Latest Stories from Jessica
Why are calls for book bans on the rise in America?
Book bans aren’t new, but the last year has seen over one thousand books discussing sexuality, gender, race, and racism challenged in America. What do we stand to lose when certain narratives are blocked from view? To learn to read is to light a fire, said Victor Hugo, author of Les Misérables. Reading provides the opportunity to endlessly explore new ideas, understand complex concepts, learn about the past and present,...
Two companies are making coffee time more sustainable
Drinking coffee is a non-negotiable for most people, despite the fact it produces unfathomable amounts of waste every year. Two companies are on a mission to make our morning brew a lot eco-friendlier. As the world’s third most consumed beverage, coffee gets a lot of love worldwide. But do you love it so much that you’d have coffee around your coffee? Before I explain, bear in mind that our dependency on...
A new technique turns organic biomass into durable plastic
Scientists have created a new type of plastic made from organic plant waste. It could be used to make packaging, textiles, medicine, and even electronics. Life in plastic, it’s fantastic… yeah, that didn’t age too well. Reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and the plastics created from them has been identified as one of the most effective and immediate ways to slow climate change. But ditching them won’t be easy. Finding an...
Are ‘reef safe’ sunscreen brands simply another example of greenwashing?
The term ‘reef safe’ is not regulated, meaning any sunscreen brand can include the phrase on its product labels. What does ‘reef safe’ mean and are these claims greenwashing? If you’ve been keeping up with skincare trends, SPF for your face and body are likely near the top on your holiday packing list this summer. The last few years have seen sunscreen promoted as the most important product in our daily...
Are past-focused approaches to therapy getting it wrong?
Traditional approaches to therapy tend to focus on unpacking difficult experiences from the past. Could incorporating a mindful, future-focused method be more practical? If you’ve ever been to therapy, you’ve probably been encouraged to tell your story and to ‘start from the beginning’. Our life experiences shape who we are, making past-focused counselling helpful for identifying the root of certain negative behaviours, thought patterns, and habits. But many people enter therapy because...
The mission to improve sustainability and ethics in the gold industry
Banks store it, people wear it, and in times of trouble, the world’s wealthiest hoard it. But what are the social and environmental costs of gold? In light of global inflation, investors are flocking to gold as a ‘safe-haven asset’ to protect their wealth. Because unlike money, gold’s value is retained or even hightened in times of financial uncertainty. As fears of a recession loom due to the war in Ukraine...
Five sustainable housing initiatives supporting the refugee crisis
Last year, 89.3 million people were forcibly displaced from their homes due to conflict, violence, and climate change. Let’s look at the architects creating sustainable housing projects to meet their needs. When war erupts in one part of the world, it’s not an isolated issue. The consequences are felt by all – albeit at varying degrees – and practical solutions for developing new housing is one that requires collective effort. The...
Perfume makers are leaning into gender-fluid scents
Perfume brands begin to pull back from focusing on gender-orientated marketing, as women tire of being told to smell like a precious flower and men reject tree-like scents - and some just want a wonderful mix of both. I might only be speaking for myself when I say this, but there are few simpler pleasures in life than knowing that you smell good. Scents are capable of evoking emotions and memories,...
What was achieved at the Global Fashion Summit in Copenhagen?
It’s no secret that the fashion sector has a lot of work to do to solve its sustainability problem. The industry’s latest summit proved how challenging that will be. Last week, leaders of the fashion industry came together to tackle some of the business’ biggest issues at the Global Fashion Summit in Copenhagen. The focus of the meeting was ‘alliances for a new era,’ which implied that – despite most brands...
New TikTok feature allows users to set screen time reminders
Self-regulating our social media consumption has proved to be difficult. Now, app designers are incorporating time-sensitive features to prevent us from getting lost in endless scrolling loops. Tapping into social media has become as ingrained into our daily habits as checking text messages, e-mails, and news notifications. But unlike apps used for practical reasons like talking to friends and getting work done, the black hole of inifite content available on social...
