2. VOLUNTEER

Volunteering can also have significant environmental benefits. 

Volunteers often work on conservation or sustainability projects that contribute to the protection and restoration of natural environments. 

This work can help combat climate change, protect biodiversity, and promote sustainable development.

In this chapter we shall take a look at what volunteering means, how we can volunteer, and the benefits of volunteering to the environment. 

Who is a volunteer?

A volunteer is a person who does something, especially helping other people, willingly and without being forced or paid to do it. 

People volunteer in order to help others in need. This type of volunteering is most common in social welfare and in large, formal organizations such as charities. Volunteers are frequently managed in the same way as paid staff, and they are recruited and trained for specific roles.

Whether you are a parent wanting to get back to work, or a retired person wanting to give back to your community or a student who wants to gain experience. The experience and skills gained from volunteering with charities can be invaluable.

Volunteer skills

While you don't require much skillsets to become a volunteer, here's a list that can help you when seeking to volunteer:

• Leadership skills
• Problem-solving
• Organisation & planning
• Communication & interpersonal skills
• Relationship building
• Mentoring skills & training others
• Teamwork
• Time management
• Reporting

So, are you ready to volunteer for a cause of your choice? 

ZERO HUNGER

What is Zero Hunger? 

Zero Hunger is the second in line of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) hoping to be met by the year 2030. 

Hunger is not caused by food shortage alone, but by a combination of natural, social, and political forces. 

Climate change is contributing to the degradation of precious resources, as severe weather events, like droughts, become more common and affect harvests, leading to less food for human consumption. 

Poverty and inequality are also two drivers of hunger, affecting who can buy food, as well as what kind of food, and how much, is available. 

Hunger is also a product of war and conflict. During periods of unrest, a country's economy and infrastructure can become severely damaged. This negatively affects civilian access to food by either driving up food prices, interfering with food production, or forcing people from their homes. 

Right now, there are around 815 million people who are hungry. This number is only expected to increase as the years go on; the UN estimates that two billion more people will be undernourished by 2050. The Zero Hunger SDG focuses on finding sustainable solutions to stop world hunger.

The goals of the Zero Hunger initiative are to end hunger and make sure that enough nutritious foods are available to people by 2030. Other aspects of the goal include ending all forms of malnutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture which we will focus on in our coming articles. 

Here are some of the definition of Zero Hunger by our social media family: 

Annakarima Sanders (Facebook) -

" EQUALITY FOR ALL ON THIS PLANET. 

As been shown, it can be if western countries could not collect 'the debts' of the poorer countries, we can begin equality. 

After Europe and other western countries robbed the now poor countries dry....they....should be more lenient on the poor countries" 

(Instagram)

@voiceoftheafricanyouth -

"Ability to sustain one's or a family's daily meals."

@dafinabread - 

"A 2030 goal to end hunger and provide nutritious food"

@zainab_akadir - 

"To end hunger and to make sure there is enough nutrition available"

@aisha_bagha -

" End hunger, achieve food security, promote sustainable agriculture." 

@mentor_quresha - 

" One of the SDG's put in place to eradicate hunger (people should be able to get basic food) "

@its_winnie_cheche -

" A state where everyone has access to sufficient and nutritious food." 

@_real_rizwana -

" To me that term means everyone has access to food w/out worrying about $$$" 

REFERENCES : https://www.nationalgeographic.org/

CLIMATE CHANGE / TEMPERATURE RISES

 INTRODUCTION

This new Blog Series takes a look at climate change with the emphasis on the recent global temperature rises. We touch through definitions of climate change, causes of climate change focusing on temperature rises and look at what actions we can take to lessen the effects and save our planet. 

CLIMATE CHANGE 

Climate change is the global phenomenon of climate transformation characterized by the changes in the usual climate of the planet (regarding temperature, precipitation, and wind) that are especially caused by human activities. As a result of unbalancing the weather of Earth, the sustainability of the planet’s ecosystems is under threat, as well as the future of humankind and the stability of the global economy.

NASA scientists have observed Earth’s surface is warming, and many of the warmest years on record have happened in the past 20 years.

NASA’s definition of climate change says it is “a broad range of global phenomena created predominantly by burning fossil fuels, which add heat-trapping gases to Earth’s atmosphere. These phenomena include the increased temperature trends described by global warming, but also encompass changes such as sea-level rise; ice mass loss in Greenland, Antarctica, the Arctic and mountain glaciers worldwide; shifts in flower/plant blooming; and extreme weather events.”

WEATHER vs CLIMATE CHANGE

Weather describes the conditions outside right now in a specific place. For example, if you see that it’s raining outside right now, that’s a way to describe today’s weather. Rain, snow, wind, hurricanes, tornadoes — these are all weather events.

Climate, on the other hand, is more than just one or two rainy days. Climate describes the weather conditions that are expected in a region at a particular time of year.

CLIMATE CHANGE vs GLOBAL WARMING

According to the US Geological Survey, global warming is just one aspect of climate change. In fact, they say that global warming refers to the rise in global temperatures due mainly to the increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. 

On the other hand, climate change refers to the increasing changes in the measures of climate over a long period of time – including precipitation, temperature, and wind patterns.

"Climate Change is something deeper than justice, it's about solidarity. Human solidarity." 

- BILL MCKIBBEN

ANIMAL EXTINCTION

 What is Extinction?

According to biology; Extinction occurs when species are diminished because of environmental forces or because of evolutionary changes in their members. 

Extinction simply is the condition that arises from the death of the last surviving individual of a species, group or gene globally or locally.

Extinction is an evolutive process that leads to the disappearance of a species or a population. When a species becomes extinct, its entire genetic heritage is lost for good. 

With evolution, a species can become another in order to adapt to the small environmental changes or due to casual changes in its genetic heritage. This process is known as speciation, in other words the birth of a new species. 

Speciation and extinction are both part of the natural evolutive process of living beings. The great extinctions in history, in fact, were accompanied by the formation of new species that have given continuity and vigor to the diversities of life. 

Normally two types of extinction may be classified. There is the background extinction that is the slow and, for us, imperceptible trend of the living creatures to transform constantly. And then there is the episodic extinction, with massive and concomitant deaths of species, triggered by rapid changes in the environment. In general, the extinctions that contributed most to the drastic changes in the flora and fauna in the earth’s history, were of the second type. Some extreme events took place on a vast scale during the course of the geological eras, like climate changes or the impact of our planet with comets and asteroids, which translated into environmental perturbations that were so radical that there were not many possibilities of escape for a multitude of organisms. At various times of the Earth’s history, these phenomena have been very severe limiting factors for the survival of the species, and at times these have drastically cut biodiversity in entire geographic regions, causing the so-called mass extinctions. 

What Does Go Green Mean?

 Initially the term "go green" was used to mean recycling of waste. Nowadays, going green goes beyond the traditional definition of recycling goods; the term ‘to go green’ means much more than just recycling.

"Going green" means to pursue knowledge and practices that can lead to more environmentally friendly and ecologically responsible decisions and lifestyles, which can help protect the environment and sustain its natural resources for current and future generations.

Going green means to live life in a way that is friendly to the environment and the earth as a whole. It could also mean contributing towards maintaining the natural ecological balance in the environment, and preserving the planet and its natural systems and resources. Overall, people who go green take steps to minimize the harm that they do to the environment, such as the carbon footprints they leave behind.

Carbon footprint is the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as a result of the activities of a particular individual, organization, or community. 

Take a look at a definition from our The Seed of Life Instagram family. According to them this is what going green means:

@earthlabelapparel 

Going green to me means being able to live a life that supports more natural forms pf life. eg green mind, green clothing, green business, green housing etc. It is choosing better, that's what it means. 

@_real_rizwana

To me go green is preserving animals species home from harm or from being destroyed. I wouldn't want anything to happen to our home, so why would I want to hurt a creature who is unable to talk, to defend him/herself by destroying their home?

ZERO WASTE MANAGEMENT PART 2

Waste management (or waste disposal) includes the activities and actions required to manage waste from its inception to its final disposal. This includes the collection, transport, treatment and disposal of waste, together with monitoring and regulation of the waste management process.

Waste management deals with all types of waste, including industrial, biological and household. In some cases, waste can pose a threat to human health.

Waste is produced by human activity, for example, the extraction and processing of raw materials.]

Waste management is intended to reduce adverse effects of waste on human health, the environment or aesthetics.

Zero Waste is a whole system approach to resource management centered on reducing, reusing, and recycling. 

Zero waste management means the holistic concept of waste management which recognizes waste as a resource produced during the interim phase of the process of resource consumption. Zero waste strategies may be applied to companies, to communities, industrial sectors, to schools, and homes since they include many stakeholders, not only those of the environment, but also technological aspects. 

Proper management of waste is important for building sustainable and livable cities, but it remains a challenge for many developing countries and cities.

There are 5 types of wastes: 

1. Liquid Waste

- Liquid waste is commonly found both in households as well as in industries. This waste includes dirty water, organic liquids, wash water, waste detergents and even rainwater.

2. Solid Rubbish

- Solid rubbish can include a variety of items found in your household along with commercial and industrial locations. 

- These can be; Plastic waste which consists of bags, containers, jars, bottles and many other products that can be found in your household. Plastic is not biodegradable, but many types of plastic can be recycled. Plastic should not be mix in with your regular waste, it should be sorted and placed in your recycling bin.

- Paper/card waste which includes packaging materials, newspapers, cardboards and other products. Paper can easily be recycled and reused. 

- Tins and metals which can be found in various forms throughout your home. Most metals can be recycled. 

- Ceramics and glass which can easily be recycled. 

3. Organic Waste

- Organic waste is another common household. All food waste, garden waste, manure and rotten meat are classified as organic waste. Over time, organic waste is turned into manure by microorganisms. However, this does not mean that you can dispose them anywhere.

- Organic waste in landfills causes the production of methane, so it must never be simply discarded with general waste.

4. Recyclable Rubbish

- Recyclable rubbish includes all waste items that can be converted into products that can be used again. Solid items such as paper, metals, furniture and organic waste can all be recycled. 

- If you’re unsure whether an item is recyclable or not, look at the packaging or the diagrams on the lid of your yellow recycling bin. Most products will explicitly state whether they are recyclable or not.

5. Hazardous Waste

- Hazardous waste includes all types of rubbish that are flammable, toxic, corrosive and reactive.

-These items can harm you as well as the environment and must be disposed of correctly. 

ZERO WASTE MANAGEMENT

 What is Zero Waste?

There is an urgent need of setting a new goal for how we live in the world; one that aims to reduce what we trash in landfills and incinerators to zero and to rebuild our local economies in support of community health, sustainability, and justice. This is where zero-waste management comes in. 

So what really is zero waste?

At its most basic level, zero waste is about significantly reducing (and eventually completely eliminating) the amount of resources that we send to disposal. Most of what we now waste can be safely and economically recycled, reused, composted, or turned into biogas through anaerobic digestion. We also need to simply use fewer disposable products and redesign our products so that they are toxic-free and built to last. 

But zero waste is about much more.

It’s really about redefining the system. We currently live in an economy where we take resources from the earth and then dump them in a giant hole in the ground (back to the earth). 

The goal of zero waste is to move to an economy where we write trash out of existence. So that there is no trash in nature. Instead of discarding resources, we create a system where all resources can be resumed fully back into the system.

We can hence conclude that, Zero Waste is a philosophy, a strategy, and a set of practical tools seeking to eliminate waste, not manage it. 

A huge thanks to all those who commented from on our Facebook page. Here is their your takes on Zero Waste: 

Resom Tesfamariam -

I think the concept of zero waste is clear, the challenge is how to start practicing it? What institution is needed? What system has to be install? Expertise required? Capital and what is the source of capital? etc. Are the most challenging issues in developing countries.

Rashidah Aasim Asad - 

Using environmentally friendly products and we recycle

TYPES OF POLLUTION

 When you think of environmental pollution, it typically comes in seven different types. These include air, water, land, radioactive, thermal, light, and sound pollution. 

We will look into each of these: 

1. Air Pollution

Air pollution is when noxious gases and chemicals get suspended in air.

A major source of air pollution results from the burning of fossil fuels. Vehicle and factory emissions are common sources of this type of air pollution. The burning of fossil fuels contributes to the formation of smog, a dense layer of particulate matter that hangs like a cloud over many major cities and industrial zones. 

Air pollution contributes to respiratory problems such as asthma, lung cancer, chronic bronchitis, and other lung ailments. Nitrogen and sulfur oxides in the air contribute to acid rain, which is a form of precipitation with a lower (more acidic) pH than normal. Acid rain harms forests, species that live in water bodies, and degrades outdoor statues, monuments, and buildings.

2, Water Pollution

Water pollution does not only affect fish and other marine life, when pollutants get into the water, they have a devastating effect on the water cycle. 

Natural causes of water pollution include algae blooms and volcanoes. However, humans also cause water pollution through trash and wastewater from factories. 

A major source of water pollution is runoff from agricultural fields, industrial sites, or urban areas. Runoff disrupts the water body's natural balance. For example, agricultural runoff typically includes fertilizer or toxic chemicals. Fertilizer can cause algal blooms (an explosive growth of algae), choking out other plants and decreasing the amount of available oxygen necessary for the survival of other species. 

Raw sewage is another type of water pollutant. When sewage gets into the drinking water supply, serious stomach and digestive issues may result, including the spread of diseases such as typhoid or dysentery. 

A third source of water pollution is trash. Improperly disposed of items, such as plastic bags, fishing line, and other materials may accumulate in the water and lead to the premature death of animals that get tangled within the garbage.

3. Land Pollution

Land pollution is another one of the big three pollution types affecting the human population. Land pollution happens when the soil gets contaminated by fertilizers or chemicals being dumped. The pollution in the land can seep into the ground water or run into lakes and streams creating a vicious pollution cycle. 

Soil can become polluted by industrial sources or the improper disposal of toxic chemical substances. Common sources of soil pollution include asbestos, lead, PCBs, and overuse of pesticides/herbicides.

4. Noise Pollution

Noise pollution is caused by loud noises that can hurt the human ears. Types of noise pollution can include explosions, jet engines, and even concerts (if you are close to the speakers). 

Noise pollution is dangerous because it can cause hearing loss. This type of pollution has been shown to impact the movement of sea mammals, such as dolphins and whales and also impacts the nesting success of birds.

5. Light Pollution

Light pollution refers to the large amount of light produced by most urban and other heavily-populated areas. 

While lights are great for helping us to see at night, too many lights cause light pollution blocking out the night sky. Light pollution prevents citizens from seeing features of the night sky and has also been shown to impede the migration patterns of birds and the activities of nocturnal animals.

6. Radioactive Pollution

The radioactive pollution is defined as the physical pollution of living organisms and their environment as a result of release of radioactive substances into the environment during nuclear explosions and testing of nuclear weapons, nuclear weapon production and decommissioning, mining of radioactive ores, handling and disposal of radioactive waste, and accidents at nuclear power plants. 

7.Thermal Pollution

Thermal pollution, sometimes called "thermal enrichment," is the degradation of water quality by any process that changes ambient water temperature. 

A common cause of thermal pollution is the use of water as a coolant by power plants and industrial manufacturers. Thermal pollution can also be caused by natural forces like soil erosion giving water more sunlight. 

In conclusion we share a comment about pollution by one of our social media followers:

Rashidah Aasim Asad -

Air pollution, noise pollution, etc.. Affecting air by production of dangerous fumes to air and also having uncontrollable noise to humanity from machines for example

POLLUTION

What is pollution?



It is the presence in or introduction into the environment of a substance which has harmful or poisonous effects.



 Environmental pollution is the addition of any substance (solid, liquid, or gas) or any form of energy (such as heat, sound, or radioactivity) to the environment at a rate faster than it can be dispersed, diluted, decomposed, recycled, or stored in some harmless form. 



Pollution of all kinds can have negative effects on the environment and wildlife and often impacts human health and well-being.



We will be focusing more about the types and effects on pollution in our coming chapters.



Here is a little history about pollution:



Cities of ancient times were often noxious places, fouled by human wastes and debris. Beginning about 1000 CE, the use of coal for fuel caused considerable air pollution, and the conversion of coal to coke for iron smelting beginning in the 17th century exacerbated the problem. In Europe, from the Middle Ages well into the early modern era, unsanitary urban conditions favored the outbreak of population-decimating epidemics of disease, from plague to cholera and typhoid fever. Through the 19th century, water and air pollution and the accumulation of solid wastes were largely problems of congested urban areas. But, with the rapid spread of industrialization and the growth of the human population to unprecedented levels, pollution became a universal problem.



By the middle of the 20th century, an awareness of the need to protect air, water, and land environments from pollution had developed among the general public. In particular, the publication in 1962 of Rachel Carson’s book Silent Spring focused attention on environmental damage caused by improper use of pesticides such as DDT and other persistent chemicals that accumulate in the food chain and disrupt the natural balance of ecosystems on a wide scale. In response, major pieces of environmental legislation, such as the Clean Air Act (1970) and the Clean Water Act (1972; United States), were passed in many countries to control and mitigate environmental pollution.



Here are some of your take on pollution from Facebook:

 Alice Liddell  Pollution -

is everything that is not biodegradable made by man. 

Source : https://www.britannica.com/science/pollution-environment

Deforestation PART 1: Definition

Deforestation the permanent removal, by either cutting down or uprooting, trees to make room for something besides forest.

You can see the word forest in deforestation. The prefix de- means "remove" and the suffix -ation signals the act or state of. So deforestation is the act of removing a forest.

On the other hand Reforestation is the regrowing of forest that have previously been cut down. Here you can see the prefix re- meaning "again" signaling the act of repeating what was or is there.

In the coming articles we shall be focusing on when deforestation started, the reasons for it, the pros and cons of deforestation and the ways we can use to reduce the negative effects or how we can accomplish reforestation.

"Humans are the only creatures in this world who cut down the trees, made paper from them and then wrote on these papers 'save trees' "