Latest Stories from Sofia
Fashion experiments with AI in a bid to improve inclusivity
Triggering a mixed response from both consumers and industry insiders, brands are having custom computer-generated models created to represent people from marginalised groups in digital form. It goes without saying that fashion has a diversity problem. And regardless of recent progress – largely attributable to the tireless efforts of the body positivity movement – things actually appear to be heading in the wrong direction. From barriers that still...
Air pollution causes premature death of 1,200 young Europeans annually
According to the EEA’s latest assessment, dirty air kills well over a thousand under 18s across the continent every year and significantly increases the risk of disease later in life. Despite improvements in recent years, ‘the level of key air pollutants in many European countries remains stubbornly above World Health Organisation’ guidelines. This is according to the European Environmental Agency, which assessed over 30 nations across the continent,...
New report suggests the beauty industry is ignoring net zero
Titled ‘greenhouse gloss,’ Carbon Trust’s inquiry into the sector’s commitment to tackling climate change has uncovered that some major brands’ sustainability efforts are falling short.
Although the beauty industry’s impact on the environment pales in comparison to fashion’s (which itself accounts for ten per cent of humanity’s total emissions), the sector’s practices are very much taking their toll.
From unsustainable resource consumption and the
This volcanic microbe could be the next frontier in carbon capture tech
Scientists have recently discovered an organism in hot springs that eats CO2 ‘astonishingly quickly.’ They hope to utilise it as an efficient means of removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. When it comes to the most efficient ecosystems for carbon capture, mangroves, the Amazon rainforest, and peat swamps are what tends to spring to mind. Scientists, however, have recently discovered a volcanic microbe that could...
Australia to set a world-first standard for composting textiles
To combat the country’s 260,000-tonne-a-year fashion waste problem, lingerie company Very Good Bra has launched a campaign to improve natural garment recycling practices. According to a report by the Australian Fashion Council (AFC) published last May, Australians buy 14.8kg of clothing, or 56 new items, annually, making the country one of the highest consumers of textiles per capita in the world. Not only this, but there are 1.42bn garments – amounting...
Scientists use sound waves to remove microplastics from waterways
The surprisingly basic technology was developed by a team of researchers who believe it could offer a novel solution to the ever-increasing environmental and health threat posed by these tiny particles. Microplastic pollution is a huge problem. The tiny particles, which are undetectable to the human eye and less than 5 mm in length, have been wreaking havoc on our health and the environment’s for decades now. Adding insult to injury, the...
Nuud calls out chewing gum giants’ plastic problem
Working to ignite a conversation around the ‘food industry’s dirtiest secret,’ the plastic-free chewing gum manufacturer has called out its rivals in a bold new campaign. Did you know that gum - which millions of us chew every year - contains an ingredient derived from plastic? ‘Chewing gum is basically plastic doped with flavours and colourings,’ as BBC Science Focus puts it. Not only does this mean that it’s...
World’s ocean surface temperature hits record high
According to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the global average has been at 21.1°C since the start of April. Climate experts warn this could lead to an increased risk of extreme weather and marine storms. According to US government data incorporating observations from satellites, ships, and buoys, the temperature of the world’s ocean surface reached 21.1°C at the start of this month, a new high since official...
Exclusive – Isaias Hernandez sees climate justice as multifaceted
The Gen Z environmental educator, who goes by ‘queerbrownvegan’ on social media, is committed to guaranteeing that the links between the disparate issues feeding into our ecological emergency are well understood. We spoke to him about why centring identity, race, and indigeneity in the conversation is decidedly necessary for this to be achieved. It would be an understatement to say that Isaias Hernandez, who goes by ‘queerbrownvegan’ on social...
Colombia was the deadliest country in the world for activists last year
Almost half of all human rights defenders murdered in 2022 were from the Latin American nation, accounting for 186 killings – or 46% – of the global total registered during that period. Last year was the deadliest on record for human rights activists in Colombia. According to a new report by non-profit Front Line Defenders, of the 401 people promoting environmental, racial, and gender justice killed in 2022,...










