| A Better Footprint |
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An infographic which I thought was quite interesting from a social media/green living perspective. It certainly puts things into perspective! Hope you're all well :)  Source: venturebeat.com via Gabriella on Pinterest Add Comment  I was heartened recently with news that ministers are being pushed to set specific targets for restricting carbon emissions resulting from power generation. Around 50 businesses and organisations have written to George Osborne to request a target for curbing emissions by 2030 with economic and commercial harm a by-product of failure to act. I've been preaching it for years! Finally, it seems as if things are heating up… Climate advisers have warned that pressing ahead with gas plants WITHOUT the relevant technology to cut emissions is flying in the face of climate change legislation – and it’s harming much needed investment in low-carbon power such as renewables and nuclear. Many companies are concerned that the governments support for gas power in the next couple of decades is damaging investments already made in a sustainable electricity network throughout the UK. Introducing targets for carbon emission reduction would give investors the confidence they need to pump money into renewables and overhaul the current electricity market while sparking widespread economic growth. Personally, I've recently taken to reading the news over at Renewable Energy Focus to keep my finger on the pulse of advances in the future of our power sources. Sustainable energy is the future, and I urge each and every one of you to educate yourself with the many benefits of solar electricity, wind power and wave and tidal energy. Mother Nature has given us many gifts, let’s try and put them to good use! Useful Resources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Osborne  It’s not every day I get to share a positive environmental story, but here’s some good news: work has begun on the construction of Europe’s largest man-made nature reserve at Wallasea Island in Essex. Engineers are transforming farmland into a 1500-acre wetland to accommodate throngs of birds and fish – and the ecological benefits don’t end there! Over four million tonnes of earth dug up from the Crossrail project in London is being put to good use as a haven of marshes, lagoons and mudflats are lined up to create a real buzz for the local wildlife. The site is expected to be completed by 2020 at a cost of £50m – but I believe the real effects of this build can’t be measured in economic terms. The sea walls around the project have eroded over the years, meaning the farmland above is no longer sustainable. Rather than allow the breaches of the wall to create an inhospitable environment, the RSPB believes the new creation will attract swarms of spoonbill’s and Kentish Plover into the wetlands. They are also hopeful that the numbers of geese, wigeon and curlew will increase due to the welcoming surroundings. In addition to the upsurge of winged visitors, it’s anticipated the numbers of saltwater fish – notably bass, herring and flounder – should thrive in the nearby coastal waters. When I read this story earlier today I was overcome with emotion – no, not because I’m female – due to the sheer scale of the operation and the positive ecological impact it will create. As Paul Forecast, the RSPB's director for Eastern England said: "The Wallasea Island Wild Coast Project is a landmark engineering and conservation project for the 21st Century.” The sustainability of our environment is an important issue – a subject I hold very close to my heart – and a topic that deserves widespread coverage to highlight the seriousness of the human impact on our planet. Projects like Wallasea Island are a major step in the right direction, but this is only the beginning my friends…  Last weekend I ran the gauntlet of a couple of days in the big smoke as I paid a visit to Rainforest Life at London Zoo. For those who don’t know, Rainforest Life offers the opportunity to sample the sensory delights of a living rainforest – and it was absolutely incredible. As you know by now, I’ve never been shy about the need to protect the rainforests. A habitat providing sanctuary for more than fifty per cent of the species on Earth – and countless indigenous communities – must be worth saving, right? In fact, almost half of the world’s oxygen is created by the rainforests. It helps us breathe. It defends against global warming. So why are we hell-bent on trying to destroy it? The exhibition at London Zoo provided a realistic experience of the bio-diversity of a living rainforest, with the opportunity to mingle with a range of exotic animals. It was great to see so many kids enjoying the unfamiliar landscape – hopefully the knowledge gained will pay off in years to come. I visited some friends in London and enjoyed a night on the town with a few (too many) drinks. The capital is insanely busy and even in my drunken stupor – being bundled into a taxi – I couldn’t help but think of the dangerous emissions the gridlocked traffic creates. Petrol-guzzling cabs are a mainstay of the London landscape, but once I’d sobered up I decided to conduct a bit of research on whether environmentally friendly taxis exist. Yes, I’m a nerd, I know. The results were actually quite surprising. There are many companies out there offering cabs which put the planet first. Firms such as The Green Taxi Company and Cab Direct are specialists in their field, proposing alternatives to traditional methods of transporting customers. All in all it was a successful weekend. My rainforest doubts were eased, my faith in taxi firms was renewed and my hangover was bearable – all I need now is to find a vegan kebab shop and life will be complete! AK. Useful Resources: http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/ http://www.thegreentaxicompany.com/  Since a young age I've been mocked for my passion for saving the planet and leaving a better footprint on the earth we tread. People tend to criticise what they don’t understand and, in the case of environmentalism, this could not be more accurate. Over the years I've met many folk on my eco journey who share the same passion for saving the planet, but – and I'm putting my heart on my sleeve here – meeting likeminded men for more than just a friendship can be a fruitless experience. Recently I've been using the social networking site Badoo to widen my horizons in the search for men on the same wavelength. The great thing about the site is the ability to browse through thousands of profiles and really narrow down similar interests to find the perfect match. At the end of the day, it’s not every man who likes to make their own compost or grow their own vegetables! Speaking of which, I’ve recently become a vegan – another ‘quirk’ to add to the list – which will help reduce my own carbon footprint by removing meat and dairy products from my diet. These items are responsible for food-related emissions of nitrous oxide which comes from livestock farming and fertilisers – and every little helps, at least for my peace of mind. Also, and I’m sure you petrol heads will love this, I’ve convinced more of my friends to use public transport and cycle wherever possible. It may seem inconsequential, but the emissions released from your vehicle are extremely harmful to the future of our planet. So, that’s what’s going on with me, treating each day with the same respect as the last. And, if I do finally meet ‘Mr Right’, I’d like the prospects for our children to look rosy – and that’s not too much to ask, is it? Useful Resources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmentalism http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_emissions_control It’s Heating Up In Greenland07/26/2012  I noticed in the news today that a gigantic ice sheet melted over an abnormally large area in Greenland – another tell-tale sign that our planet is warming up, perhaps? Scientists at NASA have claimed this thawing of ice is ‘unprecedented’ and the rate at which it has melted is certainly unparalleled compared to previous years. It’s happened once before – over 130 years ago – but eggheads are unable to determine whether it’s a natural phenomenon or as a result of man-made climate change. But I know the truth. YOU know the truth. THEY know the truth. WE are killing the earth with industrialisation, deforestation and pollution – too many carbon dioxide emissions eating the atmosphere and causing an upsurge in the overall temperature of our planet. The Arctic, especially, is discovering the pitfalls of the decidedly cosy weather as it prepares for its first ice-free summer by 2040 – and a sunburnt Eskimo wandering aimlessly in a t-shirt is not a good look. It’s OUR planet, people! We need to open our eyes and realise this problem isn’t going away. We can’t bury our heads in the sand any longer; if we do we’ll be submerged by the rising tides. The time to act is now; a better footprint will mean a secure future for our ancestors. We’re not the owners of this planet, we’re merely the leaseholders – and if we overlook that, we can forget salvation. Green Mentality Gathers Pace07/26/2012  Marks left on the earth by an individuals’ consumption – compared with the planet’s capability to renew its resources – are shown by ecological footprinting. Surpassing the environmental limits of our world is a very real problem – and a topic I’m incredibly passionate about. Thankfully, taking steps to reduce your ecological footprint is becoming a natural process for most. Those still pushing the globe to breaking point, though, need to wake up and smell the organically produced coffee. Claiming you’re ‘too busy’ to care about environmental issues, or ‘someone else will do it’, is not going to wash with me - saving the planet comes first. Chaining yourself to the nearest tree, or wearing pants made from hemp, is not necessary. I’m going to let you into a few conservationist secrets, because I’m nice like that – and I want my grandchildren to live in a world free from noxious storm clouds or vegetables made from newspapers… 1. Cycle or walk – it’s good for us all Harmful exhaust emissions can be avoided by keeping the 4x4 locked in the garage; dust off the bicycle, make use of the legs, improve your fitness and the planet’s health at the same time. Win! 2. Grow your own food Growing your own fruit and vegetables can reduce energy and waste as logistics of getting it from field to fork are removed. I am NOT suggesting hand-rearing a baby calf and murdering it for your carnivorous pleasure (urgh!) 3. Recycling is exciting Throwing stuff away is very unfashionable; donate any unwanted items to charity shops – someone will be grateful for them. Recycle newspapers, cans, glass and plastics – your local council will keep you right. Also, avoid over packaged products when out shopping, it is unnecessary and damaging to the planet’s resources. 4. Turn the heat down, sweaty Turn the thermostat down. Shut the door. Close the window. Put a sweater on. Reduce your heating bills. Save the planet. Smile smugly. 5. Salvation is close to home Who needs foreigners with their fancy foods, warm climates and impenetrable accents? Plan two weeks in your own country this year and avoid contributing to the earth’s demise through aviation carbon emissions. | 
AuthorI'm here to try and educate the masses about our environment and encourage sustainable, responsible living!  ArchivesDecember 2012 CategoriesAll |
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