ECOSPIRED

  Plastic pollution is a huge environmental issue that is affecting every corner of the world. This past month I heard many shocking statistics and facts about how plastic has taken over. Specifically, I was listening to the “ Green and Gritty ” podcast  where they talked about  Greenwashing .  One host mentioned how when the “plastic straw revolution” occurred Starbucks decided to replace their dome lid and straw with a sippy cup, a great way to reduce plastic waste! Or so we thought. She continued to explain that the new sippy cup contained more plastic than the previous straw and lid combination, so in reality, it was a step backwards. Hearing this news was shocking to me, hence I decided to do some digging into the plastic kingdom the earth has become and why we cannot escape it.      The current state of plastic pollution on this planet is horrifying. We produce 381 million tonnes of plastic waste yearly (this is expected to double by 2034), there...

  It’s December, Christmas time! This year Christmas will look different everywhere, so why not try some sustainable ways to enjoy Christmas. During this season we buy ten times more things, we excessively decorate every inch of our house, and we jam out to Christmas bops. In this blog, I hope to give you some sustainable alternatives to your Christmas traditions.   1. Consider alternative Christmas trees The number one Christmas tradition is the tall pine tree that lights up our home. Nowadays, there are several options when it comes to Christmas trees, which all have their pros and cons for the environment. A real cut Christmas Tree : This is the traditional tree everyone loves; the smell of the pine and its unique shape is cherished. When buying a cut Christmas tree look for local and sustainably grown trees. Consider going to a tree farm instead of a department store! Most importantly, once the Christmas season is over, avoid throwing it in the garbage as it will ro...

This past year I started living by myself for the first time due to starting university. This was exciting yet nerve racking for me, as it felt like starting a new life. How was I going to continue the habits I had built at home, by myself, without the support of my parents. During my childhood, I was lucky to have parents who cared deeply about their impact on the environment. They would always recycle properly, buy sustainably produced food and try to limit their carbon footprint. This naturally caused me to have the same concerns for the environment and I got used to their "sustainable lifestyle". When I moved out, I never thought it would be so difficult to continue those habits as I never realized the effort it requires. To live a "sustainable lifestyle" one must make a lot of sacrifices such as taste, practicality and time. However, I eventually found a good balance for my student life while being as sustainable as I can. Here I share the main factors which he...

This was a piece I wrote for the Charles Labatiuk Scholarship for Nature Canada in 2019. The prompt was to write about why conservation is important to me and how I contribute to it personally and academically. Though I did not win the award, I still believe this article accurately reflects my thoughts and view on our planet. Every morning I wake up and draw the blinds to look into my garden, and I am treated with a brand new scene. Every day is different and yet beautiful. I am so lucky to be in Canada where the beauty of nature is in abundance. However, I have travelled to many countries and seen the fast disappearance or negligence of this stunning nature. It saddens me and makes me realize the importance of conservation. This reminds me of a quote of Dalai Lama who once said, “It is our collective and individual responsibility to preserve and tend to the environment in which we all live.” As the quote explains, conservation is everyone’s concern, and as society has evolved it ha...