ZeroHour NC is hosting a contest to encourage climate action for NC youth groups in April starting on Sunday, April 4th. The challenge consists of 4 themed weeks: sustainability and action, intersectional activism, local environmental service, and dialogue and education. Each week contains a synchronous activity and several asynchronous options. For example, our events include a discussion based Zoom seminar and a citizen science challenge.
We’re giving out different amounts of points for different activities, with synchronous activities and more involved activities worth more than asynchronous activities. Each participant will earn their group points. For example, activities such as a call with an indigenous speaker will be worth 3 points, whereas a personal conversation with a family member will be worth 1 point. The prizes will go out to the top 3 groups by point total: $50 per youth group to fund environmental projects. Please follow @zerohournc on Instagram for updates and information on specific challenges! My 姥姥 (grandma), 小姨 (aunt), and 小姨夫 (uncle-in-law) all live in a cozy apartment a distance away from the bustling city of 上海 (Shanghai). There are countless stores to window shop, hundreds of shaved ice stands for cooling off in the summer, and restaurants that grumble your stomach for every step you take. Shanghai is predicted to be underwater due to the climate crisis by the year 2050. Aida GuoEnvironmental Club President, Green Level High School Junior
By Dianne Celemen Consumerism plays a larger-than-life role in our society. Fast fashion brands have proven to be a predominant force in the retail market, despite the vast amount of evidence that points to the way consumption of non-renewable material has exacerbated climate change. However, this does not mean that individuals do not have a responsibility in the battle against climate change. Focusing on a smaller scale of analysis -- the individual -- will encourage the American population to move towards choosing more eco-friendly clothing options. This brings up a noteworthy question: How can we as individuals contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle? Climate change directly affects my generation, and will continue to do so if we do not act on it immediately. Besides the negative effects on the environment, seeing evidence of rampant consumer culture that often requires unethical business practices and poor working conditions for laborers makes me question the very real complexities of fast fashion. Is there a necessary market for people who do not have a great deal of expendable income for clothing, but want to feel fashionable just like everyone else? And how does that issue contribute to the popularizing trend of fast fashion? Defined as clothing brands that take inspiration from the catwalk or celebrity culture, world-known fast fashion companies recreate expensive styles as relatively affordable garments sold at easily accessible stores quickly enough to meet consumer demands. Mainstream fashion is fluid and constantly changing; likewise, the fast fashion industry works to meet with society's criteria of what is "trendy." As a result, clothing textiles and fabrics are used only a handful of times, then thrown away, discarded just as fast as they were produced. The pressure on brands to keep up with the constant supply and demand, coupled with the use of cheap textiles and clothing dyes, creates an irreversible impact on our environment. One way I have planned to pursue answers is by educating myself on sustainable practices. In the digital age, I find myself analyzing the missions of companies that recycle used clothing via online platforms, like ThredUp, Poshmark, and Depop. Second-hand shopping at thrift stores reduces consumption per person and comes at a low price tag; donating to my local thrift store is not only a sustainable action but is also a way to give back to the environment. Upcycling clothes from fast fashion brands is a fashionable way to redesign used clothing into something innovative and fresh. As an artist, I gain insight from expanding my palette of media, which now includes textile renovation. There are countless ways to work towards a more sustainable lifestyle just with fast fashion. Even so, we as a society have a long way to go if we really want to make an impact on climate change reversal. Change can be uncomfortable, but the adaptation process coexists with valuable learning opportunities encompassing sustainable fashion and paves the way for innovations to come. If individuals keep an open mind and a willingness to explore new alternatives moving forward, the American population as a whole can shift to the use of sustainable fashion and make a difference in the textile industry. Reformation is one example of a sustainable fashion brand with a climate positive mission behind its work. Read more here: https://www.thereformation.com/pages/sustainable-practices Dianne CelemenEnvironmental Club Publicity Chair, Junior
By Dianne Celemen As we all know it, the COVID-19 pandemic has created a historical impact on the world -- and we are all being affected by it. However, the outbreak has had an interesting effect on the environment, from the improvement of air pollution to clear canals in Venice. This Newsweek article describes how the clear water in Italy “isn't necessarily a sign of improved water quality, but the unusual lack of boat traffic.” Read more about this phenomenon in this article: https://www.newsweek.com/coronavirus-major-impact-environment-co2-air-quality-animals-1493812 A noticeable drop in pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in some countries is indeed an unexpected effect from the pandemic. Although this worldwide crisis has brought dire effects to even our own local communities, a positive outcome can come out of this if we prepare to fight against climate change in order to keep harmful emissions down. Christopher Jones, lead developer of the CoolClimate Network and an applied research consortium at the University of California, Berkeley stated: "We can help prevent crises in the future if we are prepared. I think there are some big-picture lessons here that could be very useful." Check out more about this topic in this informational NBC News article: https://www.nbcnews.com/science/environment/coronavirus-shutdowns-have-unintended-climate-benefits-n1161921 As I looked at more videos and articles concerning the environmental impacts from Coronavirus, I stumbled upon an intriguing effect on wildlife animals. Species who live in the same ecosystems as humans will have to adapt to different lifestyles as the level of human activity on the streets significantly lowers. For a great visual about the animals found in unexpected places around the world, take a look at the intro of this DW News video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVxWWW63SdU So, yes, coronavirus has turned our lives upside down in the span of weeks. But especially in a time of need for hope, we can turn to these positive impacts on the environment that lower levels of human activity outside has brought upon the world. Can the corona crisis help our planet to breathe again? Dianne CelemenEnvironmental Club Publicity Chair, Junior |