The Holistic fish
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Blog
  • Recipes
  • Beauty
  • Reading
  • Contact

12 months in ecology #2 -  are we doomed?

11/28/2020

1 Comment

 
Picture
It’s been approximately a year already since the bes conference in Belfast. My last conference in presence before these all big mess (for lack of better words) began. Thankfully the BES conference will be happening online , and even more thankfully they have made their traditional 12 months in ecology lecture open to all. And even recorded it for YouTube! 

This year it was Prof Jane Hill taking it, so what you will find in this post is merely my interpretation of it and so I recommend to go watch the original!


Read More
1 Comment

Things to know about Carbon sequestration

11/21/2020

3 Comments

 
Picture
Carbon sequestration from seagrass - from NAMEPA blog https://elise-avallon-76l2.squarespace.com/namepa-blog/2017/4/17/carbon-sequestration-and-the-ocean-how-will-our-waters-react
Carbon sequestration.. the buzzword of the last few years, been thrown in here and there in various conversations.. 
Sometimes for good reasons, other times just for fancies..

let's start with the basics..
What really is Carbon sequestration?
First of all, let me clear some terms for the beginners out there, I am sure you have all heard a lot of it, but just to all be on the same page, by carbon sequestration I mean  the long-term removal, capture or sequestration of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. 

Now, if we think about removal from the atmosphere: natural life on this planet (well on the surface of this planet, and not deep down in the oceans) is based upon photosynthesis. Plants do it. And with them other photosynthetic organisms such as micro and macro algae. What is photosynthesis? Just as a reminder for those who didn’t do well at school in biology: during the day, when light is available, plants take up co2 from the atmosphere and release o2 (At night they respire, so they release some co2, something to be mindful about - more on this later). Technically, though, also us animals sequester co2, not directly from the atmosphere, but from what we consume - but we would prevent it from going back out in the atmosphere. All ‘mass’ is basically a form or another of carbon atoms. Since, matter is neither created nor destroyed, the C atoms are bound to be coming from somewhere. If it’s in our mass it’s not in the atmosphere. So yes, when we take in O2 and release CO2 respiring we are respiring mass out (out of topic but yes, this is the principle behind losing weight - check this great  and inspiring ted talk  ) . And so on..  we read that whales are sequestering carbon  ( and it’s also published on the IMF )  , or  hear on the BBC podcast ‘people fixing the planet’ that also jellyfish have power to be carbon sequestering 

And at that point.. I really want to scream that, if we follow this logic, then everything is and that perhaps we are just abusing this buzzword… 

What are the problems with abusing carbon/CO2 sequestation? 


Read More
3 Comments

Positive thoughts: support the sustainable community

11/14/2020

2 Comments

 
Picture
With most of Europe again under some kind of lockdown, it’s time to share some positivity. 
I want to be clear, the ‘war’ is far from over, but for just one second let’s sign an armistice. 

Biden has won, despite a long and suffered week. 
We are on the right track. 
America will enter the Paris agreement again, and while I am doubtful on whether it will be THE solution, it is something positive, and definitely a U-turn on the matter compared to the his negationist predecessor! And not just that, but a whole lot of other good promises and steps in the right direction (read more on the NYtimes here  for example ) 

So, today let’s celebrate by also pledging to be as sustainable as possible. 
And support each other in this journey, learning from each other.
As the cliche phrase says ‘We don't need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly’ 
And well...let’s be these million people, together!

Read More
2 Comments

The power of ‘runners’ for climate change awareness

11/7/2020

3 Comments

 
Picture
runners from 'protect our winters' during the climate run
Running is a sport that has been in the spotlight a lot this year . As an individual sport is something that can be easily done while socially distancing and during various lockdowns it has been a sport rediscovered by many people.
Being a runner means many things  - from short distance to ultra marathons, speedy runners , turtles. Young people, old people - everyone can be a runner . 
I already mentioned in my sports series that running is quite a sustainable sport since equipment is minimal and can be done right from and to our doorsteps - and also provided some suggestions as to how to make it even more sustainable . 
Today I would like to focus on runners as a big power able to drive change.


Read More
3 Comments
    Disclaimer: some posts may contain affiliate links.  At no extra costs to you, buying through the link will help me in this blogging journey!

    SIGN UP TO MY TELEGRAM CHANNEL

    Archives

    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All
    Action
    Beauty
    Climate
    Community
    Conservation
    Diet
    Ecology
    Economy
    Environment
    Fashion
    Food
    Health
    Living
    Marine Conservation
    Minimalism
    Recycling
    Research
    Spirituality
    Sport
    Travelling
    Waste

    Follow
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
Photos used under Creative Commons from marcoverch, Pascal Volk
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Blog
  • Recipes
  • Beauty
  • Reading
  • Contact