Recent Events

Intense Flooding in Pakistan Displaces Millions of People

Pakistan is approaching the end of its annual monsoon season, a period marked by shifts in wind patterns that lead to increased amounts of precipitation. The monsoon season in Pakistan typically lasts from late June to late September, and this year has led to severe consequences for those living in Pakistan. Over the past few months, the intense flooding has led to almost 3 million people being displaced from their homes. Most of these civilians struggle to find aid and are left in a state of uncertainty as they do not know what will happen to their flooded homes and towns. Experts warn that flooding is likely to increase in the coming years due to climate change, and Pakistan is attempting to find better ways to warn those who might be affected by flooding earlier, so that there will be less loss of life. This year’s monsoon season has led to the deaths of around 800 people, many of them living in remote areas with poor connectivity. This led to challenges in notifying these people to evacuate their homes promptly, something that Pakistan is exploring new solutions for. Although not all areas of the world experience the same intense effects of climate change as Pakistan does currently, this news serves as a reminder of the dangers that climate change poses if left unchecked. 

Chile, UK Pledge Ocean Action Ahead of COP30

COP30, the 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, will be held in November this year in Brazil. Recently, both the UK and Chile have announced plans for ocean-based initiatives that aim to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Although the oceans undoubtedly play a significant role in regulating the Earth’s climate, they are often overlooked when countries around the world come together to address the climate change crisis. Some of the ocean-based actions that have been proposed recently include phasing out gas drilling and offshore oil production, reducing the carbon emissions of ocean transport, investing in renewable marine energy sources, and conserving marine ecosystems. Chile and the UK are not alone in the increased attention given to ocean-based actions to mitigate climate change, as many other countries have incorporated ocean solutions into their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for their climate action plans. Increased attention to ocean-based actions comes as countries seek to avoid formally breaching the threshold of global warming by 1.5 degrees Celsius. It is worth noting, however, that last year, in 2024, the world breached the 1.5°C limit, reaching approximately 1.55°C. This does not violate the 1.5°C threshold that was set at the Paris Agreement, though, as “one or more individual years exceeding 1.5°C does not mean that we have missed the goal” (WMO).

Nevertheless, it serves as a severe warning that the world is becoming increasingly closer to breaching the limit. Countries like Chile have already begun implementing ocean-based actions to help mitigate the effects on the climate. This is evident in the country's protection of more than 40% of its national waters, which helps limit activities such as industrial fishing and offshore oil and gas extraction. Experts hope to identify specific climate benefits resulting from these measures to justify greater investment in ocean-based conservation efforts.

Livestock and Climate Change

Climate change is more pressing than ever, and our everyday choices can have a sizeable positive impact. One powerful action we can take is to consider the food we consume. Food production accounts for roughly a third of all greenhouse gas emissions, so changes to the way we eat can be very significant. Significant impacts include livestock, which emit greenhouse gases and require substantial natural resources to raise, and deforestation, often for livestock grazing or other forms of agriculture. So, the question arises: Is there any way to mitigate these impacts?

Let’s break down the science and statistics, according to the Livestock, Environment and Development (LEAD) Initiative: 

• Livestock production accounts for 18 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, including 9 percent of carbon dioxide and 37 percent of methane gas emissions worldwide

• Over two-thirds of all agricultural land is used for growing feed for livestock. Eight percent is used to grow food directly eaten by humans.

• The global livestock industry utilizes limited freshwater supplies, destroys forests and grasslands, causes soil erosion, and contributes to nutrient pollution. 

• The industry also accounts for 50 percent of the antibiotics used globally, raising concerns about its contribution to global antibiotic resistance.

The issues with livestock rearing come from many areas. One piece of ham on someone’s plate had to be raised, which takes both land and natural resources. The grain that fed the big itself required land to be raised, and it also utilized fertilizer, pesticides, and water, so we have to factor in the additional pollution. After all these hidden costs are factored in, keep in mind the food transportation and carbon costs, both to get the feed to the pigs and then to people’s plates. Therefore, a significant portion of the environmental costs associated with livestock production is often hidden.

Solutions to this issue are challenging to find. It’s totally unrealistic to expect everyone to stop eating meat immediately: it’s a massive, growing industry. Therefore, solutions should adopt a mitigation approach and enhance the positive aspects of the industry. Policy is always an option: incentivizing companies to be as environmentally positive as possible. And vegetarian or “flexitarian” diets are also promising choices. Whatever we choose to do, we should be aware that our food choices have a significant impact on the environment.

Tips: All-Natural Cleaning Recipes

Saves money and reduces exposure to harsh chemicals. Using inexpensive, readily available ingredients makes homemade cleaners a healthier and more environmentally friendly choice that produces less waste and pollution. For more recipes, follow the “Keeper of the Home” linked at the bottom in our Sources section!

1. Homemade All-Purpose Cleaner

Mix ½ cup of White Vinegar, 10 drops of an essential oil (for disinfectant properties), and a little water. Then add 2 Tbsp of baking soda and fill a 12-oz bottle to the top with water. Gently shake to mix the ingredients and voila! You’ve got a homemade cleaning spray bottle.

2. Homemade Air Freshener

 In a spray bottle, combine 12-15 drops of pure essential oil (a scent you’ll like), ½ cup of white vinegar, and 1 ⅓ tablespoons of water. Shake before each use and spray to freshen the room!

3. Homemade stain remover

Mix together ⅔ cup Dawn Dish detergent, ⅔ cup ammonia, six tablespoons of baking soda, and 2 cups of warm water, and pour the mixture into a spray bottle. After spraying the stain, let it rest for a bit, then launder as usual.

Due to the ammonia, you should not use this in chlorine bleach.