Latest Stories from Jessica
France’s football teams will now travel by train for domestic games
France's national football teams have adopted a new environmentally conscious policy. In line with a national ban on plane travel to destinations reachable within 3 hours by train, football teams will now travel by train too. As the world warms up as a result of several decades of human inaction, people everywhere are finally being asked to change their behaviour – and yes, that includes professional footballers. It’s been announced...
How structures made from oyster shells can help prevent coastal erosion
Reef Design Lab based in Melbourne uses locally sourced oyster shells mixed with concrete to build structures that reduce coastal erosion and support marine wildlife. Along the shore of Port Phillip Bay in Australia, large dome-shaped modules sit submerged just below the water’s surface. Though they resemble large sand dollars at first, these structures have been man-made by the Reef Design Lab in Melbourne. They were constructed using a blend...
New research sparks hope for the future of artificial coral reefs
The hard work and dedication of teams working on coral reef restoration projects are finally being met with positive results, according to a new study by The Conversation. This summer was a particularly devastating one for one of the planet’s rarest and most fragile ecosystems – coral reefs. In September 2023, Earth's average temperature exceeded the critical 1.5C threshold, momentarily breaching the limit set by world leaders who have promised to...
Oatly offers up free advertising space for British dairy companies
In a bid to improve transparency about the environmental impact of our food and drink industry, the plant-based milk company Oatly has asked dairy companies in the UK to reveal their carbon footprint on prepaid advertising space. Searching for ways to reduce the severity of our impact on the environment has become a defining feature of our generation’s time. We know that even the smallest changes to our daily habits can...
What are war crimes and who is held accountable for them?
As Israel unleashes its wrath on Gaza and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine rages on, war crime accusations have become a central topic of international discussion. Let’s look at what acts are considered war crimes and who, historically, has been held accountable for committing them. Although the condemnation of various acts committed during war has existed throughout history, concepts of what constitutes a war crime were not developed until the end...
Are modern-day concepts of ‘natural’ beauty a lie?
The rise of makeup-free and fresh-faced looks online and on the red carpet aren’t always the ‘natural’ vibe we believe they are. Ask the girlies anywhere and you’ll hear that many of us are no longer rocking the full-face makeup that had us in a chokehold during the mid-2010s. We’ve traded HD brows, dark lipstick, heavy matte foundation, and contour for softer and more natural makeup looks that incorporate skincare-based products. The...
The cost of living crisis is altering Gen Z’s view of life partners
Money may not buy love, but sharing similar financial values is an important part of making romantic relationships last. Gone are the days when boasting superficial traits like ‘tall, dark, and handsome’ could snag you a partner for life. Times have changed and so have young people. While, of course, the vast majority of individuals still value the ability to learn from, laugh with, and live life adventurously alongside a romantic...
How music bolsters mental well-being and social connections
Music is often viewed as an enjoyable form of entertainment, but a growing body of scientific and sociological research is proving how music enhances the strength of our brain’s neural pathways and helps us foster deep social bonds. One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain. The legendary Bob Marley sang this lyric in 1971 and it has been repeated by music lovers countless times...
How the fashion industry will need to change in the coming years
As new policies crack down on unsustainable industry practices, fashion is one sector that will be forced to embrace major change. What kind of improvements should companies strive for and what else can we anticipate? Over the next decade, many business sectors will be forced to undergo considerable changes to reach green targets and build sustainability credentials. The fashion industry - one of the most ecologically harmful sectors – certainly awaits...
Research says nighttime blue light exposure stifles mental wellbeing
In honour of World Mental Health Day, many of us will be checking in with ourselves and our loved ones with help from our smartphones. But new research suggests waiting until the evening to send that text could see us worse off. Making time to acknowledge how we’re doing mentally isn’t always easy in our modern world. Around 60 percent of the human population now lives in densely populated urban...
