An IMPACT library of easy-to-watch videos about the negative impact of our consumption and materialism, habits and lifestyles on communities and the environment; and the positive initiatives and innovations that are part of the solution.
Difficult times call for difficult questions and uncomfortable conversations about our values and
our actions … or lack of it. We are the problem and we are the solution.
The science and art of cultivating plants and livestock. Agriculture was the key development in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that enabled people to live in cities.
The well-being of non-human animals using measures such as longevity, disease, immunosuppression, behavior, physiology, and reproduction.
The total variety of all life on earth. The variability of life on Earth which is typically a measure of variation at the genetic, species, and ecosystem level.
The total amount of CO2 we create in our lives, from the fuel we put in our car, the oil, gas or coal we use for cooking and keeping our homes warm or cool, or the buses, trains and planes we take to travel.
Also known as Climatology (from Greek κλίμα, klima, "place, zone"; and -λογία, -logia) the scientific study of climate, scientifically defined as weather conditions averaged over a period of time.
A term describing global warming and climate change, and their consequences.
The protection of plants and animals, natural areas, and interesting and important structures and buildings, especially from the damaging effects of human activity.
A plan for avoiding the unnecessary use of natural materials, such as wood, water, or fuel, that exist in limited amounts in order to make certain that they will be available for as long a time as possible.
Certification is the award given to a business, product, process, or service.
The removal of a forest or stand of trees from land which is then converted to a non-forest use. Fact: Between 15 - 18 million hectares of forest, an area the size of Belgium are destroyed every year, on average 2,400 trees are cut down each minute.
Also known as urban sustainability, or eco-city (also “ecocity”) is a city designed with consideration for social, economic, environmental impact (commonly referred to as the triple bottom line), and resilient habitat for existing populations, without compromising the ability of future generations to experience the same.
Reflect the concept of environmental protection and awareness, and aim to have minimal to zero impact on the environment.
Biophilic design is design that cultivate the love of living things and connect with nature.
Zero net energy buildings get half or more of their energy from the grid, and return the same amount over the course of a year. Buildings that produce a surplus of energy over the year may be called "energy-plus buildings" and buildings that consume slightly more energy than they produce are called "near-zero energy buildings" or "ultra-low energy houses".
It’s about doing less damage and contributes to the health of a place, use less energy and materials, have a healthier and more comfortable spaces for occupants, has lower environmental impact, are relatively low cost to run and are more valuable properties in the long term.
A vehicle that uses one or more electric motors or traction motors for propulsion, and may be powered through a collector system by electricity from off-vehicle sources, or may be self-contained with a battery, solar panels, fuel cells or an electric generator to convert fuel to electricity. EVs include, but are not limited to, road and rail vehicles, surface and underwater vessels, electric aircraft and electric spacecraft.
In physics, energy is the quantitative property that must be transferred to an object in order to perform work on, or to heat, the object.
Also known as human trafficking, the trade of humans for the purpose of forced labour, sexual slavery, or commercial sexual exploitation for the trafficker or others. This may encompass providing a spouse in the context of forced marriage, or the extraction of organs or tissues, including for surrogacy and ova removal.
The termination of an organism or species. The moment of extinction is generally considered to be the death of the last individual of the species, although the capacity to breed and recover may have been lost before this point.
An arrangement designed to help producers in developing countries achieve sustainable and equitable trade relationships. Members of the Fair Trade movement add the payment of higher prices to exporters, as well as improved social and environmental standards.
Any combustible organic material, as oil, coal, or natural gas, derived from the remains of former life.
Any substance consumed to provide nutritional support for an organism. Food is usually of plant, animal or fungal in origin, and contains essential nutrients, such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, or minerals.
A form of marketing spin in which green PR (green values) and green marketing are deceptively used to persuade the public that an organization's products, aims and policies are environmentally friendly and therefore ‘better’; appeal to nature.
A form of endearment, universal in human communities, in which two or more people put their arms around the neck, back, or waist of one another and hold each other closely.
The interests, opinions, behaviours, and behavioural orientations of an individual, group, or culture.
An organized effort undertaken by groups of individuals in a given geographic area to bring about changes in social policy or influence an outcome, often of a political issue.
The action of polluting especially by environmental contamination with man-made waste.
The quality that allows some people to be knocked down by the adversities of life and come back at least as strong as before.
All media (platforms) that support their users through digital channels in mutual communication and interactive exchange of information.
A relative concept about the claimed unfairness or injustice of a society in its divisions of rewards and burdens and other incidental inequalities based on the user’s worldview of humanity.
Also known as Global Goals, a collection of 17 interlinked goals designed to be a "blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all". The SDGs were set in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly and are intended to be achieved by the year 2030.
NOW defines sustainability as wellbeing for people and our planet. It’s development and action that takes responsibility for our total impact on the community and the environment, to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The goal is to be carbon neutral/positive and support of the 17 Global Goals with accountability and transparency.
Forum for the Future defines sustainability as a dynamic process which enables all people to realise their potential and to improve their quality of life in ways that simultaneously protect and enhance the Earth’s life support system.
The branch of knowledge that deals with the creation and use of technical means and their interrelation with life, society, and the environment, drawing upon such subjects as industrial arts, engineering, applied science, and pure science.
The movement of people between distant geographical locations. Travel can be done by foot, bicycle, automobile, train, boat, bus, airplane, ship or other means, with or without luggage, and can be one way or round trip.
A submicroscopic infectious agent that replicates only inside the living cells of an organism, infecting all types of life forms, from animals and plants to microorganisms, including bacteria and archaea.
Waste is any substance which is discarded after primary use, or is worthless, defective and of no use.
An inorganic, transparent, tasteless, odorless, and nearly colorless liquid, which is vital for all known forms of life, even though it provides no calories or organic nutrients.