Tag Archives: sustainability

Unnecessary Packaging

Dear Earth,

Earth Day has passed, and while it’s always great to see people planting trees, doing clean-ups, and spreading awareness, I can’t help but notice how quickly we go back to our old habits. One thing that really stood out to me recently — especially after cramming for AP Chemistry (shoutout to all the fellow test-takers) — is how much unnecessary packaging we still use, especially in developed countries. Like, why does everything have to come wrapped in three layers of plastic just to make it look “nicer”?

Let’s talk about marketing. Companies LOVE to sell you a product, but they also love to sell you an image. That’s why your shampoo comes in a fancy box inside another box, maybe with a little ribbon or shiny wrapper. All of that is just for appearance — it doesn’t actually make the product better. It’s just more trash we end up tossing.

This is super common in wealthier countries, where people are used to having things look “premium” or “gift-worthy.” It’s a way to make products feel more valuable. But here’s the thing: most of that extra packaging gets thrown away in minutes. And guess what? Most of it isn’t recyclable, even if it looks like it should be.

From a chem perspective (yes, AP Chem did teach us something!), plastic isn’t just one thing — it’s made of different polymers, often treated with dyes, coatings, and additives. That makes recycling way harder than it sounds. So when you think you’re doing something good by tossing it in the blue bin, it might still end up in a landfill. Or worse, the ocean.

So what can we do about it? For starters, we can stop falling for the “more packaging = better product” trick. If there’s a version of a product with less waste, pick that one. Support brands that actually care about sustainability — not just the ones slapping a green leaf on the label and calling it “eco-friendly.”

Post-Earth Day is the perfect time to reflect and realize that protecting the planet isn’t just a one-day event. It’s about the choices we make every single day, even something as small as the toothpaste we buy or the snacks we bring to school.

The bottom line: we don’t need more plastic to feel like we’re getting our money’s worth. Let’s start demanding less packaging and more real change.

Best Wishes,

Jessica Ngok

When 5 R’s Just Aren’t Enough

Dear Earth,

I abhor. I loathe. I abominate. I detest the fact that a handful of people—men in suits, sipping overpriced lattes—get to pass a policy that quietly slithers into law and somehow ends up telling me what bin to throw my banana peel into.

But… sigh… here’s the brutal paradox: without policy, our economy, our politics, society, even the very air we breathe, would be absolutely drowning in corruption. Like, actual chaos. Wild West. Anarchy. Think Mad Max but with overflowing compost bins.

Recently, I went to the UC Berkeley aNova Hacks event in San Francisco—vibes were unmatched, and the themes? Climate crisis, societal good, design excellence. Basically, my alley. One presentation absolutely fried my brain in the best way. Someone—some actual genius group—announced that there aren’t just 5 R’s in waste management.

No. There are 12.

Yes, twelve.
You heard me.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle? Child’s play. Now we have to Rethink, Refuse, Redesign, Repair, Refurbish, Remanufacture, Repurpose, Recover, and yes, still Recycle—with a sprinkle of Responsibility and Rot on top.

Image adapted from https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Strategies-of-12Rs-from-Linear-Economy-to-Circular-Economy-III-NEXUS-BETWEEN-CIRCULAR_fig1_357366438

If you already found it a struggle to separate trash from recyclables, the 12 R’s will make you question every item in your fridge, closet, and soul. Like, are my broken headphones recyclable? Should I repurpose this spaghetti jar? Is this the right moment to “Rethink” my entire life?

Cue: my beloved eco-warrior family member. The type who makes sure every scrap of paper, every veggie stem, every greasy takeout box is going exactly where it belongs—compost, landfill, recycling, you name it. Total green queen. But guess what? They still got fined. Yep. Fined. For trying to do the right thing. Turns out, even good intentions get wrecked without knowing the policy.

Only after the fine did they realize: wow, maybe we should’ve read the trash disposal rules instead of just guessing based on vibes.

And that’s the thing. Policy feels like a cage, until you realize it’s also the one thing keeping the hyenas out. It’s frustrating, it’s annoying, it’s a brain workout. But it’s also… weirdly necessary.

So next time someone tells you to “just recycle,” you can politely (or dramatically) inform them that the R’s have multiplied and we are now playing 4D chess with our leftovers.

Policy sucks. But the planet? Still kinda matters.

Peace. Love. Earth.,

Jessica Ngok 🌎

Food Sustainability is Failing

Dear Earth,

The issue of food sustainability in the United States is becoming increasingly critical, as it is evident that many American citizens are facing significant challenges in accessing sustainable food sources. The current food system is heavily reliant on industrial agriculture, which often prioritizes short-term profits over long-term environmental health. This approach not only compromises the quality and availability of food but also contributes to a range of social and economic disparities. As a result, many communities, particularly those in low-income areas, find themselves with limited access to fresh, nutritious food, leading to a cycle of poor health and food insecurity. 

Photo is adapted from: How to prevent soil erosion? | Wikifarmer

The connection between food sustainability and climate change is undeniable. The agricultural practices that dominate the American food landscape are major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and soil degradation. These practices not only threaten the environment but also exacerbate the effects of climate change, creating a vicious cycle that further undermines food security. As extreme weather events become more frequent and severe, the vulnerability of our food systems increases, making it even more challenging for citizens to rely on a stable and sustainable food supply. This situation calls for urgent action to rethink and reform our food systems to prioritize sustainability and resilience. 

To address the failures of food sustainability in America, a multifaceted approach is necessary. This includes promoting local and organic farming practices, supporting policies that encourage sustainable agriculture, and increasing public awareness about the importance of food choices in relation to climate change. By fostering a more equitable food system that prioritizes environmental health and community well-being, we can begin to reverse the trends that have led to food insecurity and environmental degradation. Ultimately, creating a sustainable food future is not just about improving access to food; it is about ensuring that all Americans can thrive in a healthy and sustainable environment.

Peace. Love. Earth.,

Jessica Ngok 🌎

What to Expect (And Not Expect) in Trump’s 2024 America

Dear Earth,

With Donald Trump back in the White House, we’re already seeing some major shifts in climate policy. In classic Trump fashion, it’s shaping up to be a big “Thank you, next” to recent environmental efforts. Instead of pushing for renewable energy, get ready for a renewed love affair with fossil fuels. There may be an oil rig pop-up in every backyard if things go the way the fossil fuel industry hopes. Environmentalists are shaking their heads and saying, “Didn’t we just go through this?” 

The U.S. pulling back from international climate agreements could feel like that one friend who bails on plans last minute. As one of the world’s largest carbon emitters, the U.S. plays a crucial role in global emissions reduction. So if America decides to step back, other countries might throw their hands up too, thinking, “If they’re not in, why should we be?” Agreements like the Paris Accord, which aims to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, could start feeling more like wishful thinking than a real plan.

Here at home, it might be up to state and local governments to take up the environmental slack. States like California and New York, who’ve been paving the way in green energy, could become the “cool parents” of climate action, handing out solar panels and reusable bags while the federal government doubles down on coal. Localized climate goals could keep some progress alive, but it might also lead to a confusing patchwork of rules where, depending on the state, you’re either a climate warrior or an “anything-goes” energy user.

Economically, it’s a mixed bag. Rolling back federal incentives for clean energy could slow down job growth in wind, solar, and other renewable industries, impacting communities that rely on these sectors. But here’s the twist: companies and the general public are more eco-conscious than ever. Even if federal policy pulls back, popular support and business interest in sustainability could create a quirky, resilient counterculture of climate action, driven by green-minded folks determined to keep us moving forward, one compost bin at a time.

Sincerely,

Jessica N.

Building Careers in the Shadow of Climate Change

Dear Earth,

There’s a question we’ve all been asked a hundred times—“What do you want to be when you grow up?” For some, it might spark excitement, a chance to imagine a life as a doctor, scientist, or engineer. But for many of us, the answer is more complicated. When I think about the future, my mind doesn’t just drift to the career path or the dream job I’d like to pursue. Instead, a deeper fear rises up: Will there even be a future for me to build a career in?

Climate change isn’t a distant problem and it wasn’t to begin with. It’s here, and it’s reshaping everything. Natural disasters once considered rare and extreme are becoming the norm. Take, for instance, hurricanes like Milton and Helene that struck with a ferocity unimaginable only a decade ago. They wiped out communities, displaced families, and caused billions in damage. Thousands of people had to rebuild their lives from scratch, and for many, it wasn’t just homes that were lost—it was jobs, businesses, entire industries that had to start over or disappear altogether. Imagine working toward a career, only to see the very foundation of that career wiped out by a storm.

Image is adapted from: AP News Hurricane Milton

And it’s not just hurricanes. We’re seeing floods in places where they never happened before. Just think about the Sahara Desert—once a symbol of dryness, sand, and relentless heat, now experiencing unprecedented flooding. The irony of one of the driest places on Earth being submerged is like a warning bell ringing for us all. It tells us that climate change is a global force, ignoring boundaries, affecting places we thought were immune.

Photo is adapted from: CNN News Sahara Desert

This kind of instability creates uncertainty for everyone, especially for young people who are preparing to build their lives, careers, and futures. We’re constantly told to dream big and to reach for careers that will allow us to make an impact, to build something meaningful. But it’s hard to make plans when the world we’ll inherit feels so fragile.

In the past, ambition was encouraged with the promise that the future was ours to shape. But now, the future doesn’t feel as guaranteed. We’re told that to make a difference, we need to become engineers, scientists, environmental activists—but even these roles face unique pressures in a world that may need to spend more time managing disasters than innovating. Even if we choose careers aimed at solving these problems, we still have to wonder if we’ll be equipped for what lies ahead.

Facing the fear of an uncertain future isn’t easy, and sometimes it feels like an overwhelming weight. But perhaps in that fear, we’ll find the motivation to build a career with purpose, not just for ourselves but for the generations that follow. Maybe the question isn’t so much “What do you want to be when you grow up?” but rather, “How can you shape the future we all deserve?”

Sincerely,

Jessica Ngok