6 MYTHS ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE With the climate crisis becoming a hot topic in mainstream media - there's a lot of confusion around what climate change actually is. That's why we've tried to clear up some of the most frequently heard myths, so that you can tell fiction from fact! MYTH 1: THE EARTH’S CLIMATE HAS ALWAYS CHANGED Over the course of the Earth’s 4.5-billion-year history, the climate has changed a lot. This is true. But the rapid warming we’re seeing now can't be explained by natural cycles of warming and cooling. The kind of changes that would normally happen over hundreds of thousands of years are happening in decades. Global temperatures are now at their highest since records began. In fact, 17 of the 18 warmest years on record have all taken place since 2001. This much faster warming corresponds with levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which have been increasing since the industrial revolution. So, when people talk about climate change today, they mean anthropogenic (man-made) climate change. This is the warming of Earth’s average temperature as a result of human activity, such as burning coal, oil and gas to produce energy to fuel our homes and transport and cutting down trees to produce the food we eat. MYTH 2: PLANTS NEED CARBON DIOXIDE Plants do need carbon dioxide (CO2) to live. Plants and forests remove and store away huge amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere each year. But the problem is, there’s only so much carbon dioxide they can absorb and this amount is getting less, as more and more forests are cut down across the world, largely to produce our food. Let’s be clear, CO2 itself does not cause problems. It's part of the natural global ecosystem. The problem is the quantity of CO2 that’s being produced by us as humans; there hasn’t been this level of CO2 in the atmosphere for 800,000 years. MYTH 3: GLOBAL WARMING ISN'T REAL AS IT'S STILL COLD Global warming is causing the Earth’s average surface temperature to increase. This is not only making heatwaves and droughts more likely but it’s also causing changes to our natural climate systems. These changes are making extreme weather events more likely and more severe. For example, hurricanes and storms are becoming more intense, moving slower and taking longer to die down. Because of where we are, the UK & Ireland are likely to get more rain and wind as a result of climate change while New York will see more snow. MYTH 4: CLIMATE CHANGE IS A FUTURE PROBLEM This is no longer an excuse not to act on climate change and push the burden onto future generations. Last year, the world’s leading climate scientists warned we only have 12 years to limit global warming to a maximum of 1.5C and avoid climate breakdown. We’re already seeing the devastating effects of climate change on global food supplies, increasing migration, conflict, disease and global instability, and this will only get worse if we don’t act now. Man-made climate change is the biggest environmental crisis of our time. It threatens the future of the planet that we depend on for our survival and we're the last generation that can do something about it. MYTH 5: RENEWABLE ENERGY IS JUST A MONEY-MAKING SCHEME It's a commonly-held belief that renewable energy is expensive, but this simply isn’t true! Solar power and onshore wind are the cheapest ways of generating electricity; meaning the energy they produce is cheaper than using nuclear, gas and fossil fuels. The cost of renewables has fallen faster than anyone could have predicted. And yet the government are still backing dirty fossil fuels. Did you know the UK has the biggest fossil fuel subsidies in the EU? That’s right, they spend an eye-watering €12bn a year supporting dirty fossil fuels. MYTH 6: RENEWABLE ENERGY CAN ONLY WORK WHEN IT'S NOT CLOUDY OR WINDY Industry is developing new techniques for storing electricity and managing demand at peak times meaning that even if the sun isn't shining or it’s not blowing a gale, it’s still possible to rely on renewable energy sources. The majority of UK homes get their electricity from the National Grid. When you switch to a clean supplier, they guarantee that for every unit of electricity you take out of the Grid, they’ll put the same amount of clean energy back in, helping to clean up our energy supply. Source: https://www.wwf.org.uk/updates/here-are-10-myths-about-climate-change

Facts about Plastic: Plastic is non-biodegradable which means it only breaks down to smaller pieces that can still harm the environment and wildlife. Plastic can take more than 500 years to decompose. Plastic is made of petroleum which means that is not from a renewable source. During manufacturing of plastic, toxic chemicals are releasing through the air which eventually ends up creating land, water, and air pollution. Over 8 billions kg of plastic end up in oceans every year. These are only a few of the reasons why we should reduce the use of plastic in our everyday life. Facts about Bamboo: Bamboo is a highly sustainable plant due to its naturally renewing properties. It can grow to full size much quicker than a standard tree that can take more than 30 years to grow to full size. Bamboo trees can grow to full size un just 3-4 months (!) - if they are in the right conditions. Some species, can grow at the rate of 36 inches in just 24 hours! Bamboo plants produce up to 30% more oxygen compared to normal trees, as they absorb twice as much carbon dioxide. Bamboo fibers are naturally anti-bacterial. That's why bamboo trees can be grown without the use of pesticides. Bamboo grows from the roots and not often needs to be replanted. Due to the sustainable & renewable attributes of bamboo, it is becoming an increasingly popular resource for the creation of products. Considering all of the reasons above, we, at Re4Earth, decided to choose Bamboo as an Eco-Friendly alternative option for our Personal Hygiene Collection. Make the swap and be part of our effort to save our planet! Discover Re4Earth® Bamboo Product Collection:

Before first use : -Rinse the handle and the bristles with water to make sure that there is no bamboo dust on it. After every use : -Rinse the toothbrush with water to avoid bacteria growth. -Dry the handle with a soft towel to remove moisture. -Store your bamboo toothbrush in a dry place like a holder or a clean container. Make sure that there is sufficient air flow to avoid mold growth. You can try our Re4Earth® Toothbrush Holder which is also very minimal & complements any bathroom. Once in a while : -You can disinfect your bamboo toothbrush with a combination of water, vinegar  and baking soda. Dip the bristles in the mix and leave it for approximately 15 minutes, then rinse it with water. Every 2-3 months : -Recycle your toothbrush and replace it with a new one! Extra Tip : -You can use a bamboo toothbrush case for your trips, to keep it fresh & clean wherever you go. Check out our Re4Earth® Bamboo Toothbrush Case.

September is the perfect month to detox after summer vacation! Our favorite antioxidant smoothie will give you the energy boost you need to face the new season and will also fill your body with good nutrients to create balance in your everyday life. Follow the recipe below and be ready for a fresh start! Ingredients: 1⁄4 cup strawberries, hulled 1⁄4 cup raspberries 1⁄4 cup blueberries 1⁄4 cup cranberries 1⁄4 cup apple juice 1 tsp. spirulina powder Procedure: Put all the ingredients into a blender. Blend until smooth. Pour into a glass and serve immediately. ...For an extra cool feeling that supports environmental change as well, don't forget to enjoy it with your reusable Re4Earth Metal Straw. You can get now our Ultimate Guide with Smoothies Recipes (and more!), created with love by Re4Earth® team, especially for smoothie lovers! You will discover more than 30 smoothie recipes -healthy or not! because everyone needs a break sometimes. Last, but not least...our surprise from us to you: Our Guide includes some wellness tips that will help you to empower yourself. And for a better detox, don’t forget to drink a lot of water!

Every year the Earth Day Network, as organizers of the original Earth Day, selects an environmental priority to engage the global public. The enormous challenges – but also the vast opportunities – of acting on climate change have distinguished the issue as the most pressing topic for the 50th anniversary year. At the end of 2020, nations will be expected to increase their national commitments to the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change, so the time is now for citizens to call for greater global ambition to tackle our climate crisis. Climate change represents the biggest challenge to the future of humanity and the life-support systems that make our world habitable. Unless every country in the world steps up – and steps up with urgency and ambition – we are consigning current and future generations to a dangerous future. Earth Day 2020 will be far more than a day. It must be a historic moment when citizens of the world rise up in a united call for the creativity, innovation, ambition, and bravery that we need to meet our climate crisis and seize the enormous opportunities of a zero-carbon future. The first Earth Day in 1970 mobilized millions of Americans for the protection of the planet. On April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans — 10% of the U.S. population at the time — took to the street, college campuses, and hundreds of cities to protest environmental ignorance and demand a new way forward for our planet. The first Earth Day is credited with launching the modern environmental movement. Earth Day is now recognized as the planet’s largest civic event and it led to passage of landmark environmental laws in the United States, including the Clean Air, Clear Water and Endangered Species Acts. Many countries soon adopted similar laws, and in 2016, United Nations chose Earth Day as the day to sign the Paris climate agreement into force. “Despite that amazing success and decades of environmental progress, we find ourselves facing an even more dire, almost existential, set of global environmental challenges, from loss of biodiversity to climate change to plastic pollution, that call for action at all levels of government,” said Denis Hayes, the organizer of the first Earth Day in 1970 and Earth Day Network’s Board Chair Emeritus. “Progress has slowed, climate change impacts grow, and our adversaries have become better financed,” said Earth Day Network president Kathleen Rogers. “We find ourselves today in a world facing global threats that demand a unified global response. For Earth Day 2020, we will build a new generation of environmentalist activists, engaging millions of people worldwide.” Read More about Earth Day Network and its actions: https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-50th-anniversary/?fbclid=IwAR1EhChifo3dOVjdj2dk9kaaD1-1crkjGs9wOJhdZoNHH1uEn4NcrqvEw54

Half the world is on lockdown. So, the constant hum of cars, trucks, trains and heavy machinery has stopped, drastically reducing the intensity of the vibrations rippling through the Earth's crust. Seismologists, who use highly sensitive equipment, have noticed a difference in the hum caused by human activity, according to Fast Company. In Belgium, scientists report at least a 30 percent reduction in that amount of ambient human noise since lockdown began there, according to Popular Mechanics. Scientists say this may be beneficial to seismologists, as it will allow them to detect minor earthquakes and to improve their tracking of volcanic activity and other seismic events, as Nature reported. Thomas Lecocq, a geologist and seismologist at the Royal Observatory in Belgium, first pointed out the phenomenon, according to CNN. He noticed the 30 to 50 percent reduction since the country started its social distancing measures in mid-March and businesses and industries shut down. Lecocq said the vibrations he has seen are on par with what it is like on Christmas Day in Belgium. While most seismologist instruments are placed outside cities to avoid vibrations caused by urban centers, the one in Brussels was built more than 100 years ago and the city has expanded around it since then. That proximity to the city accounts for the dramatic dip in seismic activity, as CNN reported. Read More: https://www.ecowatch.com/coronavirus-earth-shaking-less-2645628570.html?rebelltitem=3#rebelltitem3

By Nancy Schimelpfening The CDC has made certain recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic to keep us all safer. Being a considerate shopper means following these guidelines. It's also important to be aware of the needs of others so everyone is able to buy the food and supplies they need. Store employees and delivery personnel also deserve our consideration. If you're the person who does the shopping in your home, you may have felt a great deal of frustration during the past several weeks. Although we're being encouraged to follow certain measures to prevent the spread of the disease COVID-19, it seems that some of our fellow shoppers are not always following them. Whether they're crowding in between us, bursting our carefully cultivated 6-foot bubbles of space, or leaving their discarded gloves in their carts for the next person to remove, these shoppers are rude and infuriating. But for the rest of us who may not want to be "that person," here are six ways to be a more considerate shopper. Read More: https://www.ecowatch.com/grocery-shopping-during-covid19-2645755740.html?rebelltitem=1#rebelltitem1

Greenland's kilometers-long ice sheet underwent near-record imbalance last year, scientists have reported on Wednesday. The ice sheet suffered a net loss of 600 billion tons, which was enough to raise the global watermark 1.5 millimeters, accounting for approximately 40% of total sea-level rise in 2019. The alarming development was reported in "The Cryosphere," a peer-reviewed journal published by the European Geosciences Union. Researchers noted that the massive melt was not due only to warm temperatures but also to unusual high-pressure weather systems, which suggested that scientists may be underestimating the threats the ice faces. The unusual high-pressure weather systems are linked to climate change and they have blocked the formation of clouds, causing unfiltered sunlight to melt the surface of the ice sheet. Fewer clouds also meant less snow, which researchers found to be some 100 billion tons below the 1980-1999 average. Read More: https://www.ecowatch.com/greenland-ice-melt-2645742998.html?rebelltitem=2#rebelltitem2

(CNN) The European Space Agency has released two images of Venice, taken one year apart, which highlight the impact the coronavirus pandemic has had on its famous waterways. The images, one taken on April 13 and the other on April 19, 2019, show how dramatically the number of boats within the Italian city's main thoroughfare has reduced since the Covid-19 crisis began. Venice, situated in northeastern Italy in an enclosed bay in the Adriatic Sea, is famed for its network of waterways. But since Italy announced a lockdown on March 8, the city -- usually packed with tourists -- has been almost empty. The images show that this has had a knock on effect on traffic in the city. In April last year, there appears to be dozens of boats in Venice's Grand Canal and the Giudecca Canal, but there were visibly far fewer this week. The images were taken by the European Space Agency's Sentinel-2 satellite, which is part of the European Commission's Copernicus program to observe earth and any changes to the environment. Read More: https://edition.cnn.com/2020/04/16/europe/venice-space-satellite-images-canals-scli-intl-scn/index.html?fbclid=IwAR2rUq93j1uI_fcqrgtKEwkErf3nOrbjxjxkcIFPIvJXxOCWyjyPEZsXvPg