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.
Firstly, a bit thank you to all of you that have visited our Environment blog in the past year and read mine and David's ramblings on our attempts to be green(er). David is doing a far better job than me!
Last night I watched an item on T.V that showed how much fat get's deposited down the drains over Christmas and how it clogs up the sewers in London. I was stunned!
Well, now think of how much food gets thrown away all together and you'd understand why some pet owners feel the urge to offer their darling animals a share of the Christmas offering.
However, according to the RSCPA, pet obesity is becoming a big problem. Take a look at this video in support of the RSPCA's campaign to tackle pet obesity and then think of alternative solutions to recycling your Christmas excess!
I've been trying to find how to recycle Yoghurt Pots, since that my local wheelie bin operatives have decided that they are a definite "no no" and can't be placed in our new shiny blue bin.
My first port of call was my better half's Teaching Resource site, as Teachers often re-use all sorts of stuff in the classroom. Whilst I didn't find great suggestions for Yoghurt Pots, I did come across a link to the Eco-Explorer, a great site for children to explore at home or in the classroom, all about eco-friendly living.
Anyway, with a bit more perseverance and thanks to Google, I found the Recycle This website and lots of suggestions made by those that visit the site on various uses for Yoghurt Pots.
So here they are :
1) Yoghurt pots can be used as candle moulds. Check as different ones can have different levels of heat resistance and you dont want any melting when you pour wax into them!
2) You could also use them as drawer organisers for paperclips / rubberbands etc.
3) Or if you are doing any DIY, keep nails and screws in separate ones for easy organisation.
4) They could also be used by children for separating coins in a way to get them to save.
5) The larger / taller kind can be decorated and used as pen holders.
6) Another idea (not tested!)… how about using them to make mini sandcastles.
7) In a French book by Martine Camillieri who is specialised in making new objects with waste…she made a fantastic string of lights:
she cupped each x-mas light with a different colored yogurt pot, cutting the edge off or in an oringal shape.
8) Because of the wide lip they can be staple to a shelf in the workshop to hold odds and ends.
9) The kids use them to hold their playdough - just cover with cling wrap.
10) They can also be used in the freezer for small quantities = again cover with cling wrap
11) For the gardeners amongst us they are just right for starting seeds in. All they need is a couple of small drain holes in the bottom and bingo…
12) Use them to pour paint in it while painting
13) My dad uses them to stand free standing shelving in, filled with water, they act as a nateral water barrier so your precious seedlings in the garden are protected from hungry slugs and snails.
14) Well for me & my dogs, we carry food & water in them when we go on trips. Just put your food or water and cover them in cling wrap!
15) Use as little pots, just paint or cover with fabric and poke some holes in the bottom.
