Hello and Welcome to the final The Sustainable Souls Project Post.
The Sustainable Souls Project is a monthly artist collaboration inspired
by sustainability issues, concerns, ideas, and thoughts. Each month,
we will pick a sustainability topic and create awareness through art,
using the monthly theme as inspiration. Projects may include
art-journaling, mixed media, assemblage and more. The idea is to create
awareness around Sustainability through art, one paint stroke at a
time! We hope to educate, entertain, and share pretty things for both
humans and the earth.
We would like to thank everyone who traveled along with us this year, on our journey to create awareness for Sustainability issues. We have shared many beautiful and heart felt projects, and hopefully provided insight to some of the major issues concerning sustainability.
We started with one simple idea in mind...we cannot do this alone, but together, we can do so much.
We end the year with one final share. Artists created with an open theme, hopefully inspiring you with their message. Let's take a peek.
Camille McCoy
Tina Walker
Tracy Krueger
In addition to individual works, we have a collaboration canvas that began during Labor Day, when several of the Sustainable Souls got together for a weekend of art and relaxation. The canvas represents all aspects of Sustainability, with an element of the human touch.
Thank you again for opening your hearts and homes to us. It was a creative journey that will long remain a cherished memory for us, for years to come. ♥♥♥
Hello and Welcome to The Sustainable Souls Project November Post.
The Sustainable Souls Project is a monthly artist collaboration inspired
by sustainability issues, concerns, ideas, and thoughts. Each month,
we will pick a sustainability topic and create awareness through art,
using the monthly theme as inspiration. Projects may include
art-journaling, mixed media, assemblage and more. The idea is to create
awareness around Sustainability through art, one paint stroke at a
time! We hope to educate, entertain, and share pretty things for both
humans and the earth.
November's theme is all about the Human Aspect of Sustainability - Poverty, Population, and Human Rights. What are Human Rights?
What Are Human Rights?
Human rights
are rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex,
nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status. Human
rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and
torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and
education, and many more. Everyone is entitled to these rights, without
discrimination. (source United Nations). Human rights are intrinsically tied to Sustainability. The UN explains the connection between sustainability and human rights.
"If you ponder the idea for a moment, you might come to realize,...that respect for and enforcement of human rights is a precondition for sustainable development. This implies that without acknowledging and acting to defend the rights of people, sustainable development is not possible.
The UN further explains, "Integrating the socio-cultural, economic and environmental components that are integral to a concept as encompassing as 'sustainable development' is definitely not easy. Sustainability is really a simple concept: actions take in the present to improve the human condition and the Earth system in which we live, need to lasting and benefit future generations. To achieve sustainability, decisions at all levels must consider the three interconnected pillars of sustainable development - socio-cultural, economic, and environmental systems."
The UN has issued a 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It is a plan of action for people, planet, and prosperity and is guided by the following five areas.
People
We are determined to end poverty and hunger, in all their forms and
dimensions, and to ensure that all human beings can fulfil their
potential in dignity and equality and in a healthy environment.
Planet
We are determined to protect the planet from degradation, including
through sustainable consumption and production, sustainably managing its
natural resources and taking urgent action on climate change, so that
it can support the needs of the present and future generations.
Prosperity
We are determined to ensure that all human beings can enjoy prosperous
and fulfilling lives and that economic, social and technological
progress occurs in harmony with nature.
Peace
We are determined to foster peaceful, just and inclusive societies which
are free from fear and violence. There can be no sustainable
development without peace and no peace without sustainable development.
Partnership
We are determined to mobilize the means required to implement this
Agenda through a revitalised Global Partnership for Sustainable
Development, based on a spirit of strengthened global solidarity,
focussed in particular on the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable
and with the participation of all countries, all stakeholders and all
people.
The interlinkages and integrated nature of the Sustainable Development
Goals are of crucial importance in ensuring that the purpose of the new
Agenda is realised. If we realize our ambitions across the full extent
of the Agenda, the lives of all will be profoundly improved and our
world will be transformed for the better.
Instead of the usual definition and explanation of the issue, this month I choose to share images of the human aspect.
We asked the Sustainable Souls to
create, using this theme as an inspiration point and as a point to share
what deforestation means to them. I think you will
be amazed at how
each artist interpreted the theme and how they shared their message.
Let's see how 'the Human Aspect of Sustainability' was transformed into art.
What an incredible collection of art! I personally love the unique
characteristics of each piece and what Human Rights and Sustainability means to each
person.
Thank you to each and every artist who took time to create with us this month.
Want to know about the impacts of Climate Change on Human Rights? Here's a short video that will explain the details.
Want to support The Sustainable Souls Project? Grab our badge, located to the right. --- >
Hello and Welcome to The Sustainable Souls Project October Post.
The Sustainable Souls Project is a monthly artist collaboration inspired
by sustainability issues, concerns, ideas, and thoughts. Each month,
we will pick a sustainability topic and create awareness through art,
using the monthly theme as inspiration. Projects may include
art-journaling, mixed media, assemblage and more. The idea is to create
awareness around Sustainability through art, one paint stroke at a
time! We hope to educate, entertain, and share pretty things for both
humans and the earth.
October's theme is all about Deforestation and environmental degradation. Deforestation is defined as the following:
Clear a forest of trees....those are strong, powerful words.
Forests cover 31% of the land area on our planet. They produce vital
oxygen and provide homes for people and wildlife. Many of the world’s
most threatened and endangered animals live in forests, and 1.6 billion
people rely on benefits forests offer, including food, fresh water,
clothing, traditional medicine and shelter.
But forests around the world are under threat from deforestation,
jeopardizing these benefits. Deforestation comes in many forms,
including fires, clear-cutting for agriculture, ranching and
development, unsustainable logging for timber, and degradation due to
climate change. This impacts people’s livelihoods and threatens a wide
range of plant and animal species. Some 46-58 thousand square miles of
forest are lost each year—equivalent to 48 football fields every minute.
Forests play a critical role in mitigating climate change because they
act as a carbon sink—soaking up carbon dioxide that would otherwise be
free in the atmosphere and contribute to ongoing changes in climate
patterns. Deforestation undermines this important carbon sink function.
It is estimated that 15% of all greenhouse gas emissions are the result
of deforestation.
Deforestation is clearing Earth's forests on a massive scale, often
resulting in damage to the quality of the land. Forests still cover
about 30 percent of the world’s land area, but swaths half the size of
England are lost each year.
The world’s rain forests could completely vanish in a hundred years at the current rate of deforestation.
The biggest driver of deforestation is agriculture. Farmers cut
forests to provide more room for planting crops or grazing livestock.
Often, small farmers will clear a few acres by cutting down trees and
burning them in a process known as slash and burn agriculture.
Logging operations, which provide the world’s wood and paper
products, also cut countless trees each year. Loggers, some of them acting illegally,
also build roads to access more and more remote forests—which leads to
further deforestation. Forests are also cut as a result of growing urban
sprawl as land is developed for dwellings.
Not all deforestation is intentional. Some is caused by a combination of human and natural factors like wildfires and subsequent overgrazing, which may prevent the growth of young trees.
Effects of Deforestation
Deforestation can have a negative impact on the environment. The most
dramatic impact is a loss of habitat for millions of species. Eighty
percent of Earth’s land animals and plants live in forests, and many cannot survive the deforestation that destroys their homes.
Deforestation also drives climate change. Forest soils are moist, but
without protection from sun-blocking tree cover, they quickly dry out.
Trees also help perpetuate the water cycle
by returning water vapor to the atmosphere. Without trees to fill these
roles, many former forest lands can quickly become barren deserts.
Removing trees deprives the forest of portions of its canopy, which
blocks the sun’s rays during the day, and holds in heat at night. This
disruption leads to more extreme temperature swings that can be harmful
to plants and animals.
Trees also play a critical role in absorbing the greenhouse gases
that fuel global warming. Fewer forests means larger amounts of greenhouse gases entering the atmosphere—and increased speed and severity of global warming.
The most feasible solution to deforestation is to carefully manage
forest resources by eliminating clear-cutting to make sure forest
environments remain intact. The cutting that does occur should be
balanced by planting young trees to replace older trees felled. The
number of new tree plantations is growing each year, but their total
still equals a tiny fraction of the Earth’s forested land.
1. Begin by hugging a tree. It’s that easy. This is the quickest way to appreciate the important part it plays in your life.
2. And start planting trees. That’s the sum of the domestic campaign so far. Soon, all the neighbors will be carbon copying each other.
3. Also stop printing and go paperless. Whether at
home or at work, many of us still have that nasty, lazy habit of not
learning to utilize computer files and folders properly. So instead, we
print. And, you know what; many of us do this when we think others are
not looking. So, there you go. You know it’s wrong.
4. When shopping, move towards buying recycled products mainly. Most recycled items do not derive from areas that have been cleared of natural and rainforests.
5. When at home, recycle as much as possible. By extension, you are continuing with your proactive exercise in diverting the demand for clearing land.
6. In the kitchen, cut down on your meat intake and eat as many vegetarian meals as possible.
It’s a best practice and a healthy one on top of it too. Because it
remains problematic and time-consuming trying to source meat products
that are entirely devoid of being harvested on land that once brimmed
with trees.
7. Speaking of meat, do not buy meat products sourced from land where forests have been cleared.
At this stage, if you’re prepared to go the whole hog, if you will,
you’ll need to spend extra care and time perusing the product’s labels.
Also, you’re going to need to extend your knowledge on the multinational
companies that produce these pre-packaged supermarket items.
8. To get these things right, your shopping for recycled and
sustainable products and your meat products, vigorously check the labels
of each item you pick up. A much safer alternative and time-saving
effort entails simply buying organic products instead. But avoid the multinationals that have pretentiously jumped onto the organic bandwagon, mainly to drive sales.
9. Palm oil is a type of edible vegetable oil that is derived from
the palm fruit, grown on the African oil palm tree. According to the
World Wildlife Fund, an area the equivalent size of 300 football fields
of rainforest is cleared each hour to make way for palm oil production.
About 85% of all palm oil globally produced and exported from Indonesia
and Malaysia; but most of the time not using sustainable measures. Unless there’s concrete proof that it’s been sustainably produced, do not buy palm oil at all.
10. Do not use firewood to heat up your fireplaces.
It takes few hours to burn the firewood but takes years to grow a single
tree. Live in such a way that your activities cause minimum impact on
the environment.
11. Encourage people to live in a way that doesn’t hurt environment.
Try to bring in more people in your community and let them know about
how trees are being destroyed at an alarming rate and what steps we need
to take to minimize our carbon footprint on the environment.
12. Returning to the meat and grocery shopping list, do not
buy anything from large, multinationals that are actively or indirectly
involved or responsible for the clearing of forest land.
Shortly we’ll be emphasizing the importance of broadening your knowledge
on which companies are guilty. You will be surprised to learn that
within a matter of minutes, you’ll unmask them. Globally, active
campaigners and NGO’s have already published on the internet which
companies are still responsible for clearing forests. They’ll also
enlighten you on the progress being made to reverse this.
We asked the Sustainable Souls to
create, using this theme as an inspiration point and as a point to share
what deforestation means to them. I think you will
be amazed at how
each artist interpreted the theme and how they shared their message.
Let's see how 'Deforestation' was transformed into art.
Hello and Welcome to The Sustainable Souls Project September Post.
The Sustainable Souls Project is a monthly artist collaboration inspired
by sustainability issues, concerns, ideas, and thoughts. Each month,
we will pick a sustainability topic and create awareness through art,
using the monthly theme as inspiration. Projects may include
art-journaling, mixed media, assemblage and more. The idea is to create
awareness around Sustainability through art, one paint stroke at a
time! We hope to educate, entertain, and share pretty things for both
humans and the earth.
September's theme is all about Fossil Fuels, how they are used and how they can be disruptive to the environment. Fossil energy sources, including oil, coal and natural gas,
are non-renewable resources that formed when prehistoric plants and
animals died and were gradually buried by layers of rock. Over millions
of years, different types of fossil fuels formed -- depending on what
combination of organic matter was present, how long it was buried and
what temperature and pressure conditions existed as time passed.
Today, fossil fuel industries drill or mine for these energy sources,
burn them to produce electricity, or refine them for use as fuel for heating or
transportation. Over the past 20 years, nearly three-fourths of
human-caused emissions came from the burning of fossil fuels.
Fossil fuels, including coal, oil and natural gas, are currently the
world's primary energy source. Formed from organic material over the
course of millions of years, fossil fuels have fueled U.S. and global
economic development over the past century. Yet fossil fuels are finite
resources and they can also irreparably harm the environment. According
to the Environmental Protection Agency, the burning of fossil fuels was
responsible for 79 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2010.
These gases insulate the planet, and could lead to potentially
catastrophic changes in the earth’s climate. Technologies such as Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) may help reduce the greenhouse gas emissions generated by fossil fuels, and nuclear energy can be a zero-carbon alternative for electricity generation. But other, more sustainable solutions exist: energy efficiency and renewable energy.
Despite current U.S. dependence on fossil fuels, several options exist
to begin the necessary transition away from a harmful fossil fuel
economy. Improving the energy efficiency of buildings, vehicles, industrial processes, appliances and equipment is the most immediate and cost effective way to reduce energy use. Planning communities
where people can safely and conveniently use public transit, walk, or
bike, instead of using private vehicles, also reduces energy demand.
Finally, there are several alternative resources that can supply clean, renewable energy to replace fossil fuels, including water,biomass,wind,geothermal, and solar energy.
Crude oil, which is in its most basic form, mineral deposits formed deep
in the earth or under the sea bed, has been discovered and exploited
all around the world for just over 150 years. It is transformed into
oil, which is then refined into petrol or petroleum products (plastic is
a petroleum derivative, for example), and is produced at the rate of
several million barrels a day. This is often described as the energy of
the world. Without a doubt, despite obfuscation by several countries,
oil production the world over is now peaking, as each oilfield has been
mined and depleted - simply, we are running out of oil supplies.
Technologies are highly advanced in scanning for potential new seams of
oil, but there are fewer and fewer places to look.
However they are obtained, whether through traditional or new methods such as fracking,
burning fossil fuels such as oil, coal and gas results in the
production of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, which cause
global warming. This is a stark truth, but the scientific facts point to
significant warming, indicated by sea levels rising, hotter
temperatures and freakish storm weather patterns, like tsunami's and
hurricanes, becoming more and more regular.
Many campaigners might argue that we should worry least about the impact
that the depletion of resources will have on humans, but maybe we
should look at this impact first. Oil has been the cause of many wars -
the debate continues about the US/UK military presence in Iraq, and as
it becomes scarcer, so may oil-hungry nations become ever more desperate
and willing to fight for it. In the last fifty years, we in the richer
hemisphere have become so dependent on oil for our luxurious lifestyles,
based on possessions and travel that our political systems and
livelihoods often completely depend on the fuels we need to run them.
However, this crisis we are in,could also become the technological
turning point, away from reliance on precious natural resources, and
utilising renewable resources. Sun, wind, and renewable crops (to make
bio-fuel, in this instance) are the major resources that are already
being used, but more needs to be done in the fields of research and
development to make a transition across to the energy gained from these.
At the same time, the realisation needs to spread throughout the world
how our lifestyles must change - how our blind dependency upon fossil
fuel must halt.
Find out for yourself what you can do to change
your lifestyles, starting with your houses - making some of the changes
highlighted on our site, using less fuel, flying less, considering
changing over to solar and/or wind power, and above all, to keep engaged
with the issue.
We asked the Sustainable Souls to
create, using this theme as an inspiration point and as a point to share
what Fossil Fuels means to them. I think you will
be amazed at how
each artist interpreted the theme and how they shared their message.
Let's see how 'Fossil Fuels' was transformed into art.
Hello and Welcome to The Sustainable Souls Project August Post.
The Sustainable Souls Project is a monthly artist collaboration inspired
by sustainability issues, concerns, ideas, and thoughts. Each month,
we will pick a sustainability topic and create awareness through art,
using the monthly theme as inspiration. Projects may include
art-journaling, mixed media, assemblage and more. The idea is to create
awareness around Sustainability through art, one paint stroke at a
time! We hope to educate, entertain, and share pretty things for both
humans and the earth.
August's theme is all about how to use and enhance your natural and artificial habitat for a sustainable life. Green Space, Natural Ventilation, Trees, Plants, and Air Purification are all connected in the search for a Sustainable Future and represent a fundamental component of any eco-system.
"Green spaces such as parks and sports fields as well as woods
and natural meadows, wetlands or other ecosystems, represent a
fundamental component of any urban ecosystem. Green urban areas
facilitate physical activity and relaxation, and form a refuge from
noise. Trees produce oxygen, and help filter out harmful air pollution,
including airborne particulate matter. Water spots, from lakes to
rivers and fountains, moderate temperatures.
Urban parks and gardens play a critical role in cooling
cities, and also provide safe routes for walking and cycling for
transport purposes as well as sites for physical activity, social
interaction and for recreation. Recent estimates show that physical
inactivity, linked to poor walkability and lack of access to
recreational areas, accounts for 3.3% of global deaths.
Green spaces also are important to mental health. Having
access to green spaces can reduce health inequalities, improve
well-being, and aid in treatment of mental illness. Some analysis
suggests that physical activity in a natural environment can help remedy
mild depression and reduce physiological stress indicators."
Besides the enviromental benefits of green space, it can enhance your mood and happiness levels. This Time article has more details.
How can you improve your own personal Greenspace?
1. Take care of your grass. While this may seem like
an obvious piece of advice, it’s often overlooked. Taking care of your
own front yard is a good first step toward protecting and maintaining
your green space. Lawns play a major role in protecting ground water by
reducing runoff, thus preventing soil erosion, maintaining soil
permeability and conserving water. Lawns also provide an extension of
your overall living space, and for many families they become an
enjoyable private oasis.
2. Choose flowers and plants that suit your area’s climate.
It’s imperative to choose plants and flowers that tolerate your area’s
climate. Choosing the correct plants will ensure a beautiful garden year
after year and make the job of caring for your plants much easier.
Having a beautiful green space has also been known to lower blood
pressure, reduce muscle tension, improve attention spans and reduce
feelings of fear and aggression.
3. Prune, prune, prune. Pruning is important to
maintain your flowers, plants and shrubs year after year, but it also
needs to be done correctly. Improper pruning can actually be more
harmful than neglecting to prune completely. Proper pruning will produce
better blooms, maintain a plant’s desired size, and can even rejuvenate
an older shrub. Having well-maintained flowers and shrubs will not only
make your green space more attractive, but it will also provide a
protective habitat for birds and other creatures that serve to enhance
the natural beauty of your outdoor living space.
4. Enrich your soil with a compost pile. Who knew
those old coffee grounds, filters and dryer lint could be the golden
ticket to creating a beautiful green space? These types of materials,
combined with yard clippings, wood chips and leaves, regenerate your
soil. The breakdown of these materials creates humus, which is a
nutrient-filled material, helping the soil to retain moisture. Compost
can also cut down on plant disease and repel pests that are damaging to
your yard. Creating a compost pile will not only provide rich nutrients
that your soil needs, but it also helps the environment by cutting back
on landfill waste, thus extending the life of the landfill.
5. Plant a tree. Planting a tree is one of the most
simple and effective activities you can perform to improve your green
space. In areas of new construction, many neighborhoods start out
virtually treeless. The results include high cooling costs, less oxygen
and more pollutants. There are many trees that are inexpensive and
fast-growing. In fact, some can grow up to 12’ per year, quickly
reversing the effects of new construction. Trees not only help to keep
the heat out of the house, but they also cool the outside temperature
around your home as well. A study in Huntsville, Ala. showed a 31-degree
difference between the shaded and unshaded areas of a parking lot. By
using trees to modify temperatures, the amount of fossil fuels used for
cooling and heating is reduced.
We asked the Sustainable Souls to
create, using this theme as an inspiration point and as a point to share
what Green Space means to them. I think you will
be amazed at how
each artist interpreted the theme and how they shared their message.
Let's see how 'Green Space' was transformed into art.
In addition this month, we have TWO very special Guest Artists who are
Sustainable Souls at heart and fully embrace Green Space and saving our planet! ♥
First up, please welcome Catherine Scanlon!
Catherine is a wonderful artist and human! We are so happy and thrilled that she is joining us this month!
Let's see how she was inspired by the theme.....
Next up is Roxanne Evans Stout. Roxanne is a fabulous teacher and spirit and we are so excited that she has joined us this month.
Aren't they simply stunning and fabulous?
I'd like to say a special THANK YOU to each of our Guest Artists. We
appreciate you taking the time to create with us this month and for
embracing the importance of Sustainability.
What an incredible collection of art! I personally love the unique
characteristics of each piece and what Green Space means to each
person.
Thank you to each and every artist who took time to create with us this month.
Do you want to know what Cities are currently doing to create more Urban Green? Here is a fantastic video by WWF International.
Want to support The Sustainable Souls Project? Grab our badge, located to the right. --- >
