Something we already knew. Now its official.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-60026378
Save The Planet
This planet is dying and we are all acting too slowly. Thoughts, debates & suggestions on how we can act FAST and attempt to save the planet. No business posts or posts unrelated to saving the planet will be accepted and posters will be removed from the loop.
Open Loop 631
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Something a bit more positive.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jan/11/meet-mr-trash-wheel-and-the-other-ingenious-tools-that-eat-river-plastic?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other -
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/jan/17/cutting-red-tape-rivers-polluted-england-water-regulators?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other
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Scroll down for:
* Brands encouraging the destruction of rainforest by using deforestation palm oil in their products (and indirectly supporting illegal indigenous landgrabbing, human rights abuses, slavery and violence on palm oil plantations).
* List of palm oil free alternatives.
* Parliament petition to "Prohibit the sale and use in the UK of palm oil and its derivatives in foods." The petition claims a link to cancer supported by an article.
https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/07/10/these-are-the-forgotten-animals-of-the-secretly-destroyed-forests/ -
Lufthansa is making 18,000 unnecessary flights this winter to keep airport slots
https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/01/06/almost-2-years-into-the-pandemic-empty-flights-are-still-frying-the-planet
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I'm used to seeing green beans grown in Kenya and asparagus from Peru.
Other items I didn't buy during a recent visit to Asda included:
* Organic garlic from China
* A bag of watercress grown in the USA
A bonus last time was apples from Kent. -
Proposal to redefine palm oil plantations could drive deforestation
https://news.mongabay.com/2022/01/indonesian-proposal-could-redefine-palm-oil-driven-deforestation-as-reforestation/
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More than 400 weather stations beat heat records in 2021
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/07/heat-records-broken-all-around-the-world-in-2021-says-climatologist?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other
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'Wrong type of trees' in Europe increased global warming
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-35496350
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Fossil fuel firms among biggest spenders on Google ads that look like search results
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/jan/05/fossil-fuel-firms-among-biggest-spenders-on-google-ads-that-look-like-search-results
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10 things Britain can do now to save the planet
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/jan/03/great-green-reset-10-things-britain-save-planet-cop26?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other
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Cost of extreme weather events
https://www.euronews.com/2021/12/27/climate-change-cost-of-extreme-weather-events-increased-in-2021-says-ngo
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https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/dec/29/climate-scientist-dont-look-up-madness
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Wild birds can be killed to protect game birds in England
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jan/03/law-change-allows-wild-birds-killed-protect-game-birds-england?fbclid=IwAR2kgIyD66CS-05QACMdM3ZPZEA0naNUEiTNAk-61hceQ19ksM-FQzrVevI
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Transforming waste heat into electrical energy
https://www.inverse.com/innovation/future-energy-solution
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Cruise Ship Pollution Effects on Marine Life
https://foe.org/blog/cruise-ship-effects-marine-life/
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Found this whilst flicking through Instagram
https://www.pensforkids.co.uk/
Wish I'd known when I recently had a clear out of a lot of pens and pencils and didn't know what to do with them. Eventually gave them away via Freegle. -
Monsanto Gloating as their pesticides look about to be approved again in France!
https://actions.sumofus.org/a/stop-poisoning-us-ban-glyphosate-in-europe/?akid=99292.2015303.7J0BvR&rd=1&source=fwd&t=9
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Eating less(or no) meat Veganuary. (Edited)
https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/news/veganuary-10-plant-based-meal-ideas-from-greenpeace-staff/?fbclid=IwAR1aZgQs8al1l5WFzdG-tDW_4qqtf4MerJOcZmFONrL5lWfEcumZA6zbu8k
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Costa Rica extends marine reserve
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/costa-rica-shark-island-now-massive-marine-reserve
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Time to change to an electric boiler? (Edited)
The suddenly skyrocketing and apparently relentless rise in gas prices must be a factor in how fast we all move away from using gas central heating.
While my ageing gas boiler is usually still functional (apart from a stuck valve which meant a chilly Christmas weekend), keeping it may no longer be the most sustainable approach. I hate waste and wouldn't normally replace a functioning device but the awful prospect of unaffordable gas bills is very real.
As the boiler is well over a decade old, I was previously offered a replacement - so I'm asking the grant managers if this offer would cover replacement with an electric boiler. I do hope so but will seriously consider funding it privately, if not - as long as the new boiler is compatible with a solar water heating installation on the roof of the room containing the boiler cupboard. (Not ensuring that would be stupid, given that it's not feasible to install solar PV panels on this house.)
So I started looking into this and found a useful initial guide at https://www.boilerguide.co.uk/articles/best-electric-boilers . It's not obviously dated and must, I think, predate the rise in gas prices, but it's a good start. -
Greta Thunberg on the State of the Climate Movement
https://www.washingtonpost.com/magazine/2021/12/27/greta-thunberg-state-climate-movement-roots-her-power-an-activist/?utm_source=pocket-newtab-global-en-GB
Some of the comments are worth reading (some aren't) as well as the article. -
This could be useful if there’s a branch near you.
https://www.dunelm.com/info/about/take-back-scheme? -
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/dec/31/new-species-to-look-out-for-in-the-uk-in-2022-aoe
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French ban plastic packaging for fruit and veg
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/31/thats-a-wrap-french-plastic-packaging-ban-for-fruit-and-veg-begins
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Not all promises to plant more trees are really sustainable (Edited)
Sellers' assurances that more trees will be planted if we buy more stuff from them aren't necessarily reliable or beneficial to the planet.
As with so much else in life, getting this right takes time, thought and effort.
https://www.euronews.com/green/2021/09/01/how-to-tell-the-difference-between-tree-planting-schemes-and-scams?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=green_newsletter&_ope=eyJndWlkIjoiYTMyZmIyMTZlZDMyMTdhNWMzZTUwMzhlOGY4N2I0ZjEifQ%3D%3D -
"A cyclist is a disaster for the country's economy: he does not buy cars and does not borrow money to buy. He does not buy fuel... He does not cause serious accidents. He does not require multi-lane highways. He does not get fat."
This is an American article, but much of it applies here.
https://www.treehugger.com/2021-review-ebike-revolution-revs-up-5213611 -
Why Plastic Pollution Is a Producer Responsibility
An American article from a year ago, but still relevant.
https://www.ecowatch.com/plastic-pollution-producer-responsibility-2649792843.html -
Government backtracks on proposals for electric car chargers
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/dec/27/plans-in-england-for-car-chargers-in-all-commercial-car-parks-quietly-rolled-back?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other
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five great projects to protect nature
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/dec/26/bogs-banks-and-bubble-barriers-five-great-projects-to-protect-nature-aoe?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other
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Happy Christmas to all on Save The Planet (Edited)
Wishing you all well over this festive period and here’s hoping we can look forward to a better and greener 2022. 🌿🦔🐇🌴🎄🎅🍄🌹🌼🌏🍇🌊💦🥦♻️
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Cargo bikes deliver faster and cleaner than vans, study finds
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/aug/05/cargo-bikes-deliver-faster-and-cleaner-than-vans-study-finds
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West Sussex wildlife project will create new wildlife corridors across county
https://www.westsussextoday.co.uk/news/opinion/west-sussex-wildlife-project-will-create-new-wildlife-corridors-across-county-3499429
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More delays in stopping peat extraction
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/dec/18/peat-sales-to-gardeners-in-england-and-wales-to-be-banned-by-2024
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Given how little Christmas shopping I have to do, keeping it sustainable seemed as if it should be easy enough. That was before I read this, however. What a good thing that I'd already bought what I needed....
https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/ethical-christmas?utm_source=ECRA+Monthly+Newsletter&utm_campaign=a21898f971-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_12_16_2021_non-subs&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_9856040c29-a21898f971-321357508 -
Edmonton Incinerator - the latest.
I realise this doesn’t directly affect many people in this group but I know the campaign against this incinerator has relevance to some, so this letter may be of interest. Its from solicitors acting on behalf of the coalition of groups opposed to the incinerator and speaks for itself.
https://www.encaf.org/_files/ugd/192828_fea6c536b303483c99e2ca91809c7b24.pdf? -
How to make seasonal shopping more sustainable
Although we should all consume less of everything, some essentials are constantly used up, or wear out and need replacing. So seeking out more sustainable replacements for our daily needs seems worthwhile.
This offer can be used as a starting-point for finding ethical suppliers, not only of the small treats in the goody bag but other presents for our nearest and dearest: https://mailchi.mp/ethicalconsumer.org/christmas-goodies-giveaway-2021-non-subs?e=57f084c3a9 . -
The downside of going all-electric etc (Edited)
One of the saddest tales of hardship following Storm Arwen was told by a woman lamenting that, if they hadn't just changed their old oil heating system for a new air source heat pump-based one, the loss of power wouldn't have deprived them of heat as well as electricity.
Something rather similar happened locally, when a district heating system failed over this last, perishing cold weekend; see https://www.hackneycitizen.co.uk/2021/11/30/shoreditch-pipe-leak-450-residents-without-heating/ .
That reminded me just how useful it is to have both gas and electricity, as when my new gas boiler broke down just after I moved house at the end of November. At least I still had an immersion heater to produce hot bathwater, after having to keep 'warm' getting grubby with endless furniture shifting, cleaning and unpacking of boxes.
If we all go all-electric, we put ourselves at the mercy of a breakdown in our only source of power. So I'm hoping that pure hydrogen-fuelled boilers become practical in London by the time that my current gas boiler needs replacing. I don't want to lose the alternative source of power, in case something goes wrong in future - as it invariably will do, sooner or later. -
Personal carbon quotas (Edited)
A different approach- wonder if it would make a difference? And is it achievable?
https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/personal-carbon-allowance-trading-climate-crisis-b1956705.html? -
Every household in our village has just been given a young wild cherry tree to plant - either in their own garden or in a public place in and around the village (guidance to be given). Such a lovely idea and to know that in years to come the village will be blossom filled every spring is a great thought. Our village society has masterminded this. They have also planted many other trees in and around the area. A great way to save the planet.
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EV charging points to be made compulsory in new homes.
https://www.scooploop.com/thread/ev-charging-points-to-be-made-compulsory-in-new-homes
This discussion is now closed.
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EV charging points to be made compulsory in new homes.
Seems like a good move though not sure how easy it will be to accomplish.
https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/new-homes-in-england-to-have-electric-car-chargers-installed-by-law/ -
What you can do about climate change.
https://www.positive.news/environment/what-can-i-do-about-climate-change-how-to-lower-your-carbon-footprint/
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Haven’t read it yet but this sounds very interesting and hopefully encouraging.
https://www.positive.news/environment/rewilding-sixty-years-ago-scientists-let-a-farm-rewild-heres-what-happened/? -
Recommendation from Krista L. Quickly skimmed through but will peruse later in leisure.
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20211105-how-carbon-might-go-out-of-fashion -
Christmas Tree Rental. A good idea?
Doesn’t seem to be anyone in our area but several suppliers in London. Has anyone done this?
https://www.countryliving.com/uk/homes-interiors/interiors/a29695669/rent-christmas-tree-cotswold-fir/ -
How your house will go carbon free.
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20211105-how-your-house-will-go-carbon-free?ocid=fbfut
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https://secure.avaaz.org/campaign/en/cop26_peoples_climate_deal_12/?tfLKjlb=502026868=18788843048&_checksum=b617effb3e4454725a1994e60073051af83867a78d978716845b4f071f918371
Shared from Lonicera`s post in "Anything" loop.
Sign,share and start the pressure for COP 27 to deliver better.