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Planet Possible

Super-Leverage Points Could Help with Decarbonization

February 1, 2023 //  by Planet Possible//  Leave a Comment

What are super-leverage points and how can they help save the future of our planet?

Super-leverage points are interventions that create large impacts in one sector but also speed up progress in other areas of the economy (read more here). In terms of sustainability, these super-leverage points are where we can make huge change across entire countries.

The report that identified these points was an international group consisting of the University of Exeter and Systemiq. So what are the tipping points that can create monumental progress?

Legislation for “green ammonia” fertilizer

Green ammonia is created with renewable energy and is less environmentally damaging and resource taxing than traditional fertilizers. In fact, using green ammonia fertilizer can reduce a farm’s carbon footprint by 90% for small grain crops (read more here). Implementing a mandate for green ammonia fertilizers could be groundbreaking for both agriculture and fuel. Green ammonia not only eliminates the need for fossil fuels to be used in fertilizer production, but the mandate would also make green ammonia more accessible, allowing it to be used for fuel and energy storage.

Legislation for electric vehicle sales

If state and federal governments begin to move toward mandates for electric vehicle sales, we could reach the super-leverage point that would allow for huge decarbonization. While this also needs to coincide with increased production and economic incentives for the population, transitioning to electric vehicles is very much in reach. For example, look at California and their new legislation. Not only was the mandate well received, but it was implemented in a way that both encouraged and supported the slow and steady transition to EVs.

Public procurement of plant-based proteins

While most of us know that the switch towards meat alternatives is a necessary one in preserving our planet, expanding these alternatives from personal diet choices to public provided options could help us reach the tipping point. Procuring plant-based proteins for meals in hospitals, schools, and government facilities could be the next step we need. Providing plant-based proteins in these spaces could free up between 400-800 million hectares of agricultural land, which equates to 7-15% of all agricultural land currently in use (read more here). The switch towards plant-based proteins will not only free up land, but it will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions, especially methane from cows.

So, what can we do?

While we encourage and wait for these mandates and practices to be implemented, we can do our personal best to help reach these super-leverage tipping points. On our own we can opt for meat alternatives, choose produce from more sustainable farms that use green ammonia, and look into electric vehicles the next time a new car is needed. We still need to make sure that we support the mandates and practices in public ways, since a large-scale implementation will be what really tips us over the edge.

Category: Uncategorized

Solving Climate Crisis Induced Food Insecurity

January 19, 2023 //  by Planet Possible//  Leave a Comment

Seawater inundation is having a global effect on agriculture due to rising sea levels, monster storms, and flooding. This has caused many acres of farmland worldwide to become almost useless since the saltwater infiltrates the soil, making it almost impossible for plants to absorb the water and grow.

However, there may be a solution on the rise.

ESA EarthObservation on Twitter: "Reliable, accurate and long-term observations of sea-level rise and its impact in the coastal zone are vital to be able to plan and better protect the 10% of

Rice and Salinity

Consumed by over 3.5 billion people per day, rice is without a doubt, the world’s most popular crop. Yet, rice is one of the crops affected most by seawater inundation (read more here).  Even minor changes in the soil water’s salinity can affect growth rate and final yield. Protecting growing conditions for rice and other crops becomes more important by the day.

Global sea levels are projected to rise between 2-5 ft by 2100 (read more here). This would devastate countries, the agricultural industry, and billions of people if we are unable to find a solution.

IPCC Report: Sea Level Rise Is a Present and Future Danger | NRDC

The Solution

With seawater inundation becoming more pressing, researchers at the University of Sheffield are working on a solution for growing rice. The research has concluded that genetically modifying rice plants to reduce the number of stomata could be the solution.

The stomata in rice plants regulate water loss and CO2 intake, so reducing the total number of them would allow for more water to be absorbed despite the salinity of the soil water. Rice with fewer stomata need 60% less water than average rice plants, which is ideal for the salty conditions.

The researchers investigated 72 different species of rice, even dwarf varieties, in order to make their findings. Dwarf rice varieties, as it turns out, create a much higher yield than normal rice varieties.

In a similar vein, the researchers are also attempting to create heat-resistant rice crops, which could be exponentially helpful in the coming decades. Rice with larger stomata work very well in hot climates (read more here).

Free Close-Up Photo Of Rice Plains Stock Photo

The Next Steps

The genetic modification of rice is a forward thinking action that could save lives in coming decades. Being able to rely on the food sources we have now is vital to the global health of the planet. Genetically modifying rice would also allow it to be grown in new parts of the world that its previously not been able to tolerate.

We have to move away from the blanket fear of genetically modified foods and embrace the solutions of our future that will save us from food insecurity.

Category: Uncategorized

Earth Win: Hole in the Ozone Layer to Close by 2066

January 13, 2023 //  by Planet Possible//  Leave a Comment

In a great start to 2023, a United Nations report projects the hole in our ozone layer to close by 2066. Thanks to a global agreement to limit use of ozone depleting substances, 35 years later we are seeing noticeable and healing changes.

Antarctic ozone map for 2023-01-10

Nasa Ozone Watch

The UN report is conducted every four years and helps to track the progress and status of the ozone. While steady progress has been ongoing for the past couple decades, having an estimated timeline in the near future is a huge stride towards replenishing our planet (read more here).

The Highlights 

  • The ozone layer will return to 1980 values as soon as 2040 in some locations.
  • In Antartica, and more heavily affected areas, the ozone layer will return to 1980 values by 2066.
  • China has mostly eliminated additional ODS emissions (read more here)
  • The peak destruction of the ozone layer has passed

 

Why Do We Need the Ozone?

Since the thinning of the ozone was first brought to public attention in the 1970s, there have been huge efforts to fight its decay. The Montreal Protocol, which first regulated Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS), has been in place since 1987 and has reduced global ODS by 98% compared to 1990 levels. This wide scale success is due in part to how essential the ozone layer is to life on Earth.

It’s estimated that the effects of the Montreal Protocol annually save 2 million people from skin cancer. The ozone layer is meant to protect the Earth from UV radiation, while still allowing safe light to pass through. The ozone absorbs about 98% of harmful UV radiation; a process upon which animals, plants, and humans are dependent for survival (read more here).

NASA Viz: A World Without The Montreal Protocol

NASA Visualization Explorer

Successful Action 

The Montreal Protocol and the globe’s commitment to following regulations is a success story we cannot take for granted. While ozone depletion is not directly linked to climate change, they go hand in hand with their solutions. Having a worldwide agreement that countries can commit and follow is impressive in itself, and serves as a great example for what can be done for climate change solutions.

Our progress towards healing the ozone layer is monumental. If we continue at this rate, the possibility for enacting real global action against climate change is almost in our fingertips.

Category: Uncategorized

The True Cost of Sustainable Living

January 1, 2023 //  by Planet Possible//  Leave a Comment

 

Throughout my journey towards sustainability, I have heard dozens of excuses from others about why they couldn’t possibly live a more sustainable life. The most common was: “It’s too expensive”. And don’t get me wrong, I completely understand why, at first glance, it can seem that way, but today we’re going to be busting that myth.

I have been trying to reduce my impact for just over three years now. I was raised fairly sustainably, but it wasn’t until I realized how much of an impact I have on the Earth, that I decided to double down. I realized that I spend less money now than when I was a mindless consumer. I deeply feel that sustainable living is inexpensive and that there is a huge misconception around that lifestyle.

To compare “sustainable living” and “standard living” as objectively as I could, I adopted a very practical approach to budgeting.

Why Do I Believe Sustainable Living is Inexpensive?

My consumption and my spending drastically decreased so I use the extra dollars on products and services that I know are sustainable. To me, sustainability cannot be expensive if learned and applied it correctly. Unfortunately, we understand it wrong due to several factors.

  • Social media and media pressure give a wrong image of sustainability. They push us to over-consume and make us crave what we do not have.

  • Greenwashing convinces us that we need a green alternative (or two!) for every single product we should give up. For instance, you do not need 10 organic, vegan, cruelty-free skincare products daily, even though they come in recycled packaging. The same conclusion for reusable straw: do you need them?

  • Misinformation spreads much faster than scientific peer-reviewed articles. Data and figures around the impact of fashion (read more here) are all over the internet. It often encourages us to take massive actions, such as a total wardrobe makeover, which creates far more waste, than slowly increasing the number of sustainable garments you own. Buying from ethical brands that manufacture their garments in upcycled nylon might seem like a great idea, but we later learn they release microplastic in water which ends up polluting our oceans (read more here). It’s important to take a step back and look at your actions in a holistic sense.

  • Society itself still shares the wrong messages and expects us to look beautiful and successful while being sustainable. Success could be defined by how many green alternatives we own and how many eco-resorts we visited. I encourage you to read Why Women Will Save the Planet by Friends Of The Earth. A few chapters give a very understandable definition of green economies and explain why there are no other suitable alternatives. I believe that if we truly desire to be sustainable, we need to review our fundamental values and define our success based on intrinsic satisfaction. In his book, There Is No Planet B Mike Berners Lee shares a good list of skills we should develop to face challenges, including mindfulness.

If we go past misinformation, greenwashing, media, and societal pressure by educating ourselves and doing some inner work, sustainable living no longer appears to have such a hefty price tag.

Let’s Do the Math!

Although the previous statement makes a lot of sense to me, the proof is necessary! I decided to analyze the spending patterns of a “normal” (unsustainable) lifestyle, a sustainable lifestyle as pictured by the media, and a real sustainable lifestyle.

I included the spending categories as defined by the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics and focused on the categories that I believe are affected by the level of sustainability we adopt.

 

While I wanted to find peer-reviewed research clearly stating the money implications of a sustainable lifestyle, these were impossible to find. Besides, researchers still lack some data and time to conduct proper studies. For instance, we cannot measure the medical treatment savings generated by sustainable living yet as a few generations are necessary to gather a reliable data sample.

So, I used my common sense (and lots of Google searches…) and a color code to analyze the spending variations between the three lifestyles.

The color code is as follows:

  • In dark green: costs that are a lot lower compared to the “normal” lifestyle

  • In light green: costs that are lower than the “normal” lifestyle’s costs

  • In white: costs are the same compared to the “normal” lifestyle

  • In orange: costs that are higher compared to the “normal” lifestyle

  • In red: costs that are a lot higher compared to the “normal” lifestyle

To be able to do the math, I assigned numbers to colors: dark green: -2; light green: -1; white: 0; orange: +1; red: +2 and finally I summed them up.

Here are the results of my work :

Click anywhere on the spreadsheet to view it larger!

After doing the analysis and the math, I found that a sustainable lifestyle as pictured on Instagram is more expensive (+5) than a normal lifestyle while a “real” sustainable lifestyle is a lot cheaper (-12). After doing that research as objectively as I could with the data I could gather, I did find that a sustainable lifestyle is not more expensive than a traditional one. The well-known impression that it must be more expensive is based on misconceptions and misinformation.

I hope that this post will put an end to the ‘sustainable living is expensive’ myth and encourage people to take the leap and join the sustainable revolution.

Category: Uncategorized

10 Must-Watch Documentaries on Sustainability

January 1, 2023 //  by Planet Possible//  Leave a Comment

When I want to do a deep-dive into something new, I often look towards documentaries for digestible, preliminary information. With everyone (supposed to be) staying in right now, I thought it would be a great time to give you my top 10 sustainability documentary recommendations! I have included the trailers so you can get a better idea of what each film is like. With that being said, grab some popcorn and a blanket, and get ready to learn something new!

1. Expedition Happiness (2017)

This endearing and heartfelt documentary will make you fall in love with tiny living. Felix and Selima convert an old school bus into a tiny home and set out for a year of travel with their dog Rudi. This documentary provides a fun and realistic way of life on the road, living a zero-waste life, and the true beauty of nature and the trials of tiny living.

Available on Netflix and YouTube.

2. Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things (2015)

I sat down with this film not too long ago.

Much lighter than the former documentary, “Minimalism” explores how our lives might be better with less by taking viewers inside the lives of minimalists from all walks of life. I’ll just be honest here: I instantly started de-cluttering. 

Available on Netflix.

3. The 11th Hour (2007)

Leonardo Dicaprio fans, rejoice! And then cry, because “The 11th Hour” is no joke. This 2007 film explores how humanity has arrived at the 11th hour – the last possible moment that change is possible for our planet and its ecosystems. Featuring ongoing dialogues of experts including former Soviet Prime Minister Mikhail Gorbachev, renowned scientist Stephen Hawking, and sustainable design expert William McDonough, “The 11th Hour” is a dense film that is likely to rattle you.

Available on Amazon Prime Video & DVD.

4. No Impact Man (2009)

This guy… Self-proclaimed “No Impact Man,” Colin Beavan swore off plastic and toxins, turned off his electricity, went organic, and started riding his bicycle exclusively for an entire year. Reviewed as a “sensational, funny, and consciousness-raisin story,” I think “No Impact Man” is a fun way to learn about zero impact living. 

Available on Amazon Prime Video.

5. Forks Over Knives (2011)

As someone who is working her way toward a fully plant-based diet, “Forks Over Knives” has definitely stuck out to me. If you’ve ever struggled with a chronic disease like obesity, cardiovascular disease, or cancer, “Forks Over Knives” says you should blame processed animal-based foods. For anyone interested in nutrition and health sciences, this is a must-watch!

Available on Amazon Prime Video & Netflix.

6. More than Honey (2012)

Did you know that if bees were to disappear from the globe, mankind would have only four years left to live? Not great. In “More Than Honey,” Oscar-nominated director Markus Imhoof tackles the issue of why bees are facing worldwide extinction. I have a feeling it’s our fault. Anyone else curious?

Available on Amazon Prime Video.

7. Happy (2011)

“Happy” is one of those films that has everyone talking! In the film, filmmaker and director Roko Belic sets out to travel the world with the intention of discovering the meaning of happiness. Belic was inspired to make the film after coming across an article in The New York Times entitled, “A New Measure of Well Being From a Happy Little Kingdom.” The article ranked the United States as the 23rd happiest country in the world.

Available on Amazon Prime Video.

8. Cowspiracy (2014)

I firmly believe that watching “Cowspiracy” should be a requirement for every environmentalist. Rather than taking a purely ‘save the animals’ stance on animal agriculture, “Cowspiracy” digs deep into its environmental impact as the leading cause of carbon emissions, global warming, deforestation, and just about everything else. Watched this for the first time as a junior in high school and it truly changed my mindset on what it means to live sustainable. If you watch anything on this list, this has to be it.

Available on Netflix.

9. Planet Earth (2006)

This David Attenborough documentary celebrates the amazing variety and beauty of the natural world. Filmed over four years and across 64 different countries, there are few films that compare in terms of scope. It’s a classic for a reason!

Available on Netflix and (some) on YouTube.

10. The True Cost (2015)

“The True Cost” pulls back the curtain on the fashion industry to give viewers an honest look at the human and environmental costs of producing clothing. I thought this documentary was genuinely eye-opening; I haven’t been able to look at the clothes in my closet the same way since. Highly, highly recommend!

Available on Amazon Prime Video.

We hope you enjoy these sustainable focused documentaries!

Category: UncategorizedTag: Documentary, Media

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Have you heard about the super-leverage points tha Have you heard about the super-leverage points that will help us with decarbonization? Visit our linktree to read our new blog post about these monumental changes!
Kicking off February with Earth wins around the gl Kicking off February with Earth wins around the globe!
Did you know this? Crabs and other crustaceans cou Did you know this? Crabs and other crustaceans could be the key to more sustainable batteries!
Every step you take towards eating fewer animal pr Every step you take towards eating fewer animal products is a win! Dedicating just one day of the week to vegetarian meals can reduce your carbon footprint by 8 pounds per week!

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