How the Climate is Changing You

The earth is warming, they say. It all sounds like some abstract notion, or something happening far, far away. The earth is warming, yet you go through each day like the previous one. Nothing seems to be changing, right? Wrong. The fact is that global warming is impacting your mental health in more ways than you might think!

Numerous studies have linked a warming planet to a more distressed populace. A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found that rising temperatures led to greater depression, stress and other emotional challenges. Increase in the average temperature of the Earth has resulted in increased self-reporting of mental health issues, presumably because of declining productivity, trouble falling asleep, and greater suicidal tendencies. Also, people who had experienced natural disasters – which have increased due to climate change—were more likely to report mental health issues. Sounds hard to believe, but when one considers the fact that global warming is threatening the survival of both animals and humans (and not just the former), it makes sense.

Furthermore, a study carried out by Dr Obradovich and his colleagues found that people posted about negative emotions more often on social media when temperatures were at their highest levels, suggesting that there could be a direct relationship between temperature and mood.

So, the next time you read about global warming, do not dismiss it as a phenomenon that doesn’t apply to you. Our carbon footprint is affecting all of us in numerous ways, which is why we all need to play our part in saving the planet, because saving Earth means saving ourselves.

-Samima Khan

 

 

 

Pexels | Featured Image

These 5 Countries Are Nailing the Battle Against Climate Change

While the second largest polluter in the world, the US, might have pulled out of the Paris Climate Agreement, others have not lost hope; they continue to wage a war against our carbon-footprint. Here are some countries that are aspiring to reduce the adverse effects caused by factory and vehicle emissions.

1. Germany

Considered to be the leading recycling nation in the world, Germany makes its citizens sort their trash in color-coded recycling bins, with each color representing a different category of waste, such as paper, green and clear bottles, plastic, etc.

2. France

The mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, has long-term plans to rid the city of petrol and diesel vehicles and introduce renewable alternatives. Bicycle-rickshaws, running on batteries, are also being used throughout the city.

3. South Korea

   

The amount of recycled waste in South Korea increased from 15% to nearly 50% in recent years: citizens are also seen frequently discarding cereal cardboard bags for recycling immediately after leaving supermarkets.

4. Cyprus

Cyprus is working well toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions annually.  Its emissions have continued to decline by 3% every year after 2008.

5. Malta

A tiny island, Malta has stopped importing oil for its energy needs, instead relying on solar power.

The collective efforts of these countries provide a beacon of hope for slowing down and hopefully reducing the impact of climate change. While they may not be enough, these efforts serve as examples to the global community regarding how we should really be living; after all, the benefits of living on a sustainable planet far exceed a life of luxury.

 

-Samima Khan

 

Plant a Tree, Plant a Life |What Happened on 13th February?

Progress may be inevitable but at the expense of nature, it causes more harm than good. To give back to the environment that we have taken so much from, the IBA Go Green Society in collaboration with Ismail Industries Limited, Us Pakistan and the IBA Administration, conducted a plantation drive on Wednesday, 13th February 2019.

 ‘When you destroy something by man it’s called vandalism but if you destroy something by nature, you call it progress.’

The event was in line with the philosophies of both the institutions and the IBA Go Green Society has been a catalyst in bringing these institutions together on the same platform to launch this activity. This has helped further their cause towards environment conservation and sustainability that both institutions are staunch believers of. IIL and Us Pakistan started the ‘Plant a Tree’ campaign which has worked on planting more indigenous and beneficial trees across the city of Karachi and work on their sustainability. IIL generously donated trees and vegetable seeds to the IBA Go Green Society. 163 trees were planted by students, faculty members, and representatives from both IIL and IBA during this event.

The IBA Go Green Society would like to recognise the efforts of Mr. Aamer Shabbir, General Manager of IBA and his team, who played a pivotal role in the success of this drive and its management. Along with Mr. Arif Hussain Nomani Group HR Head of IIL and his team including Ms. Syeda Tehseen Jaffer, Ms. Simra Ahmed and Mr Abdul Rafay without whom this drive wouldn’t have reached such heights.

The chief guests who graced us with their presence during this event were Dr. Farrukh Iqbal Executive Director of IBA, Mr. Hamid Ismail CEO of Bisconni and Snackcity and Founder of Us Pakistan, and Mr. Ahmed Ismail CEO of CandyLand whose support and effort for this cause is highly appreciated.

The IBA Go Green Society believes this is just the first step towards service to our community and helping Karachi becoming greener and cleaner. Our plan is to scale up our projects, involve the community and people in different localities to take responsibility of the areas they live in. We need the mindset to change and people to realise that the land of the pure needs to live up to its name and that can only be possible if we as individuals start advocating for its beauty and cleanliness.

This activity also served its purpose in engaging the students of IBA and employees of IIL. Such team building and collaborating activities motivate people to understand what the cause is and how their role can leave an impact on the community. As stated by one of our guests, the communities we surround with trees and nature start feeling different; the entire ecosystem changes and the temperature even falls to complement that change. We are just glad to be playing that small role in bringing that change.

-Saba Javed

Go Green, Plastic is Obscene!

Plastic: a miracle material that has made all of our lives easier with the disastrous after effects of its use, often hidden behind the convenience and luxury it provides.

Plastic use is inculcated in our everyday lives from food storage in supermarkets to medicine packaging. We depend on plastic but are now drowning in it. 40 percent of plastic produced is packaging, used just once and then discarded, which then constitutes for majority of waste found in households and on the streets. It may be a source of comfort for us but ends up being a floating menace for the environment and especially marine life. Ocean plastic is estimated to kill millions of marine animals each year. Nearly 700 species, including endangered ones, are known to have been affected by it. Around 18 billion pounds of plastic waste flows into the oceans every year from coastal regions. A similar trend can be seen in Pakistan with its coastal regions bombarded with plastic waste ruining its natural beauty and appeal along with endangering all coastal organisms.

A few days ago, the Minister for Climate Change stated that 55 billion plastic shopping bags are being used each year in Pakistan highlighting the need for urgent action. Some of the disturbing impacts of this practice are: it disrupts the food chain, pollutes groundwater, land and air. Hence, apart from the government devising strategies and adequate measures against this ecological threat, Pakistanis as a collective need to work towards protecting its beautiful shores and lands.

Alternatives to plastic can be used such as paper bags, glass bottles and metal straws with many restaurants and supermarkets across the nation, already adopting such practices. Recycling is another way to contribute towards preservation of the environment and omitting wastage. Lastly, raising awareness among fellow citizens is perhaps the fundamental step towards eradicating plastic waste once and for all!

-Saba Ali Memon

Plant a Tree, Plant a Life |Plantation Drive | 13th February|03:00pm

Date : Wednesday, 13th of February at 03:00pm.
Location : Staff Town near Masjid area.

“Plant a tree, plant a life.” With this motto on the forefront, IBA’s Go Green Society has organized a plantation drive in collaboration with Ismail Industries and the IBA Administration. Similar to other Go Green endeavors, this event is aimed towards preserving the world we live in and helping in making it greener. It represents the society’s goals and is a way for Go Green to ring in the New Year by working towards their vision for a better environment.

During the course of the event, around 1000 tress will be donated by Ismail Industries with their CEO’s Mr. Ahmad and Mr. Hamid Ismail along with their representatives. They have founded and have been affiliated with similar successful projects such as ‘Plant a tree’ conducting not only plantation drives but ensuring sustainable maintenance and growth as well. Go Green hopes to achieve similar results with the company and bring some natural beauty into Staff Town. In light of their one million tree campaign, IIL has partnered with the IBA Go Green Society and donated their first batch of 100 trees to be planted.

All of us at Go Green wish for your continued support in all our future projects. We hope to see you at Staff Town on the 13th of February at 03:00 pm. A shuttle will leave campus at 02:45 pm for your convenience. Be sure to bring your green thumbs along and help us fight the good fight!

-Saba Ali Memon

5 Houseplants that will Rejuvenate your Mind.

You don’t have to be an environmentalist to know that plants are a sight for sore eyes. Did you know that their benefits go far beyond mere aesthetic? Indeed, these living organisms can reduce stress levels and depression, and even help you recover from sickness faster! It all starts by introducing a small potted plant into your home.

Not sure which plant you should get to revive yourself? Here are Go Green’s top picks for the houseplants that can be most effective in improving your life!

1. 1. Jasmine
      
      The Jasmine plant serves as a sleeping aid, thereby ensuring that you have a good night’s rest. It increases alertness after waking up. This plant was studied by Dr Bryan Raudenbush and his colleagues at Wheeling Jesuit University when they saw the results of the sleeping patterns of people who were exposed to lavender and jasmine, relative to when they were without these plants. The study concluded that the former group slept more deeply. Sounds ideal if you’re struggling with insomnia, right?
      
      
   2. Aloe-Vera
      Commonly known as the Plant of Immortality, this plant is great for you if you’re struggling with mental health issues. Being the most powerful air purifier in the world, its ability to remove high levels of toxins from households helps greatly lower anxiety and depression. Worrying too much over an upcoming exam? Have no fear, because aloe-vera helps reduce stress, too!
   3. English Ivy
      

Grappling with asthma? Can’t keep your allergies at bay? The English Ivy is here to the rescue, as it will calm all these and enable you to sleep soundly.

4. Snake Plant

Good news for migraine sufferers! The Snake Plant helps improve headaches, besides helping with breathing problems, eye irritation, and your overall energy levels. Regardless of what its name might suggest, this plant is actually beneficial for you!

5. Bamboo Palm

Do you fall sick often? This plant boosts your immunity, besides cleaning the air of pollutants like benzene. It is one of the best air purifiers according to NASA. It also has anti-inflammatory properties. Studies also show that caring and being responsible for a plant boosts your confidence. So, why the wait? Improve your life today by buying your favorite houseplant!

 

-Samima Khan

Is Pakistan Turning into a Garbage Dump?

Pollution is a very common problem that Pakistanis face today. The normalization of the problem at hand has driven the general population in Pakistan to the point that they do not even consider it as a matter of utmost urgency. They often brush the topic aside with phrases like “Aam si baat he” or “Bhai Pakistan he ye”. There are very few people left who actually take an active stand against pollution and who want to make the situation better, however, the limited resources and conditions in Pakistan hold most people back.

We see plastic bags on every street and corner. It is because of the lack of trash cans that people who are even aware and responsible are left discouraged and made to believe that they have no choice but to throw wrappers on the road because, “how long can you hold on to it waiting for a trash can?” If ever one comes across a trash can, it is full to the brim with garbage. There is a lack of government action and personal incentive that has led to widespread diseases and the creation of an unsanitary environment.

Very few people, like Alamgir Khan take a stand but can only do so much without the help of the government or their fellow citizens. For a better environment to live in we need to put in more effort, if not towards taking a step ourselves, then at least towards helping those who do try to make things better. To tackle this problem, we can invest in more trash cans and reusable bags and  increase trash circulation and collection drives. That brings us a step closer to achieving our goal of a healthier environment. Our next step is to equip people with skills to sustain their efforts, such as those of ‘Reduce, Reuse and Recycle’.

-Wasif Karim

Cultural Fest – And That’s a Wrap!

5th December 2018, Wednesday, 12:45pm-05:00pm.

The IBA Go Green Society conducted its much awaited launch event with active participation on behalf of the IBA community.

The theme chosen for the launch this year was a Cultural Festival during which our goals of preservation of nature and sustainability were highlighted along with emphasis on the importance of the ethnicity and culture of our motherland. This event was introduced to present a clear picture of what Go Green is about and stands for and was aimed towards all individuals who wish to be associated with our society. This message was conveyed to the audience through the various activities present.

Highlighting our motive of sustainability and conservation of the environment, participants were asked to bring empty plastic bottles which will be recycled. Active participation with respect to plantation of seeds was witnessed in the event where members of the Go Green community facilitated participants in activities along with raising awareness regarding their various environmental campaigns.

Many were attracted by the various food stalls that were also present with mouth-watering delicacies such as ‘Gol-Gappas’ and fresh juices, the sight of which made everyone salivate! Moreover, splash painting on a large canvas late in the afternoon was a beautiful collective effort highlighting freedom of expression and the beauty of free flowing and abstract art.

During the event, soothing and uplifting cultural music was played along with the ‘baithak’ acting as a space for relaxing and enjoying the proceedings of the event while simultaneously taking in the lively ambiance along with the general appreciation of our culture.

We would like to thank everyone who participated and helped make our launch successful and memorable. We hope to witness the same enthusiasm in our upcoming ventures so that we, as a society, can work towards safeguarding our environment and become one with the world around us!

-Saba Ali Memon

CULTURAL FEST – What to expect.

Date – Wednesday 5 dec, – 12:45 pm – 05:00 pm

IBA Go Green Society’s launch event,  Cultural Fest will be an effort to inculcate the importance of sustainability and reviving desi culture, remind people to value their homeland and ethnicity.

IBA Go Green Society hopes to assist people with the process of fulfilling one’s responsibility by encouraging them to focus on planting trees and recycling. This is Go Green’s step towards making people aware of this pressing issue and their future plantation drives as one of the solution for this problem.

The launch event will give everyone a chance to indulge in gardening activities and will provide an amazing opportunity for people to plant trees and paint pots. It will also provide an opportunity to create a collective masterpiece on a 10×14 canvas which will  serve as an aesthetic backdrop for pictures.Music will act as a reminder of the good old days.

The launch event will act as a break for students with busy schedules providing a chill environment to enjoy a good baithak with friends.

We look forward to seeing you there on Wednesday, 5th Dec 2018, SC Garden, IBA.

-Ansa Saleem Siddiqui