Happy Holidays

I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday. I am sending good wishes to all!

Hopefully S and I can keep up with this blog in the new year.. sorry

-A xoxo

I'm Back

I know this blog has kind of (seriously) taken a back burner. If anyone actually read this blog I'd say I was sorry about that. There has been a lot of stuff going on I'd like to speak about, the peoples climate march in NYC, the climate summit discussions, recent fossil fuel divestment from certain organizations and universities and especially the Energy East Pipeline. There have been a lot of positive things happening for us in the climate movement lately. I can actually see the impact and I can see people starting to take notice. It's really nice. However, I am not going to talk about any of that right now. Right now I just want to rant. I want to rant about the people who get annoyed with me for talking about the environment and climate change.

I spend a lot of my time surrounded by people who are not environmental or sustainability majors and they seem to be constantly making fun of what I do. Yesterday I asked someone "why do you all seem to hate the environment?" He said we don't hate it and we are on your side but we are constantly bombarded with you students talking about it and we just don't care.

So instead they spend all their time making fun of it. Makes sense.

I want to scream. I understand that not everyone cares about the technical or specific issues. However, everything is connected so something that you care about will be impacted by the climate crisis whether you suspect it or not.

I don't believe anyone should be made fun of for being passionate. I think people wish they could be as passionate about something that interests them. Environmental issues are vitally important so yeah, I'm going to talk about them and I'm going to continue until you don't just agree that harming the environment is bad but actually join into the conversation and use your tools and skills to help. Everything has something they are passionate about but if the climate crisis continues the way it is there might not be a passion left for you to pursue.

Sorry for my slightly extremist rant, I've just been pissed off at all the environment haters lately.

- S

The number continues to rise

On April 25th of this year S pointed out that the number of the greenhouse gases added to the atmosphere in 2014 was in the nine thousands, and on that friday she reported that it was at 10,379,020,919. Well today, August 15th it is now at 20,589,036,978. In the span of one summer we have released over 10,000,000,000 tonnes of ghg into the atmosphere..

Something needs to change.

-A

Humans Are Silly

Photo of the Day! I love this because it's so true of so many people today.

- S

Obama. Again.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/17/us/politics/white-house-unveils-climate-change-initiatives.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&version=HpSum&module=second-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news

As we know Obama recently proposed a plan to cut carbon emissions and he has been open about his belief in the effects of climate change.

These are all incredible steps if they are to be successfully followed through on. This new article states that there is an unveiling of climate change initiatives..however it seems more like we're just working on cover ups instead of looking for solutions to longterm problems. We need to look at root causes and change our actions, not just prepare preventative measures. As climate change progresses new "quick fixes" will be needed..people actually need to realize their impact, thats the first step. Looking at root causes is what will help us in the long run.

Let's all keep in mind though that Obama is doing more than the Canadian government right now though so, you go Obama, you go!

- S

Inglorious Fruits and the Price of Perfection

http://www.thisismarvelous.com/i/198-Watch-How-This-Supermarket-Got-People-To-Buy-Their-Trash

For some reason the lecture in my first year sustainability class about the "Price of Perfection" stuck incredibly well.

This french supermarket bought the fruits and vegetables that their suppliers usually throw away due to outward imperfections. This is because people generally want their fruit to look perfect and we go to the supermarket and trifle though all the apples or peaches or whatever to find the one that looks the most appealing. This supermarket taught people that the imperfect fruits and vegetables tasted just as good and charged people less for them. This way more people could afford healthy food and they were reducing food waste.

I love this so much! I work at a restaurant which focuses heavily on fruit and we through out so much due to imperfections even though the fruit itself is perfectly fine. It's so silly! Poor fruits and vegetables being discriminated against hahah

I wish we could take this idea further, farmers poor so many different chemicals on fruit and vegetables  to make sure we get bigger, more shiny and perfect looking fruits and vegetables..this is hurtful to the planet and could be majorly reduced if people weren't so obsessed with perfection.

- S

Live on the scene…..

Today Hurricane Arthur strikes through Nova Scotia (although it has been downgraded to a tropical storm)
 and I figured I should probably mention it. Nothing very bad has happened in Halifax but I know that elsewhere in Nova Scotia has seen some issues. I got to go home early from work though because of the power outage, so hey, thanks Arthur.

Climate change. That thing crazy people like to deny. Let's pretend none of these people are around and state the fact that climate change can affect the intensity and frequency of these storms. Rise in sea level which we are seeing can also make these storms worse. Now I'm not saying that these storms happen because of climate change, these are natural occurring systems, however, rising sea levels and increased temperatures due to human impact on the planet has allowed for more intense storms

- S

 

It's getting hot in here

Sorry I've been away! I have started my job as a lifeguard and have been preoccupied saving lives ;) ( I did save a choking baby though). I ran across this picture on tumblr and wanted to share it. 

I wanted to know if they had their data available for the public to see that way I could tell any climate skeptics where to go look at the data hehe so I will post if I find anything!! 

-A

Word.

 People are still making the argument that we cannot switch to renewables because it will not create a strong enough economy. False, this is a prime example of that so the argument  is simply invalid. People freaked out (in a positive way) about the 'Solar Freaking Roadways' video on YouTube but still reject renewable energy widely and instead insist that we are too dependant on oil to change our ways. Investments in crude oil, tar sands and fracking continue..not a very smart over all investment. Invest smart, invest in renweables for a more sustainable future.

Brace yourself

There have been talks of an El Nino for 2014. It's even been compared to the posterchild 1997 El Nino.

NASA has been monitoring the ocean for sea level hight, temp, winds, etc and has recently found similar patterns to the spring of 1997. However, they will not be able to confirm an El Nino until a few months have passed.

For those who don't know what El Nino is:
It's an oceanic warming condition in the southeast pacific ocean. It creates major rain storms leading to landslides and flooding in the western areas of the Americas.
Great video of El Nino and its impacts on both human society and the food chain HERE.

Recently there has been news that an El Nino would lead to a decrease in hurricanes for the eastern coast of the US. While it is good for the east not good for the west who should expect the worse. (Article)

Here is the NASA post about the possible El Nino along with a little video.

Like I said before what happens in the ocean eventually impacts the land.

-A

Side Note

Just a little side note, there is a webpage going around about a printable list of food companies owned by monsanto Printable List and I felt the need to clear this up because I feel like this is a little bit of greenwashing (okay maybe not greenwashing, but misinformation, people need to be PROPERLY informed of the facts of GMO's, we can't just let environmental hysteria take over and start sharing false information):

These companies are not owned by Monsanto.

A lot of the ingredients in the food products made from these companies has genetically modified ingredients in them. This is because if you're buying a processed food from a large brand name the ingredients are not going to be grown in a small organic farm, they are going to be grown in big fields and Monsanto and other GMO companies such as DuPont owns the GM seed that travels into these big fields (even if the producer didn't want a GM crop, if it gets in to that crop via airborne travel or something, the GM company now owns that crop because the GM seed is their intellectual property).

So lets recap: Ingredients from these big name companies likely do have GM ingredients but we can't say its all from monsanto, as I mentioned there are other GM companies out there ex. DuPont and you should try to make yourself aware of those too.
Secondly, these food companies are owned by public shareholders, whether or not a specific shareholder is affiliated with Monsanto or another GM company is another story.
And finally, since GM crops are used as ingredients in many processed foods it is impossible for the list of foods to avoid to be only 50.

On the bright side GMO labelling is becoming more popular and being pushed for in many places globally, while the bill was defeated for GMO foods to be labelled, NON GMO labels are allowed so you can pick and choose your food that way.

- S

Green Innovations!

I'm still here, sorry for the lack of posts <3

Today I want to talk about supportive governments, businesses, legislation and council. When a city introduces a new green innovation because they as a city have determined that the environment is vitally important to the wellbeing of its citizens.

I think this is so cool and I wish we could see more things like this in our everyday life. It gives an incentive to people which is so important, people are lazy and they want to see immediate results for their efforts.

Do you have any Green Innovations in your city?

- S

The Lowdown on Whales

Just some whale background info for the newbies for why whales are just plain freaking awesome

So #1 whales ARE awesome (this is a fact!)

#2: Whales are mammals just like us! There are actually three mammalian orders that have species who live in the ocean :

• Order carnivora which include cats and dogs as well as the Pinnipeds aka: the walruses, seals and sea lions!
• Order Cetacea which include the whales, dolphins, and porpoises!
• Order sirenia which include the manatees and dugongs!

#3 Toothed whales use ecolocation to hunt prey, even in complete darkness! 

#4 They can talk to one another!! THEY CAN SPEAK WHALE! Although these whale "languages" differ from species to species and even pod to pod, there has been significant evidence that proves that these languages exist! awesome video on the humpback whale song here

#4 Some of the largest whales and mammals that exist are filter feeders, feeding on some of the smallest organisms in the ocean! 

#5 Whales have large migrations that can stretch to multiple continents! A migration map from National Geographic can be seen here

More awesome facts to come!!

-A

MAY IS WHALE MONTH!!

THE MONTH WE HAVE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR!!!

MAY IS WHALE MONTH!

Like I love whales, like love. Not like the stupid kindergarten I love eating paste, love. I love whales like a white girl loves starbucks, love, but with whales. And what do I love more that whales, whale biologists, like umm oh I don't know HAL WHITEHEAD! I might be a semi stalker of his, but shhhh he doesn't know that yet. Anyways, here is my kick off for whale month:

Ahh the whale shark, so majestic and peaceful<3 more fun stuff about whales to come!

-A

So True it's Scary

I'm so sorry I've been a busy bee recently (get it because the previous post was about the importance of bees).. I will attempt to make up for the missed posts so get ready!

This is a meme I found that identifies the irony present in the gmo and monoculture application to agriculture. These approaches encourage not only inorganic fertilizer application (which leach into bodies of water) and food security for developed countries (the opposite for developing countries) but also the application of chemicals for pesticides and herbicides that have known consequences of direct contact on human health and unknown consequences of indirect contact through eating the sprayed food.

It's funny because it's true.

-A

Lets Talk About Bees

Declining bee populations have been a recent topic of interest which is significant because it's not something that people would usually take notice of. However, according to an article by Elizabeth Grossman "one of every three bites of food eaten worldwide depend on pollinators, especially bees" Grossman on Declining Bee Populations. 

So for the meme of the day here is just some of the food our grocery stores would be lacking if we did not have bees

Link to article with some solutions to this problem: Help The Bees!

- S

I HAVE INTERNET!

Now, I never watched Star Trek as a child, but I just imagine Captain Kirk as Sheldon Cooper and I'm all good. Plus I really enjoy this meme. It drives me absolutely crazy when I hear politicians promise more "economic growth" and how the key to everyones problems is more economic growth. They say if we implement these policies and extract these resources we will have more job creation and our markets will skyrocket and we will ultimately increase our economic growth and everyone will live all happily ever after. Except you won't. Because you'll be underwater due to sea level rise and melting glaciers because you ignored climate change. Maybe that's a little extreme but do you see what I am getting at here? The time for economic growth has passed..sure after WW2 it made sense, but at this point it does not. OUR PLANET HAS LIMITS, IT IS NOT INFINITE, you cannot continue this pattern of economic growth forever, It makes no sense. 

ps. You can't have an economy on a dead planet…and look where we're heading...

This article says it much better than my mini rant does: Growth for growth's sake will kill us all.
here's a quote also: "Other studies suggest we are approaching real limits to the availability of numerous basic resources necessary to economic advancement. No technological quick fix is going to change the fact that our finite planet has definite limits.... The planet cannot sustain this type of growth, but the economy, we are told, commands it." (Alperovitz, 2014).

-S

One Scary Halloween

What will happen with the increasing population? We might never know in this lifetime..
According to the UN,world, population reached 7 billion on October 31, 2011. In my AP Human Geography class we had a party to celebrate it. I mean it isn't everyday your species reaches a population of 7 billion!
But should we have been celebrating it? There are unknown consequences of this large of a human population. Many have predicted a decline in the next hundreds of years as humans reach the Earth's carrying capacity, but will humans take the Earth down with them when they reach the capacity? Does more people= More consuming= more extracting of resources= eventual depletion= Earth in trouble?

Below is an awesome video about the steep increase of human population, mostly due to medicine and agriculture.



Visualizing How a Population Reaches 7 Billion from NPR on Vimeo.


-A

Poaching

Get it they're going to make poached eggs!

Although this is a humorous cartoon about egg poaching, the issue of animal poaching in countries with struggling economies is very serious. Although the animals are protected by law and are in established parks, hunting and even killing of endangered animals such as elephants, rhinos, and tigers have become large problems. There has been some optimistic help to areas to assist park rangers and governments against illegal poachers. In a Guardian article (link below), conservationist Marc Goss uses drones and google earth to help deter elephants from hi-risk poaching zones. The elephants, thinking the drones are bees, don't like the sound and move away from them. Perhaps this is could be a win for the elephants!

article

-A 

A New Beginning?

I find it hard to believe that with the amount of conventions held for global climate change, so little progress has been achieved. Many people in developed countries (like the right wing in the US) don't believe that these conventions are necessary or even result in anything that would be beneficial; many of these same people don't believe in climate change either. Don't even get me started about climate change skeptics.

Generally, global climate change conventions have had little success at tackling and mitigating climate change. These conventions have ended in soft law targets, proposals for new conventions, and a lack of power country attendance. Still some groups and individuals hold on to the hope that as a globe, we can come together to pass impactful legislation on climate change.

A new beginning for global climate change conventions??

The UN Chief, Ban Ki-moon, has publicly acknowledged that time for adapting, mitigating, or reducing the effects of climate change is quickly disappearing. He stated this in a speech given in Abu Dhabi environment meeting. He then called on major heads of state to attend a climate summit in september 2014 in NYC (maybe since its in NYC the US will actually show up). Also who wants to send me to NYC in september? Will this summit result in any changes? so many questions!

Article on UN Chief
Website on Climate Summit 2014

-A

Food To Feed The World

I don't really know if people think of agriculture when they think of sustainability. I mean I get the sense that people are becoming more educated about food and what they want to eat, however, I'm not sure if they are aware of the actual problems behind our food security and food sovereignty. 

This was National Geographic's front page this month:

In the article they discussed the 2 sides to the story, the side that says we need technology to solve our problems and the one that pushes for local farmer. National Geographic agreed that both of these sides had accurate points. However, it should be known that our problem is not that we do not have enough food, we have more than we need in fact. The problem is is that our food is not being distributed properly, the people who need the food the most are the ones who do not have access to it. We are stuck in a vicious cycle and it makes me wonder if we are just too afraid to change our food system? Is that why we haven't done it yet? 

Pick up a copy of National Geographic if you can they showed the footprint of agriculture as well as showing how much of the food we produce goes directly to human consumption and how much goes to livestock and biofuels: "only 55% of the worlds food-crop calories go directly to nourishing people" (National Geographic , 2014).

Side note: There are signs of people becoming more aware of the problems that face our current food system, as well people are becoming increasingly concerned with GMO's and real change is happening around that (see previous posts for the website which shows brands that are non GMO certified). Also certain grocery stores are starting to label GMO foods so that consumers can make informed decisions.

Whole Foods Labelling GMO's

- S

So I know I'm horrible, I forgot to do a meme of the day yesterday.. again.

People really underestimate the value of trees not only ecologically but also economically. Professor T.M. Das was one of the first scientist to put a value on trees. I couldn't find his paper, however, I did find an article that describes how he came to the conclusion of the net worth of a tree listed below.

There are always supporters and skeptics especially when it comes to ideas for conservation and climate change. Even within the sustainability minded community there are supporters and there is also opposition to assigning a monetary value for nature and its services.

Article on Paper

-A

Good Stuff BP…..Not...

BP Oil Spray Over Alaskan Tundra

Human Impact

There are so many issues that concern me when it comes to the sustainability of the planet. Sometimes it's hard to pick just one for meme of the day.

This picture is a powerful metaphor for our impact on the planet. Our drive for economic growth has led not only to unhealthy activity but complete abuse of our planet. My favourite author is John Green and while he is not an environmentalist, but in his latest book "The Fault In Our Stars" someone says "the marks humans leave are too often scars" and I think that is so true and we need to be actively trying to change that so that the mark we are leaving on this planet is one of positive change that future generations can learn from and benefit from.

Google Earth did something really cool, they created a project called 'Timelapse' which shows the impact of humans on earth from 1984-2012. The project shows environmental changes in different areas of the world. Google earth shows us increased deforestation, shrinking glaciers and the effects of coal mining.

Link: Google Earth Timelapse

- S

Second Place for Sexiest Man in the World

Behind Hal Whitehead, Sir David Attenborough should be named sexiest man in the world. He makes documentaries that should win oscars, he is a "Sir," and of course he has a british accent. Planet Earth is my favorite documentary of his. So with that I leave you with a quote from the one and only Sir David Attenborough for the Meme of The Day.

We depend on the environment not the other way around.

-A

The Keeling Curve

I know I forgot to post a Meme of The Day Yesterday but.....

TAAA-DAAAAAA!! presenting the Keeling curve!!

(http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/obop/mlo/programs/coop/scripps/co2/co2.html)

For those of you who don't know the wonderful keeling curve: the keeling curve plots the change in concentration of CO2 in the earths atmosphere since 1958. It was named after the man who started taking measurements, Charles David Keeling. These measurements are taken in the middle of the Pacific Ocean on a volcano in Hawaii (the Mauna Loa Observatory). These measurements showed the first significant evidence of rapidly increasing carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere and has been credited with first bringing the world's attention to the current increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. 

All hail the keeling curve!

-A

Caricature of Mr. Marc Morano, one of the leading climate skeptics and founder of skeptic website climatedepot.com. According to Mr. Morano rising levels of CO2 does nothing to effect the planet, and climate scientist are just trying to scare everyone. He also believes that human impact has not caused any type of climate change.

Not only do people like Marc Morano make me angry, I just don't understand them. There really is no denying climate change at this point, the lifestyle we currently lead is affecting out ecosystems and the overall health of our planet. I don't see how building a career out of denying climate change is really helping anybody in the long run.

This picture depicts someone who is motivated by money, profiting off environmental degradation. It's sad really.

- S

Join The Movement

A few weeks ago A and I attended PowerShift Atlantic, an environmental conference concerned with climate change and climate justice. There were a lot of very radical thinkers in attendance, some much more radical and strong willed than I ever imagine myself to be. However, there were a lot of productive steps taken towards active change at this youth conference. One of the main issues PowerShift focused on this year was fracking, the tar sands and the energy east pipeline.

"This year, the Nova Scotia government will make a major decision regarding the future of fracking in the province. This decision will impact our province for generations to come. On May 10, join communities across Canada who are stepping up to defend communities from pipelines, dirty energy projects, and runaway climate change."

The Halifax Rally will start at Parade Square at 11 am, but there will be other events planned across Canada.

We aren't going to stop pushing for clean energy, despite the industries gross push to stop us.

The linked article is related to what A talked about yesterday. Here's a quote "big Carbon advocates aren't giving up. The same group is trying to repeal or freeze Ohio's requirement that 12.5 percent of the state's electric power come from renewable sources like solar and wind by 2025. Twenty-nine states have established similar standards that call for 10 percent or more in renewable power. These states can now anticipate will-financed campaigns to eliminate these targets or scale them back."

The Kock Attack on Solar Energy

This is disgusting no wonder there were so many radical people at Powershift, we need to be. They want to fight dirty, and we are going to fight for clean and green!

Picture of the day today is actually going to be a video of the day, here is a little inspiration: United to Defend our Climate.

-S

Save Clean Energy

Some of you may not know, but Oklahoma is taxing energy made from household solar power. 

"Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin signed the "solar surcharge" bill into law on Monday, Permitting utilities to charge an extra fee to any customer using distributed power generation, such as rooftop solar or a small wind turbine." (Source)

So basically if anyone has solar or wind power attached to their home that they send to the grid, they will be taxed on the extra energy they produced when trying to send it back to the grid. This is instead of homeowners recieving credits from the utility companies whom recieve this extra (clean) energy like in most other states.

Oklahoma is caught in the resource trap and in turn is to making it more difficult to advance its green energy sector and supports the greed from oil and gas. THIS IS DISGUSTING!!

-A

Greenpeace on GM salmon implications and effects

Dr. Vandana talks GM salmon

The article and the video linked above both have a lot of interesting information about the future of GM salmon and GM seafood in general.

 "The Canadian government has just recently given the approval for development of GM salmon in Atlantic Canada by the American company Aquabounty" (Ian Mauro, 2014).

These developments are not productive scientific advancements, they have known and unknown future health implications, they disrupt the marine environment, there are food safety concerns and often times corporations like Aquabounty are not transparent and consumers are left in the dark.

By adding GM salmon to our already long list of GM foods we are taking ourselves further and further away from healthy, food sovereign lifestyles.

I will leave you with a bit of a positive, there are many alternatives to the GM food lifestyle, it is all up to us. Making smart informed food choices is the best thing we can do and there are many books and other forms of information on how to do this out there. Here is one example I found, the book is called Food Rules: An Eaters Manual by Michael Pollan and here is a picture excerpt from his book:

- S

Not the Cat!!

I love this meme the most. Contaminated water can be caused by so many different environmental destructions (agriculture, fracking, drilling, mining, waste disposal, etc.). Don't kill the cat, find out your impact on the local water sources! 

-A

Greenhouse Gas Counter

10,379,020,919

Just wanted to point out that when we first started this blog (only a few weeks ago) it was at 9- something and now it's reached 10…

I copied the number it was at when I decided to make this post so you can compare how much it's gone up at a later date.

Crazy.

- S

Late Meme Post!

I am terrible! Sorry about the late post. I think the message in this one is pretty self explanatory with a lot of truth to it. We must learn to live at the boundaries as my prof would say, we also need to start living on a sustainable scale.

- S

Late Meme Attempt

So sorry this is so late. I was flying home today so I couldn't really find a good meme or picture for today. But I did find this gif. Its from the movie 21 Jump street (I highly recommend it)

(http://hopingf0rthebest.tumblr.com/post/33155942447)

-A

COOOOOOOOOOKKKKIIIIIEEEEESSSSSSSS

Alsoooo EARTH DAY COOKIES!!! Who doesn't love some cookies. Here is an awesome way to celebrate Earth Day: http://www.tammileetips.com/2014/04/earth-day-cookies/

Bake on. Bake on

-A

"I'm Sorry"

Genius!! Different billboards posted in the Copenhagen airport for COP15 in 2009. This one is of the Prime Minister of Canada (a.k.a. the tar sand lover). At this link (http://osocio.org/message/im_sorry_we_could_have_stopped_catastrophic_climate_change/) you can find billboards of the heads of states for France, Germany, USA, Poland, Brazil, Spain, and UK.

You know its true.

-A

Hello world,

HAPPY EARTH DAY!

Today A and S celebrated Earth Day with a neon green tequila mixture….2 parts tequila 1 part mio..DO NOT TRY!

Sustainability is awesome and cool and if you want to learn about sust you should come to DALHOUSIE!

Earth Day is like saint pattys for sustainability kids..or maybe just us!! Happy celebrating!

- Green Girl Warriors

HAPPY EARTH DAY

Today is probably going to be a day of multiple posts just so we can share all of the awesome facts and figures about Earth Day and why it is important! So to kick off the day here is some wisdom from Dr. Seuss and The Lorax. I think this message can definitely be applied to our current environmental situation. I think we have established that we cannot continue to sustain our current lifestyle, we have seen the effects of what it can do.. however, nothing is going to change if we don't start to pay attention and caring about the effects that our human impact is having on the planet. How many wake up calls do we need?

- S

Extinction is Forever

We are in the midst of a sixth extinction solely due to human activities. There have been way too many organisms that have gone extinct because of humans. 

"Scientists estimate that 150-200 species of plant, insect, bird and mammal become extinct every 24 hours. This is nearly 1,000 times the 'natural' or 'background' rate and, say many biologists, is greater than anything the world has experienced since the vanishing of the dinosaurs nearly 65m years ago. around 15% of mammal species and 11% of bird species are classified as threatened with extinction."

The animals did not deserve this.

-A

The quote can be found in the guardian article here

Climate Change

And to go along with this lovely picture/meme of the day I add this joke (a favourite among the Green Girl Warriors):

Q: How many climate skeptics does it take to change a lightbulb?
A: None. It's too early to say if the light bulb needs changing.

Climate skeptics make no sense to me...

-S

Jackie Chan Wants you to Recycle

I'm sorry I just had to post this, this might be the funniest meme on this blog (in my opinion). You don't want Jackie Chan to be on your bad side. Separating recyclables: easy as one, two, three. -A

(http://fourgreensteps.tumblr.com/post/24546242900/midweek-memes-green-memes-to-break-up-your-work)

Denial.

People are still living in denial. The fact that there are still climate skeptics astounds me. We are too attached to a destructive way of life and we've been living in denial for way too long.

- S

Say 'No' to GMO's

nongmoproject.org

Found this really awesome website today when I was buying my amazingly tasty Kettle Brand Sriracha  chips which by the way are a verified non GMO product. Anyway, this website allows you to browse products by brand, search them individually or browse by category so you can find out which foods are non-GMO certified. This way we can all make informed choices when we shop and 'vote with our wallets' as they say. Check it out!

Do What You Can

Great quote from an inspiring person! Everyone can make a difference.- A

(http://fightingforanimals.tumblr.com/post/82809597488)

I don't have the brain power to come up with a meme with a deep meaning so this will have to suffice and it's kind fitting considering todays events. Today A and I had our sustainability final exam. Throughout the course we learned how nation states and organizations struggle to bring us out of the anthropocene into a more sustainable way of life. However, the mega conferences set up to do this (such as Rio+20) have failed to achieve this. It ain't easy being green and we need to continue to think of ways to engage the general community in sustainable living.

- S

Plastic, plastic everywhere

Todays meme of the day is a picture I found on Sustainableman.org (I really recommend that site!). From microplastics to plastic bags, the amount of waste in the ocean that cannot be decomposed is outrageously high. This is not only detrimental to the fish who eat or get tangled in these but also to everything downstream in the food web (including us).

(http://sustainableman.org/blog/2013/03/28/what-ends-up-in-the-ocean-ends-up-in-you/)

Perhaps as a marine biologist in-training I'm a little biased but the oceans should be the primary goal for any environmental change. Whatever the ocean does the terrestrial world will follow. The oceans need to be in much better health before anything in the terrestrial world can get better. Before you litter think twice!! I'll leave you with a quote from my favorite movie, Finding Nemo, "all drains lead to the ocean."

-A

Studying for our last sustainability final of the year and this picture popped up. Perfect for picture of the day. Learning about food sovereignty vs food security and GMO's all that jazz. Makes ya think - S

First Meme of the Day

We will be starting a meme or picture of the day. These will have some environmental message or impact that may be blunt or thought provoking.

Hope you enjoy them- A

Source: http://isfcollege.tumblr.com/post/48324369751/awareness-isf-cab

Welcome to our blog!

We are two sustainability students in university who have a large interest in all things GREEN!! We aim to provide our readers in up-to-date innovations and facts about sustainability and all things related.

xoxo
Green Girl Warriors