Sustainable development is defined as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability for future generations to meet their needs”. Sustainable urban development is not a new topic of discussion. it actually was on the agenda of the 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm, Sweden. The four objectives of sustainable development are stable economic growth, conservation of natural resources, social progress and…
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Using Your Vote for Climate Action
We must vote like the environment depends on it, because it does! Electing local officials who have values that align with your community allows centralized, effective change take place. We do have power and a voice as citizens, and it is clear that it is our responsibility to inform and educate ourselves! Voting for representatives who have environmental justice at the forefront of their platform ensures that we can stay…
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Ambitious Climate Legislation in the U.S.
Climate bills have historically passed in the United States thanks to the tireless work of advocacy groups and activists. Generations of people have been fighting for these changes non-stop, and it boggles my mind how little progress we seem to have made in 2022. However, there have been some ambitious climate legislation passed in the U.S. over the past few years. This article features seven recent bills that have passed…
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Low-waste habits that save you money
One of the largest barriers that scares a lot of people away from low waste lifestyle alternatives initially is the cost factor. So many people tell me that they want to make changes, but they don’t want to add more expenses to their lifestyle. Whether you are facing a financial barrier, or simply want to cut back on your monthly expenses, these low-waste tips have saved myself and many others…
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Saying No to Single-Use Plastics: Portland Initiatives
I feel so lucky to be living in Portland, Oregon. Not only because of how beautiful it is, but because there are so many amazing sustainable initiatives, companies, and organizations out here! I spent last weekend trying out two amazing to-go ware reuse programs. Okapi Reusables provides to-go drink ware that can be returned to participating locations, and GO Box provide to-go food containers that can be returned to participating locations.…
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Energy Efficiency Tips That Save You Money
Working as the Program Coordinator for an energy assistance non-profit has opened my eyes to the importance of energy efficiency for both social and environmental reasons. Having heat and electricity in our homes is something that many of us take for granted, and honestly don’t give it a second thought. However, for many people across the world, paying for your energy bill gets pushed aside so that they can afford…
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DIY Holiday Decor
Decorating for the holidays is a tradition that families around the world all share. For many, it represents the season of giving, celebrating religion, and spending time with loved ones. I personally don’t have a lot of space in my apartment to decorate, and my two cats have proved that they are keen to destroy any new object that comes into their space. So this year, I decided to create…
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Don’t Trash Your Pumpkins!
Now that the spooky season is over, you probably are left with those cute, slightly decaying, pumpkins that you carved, painted, or just admired in the spirit of fall! Instead of tossing those pumpkins in the garbage bin this season, dispose of them in an eco-friendly way and give back to the Earth. Every Halloween, pumpkins used for seasonal decor add 254 million tons* of solid waste to United States…