Author: Lucy Iddon

• Saving Medicine, Saving Life

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  Climate change is not only accelerating the spread of diseases; it’s also threatening our ability to combat them. This growing crisis has a cascading effect on public health, not just by introducing new illnesses, but by endangering the very tools we use to treat them.

  Approximately 25% of all prescribed medicines are derived from plants, including morphine (pain relief), quinine (malaria treatment), and camptothecin (a compound used in chemotherapy). Many of these plants grow in biodiverse, ecologically sensitive regions that are highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. As global temperatures rise, extreme weather events like droughts, floods, and wildfires become more frequent and severe, placing these natural resources at risk of extinction or drastically reducing their availability.

  The consequences extend beyond environmental damage which often go unseen by those who are not localised to the disaster. For instance, waterways become contaminated and cause disease outbreaks like Cholera which spread rapidly in vulnerable communities where access to clean water, sanitation, and medical care is limited. If the plants needed to make cholera treatments are endangered or inaccessible, we face diseases like Cholera becoming untreatable.

  Even if we continue to maintain supply, most medicines are manufactured in the US or India, therefore we must be prepared to overcome barriers such as tariffs and blocked transport routes which cause bottlenecks in supply chains, not only as a result of natural consequences but political decisions.

  Animal-derived medicines are also at risk. Insulin, for instance, was originally extracted from the pancreas of animals before modern synthetic alternatives were developed. However, we rely on complex biological systems, sometimes involving animals. Climate change affects these systems through habitat loss, disease outbreaks in animal populations, and disruptions to the ecosystems they depend on.

  It’s more important than ever to take individual responsibility for sustainability by picking up a few eco-friendly habits. Whether that be switching to reusable kitchen rolls, shopping second hand or buying local – it all helps.

  29th Apr 2025

  Cholera, Climate Change, Covid-19, Deforestation, Diseases, Hospitals, Illness, Medicine, Natural Disaster, Supply Chain, Sustainable Development

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• Be Blooming Brilliant

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  As charming as a bouquet may be, the traditional flower industry often comes with hidden environmental and ethical costs. From the carbon footprint of imported flowers to the use of floral foam and exploitative labour practices, there’s a lot more to consider than just the colour of the petals. Read on to find out the best way to arrange your bouquet sustainably!

  One of the best ways to reduce your environmental impact is by choosing local, seasonal flowers. Flowers grown close to home require much less transportation and refrigeration, making them a greener option. They’re often fresher, last longer, and support local farmers. You could even look into buying potted plants instead of flowers which support local biodiversity and have a longer life span.

  Labels such as Fair Trade Certified, Rainforest Alliance, and Veriflora Certified Sustainably Grown indicate that the flowers were cultivated with respect for both people and the planet. These certifications often ensure better labour conditions and environmentally sound farming practices. Without such recognition, flowers are grown using various chemicals, including pesticides, fertilisers, and insecticides which are known to contaminate waterways.

  Transportation is a major contributor to the carbon footprint of flowers. Many blooms sold in stores are flown in from Colombia, Ecuador, Kenya, or the Netherlands, and then driven cross-country in refrigerated trucks. To reduce this impact, choose flowers from florists who are transparent about where and how their products are sourced. The closer the origin, the lower the environmental cost. Don’t be afraid to ask your florist questions like where their flowers come from, what materials they use in their arrangements, and what they do with leftover blooms. These conversations help drive demand for more responsible practices and reduce demand for large-scale flower farms which rely on monoculture practices, reducing biodiversity and contributing to soil degradation and erosion

  Avoiding floral foam is another impactful step. The green sponge used in many flower arrangements is made from non-biodegradable plastic and can leach harmful microplastics and toxins into the environment. Furthermore, bouquets wrapped in cellophane or decorated with synthetic ribbons contribute to landfill waste. Instead, look for arrangements wrapped in recycled paper.

  And of course, the most sustainable option of all is to grow your own flowers. Whether you have a garden, balcony, or just a sunny windowsill, growing your own flowers gives you full control over what you grow and how you grow it.

  25th Apr 2025

  Bouquets, Consumerism, eco-friendly florists, Floral arangements, Flowers, Local, Organic, Plastic, sustainable florists, Waste

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