Eco Warrior Princess

There’s something more valuable than antiquing for rare and priceless porcelain ceramics and that’s scouting for sustainable earthenware that doesn’t cost the Earth.

Our need for ceramics began before they were even used for decorative purposes. As far back as 4500 BC, our ancestors used it as kitchenware. In fact, pottery may just be the oldest handicraft in the world. These exquisite artifacts showcase the evolution of arts and culture across civilisations and what is astounding is that many of these masterpieces were fashioned from dirt!

Clay ceramics and porcelain are made from the earth and when their purpose is over, they go back to, well, the earth. However, what originally was an all-natural, hand-thrown art has evolved to a practice that has become rather hazardous to human health and the planet’s. Adding plastics to the clay mix to make them more durable, glazing the clay with lead compounds or leaving heavy carbon footprint with just the process of firing the clay in the kiln are just some ways our love of pottery can cause pollution and damage.

Some potters are taking a more sustainable approach to pottery such as embracing ‘greenware firing’ and recycling ceramic waste. Here are just some of the places you can find sustainable, handcrafted vases and flower vessels made by passionate potters and talented artisans:

Alma Terra Pottery

Founded by Jessica Ruiz, a Chilean living in Australia (where the ceramicist discovered her love for pottery), Alma Terra Pottery is handmade, small batch pottery that is designed for the art lover’s home. Ruiz is fairly new to this raw craft but creates quirky, utilitarian pieces like a master potter. Her unique pieces are ideal to give as a present. Alma Terra ceramics are all handmade using 10 stoneware in the beautiful Ovens Valley in Victoria.

Here and Now Pottery

Here and Now pottery is proudly and sustainably made in the Ukraine. Founder Yuliya Makliuk crafts each piece by hand and is dedicated to practicing her craft without consuming too much energy and producing lots of waste. Finding ways to incorporate broken ceramic shards, glass shards and even clay waste sludges into existing pieces, Here and Now Pottery proves that minimal waste pottery is possible. All ceramic items, except for the large vases, are packed plastic-free and even Christmas tree ornaments are made with reclaimed clay and hemp thread.

Where to Shop Ethical and Sustainable Vases and Flower Vessels

KINTO

Made of porcelain and handcrafted by artisans in Hasami, Japan, these stylish, high-quality ceramic vases suit the minimalist home. Japanese porcelain dates as far back as 1300 years and in the region of Hasami, about 400 years old. KINTO employs local craftspeople who keep the heritage artform alive.

Udumbara

Founded in 1994 and made in a studio-showroom in Kallio Finland, Udumbara has built a reputation on luxury earth-friendly pottery and handmade sculptures made from red clay. Potter and artisan Eva Spoof hand-spins her flower pots into a beautiful and durable work of art that will suit many corners of your home – inside or out.

Oxford Clay Ceramics

It amazes me how incredible people can be. As much as we have gotten used to consuming too much and then producing a lot of waste, here comes the great souls who do whatever they can to take care of the planet, such as Katherine Tomlinson who handcrafts vegan-certified ceramics at Oxford Clay Ceramics in the UK.

Using eco-conscious pottery glazing, 100% renewable energy and zero animal byproducts Oxford Clay Ceramics’ sophisticated, dainty and eco-friendly vases and vessels make a wonderful addition to the vegan home.

Nature By Hand

Nature by Hand is made in Denmark and offers craftsmanship that is in harmony with nature. All handcrafted products have a minimalist, earth tone design with a stylish flair. Each work of art features natural materials and are so well-made that all their items look high-end and expensive.

Pagburnayan

Rather than a shop, Pagburnayan in the main Filipino dialect of Tagalog translates to a place to make pots. And you can hit terra cotta heaven in Vigan, Ilocos Sur in the Philippines where jars upon jars of earthenware are found. However, there are a lot of towns in Ilocos where you can find a Pagburnayan (pottery shops) to buy the famous clay pots known as burnay.

A burnay is originally used to age vinegar, wine and bagoong (or fish paste) but these jars, that come in all sizes, are also used in a lot of different ways such as using it as a plant or flower pot.

Some burnay artisans are still practicing the ancient art form of making pots in Ilocos – where the clay that is mixed with sand is trampled by a carabao (a water buffalo native to the Philippines), pressed and molded by hand before baking the pot in an open kiln then leaving it to dry. However, these days some burnay artisans use a more sustainable approach of greenware pottery where pots are unglazed and unfired which is more eco-friendly than the general practice.

Second-hand vessels

For a wide selection of secondhand vases and used vessels, you can also check out Etsy, eBay, Facebook Marketplace or your local thrift store and op-shop. Many of these places carry heaps of pre-loved vases and pots that range from antique chic to whimsical.

It’s Thanksgiving once again. A time for gratitude. A time for gathering. A time for feast. However, creating a feast that’s sustainable can be quite a challenge especially when people have become so accustomed to preparing an over-the-top Thanksgiving dinner that isn’t exactly mindful and sustainable, even though it’s this kind of Thanksgiving party that Americans need now more than ever given ou environmental challenges and climate crisis.

Here are some reasons why it’s crucial to start throwing a green Thanksgiving dinner:

Animal agriculture

Over 100 world leaders came together at Glasgow, Scotland in October for COP26 with the aim of reaching agreements on how each nation can tackle the climate crisis and keeping temperature from rising over 1.5 degrees celsius compared to pre-industrial levels. It seems the final agreement settled at the conference by world leaders fell short.

While we wait for world leaders to move the needle on the crisis, there are still many things we can do as global citizens to take climate action. One easy and simple way to mitigate of the rapidly escalating effects of climate change is to eat more plant-based meals. Livestock emits more greenhouse gases compared than all transportation emissions in the world combined. However, leaders have dismissed this fact. This is why a plant-based solution is our best bet to catapult us into a better future.

So when preparing Thanksgiving dinner, aim to serve more plant-based meals. Check this post out for easy, super tasty vegan meals you can prepare for the occasion. Want to go further? Make sure to sign the Plant-Based Treaty and share it with you networks.

Animal cruelty

Hundreds of slaughterhouses are getting ready to give in to the carnivorous demands and appetites of those who are preparing to celebrate an opulent feast for Thanksgiving. Crammed in industrial farms before being prepared for human consumption, turkeys’ beaks and toes are removed to prevent the birds from harming each other in confined spaces. In 2018 alone, over two million turkeys were slaughtered in the United States and over six million turkeys were slaughtered in 2018 worldwide. Last year, over 200 million were slaughtered in the US alone.

Give these birds a chance, adopt a turkey for Thanksgiving. Give our planet a chance, and push for the Plant-Based Treaty.

We have been programmed to over-indulge even on regular days so it’s no surprise that on Thanksgiving we gorge ourselves and overeat, giving in to our gluttonous side. It is no wonder that health threats such as heart and diabetic issues are a concern during Thanksgiving.

It’s for this reason that the US Surgeon General declared Thanksgiving as a day to celebrate National Family Health History Day back in 2004 – to urge families to record their family’s health history. So start a conversation with your relatives to know where you are – health and genetic conditions-wise. Being aware of your family’s health background will make you more mindful of what to eat and what you plan to prepare for the family during Thanksgiving or any other day.

While it is highly unlikely that majority will go for a vegan turkey (tofurkey!) to carve on Turkey day, there are plenty of healthy, sustainable and delicious alternative recipes that your tastebuds will enjoy.

Food waste

It should be mentioned that while Thanksgiving dinner focuses on gratitude and giving thanks, it’s equally important that while giving thanks to the elaborate meal laid out in front of you, that you also aim to reduce food waste. A major contributor to the climate catastrophe, the food wasted in the US alone during Thanksgiving is a staggering 200 million pounds worth of leftovers every year. Out of the 200 lbs of food wasted during this time, only 6.3% of it gets composted. So if there is food waste at the end of the day that cannot be fed to your pets, make sure to compost it. Food waste sitting in landfills create methane, an extremely potent greenhouse gas worse than carbon dioxide.

“I had trouble sleeping and would have regular flashbacks of traumatic situations where a dog had to be restrained using animal control poles and nearly asphyxiated. I was left totally disillusioned, with feeling of anger and helplessness. I still have flashbacks to many of these incidents almost ten years later.”

These are the words of Carly Hallyday, an animal rights campaigner in the UK who, during her time at an animal welfare charity, had to assist in the euthanasia of dogs. “The fatigue comes from the perpetual cycle of abused, unwanted, and damaged dogs constantly coming through the doors only to be killed by those who want to help them the most,” she recalls.

What she was experiencing is likely to be a condition of extreme stress and burnout often afflicting activists. Frequently referred to as “compassion fatigue”, this state was first described by Dr Charles Figley, a university professor in the field of psychology, who in 1992 described it as “the emotional and physical burden created by caring for others in distress”.

Compassion fatigue was among the things that ultimately led Carly to leave the field and become a campaigner, but even in a less hands-on scenario, compassion fatigue can still be present. Stylist and sustainable fashion advocate Meg Pirie, also from the UK, says: “I was researching and writing a piece on gender issues within the fashion industry. I’d spent hours pouring over reports and first-hand accounts on women who’d been sexually abused, had birth control enforced or fired because they became pregnant. About a week later I woke up feeling utterly helpless. It was nothing like what they’d been through but I felt drained. I watched brands publicising fast-fashion with ginormous sales and felt defeated.”

*Compassion fatigue is becoming increasingly common. Photo: Anna Tarazevich.*

In today’s constantly connected climate, where we’re continuously bombarded with news headlines that are anything but positive, it’s probable that anyone can experience compassion fatigue. And activists – the individuals who take it upon themselves to act in order to make the world a better place and further a cause or a mission – don’t often contemplate the possibility of emotional burnout deriving from…well, caring so much.

In her TedX talk “Compassion Fatigue: What is it and do you have it?” author and coach Juliette Watts describes the state as a “dark, insidious syndrome that creeps up on you. You don’t know what it is, you don’t know you have it. You just know that something is very wrong and you don’t feel like you anymore.” In fact it can be hard to identify compassion fatigue – you just feel like something is off and find yourself lacking the fighting spirit that you once rode so high on.

To be able to pinpoint what compassion fatigue actually looks like, let’s look at the symptoms. “Compassion fatigue symptoms may include feeling sad, anxious, or angry,” explains therapist, licensed counsellor and compassion fatigue expert Jennifer Blough, founder of Compassion Fatigue Couch.

“You could find yourself struggling with grief, having intrusive thoughts, or nightmares. Some people resort to using unhealthy coping skills such as alcohol or drugs, or isolate themselves from others. You could run into trouble focusing or making decisions. Other symptoms include feeling hopeless, empty, or numb; suffering from headaches, stomach aches, or muscle tension; experiencing work problems or relationship conflicts; losing your sense of humour or self-confidence; and even feeling suicidal.”

Noa Ben Moshe, a blogger and former animal rights activist from Israel, recognises this. “I was an activist for two amazing years and gave my heart and soul – I did anything from demonstrations and marches to conversations and exhibitions,” she says. “But after two years, I felt like it was too much for me mentally and decided to stop, for my own good. For me personally, seeing and talking about such terrible things constantly made me feel so depressed.”

Noa also found that compassion fatigue manifested in her relationships. “Anytime I saw someone I loved eating animals I started crying or getting frustrated, as I was picturing everything that happened to the animal before their body parts landed on that plate. It made me stop attending family meals and events – it was too hard for me to sit next to others enjoying their food, while all I could see was horror.”

Taking a break from activism is a bit of a taboo topic in many movements. Some activists may feel guilty about experiencing the burnout. Selflessness is prioritised and self-care sometimes falls by the wayside as you unite with others to advocate for your cause and fight for a better world. After all, you’re not always personally the victim of whatever injustice you’re fighting – you’re not the refugee fleeing their home, the animal living in a factory farm, or the garment worker struggling to survive on minimal pay. And so, when those feelings of despair and exhaustion creep in, it’s normal to find yourself struggling with them – or even feeling guilty about them.

“It’s normal to feel guilty about struggling with compassion fatigue, especially for those who are high achievers, have unrealistic expectations of themselves, are enthusiastic ‘go-getters,’ or those who struggle with knowing their own limits,” says Blough. “These impossible standards can clash with the harsh reality of activism, leaving people to feel like a failure. It’s important to realise that the same personality traits that make people really effective at activism are also the ones that make them the most vulnerable to compassion fatigue! So understand that your feelings are normal. Recognise that you are human – with limited resources. Accept that it’s okay for you to have needs too.”

Noa agrees. “Doing what we did required a lot of mental resilience and strength. If you don’t give yourself a much-needed mental break when you feel like you need one, or get help, it could really damage your well-being.”

The different ways of combating compassion fatigue depend on your symptoms and your approach, but recognising, understanding and accepting the feelings is key. Just allowing yourself to be human is the first, game-changing step. Muting any comparisons with other activists and tuning into your own needs and feelings could go a long way. Blough says: “While there are a myriad of ways to manage compassion fatigue, what I have found really helpful to remember is that there is a difference between pain and suffering. There’s not a lot we can do to eliminate the pain involved in activism. However, taking steps toward managing compassion fatigue – whether it’s self-care, setting boundaries, or getting support from others – plus this mindset shift, is what allows us to feel the pain, but then be able to cope with it and move on from it. Once we can do that, we’ve stopped the suffering that leads to compassion fatigue.”

As with any mental health issue, it’s important to know when to seek help. Activists are of no use to the cause if they burn themselves out, so if emotions are becoming overpowering, it’s crucial to reach out to a professional for therapy, medication or other forms of support. Activism should be empowering – but if things get out of hand, a mental health professional can provide the assistance necessary to gather strength and return to fight the good fight.

In just over two weeks, more than 100 world leaders will gather in the Scottish industrial city of Glasgow for United Nations climate change negotiations known as COP26. Their task, no less, is to decide the fate of our planet.

This characterisation may sound dramatic. After all, UN climate talks are held every year, and they’re usually pretty staid affairs. But next month’s COP26 summit is, without doubt, vitally important.

In the landmark 2015 Paris Agreement, each nation pledged to ramp up their emissions reduction pledges every five years. We’ve reached that deadline – in fact, a one-year delay due to the COVID pandemic means six years have passed.

This five-yearly requirement set a framework for countries to reach net-zero emissions across the global economy by mid-century. The Glasgow summit is the first real stress test of whether the world can meet that goal.

*COP26 is a major test of the Paris Agreement framework. Photo: Mika Baumeister.*

Global mega-trend toward a clean economy

The Paris Agreement was the world’s first truly global treaty to cut greenhouse gas emissions. It set a shared goal for countries to limit global warming to 1.5? above the long-term average.

The agreement has been signed and ratified by 191 of the world’s 195 countries, giving it near-universal legitimacy.

But the actual emissions-reduction commitments countries brought to Paris, known as “Nationally Determined Contributions”, left the world heading toward 3? of warming this century. This outcome would be cataclysmic for ecosystems and human societies.

That’s why, every five years, countries must bring progressively stronger pledges to reduce emissions.

The years since the Paris summit have seen a dramatic shift towards climate action. Today, countries representing more than two-thirds of the global economy have set a firm date for achieving net-zero emissions.

More importantly many jurisdictions – including the United States, United Kingdom, European Union, Japan and Canada – have substantially strengthened their 2030 targets. This constitutes a powerful market signal, driving a global reallocation of private and public investment from fossil fuels toward clean energy solutions.

What’s at stake in Glasgow?

While the world is moving fast, there remains a crucial gap between current pledges and the goals of the Paris Agreement. Glasgow is seen as the last chance to close that gap and keep the 1.5? goal within reach.

Without stronger national commitments, we risk crossing irreversible “tipping points” in the Earth’s climate system, locking in uncontrollable global warming.

The Australian government has inched toward announcing net-zero emissions by 2050. But such a commitment will not be seen as particularly helpful in Glasgow.

In reality, such announcements are merely the summit’s entry ticket. Discussions have moved on, to ensuring much deeper cuts this decade.

Barring Australia, almost all advanced economies have set new 2030 targets to slash carbon pollution. By 2030 the UK, the summit’s host nation, plans to cut emissions by 68% below 1990 levels. Meanwhile, the US will cut emissions by 50-52% below 2005 levels.

The G7 countries have announced they will collectively halve emissions by 2030. There are clear expectations Australia will follow suit.

At present, Australia plans to take to Glasgow the same 2030 target it took to Paris six years ago – a 26-28% cut by 2030, from 2005 levels. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has hinted he will take an upgraded 2030 projection (rather than target), but this ruse won’t pass muster.

The Paris Agreement is about targets, and countries are required to set new targets representing “highest possible ambition”. If projections suggest we will outperform our target, a new 2030 target is clearly needed.

Global diplomatic pressure is driving a sea change in Australia’s climate politics. Just this month, the Business Council of Australia backed cuts to emissions by 46-50% by 2030. The Murdoch press has thrown its weight behind net-zero emissions. Even many conservative Nationals MPs appear to have dropped opposition to a net-zero target.

There is also dawning recognition within the Morrison government that the global energy transition is underway, and it will significantly boost Australia’s economy.

*The Albany Wind Farm is one of the most spectacular and largest wind farms in Australia. Photo: bmphotographer*.

Thriving in a net-zero world

Australia’s economy is shaped by trends in the global marketplace. The international car market is switching rapidly to electric vehicles. And around the world, wind and solar energy are now cheaper than coal and gas.

Our export markets are changing too. As growing economies in Asia meet their climate targets, they will no longer want to buy coal and gas. Instead they’ll want renewable energy, delivered directly via undersea cable or stored as renewable hydrogen.

Such nations will still want Australian iron ore. But increasingly, they will want “green steel” made using hydrogen instead of coking coal.

Global demand for batteries, electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies will drive Australian exports of critical minerals – including lithium, cobalt and rare earths. Globally, these minerals will be worth A$17.6 trillion over the next two decades.

With the right policy settings, Australia could grow a clean export mix worth A$333 billion annually, almost triple the value of existing fossil fuel exports.

Getting to net-zero could also create 672,000 jobs, and generate A$2.1 trillion in economic activity by mid-century.

Commitments in Glasgow will spark a global race toward net-zero. But it is not a race we should be scared of. If we embrace the transition, Australia will prosper. It’s time to get started – we have a world to win.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Author: Wesley Morgan, Researcher, Climate Council, and Research Fellow, Griffith Asia Institute, Griffith University.