Published

7 months ago

July 5, 2025

Alice Rush

Jean-Marc Jancovici is a well-known lecturer in France, and on YouTube, on the topics of energy and climate change. He focuses on the deep history and interconnections of the Earth’s consumption apparatus – how things are made, what things are made of, how energy is created, distributed and burned, and how the energy needs of the future should be met.

Christophe Blain is a French graphic artist known for his humorous historical works, most notably Weapons of Mass Diplomacy. But a few years ago, he was struck by current events in his home country.

“In the summer of 2018, there were severe heat waves,” Blain said. “I realized they were linked to global warming. I said to myself, ‘This is it, we’re here.’ I was very anxious for a year.”

He began talking to his brother to see what could be done. His brother had been following Jancovici’s lectures for more than ten years, and recommended that Blain watch a few and possibly make a connection with Jancovici.

“My brother told me, ‘Make an album (book) with Jean-Marc.’ I immediately replied, ‘I know. But it’s going to be hard.’ He said, ‘Do you have a choice?’ Five minutes later, I wrote an e-mail to Jean-Marc.”

The result of this meeting of minds is World Without End, a full-length graphic book that melds Jancovici’s words with Blain’s vibrant and comical illustrations to tell the story of energy: where we’ve been, and where we might be headed. It’s a long-form book version of one of his lectures, rich in data, theory and commentary, propelled by Blain’s unique method of visual storytelling in which a reader never gets lost or overwhelmed. The book has been a sensation in France, selling more than a million copies, and a translated version has been released in the U.S.

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A post shared by Christophe Blain (@blain.christophe)

Blain shared some answers with EcoWatch via e-mail.

How and why did the book become so popular in France?

On social networks, I noticed that the people who followed Jean-Marc all wanted to pass on his thoughts and make him known. As if it were a vital necessity. I felt the same way.

I said to myself: a book is an object that’s easier to transmit than a conference. You can take your time to fully understand what’s at stake. What happened was exactly what I’d hoped: the people who read it wanted to give it away and pass it on.

How collaborative was the illustration / text process?

We’d meet up with Jean-Marc, and he’d use his courses, his conferences and the research he was doing with his company, Carbone 4. I’d ask him lots of questions, we’d comment on current events, and I’d take lots of notes. Then I’d work alone to transform my notes into a storyboard. We’d meet up again and correct my storyboard. Then we’d start again.

What kind of challenges were there illustrating the topic of energy, energy history and climate?

Jean-Marc is an extraordinary teacher. He uses lots of poetic, amusing images to explain sometimes complex concepts. If you don’t understand one image, he uses another. He always gets it right in the end. And everything becomes luminous. He makes you smart.

I love using images to explain sometimes abstract concepts. I do it a lot in my work. I love drawing crazy, poetic images, a bit psychedelic, to talk about something complex and subtle. Jean-Marc and I understand each other very well. We had a lot of fun together.

You choose visual “comedy” to move some sections forward – it helps to move through some quite depressing facts – how did you manage to juxtapose some of the bleaker facts with these kind of cartoony “jokes”?

Because I’m a funny guy. And I like to laugh at my anxieties. And because the book had to be fun. Always fluid, always hyper-understandable. This album is about serious, complex things. But I’ve worked very hard to make it easy to read.

As you were illustrating the book, what things did you learn?

I learned a lot from Jean-Marc’s own attitude. He’s been fighting this battle for years. His patience, energy and determination fascinate me. I’d often get angry at what I thought was idiotic behavior, in the face of the challenges facing all humanity. Jean-Marc brought me back to reason and patience, not to waste my energy in anger but to train my mind to find the right arguments.

What did you learn about the importance of energy?

I’ve learned that our way of life, even if we don’t see it, even if we don’t realize it, requires a colossal use of energy, of the Earth’s resources.

The details about the toothpaste tube and the smart phone, and the massive apparatus needed to create these ubiquitous objects… these were eye-opening to me. How did you feel learning that?

I felt that we live in a more fragile world than we think. That many details of our daily lives, which seem obvious and unchanging, can disappear faster than we think.

Was it surprising to you to see that “organic” is just a label that really has little impact on the deep underlying problems with the agricultural industry?

This is true for many other aspects. We live on heavy industry. A few organic beans are a good thing. But you have to look at the whole production chain, which produces for the masses, for millions of people, using colossal resources.

How was this book “therapy” for you? (On page 133, Blain talks about his recurring dreams of a nuclear accident.)

Jean-Marc told me that once you start looking into these problems, researching and working on them, you can’t stop. It’s a constant therapy through action. Understanding is the first and most important step. Even if you don’t know how to act right away. We change in spite of ourselves. We look at our surroundings differently. And then, little by little, we take action, in our daily lives or on a wider scale.

For example, we gradually stop wanting the same things. You organize your life differently. You have to accept that this is a step-by-step process. Not a radical revolution that will solve all problems.

Compared to your other work, how does World Without End fit in?

My vision of the world is different and I can’t go back. And I’m continuing to work with Jean-Marc.

Any other final words?

I sincerely hope to find an American audience who will welcome us. Not just because it would bring us success, but obviously because the USA has an extremely powerful influence on the world. I’ve traveled there several times. It’s a country that fascinates me.

The post Facing Climate Anxiety With Visual Comedy: ‘World Without End’ Graphic Artist Christophe Blain appeared first on EcoWatch.

https://www.ecowatch.com/world-without-end-graphic-book-ecowatch.html

Green Living

Earth911 Inspiration: There’s No Free Lunch in Nature

Published

3 days ago

January 30, 2026

Alice Rush

Earth911 inspirations. Print them, post them, share your desire to help people think of the planet first, every day.

Editor’s Note: This poster was originally published on May 10, 2019. Yes, we recycle good ideas!

The post Earth911 Inspiration: There’s No Free Lunch in Nature appeared first on Earth911.

https://earth911.com/living-well-being/earth911-inspiration-no-free-lunch-in-nature/

Green Living

Guest Idea: 7 Solutions to Give Your Old Sunglasses a Second Life

Published

4 days ago

January 29, 2026

Alice Rush

In recent years, many of us have learned that “recyclable” isn’t as simple as we once thought. The single-use coffee cup is the classic example: its paper shell is fused with a thin plastic liner, rendering it un-recyclable in most facilities. It’s a “composite material,” a mix of things that are too difficult to separate.

A surprisingly similar, and often-overlooked, challenge is sitting in our homes: old sunglasses.

Just like that coffee cup, eyewear is a complex fusion of materials. Metal hinges are screwed into polymer frames, which hold chemically-coated lenses. This mix of metals, plastics, and coatings means standard sorting machines cannot process them. As a result, they are rejected as contamination and sent directly to landfills, where they contribute to non-biodegradable waste. Unlike a disposable paper cup, however, a pair of sunglasses is built for durability. Its high-quality components make it a perfect candidate for repair, reuse, or reinvention.

This guide provides 7 actionable alternatives to the landfill, designed to turn this difficult-to-recycle item into a valuable, circular resource.

1. The Most Impactful Fix: Replace the Lenses

For the most common issue—scratched or damaged lenses—the most sustainable answer is also the simplest. The frame, which is the most resource-intensive part to produce, is often in perfect condition. By focusing on a “repair, don’t replace” model, you can save an entire item from the landfill.

Action: This process is now easier than ever. Specialist companies like mine, The Sunglass Fix, allow you to order high-quality, precision-cut replacement lenses for thousands of models online. You can effectively restore your sunglasses to brand-new condition for a fraction of the cost—and with significantly less waste.

Swapping out scratched lenses is a simple, DIY repair that instantly restores your frames to like-new condition, extending their lifespan by years. Image Credit: The Sunglass Fix.

2. The Charitable Solution: Donate for Global Reuse

If your sunglasses are still in good shape, don’t let them go to waste. Just because you don’t wear them anymore doesn’t mean they are finished. By donating them, you give them a second life. There are millions of people who need eye protection but can’t easily buy it. Your old pair could end up helping someone see better and protect their eyes every day.”

Action: There are great groups ready to take them:

Lions Clubs International: The most famous option. Look for their yellow collection boxes in libraries and local vision centers.
OneSight: They run clinics to bring eyewear directly to communities that need it most.
ReSpectacle: An easy website that matches your specific glasses to a person who needs them.

3. The DIY Solution: Simple Home Maintenance

Before giving up on a pair, inspect it closely. Many “broken” sunglasses are merely suffering from minor, fixable issues. A wobbly arm or a missing nose pad might seem like a fatal flaw, but a simple home repair can often make them perfectly wearable again, saving you money and preventing waste.

Action: Most common issues can be solved with a basic eyeglass repair kit.

Tighten Loose Screws: This is the most common issue. Using a precision screwdriver, gently tighten the hinge screws until the arms feel secure again. If a screw is lost, most repair kits come with standard replacements.
Adjust Bent Frames: If your glasses sit crooked on your face, place them on a flat table to see which side is lifted. Metal frames can be gently bent back into shape with your fingers. Plastic frames should be warmed slightly (with warm water) before you gently twist them back to alignment.
Replace Old Nose Pads: If the pads are yellowing, uncomfortable, or missing, don’t toss the glasses. You can buy standard silicone replacements online. They either snap in or screw in, instantly making the glasses feel cleaner and more comfortable.
Fix Stiff Hinges: If the arms are hard to open or make a grinding sound, the hinge is likely clogged with dirt. Wash the frame with warm soapy water to flush out the grit. Once dry, a tiny drop of baby oil or lubricant on the hinge will make it move smoothly again.
Restore Faded Plastic: If your plastic frames have turned white or cloudy, they aren’t ruined; they are just oxidized. You can buff this white layer off using a soft microfiber cloth and a little friction (or a tiny dab of non-abrasive car wax) to reveal the shiny, fresh plastic underneath.

4. The Upcycling Solution: Create Unique Decor

Even when lenses are damaged beyond repair or frames are no longer wearable, the components themselves can be valuable materials for DIY home décor. Instead of sitting in a landfill for centuries, these plastic and metal parts can be upcycled into unique art pieces, giving new purpose to materials that would otherwise decompose.

Action: Re-frame your perspective and use the components for home decor. Multiple pairs can be combined to create a unique mirror frame, a 3D collage, or other decorative wall art, as highlighted by various home design blogs.

5. The Craft Solution: Fashion Custom Jewelry

The trend of upcycling fashion accessories is growing, and sunglasses offer endless possibilities. The colorful or mirrored lenses, in particular, can be transformed into new items. This craft-based approach turns a waste product into a one-of-a-kind wearable statement of sustainability.

Action: Gently pop the lenses out of the frames. They can be incorporated into unique DIY projects. Craft blogs demonstrate how to fashion them into pendants or one-of-a-kind earrings, completely upcycling the component.

6. The Garden Solution: Repurpose Components Outdoors

Even the most shattered parts can find a new purpose outdoors. The sturdy plastic or metal arms of a frame, for example, make surprisingly durable and waterproof plant markers for a garden or herb pot. Other broken pieces can be used for mosaics or small sculptures, offering a quirky way to bring sustainability to your backyard.

Action: Remove the sturdy plastic or metal arms from the frame. By writing on them with a permanent marker, you can create durable, waterproof, and quirky plant markers for an herb garden or seed-starting trays.

7. The Final Step: Responsible Material Separation

If the sunglasses are beyond saving and none of the above methods apply, you must handle the final disposal process manually. Recycling plants are designed to handle simple items like bottles or cans, not complex “mixed material” objects like eyewear. If you throw a whole pair of sunglasses into the mix, it is treated as contamination and sent to the landfill. If you want the materials to live on, you have to do the separation work that the machines can’t.

Action: Break the frame down into these four categories to ensure they get recycled:

Pop the Lenses Out: Press firmly on the back of the lens to snap it out of the frame. Even if the lens itself cannot be recycled locally, removing it is the essential first step to preparing the rest of the frame.
Strip the Hardware: Use a precision screwdriver to remove the arms, hinges, and any nose pads. You need to fully separate every piece of metal from the plastic components.
Consolidate the Metal: The tiny screws and hinges are valuable scrap, but they are too small for machines to catch. Place them inside a larger steel food can (like a soup can) and pinch the top closed so they are trapped inside and can be processed safely.
Mail the Frames: The stripped plastic frames are now ready for a specialist. Since standard curbside trucks typically reject rigid eyewear plastics, mail these specific parts to dedicated programs like Terracycle or Banish that can shred and repurpose them.

Redefining “Waste” in Your Wardrobe

A single-use coffee cup is a symbol of a disposable mindset—a product designed for a single use. In contrast, an old pair of sunglasses, once destined for the landfill, is a collection of durable materials and untapped potential.

By shifting how we view worn or damaged items, we can begin to see them not as waste, but as resources waiting for renewal. Moving beyond the linear “take-make-waste” model unlocks that value. Whether you choose to remanufacture your favorite frames, donate them, or upcycle them into a new project, each action contributes to a more sustainable future.

Small changes, repeated by millions, can make a measurable difference. Just as we’ve learned to carry a reusable mug, we can learn to repair our most-loved items. The next time you reach for that scratched pair, remember—repairing or reimagining them isn’t just creative; it’s part of building a more circular world.

About the Author

This sponsored article was contributed by Craig Anderson, founder of The Sunglass Fix. A problem-solver by nature, he left his corporate IT career after discovering the immense scale of waste in the eyewear industry. He is now a passionate advocate for the circular economy and a pioneer in the “remanufacturing” space, building a business dedicated to the simple, sustainable idea: repair, don’t replace.

The post Guest Idea: 7 Solutions to Give Your Old Sunglasses a Second Life appeared first on Earth911.

https://earth911.com/how-to-recycle/guest-idea-7-solutions-to-give-your-old-sunglasses-a-second-life/

Green Living

Best of SIYE: Culligan CEO Scott Clawson Maps The Future Of Water

Published

5 days ago

January 28, 2026

Alice Rush

Read a transcript of this episode. Subscribe to receive transcripts.

Turn on any faucet in America, and chances are the water meets federal safety standards. Yet Americans buy 50 billion single-use plastic water bottles annually—enough to circle the Earth 200 times if laid end to end. The bottles take 450 years to decompose, and recent research found that a single liter of bottled water can shed up to 240,000 pieces of microplastic that we ultimately consume. Meanwhile, 37% of global drinking water remains contaminated, with PFAS “forever chemicals” and lead appearing even in neighboring homes on the same street. Meet Scott Clawson, Chairman and CEO of Culligan International, the nearly 90-year-old company that’s become the global leader in water services by making filtered water more accessible than single-use plastic. Under Clawson’s leadership, Culligan serves 170 million people worldwide, and the company’s filtration systems have helped avoid the use of 45 billion plastic bottles annually.

Scott Clawson, CEO of Culligan International, is our guest on *Sustainability In Your Ear*.

The company has set ambitious targets: achieving net positive water impact by 2050 and cutting scope one and two emissions intensity by 40% before 2035. After completing WAVE water stewardship verification, Culligan discovered that even testing filtration equipment was wasteful, leading the company to develop dry-testing methods that eliminate water waste before machines reach consumers. The company has electrified 25% of its fleet and donated 9 million liters of water to communities in need in 2024 alone. Clawson’s approach to sustainability isn’t just operational—it’s personal. A decade ago, while vacationing in the Bahamas, he encountered a beach covered in plastic waste. “That’s when my inner balance was sparked to make sure we do more than just use our planet to make money, but let’s use our planet to help it be a better place to live,” he recalls. As water scarcity intensifies globally, Clawson believes the consumer holds the power: “Every time you pick something up off the shelf, you are voting. You’re sending a signal to a company.” His message is clear—test your water, understand what’s in it, and invest in point-of-use filtration rather than contributing to the plastic crisis. You can learn more about Culligan International at culliganinternational.com.