Public transit may not be as green as you think according to this Star article. In addressing climate change, many consider “robust networks of transit lines” as key to lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
Fast Company recently interviewed the CEO of Illy and learned how the world renowned Italian coffee company does things a little different. While they work with dozens of countries worldwide, they do not work within the standard fair trade system. Instead, they cultivate their own relationships with coffee producers. This ensures superior product, fairness, and better quality of life for those employed by suppliers.
Global wealth has become increasingly concentrated, according to one alarming report released by Oxfam. Published in January 2017, it reveals that just 8 billionaires control the same amount of wealth between them as 50% of the world’s poorest population. Of the $255 trillion total global wealth, more than half of this wealth ($426bn in US dollars) has been in the hands of the richest 1% since 2015.
Pollution from industrial processing, tanning, lead smelting, and other toxic operations cause three times as many deaths in developing countries as malaria, and 35% as many deaths as from smoking. Not only do the workers suffer debilitating effects and shorter lifespans from days spent in toxic smoke, spilled lead, or chemical runoff, but the soil, rivers, and air become contaminated in a manner that is harder to contain.
I took this picture from a recent article by the Economist, titled "A world turned upside down". The article addresses the question “Wind and solar energy are disrupting a century-old model of providing electricity. What will replace it?” (February 25th, Briefing). Click here to read the complete article.
As cities increase in density, greenspaces often dwindle. Studies have shown that natural environments in urban areas can make a huge impact on our perception of wellbeing. In 2015, Nature published a report called Neighborhood greenspace and health in a large urban center. Focused on the population of Toronto, its purpose was to uncover “associations between comprehensive greenspace metrics and health”.
This short video from Fast Company explores the ways that technology has amplified and changed the discussion on police brutality and prosecution.
From Victoria to St. John’s, the Trans-Canada Highway stretches across 8030 km of landscape in Canada. While it covers a lot of ground, it also fractures many habitats that are home to a variety of animals. Bears, moose, and even birds make dangerous crossings along highways and rural roads in search of food, shelter, and mates. And as our modern roadways become increasingly congested, more and more collisions are occurring. When travelling through Newfoundland, you can often spot signs along highways tallying the number of yearly moose fatalities.
Deforestation in the Amazon is back on the upswing, with nearly 2 million acres cleared in Brazil between August 2015 to July 2016. That’s an increase in more than 500,000 acres from previous years.
“Mushroom mycelium represents rebirth, rejuvenation, regeneration.”
- Paul Stamets, Mycologist, Author, and Advocate