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Beyond The Plastic Bag- Sustainable Kitchen Swaps
A room-by-room guide to sustainable and practical swaps. Many of us begin with a reusable bag, which is a great starting point! However, the bag is merely the beginning, a gateway to an engaging discussion about what our homes consume and use. The reality is that our kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms are filled with small, habitual sources of waste and plastic that have become normalized. This isn't due to a lack of care, but because they have always been present. This g

Natalia Jaramillo
May 14 min read


Sacrifice Zones: When Environmental Harm Becomes a Policy Choice
In environmental law, few phrases are as morally loaded as sacrifice zone . It describes a place where governments, industries, and permitting systems concentrate pollution, extraction, and health risk in communities that are often poor, racially marginalized, or politically disempowered. The term is not just rhetorical. It captures a recurring pattern in U.S. land use and environmental regulation where some communities are effectively treated as acceptable places to absorb h

Natalia Jaramillo
Apr 114 min read


Old-Growth Forests Cannot Be Replaced
The science is clear, the law is not. Why centuries-old forests keep falling and why no amount of replanting can undo the damage. A Douglas fir that has been standing for five centuries cannot just "grow back." The fungi intertwined with its roots, the dead wood filled with cavity-nesting birds, the centuries of stored carbon within its heartwood, the unwritten ecological agreements among countless species—all of that disappears. At best, it is replaced by a rapidly growing m

Natalia Jaramillo
Apr 78 min read


What Is Environmental Justice?
Protesters march, holding signs that read "Detoxification Protects. Landfills Kill!" during a powerful environmental justice demonstration. When a chemical plant is proposed for a neighborhood, where does it tend to get built? When air quality monitors flag dangerous particulate levels, whose zip code is more likely to appear in the data? The answers to these questions are at the heart of a field that sits between law, science, and civil rights: environmental justice. This pr

Natalia Jaramillo
Apr 16 min read


Spring Cleaning: Your Guide to Eco-Friendly Disposal
Every spring, the urge to clear out our homes hits hard. We find bags of old clothes, a graveyard of dried-out markers, tangled cables, and bathroom cabinets overflowing with half-empty products. This instinct to bag it all up and drag it to the curb is common. But here's the thing: most of what we throw away during spring cleaning doesn't have to end up in a landfill. Programs exist. Drop-off bins are already in stores you frequent. Mail-in bags can arrive at your door. You

Natalia Jaramillo
Mar 237 min read


When the Courts Become the Last Line of Defense: New Jersey Environmental Justice Law 2026
Source: https://ejatlas.org/conflict/diamond-alkali-superfund-site-dioxin-pollution-in-passaic-river In Newark's Ironbound neighborhood, the air has always told a story that official reports rarely captured. The neighborhood sits in the gritty shadow of the New Jersey Turnpike, squeezed between the state's largest trash incinerator, a massive sewage treatment plant, the Port of Newark, Liberty International Airport, and the contaminated ghost of an old Agent Orange factory th

Natalia Jaramillo
Mar 196 min read


Conflict in a Climate Crisis: Why War Is an Environmental Justice Issue
War doesn’t just redraw borders or shift political power. It also scars landscapes, destabilizes communities, and deepens existing inequalities in ways that can last for generations. The emerging conflict involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran is a stark reminder that every missile strike and air raid carries an environmental and social justice cost that rarely makes the headlines. For a world already struggling to meet climate targets and protect vulnerable communities, those

Natalia Jaramillo
Mar 115 min read


Mastering Conscious Consumerism: Shopping Consciously Tips for Beginners
When I first started exploring conscious consumerism, I quickly realized it was more than just buying eco-friendly products. It’s a mindset shift that influences how we view our needs, our impact, and the choices we make every day. Shopping consciously tips can help us navigate this journey with clarity and purpose. This guide is designed to break down the essentials, making sustainable living feel accessible and inspiring for everyone. Understanding Conscious Consumerism and

Natalia Jaramillo
Mar 94 min read


Why You Should Care About Climate Change
My freshman year of college I took an advanced writing course. One of our assignments was to write a ten page persuasive paper about a topic we cared a lot about. Naturally, I chose climate change. I found the final draft of this paper a few days ago and wanted to share it with y'all. As you read, keep in mind it is a few years old now so some facts/statements are outdated. Nevertheless, there is still valueable and relevant information throughout it. I hope you enjoy! I love

Natalia Jaramillo
Mar 113 min read


Navigating the Impacts of Rescinding the Endangerment Finding on Pollutant Regulations and Legal Challenges
A digestable breakdown of the impacts of revoking the endangerment finding.

Natalia Jaramillo
Feb 259 min read


Embracing Sustainable Living: A Guide to Eco-Friendly Choices
Understanding Product Sustainability Sustainable products are items designed and produced with minimal impact on the environment. Unlike conventional products, which often rely on unsustainable practices that deplete natural resources and contribute to pollution, sustainable products utilize renewable materials, eco-friendly manufacturing processes, and ethical labor practices. The importance of sustainable products lies in their ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, de

Natalia Jaramillo
Feb 235 min read


The Importance of Supporting Eco-Friendly Brands
In a world increasingly aware of environmental issues, supporting eco-friendly brands has become more than just a trend; it is a necessity. With climate change, pollution, and resource depletion at the forefront of global challenges, consumers have the power to influence positive change through their purchasing decisions. By choosing to support brands that prioritize sustainability, we can contribute to a healthier planet and encourage more companies to adopt eco-friendly pra

Natalia Jaramillo
Feb 234 min read


How to Live a Sustainable Lifestyle Right Now
In a world where climate change and environmental degradation are pressing issues, adopting a sustainable lifestyle is more important than ever. Many people feel overwhelmed by the enormity of the problem and unsure of where to start. The good news is that living sustainably doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. In fact, small changes in your daily routine can make a significant impact. This guide will provide you with practical tips and actionable steps to help you li

Natalia Jaramillo
Feb 234 min read
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