Environment

July 6, 2021

Japan’s “Tree Burials” Are Becoming a Popular Alternative to Traditional Gravesites

The world is running out of space to bury the dead, so people are searching for respectful—and environmentally friendly—solutions. In Hong Kong, this means building vertical cemeteries and encouraging cremation, and in the greater Seattle area, this means offering a service to turn humans into compost. Similarly, Japan is promoting Jumokusō, or “tree burials,” as an alternative to traditional gravesites. This relatively new concept was first proposed in 1999 by Shounji Temple in northern Japan.

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June 4, 2021

An Introduction to ‘Climate Gentrification’ and the Rising Prices of Higher Ground

Climate change is a common term used to refer to “a change in global or regional climate patterns.” It is often used in conjunction with the greenhouse effect and reports of rising sea levels. But there's another term in the eco-conscious sector of culture known as climate gentrification. So, what is climate gentrification? Gentrification is the changing of a poor urban area as affluent people and businesses begin to move in.

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December 29, 2020

This 2-Acre Vertical Farm Is Managed by AI and Robots and Uses 99% Less Land

In just 30 years, almost 70% of the world population will live in cities. How will we produce food to serve a growing population that is becoming more and more concentrated? Vertical farming seems to be a critical tool for feeding these dense areas—and for doing so without the massive carbon footprint that comes with shipping food from far away farms. San Francisco’s Plenty is a tech startup on the forefront of vertical farming technology.

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My Modern Met

Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.