Every year towards the end of September, international leaders from business, government, and civil society meet for Climate Week. It’s a summit hosted in association with the United Nations and the City of New York, and it’s a time to discuss climate issues to explore solutions to our planet’s most pressing problems. Some of the topics being explored this year (check out the live stream calendar here!) relate to food waste, environmental justice, clean energy, plastic consumption, achieving a carbon neutral economy, and more.
With a pivotal election on the horizon, Climate Week is more timely than ever. It’s a great opportunity to learn about new environmental issues, or to dig deeper into topics that you’re already passionate about.
To help, I’ve rounded up some of my favorite Trash Is For Tossers articles that explore our planet’s greatest challenges and outline small actions that individuals can take in the face of climate change:
https://www.tift-admin.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/TIFTEditorial_Listicle_4.jpg
What is Climate Change and Why is it BAD?
This article is a place to start. It breaks down the greenhouse effect, how it relates to global temperature rises, and what climate change means for weather patterns, sea levels, air quality, wildlife, and human life. It also breaks down simple actionable steps that we can take to help combat climate change, such as: reducing our waste, saying no to disposables, composting, limiting our consumption of animal products, shopping locally, or secondhand, advocacy and activism, and reducing our dependence on fossil fuels.
Learn More
https://trashisfortossers.com/what-is-climate-change-and-why-is-it-bad/
https://www.tift-admin.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/TIFTEditorial_Listicle_5.jpg
Why is Plastic Bad?
Plastic is everywhere. It’s infiltrated our waterways and marine ecosystems and even found its way into our food chain, with a recent report by Orb Media stating that microplastics have been found in our drinking water, air, salt, fish, and even produce. This article delves into plastic’s impact on human and planetary health and outlines ways to reduce our dependence on it.
Learn More
https://trashisfortossers.com/plastic-then-now/
https://www.tift-admin.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/TIFTEditorial_Listicle_6.jpg
The Ocean’s Trashy Reality
One of the ways that our overconsumption of plastic is impacting the environment is by, quite literally, spilling into our seas. There are billions of pounds of trash and over 51 trillion microplastic particles swirling around in the ocean. Today, more than one-third of the fish caught for human consumption contain microplastics, and by 2050 scientists predict that there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish by weight (let that one sink in). This article explains where all of this plastic is coming from, and ways that we can help.
Learn More
https://trashisfortossers.com/the-ocean-a-trashy-reality/
https://www.tift-admin.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/TIFTEditorial_Listicle_7.jpg
How Climate Change is Impacting the Ocean
The ocean plays a bigger role in mitigating climate change than you might think. Unfortunately, it’s having a hard time keeping up with the staggering increase in global temperatures and the health of its ecosystems are being impacted as a result. This article explains what climate change is doing to the underwater world (think: coral bleaching and ocean acidification).
Learn More
https://trashisfortossers.com/how-climate-change-is-impacting-our-oceans/
https://www.tift-admin.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/TIFTEditorial_Listicle_8.jpg
Guide To: Voting & Why It Matters for the Environment
If you’re eligible and able to, one of the most impactful things that you can do for the environment this year is to exercise your right to vote. But if you’re unsure of how to navigate the U.S. voting system, don’t worry—you’re not alone. This article gives a rundown of how voting works and how showing up to the polls impacts the planet.
Learn More
https://trashisfortossers.com/guide-to-voting-why-it-matters-for-the-environment/
https://www.tift-admin.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/TIFTEditorial_Listicle_9.jpg
How to Compost at Home
Composting is my number one suggestion for having a more positive impact on the planet. It’s something that we can all do (even from a small, NYC apartment!) Learn more about the benefits of composting and how to do it (even amidst a global pandemic) in this article.
Learn More
https://trashisfortossers.com/composting-during-quarantine-2/
https://www.tift-admin.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/TIFTEditorial_Listicle_1.jpg
A Beginner’s Guide to Zero Waste Living
Landfills are one of the top 3 drivers of methane, which is significantly more powerful of a warming gas than Carbon Dioxide (CO2). If you’re looking to reduce your waste, this article is a good place to start.
Learn More
https://trashisfortossers.com/a-beginners-guide-to-zero-waste-living-ps-it-doesnt-happen-overnight/
https://www.tift-admin.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/TIFTEditorial_Listicle_2.jpg
Zero Waste Alternatives: The Ultimate List
This article provides sustainable swaps for the biggest plastic waste culprits and makes it easier to say no to single use disposables!
Plastic Free Swaps
https://trashisfortossers.com/zero-waste-alternatives-ultimate-lis/
What environmental issue are you most interested in learning about this week? Let me know in the comments below!
