What is Ecological Anthropology? August 2, 2016 Ecological Anthropology is the study of the role of culture in humanity’s interaction with ecosystems. The theory is that humans shape the environment they live in while the shapes the culture of that population. While a population may not interact with the entire environment, there are certain aspects of the area that it will occupy as a habitat. For example, humans who were hunter-gatherers would differ from a population that took to farming as a form of life….

What is Earth Day? August 2, 2016 Earth Day is an event held every year on April 22 in appreciation of the environment. It’s purpose is to educate society on environmental issues that are affecting the Earth such as pollution, climate change and the protection of the Earth’s natural resources. Originally a grassroots movement in the United States, Earth Day has grown into a worldwide movement with 175 countries joining the call for better care of the planet. During the 1950s and 1960s, there was…

What is Downcycling? July 27, 2016 Downcycling is the process where unused products are used to produce new items of lesser quality. While some items can repeatedly be reproduced, some materials slowly breakdown with each time they go through the recycling process and is referred to as Downcycling for that reason. At the same time, some experts argue that in all cases, recycling is Downcycling. Despite this, Downcycling continues the idea of reducing the need for accessing raw materials excessively. An example of Downcycling can…

What is Deforestation? July 27, 2016 Definition Deforestation is the large-scale removal of trees in the forests. Trees are usually removed to make way for agriculture, roads, and urban development. Deforestation can also occur due to the harvest of natural resources like timber and palm oil. Not all Deforestation is intentional as some cases can be caused by a combination of natural and human factors like wildfires. Want to Know More? Deforestation has had serious environmental effects. While forests still make up 30 percent of…

What is N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET)? July 27, 2016 N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide, also known as DEET, is a chemical ingredient used in insect repellent products. This chemical deters insects such as mosquitoes, black flies, and fleas, preventing the spread of insect-borne diseases such as the West Nile Virus, the Zika Virus, or malaria. DEET products can be accessed in various forms including liquid, lotions, or sprays. DEET was first developed by the United States Army in 1946 as a way to protect troops from malaria and yellow fever carrying…