Articles by Branching Together Founders
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Climate Change Rundown
Climate change has become a hot button topic in the media. Hard facts are debated as opinions until the risks associated with it no longer seem relevant. On the contrary, scientific studies conclude that adverse effects of climate change are wreaking havoc on our planet. This article gives a rundown of the causes and effects of climate change as well as reducing the damage that is being done. Click here to read Climate Change Rundown, by Susie George & Cheyenne Whisenhunt |
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How to Shop Responsibly
There are seemingly endless options for every purchase, yet there is little known about a product's supply chain. It has become increasingly difficult to choose products that are responsibly produced and environmentally sustainable, and being a responsible consumer requires some extra research and thought. How to Shop Responsibly breaks down how to embrace your power as a consumer for environmental change. Click here to read How to Shop Responsibly, by Susie George |
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The Truth About Local and Organic for a Better Tomorrow
When it comes to food, the terms "organic" and "local" have become diluted. The agriculture industry is catching on to the trend of conscious eating, and using terms such as "natural" and "fresh," though they have no relevance. Navigating food amidst marketing and endless choices has become extremely difficult for consumers. This article makes clear the best ways to ensure that your eating habits are sustainable. Click here to read The Truth About Local and Organic for a Better Tomorrow, by Cheyenne Whisenhunt |
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Why Every Business Should Embrace Sustainability
Business is a main contributor of climate change, and often encourages unsustainable practices of consumers. The benefits of going sustainable for a company that is succeeding in potentially harmful tactics may not seem reason enough to embrace a new strategy. However, the evidence is clear that consumers and government are pushing for a sustainable future. Read about evidence in support of businesses embracing sustainability. Click here to read Why Every Business Should Embrace Sustainability, by Susie George |
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The Importance of Bees, Beekeeping, and Bee Friendly Landscapes
This article has a focus on combating colony collapse and strengthening the bee population. Additionally, read about current case studies of practical and successful beekeeping as well as in-depth interviews with bee experts. Click here to read The Importance of Bees, Beekeeping, and Bee Friendly Landscapes, by Cheyenne Whisenhunt & Clair Mallen |
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Take Back the Alleys: Turning Unused Alleyway Space into Gardens
There is a great need for communities to embrace locally grown sustainable produce in today's world. This article gives insight into the benefits of growing your own food, and how to empower local communities by planting gardens for food production in unused alleyways. Click here to Take back the Alleys: Turning Unused Alleyway Space into Gardens, by Cheyenne Whisenhunt & Deion Jones |
Other Recommended Articles
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Rethinking Sustainability; Food as a Metaphor
This article is a must read. Ikerd makes dynamic connections in regards to economic and social aspects as they relate to food systems. Ikerd beautifully illustrates the difference between sustainable farms and industrial farms. It provides great insight into the unsustainable future we are heading for, unless change continues to occur. Click here to read and download Rethinking Sustainability; Food as a Metaphor, by John Ikerd |
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Palm Oil Production Poses Problems for the Climate
Palm Oil is a favorite addition to many products such as makeup, peanut butter, and candy. However, years of its unsustainable farming have depleted habitats for many animals, increased carbon dioxide emissions, and resulted in more wildfires as a result of the deforestation. This article explains the problem with palm oil, and provides alternatives and solutions. Click here to read Palm Oil Production Poses Problems for the Climate, by Michael Kodas |
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Marine Plastics
Plastics have become one of the greatest contributors to waste in the world. This report chronicles the origins of plastics, their often destructive impact on the environment, and solutions for plastics management. Click here to read Marine Plastics, by the Ocean Portal Team |
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Urban Apartment Gardening: Gardening Tips for Apartment Dwellers
With fewer people living in houses and a rise in apartment dwellers, it is increasingly challenging to find land and resources to grow one's own food. However, apartment gardening is not only possible, it is a simple and reasonable option. This article describes plants and methods that succeed in apartment gardening. Click here to read Urban Apartment Gardening: Gardening Tips for Apartment Dwellers, by Bonnie L. Grant |
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Avoiding the Local Trap: Scale and Food Systems in Planning Research
Local food is often assumed to be sustainable and supportive of their respective community. However, the "local" label is not a guarantee that agricultural practices are "inherently good." This article examines the unfavorable aspects of "local" that are often overlooked and offers a holistic solution to the food system. Click here to read Avoiding the Local Trap: Scale and Food Systems in Planning Research, by Branden Born & Mark Purcell |
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The Land Ethic
According to Aldo Leopold, the idea of a "land ethic" is rooted in caring, more specifically, caring about people, land, and strengthening the relationships between them. These connections are intertwined, as the term "community" includes humans as well as the physical aspects, such as soils, waters, plants, and animals. This call to action emphasizes the importance of establishing a "land ethic" that can last for generations. Click here to read The Land Ethic, by Aldo Leopold |
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Why Reducing Meat Consumption Is the Easiest Step Everyone Can Take to Fix Our Broken Food System
Meat production and consumption has broken the food system. Additionally, it negatively contributes to climate change, drains freshwater supplies, and leaves 850 million people without enough food. This article covers the basics of animal agriculture, and how it affects our food system. Click here to read Why Reducing Meat Consumption Is the Easiest Step Everyone Can Take to Fix Our Broken Food System, by Sara Farr |
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Climate Change is Complex. We've Got Answers to Your Questions
This article from the New York Times tackles some of the most common questions about Climate Change. With so much conflicting information about this occurrence, it is important to return to scientific fact in order to address the issue at hand. Click here to read Climate Change is Complex. We've Got Answers to Your Questions, by Justin Gillis |
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Reducing Your Transportation Footprint
Transportation is the largest contributor to carbon emissions in the U.S. Cleaner methods of transportation are a simple and cost effective solution to this issue. This article simplifies the problem and provides a path to trading old habits for new environmentally conscious ones. Click here to read Reducing Your Transportation Footprint from the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions |
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5 Tech Innovations That Could Save Us From Climate Change
This article describes five industries that are harmful to the environment, and provides tech solutions for each of these issues. Tech is such a far reaching sector with significant influence in the world. Read about how sustainably minded individuals are utilizing their technological skills to confront climate change in effective ways. Click here to read 5 Tech Innovations That Could Save Us From Climate Change, by Alex Gray |
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The three-minute story of 800,000 years of climate change with a sting in the tail
This article and accompanying short video describe the relationship of carbon dioxide emissions and climate change over the last 800,000 years. While the earth's greenhouse effect is a natural and important phenomenon, carbon dioxide levels have reached unparalleled levels that since the industrial revolution. These scientific facts are the foundation of present action that must be taken in order for Earth to remain habitable. Click here to read The three-minute story of 800,000 years of climate change with a sting in the tail, by Ben Henley & Nerilie Abram |
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If Everyone Ate Beans Instead of Beef
The new phenomenon of ecoanxiety, defined in the article, has people seeking out methods within their control to deal with the environmental crisis, though it requires far more than individual action. Studies show that the simple substitution of beans for beef would result in significant climate mitigation, as meat production is one of the largest producers of carbon emissions. Click here to read If Everyone Ate Beans Instead of Beef, by James Hamblin |
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Keeping an Eye on Our Changing Planet
Climate has a direct relationship with carbon in the atmosphere, which has been an important topic of study for over a century. While we may not be able to assume that the rapidly accelerated rate of climate change is related to human activity, it is a phenomenon proven by scientific research. This resource introduction page is a research guidebook to the past, present, and future of our changing planet. Click here to read Keeping an Eye on Our Changing Planet, from Exploratorium |
