So it’s Winter in Pittsburgh… again. If you’re at all like me, you probably find it difficult to look cute when snow, wind, and 20-something degree temperatures are part of an average day. We all have the classic black puffer jacket. While it is the most practical (and usually the warmest), it isn’t always the…
Follow in the Footsteps of Sustainable Travelers
As winter break approaches, anticipation can build for fun trips you may have planned. As you map out your adventure, remember to keep sustainability intertwined with your activities. Shop Locally Pay attention to where your money goes on your trip. Eat at local restaurants and buy your souvenirs from local vendors to help stimulate their…
Parks are Open for Everyone!
Parks and other green spaces that are put in place by cities are great ways to not only better our environment in an urban setting, but also promote good health for the people who live in that city. Parks provide a sense of community, an open area for all people to come to and…
Litter Effecting our Waterways
Litter that is left by humans can be extremely dangerous to not only our environment but also beings that inhabit alongside us as well, like animals. Trash that is left by passage ways to big bodies of water can pose serious issues for our water as well as the organisms that live in the water…
Fixer Upper: Pittsburgh Edition
Situated within a mile from the town of Mars, Pennsylvania, Downieville Road houses a small part of Pittsburgh history. The Downieville family settled on this plot of land in the late 1800’s, shortly after the towns’ birth. The family members grew and separated into their own houses on the same land. When the mother died,…
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy
The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy is a non-profit organization dedicated to the restoration of the city’s four regional parks: Frick, Highland, Riverview and Schenley. The Parks Conservancy, founded in December 1996, was established by a group of Pittsburgh natives that were concerned with the deteriorating conditions of historic parks in the city. With over $110 million…
E. Coli and Climate Change
On Friday November 23, 2018, the Trump administration released a 1,000 word report on the issue of climate change. The report comes in the wake of the deadly California wildfire outbreak, and the recall of romaine lettuce everywhere. Although President Trump still does not acknowledge climate change, and continues to believe it’s a hoax, these…
Conversations with Grandma
One purpose to learning, and increasing knowledge, is the opportunity to share this knowledge with others. Any scientific topic can be difficult to discuss because there is a baseline level of knowledge, and terminology, necessary for understanding. Regardless, there are ways to share knowledge accessibly through conversation. In an article for Yale Climate Connections, Sara…
Melting Away: Global Warming Causing Coastal Erosion
If a picture is worth a thousand words, how many words is a video worth? In footage captured of the Alaskan coast, we see the effects of the climate crisis over a 9 year period unfold during the 59 second time lapse. As the coast continues to erode, habitat loss threatens those who live nearby. This…
4 Areas Where Sustainable Pittsburgh Development Must Focus On Accessibility
When people think of sustainability and cities, they are most likely to think about environmental issues and things like urban gardens, water conservation, and LEED certified buildings. “Sustainability” touches every part of a city from buildings to streets, public transportation and education, medical access, food access, and beyond. Sustainability in Pittsburgh can only be…