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

Half the Earth's forests are now gone.

15 BILLION trees are chopped down every year -- 476 every single second. That's our rainforests, jungles, and woodlands being decimated to make space for ever more cattle, palm oil, and soybeans.

But today we have a unique opportunity to change it.

Right now the EU is considering a new law to ban any products linked to deforestation. If the law passes, the EU is such a massive market that it could force the world's biggest companies to change, transforming the global supply chain, and helping to save our woodlands, wetlands, and mangroves.

Earth needs this law -- so let's make sure it passes!

This is not a usual petition. You'll be signing an official EU consultation. Every voice counts. Every signature builds the resolve of lawmakers to pass the most ambitious forest-protecting law possible. Let's be deafening. Click to add your voice and forward to everyone you can.

I support the forest-saving law

Deforestation was serious a decade ago -- now it's a planetary emergency. Forests provide our oxygen, they protect the climate, and are home to 80% of land-based life. And yet they're being totally destroyed.

But now we could finally have a law to save the trees!

This new bill could ban the sale of forest-killing products across the EU, cutting the huge profits made from the destruction of woodlands, rainforests, and trees that have stood for centuries, and setting a global precedent.

So let's win it! For the jungles, the jaguars, the orangutans, the gorillas, and millions of people who live in the world's forests -- and for every time you've ever looked up at a tree in wonder -- add your name to the official consultation now:

Hope this link works. ----https://secure.avaaz.org/campaign/en/eu_stop_deforestation_loc/?tfLKjlb&signup=1&cl=17707108528&v=501577836&_checksum=b5a6a406a7942c7cceea52aeb091dd6c4e7a3dabc69c0baf606e75f700e2d5c8/?tfLKjlb&signup=1
I support the forest-saving law


https://secure.avaaz.org/campaign/en/eu_stop_deforestation_loc/?copy

And guess why?-more government dithering & delaying.
https://twnews.co.uk/gb-news/britain-set-to-be-left-without-environment-watchdog-when-brexit-transition-period-ends

https://steps.count-us-in.org/ are looking for a billion people to pledge to take small steps towards saving the planet.

Also posted on Scoop Loop`s `Anything`group. That`s because, we in this group, are more interested in the animal welfare and environmental side. Anything will pick up on the politics and economics. (There`ll be fireworks over there.🤣)
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/brexit-no-10-snubs-tougher-food-rules-to-keep-trade-deals-on-the-menu-vdhks5262?shareToken=a5de50477ab7aef1ef5c98ef01192da2&fbclid=IwAR3PR6XGkaCrNGAV65cEYVSUFhGpOnFY3L1tQUXhiwIsktTQSF
Now we`ve brexitted we`re desperate. The politicians KNEW Brexit would cause problems with trade but polotics was more important!!

I just signed the petition "Stop the Cumbria Coal Mine!" and wanted to ask if you could add your name too.

https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/stop-the-cumbria-coal-mine?bucket=email-blast-5_10_2020_cumbriacoal_flt_05102020&share=df2c2505-4e1c-4979-9ba9-1804ee1cd7d7&source=&utm_campaign=5_10_2020_cumbriacoal_flt_05102020&utm_source=

Watched his program Facts. Most of the contents I would think we are familiar with.
At the end they showed changes we made e.g. aerosols and mentioned cheap shoddy imports should be banned.
However there was no mentioning of producing better longer life goods like washing machines a.s.o.
Did anyone watch the program and what do you think?

Would you consider this if you're not already?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/ideas/videos/what-if-the-whole-world-went-vegan/p082l2r8?

Advert for Reusable EcoEgg Bamboo Towel Roll. They are washable and can be reused 85 times.
What do you think?

https://www.facebook.com/amazonwatch/videos/366909564677968/

International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste Date in the current year: September 29, 2020

International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and WasteInternational Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (IDAFLW) is observed annually on September 29. It was initiated by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and is one of the international days observed by the UN.
Every year, about 14% of food produced in the world gets lost between harvest in retail. Significant quantities are also wasted in retail and by consumers, resulting in roughly one third of all the food produced for human consumption getting lost or wasted. This means that water, land, energy, labor, capital and other resources that were used to produce the wasted food go to waste, too. According to estimates, 38% of energy consumed in the food production globally is utilized to produce lost or wasted food. Besides, food waste disposed in landfills emits greenhouse gas and thus contributes to climate change.

The number of people suffering from hunger has been slowly but steadily rising over the past few years, and yet many tons of edible food are lost or go uneaten and wasted every day. So reducing food losses and waste is essential for combating world hunger. It also helps prevent the depletion of the natural resource base, as well as reduces unnecessary pressure on the environment and greenhouse gas emissions.

International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste was declared by a UN General Assembly resolution in December 2019 and observed for the first time in 2020. The fact that the first ever observance took place during the COVID-19 pandemic was quite symbolic, since the pandemic caused the largest global recession in history and made the world realize that we need to transform the way we produce and consume our food.

The main goal of IDAFLW is to bring individuals, organizations, businesses and governments around the world together to reduce food loss and waste. Literally everyone can make a contribution by starting to treat their food more carefully (stop buying unnecessary food, store food correctly, make the most of leftovers, etc.), but it requires coordinated actions of authorities, businesses and organizations to successfully solve the problem at the global level.

For example, infrastructure, technologies and innovations are instrumental for increasing food system efficiency and reducing food losses and waste. It is also important to find ways to facilitate investments in food loss and waste reduction, as well as shape and finance new business models that will help reduce food loss and waste.

It is important to keep in mind that food loss and waste should be reduced at all stages of the food production, sale and consumption chain: reductions in food loss that occur closer to the farm help alleviate stress on the environment and address food insecurity, whereas food waste reductions that occur in the supply chain and at the consumer level contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

IDAFLW events and activities are coordinated by the Food and Agricultural Organization in collaboration with the UN Environment Program.

Surely no sane person would deny that ecocide should be an international crime. So let's all sign Stop Ecocide's international petition, to make that clear. (It's no longer only available to those who help fund their work.) https://www.stopecocide.earth/become?ss_source=sscampaigns&ss_campaign_id=5f64e0422d919365ad69a6d9&ss_email_id=5f662154886b4641515c56a1&ss_campaign_name=NEWSLETTER%20September%202020%20-%20the%20Pope%2C%20Paul%20McCartney%2C%20Peace%20%26%20Harmony&ss_campaign_sent_date=2020-09-19T15%3A21%3A32Z&fbclid=IwAR3YOJVvrxEReQRVsfhOonUgro0XAzDWXiVeqwz9jAZ5YFU92gtBq5quCi4

For the background to this campaign, see the Guardian Lab article at https://www.theguardian.com/climate-academy/2020/sep/16/ecocide-environment-destruction-international-crime?fbclid=IwAR2-yRXWMMPSQ05VZ8Z8UyYWmp_RofU9peu8WewMURLbgQ0t_WNIKdIcqD8&utm_campaign=buffer&utm_content=buffer3c313&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com

There's also a fairly new Canadian government petition, seeking to make ecocide a federal crime in Canada. Do share this with any friends and family over there: https://petitions.ourcommons.ca/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-2827&fbclid=IwAR2opJBLkUvqjAMEprPC3JgOFPLc4iSKVq3FrjviKxN2_YzR0VYUgqt_4Mk

This makes interesting reading - some things I think are too weak but other suggestions are good. I imagine this government will cherrypick and as usual look to what is most profitable.
https://www.climateassembly.uk/report/

This is a very good idea. I seem to amass loads of medicine packets. I would definitely use it if there’s a pharmacy near me that’s taking part. But I can’t get map to work to find out! They want people to ask their local pharmacy to take part. https://www.terracycle.com/en-GB/brigades/medicine-packet-uk

The forest fires have now spread right up the west coast of the USA to states like Oregon and Washington which have temperate climates and don’t normally experience wild fires. Millions of people have had to evacuate. https://www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2020/sep/09/california-skies-glow-orange-as-wildfires-continue-in-pictures?

Another wake up call. We are killing the planet. There are some solutions in there as well. https://livingplanet.panda.org/

https://www.itv.com/thismorning/articles/the-seven-best-sustainable-beauty-buys?

Worth knowing, especially about the recycling of any cosmetic brands by terra cycle.

On Britains got Talent tonight a group of kids who mean business. Please vote for them. Not my usual choice of programme but I think perhaps hope for the planet lies with the next generation. We can make sure their voices get heard.

The name speaks for itself. All is not doom and gloom.

https://mailchi.mp/71613f208d94/top-5-happy-eco-news-july-22-28-3790245?e=e653b2d1a6

Maybe the almost universal lockdown could be the leverage that's so desperately needed to spur radical change in how we regard food.
Yesterday's edition of 'The Food Programme' provided an inspiringly positive view of what might happen in the near future. Much simpler and wider-ranging ideas than one would get from just reading 'Sitopia', which I'd barely been aware of.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000m49j

This seems a good local initiative.
https://frpuk.org/community-work/tools/?

It’s not all about glueing oneself to trains. XR is a broad church - something for everyone. This event is about reusing your old clothes - learning skills and techniques. Excellent idea.

This cheered me to read. https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/news/bp-oil-production-renewable-energy/?

https://extinctionrebellion.uk/uk-rebellion-2020/

I thought this was a done deal but perhaps not...

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/aug/25/legal-challenge-uk-exclusion-waste-incinerators-emissions-trading-scheme?

This sounds like positive news.

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/aug/15/uk-firms-solar-power-breakthrough-could-make-worlds-most-efficient-panels-by-2021?

The author was being interviewed on Woman's Hour this morning. Her practical approach sounds like a really useful guide to minimising the carbon footprint from how we eat. She sensibly outlines the principles but leaves recipe development to experienced cookery writers.

Apparently my constantly using a microwave rather than the main oven is just right, which is reassuring. (I hope that, despite its considerable age, it isn't too energy-inefficient - but replacing it while it's still usable seems far more wasteful.)
https://fcrn.org.uk/research-library/food-and-climate-change-without-hot-air

I recently heard about this search engine, did some research and it appears to be legitimate. It is now on our iPad and my mobile phone and works very well. A brilliant idea:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecosia
🌲🌳

I think it is a hotel for bees, etc, but I don't know, as my late mum bought it years ago. When I moved in, I left it where it was, until late last year when I was doing some garden tidying and realised that it was intended to be hung on the brick wall, not lying at the foot of it, and that the sloping side was a roof! Several years of lying on the ground have meant the snails have decimated whatever was supposed to be in there -- you can just see it looks like giant corrugated card.

So, I am hoping members of this group can confirm what it is and what should best go inside it, so I can hang it back on the wall for use. Ideas, please?

I have a feeling it’s a bit much to think about the planet whilst all this Covid business is going on so here’s some lazy ways to save the planet. I liked the one about switching to Ecosia as your search engine ...might as well let them plant trees as I search.

https://friendsoftheearth.uk/climate-change/8-lazy-ways-be-environmentally-friendly

From the latest issue of The Ecologist.
https://theecologist.org/2020/jul/07/protestors-guerrilla-tactics-hinder-hs2

From the latest issue of The Ecologist.
https://theecologist.org/2020/jul/07/protestors-guerrilla-tactics-hinder-hs2

https://theecologist.org/2020/jul/07/protestors-guerrilla-tactics-hinder-hs2

https://theecologist.org/2020/jul/07/protestors-guerrilla-tactics-hinder-hs2

Reassuringly, some aspects of government aren't being distracted too much by the twin crises of this pandemic and Brexit.
It's very good to see how seriously members of the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee attended to the Restart Project's evidence, focusing on waste prevention and repair.
https://therestartproject.org/news/commons-evidence/

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8444185/Swan-dies-broken-heart-teenage-yobs-killed-unborn-cygnets-smashing-eggs.html

Chris Packham is calling for people to avoid these at all costs. Here’s an article about why they’re so bad.

https://www.mygreenpod.com/articles/time-to-ban-disposable-bbqs/

https://inews.co.uk/news/environment/plastic-pollution-efforts-worldwide-cut-down-throwaway-plastic-threat-coronavirus-lockdown-447914?

This is sad - and just as things were improving. I know I had been pretty ruthless about cutting out plastic but my resolve has wavered since lockdown. Have found them hard to avoid. How have others got on?

https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/fracking-ban-uk-kwasi-kwarteng-climate-change-methane-shale-gas-a9575906.html?

This seems like good news for a change!

I have many, many old videos which I am really reluctant to put in landfill. We are keeping some, as we still have a video player, though whether we shall use that, I am doubtful. However, I have loads of children's videos used for grandchildren who are now far too old. I have tried a few local care homes for dementia, in case they still had old video players. Only one did, but I had such mixed messages about whether they wanted them or not, from different staff, I didn't follow through, as I don't want to pass my disposal problem on to them. Would be grateful for any suggestions - I do know that one is supposed to separate the actual tapes from the hard container - that will take a couple of days, I think!!!

http://news.sky.com/story/plastic-nile-three-quarters-of-fish-studied-contain-microplastics-in-worlds-longest-river-11996741

2020 - Declared by the United Nations as the International Year of Plant Health

2 May - World Tuna Day

8 May - Sir David Attenborough's birthday - (Born 1926)

9 May - World Migratory Bird Day

10 May - Mother's Day

15 May - Endangered Species Day

18-24 May - National Volunteer Week

20 May - World Bee Day

22 May – International Day of Biological Diversity

23 May – World Turtle Day

27 May-3 June - National Reconciliation Week