Green Technology in Manufacturing
Today, technology has grown in leaps and bounds and is now something we constantly rely on. In manufacturing, technology can describe tools and processes made to improve efficiency, as well as increase the quality and productivity of manufacturing operations. Green technology has the same premise but with the outcome being […]
The Need for Suburban Densification – Improving Health and Reducing Emissions
Most of us know that urban densification is crucial to city health in Canada. Denser cities lead to more effective infrastructure, less transportation by car, and therefore fewer carbon emissions, shorter travel times, and less energy consumption. But what about suburban densification? How can this help fight climate change and […]
Circular Economy in Manufacturing
Today in manufacturing we follow a linear supply, distribution and consumption chain. This means it is a straight line from raw material, to consumption, and ultimately waste. In this linear economy raw materials are extracted in unsustainable and sometimes even damaging ways. This includes the creation of quarries, destruction of […]
Social Entrepreneurs are catalyzing progress toward SDGs
The COVID-19 epidemic has altered many social standards and brought some unexpected advantages. A quick paradigm shift in how social innovators interact with communities, governments, donors, and one another, has led to outcomes that may not have been possible in the same timeframe at any previous point in our history. […]
Webinar Recap: “Feeding the World: Ensuring Global Food Security”
On Thursday, January 19th, 2023, the EnvironFocus team hosted our monthly webinar series on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. This month’s focus was on SDG 2: Zero Hunger, which included the webinar titled “Feeding the World: Ensuring Global Food Security”. SDG 2: Zero Hunger In order to address the […]
Feeding the World: Ensuring Global Food Security
Before the pandemic, food insecurity and the number of people going hungry was increasing gradually; however, because of COVID-19, the effects have worsened. In 2020 alone, over 700 million people globally were suffering from hunger, and over 30% of the world’s population was considered food insecure. The war in Ukraine […]
The Sustainability of Clothing Manufacturing
The clothing and textile manufacturing industry is a sector that has existed to some capacity for hundreds of years. Over time the manufacturing process has been streamlined and made highly cost-efficient to improve production rates and profit margins. However, these changes have exuded various health and environmental concerns worldwide. It […]
Water Pollution from Manufacturing
Industrial waste is the largest contributor to water pollution, which comes from waste generated from industrial processes. This waste includes garbage, oils, chemicals, dirt, concrete, scrap metals, etc., which contaminates water sources. While manufacturers may pollute water directly, others may pollute water indirectly. When waste and pollutants are left on […]
What is a Sustainable Diet?
Food is essential to life, so why is it treated as a commodity? Food is not just a resource that companies can sell to people; it is a critical part of supporting life. The issue of food insecurity is increasing globally, threatening the well-being of millions. We need global food […]
Rethinking Agriculture: Underground Farming
Underground farming is the practice of farming underground, and aims to create a stable environment consistently to sustainably grow food. It creates opportunities for agriculture to expand without impacting land use. It is thought to have started over 30 years ago in Bolivia to maintain food security. Zero Carbon Farms […]
Safe Drinking Water Project (SDWP) – Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange
Release Date: Wednesday, 28th December, 2022 EnvironFocus is pleased to announce the grant awarded to us by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange. This grant will support our Safe Drinking Water Project (SDWP) in Nigeria, and will assist us in providing and installing 10 Lifestraw Max units in 10 […]
Pesticides’ Effect on Bees
Bees are integral to keeping global ecosystems thriving. They act as primary pollinators for agricultural and wild plants. These mighty insects are heavily relied on for pollinating our food supply. In Europe, 84% of productive crops depend on pollinators for successful crop yield. The bee demonstrates its importance as the […]
The U.S. Inflation Reduction Act: A Climate Solution
The Inflation Reduction Act is a complicated and lengthy but incredibly important legislation. It encourages businesses to switch to renewable and clean energy by making it cheaper and more accessible due to grants, tax credits, investment credits, etc. Signed into law in August of 2022 by U.S. President Joe Biden, […]
Duckweed & Wastewater Remediation
Duckweed is a common aquatic plant that offers invaluable assistance in water management. It is a free-floating plant that is significantly cost-effective and known for its phytoremediation capabilities. It is commonly found in paddy fields and ponds and thrives in eutrophic waters. Duckweed has already been identified as a successful […]
Is Edible Packaging the answer?
Edible packaging is made from plant-based materials or other edible materials which can be eaten or are easily biodegradable and compostable. Edible packaging forms we already have today include waffle cones and cups for ice cream, and sausage casings made from collagen and cellulose. In Asia and Africa, certain meals […]
What are the Main Drivers of Biodiversity Loss?
As the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP 15) unfolds in Montreal, this a great opportunity to dive deep into the issue of biodiversity loss, and understand its impact on the economy, and the need to take action. This article will constitute the first of a two-part series that will be doing […]
Rethinking Agriculture: Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a combination of techniques to identify, control, prevent and manage pests and the damage they can do in a way that doesn’t rely primarily on pesticides, but only uses them as a last resort if absolutely necessary. IPM is relatively easy to use and can […]
COP 15: The UN Biodiversity Conference is Coming Up in Montreal
The 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 15) on biological diversity will be held in Montreal, Canada, from December 7th – 19th, 2022. Despite being called in a similar manner, the upcoming COP 15 is different from COP 27 which was held last November in Egypt. Basically, […]
Taking The Waste Out of Wastewater
Recycling wastewater or reusing water from our sewerage systems may prompt what is quite simply known as the “yuck” factor. People are naturally squeamish about the idea of reusing water that comes from their toilets, even though it’s actually quite common. Wastewater reuse has been around for thousands of years. […]
Migrant Farmworkers in Canada are Exposed to Higher Risks
Canada relies heavily on migrant farmworkers to carry out agricultural labour across the nation. About 613,200 foreign nationals in Canada held work permits in 2016, with the agriculture industry being one of the main recipients of these workers. Nearly a quarter of agriculture workers in Canada are foreign workers. Unfortunately, […]
Loss and Damage: The Need for Climate Reparations – COP 27
This year’s climate summit (COP 27) was a key milestone for multi stakeholder actions and partnerships across the five key goals; climate change mitigation, climate change adaptation, finance and collaboration. According to the latest UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Sixth Assessment report, there needs to be a mix […]
How Can Waste Be Converted to Energy?
This article is intended to introduce you to Waste to Energy (WTE) in order to enhance its consideration in waste management strategies and reduce the amount of waste going to landfills. Waste is part of our everyday lives. The amount of municipal solid waste (MSW) – often referred to as […]
Sustainable Transportation – The Way To Go!
Transportation is an industry that still relies heavily on fossil fuels, and is therefore a large emitter of greenhouse gases (GHGs). The fossil fuels we take from the environment, such as crude oil, are turned into gasoline or diesel which we use in our vehicles. These emit the GHG emissions […]
Global Population Growth and Sustainable Development
The global population has reached 8 billion people, and is expected to reach 10.9 billion by 2100. This current global population corresponds to an eight-fold increase since 1800. This tremendous growth is a testament to human progress, attributed to improvements in global health, prosperity and stability. Humans today live longer, […]
Webinar Recap: “Reducing Inequalities Globally: Today’s Growing Feelings of Divide”
On Thursday November 17th, the EnvironFocus team hosted our monthly webinar series on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. The focus this month was on SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, with the webinar title “Reducing Inequalities Globally: Today’s Growing Feelings of Divide”. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities In order to address the […]
Home Energy: Canada’s Usage Patterns
In a world of growing global energy demand, we see an increasing strain placed on our earth systems. This strain is caused by greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels (coal and natural gas) as a source of energy. The strain on the environment can also be caused by the development […]
The Atlantic Loop Project: A Key Element for Canada’s Net Zero Goals
In a meeting convened at Pictou Nova Scotia earlier this year in June to discuss some of Atlantic Canada’s biggest issues, the four premiers of Atlantic Canada called on the federal government to help set timelines for the proposed Atlantic Loop project. (Doucette, K. 2022). The proposed $5 billion Atlantic […]
France Mandates Large Parking Lots to be Covered with Solar Panels
Amid Europe’s unprecedented energy crisis worsened by Russia’s invasion on Ukraine, France just took a remarkable step towards gaining more independence in meeting its energy demand and accelerating the adoption of renewable energy. To be more precise, French senators adopted a law on November 4th, 2022, requiring existing and new […]
How Can Debt for Climate Swaps Help Developing Countries?
The average debt for low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), reached 42% of their gross national income in 2020, up from 26% in 2011. For countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, the annual payments just to service that debt averaged 30% of their total exports. Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley […]
Leather Tanneries: A Multi-Risk Industry
Leather tanneries are an integral part of the textile industry. They are the sites where animal hides are processed and turned into functional leather. Leather tanneries have not only historically contributed greatly to the textile industry but have also offered increased revenue to numerous countries and have become the leading […]
Reducing Inequalities Globally: Today’s Growing Feelings of Divide
Inequality exists in many forms, namely, income, gender, racial, class etc. and threaten our long term development socially and economically. According to the UN, reducing inequalities is essential to ensure no one is left behind. Though there have been positive changes in this regard, they haven’t been enough and “inequality […]
Small Businesses: Four Roadblocks to Sustainability
Despite the growing awareness around sustainability in the business world, small businesses continue to be lagging behind their larger counterparts when it comes to practice. Large corporations often have the necessary resources to adopt sustainable business practices, with many of them even having the luxury of a dedicated in-house sustainability […]
Climate Action at Cop 27
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report 2022 says “Climate change is affecting nature, people’s lives and infrastructure everywhere. Its detrimental and pervasive impacts are increasingly evident across the world. The impacts of climate change are hindering efforts to meet basic human needs and they threaten sustainable […]
Vertical Farming: An Innovative Future for Agriculture
With the increasing demand for innovative solutions to traditional agricultural practices, vertical farming has the potential to offer this salvation. This technique involves the process of using hydroponics, aeroponics, and aquaponics to grow plants indoors. Vertical farming is very efficient for the cultivation of various horticultural crops particularly leafy vegetable […]
The U.N. Climate Summit is here, and we’re not on track
The UN Climate Summit (COP27) The United Nations Climate Summit has occurred every year for the past 27 years in different participating countries. This year the Conference of the Parties (COP27) will be held from November 6 to 18 2022 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. In attendance are “Heads of […]
The Plastic Pollution of Halloween
Halloween is nearly here, which means it’s time to get the decorations up, carve a Jack o’lantern or two, and stock up on candy. The thrill that comes with dressing up on Halloween and collecting candy in neighborhoods decked out with the glowing jack o’lanterns, stringy spider webs, spooky gravestones […]
Sustainable Buildings: “The World’s Best New Skyscraper”
Architecture and construction are sectors that demand tremendous innovation in order to address the unprecedented challenges humanity faces, namely climate change, population growth and urbanization. Dutch architects seem to have mastered the art of thinking-out-of-the box, as their contemporary designs reflect great innovation, and act as an inspiration globally. I […]
EnvironFocus & Carlisle Collaboration
Reducing Waste in the Construction Sector Release Date: Friday, October 28th, 2022 EnvironFocus is excited to announce its new collaboration with Carlisle Construction Materials to help reduce landfill waste generated by the construction sector in Canada by implementing a recycling program. Carlisle is a well-established manufacturer and supplier of building […]
Water Management in the 21st century
Earth is the blue planet. There is no shortage of water, water may freeze into ice or evaporate into air, but it does not leave our planet. Over 70% of our Earth’s surface is covered by water Although water is seemingly abundant, the real issue is the amount of freshwater […]
Promoting a Circular Economy in the Home Appliance Sector
The vast majority of our homes are equipped with several home appliances to make our lives easier. From small appliances such as blenders and microwaves, to bigger ones such as dishwashers, washing machines, etc. But what do you do when these appliances break down? Do you repair them or simply […]
Energy Demand & Blackouts: Who Holds the Power?
Energy is something most people around the world heavily rely on. There is an increasing issue of energy insecurity and energy shortages in numerous countries across the world. This stems from the demand for energy exceeding the capable supply in a region. There are numerous factors as to why this […]
Webinar Recap: “Providing Decent Work & Economic Growth using Sustainability Principles”
On October 20th, the EnvironFocus team hosted our monthly webinar series on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. The focus this month was on SDG 8: Decent Work & Economic Growth, with the webinar title “Providing Decent Work & Economic Growth using Sustainability Principles”. SDG 8: Decent Work & Economic […]
Providing Decent Work & Economic Growth Using Sustainability Principles
“Young people ages 15-24 – who make up 22% of the world’s adult population – often face great challenges in finding employment. And even after they find work, they are disproportionately engaged in low-productivity and low-quality jobs, with few opportunities.” The World Bank Unemployment It is common for youth to […]
The Impacts of Renewable Energy Sources on Humans and the Environment
Most of us certainly know that energy derived from renewable sources such as the sun, wind, etc., release significantly less carbon emissions when compared to energy from fossil fuels such as coal. And since carbon emissions are responsible for climate change, renewable energy is definitely the way to go! But […]
Palau is Leading the Way in Sustainable Tourism
The small but unique country of Palau, an island group in the Pacific, is known for its unique landscapes, immaculate waters, and rich cultural heritage. The archipelago is made up of more than 340 lush green islands jutting out from the glimmering ocean, only nine of which are inhabited. The […]
Thrifting: Glorified Fast Fashion
Thrifting comes from the word “thrifty” meaning frugal and is the act of “hunting” used clothes often through swapping or shopping at second-hand stores (Lestari et al., 2021). Thrifting has more recently been seen as a solution to environmental issues surrounding the western world’s consumption patterns but is actually promoting […]
Lunch & Learn Series: Demystifying ESG & Sustainability
Are you struggling to understand and apply ESG or sustainability concepts to your organization? Do you need help understanding how to apply SASB or GRI standards? Are you seeking to improve your organization’s ESG or sustainability performance but unsure where to start? Or are you even uncertain what ESG or […]
Bhutan Sets An Example For Low-Income Developing Countries
Bhutan is a land locked country between India, Tibet, China, and Nepal located in South Asia. Situated deep in the eastern Himalayan mountains, Bhutan is often overshadowed by its more prominent neighbors. But, despite its quiet status, the country has constantly made headlines for a variety of socioeconomic achievements. For […]
Traditional Menstrual Products are Unsustainable
Traditional menstrual products such as pads (sanitary napkins) and tampons, make up a multi-billion dollar industry and are unsustainable. These products are commonly used by anyone who menstruates starting on average at the age of 12, until menopause. This is estimated to be about 11,000 tampons used in a person’s […]
Green Roofs: Their Role in Urban Food Security
Green roofs are a fairly recent addition to urban spaces but have had an astronomical impact. The growing interest in green roofs has sparked due to their promise of mitigating the Urban Heat Island effect (UHI) and providing a solution for excess stormwater. With roofs making up around 50% of […]
Leather Alternatives: Sustainable Textile Manufacturing
The leather industry has been a thriving sector in textile manufacturing for over a century. As time progressed and the rise of fast fashion came to the scene, the leather industry played a part and soon began buying into mass production, which includes the demise of animals in each and […]
Environmental Racism in Canada
Environmental racism is the term used to describe environmental laws, regulations, or practices that unintentionally or intentionally disadvantage certain racial or ethnic groups, individuals, or communities. There are still gaps in regions under federal control, despite several provinces and territories having “environmental bills of rights” and legislative frameworks for addressing […]