Why Now is a Great Time for Developing a Green Economy

There’s no doubt that Covid-19 has taken a human and socio-economic toll over the course of the last six months, with more than 10 million cases and 500,000 deaths recorded so far. However, the pandemic has always provided moments of hope and economy across the globe, from the boom in ecommerce and the rise of remote working to the unexpected 8% emissions reduction reported in the UK. These trends have also been impactful across the globe, and there’s no doubt that they have the potential to sustain significant and positive change into the future.

This is definitely the case when it comes to the environment, but is now really the ideal time for a developing a green and sustainable economy?

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What is a Green Economy and Why Should the World Care?

Of course, the Covid-19 outbreak came on the back of global environmental protests by organisations such as Extinction Rebellion, which sought to drive radical change and introduce a green economy that would make the UK carbon neutral by 2025.

This was deemed to be incredibly ambitious by some commentators, although the current Conservative government has pledged to create a greener, carbon neutral economy by 2050.

OK, we hear you ask, but what exactly is a green economy? In simple terms, this refers to an economy that aims to actively reduce the environmental risks posed by business and wealth generation and ecological scarcities, while also driving sustainable development without degrading the environmental landscape.

While regulations and multilateral agreements such as the Paris Climate Change Agreements take care of the first element of this, it’s socially responsible investment that drives the second.

The best example of the latter exists in the form of investment in renewable energy technology, which is arguably the single most important dynamic for future infrastructure spending throughout the global community.

Can Covid-19 Trigger Increased Green Technology Spending?

With this in mind, the importance of green economics and increased renewable energy technology spending is clear, while the sharp decline in emissions during the coronavirus outbreak has raised hopes that a green global economy may be on the horizon.

Green Finance

Remember, China was already emerging as the world’s leading investor in renewable technology prior to the outbreak, with a global report also highlighting the continuing decline of oil values as being indicative of a changing global landscape.

Of course, there’s some argument as to whether the record decline in oil prices is triggered primarily by an ongoing imbalance between supply and demand, while the recent fluctuations of the US dollar may also be influential.

Still, there’s no doubt that fossil fuel consumption is set to decline incrementally in the coming years, and this is definitely a factor when appraising the issues faced by oil of late.

Ultimately, these facts hint at a greener and more sustainable future, and it cannot be denied that most developed economies were investing in renewable energy sources at record levels prior to the pandemic.

The question that remains, of course, is to what degree the recent emissions reductions across the globe have been inspired by such changes? The answer is telling, particularly if it turns out the reduction in CO2 emissions over the course of the last two months was solely driven by the widespread lockdown measures that curbed road and air travel.

Regardless, now is clearly the ideal time to push a greener agenda and continue laying the foundations for a more sustainable future.

4 Eco Lifestyle Habits You Should Start Implementing

In the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, Mother Nature is finally starting to breathe a little easier again. Indeed, it could be argued that this has been the major benefit of the coronavirus pandemic. The rules and regulations rolled out by political leaders in different countries might be tough, but these encouraged citizens from different parts of the world to change their ways and become more environmentally conscious.

But with lockdown restrictions now easing, it might prove tempting to lapse back into old, environmentally destructive ways. So, to help combat this, we’ve compiled a few simple lifestyle changes to ensure the planet continues to heal.

1. Go organic and shop local

You might have to pay a little more for the privilege, but by shopping and eating locally and organically, you’ll soon start to notice not only the taste difference but the positive difference in your overall health.

With the UK now considering lowering its standards when it comes to importing food, with the dreaded chlorinated chicken now on the table in trade deals with the US, keeping it fresh, organic, and local has never been more important.

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The concept of safe food using organic waste generated compost is getting traction.

Aside from helping improve the environment, going organic and shopping local can also boost your local economy. By patronizing products and services from your locality, you are providing income to local workers and encouraging businesses to continue their operations. Going organic and shopping local is something everyone must do in order for their countries to easily recover from the effects of the pandemic.

2. Travel by train

We understand that travel by public transport hasn’t exactly been actively encouraged in recent months, but sooner or later, the world will return to some semblance of normality, and when that happens, train travel is comfortably one of the least damaging forms of transportation.

Of course, we would always recommend walking or cycling if at all possible, but we realise this won’t always be a realistic option. So, rather than firing up the car and spending a good hour wading through rush hour traffic every morning on your way to work, why not switch up your commute? This is particularly relevant in London, where trains from East Croydon to Norwood Junction are running constantly and provide faster and cleaner transport.

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Travelling by train might be uncommon for some but making the change will surely be worth it in the long run. Travelling by train allows you to take care of the environment and save money. Moreover, train travel can be a great way to meet new people and appreciate the views in your locality.

3. Go paperless

It’s never been easier to lead a completely paperless life thanks to the digitization of most sectors and data. You’d be surprised how much paper is possible to get through if you’re not careful. The vast majority of services, however, now give you the option to go paperless as a good habit for the environment.

It’s often as simple as logging on to your bank accounts or your energy provider accounts and ticking a box. You can also help the cause a little further by ensuring you recycle all the paper and card you have already used and only printing off hard copies of documents when it’s 100% necessary.

It’s easy for anyone to start going paperless. If you usually receive your bills through physical mail, reach out to your service provider and have your bills emailed to you. You can also go paperless at work by encouraging your colleagues to send out emails for communication instead of printing documents regularly.

4. Avoid bottled water

Green living doesn’t always have to be difficult. Sometimes, it can even save you money! There is absolutely no legitimate reason to continue buying bottled water in this day and age. Plastic is a blight on our environment like no other and bottled water creates more plastic than almost any other product on earth.

water-filtration-systems

A water filter is a cheap and elegant way to filter out any of the potential chemicals and contaminants that might make your tap water seem like a less attractive option. And think of all the money you’ll save, too! Oh, and while you’re at it, ditching plastic bags is something you should really be looking into, as currently, only around 3% of the world’s plastic bags are being recycled!

If you want to take it up a notch, carry a water tumbler inside reusable cotton bags, such as those from calico-bags.com.au. You should always bring reusable bags when you step out of your house because these will enable you to carry your purchases with ease and save money from buying plastics every time you buy something.

Conclusion

Incorporating eco-friendly habits to your life can be challenging at first, but if you want to preserve the environment and ensure that it continues to provide for your needs, you should be willing to make the change. Your efforts will surely go a long way to improve or maintain the condition of the environment!

The Three Biggest Financial Crises

While the pandemic has become the hardest test for all countries of the world, it is not the first major blow to the global economy. We have compiled a selection of the three largest financial crises that hit the global economy the hardest.

largest financial crisis of all times

1. The Credit Crisis of 1772

By the mid-1760s, the British Empire had amassed a huge fortune through its colonial possessions and trade. All this contributed to the rapid development of the country, pushing banks to more active lending.

Banking partners Neil, James, Fordyce & Down lost £300,000 on shares of the East India Company. On June 8, 1772, Fordyce fled to France, trying to hide from paying debts.

News of Fordyce’s escape quickly spread throughout England, causing panic among depositors, and the crisis quickly spread to other parts of Europe. Historians say the economic fallout from this crisis sparked the Boston Tea Party protest in 1773 and launched the American Revolution.

2. The Great Depression

The stock market crash in the USA in 1929 provoked one of the main financial and economic catastrophes of the twentieth century. The depression continued for nearly 10 years and resulted in massive losses of income, record unemployment, and a drop in manufacturing, especially in industrialized countries. In the United States, the unemployment rate reached nearly 24.9% at the peak of the depression in 1933.

Experts name overproduction and the lack of proper oversight of the actively developing exchange market among the reasons for the economic decline, since the purchasing power of the population did not match the number of goods on the market and there were too many fictitious companies and financial fraud present.

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3. The Great Recession of 2007-2009

The largest financial crisis since the Great Depression was caused by the mortgage crisis in the United States and a sharp increase in the number of non-payments on mortgage loans with a high level of risk. It damaged the economies of countries around the world, led to the collapse of one of the leading investment banks, Lehman Brothers, and threatened many major financial institutions and businesses.

Even though the Great Recession officially ended in 2009, ordinary people have faced negative consequences for many years due to the slow recovery of the labor market and falling property prices. As a result, the crisis has left millions of people unemployed and caused billions of dollars in damage. Kailash Concepts, a quantamental investment research firm, mentioned in one of their articles how to invest during a recession. You might want to check it out. Who knows, there might be another recession that is going to happen.

How to Be Prepared for Major Financial Crises?

Generally speaking, even the richest person is not prepared for a sudden fall of the economy. Of course, having substantial savings does help yet doesn’t guarantee complete financial safety. The latest example is the COVID-19 outbreak that caused a lot of individuals and businesses to lose their main sources of income. If you have found yourself in a difficult financial situation, keep in mind that you can always turn to Payday Depot for prompt loans.

Top 5 Positive Environmental Effects of COVID-19

Even the gravest of occurrences have some silver linings, and COVID-19, in all of its dreariness, has been pretty good to Mother Earth. There have been some negative drawbacks, but on the whole, the environment is one thing that has actually been positively affected by the novel coronavirus. Stay-at-home orders mean less cars on the road, and social distancing means less people at national parks and beaches in need of a good cleaning. A study now published in The Lancet Planetary Health journal went as far as to say, “In China alone, all of these air quality improvements that have outnumbered confirmed [COVID-19-related] deaths thus far.”

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Here is a closer look at 5 positive environmental impacts caused by COVID-19.

1. Environmentally Friendly Infrastructure

With many citizens greatly limiting their travel, cities and states alike have been upgrading their transportation systems (trains, cars, planes, etc.). At a quick glance, a reasonable response to that would be, “Nice, better roads,” but fortunately, with advances in infrastructure resilient to climate change, it also means structures made with environmentally friendly materials, reduced waste, and made renewable-resource-ready, depending on the locale.

Some jurisdictions with a bit less of a “convinced” mindset towards climate change do, however, have a lot of legal loopholes in place regarding renewable energy, but at least making structures ready to switch power when the law allows is something to breath easy about (literally).

2. Lowered Emissions

As touched on in the intro, limited travel and social distancing have been large parts of increased air quality across the globe. Even NASA satellites have produced photographic evidence of less smog in urban areas.

As many large businesses in these large cities are becoming aware of the positive effects (both socially and monetarily) of corporate social responsibility, it’s also reasonable to think that many corporations will take into account all of the positives that come with remote work, and maximize opportunities do so in a world where going green is as good for the trees as it is the bottom line.

3. Moral Awareness / Disaster Relief

Most natural disasters affect those who can actually see the destruction first-hand much more deeply than people who just see pictures and videos. With a truly global pandemic affecting everyone on Earth, the overall will to “help a neighbor” has been tried and true during the COVID-19 wave. Some places just had much better disaster preparedness practices than others, and where there were shortages in one area, and excess in another, the right moves were made.

Only time will tell if optimism turns to reality, but thinking that the global reach of this disaster and the “all in this together” mantra will lead to more disaster relief for issues some people may not be familiar with (hurricanes, tornados, famine, earthquakes, etc.) is definitely beyond reasonable.

4. Clean Beaches

Over the last 10 years, roughly 60 million Americans visit a beach per year. Couple that with coastal population booms, and it’s safe to say the sand in the United States gets a lot of foot traffic. Though the lack of tourism certainly hurt the economy, it gave the beaches a long overdue break, resulting in massive decreases in coastal pollution, deep beach cleans by locals, and increases in water quality.

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5. A Little Bad with the Good

With closures of schools and a lot of work places, brought with it closures of some recycling centers, resulting in a lot of recyclables being trashed. The increases in online deliveries are certainly sensible, but they, too, added to an uptick in waste production, due to packaging. Additionally, medical waste (including masks and gloves) experienced a steady uptick as well.

Ultimately, the environmental effects of COVID-19 are things we can take a bit of resolve in, as pretty much everything else has been affected negatively by the pandemic. Increases in air and water quality should continue to be steady, new infrastructure with renewable resources now exist and just need some legislative boosts in areas, a lot of public places that needed a good cleaning have gotten it, and the only negatives on this list involve human actions that can be adjusted, moving forward.

How to Adapt to the New Learning Format?

Most students find it challenging to adapt to online learning due to various reasons. Leaping into an unknown world is frustrating since change is difficult to accept. Today, the world is shifting to online learning, wearing masks full-time, and continually washing hands due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The new format of conducting daily activities is different from what people were used to doing.

Adapting to the new normal may take a toll on most people, especially students. Digital learning is now in full swing as students have to take classes online without attending school physically. Moreover, takemyexamonline offers online academic assistance even during the pandemic to help stuck students submit their papers on time.

Our article aims to give students insightful tips on adjusting to the online learning format with ease while maintaining a positive attitude.

online-learning

Why It Is Hard to Adapt

No one thought the global pandemic would wreak so much havoc and change the way of life. Many people across the globe felt the impact of the pandemic in one way or another. Apart from losing jobs and loved ones, the education sector also faced the most significant impact. Due to the challenges in social distancing, governments opted to close all schools until further notice.

Online learning via many apps became https://takemyexamonline.com/ the new normal for students. Zoom classes took over as the new learning format globally. Today, many institutions are embracing the convenience of online learning and helping students to adjust.

However, many are still struggling to adapt to the digital system due to various reasons. It is quite frustrating to deal with piles of assignments, urgent deadlines, and zero social interactions with your classmates. Studying from home has its share of distractions since most students experience challenges. Bo my test for me online offers insightful tips to help you meet your deadlines and set up a routine that works well for you. Online learning is similar to the conventional class, only that you are not present physically.

Below are tips to help you adjust to the new learning format without pressure:

1. Be Kind

When you have to face an inevitable change in life, time is the ultimate cure. Don’t stress yourself thinking about why or how you have to adjust. Take time to focus on the positive aspect and the next steps to make the transition easier. It is imperative to be kind to yourself and others around your circle to avoid anxiety attacks. Everyone is dealing with the change differently; that is why you have to be patient and go with the flow.

If your professor introduces a new learning technique, be open-minded to learn how it works rather than complaining and becoming rigid. Moreover, self-care is essential if you want to adapt to change, especially in this coronavirus period. Organize your study space, get adequate rest, and eat healthy foods. You can also embrace your hobbies, participate in school contests and take time off away from the screen to refresh your mind.

2. Communicate

The global pandemic has affected the standard way of life. Today, communication is on a technological level due to social distancing rules. You can no longer shake hands, hug, or meet out with your friends. The quarantine period revealed the significance of communication. Speaking one-on-one with your classmates, tutors, parents and study group members made college life enjoyable. Now you have to text, video conference, or call if you want to communicate.

Though it may seem different, communication is paramount in online learning. Feel free to ask questions and talk to your classmates about scheduling an online study group. It will help you adjust to the digital learning more quickly.

3. Organize

Have a positive mindset no matter how challenging the situation may be. In the middle of a pandemic, become the enthusiast and maintain a positive attitude. Do not deviate your focus and start the panic train. It is easy to entertain depressive thoughts that will spoil your day, week, and eventually your entire life.

Therefore, maintain a regular schedule by planning your time from morning to evening. Organize yourself and finish all pending tasks while incorporating healthy habits in between. Maintaining an organized day and mind impacts your overall wellness.

4. Reframe

Stay at home rule has its positive sides too. You only have to take advantage of the situation and turn it around for your good. Embrace your hobbies and brighten your days rather than sitting and feeling sorry for yourself. You can also set goals to learn a new skill, for instance, painting, design, or writing. It is imperative to reframe your mind and adapt to the new normal.

Instead of wasting all your free time on social media, make it a point to be proactive. Read a book, study, and prepare for your upcoming test. Kill your anxiety by making yourself super busy with a constructive task.

Ultimately, each individual adapts to change at their own pace. But it is crucial to be open-minded and flexible no matter how difficult it may seem. With a positive attitude and time to adjust, you can embrace the new learning style and make the best out of it.

If you are stuck with an urgent deadline with no help, Engineering assignment help is ready to offer top-quality academic assistance even during this pandemic. Don’t hesitate to contact us at any time.

Furthermore, technological advances made life easier for most people due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although it was quite a challenging time, many survived the desperate moments due to technology. Students continued learning with the help of apps like Zoom and Google classes. Therefore, adjusting to new learning environments is paramount for self-improvement and enhancing positivity in hard times.

Everything You Need to Know About Virtual Therapy

Around 13 percent of the world population is afflicted by mental health issues, and psychotherapy has emerged as a saviour for many people.  Psychotherapy can treat a wide range of mental illnesses, such as, depression, personality disorders, drug addiction, personal loss, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Psychotherapy can be one-on-one or can be a group session. Some forms of psychotherapy last only a few sessions, while others may continue for weeks.

However, the coronavirus outbreak has made it difficult for people to find a therapist, due to travel restrictions and frequent lockdowns at many places.  In these trying times, virtual therapy has been a blessing in disguise for mental health patients, and has proven to be as effective as a face-to-face therapy session. Due to the stigma attached to mental health, online therapy is extremely useful for people with mental disorders.

virtual-psychotherapy

In virtual psychotherapy, the therapist remotely addresses the patient’s symptoms remotely through a video chat or phone call. The remote interaction can take place on a smartphone, tablet, laptop or PC, whereby the therapist will ask relevant questions related to your mental health, and advise on how to overcome them using psychotherapy techniques and medication.

Benefits of Virtual Therapy

Let us examine how virtual therapy is a boon for mental health patients:

1. A friendly home environment

Virtual therapy encourages mental health patients to self-manage their symptoms in the comfortable and friendly home environment, thus fostering self-independence. You can monitor your progress and gain self-confidence by following a personalized therapeutic plan for mental wellbeing. Online therapy sessions are a huge benefit for disabled people as it reduces the stress associated with regular trips to the therapy clinic.

2. Personalized interaction with the therapist

The online communication with your psychotherapist to address your symptoms and answer your mental health-related queries is a major advantage during the COVID-19 pandemic. Virtual therapy can also offset unpredictable situations, like bad weather and commuting issues, and may come handy for those folks who are too busy and want to get therapy on their own terms.

3. More privacy

Many people prefer a more private setting when going for mental health treatment, primarily due to the social stigma attached with mental illnesses. A virtual physiotherapist will not only ensure your privacy but also provide quality therapeutic treatment without the need for you to step out of your cozy home or waiting for hours in a therapist’s waiting room. Virtual psychotherapy sessions are conducted through a secure and encrypted connection.

4. Timely care

Online therapy has made it possible for people with mental disorders to seek an appointment with the therapist and get timely care when they it the most. You do not have to worry about the travel time, location, traffic situation or mobility problems. The therapist will assess your mental health symptoms, observe your issues and diagnose your problems promptly, thus ensuring timeliness of care.

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5. Overall health improvement

Online therapy helps you to connect with a qualified professional who is genuinely concerned about your mental wellbeing. The restrictions imposed by the pandemic has made it difficult for many people to interact with others, and the online face-to-face communication with a trained therapist will be helpful in reducing the stress levels.

Bottom Line

Online therapy is an effective and proven alternative to traditional therapy sessions. A virtual therapist provides practical and personalized treatment to mental health patients using a stable Internet connection and a smartphone or tablet, and ensures timeliness of care and patient satisfaction, similar to that a traditional therapist provides. To sum up, virtual therapists can help mental health patents to live a healthier and joyful life.

How Will Housing Marking in College Towns Fare Post-COVID?

Distance learning and COVID-19. This combination is every parent’s worst nightmare. It creates the perfect storm of stress, madness, and desperation. But, parents are making the best out of a terrible situation because education can’t be put on hold due to a global pandemic.

The real question is what if you have kids in college? The question many people have is regarding COVID-19’s impact on college towns.

HomeLight’s Q3 survey reveals that the coronavirus has left college towns in a tough spot. Local businesses such as bars and restaurants rely heavily on college students to keep business afloat. However, 2020’s fall semester has proven to be more detrimental than some would expect.

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University towns become ghost towns

Many colleges and universities have shifted from in-person learning to distance learning and sent their students home. The result of the mass exodus has rendered many of these towns a proverbial ghost town.

According to insights from top agents who participated in HomeLight’s Q3 2020 survey, this student housing market in these cities are predicted to increase from 5.2% during the 2019 fall semester to 7.4% in 2020’s fall semester. Unit vacancies have increased by 1% during that time and because of this, property owners will have no choice but to lower their rental fees just to get people through the door.

Some towns are unaffected

Although some major universities said they were discontinuing in-person learning in favor of remote learning, there are universities who are keeping in-person classes. In these towns, landlords are likely to see an influx of rental applications if/when on-campus housing closes.

Real estate investing is on shaky ground

For real estate investors, buying rental properties in college towns seems like a gold mine – especially if the rent is going to be cheaper than an out-of-state student paying for room and board on campus. For example, the average monthly rent for Ann Arbor, Michigan is about $1,600 and room and board at University of Michigan is $11,996.

Now, room and board at the university may be cheaper, but when you factor in other living expenses, it could add up quickly. However, if four students rent a 4-bedroom apartment that costs $3,300 per month… Each student would pay $825 per month or $9,900 per year, which is quite a bit cheaper, especially when you factor in that the students aren’t staying on campus the entire year.

Inventory fluctuates

Thirty percent of real estate agents that participated in the survey state the rental vacancies in their area have either stayed the same or are starting to decline. Even though the housing market in a particular area may differ from others, 81% of agents said their inventory is at an all time low, despite the fact that many landlords are selling their rentals.

The truth of the matter is this, COVID-19 has affected almost every aspect of our lives and the housing market in university towns remains on shaky ground. As more students and faculty contract the virus, universities are closing their doors and students are going home. Even students who live off campus are leaving the area and are going back home to save money.

Local businesses in university towns are suffering due to a lack of patronage. Unless schools open back up in a safe manner, who knows what the 2020 Spring semester will fare. Will students return to university? Will real estate investors start investing again? Will the economy pick back up?

There are just so many questions that cannot be answered right now. But, we’re keeping our fingers crossed and are hoping for the best.