-
Jan 13, 2025 | 
sierraclub.org | Cara Giaimo |Maria Hoey
To feed a global human population of 8 billion and counting, we need more nitrogen than is naturally available in soil. Industrial agriculture relies on the Haber-Bosch process, which uses high pressure and temperatures to create nitrogen fertilizer in the form of ammonia. But the process is responsible for as much as 3 percent of global emissions. Most result from the field application of ammonia fertilizer, which releases nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas even more potent than carbon dioxide.
-
Apr 9, 2024 | 
sierraclub.org | Julia Sklar |Maria Hoey
Large-scale desalination is an enticing dream in a warming world with a dwindling supply of drinking water. If we could simply remove the salt, would become a potable pour. The dream isn't new. The first patent for a desalination system was issued in England in the 1600s, and the first municipal plants opened in the Caribbean and the Middle East in the early 20th century. But almost 100 years later, we still don't have a robust global desalination network.
-
Jan 1, 2024 | 
sierraclub.org | Larissa Zimberoff |Maria Hoey
The meat industry is doing our planet in. Researchers estimate that 14 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions come from livestock production. So a batch of start-ups are taking a scientific approach to solving this problem by making better meat alternatives—innovative burgers, steaks, and kebabs are being crafted without the climate impact of clearing forests and growing crops to feed the animals that we eat.
-
Dec 23, 2023 | 
sierraclub.org | Grace van Deelen |Maria Hoey
Even if we consider ourselves environmentally minded, lowering carbon emissions by swapping animal products for a plant-based diet remains off the table for a lot of people. "In many cultures, there are strongly ingrained beliefs that help people rationalize their meat consumption," said Matthew Ruby, a senior lecturer in psychology at La Trobe University in Australia who studies why people make certain food choices.
-
Sep 21, 2023 | 
sierraclub.org | Krystal Vasquez |Maria Hoey
To respond to climate change, we should focus on ramping down fossil fuels Let's be honest: The window of opportunity to keep the average global temperature rise below 2.7°F (1.5°C) is rapidly closing. That has prompted some prominent climate scientists to call for accelerated research into solar radiation management, or solar geoengineering. Congress even requested a preliminary report on the matter, which the White House quietly released in June.
-
Sep 19, 2023 | 
orangecounty.momcollective.com | Maria Hoey
And for those who have never experienced the joy of a mammogram – let me tell you that it’s not as bad as you think. Really. I promise. You will have to wear one of those amazing gowns that open in the front. Don’t try to put it on the other way, although it seems more prudent to have it open in the back, that’s the wrong way. A tech will be in the room with you positioning your breast at just the right angle, and once it’s positioned between two plastic imaging plates the pressure will be applied.
-
Sep 18, 2023 | 
orangecounty.momcollective.com | Maria Hoey
It’s hard to know how to support a friend who has just been told their world has stopped and they will forever talk about life in terms of before cancer and after cancer. When my friend was told she had breast cancer I didn’t know what to do. I’m awkward at best when it comes to knowing the right thing to say. I didn’t want to say the wrong thing, I didn’t want to be too up in her business, I didn’t want to not be enough up in her business.
-
Sep 9, 2023 | 
orangecounty.momcollective.com | Maria Hoey
Do you like meatloaf? What if I told you that this meatloaf recipe was unlike any other – would you try it? I was never really a fan as I felt like it was dry and just not my favorite thing in the world. So, one day when I was feeling a little saucy I decided to make my own recipe. And thus my favorite meatloaf recipe was born. I have two versions because sometimes you forget to go to the store and get the necessary items, or you are at the store and forget to get the necessary items. It happens.
-
Jun 13, 2023 | 
orangecounty.momcollective.com | Maria Hoey
That’s right, I drank 1 gallon of water every day for 30 days. And yes, I did have to pee. All. The. Time. Why did I want to drink a gallon of water every day? Basically, I wanted to give myself a daily goal for the month. I also wanted to see how it would change my skin, my appetite, my sleeping, and my restless legs. To give a little context – I was not good at drinking water. I was like REALLY bad at it. I generally would drink my 2-3 cups of coffee in the morning.
-
May 23, 2023 | 
orangecounty.momcollective.com | Maria Hoey
Before I had children I used to think that when a mom complained about not having enough time to shower that she clearly was being lazy. Didn’t babies sleep all day? Couldn’t she squeeze in a shower when the baby was, I don’t know SLEEPING?? I feel like slapping my former self.
