Lifestyle
Plastic is what's forming our future, and it's killing us
Some of you may be thinking that plastic is convenient to use, but is it convenient to kill the planet? As time passes, more and more plastic is being thrown into landfills, burned and thrown into the ocean.
Plastic is what’s forming our future.
I’m an animal person. I love the water. I love swimming. In some places sea creatures can’t live in their natural habitats because they’ve been taken over by waste and plastic.
Think about what happens when plastic is incinerated — the burning releases pollutants like microplastics. They seem to be everywhere: on the land, in the air and in the sea. Microplastics are in the water in water bottles. Think about our health.
I have started to make plastic a focus in my life, whether it’s using it less or reusing it instead. It may seem that I am too young to be worrying about this issue. I mean, I’m only 13! But Earth will soon be in the hands of my generation. I need to care about the environment now instead of waiting until I’m grown. Older generations waited too long.
Instead of using plastic water bottles, I use reusable thermoses or, if I did use a plastic water bottle, I can reuse it. Instead of using plastic grocery bags, bring old bags or reusable bags or use the paper bags. I use those when I do art. I cut them and I use them for projects.
I also purchase secondhand.
Although it may seem more convenient to buy things brand new, thrifting is a fun experience because you can find some unique clothing and you’re not buying new things that may have been shipped here from overseas in plastic bags. I like to purchase T-shirts as well as pants at thrift stores, and even hats (just wash them before wearing).
If you must purchase brand-new clothes, try to purchase from environmentally friendly brands. Look to see if it is made from recycled materials. How did it get here? What are people getting paid?
One of my favorite musical artists, Billie Eilish, is eco-friendly. The website for the Billie Eilish store says “all merchandise clothing uses residual dead stock from prior productions, organic or recycled polyester or cotton.” Her posters are made from 100% recycled paper.
It’s something I really appreciate. At least one person is trying to cut that. I want to follow in her footsteps.
Sophia Perez, an eighth-grader in the Los Angeles Unified School District, loves thrifting, cutting back on plastic and, most of all, Billie Eilish.
Jeremy Allen White (left), Liza Colón-Zayas and Ebon Moss-Bachrach of The Bear at the 76th Emmy Awards in Los Angeles.
Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images
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Eugene and Dan Levy hosted the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards Sunday night on ABC. Below are nominees in some of the main categories, with winners marked in bold. Read our take on the nominations and check out looks from the red carpet.
Outstanding comedy series
WINNER: Hacks
Abbott Elementary
The Bear
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Only Murders in the Building
Palm Royale
Reservation Dogs
What We Do in the Shadows
Outstanding drama series
WINNER: Shogun
The Crown
Fallout
The Gilded Age
The Morning Show
Mr. & Mrs. Smith
Slow Horses
3 Body Problem
Outstanding lead actress in a drama series
WINNER: Anna Sawai, Shogun
Jennifer Aniston, The Morning Show
Maya Erskine, Mr. and Mrs. Smith
Carrie Coon, The Gilded Age
Imelda Staunton, The Crown
Reese Witherspoon, The Morning Show
Outstanding lead actor in a drama series
WINNER: Hiroyuki Sanada, Shogun
Idris Elba, Hijack
Donald Glover, Mr. & Mrs. Smith
Walton Goggins, Fallout
Gary Oldman, Slow Horses
Dominic West, The Crown
Outstanding limited or anthology series
WINNER: Baby Reindeer
Fargo
Lessons in Chemistry
Ripley
True Detective: Night Country
Outstanding lead actress in a limited or anthology series or movie
WINNER: Jodie Foster, True Detective: Night Country
Brie Larson, Lessons in Chemistry
Juno Temple, Fargo
Sofia Vergara, Griselda
Naomi Watts, Feud: Capote vs. the Swans
Outstanding lead actor in a limited or anthology series or movie
WINNER: Richard Gadd, Baby Reindeer
Matt Bomer, Fellow Travelers
Jon Hamm, Fargo
Tom Hollander, Feud: Capote vs. the Swans
Andrew Scott, Ripley
Outstanding supporting actor in a limited or anthology series or movie
WINNER: Lamorne Morris, Fargo
Jonathan Bailey, Fellow Travelers
Robert Downey Jr., The Sympathizer
Tom Goodman-Hill, Baby Reindeer
John Hawkes, True Detective: Night Country
Lewis Pullman, Lessons in Chemistry
Treat Williams, Feud: Capote vs. The Swans
Outstanding talk series
WINNER: The Daily Show
Jimmy Kimmel Live
Late Night with Seth Meyers
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Outstanding scripted variety series
WINNER: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Saturday Night Live
Outstanding supporting actress in a limited or anthology series or movie
WINNER: Jessica Gunning, Baby Reindeer
Dakota Fanning, Ripley
Lily Gladstone, Under the Bridge
Aja Naomi King, Lessons in Chemistry
Diane Lane, Feud: Capote vs. The Swans
Nava Mau, Baby Reindeer
Kali Reis, True Detective: Night Country
Outstanding reality competition program
WINNER: The Traitors
The Amazing Race
RuPaul’s Drag Race
Top Chef
The Voice
Outstanding lead actress in a comedy series
WINNER: Jean Smart, Hacks
Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary
Ayo Edebiri, The Bear
Selena Gomez, Only Murders in the Building
Maya Rudolph, Loot
Kristen Wiig, Palm Royale
Outstanding supporting actress in a drama series
WINNER: Elizabeth Debicki, The Crown
Christine Baranski, The Gilded Age
Nicole Beharie, The Morning Show
Greta Lee, The Morning Show
Lesley Manville, The Crown
Karen Pittman, The Morning Show
Holland Taylor, The Morning Show
Outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series
WINNER: Liza Colón-Zayas, The Bear
Carol Burnett, Palm Royale
Sheryl Lee Ralph, Abbott Elementary
Hannah Einbinder, Hacks
Janelle James, Abbott Elementary
Meryl Streep, Only Murders in the Building
Outstanding lead actor in a comedy series
WINNER: Jeremy Allen White, The Bear
Matt Berry, What We Do in the Shadows
Larry David, Curb Your Enthusiasm
Martin Short, Only Murders in the Building
Steve Martin, Only Murders in the Building
D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Reservation Dogs
Outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series
WINNER: Ebon Moss-Bachrach, The Bear
Lionel Boyce, The Bear
Paul W. Downs, Hacks
Paul Rudd, Only Murders in the Building
Tyler James Williams, Abbott Elementary
Bowen Yang, Saturday Night Live
Outstanding supporting actor in a drama series
WINNER: Billy Crudup, The Morning Show
Tadanobu Asano, Shogun
Mark Duplass, The Morning Show
Jon Hamm, The Morning Show
Takehiro Hira, Shogun
Jack Lowden, Slow Horses
Jonathan Pryce, The Crown
You can see the full list of nominees here.
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Michaela DePrince performs Giselle with the English National ballet in London on Jan. 13, 2017.
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Ballerina Michaela Mabinty DePrince, an inspirational and pioneering figure in the dance world, has died at age 29 of undisclosed causes.
Her death was announced via her Instagram by a spokesperson on Friday. “Her unwavering commitment to her art, her humanitarian efforts, and her courage in overcoming unimaginable challenges will forever inspire us,” read the caption.
Her siblings also released a statement on Facebook, noting her influence as a dancer: “Her passion and impact on the dance world, especially in inspiring young Black dancers to pursue their dreams, has been tremendous.”
DePrince, born Mabinty Bangura in Sierra Leone, lost both her parents as a toddler during the country’s civil war. Her passion for dance began early. In her memoir, Taking Flight, she writes that she danced in her “bare toes in the mud” during the rainy season.
During her time at an orphanage, she remembered being called “the devil’s child” because of vitiligo, a condition that left patches of her skin without pigmentation, the BBC reported in 2012. At age four, an American family adopted her and she moved to New Jersey, where she started taking ballet lessons.
From a young age, she captivated audiences with her appearance in the ballet documentary, First Position. DePrince’s mother, Elaine DePrince, made most of her daughter’s costumes at that time, NPR reported in 2012.
DePrince made her professional debut with the Joburg Ballet in South Africa and then became the youngest principal dancer at the Dance Theatre of Harlem. In 2021, she joined Boston Ballet as a second soloist. She appeared on the TV show Dancing With The Stars and performed in Beyoncé’s music video album, Lemonade. DePrince was also an ambassador of War Child, a nonprofit that helps children living in war-affected countries.
In an Instagram post, ballet dancer Misty Copeland remembers DePrince as “a prodigious talent” who remained determined even when told “ ‘the world wasn’t ready for Black ballerinas’ or that ‘Black ballerinas weren’t worth investing money in.’ ”
In the statement announcing her death, DePrince is described as “a beacon of hope for many, showing that no matter the obstacles, beauty and greatness can rise from the darkest of places.”
Cleethorpes Wildlife RescueA team of wildlife rescuers had an interesting evening when they attended callouts to two unusual cases within a matter of hours.
Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue was called to Wragby, Lincolnshire, to help a baby otter trapped in a car engine.
The team also went to the aid of a family from Grimsby who found a fox fast asleep in their living room.
Aaron Goss, lead rescuer at the group, described Thursday evening as “the strangest start to the weekend we’ve ever had”.
Cleethorpes Wildlife RescueHe added: “We don’t get many super unique cases like this, let alone two in the same day. But when it rains it pours, and we’re prepared for most things.
“Hopefully our volunteers had a very exciting day!”
Mr Goss said it took a lot of work to get the otter – who was too young to be separated from his mother – out of the engine.
The team used a large deer net to help trap him.
He has been named Oakley and been transferred to the RSPCA East Winch Wildlife Centre, near King’s Lynn, Norfolk, for rehabilitation.
Mr Goss said finding an otter in an engine was not something they had come across before, with squirrels the animals most likely to be found under the bonnet.
Cleethorpes Wildlife RescueMr Goss said the rescue of the fox, Duke, was also “an odd case”, as he had not been fed by the family but had been asleep in their home “for a few hours”.
The family were alerted to his presence only when they heard the sound of breathing from behind a cabinet in the corner of the room.
After he was safely trapped, Duke was taken to the wildlife sanctuary to be treated for mange.
“Fortunately, it looks like it was just a mistake by the fox,” said Mr Goss.
“He is very well orientated and is enjoying an all-you-can-eat buffet, and will be released soon.”
Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
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