Hope you can open this link. The RHS is urging us to ask our local council to plant a tree. It’s worth asking -Enfield Council have planted several trees in my road at the request of residents. That was a few years ago so hope things are still the same.

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/01/21/ask-council-plant-tree-street-rhs-urges-announces-majority-britain/amp/

from Massachusetts:
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jan/05/counting-whales-from-space-new-england-aquarium-draper

Don’t know about anyone else but I dind all the ‘Green Deals’ a bit confusing. But here’s another one - based on small sustainable community based energy production.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jan/12/community-generated-green-electricity-to-be-offered-to-all-in-uk?

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/01/03/outdoor-heaters-banned-french-city-tackle-climate-change/?

I have often looked at these in London and wondered about their CO2 - do we really need them - in our cafés or our gardens?

https://secure.greenpeace.org.uk/page/s/turtle-journey-video?source=EM&subsource=OCMRGLPEEM01KG&utm_source=gpeace&utm_medium=EM&utm_campaign=OCMRGLPEEM01KG

I came across this piece. Ok it’s American but we probably do need to think globally as well as locally. I think it’s very important not to get consumed by the ‘darkness’ of climate change. I think that leads to depression and inertia. We have to remain hopeful and active. This writer highlights some of the light in the darkness.

https://www.outsideonline.com/2407839/good-news-ways-make-change-now#close

A friend just shared this excellent article, putting into perspective how we can sensibly tackle climate change.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/10/opinion/sunday/how-to-help-climate-change.html?fbclid=IwAR1WHGeQgRgvbzsOy19EMr1iPPuaf6SIlUm2fg22IDNHciEHSxF7rEdxfwU

XR Enfield and XR London are inviting concerned people from Enfield and nearby boroughs to join a climate protest. Please come along. Meet at Enfield Library, 66 Church Street, EN2 at 12pm Event is 12-2pm (This is a revised time)

https://m.facebook.com/events/1271160503072136?

If my link doesn’t work can someone post it again for me please.

I found myself watching this on Channel 4 at about 10 pm today - as it followed on from Meat the Family (where people have farm animals to look after at home, then decide their fate - more like meet your dinner).

There were some fascinating predictions about future food production. Basically, we've pretty much ruined soil fertility on many farms so, with the prospect of mass starvation within a century, at last serious attention has turned to lab-grown meat and factory cultured bacteria/yeast as a way of producing protein and substituting much grain. We'd only need farmland for fruit and veg!

We are thinking about replacing our petrol VW Polo with a low emission / more environmentally friendly car and are not sure whether to go for a hybrid or an electric car - it’s all a bit of a minefield... We’re intending to use it mainly for local / short to medium distance driving and after recent bad experiences are also concerned about the after sales service (we’re in CR0).

Does anyone have any recommendations, tips, advice and/or experiences they would be able to share??

Many thanks in advance.

I recently found "How to save the World for Free" by Natalie Fee, at Waterstones. It's a great little book chock full of all sorts of simple ideas for individuals to help save the Planet. I recommend. everyone has a copy.

"Drawdown, The most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed To Reverse Global Warming" Edited by Paul Hawken, also available from Waterstones, is another vital tome, inspiring, optimistic, beautiful & hugely informative. Every Home should have a copy. I gave 7 copies as gifts this Christmas & they were universally welcomed.

Please sign Oxfam’s letter to the PM urging him to make climate change a priority.

https://actions.oxfam.org/great-britain/climate-emergency/letter/?ito=214&urn=nullvalue&ecid=em_CAM_8724_65009_2019KAA234_01+Active+JS_Please+sign+our+emergency+letter+to+Boris+Johnsoneopt%3Dtrue&fbclid=IwAR2VJ0-cIEjQ-fKi-EyRHwkRAaRmgcwjrWKVcW3S0IYjWag9ZwHKH-u0rAg

The latest lithium-sulphur car batteries will let you drive 1000km on a single charge. They are also cleaner than litium-ion.
https://techxplore.com/news/2020-01-supercharging-tomorrow-team-world-efficient.html

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-18/indigenous-burning-before-and-after-tathra-bushfire/10258140?pfmredir=sm&fbclid=IwAR3kL2JH4QSoE2krILCZ_KFYw-XqTFb_kMva4g67c8u3x6yI4TEjh6nFE8Q

.Tap the picture!

...four-fold over the last 20 years. Here`s the link if you want to read more.
Visit the site and download the report... https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/research-hub/uk-ethical-consumer-markets-report

Hi all, i want to transfer my energy supplier to a renewable one. All suggestions welcome please. I've heard of Octopus & Bulb. I was wondering which is best or any others that might be out there?

I cannot find the right thread either here or on FB! So I`ll post in both.
https://www.domain.com.au/living/organisations-you-can-support-that-will-help-bushfire-victims-907479/

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jan/02/a-warm-welcome-the-wildlife-visitors-warning-of-climate-disaster-aoe?fbclid=IwAR3ZKe9xNyAPzSGQdZd34EE9T8RYXx5nDLDJayRCX5I1zzn0U3Eu8O7lpNY

I’m not sure but certainly seems likely that there has been a dramatic increase in them. Just heard a very shocking statistic- an ecologist from University of Sydney had estimated that approximately half a billion animals had died in the fires. HALF A BILLION! Sorry to shout. He has since said this was an underestimation. What are we doing to our world? I hope more people (including our current government) will wake up to the crisis and make some significant inroads into cutting emissions etc etc etc.

I saw this posted on another forum and found it very interesting and informative.

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/12/circular-economy-business-environment/?fbclid=IwAR0eU1yuFrVctDv-UEtkIX_nHXLsMzqI66uVs95XbOl4xfqTYeEi4sG2CIg

https://www.france24.com/en/20191231-france-begins-phasing-out-single-use-plastics?fbclid=IwAR2B4LvR-ePsKhlIvt0vtxYRsT6-Z9h4mIMfYcaX10TtXkDbD3N0Z4eomfc

How does UK compare?

I read that the massive firework display in Australia is Carbon Neutral. What do members think about the amount of chemicals, metal etc pumped into the air across the world in fireworks each year?

I used to think that New Year resolutions were a bit of a jokey thing - great to end the year in reflective mode, giving yourself a bit of a talking to, and resolving to do better - but ultimately I didn’t take them too seriously. That’s all changed for me. Now, along with being thinner and fitter there’s a newer more pressing resolution,which isn’t a joke, and that’s to help fight climate change. Small steps must count for something.

My 4 New Year Resolutions are:

To campaign more - write letters to council and Govt, use Twitter to query things with retailers. (Diana W and Krista set a good example here)

To be more diligent in my buying habits.

To drive less and not fly at all.

To be more self sufficient in garden and compost more.

Oh and eat less and exercise more!!

Anyone else got any climate related resolutions?

I notice that most of the recent activity on ScoopLoop has been additions to the items listed 'For Sale and Free'. That suggests that people have been clearing out stuff that they no longer use over Christmas, possibly as a result of hunting out decorations etc from their cupboards and attics.

Having just made use of assorted things that had accumulated in the gift drawer, I'm trying to excavate other less-used corners in search of warm spare clothing for the local night shelter, which opens in the New Year.

My local authority is also running a toy collection in January, for unwanted toys etc (which may or may not be unwelcome recent presents).

Are there any other seasonal opportunities for rehoming stuff that people no longer use but which others might welcome?

New Zealand are making it mandatory to assess climate implications as an initial step in any new policy decisions. Does anyone know if that happens here?

https://www.ecowatch.com/climate-crisis-new-zealand-2641516282.html?

This looks like good news. Dutch Supreme Court rules against State. Policies on carbon emissions are inseparable from Human Rights.

https://thecorrespondent.com/194/thanks-to-this-landmark-court-ruling-climate-action-is-now-inseparable-from-human-rights/25683007966-93bb1751?

Wishing all members of the group a lovely day today and a happy GREEN 2020.

Hi,
Ive just joined ScoopLoop and came across this group. I am a singer/songwriter and have been writing a collection of environmental songs for both children and adults.
Here is my Christmas song and video
"Millions of Trees"
Just trying to spread the message far and wide
https://youtu.be/MDVdJndR-VE
you can hear a few more on my EP "Earth Calling"
https://carolinechanearthcalling.bandcamp.com/releases
Thanks
Caroline

In a recent posting from "friends of the earth" tips what we can do to help the planet it was mentioned---Buy less cut flowers or buy only locally grown ones. Better still give a plant.

Shortly after reading this I watched a program from Caesar Palace Las Vegas were at one wedding they displayed ---25000 flowers.

One of Slough Borough Council's recycling collectors has composed a rap to easily convey to residents what goes into their red recycling bin...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yR25wtA8q6k

Can not remember if this has been mentioned before.
They are collecting points in certain areas and one can find out if one is in your area. See link

TerraCycle is Eliminating the Idea of Waste® by recycling the "non-recyclable."

https://www.terracycle.com/en-GB/

This useful analysis was posted by a bee expert and deserves to be read in full: https://www.buglife.org.uk/blog/bees-eye-view-of-2019-election-pledges-headline-report/?fbclid=IwAR3vJu2xrHOVkLRbFj2XsTg-hyZw0F9ySaNzlbxkj1-mfEnYlF5HUqUmM2I

Not all about climate change or environment but focussed on Innovation and plenty of the initiatives are relevant and interesting.

https://innovationorigins.com/

Hope this link works. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSckIyjTJnvdajmq3dL0FcYp3dNJQ3gkCqxfShDQnf8aE5neyg/viewform?

The final major home improvement that I managed to get done last year was getting my attic re-insulated and the usable part of it, floored. It's the only affordable respect I know in which one can insulate a tiny old house in a heavily-protected conservation area.

Although big energy suppliers refused to take on this job because the sloping roof is so low, I eventually found a small specialist firm which proved surprisingly affordable.

They were quick, remarkably clean and less trouble than most builders - and the attic is now much safer and better for storage, as well as making the top of the house much warmer.

Now they're offering someone a free loft package (everything bar the insulation, which costs very little indeed), to celebrate their tenth anniversary. If anyone within their area hasn't had this done, then it would be worth entering the competition - but quickly!
https://www.theloftboys.co.uk/its-our-10-year-anniversary/?utm_source=Website+Enquiries&utm_campaign=b3400de853-AUTOMATION__1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_4a434442a6-b3400de853-115560631

https://apple.news/APzogb4gYROqZZwlpYpvkcA

Don’t think it will - shame as it’s a good read.

This incinerator has been mentioned before.

Never thought about this before. Another way to save ...fewer emails.

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/shortcuts/2019/nov/26/pointless-emails-theyre-not-just-irritating-they-have-a-massive-carbon-footprint?

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/jun/10/obscure-legal-system-lets-corportations-sue-states-ttip-icsid

Start here, and follow the links according to what you want to find out about ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6murPEFbXg
Maybe this... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vrl33yHwZ_M
Or this... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6-hBbyQLdc
Loads of interest. 😊

I thought this was worth a read. Produced by Friends of The Earth, it has lots of useful links. A good reminder of the individual actions we can take to ‘save the planet’. https://friendsoftheearth.uk/sites/default/files/downloads/50_climate_top_tips.pdf

I have used my tea leaves in garden mixing into earth. Was surprised to see the amount 2 people and a few visitors can create.
Just read up on the subject:
Use tea bags to cover the drainage holes in containers. They hold the soil in while allowing the excess water to drain.
Coffee grounds
Don't worry about the acidity of coffee affecting the soil's pH. Studies have shown that as the coffee decomposes, the pH neutralizes. A bigger concern is what happens when you apply a very thick layer of coffee on top of the soil, about 2 inches or more. As the coffee dries, it forms a crusty shell that does not allow water to pass through. Use your coffee grounds sparingly. Put the excess in the compost.

Acknowledging Krista who put this on another site. It’s well worth a read.

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/11/build-circular-economy-stop-recycling?

I washed
1 heavy double bed mattress cover, 2 hand towels both white
in super quick wash. 15 minutes and they came out beautiful.

Started washing all my clothes this way. If you have heavier items I spin again 10 minutes.
This way we all should save on electricity.

Did mention this to a friend and she admitted in all these years she never thought of doing it.

https://gikibadges.com/ Just look!! This could help!

Came across this website and found it encouraging. I think it’s important to read ‘good news’ because it help persuade me that not all is lost and it’s worth persevering with the small changes we can all make.

https://climateheroes.org/

Hackney Council has formally pledged to do all that it can to beat by a decade the UK government's timetable for delivering its work with zero net emissions, under several specific headings: https://news.hackney.gov.uk/hackney-council-pledges-to-reach-net-zero-emissions-by-2040/
Now Sustainable Hackney - an umbrella organisation which aims to bring together every person and organisation working on any aspect of sustainability - has developed a collective community response to those pledges, to be presented to a new local citizens' assembly when that first meets in the New Year: https://st4.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3714234756?profile=original. It's a useful document, although members of this group may notice that our discussions here have ranged further than this on some aspects.

I got sent a free pair of socks today from a company called Bamboo clothing [had never heard of them before].
Little catalogue of their stuff - which is expensive but 15% off first order, free p&P and returns.

Just heard exploratory ocean drenching for cobalt which is needed for batteries (electric cars) has started.

Will it be another disaster like we find now with plastic?
More info:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-49759626