365 Sustainable Decisions Challenge

A type of pollution that is less well-known is pharmaceutical pollution. Pharmaceutical pollution is a growing global concern due to excessive use of medications, which can lead to increased drug concentrations in water bodies. These substances, including medications, hormones, antibiotics, and personal care products, can be excreted through urine and feces, untreated pharmaceutical waste, and incorrect wastewater disposal. Despite the low concentrations, these substances can still be harmful, and water treatment plants struggle to remove them from water. This pollution affects aquatic organisms in various ways. In this article, I explain how pharmaceutical harm such as antibiotics and psycho-actives harm aquatic organisms: - English: https://www.erlijn.nl/link/scicomm.php?l=4036425092 - German: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/wie-medikamente-die-umwelt-verschmutzen-und-sch%25C3%25A4digen-van-genuchten-thuxc   Pharmaceutical pollution affects aquatic organisms (credit:  Alina K...

During my evening runs in the dark, I use an LED headlamp. It's energy efficient and I can shine it down to limit light pollution as much as possible. And recently it hit me (not literally of course :-) ): I can also use it as my crochet light! This is awesome, as it means I don't need to buy an extra lamp or turn on additional lights around the house to be able to see what I'm doing. Plus, it's portable so when I need to sit somewhere else, I can carry the light with me! This example shows that we can often get two (or more) giggles with one tickle, including: 1. saving energy by using LED 2. saving energy by using fewer lights 3. saving energy by being able to quickly turn the light on and off 4. repurposing products instead of buying them new Learn more about how light pollution can harm ecosystems and how we can reduce it: https://www.erlijn.nl/link/scicomm.php?l=40840e810a (credit:  AYA images  on Shutterstock )

Sometimes dead animals end up on beaches, which turn out to have a lot of plastic in their stomachs. This is why this plastic ends up in their stomachs: - Plastic can look like food. For example, a plastic bag is seen as a jellyfish. - Plastic gets covered by real food. For example, larger fish eat fish that have already plastic in their bodies. - Plastic is invisible. For example, animals filtering plankton unintentionally filter microplastics as well. - Plastic can have characteristics that attract animals from eating them. Learn more about how plastic pollution affects marine animals: https://www.erlijn.nl/link/scicomm.php?l=c3299d5dba

Let's explore the world together without traveling: #Bamboo Forest in Kyoto, Japan Go for a virtual walk in different places around the world at my Xplore Nature YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@xplore-nature And make sure you subscribe so that you don't miss any future videos: https://www.erlijn.nl/link/subscribe  

This semester, I have taught a Masterclass at a German university about environmental sustainability. In the Masterclass, students studied a broad range of environmental issues and solutions. Also, they presented different topics to inspire others to take action toward a healthier planet. It was wonderful to see them grow! For example, many didn't realize before the Masterclass that environmental sustainability involves a lot more than just climate change and/or CO2 emissions. So this course was eye-opening for them! Also, they enjoyed learning about these many different topics, as they not only heard and read about it but also presented to other students about a topic of their choice and traveled the world virtually. With the feedback provided by all participants, they were even able to improve their presentation skills! And most importantly: every student was inspired to make changes in their daily life based on what they learned. For example, one student had already decided to f...

Apart from disastrous humanitarian consequences, wars also have disastrous consequences on the environment: - Biodiversity is for example affected when the massive use of artillery in battlefields leads to fires that damage vegetation and put wildlife in danger. These fires can for instance burn tiny creatures such as insects, that are in a deep sleep called anabiosis, together with the plants - Pollution is caused for example when oil and fuel spills from damaged equipment and leaks into the ground, threatening wildlife, both on land and in waterways - Climate change is fueled for example when waste management systems are disturbed, and for instance organic waste is burned in the open air instead of being disposed of properly Sadly, these environmental issues can result in a vicious cycle, as environmental issues can in turn trigger war. Learn more in this article: English version: https://www.erlijn.nl/link/scicomm.php?l=79f933814f German version: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/der-t...

Recently, my friends experienced something amazing! As I shared before, I go litter-picking with neighbors every week, sometimes in one group, sometimes in two smaller groups. One day, a man saw my friends picking up rubbish and cycled toward them to thank them. He appreciated our efforts so much that he gifted us €50! Tonight, we will celebrate the positive difference we are making with his kind gift during a joined dinner. (The picture shows this week's result.)

Coral bleaching is often discussed as a critical environmental issue. Do you know why? Many coral reefs around the world are currently bleaching due to warmer ocean water. Ocean water is getting warmer due to huge amounts of CO2 emissions caused by burning fossil fuels. Bleaching is critical as it means corals are dying. When they die, this has many consequences. For example, corals are among the most diverse ecosystems on Earth, providing a habitat for many marine species. When they die, this affects many other species! Also, corals store a lot of carbon, which is released back into the environment when they die, causing CO2 levels to increase even further. That is why - apart from reducing CO2 emissions - it is important to protect coral reefs for example by planting new corals! In my latest Xplore Nature YouTube video, I'll show you: I'll take you on a super exciting virtual dive over a coral reef restoration site in Bali, Indonesia! With an optional guided tour in the subti...

Some parts of The Netherlands are below sea level. That is why this country became very good at getting water out of the country as fast as possible. But with climate change, this strategy is becoming counterproductive! Due to droughts, it is becoming more and more important to keep water in the country. This is possible for example by allowing rivers to meander instead of making them flow in a straight line. Also, reservoirs can be built. We can even build reservoirs at home to capture rainwater! It's very simple: we can lead water flowing down the drainpipe into a container instead of letting it flow into the sewer. If you already capture rainwater, how do you use the water? And if not, how would you use it if you had one?

Virtual travel is an excellent way to explore more of the world than we would normally have time for. Here you can for example see waterfalls in Laos. Would you like to explore the world virtually as well? I share beautiful nature walks on my Xplore Nature YouTube channel for you to enjoy. Check them out at https://www.youtube.com/@xplore-nature. And learn more about sustainable tourism here: https://www.erlijn.nl/link/scicomm.php?l=8b991f55a9

You know why I have faith that we will manage to transform into a sustainable society? Because of what happened in the last about 2 decades: When I was a teenager, smoking was considered cool and acceptable in our society. People were allowed to smoke inside and we were used to it being that way. But slowly, over time, this changed, as today, it is very uncool to smoke. And smoking inside public buildings is prohibited (at least in Germany and The Netherlands).  So what happened? Our mindset slowly shifted. No one noticed this gradual shift, but looking back, the difference is significant. And when you look closely, this is shift is also happening related to living environmentally friendly. So my prediction: if it is not already the case, it will be normal to take care of our planet - and a loser if you don't! And this mindset has many advantages. Here I explain why:  https://www.erlijn.nl/link/scicomm.php?l=c31966b440 An environmental protection mentality helps us make greene...

Currently, about 40% of the households in Germany intend to adopt smart meter technology. A smart meter is a device we need in the renewable energy transition, as it allows us to be integrated into the grid when we produce electricity with solar panels. But it has more advantages. It is for example fun to interact with our home's energy system and it helps us to reduce energy by providing feedback about energy use throughout the day. Learn more about what inspires these 40% to adopt smart meter technology: https://medium.com/@ErlijnG/3-factors-that-inspire-to-start-using-a-smart-meter-3fa8aed103a7 We can have different reasons for using a smart meter (credit: Monkey Business Images on Shutterstock)

Earlier this week, I had a wonderful conversation with Adriaan Buys, PhD. He is founder of Conservation Mag, a magazine focused on the importance of wildlife and educating people about the crucial role that animals and nature have in our lives. We discussed several environmental topics, including climate change and biodiversity, and the interconnectedness of environmental issues and solutions. Also, we discussed positive ways to inspire change. For example, I provided insights into the importance of individual actions and motivation from within for having a positive impact on the environment. Here you can watch our conversation and we'd love you to join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments: https://youtu.be/cbH-c-PRmkI Conversation Mag homepage: https://conservationmag.org

Yes, I admit it: many years ago, I found reusable shopping bags on wheels old-fashioned and a bit ridiculous and I'm now using one myself! That's because I have changed my opinion: I feel that using them is cool because causing unnecessary waste is uncool! Also, I can put an additional bag in it without having to remind myself to bring one, which I can use over and over again as well. Here I explain when a plastic or a paper bag is the better choice: https://medium.com/@ErlijnG/6-factors-influencing-whether-a-paper-or-plastic-bag-is-the-better-choice-97a609adf3b5?sk=v2%2Ff88a20a8-2b57-4059-a0e9-bb94b1c372ce

Riddle: Who do you think I am? - When I go to work or to a shop, I travel about 21-28 km/h (15-20 mph); when I return home from shopping, my speed is about 17 km/h (12 mph). - I prefer visiting the same type of shop when I go shopping, even more so when I live in a city. In that case, I also stay longer in the same shop than when I live in rural areas. - If the summer is too hot or cold, I may not be able to buy enough food for the winter time. - Varroa mites like me - unfortunately. - I love flowers! When you add your answer in the chat, I'll like it when it is correct. If you don't know the answer yet, these articles I wrote will help you find the answer: https://www.erlijn.nl/link/scicomm.php?l=38225e9fa3 https://www.erlijn.nl/link/scicomm.php?l=bd5d1c2aa1

I have a kettle at home, which allows me to set the temperature. I use this feature every day to save energy and because boiling water for tea to 100°C (212°F) doesn't make sense: I would have to wait for the water to cool down again before I can drink it. While this device was more expensive than a simpler kettle, I was curious how soon this investment pays off. So, I did some calculations: Let's assume I boil 1 liter of water a day at 70°C (158°F) instead of 100°C (212°F). Heating the water 30°C less (54°F less) requires 125.4 kJ less energy, which is equivalent to 0.035 kWh less electricity a day. Or 12.81 kWh less electricity a year. Assuming the electricity price is €0.48 per kWh, this equals to €6.15 a year. Assuming the kettle was €20 more expensive than a simpler design, it just takes 3 years and 3 months for the investment to be worth it. Conclusion: investing in a kettle with a temperature setting is worth it not only because it saves energy, but is also cheaper in th...

I very much enjoy exploring the world without traveling, by looking at gorgeous pictures like this one of the Nine Arches bridge, Sri Lanka and by going on virtual walks on my Xplore Nature YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@xplore-nature. I love it so much because it gives me the chance to see different places without polluting the environment. And it fits within my busy schedule, without wasting time when queuing at the airport, etc. And as I stay at home, I'm still able to see family and friends and join my sports lessons. Just to name a few. And I made it easy: I just pick my favorite destination on this interactive map and off I go: https://www.sustainabledecisions.eu/xplore-nature#video-map  

I'm very grateful about these kind words by Joshua Christopherson about my book "A Guide to a Healthier Planet": "This book is full of fascinating facts about nature and sustainability. We can all take action and build a healthier planet together. This author inspires true change." You can find more reviews here: https://www.sustainabledecisions.eu/guide-to-a-healthier-planet And have a wonderful weekend!

What if you have wonderful neighbors who gift you a lot of wool leftovers? It made me very happy because I can use it to crochet. During the Christmas break, I for example made this cute octopus! 💚 (Octopuses have many fascinating characteristics, such as 9 brains. Learn more: https://medium.com/the-environment/3-eye-popping-characteristics-of-octopuses-that-inspire-modern-technology-19931a9e42ef ) What leftovers (your own or your neighbors') can you put to good use? Maybe not wool, but wood, food, etc. instead?

Yesterday, I watched this fascinating YouTube video about whale-falls. A whale-fall is the event of a dead whale sinking to the bottom of the ocean after having exploded. Sounds a bit creepy, but I found it fascinating because it shows the different stages of life (yes life!) that follow this event. Such an event can even bring forth new species! This is one of the many reasons why these giants are so important for our world and need to be protected. I also explain these reasons in more detail in this article: https://medium.com/@ErlijnG/world-changers-4-reasons-why-whales-and-their-poop-are-important-59377db7a1e3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxSUsn8H2zs

Misinformation in unfortunately common in environmental communication. For example, this reasoning contains a fallacy called "straw man fallacy", which occurs when someone misrepresents or distorts their opponent's argument to make it easier to attack or dismiss: "They keep banging on about how the warming of the atmosphere causes rising sea levels, but if that was happening we’d have seen it by now! It’s been countless decades since they first started predicting this, but here we still are." In this case, the argument misrepresents the scientific consensus on climate change by suggesting that because the predicted impacts haven't been immediately observed, the entire claim about the link between warming atmosphere and rising sea levels is invalid. Learn more about climate change denial and how to deal with misinformation and fallacies: https://medium.com/climate-conscious/shocked-by-climate-change-denial-how-to-deal-with-misinformation-4aefff91c232

Hi there! I'm a mealworm. I may not be sexy, but I'm very helpful! I can help you getting rid of plastic by eating it: 0.23 mg (0.0000081 ounces) of polyethylene per day! And when you eat me, I provide a lot of amino acids, essential vitamins, minerals, and fibers! Do you want to learn more about me? -> Here you can learn more about my plastic-digestion skills: https://medium.com/climate-conscious/5-plastic-eating-worms-3eace65e4bce -> Here you can learn more about me as "superfood": https://medium.com/climate-conscious/6-reasons-why-we-should-be-eating-farmed-insects-d512e658ad09

Did you know that olive trees don't produce similar numbers of fruits every year? This and other fascinating facts are explained in this fascinating guided tour through an olive orchard in Tuscany, Italy! Don't miss it: https://youtu.be/HBbUny_7aWE