Geography@NumptyNerd |
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Climate ChangeAsteroids, volcanoes, sunspots and orbital changes have all been researched as natural causes of climate change.
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Global IdentitiesHas globalisation changed your identity?
Find out how your consumer habits might be reshaping your sense of place. |
After the PolicyChina's one-child policy is over but will China be able to cope with the consequences?
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When the Environment becomes a Fashion VictimAre people with modest wardrobes more environmentally responsible than those who just can't be seen wearing the same thing ... again and again?
Numpty Nerd explains why dressing like a geography teacher is actually good for the environment. When you shop for new clothes you are likely to cause an environmental impact somewhere on the planet.
Polyester is the word's favourite fibre for fashion. Yet, micro-fibres from laundering polyester clothing is being pumped out of our washing machines and into our sewers. These tiny particles of plastic are adding to the problem of our plastic seas. Switching to cotton is not always the easy answer. Cotton farming requires plenty of scarce water and nasty pesticides. Cotton farms could be used to grow food to feed more people. Retailers may seduce us with 'natural fibres' but natural fibres use up energy resources when they are spun, knitted or woven, dyed, sewn and then transported, often on a global scale. Plus, cotton fibre needs more of those toxic chemicals to dye them than polyester does.  Charity shops sell donated clothing to dealers in developing countries. Photo credit: Flickr
Clothing of calamity and Dead Men's Clothes
Donating your clothes so that you have an excuse to buy another new outfit often has a negative global impact. According to Oxfam, over 70 percent of the secondhand clothes donated from high-income countries ends up somewhere in Africa. Far from being grateful, many African nations are trying to stop rich countries from dumping secondhand clothing on them. In Mozambique, they talk about the "clothing of calamity". Whilst in Kenya, your charity donation is known as the "clothes of dead white people". Get the message - they don't always want your clothes. Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan and Burundi have been trying to curb annual imports of over $150 million worth of secondhand clothing by implementing tariff barriers. Your kind donation undermines African attempts to develop their own textile industry. Without imports of used clothing, East Africa could develop a textile industry worth up to $3 billion annually. (See the New York Times, "For Dignity and Development, East Africa Curbs Used Clothes Imports"). Landfill or Incinerator? Booming sales of cheap clothes mean that there are simply not enough poor people to wear all our castoffs. In the United States, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, 84 percent of used clothes in 2012 went into either a landfill or an incinerator. The environmental impact of trashing our unwanted clothes is cause for serious concern:
Swap Til You Drop Keeping your clothes for longer and buying fewer new clothes is part of a sustainable lifestyle. Wear last year's fashion with pride but you might want to avoid looking like your geography teacher. |
Every Breath We Take: how fossil fuels are killing us
Each year, air pollution from fossil fuels kills around 40,000 people in Britain. Outdoor air pollution is costing Britain more than £20 billion every year. These are the findings of a major report from the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) published in 2016.
Children are identified as a high-risk group and the RCP are suggesting that when air pollution reaches high levels, people's health should be protected by closing roads, especially around schools. They say we can all reduce air pollution by getting out of our cars and walking, cycling or using public transport.
Children are identified as a high-risk group and the RCP are suggesting that when air pollution reaches high levels, people's health should be protected by closing roads, especially around schools. They say we can all reduce air pollution by getting out of our cars and walking, cycling or using public transport.
"There is clear evidence that early exposure to air pollution can damage the lungs, and increase the risk of lung infections that may be fatal". Source: Royal College of Physicians. Every breath we take: the lifelong impact of air pollution.
Air pollution and climate change
Replacing fossil fuels with greener alternatives will save our lungs and fight against global warming.
The report by the Royal College of Physicians makes it clear that air pollution and climate change have a common cause - fossil fuels.
The report by the RCP, highlights how climate change brings about complex changes in the chemistry of the atmosphere. "Global warming increases levels of O3 in the lower atmosphere, giving rise to airway damage, reduced lung function and increases in respiratory symptoms".
Across Europe, the RCP argues that meeting climate targets (2°C) will bring significant reductions in atmospheric emissions of sulphur and nitrogen pollutants.
Air pollution from fossil fuels is having a deadly impact on our urban living spaces. Making our air safe to breath will have the additional benefit of mitigating against the impacts of global warming.
The report by the Royal College of Physicians makes it clear that air pollution and climate change have a common cause - fossil fuels.
The report by the RCP, highlights how climate change brings about complex changes in the chemistry of the atmosphere. "Global warming increases levels of O3 in the lower atmosphere, giving rise to airway damage, reduced lung function and increases in respiratory symptoms".
Across Europe, the RCP argues that meeting climate targets (2°C) will bring significant reductions in atmospheric emissions of sulphur and nitrogen pollutants.
Air pollution from fossil fuels is having a deadly impact on our urban living spaces. Making our air safe to breath will have the additional benefit of mitigating against the impacts of global warming.
Appropriate technology
Appropriate technology aims to enable low income communities to develop using local skills. Also known as intermediate technology, it is about finding technological solutions that are appropriate to the needs of people in developing countries. Appropriate technology should empower people and contribute towards a sustainable future. The radical economist, EF Schumacher (Small is Beautiful) is often credited as the founder of the appropriate technology movement. Schumacher's legacy is the international NGO - Practical Action.
Photo: GravityLight.org
A world without kerosene lampsFor those without electricity, kerosene lamps are often the only option. However, kerosene produces toxic fumes as well as being a fire safety hazard. GravityLight claims it's a better alternative and is cheaper than solar power which needs expensive batteries.
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Photo: Jesper Hornberg/ Flickr
Sunny delightA 10 litre water container that uses UV light from the sun is providing clean drinking water to people in over 45 countries, mostly in Africa. Many people have access to dirty water, the problem is finding a system to create potable water for drinking and personal hygiene.
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Technology to challenge povertyOther examples of appropriate technology include: micro-hydro power, solar powered water pumps, small-scale wind pumps and biogas.
More information about how these technology projects are helping people challenge poverty can be found at Practical Action. |
Practical Action - Poo Power
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If slavery were a country
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If slavery were a country it would have a population equal to Canada. Its economy would be the size of Portugal. After China and the United States, it would be the third largest nation for CO2 emissions. Tackling climate change means we need to demand a future without slavery. The Global Slavery Index calculates that 35.8 million adults and children are slaves. The International Labour Organisation says this adds $150 billion annually to the criminal economy. India: 14M slaves China: 3.2M slaves Pakistan: 2.1M slaves United Kingdom: 8.3K slaves |
Photo Credits:
Wuhan / 武汉 | schoolboy / 小伙子Tauno Tõhk / 陶诺 Flickr Creative Commons: 20/03/2016
Wuhan / 武汉 | schoolboy / 小伙子Tauno Tõhk / 陶诺 Flickr Creative Commons: 20/03/2016
