Latest Stories from Jessica
How polar bears became a controversial symbol of the climate crisis
Though the idea of polar bears ceasing to exist might motivate people to care about climate change, how accurate is this imagery in conveying a message about a global issue that affects us all? It’s International Polar Bear Week, which aims to bring awareness to a species that many of us will only ever encounter inside zoos, when watching nature documentaries, or while reading articles about climate change. Many nature publications,...
Beauty brands brace for incoming sustainable packaging regulations
As we inch closer to 2024, significant changes to packaging regulations are on the horizon for both the EU and the United Kingdom. Beauty and cosmetic companies will need to pay close attention. For too long, eco-conscious skincare lovers have felt a pang of guilt when throwing out empty plastic bottles once they’ve reached the end of their favourite products. Their guilt isn’t unfounded either, as 95 percent of all cosmetic...
Patagonia’s warmest jacket ever is made with upcycled ocean plastic
Working together with Bionic and Gore-Tex – two companies that collect ocean plastics and transform them into fabrics – Patagonia has now released its warmest and most sustainable winter jacket ever. As new environmental policies are written up globally, immense pressure has started mounting on the fashion industry to clean up its act. Hoping to shed their reputation as contributors to one of the most polluting and wasteful industries on the...
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...
