
Katt Andryskova

The science is in. Shifting to a plant-based food system is essential to avoid climate and ecological breakdown. And now we have a roadmap to...
Mountains stretch down to coastal plains, which hug the curves of over 100 pristine beaches, all gazing out towards the stunning waters of the...
If you haven’t quite got your cycle phases figured out, you’re not alone. But it’s time to tune in to your body’s rhythms - so that you...
Bolster your mental health during the depths of winter by resisting the urge to hibernate indoors.
If you want to get your gut in order, Dr Will Bulsiewicz is the expert to help you sort out fact from fiction. This is the gut-health cheat sheet...
As the weather cools, we let the kitchen warm us. We’re roasting, we’re baking, we’re making pies and tarts and pizza. Yum!
Great food photos can have us drooling over dishes we’ve never even tasted. Here’s how to take your food photography to the next level.
Afternoon tea, picnic, party, or just because – any excuse is a good excuse to make lemon cake, and this vegan version by baking virtuoso Sara...
Show loved ones you care with a thoughtful edible gift for your holiday gathering
This is a simple gut-loving breakfast bowl you'll want to eat on repeat! Full of antioxidant-rich berries and COYO Strawberry Probiotic Kefir...
These satisfying, succulent tacos give the taste of the ocean while letting fish off the hook.
Looking for a different take on tacos? Then look no further than these sweet and savoury teriyaki tempeh tacos.
Laksa has basically become a national dish in Australia. Sure, you could go out for it, but this is one of those meals that is soooo satisfying...
Shifting to a wholefood plant-based diet doesn’t mean missing out on cheesecake. This recipe uses tofu instead of cream cheese and is therefore...
Spraying sheets and pillows with calming scents can be a wonderful aid to slumber
The next time you go for a walk, discover the wonder of the everyday world around you
A skincare routine can be a way to nourish yourself inside and out
When the clouds converge, practise gratitude for the smallest of glimmers, and learn to dance in the rain.
The plastic pollution we can see isn’t the biggest problem we face. Here’s what you need to know about microplastics.
Imagine diving into the turquoise waters of a tropical coastline. Tall palm trees sway in the breeze behind you and the reflections of the sun create mesmerising geometric shapes on the calm water. The serenity is palpable.
Suddenly, something touches your leg! It latches on and refuses to let go. With every thrashing move you make it seems to hold you tighter and tighter in its grip. Is it a shark? A tangle of seaweed? Or perhaps some unknown undersea monster? No. It is a plastic bag.
This suffocating feeling is all too familiar to the 700 species of birds, mammals, fish, and turtles that regularly, through no fault of their own, get trapped in plastic litter. Even in an ostensibly untouched paradise, the plastic problem pervades.
The Worldwide Fund for Nature reports that, on average, every Australian uses 130 kilograms of plastic every year. From the plastic that is thrown out in Australia alone, 130,000 tonnes travel into our waterways and oceans. Perhaps the scariest part is that much of the plastics choking our oceans are not large pieces we can see and capture. Rather, they are trillions and trillions of invisible pieces of microplastics.
Microplastics refer to plastic fragments that are less than five millimetres in size. They can originate from the breakdown of larger plastic debris or can otherwise be purposefully manufactured this way for use in various products. Microscopic fibres from synthetic fabrics are a huge part of the problem, with an estimated one trillion tonnes discharged into wastewater each year, and much of this making its way into the environment.
Since microplastics are too small to be captured by water filtration systems, they often end up in our oceans, rivers, and lakes. Once in water systems, they begin to accumulate algae and other bacterial growth. This transforms a hazardous, foreign object into a seemingly delicious treat for marine creatures. Fish, crustaceans, and mammals consume the microplastics and the concentration of this plastic accumulates up the food chain.
Frighteningly, microplastics have turned up just about everywhere scientists have looked for them, including 83 percent of tap water worldwide, according to a research conducted by Orb. And, don’t bother reaching for the bottled water; 93 percent of the bottled water tested showed microplastic contamination. While the effects of this on humans are not yet known, the devastation being wreaked by microplastics is most observable in marine creatures.
The Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection found microplastics inside the guts of over 114 aquatic species. These plastics release harmful chemicals in the stomachs of sea creatures and can have adverse effects on their health and lifespan. Plastic particles take up valuable room in the digestive system of animals as they cannot pass them, endangering the lives of migrating animals that depend on full stomachs to survive long voyages.
In another example, plastics that turtles ingest releases gases inside their stomachs, which gets trapped underneath their shells. This causes the turtles to lose control of their buoyancy and they frequently become stranded on the surface of the water. Without the ability to dive below the surface, they can starve to death or become vulnerable to predation and boat collisions. Turtle sanctuaries seek out these turtles and attempt to help them pass the plastics.
And it’s not just marine animals who are dining out on plastic. Microplastics have been recording in twelve out of the twenty-five most important species that make up marine fisheries, according to a study conducted by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. This means that people consuming these fish may be unwittingly consuming plastic that has made its way up the food chain.
Scientists continue to seek answers about food safety and health impacts of ingesting microplastics. However, some plastic monomers are known to be carcinogenic or toxic if ingested, and the scientists who authored the research paper “Plastics, the environment and human health: current consensus and future trends” believe the size of the smallest plastic particles (1.4 µm) could penetrate the capillaries of organs.
Whether for the sake of our precious wildlife, our ocean ecosystem, or our own health, one thing is clear: the best thing we can do is prevent microplastics from entering water systems in the first place.
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We can all play our part by cutting down our dependence on plastic, first by reducing the number of plastic products we purchase and second by being aware of what we do with the ones we can’t avoid. Here are five ways you can be a part of the solution.
This is one area most of us are pretty well versed in, but it still warrants a mention because any disposable plastics we use end up degrading in our oceans and rivers. The combination of water, salt and the mechanical movement of the waves works to accelerate the transformation into microplastics. We need to find reusable alternatives for items such as clingwrap, water bottles, plastic bags, straws, takeaway coffee cups, and takeaway containers. Once you have your replacements, it’s simply a matter of committing to use them all the time. Carry a reusable water bottle, take your own bags everywhere, ask your favourite takeaway places if they can use your containers from home, and say no to straws and plastic cutlery.
Active wear has become our favourite go-to clothing for just about any activity. They can be a problem because they are often made with artificial fibres such as nylon and polyester. These petroleum-based materials make these fabrics sweat-wicking, breathable, lightweight, and durable – with the exception of the wash cycle, it seems. Newcastle University in the UK found that during every washing cycle, these synthetic fabrics release between 500,000 and 6,000,000 microfibres per wash. Ideally, we want to invest in natural fibres to avoid creating microplastics. Alternatively, you can get yourself a Guppy Bag for washing your activewear. You simply pop your synthetic clothes inside the bag and wash as usual; the bag collects the microfibres that are released in the wash, preventing them form going down the drain.
Microbeads are minuscule pieces of polyethylene plastic were once commonly added to exfoliants, cleansers, and toothpastes. Most countries have banned the use of microbeads in rinse-off products, but that’s not to say they won’t turn up in in products made before the environmental recommendations or from a country that still allows them. It’s worth checking the personal care products you have do not contain microbeads as these are items you don’t want to use up to avoid waste. Microplastics are incredibly hard to remove from the environment once washed down the drain. Read product ingredients and keep an eye out for polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polymethyl methacrylate (PPMA), and nylon (PA).
While we might assume teabags are made from paper that will safely decompose, most tea bags contain plastic. Pressed teabags with crimped edges, both with and without strings, contain polypropylene woven through the bag to add strength. Coffee bags are similar. One the other hand, those ‘silken’ tea bags are made from plastics such as nylon, PET or PLA. The best way to avoid introducing these plastics into the environment (and even your body!) is to opt for loose leaf tea. There are plenty of tea infusers to choose from that are just as convenient, and you can event buy reusable silicone teabags that you can prepare and pack for the day ahead!
The filters in cigarettes are incredibly troublesome due to their plastic fibrous composition, but also because of the amount of nicotine, heavy metals, and other chemicals they dump into the environment. According to Clean Up Australia, cigarette butts represent 20 percent of all recorded items found on clean up campaigns. The ideal solution is to quit smoking, but alternatively you can commit to collecting all your cigarette buts in a portable metal container and then drop them off to a company that specifically focuses on recycling cigarette butts. In Australia, you can do this through Terracycle Australia.
One month. No meat. What a difference it can make! Here’s why we should all give No Meat May a go this year.
Eco period products have risen in popularity – they’re sustainable, affordable, healthy, and convenient. Here’s what you need to know so...
Mountains stretch down to coastal plains, which hug the curves of over 100 pristine beaches, all gazing out towards the stunning waters of the...
As the weather cools, we let the kitchen warm us. We’re roasting, we’re baking, we’re making pies and tarts and pizza. Yum!
There’s a serum for every skin condition, but which active ingredients do what? This is the guide to vegan and sustainably sourced serums...
Diversity is just as important as quantity if you want to boost your health and wellbeing with the veggies you eat. Read on to discover 10 ways...
Learn when to consider a vegan and gluten-free diet (and when you probably shouldn’t). Plus, discover four popular plant-based meals and how...
Shifting to a wholefood plant-based diet doesn’t mean missing out on cheesecake. This recipe uses tofu instead of cream cheese and is therefore...
Light, citrusy, and super refreshing, this cocktail starring Licor 43 Horchata and limoncello tastes like Mediterranean summer in a glass.
Looking for a quick and easy vegan dessert for your next BBQ or dinner party? You can’t go wrong with this airy, fluffy and creamy chocolate...
If you haven’t tried sweet pizza before, it’s time to fix that! In this recipe, homemade pizza bases are smothered with sweet bechamel, and...
Apple and cinnamon combine beautifully with the creaminess of Licor 43’s tigernut-based horchata in this sophisticated sunset-hour sip.
The trick to this super-vibrant green curry is to add a bunch of blitzed leafy greens into the paste to ensure a lovely, bright-green colour. I...
Burgs are life! We love all the classics, and they are tastier and better for you when filled with plants.
Spraying sheets and pillows with calming scents can be a wonderful aid to slumber
The next time you go for a walk, discover the wonder of the everyday world around you
A skincare routine can be a way to nourish yourself inside and out
When the clouds converge, practise gratitude for the smallest of glimmers, and learn to dance in the rain.
We need a sea change more than ever before. You can make your drop in the ocean one that saves rather than destroys.
The beautiful blue and ever-changing mood of the ocean captivates us, whether we have grown up near it or enjoyed visiting it. She also sustains us. Half of the world’s oxygen is generated by the ocean. It drives climate, dictates weather, regulates temperature, and sequesters vast amounts of carbon dioxide. Coastal land supports more than 3.5 billion people while the underwater provides life to millions of plants, animals and bacteria.
The industrial revolution brought global transformation and has enabled the technology we have today. But this has also left its trace on the air, land, and sea since then, destroying what we need most to survive. We need to a huge collective mindset shift that puts our singular blue planet first.
The reality is that every choice we make eventually trickles into the ocean. As consumers, we must reduce the demand for products that harm the environment and instead support more sustainable solutions. Underwater pioneer Sylvia Earle said it best. “We need to respect the oceans and take care of them as if our lives depended on it. Because they do.”
A world without plastic remains in the memories of our oldest living generation. It’s only been around for just over 100 years. On the small island of Mohéli in Comoros, the locals remember the first plastic bag arriving in 2007. Now, their beaches are littered with plastic debris, like a scene out of the documentary A Plastic Ocean. Places like this did not have the luxury of developing at a sustainable rate. Instead, they were thrown into the modern world without the necessary infrastructure to gather, sort, and process plastic waste.
In developing countries, beaches are the garbage dumps of the local areas. In the past, the ocean would take the food scraps, plant remains, and natural material waste into its depths. Now, the tides bring plastic rubbish onto these beaches from across the globe. The IUCN estimates that more than 8 million tons of plastics end up in the oceans every year. The Deep Sea Debris database even found a plastic bag at the bottom of the Mariana trench.
The scariest thing is that the visible trash is just a minute part of the problem. Invisible microplastics have been an alarming discovery. These are tiny pieces of petroleum-based materials that can come from beauty products, clothing, and larger pieces of plastic that have broken down. The invisibility of the problem makes our plastic crisis exponentially more troubling.
Microplastics attract biological growth and make their way into the stomachs of hungry fish. The Australian Marine Conservation Society has stated species including zooplankton, fish, and sea mammals have been found with plastics in their digestive systems. These hazardous microplastics work their way into the marine food chain, accumulating in number the further up the food chain you go.
Sea turtles become stuck on the ocean surface due to the methane produced by plastic in their stomachs, unable to dive down to escape predators or gather food. Albatross can no longer feed their young enough food without inadvertently giving them plastic debris. Dead whales have been found with over 40 kilograms of plastic in their stomachs. And people are not immune to this either. Plastic pieces have been found in tap water, bottled water, and seafood that people consume.
We are not just fighting a floating garbage island in the middle of the pacific that can be seen and scooped up. We are fighting the way society has evolved to consume.
What you can do:
All rivers lead to the ocean. This is a beautiful sentiment, until you allow for the reality of chemical pollution. Everything from pesticides, herbicides, fertilisers, detergents, oils, and sewage all end up in the ocean, impacting its ecosystems. Nutrient-packed fertilisers from commercial agricultural operations travel from small streams to estuaries and bays and into the ocean. Especially during rainy seasons, catchments around farms overflow and massive amounts of concentrated and nutrient filled water spills into the natural environment, upsetting the delicate balance.
To manage this the CSIRO have been working on systems that collect visual and chemical data of water quality in Australia. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority now uses these techniques for systematic and cost-effective assessments. In the 2019 report, the water quality in the Great Barrier Reef catchment area received a score of ‘Very Poor’, showing that the water treatments put in place by farms are not protecting the reef. Overflowing rivers trigger algal blooms causing dead zones that are visible from space. These blooms stop other life forms from surviving in the water, altering the ecosystem.
What you can do:
Sadly, the oceans are not the infinite resource we treat them as, instead they are a delicate and vital ecosystem. With a growing population, the demand for seafood has more than doubled in the past 50 years. This has pushed commercial fishing fleets to expand their territories and increase quotas. Currently, a third of commercial fish stocks are fished at unsustainable levels. The fish populations do not have enough time to reproduce to maintain a balanced ecosystem.
While overfishing puts a strain on the oceans, so too does targeting just few species. The focus on several carnivorous fish like salmon and tuna also threatens to unbalance ecosystems. These predatory fish are key in controlling the populations of their prey and are themselves a food source for larger species. In the North of America, Southern Resident Killer Whale populations are dwindling due to the sudden drops in food available to them, namely salmon.
The human demand for specific species of fish also means fisheries prioritise catching and keeping only those species. According to Oceana, bycatch amounts to 40 percent of the total world catch. Most of this bycatch, or unwanted fish, simply die in the nets. And despite recent sustainability efforts, a large chunk of the biomass of bycatch is still made up of turtles, whales, and sharks.
Some people have turned to fish farming as a sustainable answer. Unfortunately, these farms have their own set of problems. For example, diseases spread from the tightly packed sea pens to wild populations and farmed fish populations are fed on wild fish being caught and turned into fish meal. A recent report by the Changing Markets Foundation found that UK consumers eat a hidden 172 grams of wild fish for every 100 grams of farmed fish consumed.
What you can do:
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You can make a difference! Align you actions to your beliefs and lead by example. Make daily choices to protect our big blue oceans. Support policies and campaigns that prioritise climate action and water management. Vote for the only planet we have.
Time for an eco spring clean? Here are seven simple swaps for the conscious consumer
As the weather cools, we let the kitchen warm us. We’re roasting, we’re baking, we’re making pies and tarts and pizza. Yum!
There’s a serum for every skin condition, but which active ingredients do what? This is the guide to vegan and sustainably sourced serums...
Learn when to consider a vegan and gluten-free diet (and when you probably shouldn’t). Plus, discover four popular plant-based meals and how...
Going vegan can be a life-changing experience, and it’s not without its challenges. The good news is you’re not alone. There are identifiable...
One month. No meat. What a difference it can make! Here’s why we should all give No Meat May a go this year.
Some of the best nutrition is to be found in wholegrains (and pseudograins) that have been around for thousands of years.
Shifting to a wholefood plant-based diet doesn’t mean missing out on cheesecake. This recipe uses tofu instead of cream cheese and is therefore...
You don’t need animal products to make lusciously creamy and satisfying dishes. You don’t even need oil! This wholefood, plant-based...
Restaurant quality, yet surprisingly simple to make, this classic black-lentil curry from Made with Love and Plants by Tammy Fry is sure...
Healthy, satisfying and flavoursome, this pad kee mao is vibrant Thai food at its best.
The trick to this super-vibrant green curry is to add a bunch of blitzed leafy greens into the paste to ensure a lovely, bright-green colour. I...
Looking for a quick and easy vegan dessert for your next BBQ or dinner party? You can’t go wrong with this airy, fluffy and creamy chocolate...
This Indonesian fried noodle dish can be found at both high-end restaurants and street food vendors in the region – it’s a popular dish for...
Spraying sheets and pillows with calming scents can be a wonderful aid to slumber
The next time you go for a walk, discover the wonder of the everyday world around you
A skincare routine can be a way to nourish yourself inside and out
When the clouds converge, practise gratitude for the smallest of glimmers, and learn to dance in the rain.