Latest Stories from Jessica
California beach returned to Black owners’ family in landmark move
Los Angeles County Officials have returned the deed of Manhattan Beach to the property owners’ great-grandson almost 100 years after it was stolen in a racially motivated seizure. Bruce’s Beach in California – known to most people today as Manhattan Beach – has a history that most people who visit it today know little about. The beachfront property was owned by an African American couple, Charles and Willa Bruce, who purchased...
Loewe pairs with Spanish designer for plant-covered collection
While it may not be the most practical fashion choice, wearing fabrics that support growing plant life could bring us closer to nature. At Loewe’s Spring 2023 fashion show in Paris, spectators were pleasantly surprised to see models strut down the runway in unique garments covered in greenery. Think sneakers decorated with live chia plants, coats carefully patterned with grass planted in asymmetrical rows, and matching pants covered in wild, growing...
The major changes cities need to withstand a warmer planet
With record breaking heatwaves enveloping cities across the world, identifying adaptive measures to cope with the climate crisis has never looked more vital. As I write to you today, I am surrounded by evidence of unfruitful attempts to stay cool: fans, a water-misting bottle, and cold brew coffee rapidly turned lukewarm. Despite already having drank 3L of water before noon, my skin continues to feel like the bottom of my...
Dubai builds world’s largest vertical farm
The city known for importing almost all of its produce will now grow 2 million pounds of leafy greens each year inside the world’s largest vertical farm. As the world begins to turn its back on oil in favour of green energy, the United Arab Emirates must follow suit or risk falling behind. In 2021, the UAE set out plans to solidify itself as a global hub for sustainable technology...
The challenges and opportunities of a growing global population
Before the year is up, the global human population is expected to surpass the 8 billion mark. Along with it will come environmental challenges, but also an opportunity to diversify the global economy. The United Nations global population projection estimates we will reach a global population of 8 billion people by November of this year, with that number increasing to 10 billion by 2080. Surpassing the 8 billion mark is...
Study reveals five countries owe over $6 trillion in climate damages
With economic figures quantified in a new report, the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitters could finally be held accountable for the environmental damage they’ve inflicted upon the poorest regions. It’s no secret that the climate crisis has been primarily fuelled by the world’s wealthiest nations. These countries have historically reaped the economic and social benefits of destroying entire ecosystems to obtain limited natural resources such as oil and gas, while...
Will limits on Faroe Islands whale hunt numbers work?
Campaigners believe government-initiated caps on the number of white-sided dolphins allowed to be slaughtered at Grindadráp will not be sufficient for safeguarding local pods. Global attitudes towards whaling have shifted massively over the last few decades, with a majority of political leaders and citizens believing that cetaceans should be protected under international conservation laws. Despite this, the World Population Review reports that three countries continue to hunt whales for profit...
Ecovado offers a solution to our unsustainable avocado obsession
A graduate student at London’s Central Saint Martins has developed an environmentally friendly alternative to avocados that’ll fulfil our breakfast cravings while being kinder to the planet. Maybe if we all stopped buying avocado toast, we’d have enough money to afford a house someday – right? Well, that seems to be the resounding message whenever Gen Z and Millennials complain about the rising cost of living. While blaming our...
Scientists believe ‘space bubbles’ could help ease climate change
Researchers at MIT are advancing a concept to slow or potentially reverse climate change. It involves placing massive silicon bubbles at the direct point between the sun and our planet. Admittedly, this concept is a little wacky, but when we hear that research in the field of solar geoengineering is advancing to help stop climate change… it’s something we’ve got to look into. Last week, a group of scientists at MIT...
Innovative ‘sand battery’ is green energy’s beacon of hope
Two young engineers have succeeded in using sand to store energy from wind and solar by creating a novel battery capable of supplying power all year round. When you think of batteries, you probably think of lithium. If you’re old enough to remember when one started corroding inside your CD player or GameBoy, the idea of using batteries might bring back some sad childhood memories. Lithium batteries don’t hold much energy...
