As a university student, I fill my free time (and resume) with volunteering. When I’m not studying, writing, or at work, I can be found walking the university gardens, attending Vegan Club, or exploring environmental workshops. I always feel a little uneasy entering these spaces, because— in my experience — they are almost exclusively white.

From the beginning, I thought this was an oddity. The people that attend these sessions are buzzing with discussions of climate change, global warming, and intersectionality. …

In 1996 Alex Garland published ‘The Beach’ an adventure novel set in Thailand’s Maya Bay. Years later, it was released as a movie featuring Leonardo Dicaprio. Since then, Maya Bay has gone from a quiet secluded beach to a bustling tourist hotspot. The previously pristine white sand and calm turquoise waters have been quickly overshadowed by litter, damage to flora and fauna, and mass coral destruction. In 2018, officials were forced to temporarily close access to the bay.

In Machu Picchu, things have gotten so bad that the government has had to implement a tourism management strategy. While the situation has gotten better since, tourism in the area remains problematic. To illustrate, in January 2020 a group of tourists allegedly damaged a wall of the Temple of the Sun, causing it to fall and crack. …

Metabolism: the chemical processes that occur within a living organism in order to maintain life.

Could we really apply this concept to man-made buildings? A group of young Japanese architects in the 1960s believed the answer was a resounding ‘yes.’ This was the beginning of an architectural movement that saw buildings as living beings, organic and ever-changing.

At its crux, Metabolism states that architecture should evolve with the needs of society. …

As court battles dwindle there are signs the 2021 US election is finally coming to an end. In many ways, this has been an election unlike any other, framed by the context of a global pandemic, a climate emergency, and unprecedented technological change. These issues were at the front and centre of campaigns, debates, and discussions — yet the more I watched and read, the clearer it became that a large majority of politicians lack any sort of scientific background.

Indeed, aside from COVID-19 and climate change, science policy appears to be missing from campaigns, debates, and party platforms. Even when these issues are discussed, they’re talked about in a very human-centric way. …

A few weeks ago I spent a day as a student auditor for Green Impact, a global organisation dedicated to improving sustainability in workplaces through small, actionable change. Since I was a total newbie to conducting audits, the day began with a training session. For the most part, it was what I was expecting — a brief introduction to the company, a discussion of the United Nation’s sustainability goals, and an induction into the world of auditing.

Nonetheless, one thing — albeit a very simple thing — stood out. As we further discussed the environment and our role in protecting it, the instructor presented us with the following…

All along the mid-Atlantic coast, rising sea levels are creating a scene straight out of a horror movie. Climate change is increasingly threatening our trees, with invading seawater quickly outstripping the fresh water that forests rely on to survive. What’s left behind is a vacant woodland haunted by dead, decaying timber and bleached and blackened skeleton trees.

In Maryland, Dorchester County, splintering loblolly pines protrude from the ground, dead and wilting. In Chesapeake Bay, as saltwater moves inland, hardwoods begin to decay. Pines soon follow, standing sorrowful amongst a sea of desolation. …

As consumers and investors become more involved in the fight against climate change an increasing number of businesses are going carbon neutral. Most of the major airlines including Emirates, Delta, and Qantas now offer carbon offset programs. Likewise, big companies across a range of industries such as Microsoft, Stripe, and Porsche are paying big money to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Just this year, Amazon pledged $10 million to help family forest owners gain access to carbon offset trading.

What are carbon offsets?

In simple terms, carbon offsetting is the process of counterbalancing emissions emitted in one sector by reducing them somewhere else.

A carbon offset, otherwise known as a ‘carbon credit’, is produced through projects and activities that reduce or remove greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the atmosphere. These act as carbon sinks by absorbing more carbon than they produce. …

With Christmas right around the corner, it’s time to talk about gifts.

There is no question that Christmas is one of the busiest and most celebrated holidays worldwide. For many of us, it’s a time to enjoy the company of our loved ones, feast on delicious food and shell out big money on presents for our friends and family.

Yet from wrapping paper to Christmas trees and traditional turkey dinners, Christmas is a big day for pollution. If you’re trying to live low impact, it can also be a tricky time. Personally, I know my friends and family often struggle to find gifts that match up with my ethical stances and beliefs. …