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The Real Cost of Fashion
The term “fast fashion” has recently become a popular turn of phrase used to represent cheap, trendy clothing from retailers such as H&M and Zara. On the surface, fast fashion may seem like a technological innovation - the constant designing and manufacturing of new styles for such low prices seems almost revolutionary. Hidden behind these low prices, however, are high environmental and ethical costs that may make you rethink your next clothing purchase. Environmental Impact The havoc fast fashion has wreaked on the environment has been extensive. In terms of clothing production, fast fashion...
Air pollution must stop! A natural remedy to freshen your home
The problem I choose is about air pollution and how we can solve it. There are 7.7bilion people on this earth and the human race has evolved and come a very long way. As humans, we have ruined the planet with deforestation, pollution, environmental destruction and we have made many species of animals endangered due to our habits. Air pollution is caused by many things like fires and smoke from factories that release ashes and clouds of smoke into the air, which if inhaled could be really bad for your health. My solution to stop air pollution is very simple for your house so that you can have...
Volunteering while traveling: the 'voluntourist' dilemma
A combination of volunteering and tourism, voluntourism has become a popular form of travel over the past few years. At first glance, volunteering internationally may seem like the perfect opportunity to combine an eagerness to make a positive impact on the world with an exciting global adventure. However, there are many hidden effects associated with voluntourism that must be considered before going on such a trip. When I visited Hermosillo, Mexico, on a voluntourism trip, I was able to learn a great deal about both the positive and negative effects of global volunteering. What is...
Resume Game?
Now as the world has come to a halt, many people think about what could keep them occupied. Some are lucky as they can work from home, in an outdoor space, or even at 6 feet apart. It has transpired that productivity in learning new things has dropped to an all-time low. It is almost as if we're playing a video game, stuck on a level. We choose to take a break from it and hit pause. A menu pops up and asks you to; 'Resume Game'. Now this is the tricky part, is it best to keep going to a level that seems complicated and tedious? There might be a small chance that if you pass this level...
Invincibility
When I think of this word, I immediately think of the Disney/Pixar Movie; the Incredibles. A great film that highlighted the importance of heroism, courage, and family. But what makes a hero in our society? The most prevalent heroes are the ones in blue or the individuals who help against the fight with COVID-19. It takes courage and sacrifice to put their lives on the line for those who can no longer fight for theirs. The current populations that are hit the most seem to fall under older aged people. Unfortunately, these patients are the most vulnerable. But what does that say about the...
How to flourish our wellbeing? Tips for adolescents with disabilities
Reimagining a world with unified education
I believe we can’t really say we were ever fully disconnected in this entire pandemic. Physically we are apart, except the presence of various kinds of devices, social media, and the Internet has kept us far from feeling isolated and lonely. I think we all are thankful for having that, yet that’s the oversight of it. There are still locations where communication and connectivity to the world, both digitally and physically, is nonexistent, especially when it comes to learning. Yes, that’s right. The simple, empowering phenomenon of learning has still not been encountered by countless, much to...
International Day for Persons with Disabilities: The power of finding your voice
The Unexpected Environmental Consequences of COVID-19
Photos of reduced smog in China, unpolluted canals in Italy, and wild animals roaming the streets in the United States have been shared all over Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter over the past few weeks, helping give hope to a demoralized global population. However, many of those photos are some of countless examples of the harmful misinformation that has spread over the internet during the pandemic - they have perpetuated a false narrative of an environment saved by a few weeks of quarantine and ignored the negative environmental impacts that have instead ensued. To begin, the pandemic has led...
Everything is different in 2020!
The past five months have not been going well for the entire planet. The whole world is fighting a pandemic. The number of cases and the number of deaths increases hour by hour. Initially, I watched the daily updates from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s briefings or even Cuomo Prime Time on CNN. Watching too much of the news and these statistical numbers made me feel anxious though, and I eventually stopped watching, but I still receive updates through the notifications on my phone. Lockdowns have caused educational institutions to close and shift to online learning. Many first-year university...
All people fight against the epidemic
If you are between 13 and 24, share your illustrations, drawings and other art content that help raise awareness on the importance of supporting each other, kindness in terms of crisis and taking care of your mental health. Learn how to do it, here.
Mental Health and COVID-19
Here in Canada, this week is Mental Health Week. During this uncertain, scary, and difficult time, protecting and managing your mental health can be more challenging than ever. As an individual, I do not suffer from mental health illnesses. Nor am I a certified professional. But, I write this letter as someone who has, and continues to, struggle with managing mental health during this difficult time. I hope you take something away from this article that can help you find a way of managing your mental health, too. On any ordinary day, mental health is something that many people struggle with...
The Mask
Wearing a mask has become a sign of utmost empathy one can show to another We do not wear a mask to protect ourselves, but rather to protect others It is an implicit statement of love, not fear I wear my mask to prevent the spread of the virus that can make you sick Not because I think everyone around me has the virus and wants to infect me Not because I am afraid of the virus I wear my mask to comfort you, not to make you feel apprehensive I wear my mask as a solider in this war against a microscopic threat that spares nobody It is armor Six feet apart and a piece of fabric to cover our face...
What will a world after COVID-19 look like for young people with #ThisAbility?
International Day of the Girl: Nothing is big enough to stop you
How Social Media is Changing the Story for Women’s Voices
As recently as decades ago, those seeking to make a change in gender equality had few means of doing so quickly and conveniently. Social media has proven to be a powerful mechanism in bringing attention to women’s issues, galvanizing action worldwide and advocating to policy makers efficiently and effectively. Unlike rallies limited to those in large cities, or letters seen only by the recipient of the letter, social media can be used by and seen by almost anyone with an internet connection. By overcoming obstacles such as distance and geography, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have created a...
Women and Access to Healthcare
Part of why international development is so complex is the intricate intertwining of various seemingly separate facets - from gender equality to healthcare to education to climate justice, every part is only a small fraction of a greater whole. However, this intersectionality can also be beneficial, as targeting one facet can lead to progress in another. One such example is the achievement of gender equality through access to healthcare. In many parts of the world, a lack of access to healthcare has presented itself in the form of low quality reproductive healthcare. Services such as antenatal...
Suffering in silence: Modern teenage mentality
When you're a child, you used to cry over things such as tripping and falling. Some cry from the searing pain in their leg or even at the mere sight of blood. But someone was always there; to bandage your wounds and wipe your tears away. Easily empathizing, they could see the physical pain your delicate body was being put in. But as children get older, the societal pressures of life tend to mess with their psyche. Unfortunately, these teenagers feelings are being overlooked and glossed over with the excuse "You're just a teenager, what could you possibly be upset about?". Teenagers are in an...