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What a year! 2022 came over at speeding light, and with it, we learned together, explored new concepts and horizons, and gathered our minds to think of a more sustainable way to live our lives.&nbsp;Our twelfth edition of Diproinduca's Drawing Contest focused on the message of "Let's change", aligning again to the UN 2030 agenda, specifically to SDG #12 - Responsible Consumptions and Production. With this in mind, we discussed the impact human consumption patterns have on the ecosystem and how to become more conscious consumers in our <a href="https://contest.diproinduca.com/blog/become-part-of-the-generation-restoration?redirect_to=%2Fsearch%23become-part-of-the-generation-restoration">#GenerationRestoration</a> blog post in April.&nbsp;We learned that even what <a href="https://contest.diproinduca.com/blog/the-way-we-eat-and-dress-can-impact-the-environment?redirect_to=%2Fblog%3Flimit%3D9%26offset%3D0%23the-way-we-eat-and-dress-can-impact-the-environment">we eat and how we dress can affect the environment</a>, and we discussed how <a href="https://contest.diproinduca.com/blog/the-planet-needs-you-get-involved?redirect_to=%2Fblog%3Flimit%3D9%26offset%3D0%23the-planet-needs-you-get-involved">we can do more with less</a> to live more sustainably. Finally, we learned that the world needs you.&nbsp;We are thrilled to have you here, and we hope to continue having your support in 2023. So let's make changes together!&nbsp; &nbsp;<h1>Actions speak louder than words.</h1>This year you learned with us, you helped spread the word about the importance of becoming a conscious consumer, and hopefully, you also participated in the Drawing Contest. You are a superstar already! But remember, it is not just about big actions; it is about every action and how we can do more together. Here is a recap of the things you can do to become part of the Generation Restoration&nbsp;Goal 1: NO POVERTY&nbsp;Living in poverty looks different around the world. However, even when you don't see it, many people around you might be struggling to get by. Knowledge is power. Do some research and find out how and if your local government is helping those in need.&nbsp;Goal 2: ZERO HUNGERAsk your friends and family to find a local food bank and donate, or volunteer to work helping feed the vulnerable people in your community. Also, try to avoid food waste by reusing leftovers.&nbsp;Goal 3: GOOD HEALTH &amp; WELLBEINGGood health involves many things, which can differ from person to person. But in general, ensuring we have time and mental space to play, enjoy the outdoors, and exercise is crucial. Are there any parks near you? Ask your local park if they need any help or if they have any volunteering programmes to keep the park safe and clean. Preserving our green spaces is essential for the community's wellbeing.&nbsp;Goal 4: QUALITY EDUCATIONSome schools have access to all the necessary learning tools. Such as books, computers, and a clean and safe environment for all the pupils. However, this is only sometimes the case around the world. Find out with your parents if any school districts or local schools need books or resources and if you can help. Some may have charity drives or book donation wish lists available. Alternatively, find out if you can get involved with multinational organizations that help pupils in developing countries, <a href="https://worldslargestlesson.globalgoals.org/resource/become-a-climate-changemaker/ ">here</a>. &nbsp;Goal 5: GENDER EQUALITYBoys and girls are essentially the same; we are all humans. As such, we should all have access to education, health, and well-being. Equally, side by side, we can build better futures. Does your school offer the same opportunities for boys and girls? If not, why do you think this is? Can you foster equality at school? Discuss with your friends and family and find out how you can make this world more equal.&nbsp;Goal 6: CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION&nbsp;Carrying your own water bottle with a filtering system can always help you keep control of the quality of the water you consume when out and about. But also understanding where the water from the tab comes from and the possible side effects any pollutants can cause you.&nbsp;Goal 7: AFFORDABLE &amp; CLEAN ENERGYMake sure you and your family are energy efficient. By using newer technologies to monitor energy spend, adjust the thermostat and only use the water you need. Become a conscious energy consumer! And ask your parents to ensure that some of the energy used comes from renewable sources such as solar energy.&nbsp;Goal 8: DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTHStay informed. Read about workers in other countries and business practices. Talk to your friend and family about these issues. Can you help create an impact?&nbsp;Goal 9: INDUSTRY, INNOVATION, AND INFRASTRUCTUREDoes your school invest in clean and resilient infrastructure? That is using less harmful and recycled materials and providing safe, clean spaces for everyone. If not, why not? Discuss with friends and family and make your case.&nbsp;Goal 10: REDUCE INEQUALITIESRaise your voice against any discrimination in your school. Everyone is equal regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, social background and physical abilities.&nbsp;Goal 11: SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIESDoes your local community provide green spaces for you to bike and walk? Does it provide public transport? Save the car trips for when you've got a big group! And if you don't have these resources available, speak with your friends and family about writing a letter to your local government or council office.&nbsp;Goal 12: RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION&nbsp;Our central theme this year is that it connects to almost all the other sustainable goals. Becoming a conscious and sustainable consumer is the best thing you can do for the planet. For example, buying only the things you need and using only the water you need (don't leave the tap running) can have a big impact. Also, researching the raw materials, manufacturing process, and transport methods taken by the items you plan to buy can help you and your family make better decisions when buying from new.&nbsp;Goal 13: CLIMATE ACTIONSay no thanks to single-use plastic. Plastic is one of the biggest contaminants in the world, and according to a study, by 2050, there will be more plastic than fish in the world's oceans. Bring your own water bottle everywhere you go; try to consume fewer drinks in plastic bottle containers, bring your own utensils and say no to plastic lids and straws.&nbsp;Goal 14: LIFE BELOW WATEREvery little action can help, so a few small changes at home can significantly impact our oceans' health. Start by:Eating less meat: Meatless Mondays are a fun way to introduce less meat into your diet. There are many easy and delicious plant-based meals you can try every Monday.&nbsp;Use less energy at home: yes! Your parents are right! Make sure you turn off light bulbs and electronics when you are not using them.&nbsp;Goal 15: LIFE ON LANDAvoid using paper unnecessarily. Opt for cloth napkins when possible, use recycled paper or scarfs for gift wrapping, writing digitally (iPad, computer, etc.)&nbsp;Clean your local parks and forests*. Organize your own or join an existing clean-up event to sustain the ecosystem of your local green space. *pro tip from the UN website&nbsp;Don't use Palm Oil or products with Palm Oil. Unfortunately, palm oil is present in many foods we eat. Reading labels is a good habit to develop and helps you make conscious choices.&nbsp;Goal 16: PEACE, JUSTICE &amp; STRONG INSTITUTIONSLet's work together to eradicate violence. It starts with you. If you are a victim or witness of violence, please tell an adult. Find someone who can help and make a stand against violence.&nbsp;Talk with your friends and family about the types of violence and how we can help prevent violence in all areas. It all starts with education and better comprehension of your needs and the needs of those around you.Goal 17: PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE GOALS&nbsp;You can get involved, help, and spread the word about the importance of sustainability, equality, inclusion, and prevention. Even by just being here reading this blog post, you are already taking action. We are eternally grateful to each of you who participates in our annual drawing contest. You are already working toward a better future.&nbsp; &nbsp;Thanks for being part of the change. At Diproinduca Foundation, we are thrilled to have you, year after year, learning, drawing, and exploring.&nbsp;We hope to see you back next year! In the meantime, we have one last question for you.&nbsp;

What a year! Remember this moment when we all came together to change the world and make it a better place for the generations to come? Here is a recap of small actions with significant impact for all.

2022 a Year of Learning and Exploring Together.

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<h1>What is your number one sustainable goal for 2023?</h1>

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A few weeks ago, we talked about how production and consumption were contributing to the global climate change crisis. We also discussed how we need to do better and take action with some simple tips to avoid food and clothing waste.&nbsp;This time we want to look into the negative impact electronic waste can have on the environment. But, what is electronic waste?&nbsp;<h1>Electronic Waste</h1>E-waste (electronic waste) includes plugs, cords, and electronic components - such as televisions, computers, mobile phones, and any home appliance- from air conditioners to children's toys.&nbsp;Look around where you are right now. How many of these can you see? Do you have a 'cable' drawer at home? A drawer full of all types of cables and cords? If you do, you are not alone. We accumulate electronics as we upgrade for new ones and often end up with a bunch of cables, cords, old phones, and tablets.&nbsp;According to the UN 2022 Sustainable Goal indicators, Latin America and the Caribbean only responsibly collect 1.2% of their electronic waste. And in 2019 alone, the world generated a striking 53.6 Mt of e-waste, an average of 7.3 kg per capita, according to the Global E-Waste Monitor 2020. The constant need to obtain the newest technology, the latest phone, and the latest tablet will eventually bury us in e-waste unless we make drastic changes.&nbsp; &nbsp;<h1>Why is e-waste a problem?</h1>When broken or unwanted electronics end up in landfill, toxic substances like lead and mercury can leak into soil and water. They also take longer to decompose than biomaterials and can clutter our living spaces.&nbsp;Additionally contain valuable non-renewable resources, like gold, silver, copper, platinum, aluminum, and cobalt - This means when we dispose of e-waste without proper recycling, we throw away precious materials. However, even recycling is not 100% efficient at the moment. Processes are slow and inefficient, and nations are opting to get rid of the problem by exporting the waste to countries where labor laws don't protect those doing the meticulous and dangerous work of processing e-waste for metal and mineral extraction.Sadly, e-waste is often sent to China, Africa, or India, where entire villages, including children, sort components. It is not ethical. It is not enough, and also it is not a long-term solution.&nbsp;E-waste management is a massive global issue, and it's closely related to more than one <a href="https://sdgs.un.org/goals">UN Sustainable Goal</a> (SDG).&nbsp;<a href="https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal8">SDG 8</a> on decent work and economic growth<a href="https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal3">SDG 3</a> on good health and well-being<a href="https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal6">SDG 6 </a>on clean waste and sanitation<a href="https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal14">SDG 14</a> on life below waterGiven the high raw material demand for the production of electronics, e-waste also closely relates to the SDG indicators on the material footprint (SDGs 8.4.1 and 12.1.1) and the SDGs on the domestic material consumption (SDGs 8.4.2 and 12.2.2)&nbsp;E-waste starts at the point of consumption which makes us, consumers, highly responsible.&nbsp;<h1>The Solution:&nbsp;</h1>The solution may not be the solution yet. First, countries must step up and find an ethical and sustainable way to deal with all the e-waste we produce. Until then, however, you can do a few things at home.&nbsp;<ol><li>Postpone upgrading your gadgets for as long as you can. We know it is hard. As soon as the newest smartphone comes out, we want it. However, think twice about getting your phone or other devices upgraded. Ask yourself, do you really need a new device?&nbsp;</li><li>Find opportunities for reuse. If the item is still in good working condition or it requires only minor repairs, think about giving it to someone else. If friends or family don't want it, several charities will take them and get value from old items, especially mobile phones and tablets, which other kids can use for learning.&nbsp;</li><li>Try returning the item to the manufacturer. Some manufacturers like Apple can take back the discarded product. Apple's trade-in program will even give you money back toward a new product if you recycle your apple products.&nbsp;</li><li>Find a dedicated e-waste recycling facility. Some places will take old electronics and recycle them - you can easily search for one in your area at <a href="https://www.recyclenow.com/dont-bin-it-bring-it">Recycle Now</a>. However, please research the facility's recycling process and ensure that they aren't simply sending everything to developing countries.&nbsp;</li><li>Use, reuse, upcycle. Sometimes we can use old electronic products to make something new. Upcycle and turn it into a piece of art or something you can use at home or school. However, please make sure you get adult supervision as some parts can be dangerous to handle and require extra care.&nbsp;</li></ol><h1>People doing cool things:&nbsp;</h1>Project COCoDRILE is the first of a kind commercial Compact system for the efficient Recovery of O1 CObalt. In other words, they are recycling cobalt from cities. Yes, from cities! From old batteries mostly.&nbsp;The project's goal is that once metals are mined, they go back into the production cycle for the next device that needs them and are recycled and reused instead of ending up in landfill - This contributes to a circular economy. It also means the more cobalt can be recovered by recycling, the more we can reduce the need for freshly mined materials from Africa.&nbsp;Watch the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFsqrlFMKdk">video</a> to learn more!&nbsp; &nbsp;

Have you ever thought about what happens to the electronics you throw away? They turn into electronic waste. Learn here how this affects us and what you can do to stop it. 

A Tower of Cable Waste, How E-Waste Can Affect The Environment 

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E-Survey. Make a table and count how many electronic devices do you have at home? Include all TVs, laptops, tablets, cell phones, microwaves, and anything with a cable.&nbsp;How many of these have been upgraded over the last two years? And why were they upgraded?&nbsp;What happened with the old devices? Recycled, given to a family member, sold? Based on this survey, can you estimate how many different devices your family will use in the next ten years? Discuss with your family if there are any ways you can reuse, recycle or upcycle any of these devices. &nbsp;

Thinking Cap On

By now, we are sure you have all heard about Climate change. But why is climate change so important? - Climate change refers to the long-term changes in global temperatures and the overall environment. Although the climate has always changed and has changed throughout earth's history, human activity on earth is impacting climate, and the changes might be irreparable.&nbsp; It has been well documented that since the 1800s, human activities have been the main driver of climate change. This is primarily due to burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas and our excessive meat consumption. The 2022 Sustainable Development Goals Report has identified that our unsustainable consumption and production patterns are causing the current triple planetary crisis. As a result, we are seeing unprecedented climate changes, increased biodiversity loss, and widespread pollution.&nbsp; We must act now. But to fix the problem, we must understand the problem.&nbsp;<h1> The problem: Food Waste&nbsp;</h1>About a third of all the world's food goes to waste. And according to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization, if food waste were a country, it would have the third-biggest carbon footprint after the US and China. So it seems almost ironic that we waste so much food and so many people still go hungry worldwide.&nbsp; Our governments are still failing in finding a solution, but more importantly, we are still failing as consumers. Every day, we buy food that ends up rotting in the back of our refrigerators. Every week we throw away half-eaten food, unprepared food, food we even forgot we had at home. Then, every month we go back again and buy more food, forever continuing a terrible never-ending cycle and contributing to the global problem. According to the UN, 17% of total food is wasted at the consumer level.&nbsp; We need to do better than that.<h1>The Solution&nbsp;</h1>We need to change the way we consume food, and those changes must start at home.&nbsp; Plan menus as a family: if you know what you are eating for the whole week, you can plan ahead and only buy the things you need. It is so easy to get carried away at the supermarket and buy more than we need. But if we have a menu, we know exactly what we need, and we don't overspend.&nbsp; Buy seasonal produce: We can cut food air miles and help local economies by buying seasonal and local produce. Look online for fun seasonal recipes and encourage your family to eat more fresh produce.&nbsp; Be creative with leftovers: before you throw any leftovers away, think of ways to re-use what you have. Give them another life! Turn that leftover pasta into a pasta bake, or turn all the leftover fruit into a smoothie. You can also use apps like Epicurious and Allrecipes to make the most of your fridge and pantry. The freezer is your friend: freeze all the bits of fruit before they go off and turn them into ice creams and smoothies. But also turn leftover spices like parsley and basil into little flavor bombs by chopping and freezing them to make them last longer.&nbsp; Share with others: Sharing is caring. If you have too much food, maybe consider sharing with neighbors, friends, or family.<h1>The Problem: Fast Fashion&nbsp;</h1>We all like to look trendy and have the latest in fashion, but at what cost? How much is too much? Fast fashion brands represent a huge problem not only for the amount of waste they produce but because they perpetuate cheap consumption and increase landfill. They also often underpay their employees and work unethically.&nbsp; The main environmental problems caused by the textile industry include water pollution, air pollution, and solid waste pollution.Water Pollution The clothing industry uses millions of gallons of water every day during production. For example, to produce 1 kg of fabric, 200 liters of water are typically consumed: washing the fiber, bleaching, dyeing, and then cleaning the finished product. Air Pollution According to some studies, the clothing industry accounts for 10% of global carbon emissions and is the second largest industrial polluter. That is because coating, curing, drying, bleaching, and dyeing fabrics can cause many gases to space into the air.&nbsp; Solid Waste Pollution The clothing industry also produces lots of solid waste. Globally, each year, about 90 million items of clothing end up in landfills. Additionally, Fiber lint, trimmings, chemicals, and dyes, can end up in landfills and water sources.<h1> The Solution:&nbsp;</h1>So, before you shop for new clothes, make sure you do some research about the brand and how they operate.&nbsp; Look at the label and take into consideration the materials used to make the garment. Does it use organic materials? There are many problems associated with the production of non-organic materials. In particular, uncertified cotton can be linked to the use of forced labor and the widespread use of toxic pesticides. Therefore, aim for 100% organic when possible.&nbsp; Consider buying second-hand. There are so many cute, second-hand clothes you can get nowadays. Also, a trip to a thrift store can be very fun, and you never know what unique piece you may find.&nbsp; Clothe Swap with friends or family. Perhaps some clothes that don't fit you anymore may fit a friend, cousin, or family member, and vice versa. It can be a fun way to give clothes another life.&nbsp; Learn how to make your own. Back in the day, our grandparents and their parents used to make their own clothes. It is a valuable skill to learn how to use a sewing machine. You can make something from scratch or customize second-hand garments to create something entirely new.&nbsp; If you are buying something new, make sure you research the brand and learn under what conditions they produce their garments. There are some very good ethical clothing brands out there who are doing their best to put back into the environment.&nbsp; &nbsp;

We do two things every day: dress and eat. Have you ever thought about where it comes from and what happens when we throw it away? Let's find out! 

The Way We Eat & Dress can Impact the Environment 

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Does your family plan their meals? Why not sit with your family and plan out meals for the whole week, including every meal you do together, which typically is breakfast and dinner. For example,&nbsp; Monday breakfast: Orange juice, boiled egg, and a pancake Monday Dinner: Chicken enchiladas Then write down a list of all the ingredients - now you can use that list to do the weekly grocery shopping. And if by mid-week you find you have dinner leftovers, use that for lunch the next day, or if you have leftover orange juice and fruit, make a smoothie. Find ways to avoid food waste and work together as a family to find more ways to use everything in your fridge and pantry.Tune in for our next blog post as we explore the impact of electronic waste and how you can help reduce your impact and improve your carbon footprint.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Thinking Cap

Humankind has grown so much over the last millennia. We went from living in caves and being hunters and gatherers to building smart cities and vast industries. In the 20th century, we invented the radio, television, electric refrigeration, wireless technology, and the internet, and we've even gone to outer space. As a result, our lives depend on technology more than ever as we work, learn, and communicate through the internet.&nbsp;But, at what cost?&nbsp;The human mind is limitless, but our home planet is not. And as we occupy more space and use more natural resources, more ecosystems are in danger. More animals go extinct, and more plants cease to develop. As a result, human greed will eventually make planet earth less hospitable for all. What we know as life today may cease to exist.Unless we start taking action and making changes today, this is why the <a href="https://www.globalgoals.org/goals/12-responsible-consumption-and-production/">UN Sustainability Goal 12</a> is essential. It focuses on the impact our consumption and continuous production have on the planet. But it also underpins every other Sustainable Development Goal, from Zero Poverty to Peace and Justice. It is all interconnected.&nbsp;It is our responsibility to minimize the effects of climate change by reducing our carbon footprint and making daily small but meaningful changes. Furthermore, it is also our responsibility to shake the status quo. So let's challenge the way things have been done and find sustainable solutions that can guarantee economic and <a href="https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-consumption-production/">sustainable development</a> while protecting the environment. After all, this is our home #OnlyOneEarth.But before we examine how consumption and production affect the environment, let's start by defining the two.&nbsp;<ol><li>Consumption: all the things we consume, eat, wear, use, take.</li><li>Production: all the things we make.&nbsp;</li></ol>The more we consume, the more we feel the need to make. Unfortunately, the more we make, the more we waste and the more resources we use. Let's rethink how we consume and work on restoring what we've destroyed by committing to living more sustainable lives.&nbsp;Watch this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFkM-s6hBsM">video</a> to learn more!&nbsp;<h1>Doing More with Less: Ensuring Sustainable Consumption and Production</h1>Every year, about one-third of all food produced—about 1.3 billion tones—is wasted. The United States discards more food than any other country in the world – with nearly 40 million tons every year. Meanwhile, 1 billion people go hungry every year.&nbsp;Additionally, wasting food contributes to 11 percent of the world's greenhouse gas emissions. Common causes of food waste include overbuying, overproduction, and spoilage. All three causes are due to a lack of understanding of how to portion control or appropriate food storage. For example, how many people live with you at home? How much food is purchased and prepared every week? and how much of it ends up spoiled before you can eat it? discuss with your friends and family. You might be surprised how much these change from household to household. Can you think of a few ways to re-purpose food leftovers and make new meals?&nbsp;<h2>Some ideas to prevent food waste at home</h2><ul><li>Compost all the vegetable peels or boil them to make a veg stock that you can then freeze and use to add flavor to dishes when cooking pasta sauce, soups, stews, and casseroles.&nbsp;</li><li>Reuse your banana peels by soaking them in water and then using that water to water plants. Your plants will love the added potassium.&nbsp;</li><li>Make carrots last crunchy for longer by storing them in water in the fridge. Make sure you cover the whole carrot.&nbsp;</li><li>Have leftover rice? Fried rice is best made with leftover rice. Add some veggies, some chicken or shrimp, and voila! A new meal.&nbsp;</li><li>Leftover pasta sauce? You can use that same sauce as the base for a pizza, chicken parmesan, or chili con carne.&nbsp;</li><li>Are you making a smoothie? No need to chop the top of the strawberries away. Add everything in!&nbsp;</li><li>Use dinner leftovers for lunch the next day. Save them in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy the next day.&nbsp;</li></ul>Living frugally is no longer about status. It is about the environment and the future of our planet. But it is not only about food waste.&nbsp;An average family in the Global North (North America, Europe, and Australia) throws away around 30 kg of clothing each year. Furthermore, only 15% of that is recycled or donated; the rest goes directly to the landfill. As a result, we are filling our earth with discarded fashion items. Fashion production makes up 10% of humanity's carbon emissions, dries up water sources, and pollutes rivers and streams. Additionally, we might add microplastics into the oceans every time we wash our clothes. This is why it is so important to buy garments built to last, made of sustainable materials, and garments produced under fair and ethical working conditions. Always do some research before you buy something new.&nbsp;<h2>Top tip:&nbsp;</h2>Use this checklist before buying something new&nbsp;<ul><li>Who made it? And was child labor involved?</li><li>Is it cheap? Why is it so cheap?</li><li>How many earth resources (water, materials, etc.) were used to make this item?</li><li>Are these resources renewable?</li><li>Where was it shipped from?&nbsp;</li><li>Do they pack their products in excessive plastic? Or do they use alternative paper and compostable packaging?&nbsp;</li><li>Do you really need it?&nbsp;</li><li>How long will it last? Can you recycle or reuse it?</li><li>Could you borrow it from someone else instead? or could you buy it second-hand?&nbsp;</li></ul>Understanding what makes us want to buy new products is the first step to becoming conscious consumers.&nbsp;

Learn more about how you can help fight climate change and slow the accelerated loss of our natural resources by getting involved in Sustainable Goal 12 about Responsible Consumption and Production. The future is in your hands.

The Planet Needs You: Get Involved! 

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Thinking Cap OnThink of a few items you often buy, perhaps things you use each school year - pens, notebooks, paper books, backpacks, clothing, shoes, lunchbox, etc.&nbsp;And apply the following thinking:&nbsp;<ol><li>Refuse things you don't need (do the checklist before buying).</li><li>Reduce the number of things you use.&nbsp;</li><li>Reuse: Do you need a new backpack every school year, or can you reuse the one from last year?&nbsp;</li><li>Recycle: Can you turn those jeans into shorts? Find ways to reinvent what you already have.&nbsp;</li><li>Rot - if you can't do any other Rs, try to compost. But check first as not all items can be composted.&nbsp;</li></ol>Let us know how you did! &nbsp;

You know when you don't want to finish that broccoli sitting on your dinner plate, or you don't want to finish your food. So your mom says, "don't waste your food; there are many people who aren’t&nbsp; as lucky as us and have nothing to eat' - Well, your mom is right.&nbsp;Food waste is bad, not only for people but also for the environment; food waste is a real problem many developed countries face today.&nbsp;According to the United Nations (U.N.), an estimated 1/3 of all food produced - the equivalent to 1.3 billion tons worth around $1 trillion – is wasted and ends up rotting in people's bins or thrown away supermarkets and restaurants or spoiling due to poor transportation and harvesting practices.&nbsp;It is sad to think 1.3 billion tons of food are wasted every year, yet so <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVP3j7_W7og">many people around the world are still starving</a>. Growing food requires investments of manual labor, water, land, energy, and fuel. Therefore, when food is wasted, not only are we wasting food but also resources.&nbsp;Because of this, The United Nations Sustainable Goal #12, "Responsible Consumption and Production", focuses on targeting food waste, and it aims to reduce food waste by half by 2030.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h1>Food Waste or Food Loss?</h1>There are two definitions for general food waste: food loss and food waste. Food loss is when any edible food goes uneaten at any stage. This includes food that's uneaten in homes and stores, food lost in crops left in the field, food that spoils during transportation, and all other food that doesn't make it to a store.On the other hand, food waste is a specific kind of food loss. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Economic Research Service (ERS) defines food waste as "food discarded by retailers due to color or appearance or a plate of food wasted by consumers." That means that the lonely broccoli you left on your plate is food waste.&nbsp;<h1>Food Waste at Restaurants&nbsp;</h1>According to experts, restaurants in the United States alone generate an estimated 22 to 33 billion pounds of food waste each year. Additionally, schools, hotels and hospitals generate an additional 7 to 11 billion pounds per year. This is often due to:<ul><li>Preparing too much food</li><li>Improper ingredient storage</li><li>Discarding certain cuts or trimmings&nbsp;</li></ul>All-you-can-eat buffets and fast-food restaurants are particularly wasteful since none of their extra food can legally be reused or donated due to health code restrictions. However, these health code restrictions have been created to protect consumers from getting sick from eating spoiled food.&nbsp;<h1>Food Waste at Home&nbsp;</h1>Households are responsible for the largest portion of all food waste. ReFED, a nonprofit dedicated to ending food loss and waste across the U.S. food system estimates that U.S. households waste 76 billion pounds of food per year. The main reason? Food Spoilage — About two-thirds of food waste at home is due to food not being used before it goes bad. Yes! We have all seen that poor tomato rotting at the bottom of the fridge drawers. Food spoilage at home happens primarily due to storage; you can't eat what you can't see.&nbsp;<h1>What to Do with Your Food Waste</h1>There are two ways you can dispose of food waste in your home:&nbsp;<ul><li>Composting at home</li><li>Making sure you eat everything, even leftovers.&nbsp;</li></ul><h1>Composting at Home</h1><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFlsjRXbnSk">Composting </a>is a great way to reduce your family's waste! It can also be a great way to save money and keep your plants happy. Composting involved gathering food scraps and reusing them to enrich your plants' soil. Of course, plants have to eat too! but they get their nutrients from the soil, so basically, it is like feeding your plants the food you don't eat.&nbsp;Things you can compost<ul><li>fruit and vegetable scraps</li><li>eggshells</li><li>coffee grinds</li><li>grass clippings</li><li>leaves, twigs and branches</li><li>newspaper</li><li>coffee filters</li></ul>Things you can't compost (definitely don't use these)&nbsp;<ul><li>meat</li><li>fat</li><li>bones</li><li>cheese</li><li>milk</li><li>oils</li><li>pet poop</li><li>dead plants or flowers</li></ul>Ask your parents today to get started on composting. You will need a composting kit. In Canada, you might be able to get everything you need from your city/town.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Food waste is bad, not only for people but also for the environment; food waste is a real problem many developed countries face today. 

 Mom is Right, Wasting Food is Bad for People and the Environment 

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We can protect our planet by saving food! You can do it too! To get started, keep a food log. Write down how much food is wasted in your home every day for one week. Then, spot what the things that aren't getting eaten are. Is it because you don't like them? Speak with your parents to find eating patterns and decide what not to include in the weekly food shopping bag.&nbsp;Using your Food Diary and any notes you took, take a look at some simple actions that you can take to save your food from the bin next week. Can you re-make something else with it? For example, you can use bread crusts to make breadsticks for another meal. If you can't re-purpose it, can you compost it?&nbsp;&nbsp;Become a food saver! Don't let anything go to waste. &nbsp;

An economy is a system for allocating available resources to meet people's needs and wants. These needs and wants can be either products or services. The greater the need, the bigger the demand and the more a country or company needs to produce.&nbsp;However, production can be limited to the availability of raw materials (materials needed to make the product) or a lack of people with the skills required to complete the tasks at hand.&nbsp;Before we go deeper, let's define the differences between a product and a service:&nbsp;<ul><li>Goods are physical objects that are bought and sold. They can include things like books, cars, electronics, food, and clothes.&nbsp;</li><li>Services are actions that one person pays another for them to do. Services include things like medical care, education, gardening, hairdressing.&nbsp;</li></ul>&nbsp;<h1>What are Natural Resources?&nbsp;</h1>Natural resources are Earth materials used to support life and meet the needs of people. Since the dawn of time, humans have been using natural resources to improve their lives.&nbsp;As mentioned before, products need raw materials to be converted into all the different things we buy. These raw materials come from natural resources, such as oil, coal, natural gas, metals, stone, wood, and sand.&nbsp;Air, sunlight, soil, and water are considered renewable resources as they are replenished naturally by mother nature.&nbsp;According to the UN's <a href="https://population.un.org/wpp/Publications/Files/WPP2019_Highlights.pdf">latest projections</a>, the global population could grow to around 8.5 billion in 2030, 9.7 billion in 2050. That means that we would need the equivalent of almost three planets to provide the natural resources required to sustain our current lifestyles.Research indicates that a whooping 2 billion pairs of jeans are made every year. To make these jeans, manufacturers use 2 million tons of chemicals, plus 2,630 liters of water (per pair of jeans made) and 1.4 million tons of raw cotton. Think about how many jeans you've owned in your lifetime and multiply that by all those litres of water.&nbsp;That is quite a lot of water. Also, more water is used in the production of cotton crops and during the jean dye process. This is why we need to act now by encouraging circular economies, recycling, reusing and producing sustainable products.&nbsp;"<a href="https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/25764/SDG12_Brief.pdf?sequence=1&amp;isAllowed=y">Less than 3 per cent</a> of the world's water is fresh (drinkable), of which 2.5 per cent is frozen in Antarctica, Arctic and glaciers. Humanity must therefore rely on 0.5 per cent for all of man's ecosystem's and fresh water needs." United Nations, Goal 12 Targets.&nbsp; &nbsp;<h1>What is a Circular Economy?&nbsp;</h1>A circular economy is an alternative way to a traditional linear economy (make, use, dispose of). For example, a linear economy is when you buy a pair of jeans, you use them until they don't fit anymore, and then you dispose of them in the garbage.&nbsp;On the other hand, a circular economy encourages you to keep the goods for as long as possible and then use the 3R principle. Reuse, Repair, Recycle. The possibilities are endless, imagine all the things you can do with a pair of old jeans? A bag? A hat? A hair accessory? Use it to cover your books or as an improvised rocket?&nbsp;Thankfully more and more brands are trying to integrate the circular economy philosophy into their buyer's journey. The Make Fashion Circular initiative was launched in response to research that found that $460bn worldwide was lost each year to the underutilization of clothes. $100bn from clothing that could be used or reused was going straight into landfill and incineration instead. Therefore, Gap, H&amp;M, Nike, Burberry HSBC, and Stella McCartney committed to creating business models to keep garments in use, utilizing renewable materials, and finding ways of recycling old clothes into new products.For more information, you can visit <a href="https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/our-work/activities/make-fashion-circular/report">https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/our-work/activities/make-fashion-circular/report</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<h1>Sustainable Living</h1>Sustainability means living our lives meeting our own needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This can be translated into all areas of life. By living sustainably, we can help future generations enjoy the earth without compromising more damage to the environment.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h1>Sustainability Tips:&nbsp;</h1><ul><li>When possible, bring your own reusable water bottle to school, or camping or whenever you go out. This will prevent you from buying drinks in plastic containers or with plastic lids and straws. If this is not possible, then go for aluminum cans of drinks as these can be recycled indefinitely.&nbsp;</li><li>Buy second-hand clothing, not only you can give clothes a second life but. You can find some amazing one of a kind vintage things! Be unique with your fashion sense while living a sustainable life.&nbsp;</li><li>Read the labels. Make sure you understand the natural resources used in making the items to buy.&nbsp;</li><li>Avoid waste of any kind, recycle what you can, reuse and repair and never leave anything behind. The less it goes into a landfill, the better.&nbsp;</li></ul> &nbsp;

An economy is a system for allocating available resources to meet people's needs and wants. These needs and wants can be either products or services. The greater the need, the bigger the demand and the more a country or company needs to produce

How Many Times Can You Wear Those Clothes? A Sustainable Life

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Thinking Cap On:Now that you understand consumption and demand conduct your own market research with friends and family at home and find out a product they use often. Is it food, a piece of clothing, an electronic device? &nbsp;Narrow it down to one product based on what gets the most votes.&nbsp;Find out what natural or renewable resources are used to create that product. Do they have an environmental impact? Are there any sustainable substitutes you can offer your friends or family to try instead? If not, can you make a circular economy plan for that product?&nbsp;Remember, the 3Rs Reuse, Repair, Recycle.&nbsp;