Over the last hundred years, as the global population has rocketed, so has the rate of environmental devastation. Growth is slowing, but it's still growth: the UN's most likely projection is that today's near 8 billion will be 9.7bn by 2050, and 10.9bn by 2100. It just seems intuitive, then - if we've caused the … Continue reading Is the problem overpopulation?
Category: Natural world
What can I do to have the greatest impact?
Photo by Markus Spiske Let's not pretend we can save the planet by rejecting plastic straws or switching our detergent, or even off-setting a 'business as usual' approach. The truth is we've left it too late for any response but the most urgent and far-reaching, involving each and every one of us. 'We are now … Continue reading What can I do to have the greatest impact?
Toothpaste tablets – putting my money where my mouth is
Designed by dentists, unnoticed by my wife They say that after just six click-throughs, Facebook knows you better than you know yourself. I wasn’t so sure when it started showing me adverts for toothpaste tablets. But then I made the mistake of reading up a bit. The problems with standard toothpaste The issue, it seems, … Continue reading Toothpaste tablets – putting my money where my mouth is
How to dispose of CDs, DVDs and cassettes
£8.99 to recycle everything here About a year ago, my wife went digital. Any prerecorded DVDs or CDs were sent to charity, but that still left all her cassettes and several dozen homemade mixes on CD that were simply bundled up and - because our local council wouldn't take them for recycling - chucked in … Continue reading How to dispose of CDs, DVDs and cassettes
The greatest opportunity ever wasted
Photo by Anne Nygard Everyone agrees that the misery of COVID-19 presents an opportunity. Never has it been more necessary to reset our broken world, and never has there been more willingness amongst the public. Policies that only recently were inconceivable, from mothballing airports to shutting us in our homes, have become reality. Consumers and … Continue reading The greatest opportunity ever wasted
Why offsetting isn’t the answer we think it is
Small steps... Offsetting via a reputable organisation is better than nothing, but mustn't impede real emissions REDUCTIONS.Be consistent: if you recognise the need to offset your flying, consider offsetting your other carbon-based activities as well, from driving to heating your home. That way the cost (and raised awareness) will only help encourage the necessary REDUCTIONS.Challenge … Continue reading Why offsetting isn’t the answer we think it is
Give fear a chance
Photo by Thomas Ehling Telling people how to live their lives isn't always popular, which is why many environmentalists prefer carrot to stick. We aren't going to fix this by telling people they are doing the wrong things.Chris Stark, Chief Executive of the UK Committee on Climate Change Instead, they want to elicit change by … Continue reading Give fear a chance
Which party will save the planet?
Action: VOTE! Photo by Heather Mount It’s THE issue of our age - perhaps even the issue of our species - so the increased attention on the environment in this election is long overdue. And with the experts warning again and again that we need strong leadership with urgent, radical policies, the actions of our … Continue reading Which party will save the planet?
Toilet paper – One small wipe for a man; one giant smack in the face for mankind?
Small steps... Check the virgin wood fibre content of your toilet paper, eg. via an FSC certification.Try one of the cheaper, more sustainable and more hygienic alternatives to paper, as used by the world's vast majority.If your butt insists on paper, go for a brand made from 100% recycled wood fibre. Photo by Fikri Rasyid … Continue reading Toilet paper – One small wipe for a man; one giant smack in the face for mankind?
Bee-friendly living
Small steps... Make sure your garden or window box is bee-friendlyOnly use organic weedkillersBuy organic - support a food economy that doesn't ask insects to subsidise our choicesOffer a corner of your garden to a beekeeperGet yourself a Bee Saver KitAsk the government to reduce pesticide useAsk your council to draw up a pollinator action … Continue reading Bee-friendly living
Positively Green 