WHOLEROLL AROUND THE GLOBE: October 2017

What Did We Learn About Climate Change From Hurricane Harvey, Irma and Maria?

Monday, October 30, 2017

Climate experts are reporting 2017 to be the worst hurricane season in the 166 years that hurricanes have been recorded. The worrying thing is that Harvey, Irma, and Maria were Category 4 and 5 storms. Climate experts say that there have been only 18 Category 5 landfalls in these 166 years, yet Irma and Maria made 6 separate landfalls including those that devastated the island of Puerto Rico.

Hurricane Harvey dumped 19 trillion gallons of water and caused massive flooding in Texas and Louisiana. Hurricane Irma had winds with sustained speeds of over 185 mph lasting for 37 hours to become the most intense storm ever recorded. Hurricane Maria pounded the Caribbean and Southeast US with 100 mph winds and 30 inches of rain. All this happened in a span of four weeks. Is the world to expect an increase in these types of storms?

Energy dissipation

Hurricane's are nature's way of dissipating energy from the tropics towards the poles. This is because, the tropics 23 degrees north and south of the equator, receive more sunshine and accumulate heat energy higher than the areas near the poles. Hurricanes form and take in this energy carrying it in the form of spinning air and water heading away from the tropics.

Warmer sea temperatures lead to higher evaporation of the sea water and the warmer air causes this evaporated water to rise. The warmer the air, the more it holds in evaporated water. Experts say that for every rise of 1 degree centigrade, the air will hold 7% more water. This means that warmer weather will continue to encourage more intense storms.

Climate experts tracking rain patterns since 1900 have since an increase in 3-day rain average totals by 10%. With the US expected to experience a 3.5 degrees rise in temperature by 2050, this can only mean the incidences of these types of storms will be seen more frequently.

Preparations

The fact is that global temperatures will continue getting warmer if nothing much is done to combat climate change in a meaningful way. Climatologists say that the temperatures are rising faster than expected such that the effects of climate change will start to be even more apparent in the very near future.

The three storms have shown the world that the effects of climate change are not limited to melting glaciers in the North Pole, and droughts in Africa. With the damage caused by Hurricane Harvey in Texas alone estimated to be above $180 billion, the effects of climate change will soon touch and have an impact on everyone in the world.

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7 Organic and Festive Ways to Decorate Your Home for the Holidays

Thursday, October 26, 2017

What better way to decorate your home than with what nature gave you? While flashy decorations with loads of lights, foil paper and other flashy decorations look good, organic decorations can bring a refreshing change in greenery and fresh scents in the home. The good thing about organic decorations is that you will find most of what you need on your lawn, grocery store or at the nearby park. Here are some organic decoration ideas you can try.

Garland on the front door

Why not give your guests a simple, beautiful and colorful welcome to your home with a garland of flowers on the front door? You can make a wreath from pine cones or raffia leaves and add a bit of color with roses.

Greenery on the front porch

Give your home a rustic rural feel by placing a few garden items on the front porch. Place a few pumpkins on a bale of hay like they are fresh off the farm. These are complimented with potted plants featuring earthy colors like brown, orange and green.

Leaf decorations

There are hundreds of types of leaves out there with a rich variety in shape, color and texture that you can make into very interesting decorations. Make the decorating a whole family affair by inviting the kids to make exciting crafts which they can detail with marker pens, and colorful beads.

Stairway garlands

Make your stairway more colorful with a garland. You can make a simple and colorful garland from grapevines or flexible tree branches. If you need to make a longer garland, use a thin but stiff wire to connect several branches.

Lots of flowers

A bouquet of fresh colorful flowers is suitable for any party. Popular colors for a holiday feel are red, orange and yellow. A vase of flowers can be placed as a centerpiece on the table. You can place free hanging flowers on the wall to brighten up the place.

Delicious Fruits

Use fruits as decorations and your guests will be delighted to see something beautiful that they can also eat. Colorful fruits like oranges, bananas, and apples can be put in a bowl and placed on the table to add a bit of color and serve as appetizers.

Beeswax candles

You can make sweet scented candles using beeswax and a few drops of an essential oil like lavender. Make luminaries using paper bags and place your candles in them for soft holiday lighting. You can place these candles even outdoors as the sweet scent will keep the bugs away.

These are great natural ideas that will invite the outside in. Happy Holidays!

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Organic Solutions to Help You Lose Those Extra Pounds

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

It is perfectly possible to lose weight by natural methods alone. Some people trying to lose weight quickly are misled into taking dodgy supplements and pills. This can do more damage than good including uneven fat distribution or serious kidney and liver problems. Losing weight naturally leaves your body well-proportioned and helps you achieve optimal metabolic rates for sustained weight loss results. Here are the top 5 ways to lose weight naturally?

Exercising

The basic formula of losing weight is that you need to use up more calories than you are taking in. This creates a deficiency that is filled up by burning body fat. Physical exercise is very good in enabling this.

There are many ways to exercize. It can be as simple as jogging or swimming where all you need is to move your body weight to make your muscles work harder. You can also use weights to push your body harder.

Not all exercise is equal, you burn more calories while doing bumpees than while jogging at a steady pace. The best way to get the maximum weight loss from exercise is to have a physician draw up an exercise routine that has a mix of exercises to work out your whole body consistently.

Low carb diet

Carbohydrates are the energy giving foods as they are packed with the sugars needed in producing calories. If you are taking in more carbs than your body requires, they are stored as fat. A low carb diet involves taking in higher portions of proteins and fiber.

Cut out foods such as French fries and pastries which have high sugar levels. Reducing the intake of sugary drinks like soda lowers you carb intake as well.

Good sleep

Sleeping well gives your body the relief needed for muscle repair such that they are working optimally the next day. You will feel less fatigued and have lower urge to snack more. Sleeping 6-8 hours will leave you refreshed and energized for a morning run or other exercises.

Intermittent fasting

Unlike self-starvation where you reduce the amount taken in drastically, intermittent fasting is skipping some meals in a healthy way to reduce your calorie intake going for longer periods in-between meals. Your body learns to operate on lower calories which helps restrict your calorie intake naturally.

Mindful eating

This is eating with more awareness of what you are taking in. Instead of unhealthy snacking like having a bagel, for example, you can munch on a handful of peanuts. You also learn to eat more slowly savoring your food’s taste to make eating a more pleasurable experience.

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Letrece Harris Asks A Question? Can We Just Begin Today? Can We?

Friday, October 20, 2017

As a climate reality leader I have come to understand the implications and causation of the climate crisis. So many people are oblivious to the impact because it is not an immediate visible crisis situation. It is not something readily seen and there is no sense of urgency unless it is through catastrophe and then it still needs to be explained. But we all must educate ourselves on the importance of having a low carbon footprint. We must understand that your everyday habits contribute to the crisis. How can it be a crisis and many don't understand or even believe?

We must look around and observe the many changes that are taking place in the world. Everything is not on social media. We must become aware of our surroundings and that includes environmental issues and problems that we so often don't even think twice about. Oh its just a tree, a bush, a road; No nature is vital to the survival of mankind and the ecosystem that resides within it. 90% of what you own in your home comes from some material resource that came from the earth. Why is it important? We only have one earth. We don't get a second chance if we carelessly destroy the wonderful gift of life and the earth's contents. We have been made stewards of the earth and we are not doing our part.

What can be done to help the next generation who will feel the greatest economic impact of the neglect that prior generations has brought upon it? If you have children or relatives or you know anyone that may be ten years younger than you, then you owe it to them to be a good steward. You owe it to them to be someone who recycles. You owe it to them to repurpose and to have as little waste as possible. You owe it to them to pass on a better inheritance than what you received.

What does it take? It takes commitment, education, empowerment, corporate and government responsibility. And really, it all actually begins in the homes and the local communities where the people are. If you love this country and you say you love this earth that we have been so blessed with, I believe it is not too late to make a difference. Can we just begin today?

Letrece Harris
Al Gore Climate Reality Leader

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Questions You Need to Ask When Making Your Next Purchase At the Store

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

A considerable impact on our sustainable future is made by the choices we make at the checkout.

By showing our desire for sustainable choices to retailers and manufacturing businesses, we will create a demand for more of them. As a result, when we shop for food and grocery, electrical appliances or furniture, we’ll have more environmentally friendly or sustainable options. As a consumer your purchase habits influence how a company creates and markets their products. You have more influence than you know in what can be placed on shelves.

So how is sustainability a factor in consumer purchases and prices.

We must be mindful that every item you purchase travels long distances to get to your local store shelves. The long distances that these items travel has an impact on the environment and the economy.

However, the effect does not end here as you have to eventually be responsible for the product’s disposal, or at the bare minimum, the disposal of all the packaging that came with it after you take it home. Therefore, before loading up your shopping cart, ask yourself the following questions.

· Is this item shipped from far away, leaving a big carbon footprint?

· Is it really worth the time spent earning the money to buy it?

· Is it made of renewable or recycled materials?

· Is it over packaged with materials that just get thrown away?

· How long will it last (and does that make it worth the impact on you and your environment)?

· Is the item completely recyclable or and can it be donated when it's no longer needed?

· What if it breaks; can it be fixed?

· When it's used up, can it be disposed of in a sustainable way?

By answering all of the above-mentioned questions, you’ll be in a better position to make a shopping choice that is sustainable and fulfills all of your basic needs. You will also become a green consumer that is earth conscious and people committed because you don't just see the now impact you see the next generation and the future.

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Here are 7 Great Reasons Why You Should Be Using Coconut Oil Today

Monday, October 16, 2017

It wasn’t long ago that nutritionists and food scientists finally unraveled the mystery behind coconuts and how those residing in coastal areas have such soft, supple and healthy hair. Yet in the past few decades, the hard hairy drupe of the tall slender coconut palm tree has emerged as yet another magical “superfood” that is rumored to delay aging, help the heart hit its peak performance, fight Alzheimer’s, arthritis, diabetes and even lose weight. Coconut has over 20 incredible benefits and that’s why today many aisles of healthy food shops are jam-packed with everything 'coconuty' from snacks, milk, flour, sugar, oil, drinks to coconut inspired dishes and more. Over 1,500 studies have proven coconut oil, the sweet-smelling tropical staple as one of the healthiest foods on the planet. Its benefits go beyond being an aromatic or greasy fat favorite for frying, baking and toasting. It is even used as a healthcare cream.

Let’s take a look at some other super benefits of coconut oil.

1. Perfect for Fighting Multiple diseases

Coconut oil is rich in Lauric acid which is a substance that is antibacterial, antiviral, antiseptic all in one. It acts on and heals urinary tract infection, Kidney infections, Gallbladder disease, eczema, Dandruff, Dermatitis, and Obesity. Additionally, according to various studies, ketones that are products of coconut oil’s digestion help counter Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy and seizures. It also helps control Type II Diabetes, osteoporosis, Stomach Ulcers and tooth decay. Without a doubt, consuming coconut oil every day can help you maintain your health and be less susceptible to diseases.

2. In Promoting Good Health and Wellness

Coconut oil is that one food type with unmatched benefits in promoting overall wellness in the body. MCFAs in coconut oil help improve memory and brain functioning while its high amounts of antioxidants help reduce inflammation by suppressing inflammatory cells. When consumed, the oil also helps increase metabolism and thus help achieve sustained energy and endurance.

3. Weight Loss

You’ve got no reason to settle for those demanding and obnoxious dieting and weight loss plans when you can just switch to using coconut oil. Coconut oil is capable of reving up the body’s overall rate of metabolism while burning fat especially belly fat. This substance can also create a feeling of being full by decreasing appetite thanks to the medium-chain triglycerides and ketones.

4. Hair Care and Scalp

Coconut oil’s abundance in vitamin E content and the Capric and Lauric acids means it comes in handy when you require a perfect natural hair conditioner. By regularly applying the oil on your hair, it will keep them soft and supple, nourished, healthy and protected from breakages courtesy of the antimicrobial qualities that help counter hair loss. You just have to apply them in their natural form and if using over the counter products always use coconut oil-based hair care products.

5. Skin Care

Aside from being your best natural hair conditioner, coconut oil can do wonders for your skin. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory cell properties help reduce sagging, wrinkles and aging while protecting the skin from the harmful effects of UV rays. Again, if psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema and other common skin infections are wreaking havoc on your skin or if you would love a natural massage then start the road to recovery by using Coconut oil.

6. Coconut Oil in treating and preventing Cancer

Cancer cells only thrive by using energy derived from glucose. And so with ketones and the ketogenic diet, someone who has cancer can use coconut oil to increase their chances of survival. Moreover, MCFA's digest the lipid wall of Helicobacter pylori and this has been proven to increase chances of stomach cancer. So in order to receive good results, a consistent use of coconut oil will help fight off and can help prevent the cancer from spreading.

7. Fights High Blood Pressure and Heart Disease

With Coconut oil’s abundance in natural saturated fats that help combat "bad" cholesterol, your blood will have in abundance more “good” LDL cholesterol with consistent use of the oil. And by converting the bad ones into good cholesterol, it will promote heart health while fighting the high blood pressure.

Just recently, a professor, Dr. Karin Michaels made claims that coconut oil is poison. Coconut oil is highly saturated, but before we condemn it to being a poison we must take into consideration the thousands of years that it has been used to cure many different ailments. Everything must be used in moderation and lets just believe the good outweighs the bad.

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How to Make Recycling Fun and the Benefits of Doing So

Thursday, October 12, 2017

Making recycling a convenient process can help a great deal in encouraging people to take up this practice. How do we do this? One of the first ways is to ensure ease of access when recycling. Your family is more likely to recycle if it’s easy for them to do so. For example, In the kitchen you could place marked bins next to the trash can. You can also put a box in your child's bedroom for recycling paper. You might even consider putting a small container in the bathroom for collecting toilet-paper tubes. And boy those little tubes can be found everywhere and creating a space for them will be so much more convenient and efficient. What else can you do to make recycling easier?

You can educate and provide monetary rewards. A good way to encourage recycling is empower and educate people about it. Teaching people about the climate crisis, the environmental problems and pro-environmental values is one of the most effective ways to encourage pro-environmental behavior which includes recycling. Another way to encourage recycling is by providing monetary benefits. An example of this would be the refundable deposits on glass bottles or a percentage off groceries if you bring your own reusable bags to the store. Incentives are always a good way of promoting recycling.

Nobody likes doing extra chores, and kids can be especially stubborn about things they don’t understand, so take the time to explain to your kids why recycling is important. Help them understand the importance of recycling. What can you do? You can play games to make it fun or bring them along to the recycling center so they can see how the recycling process gets started. Going on a field trip is such a cool way to learn.

When they understand where all their garbage goes they’ll think twice before chucking that soda bottle out of the car window. Recycling and living sustainable lifestyle can be fun once you commit to the habit. It's a long term investment that will return many benefits in years to come.

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How the ZERO Waste MOVEMENT Impacts Generation Z and the Millennials

Monday, October 09, 2017

No single day passes without the mainstream media highlighting an issue regarding the glaring dangers of Global Warming, Pollution, Climate Change and Nuclear Issues. Though it is somewhat ironical why such is the case yet the web is flooding with articles about environmental sustainability, it’s equally sad to note that fewer seem bothered about the looming dangers. But what if there was a way of preaching to the newly vibrant millennial generation various ways of entirely doing away with wastes?

Meet the Zero Waste Movement and Why It is worth joining!

Kathryn Kellogg isn’t your ordinary 25-year old print shop employee. With a lifestyle blog titled Going Zero Waste, a legion of Facebook and Instagram followers and a voice against unnecessary waste, Kathryn truly embodies the no-trash movement. Admittedly, she’s the brain behind the now popular Zero Waste Movement, alongside Lauren Singer of the Trash Is For Tossers and Zero Waste Chef’s Anne Marie.

While most of the inspirational figures behind the movement trace their roots to Bea Johnson of the Zero Waste Home: The Ultimate Guide to Reducing Your Waste, it seems the cause is to target Gen-Z. Unlike the 42-year-old Johnson, more than a dozen of the movement’s vehement voices nowadays are within the millennial bracket.

How the Movement works

Undoubtedly, the movement is driven by those who understand how to reach the millennials, the right way of engaging them and where the many previous campaigns failed. Blogging and Vlogging is the latest trend along with social media engagements and being bold for the cause.

Lauren Singer is just 25 years, yet her efforts as highlighted on her website, TED talks and ‘how-to’ YouTube videos say it all. Ariana Schwarz is 27 years too, but her Paris-to-Go zero waste blog is also on the frontline. Kathryn Kellogg is 25 years too yet we all know her now-trendy blog Going Zero Waste has over 10,000 unique page views a month. Celia Ristow is barely 24 years too, but armed with her blog Litterless and a slew of articles on waste management every day, she’s helping reach out to the millennials.

As captured by the various Documentaries and TV Shows, the specifics of going zero waste largely vary, though Composting, Recycling, Reusing and using no Plastics are the main themes. Kellogg replaced plastic water bottles and paper towels with reusable dishcloths and handkerchiefs while Ristow shops second-hand clothes and uses the city public transportation system. The movement doesn’t also depend on explaining everything through polished blog posts.

Social Media Challenges is also the name of the game as Lindsay Miles of the Treading My Own Path did in 2012. And, to better understand how the movement is impacting the Millennials and Generation Z, just pay a visit to Kaycee Bassett, “the zero waste girl,” Instagram account. But it seems the trend has taken root pretty quickly, as explained by Actress Sophie Turner of the #Powershift.

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7 Creative Things you Can Do with Those Old Jelly and Food Jars

Friday, October 06, 2017

There are many items that we buy in containers such as cookies, ketchup, washing powder, jam and skin care products among others. Most of the times, the jars end up in the dustbin. Did you know you could reuse these jars for some creative uses? Here are seven creative ways you can use the jars.

Piggy bank

Teach your children about money management by giving each a jar to save their money. Every child can decorate his or her jar in any way he or she wants.

Store your herbs

Most of the herbs lose their aroma when kept for long periods in the open. Keeping them in closed containers helps retain their aroma and in good condition.

Flower vase

Those tall glass jars can make very good flower vases which you can use as centerpieces in your living room. You may use the glass jars as they are or pain them to fit your general style in the house. Just ensure that the stalks for your flowers are not too tall to cause that jar to fall over.

Sugar and saltshakers

Use your jars as sugar and salt shakers. All you need to do is to drill small holes on the lid of the jar and then half fill it with sugar, salt or your intended seasoning. The jar keeps the contents safe from spilling and makes it easy to shake a little of them in your food.

Cocktail shakers

The standard cocktail shakers are quite expensive. You can mix tour drinks in the jars after cleaning them well. Ensure that the lid held tightly before you start to shake your drinks.

Christmas decorative lighting

You can use the jars to hold your decorative candles in place when decorating your home for Christmas. Place the candle at the center of the jar. Then, decorate the jar with paper art, leaves, or other small items on the side. Place them around the table and other high places to light up your room.

Candy jars

Use your jars to store treats for the next festive season or for rewards to your kids. You can decorate the jars with ribbons or even glue your favorite character items on the lid. Treat jars can also be used as centerpieces on your table. There are many more ways to reuse jars. Do not just throw them after use, reuse them at home in various ways.

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Don't Just Throw it Away!- 5 Tips to Help You Recycle Your Makeup

Wednesday, October 04, 2017

OK really, who can’t go an hour without makeu? Only heaven knows how much we spend just to look lovely and beautiful. But deep beneath that glamorous-looking face, polished to perfection alongside a matching lipstick and well-manicured nails are an insane amount of half-used mascara, nail polish, and clumpy lipstick. No, the problem isn’t that they are perhaps half-used or not used at all! Nothing can be sucky and eyesore than an endless flow of new bottles and containers atop your makeup drawer. But before you toss them in that wastebasket – and instantly feel guilty – think about how much you can save by being eco-friendly. You can recycle your cosmetics, but I’d suggest you empty every handbag, suitcase, purse, and drawer so that no compact makeup is left behind.

Now, here are the five top tips on how you can recycle your cosmetics at home.

· #1: Embrace the MAC Program

M.A.C has an excellent recycling program that can possibly make you guilty about repurchasing makeup pots. For every six M.A.C packaging containers, you will be rewarded with one M.A.C lipstick of your preference, free of charge. It is as great as it sounds!

· #2: Give the Container a befitting use

Don’t toss that shampoo bottle away just yet there are many uses as well as some for those perfume bottles that are made to look fancy and admirable and can be an excellent piece for your home décor. You have unlimited applications, including being a unique flower vase, an incredible piece for storing scented sticks, jewelry or medications.

· #3: Be an Artist or a painter and start with the remains of your favorite cosmetics.

If you’ve always had a soft spot about painting during your free time, then you already have the right starter pack at home. Just start by reusing that crumply eyeshadow you don’t wear anymore. Use the many DIY resources available on the web and be adventurous.

· #4: Hunt for a recycling program near you

Apart from M.A.C, Lip-Ink Recycle Program also accepts four empty regular-sized Lip Ink vials and you will receive for free any Lip Ink Liquid Lip Color. The Return to Origins Recycle Program takes cosmetic tubes, bottles, and containers, which might help those who are tired of disposing of. Don’t forget to check out Beauty Brigade through Terracycle also.

· #5: Create a tinted moisturizer at home.

It often becomes dull and tedious to apply foundations. A tinted moisturizer can, however, come to your rescue. You can just transform that pressed powder into DIY tinted moisturizer by taking that old pressed powder, gently crushing them to pieces and then slowly creating a moisturizer of your desired consistency. Once again, there are many ideas on the web to guide you every step of the way!

So go gather all your purses and get the old makeup out and look through all your bathroom bags and containers and begin to recycle those products. You will feel great about doing it.

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5 Easy Things You Can Do to Cut Back on All that Food Waste

Monday, October 02, 2017

The US Environmental Protection Agency reports that the average American household loses about $370 per year as wasted food. While this may not look like much, it is serious money when the national figure is tallied. This happens in the face of the fact that an estimated 800 million people in the world are going hungry. Food wastage takes away much-needed resources in water and energy, not to mention that the money could also be used for other needs. What can you do to reduce food wastage in your home?

Inventory the fridge

Many people will usually make a cursory look at what is in the fridge, then head out to the store. It is important to do an inventory on what is needed. Aim to shop for that week only. This can be done with better organisation of the menu. Shop with your week’s meals in mind. This way, the fridge holds only what is needed. When you bring in new items, place them at the back of the fridge and bring the old stuff to the front for prioritized use.

Avoid buying on impulse

There is a lot of impulse buying in food, more than any other household items. This is because it is easy to pick of that carton of fruits that has 25% off. Deals like these always look inviting regardless of the fact that it is hard to go through these perishables in a week. Don’t buy food items especially vegetables and fruits in bulk just because the price looks good.

Proper storage

It is surprising how much food spoils from poor storage despite all the cooling and preservation technology available. Proper storage is more than just placing items in the fridge. Lumping fruits like bananas and apples together will lead to spoiling as these are fruits that emit gases which affect other foods around them. Washing berries before storing is highly likely to grow mold. Learn proper storage techniques for different food items.

Smart cooking

Have menus that build on each other. If, for example, you will be having chicken burgandy on Monday, plan for a menu that can use the leftover chicken the next day. This way you get to eat the leftovers in healthy dishes instead of throwing them away.

Learn to donate

There are many people that need that food you are throwing away. Work with charitable networks which provide free or affordable food to those who need it. A good example is the MEANS database which matches those with excess with those in need.

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What Did We Learn About Climate Change From Hurricane Harvey, Irma and Maria?

7 Organic and Festive Ways to Decorate Your Home for the Holidays

Organic Solutions to Help You Lose Those Extra Pounds

Letrece Harris Asks A Question? Can We Just Begin Today? Can We?

Questions You Need to Ask When Making Your Next Purchase At the Store

Here are 7 Great Reasons Why You Should Be Using Coconut Oil Today

How to Make Recycling Fun and the Benefits of Doing So

How the ZERO Waste MOVEMENT Impacts Generation Z and the Millennials

7 Creative Things you Can Do with Those Old Jelly and Food Jars

Don't Just Throw it Away!- 5 Tips to Help You Recycle Your Makeup

5 Easy Things You Can Do to Cut Back on All that Food Waste

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