Nuclear weapons have been posing a threat to humanity for 75 years — ever since the U.S. bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945. — Originally published at https://wagingnonviolence.org on August 4, 2020. These days, our focus is understandably on the COVID-19 virus and the threat it poses to human life. But as we commemorate the anniversary of these bombings, it is important to acknowledge that unlike the coronavirus, nuclear weapons can only be remediated…

As COVID-19 spreads, people are showing a growing interest in permaculture principles and techniques to heal their lives, communities and the planet. — Despite their urgency, coronavirus outbreaks, health crises and failing institutions are just some of the problems our global society is facing today. Billions of people worldwide still lack access to healthy food, clean water and sanitation services — being unable to properly wash hands and stay safe in the midst…

In the absence of an effective response by Brazil’s right-wing government to an oil disaster five months ago, civil society is rising to the challenge. — Originally published at https://wagingnonviolence.org on January 30, 2020. A major oil spill, coming from a mysterious source in the South Atlantic Ocean, has been contaminating Brazil’s coastline since Aug. 30. The oil has already reached a 1,500-mile stretch of the coast across 11 Brazilian states. It’s contaminated beaches, coral reefs…

Throughout Portugal, people are organizing to stop a boom in lithium mining, as the government rushes to become Europe’s top supplier of the valuable mineral. — Originally published at wagingnonviolence.org on December 19, 2019. The global transition to renewable energy and electric vehicles — technologies that are currently powered by lithium-ion batteries — is creating a high demand for lithium, popularly known as white gold, among other minerals. In Portugal, where some of the largest reserves…

As people around the world pray for Amazonia, indigenous Brazilians are taking action for social and environmental justice. — Originally published at wagingnonviolence.org on September 17, 2019. A record outbreak of fires is incinerating the Amazon, the largest remaining tropical rainforest in the world, which is home to at least one in every 10 species of plants and animals on Earth and millions of indigenous people.

Starts with uncovering the root causes of the problem — In order to prevent climate change effects, and safeguard the future of human societies, we must investigate what’s triggering it in the first place. That’s exactly what a group of scientists has been doing while tracing worldwide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. By analyzing data from 1988 to 2015, researchers from…

What can we learn from climate activists? — “Some people say that I should be in school instead [of going on strike]. Some people say that I should study to become a climate scientist so that I can ‘solve’ the climate crisis…[But] what is the point of learning facts in the school system, when the most important facts…

That the alcohol industry is too afraid to reveal, but you deserve to know — Humans, as cultural animals, have learned over the years to appreciate and accept alcohol drinking. However, most people are unaware of the real risks and consequences of alcohol on health, society, and life in general. And that may be on purpose. Here are a few uncomfortable truths that alcohol companies…

What Pet Lovers and Animal Guardians Must Know — Global sales of pet food products, mostly for dogs and cats, reached over US$70 billion last year and revenues are expected to keep growing insanely. But what about the quality of these products? Can we expect to find (truly) safe and healthy pet foods in stores? In 2007, the U.S…