https://www.itallcounts.org/ffi-pangolins?https%3A%2F%2Fwww.itallcounts.org%2Fffi-pangolins%3Faffiliate_id=Facebook_Desktop_Feed&affiliate_sub=6242172841580&fbclid=IwAR07L0QpQ7k12Jk_z7CiehZ4v0986MZKy5SBS5l2cpP-KxcPsMfh5hiC0Vo

https://ktcityfarm.org.uk/
Heard about this on Robert Elms Radio London slot today.

Chris Packham's petition on parliament.uk is gaining support. 1,400 signatures in the last hour. https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/563380

Some of these look very interesting. https://blog.feedspot.com/sustainable_living_blogs/

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/tree-lovers-around-country-dig-deep-to-save-young-oaks-73p5jnwk6

https://www.circularonline.co.uk/news/change-to-tesco-cheese-packaging-will-save-260-tonnes-of-plastic-annually/

There is a contradiction in the narrative, but it appears part of the saving in plastic material will be achieved by making the current slabs thicker. Removing the re-sealable zip to reduce plastic use sounds good, but if the pack cannot be resealed it may lead to more waste due to the cheese drying out and becoming hard. If that means more packs of cheese will be sold due to the wastage, more plastic packaging will be used, so no saving, only boosted sales.

What struck me was the anticipated saving of 260 tonnes of plastic packaging per annum. If that is the saving, how much is used now? And that is only hard cheese. What about all the other lines and all the other food retailers?

https://bylinetimes.com/2020/12/29/rage-hs2-attempts-to-fell-300-year-old-veteran-oak/

https://bsbi.org/new-year-plant-hunt

https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/liberty-hillcorp-alaska-drilling-project-denied/

Y’earn is a parent-to-parent marketplace to rent Baby & Kids items from people and small businesses in your community or make some cash if you have items you don't need right now. Sign up for our newsletter and we'll plant a tree for you www.yearn.club

We’re on a mission to help parents create lasting memories and positive impact through convenient, sustainable, and affordable rentals. For every rental we plant trees and adopt bees, we have also partnered with charities like Great Ormond Street Hospital, Baby Basics baby bank and the Child Rescue Coalition.

At the moment we’re focused on: Bedroom & nursery, Feeding (highchairs, breast pumps etc), Around the home (bounders, stargazes, playmats etc) and Out & About (Prams, car seats etc). In the future we want to add musical instruments and toys.

We're a new business and hope you will like/comment to help us spread the word.

These are exciting projects. When we're unlocked we're hoping to visit the nearest one to us -Isabella Tree's project - where they have storks nesting.
https://www.rewildingbritain.org.uk/rewilding-network

So many wonderful places on this planet of ours. So many places to preserve.

https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/news/pantanal-wetlands-brazil-wildlife-fires-industrial-meat/?

https://unearthed.greenpeace.org/2020/10/15/eu-banned-pesticide-exports-public-eye/?

I was sent this a while ago. There's nothing new for anyone who takes an interest in these things, but you may find it useful in helping to educate other people.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6xlNyWPpB8

Don't know where the UK stands in relation to Ocean sustainability but imagine we're not doing so well. https://happyeconews.com/2020/12/13/14-countries-commit-to-ocean-sustainability-initiative/

Seen people using glass jars as drinking glasses. When questioned they reply. We not buying any drinking glasses when we can use some pretty jars and to help the planet.

I will in future too are you trying it?

More good news.
https://www.ceh.ac.uk/news-and-media/blogs/progress-protecting-genetic-diversity-uk-trees

https://theecologist.org/2020/dec/16/heathrow-expansion-far-certain

I'm going to relentlessly post good news stories for the time being because we need it!
Here's the first.
https://happyeconews.com/2020/12/07/scientists-in-costa-rica-are-growing-new-corals-to-save-reefs/

Is the massive spike in littering contributing to the spread of COVID19?
Either way it looks unsightly, is a danger to wildlife and completely unnecessary.

This petition asks the government to add ‘Bin Your PPE Properly’ to the national guidance.

https://www.change.org/p/british-government-remind-the-public-dispose-of-used-ppe-properly

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/15/restore-uk-woodland-trees-report-rewilding-britain?

Photos show a meadow near me that is rewilding naturally. We just hope it doesn't become part of another housing development.

I often see posts on social media where teachers and project workers are asking for people to donate spare art and craft materials. Scrap shops where businesses donate excess stock etc for community use are such a good idea but not necessarily well advertised. This link tells more
https://www.reusefuluk.org/

This was such a sad case. I've been following it for years. The mother has battled away, facing numerous setbacks, to get pollution acknowledged as implicated in her daughter's death. She's finally succeeded, testimony to a mother's love. Well done to her. This should help strengthen the fight against toxic air - a win for us all.

https://apple.news/Aqgx2FeUERYWi76_gUR0FOA

https://www.itv.com/news/2020-02-14/how-the-uk-s-fast-fashion-habits-are-polluting-a-country-halfway-around-the-world

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/15/french-judge-rules-noisy-frogs-grignols-must-go

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/16/top-uk-court-overturns-block-on-heathrows-third-runway?utm_term=Autofeed&CMP=twt_b-gdnnews&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1608112883

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-55016453

This blog is written by a British activist, Thomas Cooks, and documents some of the reasons for optimism in relation to the environment. I particularly liked his last sentence,
...A quote I’ve recently found from Nelson Mandela resonates perfectly with my feelings. It simply says, “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”

https://happyeconews.com/2020/12/11/the-coming-revolution/

Recent program re: storage in iCloud. They highlighted how many pictures are store and the facility uses a lot of electricity.
One person had over 16000.

Should we all look what we can delete?

The landowner had recently had an application for 19 homes on his land refused.
One of the key points for refusal was the site’s proximity to the River...
See before and after photos.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9020773/Environment-Agency-launches-urgent-probe-farmer-bulldozed-Herefordshire-riverside-beauty-spot.html

I found this article interesting https://apple.news/ASLnkWn6bRMK5wMm7ceIFGw

World Soil Day Date in the current year: December 5, 2020

World Soil DayWorld Soil Day is observed around the world on December 5. This holiday was proposed by the International Union of Soil Sciences in 2002 to raise public awareness of the problems of soil and its importance for our life.
Many people forget, that the soil is the source of everything we have. We don't connect soil with food, climate, biodiversity and life, however, there is a direct relationship between them. The problems of soil have been neglected for too long, that is why the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations took the actions towards their elimination.

In 2013 FAO supported the formal establishment of World Soil Day and requested official adoption by the UN. In December 2013 the UN General Assembly designated December 5 to be WSD. December 5 was chosen to coincide with birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, King of Thailand, who officially sanctioned the event.

FAO annually organizes special events to observe World Soil Day since 2012. These events raise public awareness of the importance of soil and ways of its preservation.

This was included in a friends of the Earth newsletter.

SIGN THE PETITION

To: Tesco

“Stop buying from companies owned by JBS - the biggest industrial meat producer in the world, and one of the biggest drivers of Amazon destruction. Replace half the meat you sell with plant-based food by 2025.”
198,430 have signed. Help reach 200,000.


Forest fires have been raging across the Brazilian Amazon region for months already. Scientists say we could be seeing the highest surge in a decade.

Fires are used as a tool by the industrial meat industry to clear vast areas of forest in the Amazon and elsewhere to use for cattle farms and soya plantations.

Some of the UK’s biggest supermarkets and fast food chains are complicit: Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Burger King, McDonald’s and KFC are all churning out industrial meat that’s fuelling the destruction of forests. [1]

Tesco uses more soya for animal feed than any supermarket in the UK: they have the power to help break this destructive cycle. Tell Tesco to lead the way in averting disaster.

[1] All of these companies are implicated through their use of soya for animal feed. All but Asda are also buying industrial meat from companies owned by JBS who is driving Amazon destruction.

https://secure.greenpeace.org.uk/page/s/tesco-industrial-meat?source=WB&subsource=FOAMCCPEWB04IY&utm_source=gpeace&utm_medium=WB&utm_campaign=FOAMCCPEWB04IY&_ga=2.157694202.1958103683.1606391067-579213347.1606391067

https://happyeconews.com/2020/11/15/biodegradable-plastics-from-palm-oil-waste/

This is a nice happy story midst all the gloom and doom. https://happyeconews.com/2020/11/12/chameleon-last-seen-a-century-ago-rediscovered-in-madagascar/

Came across this. Looks quite interesting.
https://www.ailuna.com/what-is-ailuna/

World Fisheries Day Date in the current year: November 21, 2020

World Fisheries DayWorld Fisheries Day is celebrated annually on November 21 by all people whose livelihood depends on fisheries. Its main objectives are to highlight the contribution of commercial fishing to the global economy and to raise awareness of the importance of sustainable fisheries.
Fishing is a prehistoric practice dating back at least 40,000 years. It is a major source of food in many regions; according to estimates of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), fisheries and aquaculture provide direct and indirect employment to other half a billion people in developing countries. As of 2018, top ten countries with the biggest fisheries harvest (capture and aquaculture combined) were China, Indonesia, India, Vietnam, the United States, Russia, Japan, the Philippines, Peru, and Bangladesh.

World Fisheries Day was established primarily to draw public attention to the most pressing challenges that the world fishing industry has to face, as well as to bring together stakeholders to find ways to solve them.

The main problem facing fisheries around the world is resource depletion caused by overfishing, water pollution, and climate change. According to the FAO estimates, about one-third of world fish stocks are subject to overfishing. Some governments have introduced fishing quotas and other restrictive measures to combat overfishing, but there are two inherent problems with quotas. First, they need to be adjusted each year, second, they can be undermined by illegal fishing activity.

In addition, fisheries are very important to the economies of many developing countries. According to statistics, 65% of the reported catch from inland fisheries is from low-income food-deficit countries, and, as we’ve already mentioned above, the livelihood of approximately 500 million people in developing countries depends on fisheries and aquaculture.

Given the importance of fisheries, especially when it comes to developing countries, quotas shouldn’t be the only way to combat fish stocks depletion. Other measures that can and should be taken include the promotion of sustainable fisheries, the development of aquaculture, and environmental campaigns aiming to prevent water pollution. The implementation of such measures is one of the key tasks of fisheries management.

A sustainable fishery is one that is harvested at a sustainable rate, so that the fish population doesn’t decline over time. To achieve sustainability in fisheries, fisheries management combines population dynamics and other theoretical disciplines with practical strategies. Its ultimate goal is to produce sustainable biological, economic, and social benefits from renewable aquatic resources.

Although World Fisheries Day isn’t on the list of UN international days, it is endorsed by relevant UN organizations, such as the FAO. It is marked with various events (conferences, seminars, discussions, exhibitions, workshops, public meetings, rallies) to highlight the importance of the world’s fisheries and sustainable fishing.

Is this another thing I've been getting wrong - oh dear. https://inews.co.uk/news/environment/glass-bottles-much-worse-environment-plastic-study-764531?

Watched Dispatches, has anyone else?

Showing how much energy we use for modern technology. Especially at the moment with look down --Internet and storage.

Copied from web. -- Maybe some of you like to watch on catch-up.

In the month when the worlds' leaders should have been gathering in Glasgow to tackle global warming, Sophie Morgan investigates the carbon footprint of the technology industry and tests some of the environmental claims of some of the biggest names in the tech world. She also recruits two families to keep a diary of their online habits and together they discover some shocking truths about the hidden cost of their online habits.

https://happyeconews.com/2020/11/06/these-45-stunning-pictures-show-what-happens-when-mother-nature-takes-over-again/

Experts are asked about different foods groups and products and the impact they have on biodiversity. As ever it's complex but not necessarily surprising. It reminded me to try just a bit harder to check out the sustainability of any meat and fish that I eat and to check whether there is palm oil in any non-food products that I buy. https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/articles/biodiversity?

Some members of Extinction Rebellion laid a large wreath at the cenotaph on Remembrance Day. It was laid by a veteran soldier and a nurse. It was done respectfully with the aim of highlighting the War on Climate Change but it wasn't a planned part of the day and as can be seen from the post in another group people were angered by this action and felt it was deeply offensive.

I have mixed feelings. Members of XR always have to take individual responsibility for their actions and I think this was possibly a misjudgment. I agree with the sentiment and the need for a wake up call but suspect this action might have been just too alienating in its outcome.

But is any publicity, good publicity- what do others think? What kinds of action do you think are most effective in raising awareness and bringing about change?

Wish my town was this visionary https://blog.interface.com/en-au/zero-waste-town/

Given the vastly increased awareness of the dangers of plastic pollution, one would have hoped that manufacturers would think long and hard before building yet more plastic production plants. Some clearly haven't thought it through, though: ClientEarth and others are trying to stop Ineos from doing just this in the Port of Antwerp.
See https://www.clientearth.org/latest/latest-updates/news/clientearth-takes-emergency-legal-action-to-stop-plastic-in-its-tracks/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=&fbclid=IwAR1QvYX75wgdOiRWjj28km_1vuIZzxjjw_2xV3VKKzgSNEjYqtM8igyydRE

Long but really worth studying, it's at https://www.clientearth.org/latest/latest-updates/stories/greenwashing-the-tipping-point/?utm_source=hero-article&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=greenwash&fbclid=IwAR3BKmBY7jwX_pQEDN9bC0a1V79PhpJzB6zr2Ckn0qgmzDSDGVG9JRERv3g

Do look at the various sessions they're running, some (or all) of which should be of interest.
https://www.bigmarker.com/series/clientearth-summit/series_summit

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/oct/12/western-worldyour-civilisation-killing-life-on-earth-indigenous-amazon-planet?

Just in case not everyone is aware, Maybelline have set up a programme for recycling of used or partly used cosmetic and makeup products. The large Tesco close to where I live has a box for deposits, and until I saw it the other day, I hadn't realised that they will accept products produced by other companies, not just their own.

https://www.maybelline.co.uk/recyclingfaqs

On the subject Supermarket not able to sell sanitary towels. Was made aware you can buy washable once (back to the old days) and they look quite pretty. Think of the waste one could save.

The only good thing about all the traffic on our roads is that it can be used to drive small turbines and generate electricity for the local area. There are now apparently plans for installing these turbines on UK motorways.
Various enterprising folk have come with designs for doing just that, some of which are visually stunning. Apparently this was AltEnergy's most-read article last year; you can see why.
https://www.altenergymag.com/article/2019/05/traffic-powered-wind-turbines/31030