Best printers for Home

Best Mixer Grinder

Best wired Earphones

Best 43 Inch TV in India

Best Wi Fi Routers

Best Home Theatre in India

Smart Watch under 5000

Best Laptops for Education

Best Laptop for Students

For most of us, heading out used to be an everyday ritual, but COVID-19 has left an unexpected impact — many people are staying home more often, and this shift might just be the “new normal.” A recent study reveals that, compared to pre-pandemic life, people are spending almost an hour less each day on activities outside the home. Additionally, people are spending about 12 fewer minutes a day on travel.<br /><br />Researchers analysed a survey of 34,000 Americans, finding that this trend toward staying home reflects a larger shift that had already begun but has accelerated significantly due to COVID-19. The study shows a lasting change: while some out-of-home activities have slightly bounced back since the peak of the pandemic in 2021, Americans are still spending about 53 minutes less outside the home than they did in 2019. In 2023, the amount of time people spend outside remains considerably lower than before the pandemic, with <keyword id="23763147" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="in-home-activities" source="keywords">in-home activities</keyword> taking up more of the day.<br /><h2>The new routine</h2>This drop in out-of-home time is partly due to more people working and shopping from home. The study found a marked decrease in out-of-home activities like work and shopping. With <keyword id="20665553" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="remote-work" source="keywords">remote work</keyword> becoming more popular and online shopping more efficient than in-person errands, people are finding fewer reasons to go out. The researchers suggest that cities may need to rethink their policies around commercial and residential spaces, relaxing restrictions on converting offices into housing and creating more space for delivery services rather than traditional commuter parking.<br />    <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="114823699" title="Uber drops after its bookings results and forecast fail to impress" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>The authors of the study see this as an opportunity for cities to embrace a new role as “centers of consumption.” Since office workers are no longer essential to urban economies, central cities may focus more on their appeal as hubs for recreation, culture, and dining — areas that can attract residents who choose to live in more urban settings. This shift could also make cities more affordable by reducing housing and transport costs.<br /><br />Technology advancements played a significant role in this new preference for staying in. During the pandemic, people adapted quickly to working, socialising, and even exercising at home. For example, sales of <keyword id="20751231" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="home-gym" source="keywords">home gym</keyword> equipment surged, and now many people are working out at home rather than visiting gyms. Meanwhile, activities like TV watching did not rise post-pandemic as much as one might expect, with only a brief increase in screen time at the height of COVID.<br /><h2>Less commuting, fewer emissions</h2>The study also shows a continued decrease in travel time, which initially dropped due to fewer commutes. Even as the world reopens, travel hasn’t bounced back completely, indicating that people are limiting outings beyond work as well. This decrease in driving and public transport use could have <keyword id="21198065" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="environmental-benefits" source="keywords">environmental benefits</keyword>, including lower emissions and fuel consumption. However, it raises questions about the potential downsides of extended time at home, such as <keyword id="20787438" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="social-isolation" source="keywords">social isolation</keyword>.<br />    <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="114822872" title="I&amp;#39;m an American who&amp;#39;s lived in South Korea for 10 years. Here are 9 things I don&amp;#39;t miss about the US." mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>As more people choose to stay in, the researchers suggest that cities may need to adapt by focusing less on peak travel demands and more on pedestrian and cyclist safety, as well as accessible services for lower-income residents. These adaptations could improve urban life, particularly in dense areas where the need for safer and more walkable spaces is high.<br /><br />The study’s authors point out that, although this trend toward “cocooning” at home has been growing for years, the pandemic has caused a much steeper drop than expected. Moving forward, cities and communities may need to embrace this new lifestyle by designing policies and spaces that cater to a society that prefers staying home— whether it’s about creating vibrant urban hubs or ensuring services are available to all residents. While only time will tell if this trend endures, one thing is clear: staying in has reshaped our daily lives and could change the face of our cities in the years to come.<br /><br />The findings of this research have been published in the <em>Journal of the American Planning Association </em>and can be accessed <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01944363.2024.2385327">here</a>.<br />

The COVID-19 pandemic has made people more reluctant to go out, study finds

Nanoplastics and microplastics (NMPs) are sneaky invaders, hiding in the tap water we drink every day. These tiny fragments of plastic have already been linked to unsettling changes in gut health and antibiotic resistance, raising alarm bells about their impact on our bodies. But here’s some refreshing news: scientists have discovered a surprisingly simple solution — boiling your water.<br /><h2>A kitchen hack for cleaner water</h2>Researchers, led by biomedical engineer Zimin Yu, have found that boiling water and then filtering it can remove up to 90% of nanoplastics and microplastics from tap water. “This simple boiling water strategy can 'decontaminate' NMPs from household tap water and has the potential for harmlessly alleviating human intake of NMPs through water consumption,” the team explains.<br /><br />Even better? You probably already have the tools you need in your kitchen: a pot to boil water and a simple stainless steel mesh to filter out any leftover bits.<br /><h2>How does it work?</h2>The trick lies in the build-up of limescale — or calcium carbonate — when water is heated. If you’ve ever peeked inside a kettle, you’ve seen this chalky layer. When water is boiled, calcium carbonate naturally precipitates out of the solution, forming a crust. This crust traps NMPs on its surface, making it easier to filter them out.<br /><br />“Our results showed that nanoplastic precipitation efficiency increased with increasing water hardness upon boiling,” the researchers write. For example, in soft water (low in calcium carbonate), the process managed to remove about 25% of NMPs. Meanwhile, in hard water (higher calcium carbonate levels), the process removed up to 90% of NMPs.<br /><h2>The harder the water, the better the results</h2>Hard water, often considered a nuisance because of limescale, might actually be a secret weapon against microplastics. The researchers found that the harder the water, the more effective the boiling process was at capturing and removing plastic fragments.<br /><br />In water containing 300 mg/L of calcium carbonate, NMP removal reached an impressive 90%. Even at lower levels, such as 80 mg/L, over a third of the plastics were filtered out.<br /><br />Using a simple tea strainer or other household filters, these lime-encrusted plastic fragments can be easily removed before the water is consumed.<br /><h2>Why it matters</h2>Microplastics aren’t just a problem for the planet — they’re becoming an intimate part of our daily lives. Previous studies have identified plastics like polystyrene, polyethylene, and polypropylene in drinking water. While the long-term effects on human health remain uncertain, the evidence suggests we’re better off without them.<br /><br />“Drinking boiled water apparently is a viable long-term strategy for reducing global exposure to NMPs,” the researchers say.<br /><br />For many, boiling water before drinking it is already a cultural norm. But the researchers hope their findings will encourage more people worldwide to adopt this practice as plastics continue infiltrating our water sources.<br /><br />The findings of this research have been published in <em>Environmental Science &amp; Technology Letters </em>and can be accessed <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.estlett.4c00081">here</a>.<br />

Worried about the harmful microplastics in your water? You just need to boil and strain it before consumption

When it comes to talking to children, many of us might instinctively simplify or even "dumb down" our language. But treating kids like they’re incapable of handling complexity can be more damaging than we realise. This practice, often labelled as "<keyword id="23912121" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="infantilisation" source="keywords">infantilisation</keyword>," stems from a form of age-based bias known as <em>adultism</em>, where society assumes that children lack the capability to engage meaningfully with complex issues. Yet, research increasingly suggests that children, if given the chance, can think critically, contribute insights, and show remarkable understanding — even on major topics like environmental ethics and social justice.<br /><h2>Full-fledged citizens</h2>Infantilising children can have several negative consequences, including undermining their self-confidence, stifling independence, and causing emotional dependence. Natalie M. Fletcher, a philosophy professor, argues that infantilising children restricts their potential to become active contributors in society. "Children are full-fledged citizens and not just future members of society," she points out. She highlights that children often have valuable perspectives, particularly on issues like friendship, where their thoughts are sometimes more nuanced than adults’ because these relationships are central to their lives.<br /><br />In her work, Fletcher emphasises that denying children the chance to engage in thoughtful dialogue can lead to the exclusion of a valuable dimension of knowledge and understanding, limiting society as a whole. Encouraging philosophical dialogue in children can empower them to see themselves as agents of change rather than passive future citizens.<br /><h2>Kids need complex conversations</h2>Infantilisation not only hinders mental and emotional development but also impacts children's ability to think independently. Experts warn that children constantly treated as incapable of handling complexity may struggle to develop essential skills like critical thinking and self-reliance. They might become overly dependent on authority figures, leading to low self-esteem and a reduced sense of autonomy as they mature. Encouraging children to express themselves and engage with challenging topics, on the other hand, supports their social and emotional growth, fostering resilience and independence.<br /><br />Additionally, infantilising children often stems from a desire to shield them from life’s complexities, particularly from “adult” topics like <keyword id="6361617" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="climate-change" source="Orion">climate change</keyword>. Fletcher argues, however, that children should be allowed to discuss issues like environmental justice, as they are the ones who will ultimately inherit the outcomes of today’s decisions. Children dealing with eco-anxiety, for example, benefit from having open dialogues about environmental concerns, which helps them feel empowered rather than overwhelmed.<br /><h2>Raising independent thinkers, not passive followers</h2>In Fletcher’s educational charity, Brila, children as young as five engage in philosophical discussions that promote critical thinking and active listening. This approach has been shown to help children view themselves as proactive thinkers. While parents may feel compelled to protect their kids from "too much too soon," providing age-appropriate explanations can prevent feelings of helplessness, giving kids the tools they need to become thoughtful, capable adults.<br /><br />As adults, fostering independence and <keyword id="23912120" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="critical-thinking-in-children" source="keywords">critical thinking in children</keyword> means embracing their ability to understand more than we may expect. Treating kids like the complex, capable individuals they are doesn't just support their growth — it strengthens society as a whole. Encouraging kids to share their thoughts and respecting their input can lead to a future generation that's better equipped to face and solve the challenges of tomorrow.<br />

Talking to your child like they’re a kid? Here’s why you might be doing more harm than good

Hit-making singer <keyword id="19939537" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Katy-Perry" source="keywords">Katy Perry</keyword> is no stranger to controversy, but this time, it’s not her music that’s drawing criticism. Instead, it’s the location of her latest music video for the single "<keyword id="22785007" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Lifetimes" source="keywords">Lifetimes</keyword>" that has sparked a public outcry. On August 13, <keyword id="22785006" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Spanish-authorities" source="keywords">Spanish authorities</keyword> announced an investigation into the production of the video, which was partially filmed on the protected dunes of S'Espalmador, a picturesque islet in the <keyword id="20202350" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Balearic-Islands" source="keywords">Balearic Islands</keyword>.<br /><br />These dunes are among the most ecologically significant areas in the Balearics, known for their fragile environment. The Balearic Islands' Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Environment revealed that the production team behind the video did not obtain the necessary authorisation to film in this sensitive area.<br />  <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111125157" title="Katy Perry worked with Dr. Luke on her new album, despite Kesha&amp;#39;s allegations of sexual abuse" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>In the video, Perry can be seen dancing on the beach among the very dunes that are now at the centre of the controversy. The video then transitions to a nighttime party scene in the clubs of nearby <keyword id="22091639" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ibiza" source="keywords">Ibiza</keyword>. While Perry herself didn’t trespass into a roped-off area, the issue lies in the production company’s failure to secure the required permits.<br /><br />The Ministry clarified in a statement that "in no case had the production company requested authorisation from the Ministry to carry out the filming, and that is why preliminary investigation actions have been initiated." However, the statement also noted that while the incident is under investigation, it is not considered a criminal offence but rather a potential <keyword id="22785005" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="environmental-infringement" source="keywords">environmental infringement</keyword>.<br />  <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112412893" title="Katy Perry has released 2 stale songs and is in a &amp;#39;career crisis.&amp;#39; A PR expert says her comeback can still be salvaged — if she does it right" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>The law governing the area states, "The filming of photographic reports, cinematographic, videographic, or of any other kind that involve the taking of images in any medium and format with an advertising or commercial exhibition purpose requires the express authorisation of the competent ministry for the environment." This regulation is designed to protect delicate ecosystems from the potential impact of commercial activities.<br /><br />As the investigation unfolds, it remains to be seen what consequences, if any, Perry or her production team will face. The incident has sparked debate about the responsibilities of artists and their teams to ensure that their work does not harm the environment, especially in protected areas.<br />

Katy Perry is being accused of environmental infringement by Spanish authorities over shooting "Lifetimes" music video near a protected area

When you come back home after a long day of dealing with a demanding boss and/or an annoying colleague, the last thing we are going to want to do is exercise. However, getting our behinds off the couch and dragging ourselves to the gym — or the park — might actually help us feel better.<br /><br />In today’s fast-paced, high-pressure <keyword id="19954079" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="work-environment" source="keywords">work environment</keyword>, <keyword id="19901233" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="burnout" source="keywords">burnout</keyword> is becoming a common issue. Deadlines, long hours and constant multitasking can leave us feeling emotionally exhausted and mentally drained. But there’s good news — according to research published in the <em>Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine</em>, <keyword id="23298308" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="moderate-exercise" source="keywords">moderate exercise</keyword> might be the key to combating job burnout.<br /><br />The study examined over 500 employees, assessing their <keyword id="23410261" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="exercise-habits" source="keywords">exercise habits</keyword> and how these related to their work satisfaction and emotional well-being. The results were clear: those who engaged in moderate <keyword id="20053428" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="physical-activity" source="keywords">physical activity</keyword> experienced significantly less burnout and <keyword id="22955163" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="emotional-exhaustion" source="keywords">emotional exhaustion</keyword>. They also reported feeling a greater sense of personal accomplishment in their jobs.<br />  <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113632562" title="Here’s how much exercise you must do if you sit at a desk most of your day!" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>But what is “moderate exercise”? As per Michele Wolf Marenus, PhD, a research scientist at Personify Health and one of the study's authors, it’s not about pushing yourself to the extreme. Instead, it involves activities like strength training, dancing, or hiking for at least 30 minutes on five or more days a week. A combination of vigorous activities, like running, and moderate ones is also effective.<br /><br />Interestingly, the study found that more intense forms of exercise didn’t necessarily lead to better results. In fact, moderate activity proved to be the sweet spot. People who exercised at this level reported the lowest levels of emotional exhaustion and the highest levels of <keyword id="20154404" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="job-satisfaction" source="keywords">job satisfaction</keyword>. Meanwhile, those who did either very low or very high levels of physical activity didn’t see the same benefits.<br /><br />As for why moderate exercise helped with burnout? It offers a valuable break from work, allowing employees to recharge mentally and physically. Exercise boosts cardiovascular health, enhances mood, and improves emotional regulation — all essential for dealing with <keyword id="21541838" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="work-stress" source="keywords">work stress</keyword>.<br /><br />So, if work stress is getting you down, you might want to lace up those sneakers and take a brisk walk or dance to your favourite tunes. It could be just what you need to refresh both body and mind!<br />  <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112589784" title="How to invest 3% of your day in exercise to live longer, according to an expert in healthy aging" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><br />

Burnout is a common side effect to work today and its remedy is ‘moderate’ exercise: Study

<ul class="summary-list"><li>A pioneering project in <keyword id="20060502" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Peru" source="keywords">Peru</keyword> is giving $2.30 a day to people in <keyword id="20360813" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="indigenous-communities" source="keywords">Indigenous communities</keyword>.</li><li>Reducing poverty removes a lot of the incentives for <keyword id="20657663" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="deforestation" source="keywords">deforestation</keyword>, the organizers told BI.</li></ul>Groups backing a basic-income trial in Peru are hoping that unconditional payments to Indigenous communities will help preserve the <keyword id="21095716" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Amazon-rainforest" source="keywords">Amazon rainforest</keyword>.<br /><br />Since November, 188 people living in three Amazonian reserves in central Peru have received <keyword id="21274590" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cash-transfers" source="keywords">cash transfers</keyword> equivalent to 8.6 Peruvian Soles, or about $2.30, a day.<br /><br />The project — developed by climate action NGO <keyword id="23150686" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Cool-Earth" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Cool Earth" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Cool Earth">Cool Earth</keyword> in conjunction with female-led Indigenous groups — is due to run for two years, with payments totaling about $310,000.<br /><br />  <div type="image" title="Three people of a Peruvian Amazonian community viewed from the knees down, wearing red robes and sandals, as they walk along a dirt track." height="667" width="1000" msid="112744186" hostid="261"></div>The idea is that providing a guaranteed income will remove some of the incentives to become involved in activities that destroy the rainforest.<br /><br />Poverty in these communities is one of the main drivers of deforestation in the region, Isabel Felandro, Cool Earth's head of programs, told Business Insider.<br /><br />"Those communities face a lot of challenges in terms of threats like illegal deforestation that goes on around the territories, drug cartels, illegal mining," Felandro said.<br /><br />They can end up "selling the forest, or engaging in other activities that are not very sustainable because they have this financial worry," she said.<br /><br />Communities are often faced with agonizing decisions, Felandro added.<br /><br />"If you don't have the money to send your kid to a hospital, what do you do?<br /><br /><h2></h2><h2><keyword id="22441332" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="basic-income" source="keywords">Basic income</keyword> — for the rainforest</h2>  <div type="image" title="An aerial view of Asháninka territory in the Peruvian Amazon, showing mist-shrouded forest and a cluster of small huts." height="667" width="1000" msid="112744187" hostid="261"></div>$2.30 a day wouldn't go far in the US or Europe.<br /><br />But in these communities, it can have a huge impact, Felandro said. With the income, "a whole family can eat for a day," she said.<br /><br />She added that people have been using the money to complement their diets, or have clubbed together to hire a van to take their kids the long distances to school.<br /><br />Numerous basic-income trials have proliferated worldwide, but most are focused on social and economic outcomes.<br /><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/universal-basic-income-ubi"></a><br />In the US, cities like <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/los-angeles-guaranteed-basic-income-pilot-ubi-partner-violence-employment-2024-7"><u>Los Angeles</u></a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/chicago-basic-income-helped-mother-rent-an-apartment-ubi-gbi2024-5"><u>Chicago</u></a>, Denver, and Atlanta have offered participants direct cash payments, no strings attached.<br /><br />But Cool Earth believes theirs is among the first to aim at a positive <keyword id="20224419" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="environmental-impact" source="keywords">environmental impact</keyword>.<br /><br />The NGO has run numerous cash transfer projects over the last 17 years, sending money to communities in the Amazon, New Guinea, and Congo rainforests, who band together to decide how to spend it.<br /><br />But this latest pilot — where every person over the age of 18 receives money independently — is seen as an even more direct way to get money working for the rainforest.<br /><br />  <div type="image" title="A thatched hut in the Peruvian Amazon, surrounded by lush greenery." height="667" width="1000" msid="112744188" hostid="261"></div>The impact and efficacy of basic-income programs are still being investigated, and Johan Oldekop, an academic specializing in the environment and development at the UK's University of Manchester, sounded a note of caution when commenting on this project to The Guardian.<br /><br />Oldekop praised the goal of supporting Indigenous communities, who are leaders in preserving rainforests. But, he added, there is "little and mixed evidence on the environmental effects of cash transfers around the world."<br /><br />Some data shows that these programs can actually lead to deforestation because families can use the cash to expand their agricultural businesses, and chop down trees to do so, he said.<br /><br />Felandro told BI that this is a fair concern, but added that here "the scale is very minor."<br /><br />Families often only have small plots of land that they use primarily to feed themselves. "We're not talking about large-scale production of cacao or coffee," she said.<br /><br />Communities that participated in Cool Earth's prior cash transfer projects saw up to 46% less deforestation compared to similar neighboring communities, Felandro added.<br /><br /><i>Correction: August 28, 2024 — An earlier version of this story incorrectly described the project. It provides basic income to a select group of participants; it is not a universal-basic-income program.</i><br />

A $2.30-a-day basic income trial is trying to save the Amazon rainforest

<ul><li>In recent years, Bhumi has stepped onto a bigger stage – one where the spotlight shines on environmental and climate awareness. </li><li>Acknowledging her efforts, the <keyword id="19984049" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="UNDP" source="keywords">UNDP</keyword> named her as India's first National Advocate for <keyword id="19950641" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sustainable-development-goals" source="keywords">Sustainable Development Goals</keyword> (SDGs).</li><li>In an exclusive interview with <keyword id="21390875" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Business-Insider-India" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Business Insider India" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Business Insider India">Business Insider India</keyword>, <keyword id="19939209" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bhumi-Pednekar" source="keywords">Bhumi Pednekar</keyword> spoke about her struggles with eco-anxiety and her take on the <keyword id="20000756" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="climate-action" source="keywords">climate action</keyword>.</li></ul><br />Lights, camera, Earth!<br /><br /><br />When we first saw Bhumi Pednekar in <em>Dum Laga Ke Haisha </em>in 2015, we witnessed her impressive acting skills and her ability to connect with the audience. With time, she grew into a formidable presence on the Indian cinema landscape, paving the way for socially-aware, yet entertaining filmography.<br /><br /><br />In recent years, this Bollywood superstar has stepped onto a bigger stage – one where the spotlight shines on environmental and climate awareness. In a world where the spotlight often blinds stars to the sufferings of the planet and its people, Bhumi reminds us that every person on this planet needs to keep that spark for eco-consciousness alive.<br /><br /><br />In an exclusive interview with Business Insider India, Bhumi Pednekar spoke about her struggles with eco-anxiety during her early years, her efforts to strike a balance between her professional career and environmental responsibilities, her advice for the younger audience, and her take on the climate action across the globe.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDxplE0_Os4" data-type="tilCustomLink">Catch the full interview here!</a><br /><br />                <div type="image" title="Actress Bhumi Pednekar" agency="Business Insider India" msid="109502773" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Actress Bhumi Pednekar&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div><br /><br />“When I started my climate journey, it was a very lonely path for me, Every time I spoke about it, people made fun of me. Eventually, through the years, I met like-minded people, and I realised that this is a real problem. Even today, I get really worried, I have bouts of anxiety and go into a spiral that you know, what will happen now and so on. In such times, what truly helps me is to actually do something towards dealing with the problem,” says Bhumi.<br /><br /><br />Acknowledging her efforts to spread awareness on these critical topics, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) named her as India's first National Advocate for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Just last month, the World Economic Forum (WEF) recognised her as a Young Global Leader (YGL). On <keyword id="21293562" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Earth-Day" source="keywords">Earth Day</keyword> 2024, she also joined UNDP’s global initiative called the ‘The Weather Kids’ — a global campaign to raise awareness about climate change and drive the world towards taking meaningful climate action.<br /><br /><br />Talking about the campaign Bhumi Pednekar stated, "I’m deeply disturbed by Climate Change and the impact that it is having the world over. I have dedicated my life to working on this and helping raise awareness… I have always been committed to using my platform to raise awareness about the urgency of climate action and to empower individuals and communities to adopt sustainable practices. Together, we can make a difference and create a more sustainable and resilient world for future generations.”<br /><br /><br />Further, Bhumi’s role as a <keyword id="21390874" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="climate-warrior" source="keywords">climate warrior</keyword> has also seen her collaborating with activists and institutions nationwide, amplifying their voices and supporting initiatives focused on environmental preservation and climate action. As an ardent advocate for environmental and climate action, she has effectively utilised her fame to champion causes like waste segregation, rainwater harvesting, recycling, and conscious fashion choices.<br /><br />                <div type="image" title="Actress Bhumi Pednekar" agency="Business Insider India" msid="109503174" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Actress Bhumi Pednekar&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div><br />  <br />“Climate Warrior, which is our nonprofit, is an advocacy platform I started in 2019. The idea was to bring all the work of creating awareness under one umbrella. And then we started the Bhumi Foundation, through which we are again just trying to streamline everything that we do, we have not opened it up for others to come in and work,” said Bhumi, encouraging younger generations to also find their own tribe to influence and drive change.<br /><br /><br />The theme for today’s World Earth Day 2024 is Planet Vs Plastic, and it is time for all of us to gauge our individual and collective impact on our environment and try to reduce it. “One big thing that we can do is to look for and support businesses that are trying to go green and create a positive impact on our planet. If investors support such businesses, and consumers pick such products, our carbon footprint can be lesser,” explains Bhumi.<br /><br /><br />“Every day is Earth Day. This is our only home, there is no alternative, and there is no plan B! The way we show empathy and sympathy towards our loved ones, we should show empathy towards everybody else that we share this planet with. It really breaks my heart when you see on the news that a major city like Bangalore is still witnessing a water crisis and our capital city Delhi has winter days where schools are canceled because of the pollution. We are all in this together, we all are a part of the problem. And we all need to be a part of the solution as well,” concludes Bhumi.<br /><br /><br /><em>Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of Business Insider India. The excerpts has been partly edited for length and clarity.</em><br />

Earth Day 2024: Actress Bhumi talks about 'Pednekar ke ped', ostrich mentality, climate anxiety and more

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s early life was overshadowed by the murder of his father.</li><li>He later struggled with a drug addiction.</li></ul><p>Robert F. Kennedy's children have spent a lifetime trying to add their marks to their slain father's legacy. They made history in public service, followed his footsteps into Congress, and contributed to an Academy Award-nominated documentary. Like their relatives born into the generation after Camelot, some struggled to shake <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/kennedy-family-tragedies-curse-assassinations-plane-crashes-2023-3">the tinge of tragedy and scandal</a> that continues to hang around the famous family.</p><p>Robert F. Kennedy's namesake has seen all elements of this journey.</p><p>The first Kennedy to run for the presidency in decades,<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/who-is-robert-f-kennedy-rfk-jr-2023-7"> Robert F. Kennedy Jr.</a> is doing so without the family's well-documented loyalty. Instead, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/kennedy-family-members-who-oppose-rfk-jr-campaign-2024-2024-4">some of his siblings </a>have begged him to drop out. For years, they have worried, in increasingly public ways, that he's eroding the foundation of why the nation reveres them so much in the first place.</p><h2 id="bbfa73a4-629f-45ee-a9a7-1f394f9295e7"><strong>The son of the expected next Kennedy president.</strong></h2><p>Born into privilege in 1954, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was raised between Massachusetts and suburban Virginia estates. He took an early interest in the outdoors, an affinity aided by the menagerie of animals kept at Hickory Hill, the family's McLean, Virginia mansion. He was the third of the 11 eventual children born to RFK and<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rfk-widow-says-assassin-sirhan-sirhan-should-not-get-parole-2021-9"> Ethel Kennedy.</a></p><p>He was asleep in his dorm at Georgetown Preparatory School on June 5, 1968, when a priest awoke him. He wasn't told what was happening, only that a ride would soon take him back to Hickory Hill. At the family home, he was told his dad had been shot the night before. He, Kathleen, and Joseph P. II flew out on Vice President Hubert Humphery's plane in a rush to be by their father's side.</p><p class="p2">Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was later a pallbearer at his father's funeral, joined by Astronaut John Glenn and former Defense Secretary Robert McNamara.</p><div type="image" title="Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (front right) helps carry his father's casket" height="686" width="1024" msid="110340066" hostid="261" sizebytes="53690"></div><p class="p2">The 14-year-old never returned to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/georgetown-prep-school-brett-kavanaugh-neil-gorsuch-2018-8">Georgetown Prep</a>, which now counts two Supreme Court justices and multiple lawmakers among its influential alumni. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. bounced between three private schools before graduating from high school. </p><p class="p2">At Millbrook School in New York, he briefly kept a lion cub gifted to him by former "Tonight Show" host Jack Paar. Kennedy was forced to find a new home for the animal, aptly named Mtoto Mbaya, "Boy Boy" in Swahili, after a string of incidents, including when it bit the backside of the school's zoo keeper, according to "Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the Dark Side of the Dream," an unauthorized 2015 biography. It wasn't the animal that got him kicked out.</p><p class="p2">Kennedy had begun to use drugs and not just marijuana, according to the 2015 book. Officials became increasingly concerned that they would be held responsible if another Kennedy died on their watch. Years later, Kennedy would tell Oprah that the source of his drug problems didn't truly matter. He viewed his problems more as being a product of the 1960s. Whatever the reason, his drug use would lead to repeated brushes with the law.</p><h2 id="1c32ab07-7e3c-4741-924b-27f9890e54ef"><strong>Kennedy graduates from Harvard, but drug use continues to hang over him.</strong></h2><p>After graduating from high school, Kennedy attended Harvard, the alma mater of his father, uncle, and grandfather. Like JFK, RFK Jr. would see his senior thesis turned into a book. Unfortunately for him, reviewers reacted harshly to the tome about federal judge Frank M. Johnson Jr., whose rulings played a major role in the Civil Rights movement.</p><p class="p2">After briefly attending the London School of Economics, Kennedy graduated from the University of Virginia Law School. While in Charlottesville, Kennedy met his first wife, Emily Black. Their wedding in Black's native Bloomington, Indiana, received international coverage as the Midwesterner joined the nation's foremost political family. The couple had two children together.</p><div type="image" title="Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is seen on his first wedding day" height="690" width="1024" msid="110340067" hostid="261" sizebytes="29434"></div><p class="p2">He filed for divorce in 1994 in the Dominican Republic, taking advantage of a local law that allows foreigners to file for divorce there and potentially trying to avoid media scrutiny.</p><p class="p2">In March 1982, Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau, whom JFK had previously appointed to lead the famous Southern District of New York, hired RFK Jr. as an assistant district attorney. The famous son's first brush with politics in New York, the state his father represented in the US Senate, did not go well. Kennedy struggled to pass the bar exam. He resigned in July 1983.</p><p class="p2">Months later, Kennedy would spark his largest legal scandal. While on the way to receive treatment in South Dakota for his addiction, a fellow passenger found him sick in an airplane's bathroom. Local authorities later found a small amount of heroin in his belongings. He faced up to two years in prison, according to The New York Times. Kennedy was sentenced to probation and community service.</p><h2 id="fd42bb34-5aa3-47c5-ab6e-4b6d3d6503c6"><strong>Kennedy found a new advocacy after his lowest moment.</strong></h2><p class="p2">Kennedy's lowest moment led to his greatest reinvention. As part of his community service, he worked for the Natural Resources Defense Council and was later connected with the Hudson River Fishermen's Association. Robert Boyle, founder of the New York environmental group, began to mentor Kennedy. The organization already had notched major legal victories, but Kennedy's star power would help take it to new heights.</p><p class="p2">He was so committed to his new career that in 1994, he married Mary Richardson, a longtime friend of his sister Kerry Kennedy, aboard a ship on the Hudson River.</p><div type="image" title="Robert F. Kennedy Jr. poses for a photo with actress Glenn Close in front of the Hudson River" height="717" width="1024" msid="110340068" hostid="261" sizebytes="62120"></div><p class="p2">But his relationship with Boyle did not last. His mentor later recalled that he was less than thrilled about the celebrities Kennedy soon brought onto the organization's board. He also chafed at his former protegé's other actions, particularly Kennedy's decision to hire a scientist named William Wegner. Kennedy defended hiring Wegner, who had served time in federal prison, saying that giving him a second chance was the right thing to do. Boyle was incensed given that Wegener was sentenced over his connections to a<a target="_blank" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/03/02/robert-f-kennedy-jr-rfk-riverkeeper-egg-smuggler/"> bird smuggling ring</a>. Boyle and seven other officials later resigned from Riverkeeper's board in protest.</p><p class="p2">"I think he's a despicable person," Boyle told Kennedy's unauthorized biographer in 2014. Boyle's children recently told The Washington Post that his father later couldn't even bear looking at the Hudson as it was too much of a reminder of Kennedy's betrayal.</p><p class="p2">As for Kennedy, his environmental advocacy became the foundation of his fame. In 1999, Time Magazine named Kennedy one of its "Heroes for the Planet" as part of a series of reports on leading environmentalists.</p><p class="p2">While gaining fame, Kennedy began to notice problems with his voice. He recently told The Los Angeles Times that he was 42 when he first noticed the problem. Kennedy was later diagnosed with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-rfk-jr-voice-raspy-cause-spasmodic-dysphonia-2023-8">spasmodic dysphonia</a>, a rare neurological condition that affects muscles in one's voice box.</p><p class="p2">In 2010, Kennedy filed for divorce from Richardson, the mother of four of his six children. Two years later, she died by suicide at the couple's former Bedford estate.</p><h2 id="0bc52c2f-eeb4-43c1-b871-bc5e8352a934"><strong>After years of environmentalism, Kennedy became the face of anti-vaccine advocacy.</strong></h2><p class="p2">After decades of environmental advocacy, Kennedy prepared to make his most controversial turn. In his retelling, mothers began to approach him at events to question whether vaccines had affected their children.</p><p class="p2">In 2005, Kennedy wrote a piece for Salon and Rolling Stone that is now regarded as establishing him as a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.statnews.com/2017/01/10/kennedy-vaccine-book/">major player in spreading vaccine skepticism</a>. Despite his claims of a major conspiracy over a mercury-based preservative that had already been "removed from all childhood vaccines except for some variations of the flu vaccine in 2001," according to STAT. Within days, Salon, which published the piece online, issued five corrections. In 2011, the site decided to retract the article entirely.</p><p class="p2">In 2014, Kennedy married the actress <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/robert-kennedy-jr-net-worth-cheryl-hines-15-million-2023-8">Cheryl Hines,</a> best known for her co-starring role in the Larry David-led "Curb Your Enthusiasm."</p><p class="p2">One year later, Kennedy joined the World Health Defense Fund. He continued to be involved with Riverkeeper, but his anti-vaccine advocacy overwhelmed his public persona.</p><p class="p2">Kennedy's name fueled his rise in the movement, which drew on the credibility of his environmentalism and his famous family. In turn, the now-presidential hopeful began to cobble together what the Associated Press would later deem <a target="_blank" href="https://apnews.com/article/how-rfk-jr-built-anti-vaccine-juggernaut-amid-covid-4997be1bcf591fe8b7f1f90d16c9321e#">"an anti-vaccine juggernaut"</a> that he deployed when the COVID-19 pandemic arrived.</p>

How RFK Kennedy Jr. turned from tragedy and tumult to environmentalism before becoming the face of vaccine skepticism

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Elon Musk recently blamed the Federal Aviation Administration for delays around SpaceX launches.</li><li>He said the agency would hold his company back from going to Mars.</li></ul><p><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-ceo-elon-musk">Elon Musk</a> isn't a big fan of the Federal Aviation Administration.</p><p>Recently, the billionaire and his rocket company, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-spacex-beef-with-regulators-over-starship-launch-delay-2024-9">SpaceX</a>, have been beefing with federal regulators, blaming the FAA for delaying the next launch of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-plan-colonize-mars-plan-unrealistic-scientists-explain-2023-10">Starship</a> to late November rather than mid-September. The company said on Tuesday that the delay was "not based on a new safety concern, but instead driven by superfluous environmental analysis."</p><p>The company said in a lengthy statement that the roadblocks were "driven by false and misleading reporting, built on bad-faith hysterics from online detractors or special interest groups who have presented poorly constructed science as fact."</p><p>A SpaceX spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment sent during the weekend.</p><p>In an interview on Monday at the All-In Summit, Musk mocked the FAA for the time<strong> </strong>it has taken the agency to approve SpaceX launches.</p><p>"It really should not be possible to build a giant rocket faster than paper can move from one desk to another," Musk said.</p><p>According to the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.faa.gov/dataresearch/aviation/aerospaceforecasts/commercial-space.pdf">FAA</a>, overseeing a single rocket launch is a laborious process that can include licensing approval and route planning to ensure a rocket can safely launch into designated airspace.</p><p>An FAA spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment sent during the weekend.</p><p>FAA spokesperson Steven Kulm previously told BI that "SpaceX submitted new information in mid-August detailing how the environmental impact of Flight 5 will cover a larger area than previously reviewed." The spokesperson added that changes to the vehicle configuration are also driving the delays.</p><p>Unfortunately for the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/unruly-flyers-fined-covid-19-pandemic-airlines-travel-2024-9">FAA</a>, Musk isn't doling out any points for trying.</p><h2 id="2a4f748f-7cab-4350-904d-c9cb504b7e19">The FAA works overtime for Elon</h2><p>The agency employs more than 45,000 people and has been scrambling in recent years to keep up with the increasing number of rocket launches from commercial space companies. In 2023, SpaceX launched 98 rockets, according to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.space.com/spacex-final-rocket-launches-2023-photos-video">Space.com</a>, which<strong> </strong>would account for 87% of the launches the regulatory body said it oversaw that year.</p><p>The agency forecasts overseeing three times as many launches by 2028.</p><p>To account for this anticipated growth, the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/biden-tax-companies-spacex-blue-origin-launch-us-musk-bezos-2024-4">Biden Administration</a> requested $57 million to fund the FAA's licensing office, a significant increase from the $38 million the office received in 2023. The FAA also hired 33 more employees to its licensing office last year, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/04/us/politics/spacex-biden-musk-taxes.html">The New York Times</a> reported in April.</p><p>Daniel Murray, the executive director of the FAA's Commercial Space Transportation Office, which handles license applications, said on Wednesday at the Global Aerospace Summit in DC that his office is pouring most of its resources into SpaceX.</p><p>"They get the majority of our resources," he said, according to a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-09-11/spacex-accounts-for-80-of-faa-s-space-workers-overtime?srnd=phx-industries">Bloomberg</a> report. "80% of the overtime that we log, and this is hundreds of hours a month, goes to SpaceX."</p><p>Murray defended his office against claims from SpaceX and Musk that the agency was needlessly delaying the launch of Starship.</p><p>According to Bloomberg, Murray said the recent Starship launch delay was mainly due to an ongoing environmental review process but added that SpaceX also made changes to the scope of its flight plan.</p><p>"They chose to do something different," Murray said, according to Bloomberg. "They pivoted. We pivoted with them."</p><h2 id="a51c9c0c-d7a0-45a9-bffb-38e71ef3fdd0">Regulatory overreach</h2><p>The common through-line in Musk's hand-wringing over the FAA is the billionaire's general disdain for what he views as <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1833755778924351663">excessive government regulation</a>. Musk has repeatedly painted rules and bureaucracy as the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSD_vpfikbE">death knell of innovation</a>.</p><p>"Rules and regulations are immortal, they don't die," Musk said at The Wall Street Journal's CEO Council Summit in 2021. <br />"There's not really an effective garbage collection system for removing rules and regulations. And so gradually this hardens the arteries of civilization, where you're able to do less and less over time."</p><p>Musk has been increasingly vocal on social media about taking up a more hands-on role in the White House under a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-adopts-elon-musk-plan-cut-government-spending-efficiency-reform-2024-9">second Trump administration</a>.</p><p>Much like his approach during his Twitter takeover, Musk has proposed <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-government-efficiency-ideas-wrong-experts-2024-9">reducing the size of the government</a> by stripping down federal agencies.</p><p>Political science experts told BI that while the government can be inefficient, Musk's business-like approach to running a government overlooks the fact that it's partly structured to meet the needs of the people rather than to prioritize profits.</p><p>"Sometimes that's not efficient in an economic sense," Christian Grose, a professor of political science at the University of Southern California, told BI.</p><p>At the All-In summit on Monday, Musk did credit the federal employees he might seek to fire.</p><p>"I'm not saying that there aren't competent people in the government; they're just in an operating system that is inefficient," he said.</p>

Elon Musk has beef with the FAA. The agency still puts in a lot of work for him.

<keyword id="22948419" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Reflect-Orbital" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Reflect Orbital" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Reflect Orbital">Reflect Orbital</keyword>, a California-based startup, has set its sights on a futuristic goal: providing "<keyword id="22948420" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="sunlight-on-demand" source="keywords">sunlight on demand</keyword>" using orbiting mirrors in space. The company's vision is to address one of the biggest challenges in <keyword id="19915217" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="solar-energy" source="keywords">solar energy</keyword> — the inability to generate power after sunset or during cloudy days — by using a fleet of <keyword id="20279522" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="small-satellites" source="keywords">small satellites</keyword> equipped with highly reflective <keyword id="22948421" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mylar-mirrors" source="keywords">Mylar mirrors</keyword>.<br /><h3 style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:14pt;margin-bottom:4pt;">How the technology works</h3>Reflect Orbital plans to deploy 57 small satellites into low-Earth orbit. Each satellite will be outfitted with a 33-square-foot reflective Mylar mirror. These mirrors are designed to reflect sunlight down to Earth, targeting <keyword id="20658734" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="solar-farms" source="keywords">solar farms</keyword> and extending their operational hours by providing an extra 30 minutes of sunlight after sunset or before sunrise. The mirrors will focus sunlight into a concentrated beam, directed by solar farm operators using a simple interface, where users can log in, provide GPS coordinates, and request sunlight.<br /><div type="twitter" handle="bennbuilds" handlename="bennbuilds" favoritecount="0" retweetcount="0" id="1826682383514697993"></div>The idea is to make solar energy more available when it’s most needed — not just during daylight hours, but also in the early morning and evening when electricity demand is typically higher. This could potentially increase the efficiency and profitability of <keyword id="20423867" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="solar-power-generation" source="keywords">solar power generation</keyword>, as energy produced during these periods can be sold at higher rates.<br /><h3 style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:14pt;margin-bottom:4pt;">Potential challenges</h3>Despite the excitement around this technology, there are several challenges that Reflect Orbital will need to overcome. Weather conditions such as thick clouds or storms could obstruct the reflected sunlight, limiting its effectiveness. Seasonal changes that affect the angle and duration of sunlight might also present difficulties. Additionally, the potential environmental impact, including light pollution and interference with astronomical observations, has raised concerns among scientists and environmentalists.<br /><div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112805908" title="How will Sunita Williams’ body have changed when she returns from space in February 2025?" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Reflect Orbital is aware of these challenges and has designed the mirrors to minimise light pollution. The company has also tested its technology using a hot air balloon, which successfully simulated the satellite mirrors' effect by reflecting sunlight down to a solar farm. According to co-founder <keyword id="22948422" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ben-nowack" source="keywords">Ben Nowack</keyword>, the company was able to generate "500 watts of energy per square metre" of solar panel, which is about "half the brightness of the sun."<br /><div type="twitter" handle="bennbuilds" handlename="bennbuilds" favoritecount="0" retweetcount="0" id="1767961251186163857"></div>Reflect Orbital is still in the early stages, with plans to launch its first test satellite in 2025. Interest in the project has been strong, with over 30,000 applications already submitted by individuals and organisations eager to participate in the initial offering of "sunlight on demand."<br /><br />This ambitious project could mark a significant step forward in renewable energy technology if successful, providing a novel solution to the intermittent nature of solar power and helping to accelerate the transition to <keyword id="21313059" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sustainable-energy-sources" source="keywords">sustainable energy sources</keyword>.<br />

Space startup Reflect Orbital plans to sell "sunlight on demand" — how will it work?

<ul class="summary-list"><li>President Biden is banking that his environmental record will sway young voters to his side.</li><li>But many voters aged 30 or younger have little knowledge of his administration's climate policies.</li></ul><p>President Joe Biden has sought to use his pro-environment policies to boost his support among young voters, but most of them have little to no knowledge of his administration's actions to tackle climate change, according to a recent survey.</p><p>A CBS News/YouGov poll of 2,230 adults conducted in April showed that <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://affiliate.insider.com?h=6eae87095eca816c16c58280c637898cba9b0fc1da677609924928e9f0d27e24&amp;postID=663a3f952c3267408d0a3332&amp;postSlug=biden-climate-change-young-voters-environment-greenhouse-emissions-ev-2024-5&amp;site=bi&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.scribd.com%2Fdocument%2F725103674%2Fcbsnews-20240421-SUN">28 percent of respondents aged 30 or younger knew "nothing at all" about Biden's climate actions</a>, while 31 percent of respondents in this age group didn't know much about his administration's policy stances.</p><p>Meanwhile, 33 percent of respondents had some knowledge of Biden's policies, while only 7 percent said they had seen or read "a lot" about his administration's work.</p><p>The survey also showed that 52 percent of respondents under 30 believed that climate change was an issue that needed to be dealt with "right now," with 20 percent stating it was an issue to tackle over the next few years and 13 percent indicating it was an issue to be handled in the more distant future.</p><p>Since taking office, Biden has placed a high priority on climate issues — a monumental shift from <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-oil-gas-industry-political-donations-environment-drilling-2024-campaign-2023-11">former President Donald Trump's political alliance with the fossil-fuel industry</a> — as he's touted tax credits for Americans to purchase electric vehicles and promoted rebates to make homes more energy efficient.</p><p>On his first day in White House, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/biden-rejoins-paris-climate-accord-and-who-revokes-muslim-ban-2021-1">Biden rejoined the Paris climate accord</a>, bringing the United States back into fold among nearly 200 countries that have pledged to cut greenhouse gas emissions.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/read-heres-whats-in-the-manchin-deal-for-bidens-agenda-2022-7">The Inflation Reduction Act</a>, which was passed by congressional Democrats and signed into law by Biden in 2022, made significant investments in the expansion of clean energy tax credits and included nearly $10 billion for rural electric cooperatives to purchase or deploy clean energy, among other measures.</p><p>And many of the administration's climate policies are seemingly popular with the American public.</p><p>When respondents in the CBS News/YouGov survey were asked if they favored tax credits to boost the energy efficiency of homes, 63 percent agreed, while only 17 percent were opposed to the policy.</p><p>Seventy percent of respondents in the survey indicated that they backed regulations that would reduce the amount of toxic chemicals in drinking water, while only 9 percent opposed such efforts.</p><p>The most polarizing Biden policy in the survey was the allowance of tax credits for electric vehicles, but even it had a plurality of support (43 percent) among respondents. Meanwhile, 35 percent of respondents opposed such credits, and 21 percent of respondents indicated they hadn't heard about it.</p>

Biden brags about his environmental record to win young voters, but most have no idea what he's done to fight climate change

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Jorge Argota, 35, runs his own digital marketing agency in Miami and made about $120,000 last year.</li><li>He said the mortgage for a house he'd want would start at around $3,000 a month. His rent is $2,300.</li></ul><p><em>This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Jorge Argota, 35, who runs his own digital marketing company in Miami. The following has been edited for length and clarity.</em></p><p>I specialize in marketing, mostly for law firms. I'm netting about $120,000 each year.</p><p>I make a good amount of money for my age, but my income is just a drop in the bucket in Miami.</p><p>So many people relocated to Florida after COVID-19 from New York, California, and Texas. For that and other reasons, the cost of living has skyrocketed — everything from groceries to housing. (<em>Editor's note: According to Zillow, the median sale price in Miami was $580,297 in August, up 7.5% from 2023. The median rent in Miami was $3,200 in September.)</em></p><p>When I was in my early 20s, around 2013, and first started my business, I nearly purchased a house in Miami for around $300,000. But I didn't go through with it, and it recently sold for more than double that price.</p><p>For me, renting an apartment in Miami is more affordable than buying a nice house with a $3,000 or $4,000 mortgage.</p><p>If I were to buy my own home, I would lose too much money. It just doesn't make sense.</p><p>If I were to make more money — if I had double my income — then sure, I could consider buying a home. But even then, it would be a stretch financially. There are a lot of costs associated with running my business, like paying employees and buying tools. It all adds up and becomes quite expensive.</p><h2 id="dba77898-afe4-4044-9c76-04311947736c">I'm renting in the Miami neighborhood where I grew up</h2><p>I live in an apartment with my younger brother in Little Havana.</p><p>Our apartment is about 1,000 square feet, has two bedrooms and two bathrooms, and our rent is $2,300 a month. Our apartment complex is inexpensive compared to some places in Miami, especially for the location.</p><p>We've lived in our apartment for about a year and a half, but our lease ends in January.</p><div type="image" title="A street view of an apartment complex in Miami." height="3024" width="4032" msid="114292857" hostid="261" sizebytes="1035094"></div><p>Little Havana is a special place. Growing up in that area, I would frequently go to 8th Street, where, in the afternoon, people would play dominos and chess at parks. At night, there was more Cuban music and dance.</p><p>There were a bunch of Cuban restaurants, and thankfully, there still are. Even with all the new tourists, there is still that cultural vibe, just more commercialized.</p><p>At least for me, Little Havana has always been a place of culture, history, and community.</p><h2 id="b81dcf70-c35b-421c-9141-842685e69547">There aren't a lot of Miami homes for sale that meet my needs and wants</h2><p>I was hoping there still might be affordable homes in my budget in Miami, so I got prequalified for a home purchase a few months ago.</p><p>I was approved for a loan of up to $700,000 and was ecstatic, thinking, "OK, finally I can buy a house." But I was wrong.</p><p>When browsing Zillow, I couldn't find anything in my price range except for a house that looked like it had been through a battle. It was probably worth about $50,000 — maybe even less — 10 to 15 years ago.</p><div type="image" title="Jorge Argota sitting in a chair at a restaurant." height="3648" width="5472" msid="114292854" hostid="261" sizebytes="905152"></div><p>I thought that maybe I could buy a similar home and fix it up. I can handle the repairs myself. But then I talked to my brother, and he pointed out that we'd need tools and probably have to hire professionals.</p><p>It was clear that it would be way more expensive and involve more work than I expected. I'm so busy with my business and life that I don't have the time.</p><h2 id="c44276c5-2196-4574-9c7c-c3f69f0cab4a">Renting is the best choice for me right now</h2><p>There's a lot of money that goes into a home to maintain it, aside from buying it.</p><p>If there's a leak, a broken faucet, or a burst pipe, you must deal with those issues. Additionally, maintaining the yard and landscaping costs money. In Florida, you also need home insurance to protect against hurricanes.</p><p>These hidden expenses are often overlooked. People may think, "Oh, a house!" without considering all the associated costs.</p><div type="image" title="A shore line image of Miami." height="3024" width="4032" msid="114292853" hostid="261" sizebytes="852346"></div><p>I love the peace of mind that renting provides. I don't have to manage repairs or worry about paying an electrician or plumber. I also don't have to deal with maintenance, which takes up time.</p><p>It makes me think: How much is my time really worth?</p><h2 id="206f97cc-33c2-44af-b56e-fe30bb834bf5">If I want to buy a home, I may have to move</h2><p>I just don't have the flexibility, even with my income, to buy the kind of house I really want. It's hard for me to fathom that people in my age group have that kind of money.</p><p>A buddy of mine owns an environmental company and earns more than I do, but he doesn't own a home for the same reason.</p><p>I've also had many friends who have had to move further north in Florida because it's impossible for them to pay rent or buy a home in Miami.</p><p>In the future, I definitely want a family and to be able to comfortably afford a home. So, if I can't buy a house in Miami, I might consider moving to another state.</p><p>Miami is a nice place, but it's not worth the price.</p>

You Searched For "environmental work" and got 12 results

The COVID-19 pandemic has made people more reluctant to go out, study finds

BI India Bureau

Worried about the harmful microplastics in your water? You just need to boil and strain it before consumption

BI India Bureau

Talking to your child like they’re a kid? Here’s why you might be doing more harm than good

BI India Bureau

Katy Perry is being accused of environmental infringement by Spanish authorities over shooting "Lifetimes" music video near a protected area

BI India Bureau

Burnout is a common side effect to work today and its remedy is ‘moderate’ exercise: Study

BI India Bureau

A $2.30-a-day basic income trial is trying to save the Amazon rainforest

Mia Jankowicz

Earth Day 2024: Actress Bhumi talks about 'Pednekar ke ped', ostrich mentality, climate anxiety and more

Deekshith Pinto

How RFK Kennedy Jr. turned from tragedy and tumult to environmentalism before becoming the face of vaccine skepticism

Brent D. Griffiths

Elon Musk has beef with the FAA. The agency still puts in a lot of work for him.

Lloyd Lee

Space startup Reflect Orbital plans to sell "sunlight on demand" — how will it work?

Ankush Banerjee

Biden brags about his environmental record to win young voters, but most have no idea what he's done to fight climate change

John L. Dorman

I'm a millennial making $120,000 a year. I rent because buying a home in Florida is so costly and would be too much work.

Alcynna Lloyd

Popular Keywords

Buying Guides