In the fairly near future, unsustainably large populations, increased urbanization, resource constraints and the threat of snowballing climate change will cause cities to take on a shape we can hardly imagine today.

Cities take decades to grow and develop into their final form. Once this has been achieved, it is very difficult and expensive to make any sweeping changes to their configuration. London today would look very different today if it hadn’t been for the Great Fire of 1666, while Detroit has recently demolished over 10,000 structures in the name of urban renewal. Without such drastic actions taking place, the built environment of 2020 will seem much the same as that of today, unless we’re talking about new cities planned from the ground up, such as Brasilia and reportedly carbon neutral Xiongan in China.

These changes are coming, though, however incrementally. What specific form they’ll take is a matter of speculation, but this is always fun and sometimes quite illuminating.

A New Model for Urban Transport

One of the greatest sources of frustration and wastes of time in city life is simply getting from point A to point B. New York famously has the same average traffic speed today as it did before the introduction of the Ford Model T.

Whether this situation is eventually resolved through flying cars, hoverboards, Elon Musk’s underground tunnels or simply increased adoption of telecommuting using virtual reality, we may expect to see a greater consolidation of bulk public transport and individual vehicles to cover the final mile or three. The gadgets shown on The Electric Rider may soon be as common as pigeons, once dedicated road space is set aside for them.

Urban Gardens and Green Walls

Plants in the built environment have a number of advantages: they reduce air pollution, reduce the ambient temperature and can even be used to purify water through phytofiltration. Not only that, they’re also pretty and relaxing to be around.

One way to take advantage of this is to add a growing medium and irrigation system to building walls – this looks fantastic, saves on cooling and heating costs and doesn’t require any square footage to be set aside. Another option is to establish more traditional, horizontal green spaces, even within the most densely utilized parts of a city. Havana is probably the best contemporary example of this (if not particularly futuristic in other ways). Residents grow vegetables and other plants on nearly every spare plot of land within the city, often using organic methods and supplying a huge proportion of the local food requirements.

Other Improvements

Solar powered LED streetlights can already be found in Los Angeles and several other cities. As photovoltaic panels and batteries keep getting cheaper and more efficient, we may well see entire roofscapes devoted to electricity generation. Intra-city logistics may become simplified by using drones and underground pneumatic tubes for deliveries, while psychology will increasingly influence the design of buildings and utilities. Instead of just trying our best to navigate the concrete jungle, we may soon be interacting with cities that digitally anticipate our needs.

A few of these coming changes will certainly affect at least some people negatively. The best we can hope for is perhaps that environmental concerns will, for once, weigh more heavily with local officials than short-term convenience.

When I’m out with friends, or family it doesn’t take long for everyone to start talking about the weather. Once the conversation gets underway the chances are, we end up on the subject of climate change. In general, we always talk about how hot (or cold) it’s been, and how the seasons are all messed up. The thing is, we’re forgetting one element of the weather that can really cause us humans a problem, and that’s the level of humidity we’re exposed to.

This may come as a surprise to you, but I guess that’s because we’re more concerned with how uncomfortable it is to sweat. In fact, for me, there’s nothing worse than having my hair stick to my face, and my pants stick to my legs! Plus, should we really be worried about it? Well, have a read below and make your own mind up.

We’re all Natural Air-Conditioners

Some of you reading this may remember the summer of 1995 when an unexpected heatwave hit Chicago. The people of this great city experienced temperatures in excess of 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and unfortunately over 730 people lost their lives. Now, we can be forgiven for thinking things like heat stroke caused these deaths, but it seems there’s a deadlier killer to look out for in the form of humidity.

We sweat so we can cool our bodies, and when humidity levels rise, we’re not able to do this as efficiently (if at all in the wrong conditions). This is because there is far more water in the air, and that stops surface sweat from being able to evaporate. The result can be lethargy which is something we’ve all experienced. However, at it’s worst it will cause organs to fail, result in sickness and could even end-up killing you!

Putting the Danger Into Perspective

If you’re having trouble understanding this issue as being one of the reasons to reduce humidity levels, let me run these facts by you. If you experience a temperature of say, 92f with a relative humidity of 40%, the real feel temperature is about 94f. However, if the relative humidity level is say, 90% the real feel is a massive 131f! If you’re interested in knowing how to study the level of humidity, have a go at testing the “wet-bulb” temperature.

Know the Levels you can Cope With

Many studies have been carried out in lab conditions, and it’s been determined that once the wet-bulb temperature reaches just under 90f, people will begin to suffer. That said, many people would start to display symptoms of intense discomfort before this. What’s even more worrying is scientists have predicted that by the 2070’s we will have to live with levels like this for up to 2 days per year. In places like North Eastern India, this rises to between 3 and 5 days. This is more than likely because it’s so densely populated. But, if you live in the South Eastern part of America, you run the risk of displaying the symptoms mentioned above.

What can be Done?

Well, you could be one of those people who thinks your grandkids will sort it all out, and why should you worry because you won’t be here in 50 years from now. Or, you could take these statistics seriously and start to think about your own carbon footprint. Sure, there will be artificial cooling systems around, and they’re likely to be more advanced. However, do you really want future generations facing a life indoors for fear of losing their lives by going outdoors at certain times of the year? The answer is probably no, so doing something about the problem now is the most sensible approach. We can’t turn back time, but we can make sure climate change doesn’t become any worse by reducing harmful greenhouse gases.

However, one thing we all seem to be forgetting is the act of flying. Climbing on a plane to visit a country across the other side of the globe isn’t something that phases many people these days. In fact, we all talk about how the planet is a much smaller place than it once was which is largely due to the accessibility to airplanes, but how damaging is this to the world around us?
The Facts About air Travel and Climate Change

Ok, how damaging flying is to the atmosphere isn’t an easy one to put into a few words. On one side we have the airlines who want us to continue flying, and on the other we have experts who want us to stop. This results in some very confusing statistics. That said, they are there if you look for them and it doesn’t make good reading.

For instance, if you were to take a return flight to Asia it would contribute as much in the way of greenhouse gases as driving every day for 12 months. Something else to consider is that the pollution being produced is up in the air rather on the ground. Think of it as injecting a pain killer straight into the bloodstream instead of taking it orally. Overall, flying is bad for the environment whichever way you look at it.

We all Deserve a Vacation

It’s true that many of us work hard all year round, and that annual vacation is something we look forward to immensely. But, if you really want to try and reduce the amount of pollution you’re responsible for, you should think about the way in which you reach your dream destination.

We’re always being told driving is bad (and it is) but, as demonstrated in the words above it’s the lesser of two evils. If you can, drive to your destination instead. You could also consider other modes of transport like train or bus. All these methods produce less pollution than flying. If you’re confused over what to do this year instead of jetting off to a Caribbean beach, read on!

The new way Forward – Microadventures!

If you’ve never heard the term “microadventure” before, you’re not alone. After all, my word processor doesn’t even have it in the dictionary! For me, this is the way forward in terms of vacationing without adding to the wows our atmosphere is having to deal with. But, what is it?

Well, first of all, we can thank a British man by the name of Alastair Humphreys for this new concept in vacationing. The idea is that we choose a destination close to home, and spend the night out under the stars. For those of you who don’t like the idea of not having a roof over your head, take a look here at Tents and Camp Gear.

Other Reasons to Consider a Microadventure

This type of trip is becoming increasingly more popular with people who lead busy working lives, or have children. The way it works means short trips, less expense (if any for the seasoned participants) and you can choose to cycle rather than burn more fossil fuel. It also allows us to get back to nature which I think is incredibly important for the younger generation.

If time and money is an issue, you could even consider having a night out in your own garden. The kids will love this just because it’s something different and therefore exciting. What could be more fun than building a fire (safely of course), toasting some marshmallows and sitting around telling stories. It doesn’t matter where you are really.

Have fun and Look After our Planet

Eco-friendly vacations are the future, and I’ll bet that if you think about how much you’ve explored your local area, you’ll find there’s a lot more to do than you thought!

There are plenty of ways that you can help to preserve the integrity of the environment from starting your own backyard compost to reducing the amount of energy your home uses on a regular basis. Not only is cutting back on electricity use a phenomenal way to prevent the pollution of Earth, but it can also help you to save an insurmountable amount of money at the end of each month.

The best part about using these 5 tips to your advantage is that it’s a lot easier than you could imagine. There’s no need to completely uproot your life and revolutionize the way you live. All you have to do is make a couple of smart choices and you’ll be well on your way to contributing to a healthier and happier planet.

Use Small Appliances for Multiple Tasks

There are dozens of different types of small appliances that you can find from department stores in your area, but did you know that some small appliances can give you more than one use? What’s the point of purchasing a food processor, a blender such as Ninja’s top model, and a snowcone machine when you can have all 3 in one convenient unit? When you’re shopping for certain small appliances it’s important to determine whether they will serve multiple purposes.

A great example would be to choose a coffee maker that also focuses on producing regular hot water and espresso as well as a regular cup of Joe. You won’t have the need for a separate kettle or espresso machine, as you’ll essentially have an all-in-one appliance. This will help you to cut back on the amount of used space in your kitchen as well.

Install Energy Efficient Lightbulbs

You would be surprised to learn about the sheer amount of electricity the lightbulbs in your home use on a regular basis, especially if you haven’t made the switch to energy efficient lightbulbs. There are plenty of different types of bulbs you can find in your local hardware store that are adaptable to ceiling fixtures, bedside table lamps, and even fluorescent lighting. Governments have even started rolling out rebate programs where you can save up to half of the cost of an energy efficient lightbulb with the use of a special coupon.

These bulbs are designed to consume far less energy but to also give you the perfect amount of light to keep your home bright during the night time. Plus, they have a more appealing hue than your average everyday bulb.

Choose Energy Efficient Appliances

Whether you’re moving into a new home or if you’re buying new appliances for your existing property, take the time to think about energy efficient appliances. In all honesty, the majority of manufacturers only create appliances that consume less energy than their past models. These appliances are either designed to cut back on energy use for every operational mode or they will also offer an “eco-friendly” mode that consumes less electricity.

Either way, you’re given the opportunity to cut back on regular operating costs and your environmental impact.

Regularly Turn Off Lights

As another easy way to help the environment, all you have to do is make sure all of the lights in your home are turned off when they should be. Think about it – there’s no point to having a light on in a room that no one is in. Plus, there’s no point in having lights on at night while everyone is asleep. By making it a habit to regularly turn lights off when you leave a room, you’re going to cut back on an insurmountable level of energy consumption.

Saving the planet is something that you can easily do from home and it’s as simple as making sure you cut back on your energy consumption. By following these 5 simple steps, you’ll be doing your part in creating a healthier environment for future generations.

Wood is a natural resource that is abundant in plenty of homes, junk shops, and garbage bins alike – and in being so, people can easily use it to make eco-friendly and sustainable projects by reusing these pieces of wood. Not only does aged wood have more character, recycling old wood reduces YOUR carbon footprint: and from someone else’s waste, too!

See, trees with tall trunks usually are the ones chopped for fine quality wood and lumber. Particular circumstances makes for a fully-grown tree to collapse and die – which makes it ideal for people to cut off good quality wood to make projects with. Apart from that, the same is true for discarded wood from recycling centers – recycling wood is a much better way to reuse it sustainably rather than burning it away.

So if you are interested to learn woodworking, and reduce your carbon footprint in doing so, what better way to do so than recycling old wood to do so? And this is where we come in – because we’ve got a list of 8 easy projects for novices in woodworking to begin their journey into craftsmanship using recyclable wood.

4. A Firm Headboard

Most of the middle-class houses don’t have money to afford a bed with planked cushion for headboards. But from wood easily a headboard can be created with a simple idea. Either you can pick a single wood or combinations of wood to make a headboard in an elegant way. Just measure the size of your bed and work on the headboard with same size and width to bring out your super cool headboard. You can add cushions for added comfort when you sleep, or else enjoying the same wooden feel will quietly do well.

5. Wooden Spoons

You can make this is a simple way. It is so easy to make rather than other things. You need to take a small piece of wood and carve them to get a proper spoon space after then you should smooth the wood to use that spoon even for eating breakfast in your home. The spoons are the best idea for making something far useful for our daily life.

6. Dress And Coat Hangers

You can take a bar of wood and add some hard nails into it to create a vintage dress hanging rack for your home. You can hang all your dresses or even sweaters on it to make it look more natural. The dress hanger is quite easy to make as well as it is easy to cut a bar of wood. The bar of wood which you are cutting can be of any creative shapes which you have imagined. If you have some experience in woodworking, then you may agree that a chopsaw is the best tool for this job.

7. Handy Food Or Beverage Serving Trays

It is very meek to make because your cut for the tray is same for a vegetable cutter with a curved or holed edges to handle the tray. The handles can be raised ones or even holed ones to suit your comfortablity. It is very easy to make a self-made serving tray which all your guests will get stunned at. The serving tray can be made even from the wasted pieces of wood to make it more exquisite.

8. Plant Boxes For Your Plant Buddies

You need to construct a box just like a coffin but in a bigger size to make a simple backyard garden in your concrete house. If there is no space for your house to plant trees or shrubs you can create a small box which can be used for planting multiple little plants which can be used for cooking.

These are just some of the ideas which you can do as homemade projects in a simple way – and curb your own footprint in the process. A good deal, no? We dare say yes.

Let’s not make any bones about it – sleep is the most important thing to regulate bodily functions. And far too often, we don’t get enough of the sleep our bodies crave. See, sleep is an absolutely essential part of our daily lives in order for us to have the energy and constitution to do daily tasks. On average, every single human sleeps for one-third of his or her life. Without proper sleep, our body cannot perform actively. To make yourself healthy and fit you need to have some 8 hours of sleep every single day – but that’s just the beginning. We have 8 more ways in order for you to get better sleep right away, and in a manner that lessens the impact some of the solutions out in the market today have on the environment.

1. First Things First: A Proper Bedroom Setup

If you don’t have a bed doesn’t worry because it is not the bed which provides you proper sleep. For proper sleep, you need a comfortable place which can help your body to relax in an effective way. The place which you are sleeping must be wide enough to keep your legs and hands wide apart. A well setup bedroom can induce good sleeping habits within individuals immensely.

2. Good Air Quality And Circulation

The place where you are sleeping must have quality air content. Don’t lock all the windows and doors when you are sleeping. It is very important for you to stay in a place which has got good air circulation. The air circulation can help you to breathe properly and provoke you to sleep better in a just some minutes.

3. The Perfect Mattress

A mattress is very important when you are staying in cold temperature. Purchase the right mattress which your body needs for. Some of the best mattresses can help you to sleep better in a short span of time. A mattress which you are using must not be an allergic one. It must have easy cleaning techniques. Some cotton mattresses are best because they absorb the heat of the body as well as they help in making our body temperature normal. People can try organic cotton or some fine cotton for mattresses.

Another option of course are memory foam mattresses, they are all the rage nowadays. These are not allergic, but the foam technology which has been used in the mattress must have proper air flow to get good posture and support for sleeping, as per the mattress reviews by Foam Nights.

4. Increase Oxygen With Plants In Your Room

Some of the plants inside the house can help you to sleep in a better way. Some of these include jasmine, aloe vera, lavendar, gardenia, English ivy, spider plants, lilies, and valerians; these are just some of the many plants that can be used to help promote better sleep. These plants have a natural medicinal quality which helps our body to sleep peacefully without any disturbances, apart from releasing oxygen that helps humans to sleep.

6. Keep Good Sleeping Hygiene (And Make Your Bedroom An Electronics-Free Zone)

Keep all your electronic devices outside your sleeping arena. Even try to keep mobile phones at the safest distance to stay away from powerful radiations which can spoil your sleep. Try to keep an alarm clock to wake you up in the morning because alarm in the mobile phone can spoil your sleep. Don’t watch television or peep into your electronic gadgets before you sleep. Try to avoid electronic items before 2 hours of sleep. Making all these at regular times can help you to sleep better and wake up better.

7. Dabble In Aromatherapy

It is proved that some of the scents can induce sleeping in a calm way. People have gotten good sleep from using aromatherapy with oils such as lavendar, frankincense, vetiver, cedarwood, sandalwood, patchouli, bergamot, and orange. By using these oils you can easily turn your bedroom or sleeping room into a powerful sleeping cave.

8. Adjust Your Body Clock

The body needs 8 hours of sleep for an average person. Try to fall asleep for on a certain time and wake up on a certain time. If you keep on practicing this for a period of one or two months, your body will get adjusted to the body clock and help you to sleep in better ways. It is very important for people to maintain body clocks which are very good for getting a proper sleep.

Better sleep doesn’t have to mean investing in air cleaners, air conditioning, noise generators, and the like; all you need is good sleeping hygiene, a great mattress, and a well-thought of setup. Sweet dreams!

There will be many lifestyle changes when a person decides that he will do environmentally safe things when it comes to grooming – fortunately, it’s not that hard to do so. One can enjoy the benefits of proper grooming while being environmentally conscious at the same time; and isn’t it high time that we all started to consider the effects of our actions to the environment, even in a mundane task such as grooming?

Well, we’ve got just the rundown for you; here are 10 ways you could do so.

1. Opt for a Long-Lasting Razor

Disposable razors produce a lot of waste in terms of carbon footprint – one need look only at the exorbitant amounts of plastic used to produce them. And this is mainly because making of plastic demands fossil fuels. Along with packing even the razor handle is plastic. There are other environment friendly approaches to do this. One can go for a straight razor which lasts longer, just like Manly Matters says right here. When this is used, there will not be less waste produced and it will result in a closer, tighter shave.

2. Lather with a Natural Brush

When it comes to lathering one can opt for natural brushes. There are many quality products in this. These will lead to shaving a more and more relaxing experience.

4. Go for Quality Blades

Better to go for best quality blades which will last longer. There are products today which will last for even 150 additional shaves. So, rather going for cheap products which must be changed frequently, go for great quality products that will last you longer. This will save you more money over the long run, and at the same time reduce your wastage.

5. Read the Fine Print on Grooming Products

When choosing soaps for daily use, it is better to look at the ingredients used. This is important to maintain healthy skin as well as to go green. There are products available which are made of 100 percent organic and packed using materials which are 100 percent recycled. Even these small things will make large difference to nature.

6. Go Organic

Buy products made out of organic materials rather than alcohols – they may cost you a bit more, but they are so much better for the environment. Otherwise, why not consider making your own organic shampoo and soap? That’s the perfect way to get your grooming products cheap, and make sure that only the best ingredients were made out of making it.

7. Avoid Products that are Known to Be Toxic

There are number of aftershave products are available in the market today. Manufacturing processes of these products may involve things which are toxic to the environment. Many aftershave products are full of chemicals. Moreover aftershaves which are alcohol based can make skin dry and some users may feel irritation.

8. Only Use the Water that You Need

One more bad habit when it comes to using water is that while washing, shaving, and brushing many people allow the tap to run.

9. Be Economical with Resources

This should be avoided. One can use basin for their grooming activities. Otherwise even if they are conscious while using the water that is more than enough. Between the activities one must remember to shut off the tap. Even these small conservation can help in saving lot of water.

10. Shave Every Other Week

It is not compulsory to shave every day for all men. It has become a fashion to skip a shave at least once a week. Along with saving water, this will save time as well.

Besides, isn’t it high time we think about what world we are leaving to the next generation? Donald Trump may not care about the environment, but that doesn’t mean YOU shouldn’t, too.

Check out these 12 simple ways you could at a drop of a hat:

1. Find The Shortest Distance From Point A To Point B

When destination has been decided it is important to find the shortest flight path to that destination. This is the first thing which will help in reducing the carbon footprint. Once should either go for path with less stop overs or still better option is to find the direct flight to the destination.

2. Pick The Closest Destination, If You Can’T Find The Shortest Distance

If the traveler is still in a state of confusion between to destinations, pick the closest one. This will help in reducing carbon emissions.

3. Opt For Ride Sharing Applications For Transportation In Your Destination

Once the traveler is in the destination and from there he is ready to go for a sightseeing or to local markets then some travel is necessary. At this point when he chooses to go by taxi or Uber then he can check for other people or travelers with whom he can share the travel. This way will help in cutting both cost and carbon emissions.

4. Go To Ecotourism Destinations

It is better to spend the weekends with nature. By choosing natural attractions one can reduce the carbon emissions rather choosing activities which involve machines. They can choose hiking or visiting a beach or any other natural options. Furthermore, you get to support local businesses and participate indirectly in building a better travel experience while helping natives support themselves and protect their environment.

5. Support The Local Industries

Whenever possible traveler should opt for local products and produce. He should avoid packed foods. Through this he can enjoy the local culture.

6. Stay For A While Instead Of Hopping To And From

It is better to plan a longer travel. Flying back and forth will increase the carbon emissions. So, plan properly and stay for long to reduce the carbon footprints.

7. For Short Distances, Consider Traveling On Foot Or On Bicycle

When it comes to reducing carbon footprint, it will be better to choose the less wheeled vehicles. Trade for lesser wheels. For example trade for trading taxi for a 2 wheeler or choosing foot. This will help in reducing the carbon footprint.

8. Drink Tap Water Whenever You Can (And Only If You Are Sure It’S Clean)

If the destination ha s good quality of tap water then choose that rather bottled water. Before starting the travel it is better to do a research on safe drinking water in that area. If it is safe to drink tap water there, then have some reusable bottle in the pocket. It is also important to bring back the bottle. Along with this, if that area has lots of coconut water then, go for it. It helps in reducing the carbon footprint.

9. Camp

If the area is comfortable for camping then it is better to choose that rather than opting to stay in a hotel – this supports reducing the carbon footprint. If you’re worried that you’ll be lugging around heavy camping equipment, fear not. Many sites online can provide you with options of luggage that pack a lot, while still remaining light enough for camping and hiking.

10. Use Natural Resources To Groom Yourself

For a shower choose waterfall if available; otherwise, be conscientious of how you use water and opt to be as economic as possible when you do.

11. Consume Environmentally Friendly Content

It is better to chill by reading a book in travelling rather reserving the time for smartphone looking at the instagram.

12. Calculate Your Estimated Carbon Footprint Before You Travel

One can also use a carbon footprint calculator which helps in calculating the carbon emissions throughout the travel. So, after every travel one can calculate this and it will help in reducing the carbon footprint on your next trip.

If there is a will, there is a way – and there is a way you can, right now. What are you waiting for?