Latest Stories from Sofia
Earth’s ‘vital signs’ at their worst levels in human history
A team of scientists troubled by the sudden increases in the frequency and severity of climate-related disasters has warned that human activity is pushing our planetary systems into dangerous instability. A new report has warned that 20 of 35 planetary vital signs are at ‘record extremes’ and that life on Earth is in peril. As it reveals, the concentration of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere has soared, extreme heatwaves continue...
Exclusive – Schuyler Bailar on striving to engage with our shared humanity
We spoke to the athlete, author, and advocate for trans rights, radical body acceptance, and mental health awareness about his work to provide us with the fundamental language and context of gender so we can pave the way to understanding, acceptance, and inclusion. In 2015, Schuyler Bailar made headlines for being the first openly transgender athlete to compete in any sport on an NCAA Division 1 men’s team. Up until...
Climate change will make beer cost more and taste worse
The quantity and quality of hops – a key ingredient for beer – is being affected by global heating. According to a new study, manufactures will likely have to adapt their brewing methods as they become more expensive to grow. For many, climate change remains a distant threat. Though the crisis dominates our news feeds, a concerning number of people continue to turn a blind eye to the havoc it’s...
One in seven adults are reportedly addicted to ultra-processed foods
An analysis of 281 studies from 36 different countries, published in the BMJ, states that the way some people consume UPFs ‘meets the criteria for diagnosis of substance use disorder.’ Did you know that, given the option, most rats will choose sugar instead of cocaine? This is according to an experiment conducted in 2007, which found the creature’s lust for the carbohydrate to be so strong that they’d...
Boody launches creative campaign highlighting underwear discomfort
It’s estimated that women spend a cumulative 27 years experiencing discomfort from underwear that digs, rubs, and leaves deep impressions on the skin. Offering their organic bamboo-based products as a solution, the B Corp certified brand is confronting this silent burden. ‘The best impression your underwear can make, is no impression at all,’ reads the slogan of a creative new campaign currently running across outdoor billboards, buses, and social media...
How are noise cameras tackling sound pollution?
The technology, which is paired with a sound meter to detect noise of at least 85 decibels from a source of 50ft or more away, has recently been installed across several cities in the US to help police identify vehicles that have been illegally modified to be louder. While having to tolerate noise is the reality of residing in any major city, there’s one sound in particular that’s a highly...
Exclusive – How Wawa Gatheru is closing the climate movement gaps
In 2021, the environmental justice activist founded Black Girl Environmentalist to centre Black girls, women, and gender-expansive people in the climate movement while shifting inequitable power structures that create barriers to access. We spoke to her about what this involves. Wanjiku (Wawa) Gatheru has made it her mission to guarantee that the climate movement is relevant and accessible to all. As the daughter of Agĩkũyũ Kenyan immigrants, she was raised...
Shouting at kids increases their risk of mental health issues by 50%
New research claims that shouting can be as damaging to children’s development as sexual and physical abuse. It warns that young people exposed to hostile parenting early on are more likely to self-hr, use drugs, and commit crimes. According to a recent study published in Science Direct, shouting at, denigrating, or verbally threatening children can be as damaging to their development as sexual or physical abuse. For this reason, the authors...
New study reveals the extent of teenage smartphone use
A recent report from Common Sense Media has found that, on average, half of 11 to 17-year-olds get at least 237 notifications a day, raising concerns that this is affecting the cognitive ability, attention span, and memory of their still-developing brains. It’s no secret that young people are addicted to their phones. So much so, in fact, that Gen Z spends half its waking hours on screen time. Until now, however,...
Are celebrities finally being transparent about cosmetic procedures?
Ariana Grande has just joined Kylie Jenner in opening up about the work she’s had done to alter her appearance. This poses the question: are we in a new era of A-lister authenticity? As social media continues to wreak havoc on our self-esteem, it can be immensely frustrating to recognise that we’re being lied to by our favourite celebrities about how they’ve altered their appearances. Take the Kardashians, for example. Despite...










