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#WISDOMWEDNESDAY WITH LOOP - JANUARY '25
New Year, New Format!
January '25 | Vol. 1
The Weight of Our World: Taking Stock of Our Manmade Planet of "Things"
Source: biocubes.net by Brice Ménard and Nikita Shtarkman
In the early 1900s, human-made materials weighed around 35 billion tons, a mere 3% of the Earth's biomass. Fast forward to today, and we're producing 30 billion tons of materials each year. That's (nearly) each person on Earth accumulating their own weight in stuff every week! If this trend continues, human-made materials could triple the mass of all living things by 2040 (click on image above to watch the video).
Imagine a world where our creations outnumber trees, animals, and even bacteria. It's like living in a sci-fi movie, but without the cool special effects. This explosion of stuff is a wake-up call for us to be more mindful of our consumption. After all, do we really need another plastic trinket or fast-fashion outfit?
You can now visualize this impact through the recent infographics by Brice Ménard, a physicist at Johns Hopkins University, and Nikita Shtarkman, a computer scientist and graphic artist, at biocubes.net. Their work shows the staggering amount of manmade materials compared to natural biomass, using cubes to represent the volume of each category. It's a powerful way to see just how much we've created and the importance of making sustainable choices.
At Loop Swim, we're turning the tide on waste by transforming post-consumer plastic into stylish, sun-protective swimwear for women, men, and kids. By choosing Loop Swim, you're not just getting a great swimsuit; you're also helping to reduce the mountain of manmade materials on our planet. ♻️
January '25 | Vol. 2
Global Responsibility and Local Actions: Green Resolutions for a Green Revolution in 2025
As we step into 2025, we are confronted with a series of climate change disasters that underscore the urgent need for action. The New Year's Day floods in England and Wales, the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, the severe floods in Brazil's Vale do Aço region, and the drought in Somalia are not isolated incidents. They are impacting communities around the globe, highlighting the widespread and severe consequences of climate change.
Our first #WisdomWednesday post of the year served as a reminder of the immense impact of our consumption habits on the planet, where the weight of everything we have ever made now far exceeds the biomass on it. These recent climate disasters serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address these issues. The global north significantly contributes to climate change through high levels of consumption. The reliance on cars and lack of sustainable transport options in cities like Los Angeles exacerbates greenhouse gas emissions, worsening climate change and leading to disasters like the ongoing wildfires.
A Wake-Up Call
The economic and environmental impacts of these disasters are profound. In Los Angeles, the wildfires have not only destroyed homes but also strained emergency services and disrupted local economies, razing entire communities. In Brazil, the floods have displaced communities, destroyed infrastructure, and highlighted the vulnerability of urban areas to extreme weather events. The drought in Somalia, exacerbated by the La Niña weather pattern, is expected to worsen, leading to further agricultural challenges and food insecurity. These events underscore the need for resilient infrastructure and sustainable practices to mitigate future risks.
It is crucial to approach these issues with empathy and solidarity. Recognizing the human and environmental costs of our consumption habits is the first step towards meaningful change. Imagine the amount we accumulate when people deem a call for donations as an opportunity to get rid of their unwanted junk. Volunteers at LA wildfire donation centers are taking to Instagram to plead for meaningful contributions, as useless donations are burdening centers and turning them into landfills.
🌱 Let's use these disasters as a wake-up call to act and build resilience against future climate challenges. Los Angeles has pledged to host the greenest Olympics in 2028 by going carless (venues will only be accessible by public transport) and building no new structures for the games. This commitment includes introducing 3,000 new electric buses, strengthening the rail network to ensure a transit-first Games, and aiming to achieve net-zero emissions during the Olympics. This sets a precedent for sustainability event planning.
