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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 againt the epidemic. No country or anyone can stand alone.

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.

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...

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...

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...

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...

It's a reality we've been living in for the past eight months. February, the month of transformation - this year for me it began in Goa. The jungle, the sea, colors, wind, sunshine... and companionship. Seems almost like a dream to us now. Then March came, and ''companionship'' as a term itself became a taboo. But what is companionship? Do you need love? Do you need tenderness, socializing, mobility - to be aware that you are a living being? Of course you do. We all do. The world is in need of kindness and compassion. Instead we are living are present lives in solitude, and solitude is the key...

My dream has always been to help people around the world. I create art to spread awareness about the improvements that we can create for our world if we work together. In this art piece, my message is to be kind and push towards making a world where everyone can find success and love, regardless who they are and the challenges they face. I want to remind people about the importance of a greener world with equality for all. Together, we can develop a life worth living! Love yourself, love others, and spread kindness!!

I was born in a world surrounded by technology. My school recess was playing basketball on the Wii, memorizing the multiplication table was reaching level 10 in online math games, and putting a song disc in my music player was searching up a song on YouTube. My name is Alisha Arora and I am an ambitious 15-year-old on the mission to leverage technology to prevent suicide. In middle school, I always felt distant from technology because in my school STEM was a “boys” thing and the baking and knitting club was for us girls. I remember watching the boys on my robotics team build a massive robot...

I was born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario (located on unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe Nation) to two Chinese immigrants. Throughout my childhood, I was surrounded predominantly by Chinese culture - my family and I spoke Cantonese at home, ate Chinese food at every meal, and celebrated Chinese holidays. I was very proud of my heritage - it made me unique amongst my peers and gave me something I could share with my friends. As I grew up, however, I became increasingly aware of the inequities faced by people of colour in Canada both historically and in the present. Not only did I...

How do you become a leader? There’s a myriad of ways I can choose to answer this, but the simplest answer is to just start. From yearning to represent the elementary class, I now represent much more than that. I’m a youth provincial riding representative, I deliver needs to marginalized youth who aspire to go into STEM, magazine writer, advocate, and a young Muslim woman, which those three words yet alone the ensemble of those 3 words, is seen as anything but successful. Most of all, I’m a storyteller. I share my experiences through my own writing, just like right now. Believe me yet? Awesome...