Last week we shared an article from The Guardian with an excerpt of a book by Alice Bell looking at the history of climate change over the past 60 years. This week we are sharing a study conducted by Monterey Bay Aquarium that illustrates the disparity between which countries are responsible for the most carbon emissions and which countries are seeing the biggest effects.
Carbon emissions are responsible for trapping heat within our atmosphere, but the study shows, "90% of the human-generated emissions that cause climate change come from just 8% of the planet’s surface" and "more than half of the Earth’s landmass will experience extreme warming by the end of the 21st century". So while the emissions causing climate change are concentrated the impact is widespread.
Figure 2 from the published study. Aquarium scientists found significant disparities between areas releasing the most heat-trapping emissions and the places projected to experience the most severe warming caused by those emissions. Red shows areas contributing comparatively few greenhouse emissions while experiencing more severe warming. Blue represents areas emitting far more emissions, yet experiencing relatively less warming. (Photo: Van Houtan et al. 2021)
No surprise that industrial regions such as Western Europe, northeastern North America, and the Arabian Gulf are responsible for emitting the most carbon emissions, but countries across Africa and Central Asia are experiencing the greatest disruptions. The disparity is evident within the United States as well , "Most greenhouse emissions in the U.S. originate in the more industrialized northeast corridor, but most of the impacts of those emissions show up in the west — where land temperatures are increasing most notably in Alaska, South Dakota, Idaho, and Montana." The study illustrates the climate change inequalities between cause and effect and highlights that necessary change can only occur on a global scale if we are to stabilize the planets climate.
Think it is odd that an aquarium would conduct this type of research? The study goes on to note that the ocean absorbs 93% of the heat from climate change and the ramifications of that are huge. We dig deeper into that issue next week. For more read the full Monterey Bay Aquarium study published by Science Advances here. Scroll down to our Inspiring Reads section for recommendations on climate change and effects on our supply chain.
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Doing It Right - 
Two sisters passionate about women's development and the planet established Aks which in Urdu language means reflection. 80% of women's lives in emergent nations is connected to textiles so they focus on manufacturing a product connected to the lives of women. Hand embroidered sneakers are made using Fairtrade certified organic cotton with 100% natural rubber outer soles. No plastic, no man made synthetics, no toxic chemicals and no blends makes it safer for the women picking the cotton and saves 92% water compared to conventional cotton. The hand embroidery preserves a heritage craft and results are comfortable, beautiful, one of a kind, lightweight, naturally bio-degradable sneakers. What you wear is a reflection of you so shop AKS now.
Inspiring Reads - 
Fund literacy and protect the planet when you buy books from Certified B Corporation, Better World Books. We hope the books mentioned below inspire your journey.
In Case You Missed It - 
VIVAIA offers a wide selection of comfortable, stylish women's shoes that are eco-friendly and zero waste by using upcycled materials and 3D technology. Plastic bottles are recycled to make thread, wool comes from happy sheep, infused herbs neutralize insole odors, carbon-free outsoles, simple packaging from recycled cardboard and a commitment to audit and monitor factory conditions for fair, safe employee first working conditions using renewable energy. Flats are machine washable, heeled shoes hand washing recommended. Click on your personal style and step into conscious comfort.
Santicler manufactures beautiful, easy to care for women's apparel, made with nontoxic materials from renewable resources for the lowest environmental impact . Committed to social responsibility, material ethically sourced and zero waste processes. Packaging is recycled or biodegradable materials without compromising on quality. As summer winds down we encourage you to jump to their site and get ready for cooler weather with soft, luxurious apparel and accessories. Shop Santicler products.
East Fork Pottery takes a stand for social equality. Partnering with community outreach organizations to stretch outside their comfort zone; paying employees a living wage, they are now working towards increasing wages to a family living wage. Receiving Carbon Neutral Certification and B Corporation Certification has inspired them to make even greater changes. East Fork's About Page was part of our inspiration for starting The Savvy Elephant. AND we haven't even touched on how stunning and beautiful their pottery is! See for yourself by clicking through to the East Fork Website.
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