Author page: Al Genova

Ashes to Ashes or Body to Soil?

What’s Going On Here? We all know the benefits of food composting but have you ever considered composting yourself? Sounds morbid right? It is…but it could also be highly beneficial for the environment. What Does This Mean? You may remember we wrote about water cremation last summer, and it seems alternative burials are on the rise. A pilot project carried out by…

Which household items create as much air pollution as your car?

What’s Going On Here? Household products like nail varnish, air freshener and detergents could pollute just as much—if not MORE—than vehicles. What Does This Mean? We’re talking about VOCs. As some chemistry buffs may already know, this is not some new millennial slang, but stands for Volatile Organic Compounds. VOCs have a high vapour pressure at room temperature, meaning they release “off-gas” in…

More Green and Pleasant Land in 2020?

What’s Going On Here? A former chief scientific adviser to the UK government has said that half the nation’s farmland needs to be transformed into natural habitat to restore wildlife and help fight the climate crisis. What Does This Mean? This idea might seem radical to some but Prof Sir Ian Boyd—who worked at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs…

Less Concrete, More Bamboo: The Green Housing Revolution

What’s Going On Here? Eco-friendly bamboo buildings are being recognised as the key to humans living harmoniously with the planet. Bring on the Green Housing Revolution! What Does This Mean? Buildings with innovative design that use sustainably sourced materials AND run efficiently is not just a utopian fantasy. Architects around the world are working to design homes and public spaces that work…

Fashion industry looks to sustainability to regenerate its image

What’s Going On Here? The fashion industry—clothes and shoes—accounts for more than 8% of the global climate impact. What Does This Mean? Following fashion trends can come at a big cost to the environment. A report into the fashion industry published by MPs earlier this year found that the textile industry creates 1.2bn tonnes of CO2 a year—more than international aviation and shipping combined—consumes lake-sized…

Can we fix it? ‘Right to Repair’ our gadgets is gaining momentum

What’s Going On Here? ‘Right to Repair’ has been gaining traction in recent months, as big businesses and presidential candidates get on board. At its core, the movement is fighting for a reduction in electronic waste— known as E-waste—by giving more options to the consumer to repair their goods. What Does This Mean? Think about the various gadgets you own. How many items could…