Parenting Through a Pandemic: Perspectives from a Working Mom
The pandemic is reshaping the notion of work-life balance, there is no perfect or simple solution. In trying to figure out how to begin the long journey back to a sense of normalcy at home and at work, I’m revisiting some of the things that (used to) work for me. How can I prioritize? Where can I improve?
What is the Blue Economy?
The Blue Economy was first introduced by Prof. Gunter Pauli in 2004 when he published his book, The Blue Economy, which featured a plan on how to connect seemingly disparate environmental concerns to turn “scarcity to abundance.”
What Are Oxybenzone and Octinoxate, and Why Are They in Our Oceans?
Sunscreens are amazing. They shield us from harmful UV rays, keep us from getting sunburned, and help prevent skin cancer. So why, in summer of last year, did the state of Hawaii ban more than 3,500 sunscreens from even entering the islands?
Career Journeys: Urban Planning and Sustainability
My journey to the field of urban planning has been a circuitous one. From a very young age, I always imagined myself helping society, especially the underprivileged, and improving their quality of life. Growing up in India, I witnessed overcrowded streets teeming with litter and extreme poverty daily. I remember meandering through gridlocked traffic on foot to school after a heavy rain with public pathways flooded up to my shins—which, at the time, I thought was standard.
Making Smarter, More Resilient Cities
In August 2018, FirstCarbon Solutions (FCS), an ADEC Innovation, helped sponsor the Sister Cities International (SCI) Annual Conference held in Aurora, Colorado. Since 1956, SCI has fostered global relationships between communities around the world based on the exchange of culture, education, information, and trade. SCI’s 62nd Annual Conference celebrated “Cities Leading the Way”, fostering discussion around how the Sister Cities initiative can help modernize local communities.
How and Why to Give Back This Holiday Season
The holidays are fast approaching, and in many cultures, this is the season for spending time with loved ones—and the season for giving. What better way to spread the holiday cheer in your community than by giving back?
Taking Action: Climate Change and Tourism
Few industries are as complexly intertwined with the causes and effects of climate change as tourism. Tourism is a resource-intensive industry, and its components, including transportation and hospitality, contribute to the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions which are driving climate change.
Case Studies for Cycling Culture
Pursuing green alternatives to driving can seem daunting, but normalizing green transportation, specifically biking, can be beneficial not only for individuals, but for the environment as a whole.
The Effects of Global Wildfires
In 2018, California experienced some of the largest wildfires in its history. The evidence is clear that climate change is altering the frequency and extent of wildfires worldwide.
Lessons from Working at Home
Particularly for those living or working in urban areas, rush-hour gridlock is one of the most obvious forms of environmental degradation in our everyday lives.
California’s Emissions Target Success – A Global Context
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced on July 11, 2018, that the state has met its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets four years before the target year of 2020.
3 Easy Steps Toward a Zero-Waste Home
The world has a waste problem. And of the 1.3 billion tons of waste produced globally each year, the United States is responsible for 254 million tons of it—nearly 20%, despite making up only about 5% of the global population. The World Bank estimates this to be about 5.6 pounds per person per day, or just over 2000 pounds per person per year.
4 Ways Sister Cities are Connecting Global Communities
Chances are, you have seen signs around your city declaring a relationship with a ‘Sister City’ on the other side of the globe. It sounds important, but what is a Sister City, and how do these relationships work in practice?
Fine-tuning the Thermostat Saved 25% in Heating Costs
After too many complaints about an overheated sleep under a duvet, especially in a hotel where the duvet guarantees the worst sleep ever from being too hot with it and then too cold without it, this became an opportunity to conserve energy. I saved more than 25% on heating costs from the same time last February by fine-tuning the programmable thermostat using the duvet as a guide.
There’s More to Offer: FirstCarbon Solutions is Now ADEC Innovations
We are excited to announce that FirstCarbon Solutions’ (FCS) ESG business line is now ADEC Innovations!
