those that caught it have died - with the number of those having the virus still going up. We seem … Continue reading What If We Responded to Air Pollution Like The Coronavirus?
A Sustainable Model For Production Industries?
The modern economic system is a take-make-waste linear model: we take raw materials, make something that can be sold on, and then let it go to waste. It's the reason plastic is littered across almost the entire planet and why landfills are filling up so rapidly to the point we're running out of space for … Continue reading A Sustainable Model For Production Industries?
Is The Abolishment Of Police That Radical?
As protests and riots continue into their third week in the USA and continue in cities around the UK and in Europe, calls to defund, dismantle and even abolish the police force have gained increasing traction. Typically, Conservatives on each side of the Atlantic have either ridiculed or been heavily critical of this idea, whereas … Continue reading Is The Abolishment Of Police That Radical?
Racism and Environmental Justice
The murder of George Floyd well over a week ago now has sent shockwaves across the USA and now parts of Europe. Protests have run for 8 days and nights straight across all 50 states in the USA and are now beginning to grow in number across cities in the UK and Europe. Communities have … Continue reading Racism and Environmental Justice
How the Most Innovative Country in the World is Still Addicted to Energy of Old
The growth of South Korea over the six decades following the Korean War has been nothing short of remarkable. After the war ended South Korea was one of the poorest countries on the planet, but rapid industrialisation and an extreme focus on economic growth allowed it to become one of the most technologically advanced countries … Continue reading How the Most Innovative Country in the World is Still Addicted to Energy of Old
Copenhagen: A Beacon of Urban Sustainability
Copenhagen. It's a city I've always wanted to visit but not yet had the opportunity to go to. The colourful buildings lining the sides of canals, the Tivoli Gardens and open squares around the city all add to the attraction and charm of the Danish capital. However, in truth, its the drive for creating a … Continue reading Copenhagen: A Beacon of Urban Sustainability
4 Problems Exposed by the Coronavirus
The Coronavirus has forced cities and countries around the world to go into lockdown in order to protect their populations from the respiratory virus that has killed almost 300,000 people around the world - likely many more. Even as case numbers begin to come down almost everywhere but the USA, protection from a second-wave of … Continue reading 4 Problems Exposed by the Coronavirus
Planet of the Humans: Landing a Long Way Wide of the Mark
This year marked 50 years since the first Earth Day when 20 millions went to the streets to protest a lack of environmental protection in the country. We've come a long way since 1970 with regards to environmental protection and pollution control, but we're an even bigger distance away from where we need to be … Continue reading Planet of the Humans: Landing a Long Way Wide of the Mark