In the shower, on the edge of the bathtub, near the sink, in the kitchen. Soap leftovers accumulate everywhere in our homes and we often don’t know what to do with them. Why throw them away? We can instead use them for creative recycling. In this way we can reduce waste, save money and give a second chance to objects and materials that would otherwise end up in landfill.
The first Africans who arrived by sea in the future United States were not slaves, but contract servants: that landing, however, laid the foundations of the American slave society. In fact, once the masters understood that it was more advantageous to have slaves for life, the concept of ownership of human beings spread. Slavery laws were one of the triggers for the war of secession, after which slavery was finally declared illegal.
Our food choices are one of the most effective ways of supporting the environment. But what are the foods with the highest environmental impacts? Generally speaking, if we buy organic and local food, we are already helping the planet. However, if we want to avoid highly polluting foods with from our diet, we can remove these products from our shopping list: avocado, meat, cheese and palm oil.
The People Reference Boureau (PRB) estimated that 108 billion people had lived on Earth by 2011. So the people currently living would be “only” 6.8% of all humanity. What other curiosities are there about the world population? Let’s find out together.
From medicine to cosmetics to modern aromatherapy. Over the centuries, people have always exploited the healthy potential of lavender essential oil. This plant, in fact, does not irritate the skin and has a great calming and relaxing power. It is great for aromatherapy, but also for making DIY products. For example, you could use lavender oil to make ecological deodorants, bath salts and compresses!
Annihilated by hunger, conquered by enemies, wiped out by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Much more often, in reality, they have vanished without a clue. We are talking about some great ancient civilizations, which we know existed but we do not know how they disappeared. For example, the Moche in Peru may have been weakened by earthquakes, prolonged droughts and floods caused by El Niño. But there is also an American civilization that disappeared in a mysterious way – the Anasazi.
Cork is a natural and biodegradable material, which is suitable for many uses, so it is a shame to throw it away. In fact, a little glue and a few corks are enough to create beautiful and useful objects for your home. Do you need some ideas? A floating keychain, a bath mat, a pin board, a trivet or a very original pot.
We have known since we were children that readings books is important. It teaches us to write well, opens our minds, enriches our culture. But there is much more than that. In fact, it also allows us to develop empathy and emotional intelligence. Moreover, it teaches us making sense of things and opening up to possibilities. When we deal with a story that doesn’t end the way we thought, we also learn that not everything goes the way we want it to. Finally, we could even become more social by reading more.
Green house cleaning has conquered everyone. But while some tricks are effective, other “natural” remedies are useless and harmful. For example, you should actually avoid to use vinegar and opt for citric acid, which is far less polluting. You should also stop thinking that fabric softener is useless, as it helps reducing skin irritations. Finally, don’t try to use Coca Cola for clogged drains!
If you are thinking about buying the new Microsoft Office 2019, catch yourself up with the array of new features and improvements that this years edition has to offer.
They inhabited Australia continuously for 40,000 years. According to a new study, the Aboriginal people are the oldest unbroken civilization on Earth. The study, in fact, shows evidence of a single colonization event in Australia, and a continuity of occupation of the same genetic signature, over a period of about 40 thousand years. This is due to the fact that Aborigines too left Africa 72,000 years ago, but separated from other ethnic groups 37,000 years ago.
Apple VS Microsoft: sometimes they collaborate together and sometimes they compete. Is the relationship between the two giants ever going to come to an end?
How many objects we have around us? A recent American study states that there are 300,000. But how many of them do we really need and use? Most of the times, we end up buying stuff just because we live in a consumerist society. In fact, we could live with less things while being happy anyway – just like our ancestors did.
There are over one hundred matriarchal societies in the world, the most important of which are in Indonesia (Minangkabau), Mexico (Juchitàn) and China (Moos). Their pacifist structure is of great teaching to Westerners, because it teaches us how to organize non-violent and collaborative societies: that is why matriarchy does not mean “domination” of women.
Eating a big meal for a pound of plastic. This is possible in India, where the first ‘Garbage Cafe’ has opened. Here people can receive free food in exchange for garbage. This initiative is part of a wider door-to-door waste collection programme already undertaken. The goal, however, is to eliminate all disposable plastic in India by 2022.
In order to fight injustice, we must ensure to respect the rights of everyone. This applies in particular to the so-called fundamental rights, which must be guaranteed everywhere. Stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, they are: right to food, right to water, right to health, right to education, and right to childhood – which is also enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Consumption of animal-based food raises several issues, such as the environmental impact of intensive farming. This is why we need vegetarian substitues to meat, just like mankai. Native to Southeast Asia, it is a protein-rich plant that also contains amino acids, B12 and iron. Its intake could therefore be a good solution to limit the consumption of products of animal origin. In addition, eating mankai allows to reduce postprandial glycemic response.
From Europe to India, from ancient times to the present day. There are many partners who have managed to share not only love but also power in the course of their lives. Among them are surely Caesar and Cleopatra, who together ruled one of the greatest empires in history. Looking instead at the present day, it is necessary to mention Eleanor and Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jacqueline and John Fitzgerald Kennedy and even Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.
There is a shopping mall where everything has already been used but can come back to life: it is ReTuna, a mall in Sweden that sells only recycled products. Born in 2015, it is the world’s first recycling mall and promises to revolutionise shopping in an environmentally smart way. Here, old objects return to a new life through repair and upcycling. In addition, everything sold is recycled or reused or has been produced in a sustainable way.
We all know Jon Bon Jovi for his music. Few, however, know that the singer is also an activist and promoter of a very interesting social project known as Soul Kitchen. They are restaurants open to everyone where those in need can eat without paying. Instead of money, they can give a little help in the kitchen. In addition to serving food, the two restaurants also offer other services, in order to help people with bureaucratic, health management or other problems.
Citric acid is as useful as it is little known. For example, have you ever tried to use it to degrease and clean bathroom fixtures or kitchen utensils? This compound, found in all citrus fruits, is an excellent natural cleaning remedy. In fact, you can use it in your washing machine, but also for cleaning your glasses, your toilet and as a drain cleaner. By learning to use citric acid correctly, you will avoid all those commercial products that are polluting to the environment and toxic to our organism.
The inhabitants of Sommarøy, a Norwegian island, live in a very special condition. In fact, 69 days a year they are under continuous sunlight. That is why they have decided to eliminate time – or rather, watches. By doing so, they no longer submit to the rigid schedules that make their lives too limited. Their aim is to be a timeless zone where everyone can live their lives to the fullest.
Emollient, softening, nourishing and soothing – sweet almond oil is rich in protein, carbohydrates, mineral salts, vitamin A and B group. It is suitable for all skin types and helps to combat skin aging. In addition, it is perfect for dry and reddened skin such as the sensitive skin of children. Moreover, it helps preventing diseases such as hypertension, arteriosclerosis and thrombosis.
There is a village in Africa where the inhabitants live in harmony with crocodiles. People and crocodiles have a symbiotic relationship here, because the locals think they are sacred. And yet, all this could end because of mass tourism. In fact, many people from all over the world are starting to come here to “play” with crocodiles. Of course, this is affecting the perfect natural balance between people and crocodiles.
Far from the Scandinavian stereotype of the modern city, Eskiltuna, with its grey and almost deserted streets, where you can find old cafés and pubs, is certainly not a place where you would expect to find such a convincing approach to environmental issues. Yet this city in Sweden has really found an interesting turning point for its future. In fact, it has decided to relaunch itself by becoming the recycling capital of the world.