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

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