It’s Not About Designer Safety Pins

The concept of ethical sustainable fashion as we know it today, began back in the 1970s. The punk movement thumbed its collective nose at the high fashion world. Ripped jeans and t-shirts held together by safety pins sent out a strong message. The problem was, the high-fashion world embraced the trend. It turned the concept on its head. Nowadays, you can buy your jeans ripped in all the right places. The safety pin even became a high fashion item. Remember Liz Hurley’s iconic safety pin dress? That wasn’t supposed to happen. The truth is, you can start a fashion revolution in your own home. All you have to do is refuse to be a slave to the industry. You may have the money. That doesn’t mean you should throw out last year’s wardrobe and buy the latest designer duds. Most people don’t have that kind of money anyway. So the summer comes around and you need t-shirts. Why buy new ones if last year’s still fit? If you’re tired of wearing the same old tees, you could swap with friends. If you like dress-making or knitting, there are endless recycling possibilities. Rip up old sweaters and knit something new. Second hand shops have always been around. They’ve been lifesavers for those on a budget. They’re also a treasure trove for fashion recycling.

Keep the Ethics in Mind

As mentioned, there are several ethics that drive the ethical fashion industry. They are as follows:

Fair treatment of workers: When you’re considering buying products from a particular brand, whether or not it’s a fashion brand, you must check where the products are made and if the workers are properly paid.
Environmental sustainability: You need to ask yourself if the materials in the products are recycled. If not, are they organically and sustainably grown? Does the company that produces these goods give back to the environment?
Consideration for animal life: Were any animals hurt or killed in the preparation of these products? If so, we mustn’t consider purchasing these products. That’s like getting blood on your hands.
If you’re considering buying from a particular brand, check whether it lives up to these principles.

Slow Fashion

Slow fashion is about sustainability. It makes you ask yourself if your clothes are recycled? Or at least if they’re recyclable. Remember, ethical or sustainable fashion doesn’t start and finish with designer labels. It begins and ends with people. You can start a revolution from your bedroom and change the world.-

But what is wind energy?

Wind energy works with the help of the wind. This means that the home-made wind turbine, wind turbine or windmill (i.e. the machine) must be placed in a place where the wind is always blowing. This converts the kinetic energy of the wind into mechanical energy that can pump water and/or electrical energy. The wind speed determines the rotation of the blades of a rotor, between 14 and 90 km/hour. Indeed, the windmill is composed of :

• 2 or 3 wings or blades that rotate around a rotor. They can be made of wood, plastic or metal with a diameter varying from 40 to 120 m depending on the power of the machines.
• The tower or mast where the wind turbine propeller is placed.
• An electric generator that can make between 1500 and 3000 revolutions per minute…
• And a speed multiplier

A bit of history

A wind turbine that produces electricity is also called a wind turbine. It was born at the end of the 19th century in Denmark. At that time, wind energy was used to provide electricity to rural communities. However, since 1930, larger wind turbines have appeared. Vertical axis wind turbines are the oldest. But they work in a very simple way. Horizontal-axis wind turbines are more complex, but are able to give better performance. In any case, wind turbines should be planted in places with a wind speed of at least 20 km/h.

How a wind turbine works

The power of modern wind turbines exceeds 3 MW on land. The principle of a home-made wind turbine is as follows:

• The wind turns the blades and at the same time turns the generator…
• the generator then converts the mechanical energy into electrical energy…
• then the electricity is distributed to a grid or to batteries wind power storage batteries

Look out! Wind turbines emit aerodynamic noises that can harm the neighbours. The 500-metre distance required by law should therefore be respected. In any case, wind energy or renewable energy can power an entire building. Therefore, it would no longer be necessary to take out an electricity subscription. However, it is a very important investment….

What exactly is hydropower?

Hydropower is generated by the force of rivers. It can be powered by waterfalls, rivers or streams. Unlike other sources, it is permanent, because the water never stops flowing!!! A hydropower plant is generally composed of :

• A dam that serves to retain water
• A power plant that is intended to produce electricity, consisting of diversion canals, large turbines…
• And a system for generating power lines that will transport the electrical energy to the grids

The energy obtained is used immediately. And even if the installation is quite expensive, it saves money in the long run. In addition, hydropower emits few greenhouse gases. Therefore, the employment contributes to the preservation of the environment.

What are the advantages of using hydropower?

A hydropower plant is capable of producing up to 67 TWh of electricity per year. This is equivalent to the consumption of more than 9 million people. Indeed, it is the second most used energy in France, as its use has a positive impact on the environment:

• a low emission of greenhouse gases, to fight against air pollution
• a reduction in the use of exhaustible sources to combat global warming
• an increase in the attractiveness of tourism
• creation of new biotopes
• flood protection

In addition, hydropower or hydroelectricity is also more accessible compared to other renewable energies.

For your information, it is classified as a renewable energy because it is inexhaustible, i.e. it comes from a natural phenomenon that reproduces itself regularly.

But how does it work?

Hydraulic energy is supplied by waterwheels or hydraulic turbines. But the water would have to reach a sufficient level or a precise flow rate for the machine to work properly. In most cases, the power stations are connected to a large water reservoir located upstream of the dam. With this technique, the water level can be maintained and the flow can be controlled. The water passes through the turbines and will be discharged through another gallery. A propeller turbine or a Francis turbine can be found. Although hydropower requires a significant investment, its environmental impacts encourage people to opt for this solution, which can be economical in the long term.

What is “biomass energy”?

Biomass is all animal and vegetable organic matter that can be transformed into energy after combustion, fermentation or synthesis. Biomass energy is therefore all the energy that can be extracted directly or indirectly from biological materials. The most common sources of energy are wood, agricultural waste and manure. For example, the government encourages the cultivation of certain fast-growing plants for use as biomass. For example, we can cite the following examples:

Sugar cane is transformed into bioethanol and corn is used as fuel for vehicles.

fermented manure produces biogas

the corn cobs are burnt to save fuel oil to dry the grains

…

The different forms of biomass

A biomass power plant produces electricity using the steam generated by the combustion of plant or industrial waste. The main distinction is made between :

Biomass by combustion of waste and wood. It is a rather simple and quick process

Biomass by mechanization. In this case, waste (household, sewage sludge, etc.) is transformed into biogas by fermentation. The latter will then be burned .

The main advantage of bioenergy is that it does not pose a danger to the environment, as it does not emit pollutants such as methane. Moreover, biomass energy is also used for the heating system (wood-fired).

In any case, the functioning of biomass energy is as follows:

By the dry process: combustion, gasification and pyrolysis. The last two consist of the creation of a carbon reaction to create a fuel gas which is then burned in the combustion engine.

By the wet process: mechanization, i.e. the degradation of matter by bacteria.

Through the production of biofuels in order to obtain oils to fuel diesel engines .

The challenges of biomass energy

Biomass energy can help reduce the consumption of oil and gas, which are finite sources. Similarly, waste is available everywhere, and is therefore regularly renewable. Secondly, bio-energy is more profitable and allows considerable savings. For example, wood is a cheap material that can be found everywhere in France. Nevertheless, the yield is limited, because overexploitation can on the contrary lead to harmful impacts on the environment: deforestation, soil pollution, etc.

Sources of air pollution

Today, air pollution is caused by a variety of factors:

The fumes ejected by industrial companies…

Combustion following the use of domestic heaters

Vehicle Exhaust Fumes

Fumes from burning waste

Chemicals

In addition, climatic conditions can also have an impact on the level of pollution. And the effects do not only affect humans, but also vegetation and animals. All suffer the consequences of air pollution. Similarly, the consumption of polluted water and food is also dangerous for humans.

Diseases linked to air pollution

Indeed, the people most vulnerable to air pollution are the elderly, children and smokers, as well as those suffering from allergies and cardio-respiratory diseases. Moreover, for healthy individuals, pollution can be a source of allergies, respiratory diseases (chronic coughs, respiratory discomfort, etc.), eye irritation, asthma triggers, dizziness, headaches, etc.

In some cases, it can lead to heart attacks such as strokes. However, the effects on the population are different depending on the body and the immune system. In addition, city dwellers are more sensitive to the risks associated with pollution, because in cities there is a high concentration of CO2 due to vehicle traffic and industry.

In the long term, exposure to polluted air can cause various diseases such as cardiopulmonary disease, cancer, reduced fertility, weakened immune systems and increased infant mortality. The environmental impact of pollution is also tragic: climate change, global warming, hole in the ozone layer…

But what are the solutions to reduce the risks?

First of all, for people at risk, it is strongly advised not to go outside during pollution peaks as they are more sensitive. Secondly, sporting activity should be avoided in places with high CO2 concentration and during peaks, as you risk having lung inflammation!!

Finally, it is also possible to wear anti-pollution masks. But it would be better to turn to masks controlled by organisms that provide maximum protection, even if they are more expensive.

In any case, in order to reduce the environmental impact of pollution, the population must limit polluting activities.

Protect our soil!!

Several solutions are possible to protect nature, mainly the soil against pollution. Dangerous products and chemicals should not be thrown anywhere (in the sewer, in the garbage, in the sink…). They should be taken to a hazardous waste collection centre. Similarly, the use of chemicals should be limited: cleaning, pesticides and insecticides, fertilizers… Awareness is reflected in everyday gestures as well as in various activities that are becoming more and more eco-friendly such as printing… Read more.

In addition, water your garden regularly (every week or every fortnight as needed). Preferably choose rainwater rather than drinking water to reduce the need for an exhaustible source. Protecting our soil is above all protecting our food!

Become an eco-friendly human being !!!

Having an ecological way of life is essential to contribute to the preservation of our environment. Each individual is therefore responsible for his or her actions. Prefer organic or ecological items. Start by reducing your energy consumption at home. Choose household and electronic appliances, light bulbs and other low-energy equipment. As well, unplug or turn off the lights when you no longer need to use them.

Also, minimize the use of your vehicle to protect nature. Instead, use public transportation for long-distance trips, and cycling or walking for others. In this way, you not only limit fuel costs, but also reduce CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. And as far as possible, plan your trip to save time and money. Moreover, when you change cars, choose the most fuel-efficient models!! Moreover, don’t forget to join an environmental association or to finance actions to save the planet.

Other solutions!

First of all, you should stop destroying the natural habitat to protect nature, i.e. biodiversity. This will preserve animal and plant species. The massive disappearance of certain species can cause serious consequences because they can be used to :

Cure diseases

Increase yield: natural pollination, etc.

Improve resistance to certain diseases

Fulfilling his well-being…

Secondly, you shouldn’t litter. It should be sorted and recycled to make new objects needed in everyday life: paper, cardboard, glass, steel, aluminum and plastic.

Afterwards, the use of renewable energy is an effective solution to reduce the electricity bill without restricting its needs. Finally, by joining an environmental association, you also contribute to the protection of nature.

Test strips: the simplest technique

The analysis of spring water can be carried out through a very simple process that consists of using small bands whose colour changes on contact with the liquid. These strips are single-use and indicate the concentration of the water and its potability. To activate them, all you have to do is dip them in the liquid in question. Then shake them gently to create a reaction.

This can be done anywhere, even if many people do it in a water analysis laboratory. You will have to wait a few minutes and observe the colour obtained. This will be compared to a colorimetric palette corresponding to the properties of the liquids. This analysis kit is prized for its ease of use even if other techniques allow for more accurate results.

These are as follows: These strips are available in plastic or paper versions.

For more information, please visit www.agrilab4a.com.

The Colorimetric Test Kit for more accurate results

Compared to the kits mentioned below, this variant is more complex but allows more accurate results, especially for borehole water analysis. One cannot speak of a single kit, as there are several, but the process remains similar. It involves taking a water sample and pouring it into a plastic tube that you can use more than once. This tube must be placed in a case with a disc in which a colour scale is written.

A few drops of a specific liquid or a sachet containing a reagent powder is added. You must then rotate the disc until you observe a change in colour. This will be compared with the colorimetric kit to be able to read the corresponding value.

It is best to perform this experiment in a water analysis laboratory. Experts are better able to carry out this analytical process under the correct rules and chemical conditions.

Digital devices for professional use

Water analysis is also carried out using increasingly sophisticated equipment. Professionals use state-of-the-art testers and equipment. Portable photometers, similar to devices found in laboratories, have been designed to allow individuals to do the analysis themselves.

This method is used for large jobs that require testing of field water. However, the devices are still more difficult to use than the two techniques mentioned above. In order to use them properly, consult a professional and try to read and apply the instructions for use.

You may not be aware that some of the animals most at risk are well-known animals, which none of us could imagine being extinct. Let’s find out together.

The polar bear

Because of global warming, the Arctic Pole is gradually melting and the polar bear may no longer have a place to live. The ice is very important for his survival, especially in summer when he must feed to face the winter. Although they are excellent swimmers, polar bears need to resurface cyclically and rest. Just in summer, however, temperatures at the North Pole reach peaks of more than 20 degrees, causing the ice to melt. It is estimated that only 22,000 polar bears remain alive today.

The tiger

Over the past 100 years, live tiger bears have been decimated by illegal trade and poaching. After capture, hunters use different parts of the tiger’s body, which are considered valuable in traditional Chinese medicine. In addition, human civilization has taken up living space for this animal, which has therefore been forced to move closer and closer to the villages. As the tiger is at the top of the food chain, its extinction would pose a problem for the entire ecosystem, as it would lead to a disproportionate increase in other species underlying the chain, such as deer and antelopes. It is estimated that there are just under 4,000 tiger specimens today.

The jaguar

The jaguar is one of the animals threatened with extinction due to the gradual disappearance of its natural habitat, which has even halved over the years. Moving in search of food, it often comes dangerously close to centres inhabited by man, eventually falling victim to poachers interested in its hide and to shepherds who want to defend their livestock against this predator. Today, the jaguar has almost completely disappeared from Central and South America, surviving mainly in the Amazon basin.

The turtle

It is one of the most fascinating animals in the marine world and is in serious danger of extinction due to cementing and pollution of the seas. Humans are also responsible for tourism on the spawning grounds of this species and for accidental fishing, which unfortunately involves around 150,000 turtles every year. The protection of sea turtles on beaches is very simple, since reproduction is concentrated in well-known areas. Incidental fishing, on the other hand, is a deadly problem for about 40 000 people every year, who die from their injuries and become entangled in fishing gear.

Rhinoceros

Originally there were 30 species of rhinoceros, today there are only 5 species left, all seriously threatened with extinction. The main cause of this spectacular decline is the activity linked to its horn, used as an alternative medicine in Eastern countries and considered as an aphrodisiac substance. Over the years, poachers have hunted using increasingly sophisticated techniques such as helicopters and automatic weapons. A horn can be paid up to $100,000 per kilogram, but this does not take into account the fact that the extinction of this animal would cause enormous damage to the ecosystem in which it lives.

The gorilla

The two existing gorilla species (East and West) are threatened with extinction due to poaching. Hunters are particularly interested in the meat of these animals, which is considered rare and very sophisticated. Mountain gorillas, a subspecies of the eastern gorillas, are the most endangered: there are currently only 800 specimens.

The elephant

This is one of the cases where humans are the main cause of the danger of extinction of an entire animal species. Let’s talk about the elephant: its tusks are considered a very precious and rare asset. It is precisely because of the search for ivory that about 20,000 elephants are killed each year in Africa. The second threat of extinction is deforestation, which annually reduces the habitat available for these animals, exposing them to increasing risks and a real struggle for survival.

The feeling we often get when thinking about endangered species is that we can do nothing concrete to counter the extinction of these animals and their natural habitats. But this is not the case. There are many associations that promote initiatives to protect the most endangered species: a small donation from each of us would be enough to contribute actively. Stop for a moment and think: giving up one coffee a day could actually save a tiger or a sea turtle.

What fertilizer choice to start with

But like all gardeners and organic farmers you all have to start somewhere. What choice of organic fertilizers could you use, the soil can be deficient in certain nutrients. It may not have excellent soil structure. Its pH may be too high or too low. If you are not fortunate enough to have the perfect soil, you will have to work to make it ideal for gardening and cultivation.

Liquid manure is an old-fashioned trick that can help you get the most out of your garden. It provides a rich supply of nutrients and also contributes to the formation of organic matter compounds that strengthen soil structure. The result is big, beautiful and plentiful vegetables.

Liquid manure is the safe bet for soil fertilization, providing potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus.

Opt for organic rather than chemical materials

Many organic materials serve as both organic fertilizers and soil conditioners: they nourish soils and plants. This is one of the most important differences between a chemical and an organic approach to soil treatment and fertilization. Soluble chemical fertilizers contain mineral salts that plant roots can absorb quickly. However, these salts are not a food source for soil microorganisms and earthworms, and they will even repel earthworms because they acidify the soil. Over time, soils treated only with synthetic chemical fertilizers lose organic matter and living organisms that are essential to the development of good soil.

As soil structure deteriorates and water holding capacity decreases, more and more of the chemical fertilizer applied will leach through the soil. In turn, more and more chemicals will be needed to stimulate plant growth. When you use organic fertilizers, you avoid throwing your soil into this kind of critical situation.

How do you do it?

If you are a gardener or farmer switching from chemical fertilizers to organic fertilizers, you may be concerned that using organic materials is more complicated and less convenient than using pre-mixed chemical fertilizers. You’re wrong, blended organic fertilizers can be as convenient and effective as blended synthetic fertilizers.

With liquid manure, you don’t need to feed your plants organically unless it’s something you enjoy. For example, while some experts will spread a little blood on their tomatoes at planting time, and then wheat paste at flowering time, most gardeners will settle for one or two applications of general purpose organic fertilizer throughout the garden.

When using a new batch, put it on the ground in the fall after everything has died. Spread evenly about 3 cm thick. You can then bury it in the soil if you wish, but leaving it as it is during the winter is also suitable until spring before planting. For a well-decomposed batch, apply to the soil about a week before planting… until it penetrates well into the soil so that it can really work its magic.

These activities add huge amounts of greenhouse gases to those naturally present in the atmosphere, thus increasing the natural greenhouse effect and determining the phenomenon of global warming.

Greenhouse gases are so called because they act much like the glass of a greenhouse, capturing the heat emitted by the Earth after receiving solar energy, preventing it from returning to space (thus trapping it in the atmosphere).

Many of these gases are present in nature, but human activity is increasing the concentrations of some of them in the atmosphere, in particular: carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, fluorinated gases…

CO2 is a greenhouse gas produced mainly by human activity and is responsible for 63% of the global warming caused by mankind (its concentration in the atmosphere currently exceeds 40% of the level recorded at the beginning of the industrial era, now exceeding the concentration of 400 ppm in the atmosphere).

Other greenhouse gases are emitted into the atmosphere in smaller quantities but have a much higher “greenhouse capacity” than CO2, i.e. they are capable of capturing much more heat than CO2, sometimes thousands of times more. Methane is responsible for 19% of man-made global warming, nitrous oxide for 6%.

The objective set in 2015 at the COP 21 in Paris is linked to controlling the increase in the Earth’s temperature “well below” +2°C compared to the pre-industrial era, in order to avoid consequences that are too great for the planet – but above all for mankind.

The consequences of climate change

First of all, it must be stressed that climate change affects – and will affect – all regions of the world, albeit in different ways and in different forms.

Generally speaking, a huge category of consequences can be expected, such as the melting of the polar ice caps and perennial ice, rising sea levels, an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, changes in the annual distribution of precipitation, and increased hydrogeological and flood risks, increased risk of drought and fire, increased heat waves with health consequences for the population, change in the distribution of animal habitats, disappearance of species, change in the distribution of snow and certain water-borne diseases, extension of the range of action of insects, vector diseases (insects, etc.), and the spread of diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis and tuberculosis. )), changes in agricultural productivity and nutritional quality/capacity.

Implications for Europe

First of all, it should be pointed out that temperatures in Europe are rising, with a sharp increase since the early 2000s:

As a result, heat waves, forest fires and droughts are increasingly frequent in central and southern Europe. The Mediterranean is becoming an arid region, making it even more vulnerable to drought and forest fires. Northern Europe is becoming much wetter and winter flooding could become a recurring phenomenon.

Urban areas, where 4 out of 5 Europeans live today, are exposed to heat waves, floods and rising sea levels, but are often unprepared to adapt to climate change.

Implications for developing countries

Developing countries are often severely affected. Their populations are generally highly dependent on their natural habitat and have few resources to cope with climate change.

Risks to human health

Climate change is already having an impact on health. In some regions, there is an increase in the number of deaths due to heat and in others there is an increase in the number of deaths due to cold.

Costs to society and the economy

Damage to housing, infrastructure and human health results in high costs to society and the economy. Between 1980 and 2011, floods affected more than 5.5 million people in Europe and caused direct economic losses of more than EUR 90 billion, while in Europe alone, extreme weather and climate events caused economic losses totalling EUR 433 billion over the period 1980-2016. Sectors that are highly dependent on certain temperatures and precipitation levels, such as agriculture, forestry, energy and tourism, are particularly affected.

Risks to wildlife

Climate change is occurring at such a rapid pace that many plant and animal species are struggling to adapt. Many terrestrial, marine and freshwater species have already moved to other regions. Some plant and animal species will be at greater risk of extinction if the global average temperature continues to rise uncontrollably.