SEVEN THINGS YOU CAN DO TO LEAD A GREENER LIFE
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"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."
~Confucius

"The journey towards a kinder world can begin with a single piece of Fair Trade chocolate."
~Coco-Zen

Posted on Coco-Zen's Blog - http://cocozen.blogspot.com/2011/08/quote-of-week-082811.html

Nowadays more and more people are looking for ways to 'go green'. While everyone can't necessarily switch from cars to bikes or electricity to solar power, there are some small ways we can incorporate eco-friendly habits in our lives. One way is simply being more energy efficient. Being energy efficient simply means using less energy to provide the same level of energy service.

When most people think of energy efficiency, they think of turning of the lights when you're not using them, or they think of automobiles with a high mpg ratio. But what about the appliances we do use when we use them? How much energy are they consuming and how effective are they? And perhaps the most important question is: Can I get an environmentally-friendly vacuum or tool that still is powerful enough to get the job done?

The answer is "Yes!". You can have the metaphorical cake and eat it too, and with so many 'green' vacuums being stylishly designed, not only will you be doing your part, but you'll look good doing it.

New study reveals Britain set to fill over 40 million bin bags with rubbish in the next three days

This Bank Holiday Weekend promises to be an action packed one with over 10 million of us planning on partying, going to festivals and hosting friends and family for barbeques and dinners.

But while you’re having fun, spare a thought for the bin men of Britain come Tuesday, with a new study by Sodastream showing all that fun and festivity will produce over a staggering 40 million bags of rubbish.

Worryingly, only a fifth of this will be recycled, and staggeringly half of the Britons surveyed admit they do not feel guilty about it.

Furthermore 10% of that non-recycled rubbish will consist of plastic bottles with over a third of the nation admitting it hadn’t crossed their mind to try and reduce the number of plastic bottles they use, despite the impact it can have on the environment.
Brits top five bad habits this Bank Holiday are likely to include:
1. Throwing away food
2. Leaving lights on/wasting energy
3. Not recycling food packaging
4. Throwing away plastic bottles
5. Buying/using too many plastic bottles

The most wasteful cities in the UK when it comes to bottle waste will be Newcastle and Sheffield, with Brighton and Bristol the least wasteful.

SodaStream research has revealed that Brits grossly underestimate the number of plastic bottles they use per week, with 60% believing they only use 1-4 plastic bottles, when the actual number is 15 each week.

Sodastream have commissioned the research to raise awareness of the practice of ‘pre-cycling’, reducing waste before there is any need for recycling. To illustrate the number of plastic bottles we waste in particular, SodaStream commissioned artist Bamber Hawes to create a ‘Bottle Family’ sculpture made up of 827 plastic bottles. This is the number of plastic carbonated bottles that an average family in the UK will use in a year; one SodaStream can help dramatically reduce all this bottle waste and more.

Top Five Tips for Reducing Waste this Bank Holiday Weekend
1. Get organised before the weekend by having separate bags and containers ready to fill with different types of rubbish.
2. Re-use plastic bottles during the weekend instead of just chucking them out.
3. Wrap up leftover food as soon as you’re finished to make into meals and snacks the next day
4. Instead of buying lots of bottled drinks – make your own.
5. Make recycling fun for your kids by making it a competition to see who can collect the most recyclable items over the weekend.

A spokesperson for SodaStream comments: “Looking at the Bank Holiday alone, it is staggering how much waste we will produce as a nation. With recycling so low on people’s agenda it makes the need for pre-cycling ever more pertinent so it is important to encourage people to reduce their everyday waste in the first place. SodaStream is the perfect alternative to other pre-packaged carbonated drinks.”

For more information visit: www.sodastream.co.uk

I started a community of 15 yogateachers in Amsterdam, teaching yoga classes outdoor in parks and on the beach, with focus on the 5 elements and other dripfeeds about nature and how to take better care of our planet. End of the summer season, this year on 24 September, we organise the Global Mala Festival in the Westerpark & indoor locations around there. The festival is totally conscious.. not only in program but also in bio/eco/fairtrade bar, catering, clothes, LED ligths, etc. etc.

Check www.globalmalafestival.com and www.naturalyoga.nl when you are interested. (in Dutch)

Check this out... great uplifting cause and chance to enjoy some great music!


"http://playingforchange.com/episodes/51 - As someone who makes or listens to music, you know the incredible power it has to connect and inspire.
You're invited to join our 1st annual Playing For Change Day on September 17, 2011 - a global day of action where musicians will perform on stages, cafés, city squares, and street corners worldwide to raise money to support music in the lives of young people.

You can create an event on that day - OR you can find our about PFC Day events in your community - by signing up at PlayingForChangeDay.org. Whether you're performing yourself, or heading out to see another artist perform, everyone's participation is needed to make September 17th a day to remember.

This year's event carries the theme Power To The People, drawing its inspiration from John Lennon's activism, thanks to the gracious support of Theatre Within and Yoko Ono who believe in our mission and recognize it as one manifestation of John's vision for the role of music in creating a better world.

Proceeds raised will go to support the work of the Playing For Change Foundation and Theatre Within to help build music schools, strengthen music and arts education, support teachers and performances, purchase instruments, and connect young people to promote cross cultural learning and conflict resolution.

You understand the power of music and the ways it can change the human heart and the human experience. Will you bring your passion and presence to a global day of music? Please visit PlayingForChangeDay.org to learn more and to participate."

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."
~Eleanor Roosevelt

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of Fair Trade chocolate."
~Coco-Zen

Posted on Coco-Zen's Blog - http://cocozen.blogspot.com/2011/08/quote-of-week-082111.html

I'm busy working on a line of recycled jewellery under my label Pindigo. Necklaces made from plastic toys (there is Lego in there of course).

Back to the Fuschia hosts Events promoting ethical approaches to fashion. We accessorize shopping with swapping encouraging people to rummage through their wardrobes and trade in their unwanted clothes, shoes and accesories for someone elses pre-loved fashions!! These Events are more than just 'Swishing', we host Fashion workshops and Designer Auctions as well as offer Music, a venue Bar for food and drinks and a Raffle with some great prizes. Back to the Fuschia aims to make recycling Fun and Fashionable and our Events are a great way to enjoy saving the environment as well as some much needed £s!!

To find out more about Back to the Fuschia and our Events go to www.backtothefuschia.org

Back to the Fuschia hosts Events promoting ethical approaches to fashion. We accessorize shopping with swapping encouraging people to rummage through their wardrobes and trade in their unwanted clothes, shoes and accesories for someone elses pre-loved fashions!! These Events are more than just 'Swishing', we host Fashion workshops and Designer Auctions as well as offer Music, a venue Bar for food and drinks and a Raffle with some great prizes. Back to the Fuschia aims to make recycling Fun and Fashionable and our Events are a great way to enjoy saving the environment as well as some much needed £s!!

Recently visited CSP plant in Fuentes Andalucia capable of power generation even through the night or in intermittent cloud. First baseload solar plant. Organising inauguration in Oct. http://www.torresolenergy.com/TORRESOL/gemasolar-plant/en

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