Unit 2 Portfolio

Technology has made being environmentally friendly much easier through innovation of old practices as well as new inventions.

In modern- day society, we have been graced with many different inventions that make our lives easier from day to day. Though convenient, as we do more and more research, we are seeing the effects of these inventions in our atmosphere. Whether it be single- use plastic or fossil fuels, our population is met with the dilemma of convenience vs. eco- friendliness. As a result, we are faced with problems such as climate change and global warming. Though many currently have a pessimistic outlook, there are plenty of brains on the hunt to find ways to help our planet. Specifically, the same way technology can be used in damaging ways, more recently it has been applied to aiding the planet and saving our future. So, today I am going to use my blog to help you all understand two things: First, there is optimism for a greener future. Secondly, there are simple changes you can make in your life as a human in modern- day society to help impact the world in a positive way. This is due to the fact that technology has made being environmentally friendly much easier through innovation of old practices as well as new inventions.

On the side of new inventions, I was exploring eco- friendly companies and found a very intriguing interview on how a small company in California found a new way to make a positive environmental impact. The startup, called Charm Industrial, is troubleshooting two urgent eco- concerns at once. The company has created new technology that takes the dead trees and brush from California forest and heats it up in a zero-oxygen chamber, creating oil that they can then put back into the earth. But the oil does more than temporarily rebalance the earth. Charm Industrials has created an oil that can replenish the earth, but not one that will be able to be burned in hopes of creating energy. Co-founder Kelly Kinetic explains her motives in creating this invention: “We are taking small modular hardware systems to kind of rethink chemical plants generally…so how can we use biomass and turn it into something that can be used for current removal but do so in a way that allows us to move more quickly and solve a lot of problems that we currently see today.” The whole design leaves the startup with a major potential of slowing down the destruction of the earth in more ways than one, giving hope to our current generations that the damage we have done can be un- done.

Co- founders of Charm industrials, Kelly Kinetic (middle) and Shaun Kinetic (right)

In addition to Charm Industrials, in my research to find new inventions I decided to look more into solar panels. Though they’ve been around for a while, in my experience, solar panels have become much more popular in the last few years. Growing up in Vermont, energy conservation and green energy are huge. So, naturally, solar power is a very hip and popular energy source to turn to, as it is highly effective in powering homes and businesses, as well as farms in the area. I found an article on the nitty- gritty of solar panels from The Economist, which states solar panels as "One of mankind's most cherished dreams- the harnessing of the almost limitless energy of the Sun for the uses of civilization". I really liked how the article phrased the use of solar panels, as I felt that even with a scholarly article, The Economist was able to put solar power into a perspective in which we all could understand- it makes sense; if the sun is already going to be shining down on us, we might as well use it to make the earth a better place. The article goes on to explain that “Solar cells spent 50 years getting cheaper and better in a variety of marginal niches. Then, in the space of little more than a decade, they became both widespread and cheap. In 2020, 132bn watts of new solar generating capacity were installed around the world; in many places solar panels are now by far the cheapest way to produce electricity.” So, not only are solar panels enticing in the sense that they help our planet, but the invention has been innovated to be cheap enough where it is very competitive to other types of energy. Now I’m not saying that those like me who are in college will all have the funds and capabilities to have a solar powered home. However, this can give younger generations the optimism for a bright (no pun intended) future, and ideas to keep in the back of their heads on how they can help improve the earth later in their lives.

Solar Panels in my hometown, Middlebury, VT

In the meantime while younger people in our society can’t make big leaps financially, there are plenty of small things that can be used to improve our treatment of the earth. One example of this pertains to an article I found off of National Geographic, showing an innovative way to wash your hair plastic free: the shampoo bar. The shampoo bar is quite literally exactly what it sounds like; a bar of shampoo. Cosmetologists and scientists have worked together to form a soap- bar version of liquid shampoo, making it possible to wash your hair plastic free. The National Geographic article keeps it short and simple to help every generation understand “4 reasons to ditch your shampoo bottle for a bar”. Reason one, which goes along with my thesis, talks about plastic reduction. The persuasive article shares the shocking statistic that “about nine million tons of plastic get thrown into the ocean annually, which breaks down to one garbage truck full of plastic being dumped into the sea every minute.” After opening with this shocking statistic (which, frankly, persuades me on its own), the article goes onto the other three reasons, which explore how switching to a shampoo bar can help you on a personal level, and not just for the environment. One argument they make has to do with the ease of traveling with a shampoo bar, as "TSA isn't going to take soap that's in bar form and a shampoo bar won't ruin your clothes". As a frequent traveler, and someone who has opened their suitcase to a soapy mess, having a brick of shampoo to throw in your bag is very convenient and practical. In addition, National Geographic makes a good argument that especially when traveling for a longer duration of time, the shampoo bar can go right in your carry on and can last months- no more hassle to find your favorite shampoo in foreign places and pay unreasonable amounts of money for it, or carry many travel- sized versions of it. On top of reducing plastic and making for convenient travels, the article also highlights how the shampoo bar will last longer- “ Shampoo bars are megaconcentrated and generally last longer than bottled versions. On average, a shampoo bar will outlast two to three bottles of liquid shampoo, meaning you save money and extra trips to the store”, making the shampoo bar convenient, eco- friendly, and possibly a cheaper alternative to the plastic bottle that’s currently in your shower.

National Geographic's example of the Shampoo Bar

Following cosmetics, one big change that people who menstruate can make is where they get their feminine products from. A study from Harvard University highlights the specific harms a tampon does, stating how “A Life Cycle Assessment of tampons conducted by the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, found that the largest impact on global warming was caused by the processing of LDPE (low-density polyethylene, a thermoplastic made from the monomer ethylene) used in tampon applicators as well as in the plastic back-strip of a sanitary napkin requiring high amounts of fossil fuel generated energy.” Essentially, what the article is saying is how the applicator of the tampon is actually the main cause of pollution on our earth, rather than the tampon itself. Unpacking this made me want to think of the different possibilities of alternatives that either don’t involve a plastic applicator, or have one that creates less destruction to the environment than Harvard University highlighted above. After some rather quick research, I found a really cool alternative for regular plastic tampons, from a company called August, which is a women- owned business that makes more sustainable period products. The site talks about their mission to be carbon neutral and says how “August tampons are made from 100% organic cotton and fitted with BPA-free plastic, long-applicators.” The company reveals that on top of organic cotton and less invasive applicators, their products are biodegradable and any carbon omitted from making them is countered by carbon offsets. After doing the math, if I was to subscribe for a monthly service, each pad or tampon would only be a few cents more than the generic Tampax tampon you can get at the store. So, seeing that you get the benefit of their less processed product on top of a product that doesn't have a negative carbon- impact, I think it's an obvious choice to check out August tampons.

August tampons and pads

There are many arguments out there talking about whether or not trying to be more eco- friendly is worth it in a world with such destruction. At the end of the day, it can be hard to think about as a common citizen who doesn’t know what's going on or if their impact can actually leave a mark. Although I’m not a scientist, I do firmly believe that there are brilliant minds on the task of reversing damage, and the technology stated above is just a very small glimpse of the thousands of results I got from researching how to be more eco- friendly. So, with small changes those of us who are eco- friendly are willing to make, we can sway future generations to believe their actions make an impact, whether it be helping decrease the fossil fuels from a tampon applicator or washing your hair with a bar of soap instead of liquid soap. At the end of the day, the voice you have as an active and current member of society is one that can reach to others, and spread awareness of the control our communities have over what we do to our earth.