I entered The Rainforest 10k run about three years ago. It was a fast, flat course and I achieve my personal best of 47mins 45 secs that day, which still stands today.
This year The Rainforest 10k run will be held on Sunday 5th September 2010 in Finsbury Park, London, N4. It's easy to get to from Central London with tube and train lines stopping at Finsbury Park station very close to the park.
As we as the 10k run there is a 1k children's run to get them to join in as well.
I'm a big fan of The Rainforest Foundation who organise and benefit from the event. The have saved over 100.000 square kilometeres of rainforest over the last 20 years by working with the native populations to help them establish rights over the land and prevent logging and other industries destroying not only the environment but their livelihoods.
This marrying of environmental and social concern is working in many areas around the world. They aren't a big charity and don't get the publicity of many larger environmental charities but they do a fantastic job.
So if you are up for a run, sign up now for a place on September 5th. Don't run? Then why not head to Finsbury Park for a great day out knowing anything you spend will help those less fortunate and the environment.
Land conservation, clean water, obesity, and "green spaces" are amongst the most popular topics of early 2010. In particular, the addition and/or substitution of green spaces has been quite controversial as of late. Senior resident of Urban Land Institute Ed T. McMahon states "Green space adds value to property."
Not only do areas of conservation drive economic trends upward, but they also improve the overall health of the community surrounding. For example, substituting things like golf courses for conservation areas would essentially increase surrounding property value while diminishing overpriced maintenance fees. The same holds true for airports and other large acre-eating developments. Recent findings have driven people like McMahon and fellow conservationists to investigate further into upgrading and expanding green infrastructure efforts.
Opponents state that this would ultimately drive up costs in the short term, however the return on investment would be substantial in the long term. The U.S. Green Building Council is a 501(3)(c) non-profit community of leaders working to make green buildings available to everybody. It’s one of the many organizations playing its role in this progression.
With recent green discussion on space travel/fossil fuel emissions, deforestation and land conservation, it’s important that we as individuals/citizens stay up-to-date on important global issues like warming. As larger organizations like the CGI (Clinton Global Initiative), AFH (Architecture for Humanity), and the USGBC (U.S. Green Building Council) conducts sustainability campaigns and enforce strict green constraints, our world will continue to become a better, cleaner place.
Machines behind the CGI, Doug Band and Former President Clinton have been pursuing an emission reduction plan in the San Francisco Bay area. Meanwhile, GEC (Globetrotters Engineering Corporation) is underway with green building projects in Chicago, IL. Despite these few national examples, green infrastructure, particularly in places like Haiti, has become an integral part of restoration and construction.
This aligns with the implications of "economic viability" and long term sustainability, posing the questions, "Can Haiti really make it through all the costs of repair and reconstruction?" Infrastructure can take a toll on any economy, especially if the funds aren't there. This goes hand in hand with meeting modern day LEED standards and approaching this in a "greener" sense. Organizations like Architecture for Humanity will make this possible.
Architecture for Humanity (1999) is a nonprofit design services firm building "a more sustainable future through the power of professional design." It was formulated through a group of building professionals whose overwhelming passion for construction drove them to provide a way for underdeveloped, suffering countries to rebuild. Through their dedication and hard work, these people will be able to not only create new buildings and infrastructure, but make them bigger, better, and greener.
To touch on just some of the things that AFH covers:
• Alleviating poverty and providing access to water, sanitation, power and essential services
• Bringing safe shelter to communities prone to disaster and displaced populations
• Rebuilding community and creating neutral spaces for dialogue in post-conflict areas
• Mitigating the effects of rapid urbanization in unplanned settlements
• Creating spaces to meet the needs of those with disabilities and other at-risk populations
• Reducing the footprint of the built environment and addressing climate change
As polluters continue to buy their way out of Carbon Cuts globally, and large organizations continue to dump their waste into lakes, ponds and rivers, communities and must play their role in ensuring sustainability; organizations like the CGI, AFH, and USGBC provide repercussion and policy change for acts such as the above.
Most of the results from warming and climate change are miniscule and unnoticeable now, but our youth and earlier generations will experience firsthand the effects of pollutants and unsustainable efforts. Feel free to visit earthday.org to learn more about what you can do to support your world.
While there has been a massive focus on greenhouse gas emissions from planes, boats and road traffic, these are overshadowed by the impact of the meat food chain.
Alex Renton's article in The Times last week gave a good overview of the issues that meat-eating creates as well as addressing some of the counter-arguments. A couple of key points he made were that more intensively farmed meat has a higher impact, especially if transported internationally, and that we're slowly eating less meat in the developed world but there is growth in meat consumption in the developing nations.
Alex Renton decided to cut out meat one day a week, which is already the aim of a celebrity campaign. Last year, Paul McCartney launched the Meat Free Monday campaign supported by a host of celebrities, climate scientists and a Belgian town! By cutting out meat one day a week, your consumption will fall by about 15%.
Big Barn champions local food production and encourages people to buy locally rather than from the big supermarkets.
One of the barriers to more people choosing local suppliers is that they believe supermarkets give better value for money.
Big Barn want to challenge this thinking and need your help to prove local can be cheaper. They want all your examples where local outlets are selling a product cheaper than your local supermarket.
They'll highlight those stores on the Big Barn website and use the data to publicise the savings of shopping locally and challenge the misconception that supermarkets are the cheapest place to buy.
In my experience, you may get food cheaper at supermarkets but not of the same quality or taste. Like-for-like I've found you can get more for less on a number of products in local stores, butchers and so on.
In case you missed it, Saturday 28th March from 8:30 to 9:30pm was Earth Hour, an event that the WWF will use to convince governments around the world to take a positive stance on climate change.
Here in the U.K many of London's landmarks took part in the event, including Nelson’s Column, the Coca Cola signs in Piccadilly Circus, the National Gallery, National Theatre, Hayward Gallery, V&A museum, GLA buildings, and the revolving London Eye.
Along with those iconic landmarks, a small house in North London also took part in the event, although when I looked up and down my street, it would appear that others hadn't.
With my better half poised to Teach her class all about Shrove Tuesday, starting with a pancake making session (our fridge full of milk and eggs!), I've decided to see if I can manage another carbon fast this year. My attempt last year went reasonably well, even if I do say so myself!
As per last years, the fast kicks-off on day 1 (25th Feb), with the removal of a light bulb from the home, the idea being that it's a reminder of what you're doing for Lent, as well as the obvious reduction in energy consumption. Each day you're challenged to do one task that will help the environment.
If you followed the Tearfund fast last year, you will know that Tearfund is a Christian run organisation and hence does have a few Churchy based tasks. Please don't be put off by these, you can always come up with your own ideas, which I did last year! The important thing is to get involved.
A while ago I wrote about my first experiences of using our shiny blue recycling bin.
Well, it's been a bit of a hit and miss affair since then. Some weeks all out items get taken away by Barnet's nice recycling operatives and other weeks they're not. I find it difficult to fathom their rationale. Some weeks I've deliberately left items in the box that weren't taken the previous week and what do you know, they get taken!
It seems that I'm not alone in being confused. A recent letter to the Barnet and Whetstone Press highlights another residents confusion over the whole process.
So come on the Borough of Barnet, it's a great idea, it just needs a bit of tweaking.
Looking back at 2008, I have to say I feel that I've finally made some headway to a greener lifestyle. I'm by no means on the same level as David, but do think I'm making progress.
Looking ahead at 2009, I've been pondering what I can do next. Since I've been stuck for ideas I decided to Google 'resolution ideas' and came upon the 'Recycling resolutions' ideas from London Borough of Barnet website.
Here are their suggestions :
I will recycle everything I can using my blue and black boxes, including batteries, Yellow Pages, aerosols, foil, textiles and shoes as well as glass, paper and cans, plastic bottles and cardboard
I will practise the three Rs; Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
I will recycle my Christmas cards using my blue box or at the Civic Amenity and Recycling Centre, Summers Lane, or keep them to make into next year's gift tags
I will use my green garden and kitchen waste bin for my food leftovers and fruit and vegetable peelings
I will start composting at home
I will start using Barnet’s Freecycle Group for unwanted items
I will donate any unused paint to local groups through the Community Re>Paint Scheme at the Civic Amenity and Recycling Centre, Summers Lane
I will reuse plastic bags or use cloth ones when shopping
I will buy loose fruit and vegetables rather than pre-packed ones
I will donate old tools at the Civic Amenity and Recycling Centre, Summers Lane, for reuse in Africa and local schools
Looking through their recycling ideas, I've pretty much either done them with the exception of donating old tools for reuse.
So since my garage could really do with a good clean-up, I'm going to see if I can achieve this one in the next couple of months.
Have you made any great recycling resolutions and if so, why not share them?
We're always on the look out for new writers. So if you fancy writing about your football team or the environment, then please get in touch.
