This is a question I posed, and answered, in my ichthyology class today. They have, after all, spent the last few weeks identifying smelly, preserved fish specimens and blurry underwater photos.
I told them about the current state of the world’s fisheries. I told them about how declines in global fish catch, increases in collapsed fisheries, and decreases in fish catch per unit effort have been happening over time, despite the global fleet fishing harder, farther, and deeper in all the oceans of our planet.
Then, I told them that that’s where fish knowledge and identification comes in. Through scientific monitoring, we have a way of keeping track of (and managing) our ocean’s supply of fish–which is not an infinite resource.
As the oils produced from the microalgae are edible and have superior properties to those found in palm oil, the newly discovered method would serve as a healthier and greener alternative to palm oil, according to the research study published in Journal of Applied Phycology.
Compared to palm oil, the oil derived from the microalgae contains more polyunsaturated fatty acids, which can help reduce ‘bad’ cholesterol levels in blood and lower a person’s risk of heart disease and stroke, the study states.
Palm oil is the most widely consumed vegetable oil on the planet, found in many packaged products sold in the supermarket. While palm oil is the most efficient source of vegetable oil, its rapid expansion threatens some of the planet’s most important and sensitive habitats. The algae oil innovation could present a possible alternative that can stop the damage.
Besides serving as a greener alternative to cultivating palm trees for plant-based oils or fat, the NTU-developed technique also has the potential to help cut down on greenhouse gas emissions as well as food waste.
“The paint reflects 98.1% of solar radiation while also emitting infrared heat. Because the paint absorbs less heat from the sun than it emits, a surface coated with this paint is cooled below the surrounding temperature without consuming power.“
holyshit this could be a game changer
“Using this new paint formulation to cover a roof area of about 1,000 square feet could result in a cooling power of 10 kilowatts. … That’s more powerful than the air conditioners used by most houses.” (statement,paper)
OK so for the next month I am going to attempt to be zero waste and I am posting this here so I actually feel accountable There are actually so many packaged goods at the supermarket that can be made at home for a quarter of the price (talk about that student life) and without all the unnecessary packing and weird numbers in the ingredients list. Like granola holy heck there is no way I am paying $16 for a packet This is currently my favourite INGREDIENTS 1 ½ cups (135 g) gluten-free rolled oats ½ cup (40 g) unsweetened coconut flake (large flakes are best) ½ cup (54 g) slivered raw almonds (or raw almonds, chopped) ½ cup (50 g) raw pecan halves 1 Tbsp (12 g) sugar ¼ tsp sea salt 3 Tbsp (45 ml) coconut oil 1/3 cup (80 ml) maple syrup 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Mix in a large bowl and bake for 25 minutes at 160C. They key is to leave it to cool for a good 10 minutes before transferring to a container so it can get super chunky And yes that is a turmeric latte what am I turning into
collaborative work between the Swedish architect/artist Ulf Mejergren and the Finnish artist Antti Laitinen.
From one tree they will create four different artworks, one for each season, with available material found in nature. The first project started in early April.
This project was made possible by the Nordic Culture Point, a cultural institution based in Helsinki, Finland and the Finnish Institute based in Stockholm, Sweden.
Growing fresh basil in a planting pot is an easy way to ensure that you have fresh herbs to add in any recipe. Basil makes a great addition on pasta, eggs, quinoa, pizza or most any other food you might be cooking. You can buy started basil at many nurseries and grocers, or plant your own. It takes very little maintenance besides watering once a week. Get out and garden!
Most people don’t realize that conventional dairy already has been focused on sustainability, we just don’t advertise
- We sequester carbon with the crops growing for the cows
- We use organic fertilizer from the cows instead on relying on synthetic fertilizers
- We recycle all our water to grow crops for the cows
- Cows up-cycle food byproducts into usable nutrition that would otherwise go to a landfill
Cows are a valuable part of the earths ecology and ecosystems. Many dairy farms today are installing methane digesters- that take cow manure, capture the emissions, and make renewable power. Installing these systems make dairies carbon negative meaning they are taking out more emissions than they are creating.
Cows account for less than 4% of GHG emmisions in the U.S. while crops produce 4.8%
Cows take worthless grass/cellulose (that people can’t digest) and convert to nutrient dense foods. Without cows, you would need significantly more plant agriculture/ and environmental resources i.e. land, water
As a result changing your diet to vegan will only reduce your environmental impact as much as reducing 1 transatlantic flight
People forget though that cows are an important part of the earths ecology and nessesary- they perform an important function.
Methane from cows remains constant in the atmosphere— 10-15yrs— while C02 from fossil fuels accumulate in the environment— C02 lasts 100yrs. The key to reducing our environmental impact is not from changing our diet but reducing our dependence on fossils fuels
Dairy farmers in the U.S. have reduced their environmental impact 63% over the last 65 years. They’ve been able to produce more milk with less cows.
And many farmers today are working to convert the methane to renewable energy. Implementing this technology on dairy farms will allow these farms to become carbon-negative. Meaning they’ll be pulling more carbon out of the system than they put in- while producing renewable energy and food.
Cows have the potential to be the great change makers in our society
Weird sustainability hack: collect pumpkins after Halloween and roast them! Thousands (if not millions) of tons of pumpkins go into landfills every year after spooky season
While I didn’t purchase any for myself, I put out a message on my local buy-nothing group and was amazed at the number of responses - way more than I could ever use. I ended up with eight, which I’m working on processing: roast the flesh, keep the guts for broth, and roast the seeds
Planning on lots of baked goods (breads, muffins, squares etc), soup, pumpkin butter… I think when people think pumpkin they think pie and that’s it. The possibilities are endless!
Visible mending is a decorativeway to fix up an item. Instead of trying to make your mend as invisible as possible, the idea is to make it part of the garment’s design.
Visual mending is not a single technique: it’s more of a mindset. If you’ve got an item you love, it deserves to be mended, and if you’re going to put that love into stitches, why not show them off?
That being said, there are some specific techniques that are popularwith visible menders. Let’s take a look!
Sashiko:
Sashiko is a type of traditional Japanese embroidery that is used to both decorateandreinforcefabric. In visible mending, sashiko is often used to cover up holes with patches or to reinforce thinning fabric. This technique uses a variation on the running stitch.
(Image source) [ID: sashiko stitch diagram: the distance between each stitch is ½ stitch in length.]
Someresourceson sashiko:
SashiCo on YouTube: sashiko livestreams and information on the cultural aspect of sashiko.
(Image source) [ID: three examples of sashiko embroidery on jeans fabric.]
(Image source) [ID: sashiko embroidery with white thread on blue jeans fabric.]
Embroidery:
Regularembroideryis also a popular technique to accentuateyour mends. Check out my embroidery 101 post to learn how to get started. You can embroider patches, or use embroidery to hide or accentuateany stitches you’ve made to fix holes. Embroidery’s also a great way to cover up stains.
(Image source) [ID: colourful embroidery floss covers a worn sleeve edge of a jeans jacket]
(Image source) [ID: colourful flower embroidery surrounds a hole in a pair of dark gray jeans. Fabric with a red and black flower print peaks out of the hole.]
Patches:
There are many ways to add patchesto a garment. My tutorial on patches is a good place to start if you want to make custom-shapedpatches to sew on top of your fabric. You can also sew your patch on the insideof your garment and have it peek out from beneath the hole you’re trying to fix. Fun ideas for this are laceorsuperheroes.
(Image source) [ID: Spiderman peaking out of a rip in a pair of blue jeans.]
(Source) [ID: a red flannel heart-shaped elbow patch on a gray knitted sweater.]
Darning:
Darning is a technique used to repair holes in fabric by using running stitchestoweaveextra fabric over the hole as to fill it up again. While traditionally darning is done in an invisibleway by using the same colour of thread as your fabric, you can also use contrastingcolours to accentuate your fix. Check out this written tutorial on darning by TheSpruceCrafts.
(Image source) [ID: vintage instructions on how to darn a hole.]
(Image source) [ID: four examples of darning on blue fabric with colourful contrasting thread.]
Conclusion:
Visible mending is a creative way to fix up your clothes and give them some personality at the same time.
You should be proudof the fact that you took the time and learned the necessary skills needed to mend your clothes! Show off what you did!
A fun side effect of wearing these obvious mends is that people will notice them. They’ll remember your fixes the next time they’re faced with a hole in their wardrobe, and it will make them more likely to try it for themselves.
These are just a few ways to visibly mend your garments. Want more inspiration? Check out Pinterestorr/Visiblemending on Reddit.
Buying boba at tea houses has got to be one of the biggest ways I use plastic. Between the cups and extra large straws it adds up quickly. Finally they had boba in bulk at my local Asian market after not having it for months. They’re still packaged in plastic but one bag is still less than the waste I’d make from buying it at the tea house. Now I can get back to making them at home in glass with a reusable straw using other ingredients I buy in bulk and plastic free!
The key to a greener future is building a sustainable infrastructure and implementing changes in policy. If that’s something you’re interested in forming jobs like these will be necessary to insight change!
I recently made some liquid soap for myself to refill my soap pumps! I used a soap bar I had been gifted for the holidays that wasn’t something I was interested for in the shower. I grated it on my box grater on one of the finer sides so the soap flakes would be smaller. The smaller ones seem to dissolve better when the hot water is added. I put the flakes in a bowl with a spout and added some boiling water. I mixed it until there wasn’t anymore discernable bits in the mixture. I then poured it into this growler I thrifted recently. Overnight it’ll set into a pourable liquid soap. This way I can refill any of my soap pumps as I need them. If you can’t get liquid refills that aren’t plastic free it’s a great option. You can make as much or little as you want. My favorite part is that you can use any bar soap to make any scent you’d like. This process also gives good perspective into how much water goes into liquid products. Being able to add the water yourself saves money as you are avoiding paying for all the water weight. Has anyone else tried this? I want to try it with a solid conditioner soon as I couldn’t get it to run through my hair effectively. Send me any tips y’all got!
The first rule to develop a bee-friendly backyard is to plant varieties of flowering plants that will thrive in your growing zone. However, in every backyard, front yard, garden, or homestead there are also microclimates, and it’s important to keep those in mind. Microclimates are very small areas that have a different climate from the surrounding areas.
Your property also has microclimates and you may, too, be surprised by what you can grow once you figure those out. Just look for areas that have more/less shade, slope, exposure, and wind. One clue to look for is any native vegetation that might be growing where it’s not “supposed” to. Are those areas drier? Wetter? Shady? Those answers can help you know what other plants to try, outside those specified for your zone.
Bees are attracted to certain colors
Just as you have favorite colors, bees do too. They cannot see colors in the red end of the color spectrum, so good color choices are yellow, white, purple, orange, pink, and blue. There are so many gorgeous blooms and colors to choose from and doing a bit of research online helps before you venture out to the nearest nursery.
A few flowers to consider for your own bee-friendly backyard are:
Basil
Coneflower
Fennel
Goldenrod
Lantana
Lavender
Lobelia
Lupine
Mint
Oregano
Rosemary
Salvia
Sunflowers
Sweet alyssum
Yarrow
It’s best to plant flowers that grow in clumps, rather than single blossoms on long stems and then to plant them close together. Bees are more attracted to clumps of blossoms and having them close together makes it easier for them to do their pollinating job.
There are many other colorful plants, but as you can see, both flowering herbs and food-producing plants make bees quite happy and it’s a win-win if you’re trying to grow your own food.
Think year-round, if possible
Your backyard or garden can provide pollination opportunities for bees year-round since bees need pollen and nectar throughout the year. As you begin to narrow down the types of plants that do best in your growing zone, select ones with bee-attracting colors, also check to see when they will flower. Ideally, you’ll want to have plants that flower in the spring and summer, along with those who produce blossoms in the fall and winter. Daylilies and the Lile of the Nile are both perennials and will be ready to produce blossoms again next year.
Re-think insecticides
Along with helpful insects like bees, butterflies, and ladybugs, there are also mosquitoes and other insects that we definitely do not like! However, the over-use of insecticides will also poison bees. Before reaching for an insecticide, do some research and try a natural remedy first.
Add a simple water-feature
During long, dry seasons, beekeepers have to make sure there is plenty of water in the form of a pond, fountain, pool, bird bath, or other water feature. Even bowls or jars of water are better than nothing for helping keep bees hydrated. Since bees can drown in water, add stones and pebbles to shallow dishes to prevent them from falling in water and being unable to get out.
While the easy answer to cleaning up the earth may be “Just recycle!” unfortunately, it is not that simple. Many areas do not have recycling plants available or nearby. In my own neighborhood, to be part of the recycling route, you have to pay a monthly subscription, which not everyone can afford.
Because of this, I have found myself becoming increasingly creative in the ways that I reduce waste. Below are some of my most practical tips.
1.) Containers!
Containers are very easy to reuse–whether its a glass jam jar upcycled into a trendy coffee cup, or an old mayo jar being reused as a craft supply holder, containers are my favorite reusable item. I have washed out plastic ice cream tubs and used them as flour/sugar containers and as planters. Tin cans become cute pencil holders and planters with a coat of exterior paint or a ribbon. I have used vitamin/pill bottles as bathroom organizers for Q-Tips, tweezers, and make up brushes. Cutting a milk jug in half and covering the exterior with a colorful cloth makes a handy sock/underwear organizer. The possibilities are endless!
2.) Paper Goods!
Instead of throwing away paper, look for ways to reuse and donate! Many cat shelters use newspapers for their litter box liners and are glad to take the newspapers off your hands. There are DIY tutorials online about how to make a pet mat with newspapers and fabric, also a great item to donate to shelters! Make sure to call and check with the shelter to see if they need these items before beginning any project, though. Paper can also be reused to make fire starters, beads, decoupage material, and paper mâché. You can shred it and use it as small pet bedding, as well.
3.) Plastic Bags!
It is incredibly sobering to see so many photos of plastic bags in landfills, in oceans, and around the necks of our wildlife. Easy to make and easy to throw away, plastic bags are easily a castaway product that is easier to use and not think about. After seeing my own plastic bag usage, I realized I needed to make a change. I cut plastic bags into loops, connect, and roll them into balls of “Plarn” (plastic yarn). I have been crocheting the plarn into containers and reusable grocery totes. While the prep work is a bit time consuming, making plarn is still a lot of fun, and its the perfect fidget task for me while I watch movies.
4.) Clothes!
Clothes are one of the slower biodegradable items, with the plastics of common day production making breaking down difficult. Instead of tossing out a shirt with a rip in it, or a pair of shorts with a stain, look for ways to repair it first. Sewing a flower over a stain, or using a cute stitch to seam up a tear is a great way to add character and longer life to your clothes. If clothes no longer fit or are too damaged to repair, many thrift stores (or craft clubs!) will accept them. I like to donate clothes to smaller, personally owned thrift shops before large chain shops, but any type of donating keeps clothes out of landfills! If there are no thrift shops that accept donations, churches, benefit clubs, and homeless shelters often accept items into their closets so they can give them to people who need it directly. Sometimes food kitchens will collect clothes so when visitors get a free meal, they can also get a free shirt if they need one.
5.) Electronics!
Electronics are easier to donate, if recycling is not possible, with many pick up locations by large stores or busy areas. If there are no pick up/drop off electronic places, local high schools, trade schools and the like will also accept electronics (working or not) for the students to tinker with. Women’s shelters and assisted living centers also accept (working) electronics, even if they are older. Many occupants need devices or tech related items to help them apply for jobs or learn new skills, and often these places don’t have enough to go around. Depending on what electronic you are trying to dispose of, you could use the frame (like a computer frame) as a cute planter or quirky garden decor, or paint it into an artistic piece.
These are just a few of the tips I have picked up along the way! Happy reusing and recycling, SolarPunks! Let me know what you have reused or how you have recycled it.
