No. 23: The afterlife impact
Welcome new and returning readers! As promised, this is a jam-packed issue! And yes, the first topic below (and this issue’s namesake) was chosen because of its publish date! 😏
Thanks for your participation in last week’s poll, there is a topic below thanks to you! ;)
The afterlife impact
Surprise, capitalism has us in such a chokehold that we’re still producing emissions even when we’re dead. Not to worry though, as there are some sustainable solutions with significantly fewer emissions.
The most popular method? Cremation. (Huffpost)
Cremating a single corpse typically takes up to three hours of burning and releases almost 600 pounds of carbon dioxide ― the equivalent of a 500-mile car journey ― into the atmosphere. Toxic metals like mercury, which can be found in some dental fillings, and other particulate matter can also be released, though many U.S. crematoriums now have filtration and scrubbing systems that can neutralize these. The filtration systems, however, do not block the release of carbon dioxide.
Another source adds that it takes 285 kWh of gas and 15 kWh of electricity for one cremation (Science Focus). In a year, that’s 250,000 tons of CO2 alone (Huffpost).
Yet a standard burial is worse, arguably due to land use. Not to mention all of the different resources seemingly essential: embalming fluid (a carcinogen), a pricey casket, flowers (not locally grown, of course), grave liners (pictured above), and more. 38% of families choose this route, and it shows.
(Huffpost)
Overall in the U.S., an estimated 20 million feet of wood, 4.3 million gallons of formaldehyde and other embalming fluids, 1.6 million tons of reinforced concrete, 17,000 tons of copper and bronze, and 64,500 tons of steel are put into the ground each year for burials, according to data collected by the Green Burial Council.
The best option? A natural alternative. Although the term natural is famous for greenwashing, in this case it’s the real deal. These include:
Aquamation (water cremation, or alkaline hydrolysis, located in Indiana of the US)
Return Home (human composting, located in Washington and Oregon of the US)
Resomation (water cremation, available in the UK and US)
Recompose (human composting, located in Seattle, WA, US)
So while it may be hard to think about our own mortality, it’s important to discuss with your loved ones what you want done with your corpse, so when the time comes it will save further stress and heartache.
More about grieving and talking about death on TED
Are your avocados sustainable?
The answer is probably no…
11 billion avocados are consumed yearly across the globe, yet they are grown in few places. Mexico grows 30%, Peru - 7%, Indonesia - 6%, Colombia - 5%, and the Dominican Republic - 9%.
Michigan State University explains,
As a result of the demand from the US for avocados, farmers in Mexico are influenced to increase the size of their farms, which is now leading to environmental issues including deforestation and increased greenhouse gas emissions. In our own country, a drought that started in 2012 and has lasted until a few months ago in California has led to avocado prices rising to an all-time high.
Avocados also travel a total of 71,236,878 food miles globally to reach your kitchen, and just two avocados were found to produce 846.36g of CO2 emissions. Not to mention water usage; in 2020, 9.5 billion liters were used!
Although they’re a healthy fat, and full of fibers, vitamins, and minerals, maybe limit your avocado to once a week, and save your money! (Not to say you need to eradicate it from your diet completely, just less often.)
HOWEVER, if avocados are local to your region, I would do your research first, as their shortened trip may redeem them!
Other sources: Brightly, World Economic Forum, Avocado
Check out…
Ms. Green (Jessian Choy) advice column - Sierra Club magazine - I’ve always enjoyed reading advice columns and am happy to report that climate versions exist!
Soup in a pumpkin recipe - @sepps_eats
The wasted potential of garbage dumps (Vox) - Could landfill solar projects be the future of clean energy?
Good climate news
100 UK universities divest from fossil fuel $ - This is arguably pretty big news!
“Coventry University has become the 100th, and on Thursday announces its divestment of a £43.6m investment portfolio from all fossil fuel companies after a nine-month student campaign.”
Shell Loses Dutch Appeal Over Misleading Carbon Emission Ads - The greenwashing campaign of ‘climate credits’ has lost its appeal in the Netherlands due to misleading ads, which they say they aren’t. (Wow, can’t believe Shell lied…) 🙄
Australia joins global pledge to cut methane emissions by 30% by 2030 -
Signatories to the global pledge agree to undertake voluntary actions in their countries to reduce emissions of methane, which is a potent greenhouse gas. Reducing methane emissions by 30% from 2020 levels is a global goal, not a national target.
…
Labor has earmarked $3bn from the government’s $15bn national reconstruction fund to support agricultural methane reduction and other clean tech initiatives. A further $8m has been allocated to the seaweed industry to support the commercialisation of the feed supplement asparagopsis, and Labor will direct another $5m in Tuesday’s budget towards identifying and commercialising alternatives.
Wrap-up
Hope you enjoyed!! Feel free to share, and I’d love to hear about your Halloween costumes, if dressing up!
