RENEWABLE ENERGY ON THE HORIZON!
According to a study by Ember, an energy think tank, electricity generated from renewable resources such as solar, wind, and hydropower exceeded the amount generated by coal in 2025, a major indicator of the transition to renewables. As electricity demand increases, more electricity generation is needed to meet it. In 2025, the solar energy sector saw the greatest increase in electricity generation with 18 times more generation added than natural gas.
REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE
Did you know that only 5 percent of plastics used in the United States get recycled? A study from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory came to that conclusion in a 2019 report. While some plastics are used by necessity, this is a reminder to follow those other parts of the mantra: reduce and reuse!
Try to limit the amount of single use plastics you purchase and reuse materials before throwing them away. While plastic faces many challenges, aluminum is highly recyclable. For every aluminum can recycled, it saves enough energy to power a TV for three hours.
‘MAY THEY MEND THEIR CLOTHES WITH THE BLESSING OF GOD’
St. Francis of Assisi called the brothers to repair the clothing they had. It is something we should consider too. According to earthday.org, 100 billion garments are produced each year in the fashion industry; 87 percent go to landfills. This massive production leads to pollution and environmental destruction.
Does your favorite shirt have a tear? Look into the sustainability practices of the companies you purchase clothes from, check out your local community thrift stores, and seek out community workshops that repair or swap clothing!