Cities — packed with buildings and pavement — absorb heat all day and release it back into the air at night. This creates the urban heat island (UHI), whereby cities are hotter than surrounding areas. The effects of UHIs are far-reaching, impacting both the environment and human and pet health. Urban trees within densely populated towns promote sustainable and livable spaces. These green giants offer many benefits that enhance the environment and quality of life for city dwellers. Why Trees Are Important in Urban Areas With up to 80% of the U.S. population residing in urban cities, trees are fundamental to mitigating the effects of UHIs. High temperatures in metropolitans promote the…
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The Sustainability of Open Pit vs. Subsurface Mining
Mining is quite a prominent practice, essential to get the raw materials numerous industries need to survive. Humans thrive on being able to explore and extract all kinds of minerals. However, environmental stewards should join the conversation and gauge their sustainability. Open-pit and sub-surface mining are two of the main types of mining. Corporations use each one interchangeably, depending on the landscape and need. Here’s an assessment of how they work and how sustainable they are. Open-Pit Mining Open-pit mining is a process that extracts matter close to the ground. Mining often has a reputation for going underground, but this process does not go too deep, which is why it’s…
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Why Is the Right to Repair Important?
The right to repair is an act of defiance of market captivity. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have made almost every device irreparable by third parties or too expensive to fix. Independent technicians and do-it-yourselfers aren’t the only losers in the status quo — the environment suffers, too. Will this movement turn the tide? What Is Right to Repair? The right-to-repair campaign is the clamor for more freedom to fix broken items. It arises from the increasing irreparability of electronic equipment and machinery. The movement’s proponents aim to counter most manufacturers’ policies of promoting product replacement through various means, including ending software support, restricting parts swaps, gatekeeping acceptable spare components and keeping…
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What Is the Impact of Climate Change on Human Migration?
The effects of climate change on human migration are widespread. In recent years, people have fled worsening sea level rise, droughts, heat waves, and floods. The environmental changes have forced vulnerable communities from their homes and businesses as they search for safer ground and solutions. Take a closer look at climate-induced migrations worldwide and how different countries address them. The Worldwide Effect of Climate Change on Human Migration Climate change has impacted the world differently, with some nations faring better than others. However, developing countries have grappled with more environmental issues, leading to a mass exodus of people seeking refuge in unaffected areas. Here is the effect of climate change…
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Permaculture Principles for a More Resilient Future
Permaculture is a timeless resource for veteran and budding planetary advocates alike, even in a home garden.
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Lake Owego Sustainability Fair
Visit the third annual Lake Oswego Sustainability Resource Fair! Celebrate Earth Day and connect with diverse organizations across our community that are advancing sustainability.
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And More Electrifying Stories
“Though the problems of the world are increasingly complex, the solutions remain embarrassingly simple.” Bill Mollison
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100% Carbon Free, Climate Resilient Living
This is the future of the grid happening right here in Vermont Imagine living in a home that’s all-electric, fossil fuel-free, and is fully storm-resilient. That’s the reality for the 155 families who will move to Hillside East in South Burlington, Vermont. This is a first for that state– a whole neighborhood that is resistant to power outages thanks to a Resiliency Package of in-home Tesla Powerwall batteries for seamless backup power, rooftop solar panels to recharge, and extend the batteries’ backup capability, and a neighborhood microgrid for extra backup power as needed. O’Brien Brothers, a Vermont-grown property development company for over six decades, turned to Green Mountain Power when…
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Flower Power at Heart of Methane Reduction
A daffodil extract could help reduce emissions by 30 percent when added to feed.
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Fruits of Decay
Harvesting mushrooms endows us with memories and connects us with a powerful source of new life.
