Monday, 20 September 2021

Positive News Autumn 21

Positive News September 2021

Some good news stories to keep us in the mood!

1. First Baby Beaver Born

The National Trust released 2 Eurasian beavers in Somerset and just 18 months later a new pup was born, the first in 400 years!

Beavers became extinct in the 16th century but recently reintroduced to help with flooding defences. It didn't take long for the introduced beavers to get into the groove (see what I did there?)

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/press-release/first-beaver-born-on-exmoor-for-400-years

2. Pine Martens Make a Comeback

The first pine martens born in England for 200 years have been caught on camera. Eighteen pine martens were moved from Scotland to the Forest of Dean and three of the females have since given birth.

Beavers and pine martens dwindled due to hunting and loss of woodland. It is great to see moves to bring them back but we must protect them for the future.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-gloucestershire-53363491

3. Irish Baron Rewilds Estate

An Irish baron, Randall Plunkett turned his 1600 acre estate in County Meath, Ireland into a refuge for nature.

Cattle, sheep, crops and lawns are no longer part of the estate but shrubs, trees and flowers are taking shape. Many trees have been planted by the local wildlife, Plunkett recalls.

Before, the estate had just three types of grass, now it has 23. “I didn’t do it, the birds did.”

Trees regenerated and multiplied – oak, ash, beech, Scots pine and black poplar. “I see a lot of saplings growing that I haven’t planted.”

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/aug/07/people-think-youre-an-idiot-death-metal-irish-baron-rewilds-his-estate

4. Jays Planting Trees

A research centre in the heart of Cambridgeshire was left to re-wild for 60 years. They found shrubs and trees were planted, not by man, but by the local wildlife including thrushes, jays and squirrels.

52% of the trees in Monks Wood are oaks and jays love to cache oaks, thereby planting a tree. Good work, hey?

https://uk.yahoo.com/news/monks-wood-wilderness-60-years-115910314.html

5. Shire Horses Mow Cambridge Uni Meadow

The wildflower meadow at King’s College, Cambridge was harvested this year with the aid of two Shire horses. The horses cut the meadow on Monday 2nd August.

The bales will later be used to create more wildflower meadows across the city of Cambridge.

https://www.kings.cam.ac.uk/news/2021/wildflower-meadow-harvested-aid-shire-horses

6. Cows Digesting Plastic?

Scientists in Vienna (Austria) found that bacteria living inside a cow’s rumen can digest certain plastics, including those used to make single-use packaging.

The results of the study found that three different types plastics could be broken down in “hours” by the rumen liquid. So we can stop blaming them for belching methane, eh?

https://www.positive.news/science/cows-are-being-touted-as-the-latest-solution-to-plastic-pollution/

7. English Moor Used as CO2 Sponge

Peatland in the West Pennines near Manchester is being used to soak up CO2. The peat had dried up due to over grazing and wildfires so banks were created to help trap water and improve the condition of the moor.

In good condition peat bogs can absorb twice as much carbon as forests.

https://www.positive.news/environment/climate-crisis-english-moor-turned-into-giant-sponge-to-absorb-co2/

8. Football Going Green

A Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea game was billed as the first major net-zero carbon football match.

Tottenham Hotspur is currently the greenest club in the Premier League, using reusable cups, waterless urinals, veggie alternatives and green energy supplies.

Forest Green Rovers site is run on green energy, serves vegan food, has an organic pitch and electric car charging points. https://www.fgr.co.uk/eco-park.

Other clubs are looking at solar power, LED bulbs instead of flood lighting and providing public transport to reduce car traffic at the match.

Thursday, 29 July 2021

Deodorant in a Jar

This is my 22nd review on plastic alternatives.

Scoring system:

❤ = Will keep, I love it / 👀 = Not sure, will try some more / 😐 = Oh dear, it's not for me

Review Twenty Two - Native Unearthed Deodorant Balm

OK, I have to own up. In my bid to buy something with no plastic (especially as we're now in Plastic Free July) I tripped up buying a product in a glass jar not realising the lid was plastic!

I'm feeling quite bad as my reviews to date focus on plastic alternatives, but I decided that in the theme of reduce, reuse, recycle that I would include it in my reviews.

The product is reduced plastic in that its main base is glass, can be reused after (I plan to make salves, deodorants and toothpastes in the future, so this product with a screw top lid is ideal) and once done with I will of course recycle the glass.

Black plastic is notoriously difficult to recycle, as automated sorting machines use scanners which struggle with black plastics, so I will be mindful of this & try to reuse the container as much as possible.

So onto the product review!

Native Unearthed is a British company that produces deodorant balms using natural ingredients. I sheered away from deodorant balms in the past as I didn't fancy applying greasy products under my arms. But this was surprisingly smooth and almost powder like on the fingers, so you don't feel greasy at all.

Native Unearthed Deodorant Balm in a Glass Jar

They say to apply a pea sized amount, warmed between the fingers and although this seemed too little to make a difference I realised after a few hot, humid days that even a small amount was more than adequate for the job.

The product I bought was sage & lavender scented made with natural ingredients including shea butter, arrowroot, coconut oil, sodium bicarbonate, lavender and sage.

A product I had previously tried in a cardboard tube pulled on my skin as I applied it and had no detectable scent, so was more delighted with this brand.

Plastic reduced products can be a little pricey so to bring the cost down I bought it from Holland and Barrett during a store promotion.

My Verdict?

Reviewers said they found the scent too strong and preferred the Coconut & Vanilla one. For me the lavender was great with an uplifting, flowery scent. Once applied the scent is more subtle and when warmed into fingers it glided onto my skin nicely.

The manufacturers state the product can last 4 months. I have used mine about 3 weeks so far & still have more than 3/4 left, so I can certainly believe it will last a long time.

So my verdict is definitely a ❤ love it from me.

Have a Happy Summer! 🍦🍨🍸

Tuesday, 6 July 2021

Plastic Free July

Welcome to Plastic Free July!

Plastic Free July was started in Australia ten years ago. In 2020, an estimated 326 million people across the globe took part in the challenge from 177 countries.

This Plastic Free July web site is a great resource for you to try, and can give you tips on how to make changes in the home, with your pets, on holiday, at work, during festivals and so much more.

My Own Journey

Read how I made some changes to reduce plastics in my home life - it isn't perfect but I've enjoyed trying out different things.

For those starting out on their own journey we have several reviews on plastic free items such as:

💚plastic free razor

💚wax wraps

💚bamboo toothbrushes

💚shampoo bars

💚homemade cleaning sprays

and so much more.

Check out our eco product reviews and make your own section for some ideas.

Also check out some of our own homemade products for sale.

Looking for books to help you on your plastic reduction journey?

See our top ten eco books for adults and list of ten eco books for children.

At the moment I am trying a new deodorant in a glass jar.

Lovelier Planet Articles

Articles to have a quick read while you're here 👀

💚Schools and Plastics

💚Companies Making the Change

💚What Does BPA & PLA Mean?

💚Recycling Codes Explained

💚Microplastics in your Wash

💚Life of a Plastic Bag

Help Me!

💚💚💚

Thursday, 3 June 2021

Positive Eco News Summer 21

Positive News June 2021
New 'Feel Good Stories' to give us hope for better things!

Butterfly on Flowers by Pixabay at Pexels

1. Big Fish, Small Pond

The UN estimates that 640,000 tonnes of discarded fishing gear are dumped out to sea every year.

Three American surfers had the idea of turning discarded fishing nets into skateboards and sunshades by starting a company called Bureo in Chile, South America.

The plastic content of the nets is melted down to make the new products. Ben, David and Kevin have decided to expand their product by also producing surfboard fins made from recycled fishing nets.

Compared to the production of traditional skateboards, the method reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 70%. The wheels are 30% vegetable oil and have a 100% recycled mechanism.

Once finalised, the boards come in the shape of a long fish with coloured scales. A great idea to turn a discarded item into something new.

https://www.livingcircular.veolia.com/en/eco-citizen/sea-street-sustainable-skateboards-bureo

2. Retask the Mask

UK Marine biologists in Cornwall set up a company called Waterhaul, turning discarded fishing nets into eyewear and equipment.

A recent crowdfunder called Retask the Mark was launched by the group to turn melted down facemasks (sterilised & treated with high heat at the Royal Cornwall Hospital with each block using 6000 masks).

These are then mould injected to make litter pickers, which are used by beach cleaning groups such as Surfers Against Sewage, Keep Britain Tidy, The Wildlife Trusts and Beach Guardian.

Those who pledge £15 or more can even receive their own litter pickers..

Fantastic idea!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/waterhaul/retask-the-mask-recycling-covids-plastic-pandemic

3. 9th Millionth Tree Planted at National Forest

Following this year’s planting season the National Forest has reached an amazing 9 million trees!

Forestry Minister, Zac Goldsmith, was scheduled to plant the tree, but as the country’s still in lockdown, they had to think of a creative way for the landmark tree to be planted.

Instead, they bought in a new ambassador for the National Forest to plant the milestone tree: Shaun the Sheep!

Minister Goldsmith goes on to say:

“I am pleased to announce an extra £2.26m from the government’s Nature for Climate Fund which will enable the National Forest to double its tree planting aspirations for this year, bringing all the benefits of trees to even more people.”

The National Forest is situated in the heart of England spanning 200 square miles across parts of Derbyshire, Leicester & Staffordshire.

https://www.nationalforest.org/blog/news/national-forest-celebrates-planting-its-9-millionth-tree

4. Nature for Climate Fund

The Department of Environment has announced in December 2020 a new £12.1 million fund, to plant over 500 hectares of trees in ten Community Forests for this year (2021).

Paul Nolan, Director of The Mersey Forest and the Chair of England’s Community Forests, said:

"Our Trees for Climate programme will plant millions more trees around England’s town and cities, targeted at areas where they can make the greatest difference, in particular to local quality of life and levels of health and wellbeing."

A £640 million Nature for Climate fund, will help to increase tree planting to 30,000 hectares per year across the UK by 2025, alongside peatland restoration and nature recovery.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/500-hectare-planting-boost-for-englands-community-forests

5. Rewilding London

The Wild West End project in London encourages residents to nurture green roofs, flower walls, foliage patches, putting out planters, as well as beehives and boxes for bats, birds and butterflies.

This map shows some of the pockets of green:
http://www.wildwestend.london/map

A London ornithologist says he is delighted to see the Black Redstart bird sightings are on the rise, one of Britain rarest birds.

https://reasonstobecheerful.world/london-is-rewilding-and-native-species-are-flocking-in/

🌼Check out our homemade wildflower seedballs🌼

https://www.lovelierplanet.com/p/for-sale.html

6. Airbnb your Allotment!

Per a Positive News report - The National Allotment Society reported more than 300 per cent increase in applications in some areas. One allotment in Leeds now reportedly has a waiting list of 170 years!

Architect Conor Gallagher had a great idea of creating a platform called Allot Me - anyone wanting a green space can connect with those who can rent out their back gardens or spare plot of land, through the site for around £15 to £30 a month.

More info:

https://www.positive.news/society/allotments-the-platform-connecting-growers-with-green-spaces/

Beaver in Water Photo by Magali Guimarães from Pexels

7. Have a Beaver’s at This

Following successful introduction of beavers to Devon last year (see our good news June 2020 report) the Wildlife Trust have introduced 20 more beavers.

The Wildlife Trusts are releasing the tree-gnawing, river-damming animals in Derbyshire, Hampshire, Nottinghamshire and Montgomeryshire, having already released them in Dorset earlier in the year (2021).

https://www.positive.news/society/positive-news-stories-from-week-7-of-2021/

Beavers in the UK became extinct in the 16th century due to hunting for their fur. Beavers can help with wildlife & may even prevent flooding as the water is pooled rather than free flowing,

After a 13 year research study by Stirling University, Scotland, they concluded that:

'Pools created by dams had 20 times more aquatic plant life, and the number of species in the surrounding habitat was 28% higher.'

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-35578369

8. Waste not Want not - HP Using Ocean Waste in their Products

In 2019 Hewlett Packard released a notebook called Elite Dragonfly using ocean-bound plastic bottles.

According to their site, ‘To date, HP has sourced more than 35 million plastic bottles or more than 450 metric tonnes – of ocean-bound plastics from Haiti for its products’.

https://press.hp.com/us/en/press-releases/2019/hp-launches-worlds-first-pc-with-ocean-bound-plastics.html

The Elite monitor display contains the equivalent of more than three 16 oz. plastic bottles whilst the Elite Chromebook is made with a top lid of 75% recycled aluminium, a keyboard made from 50% recycled plastics, and speakers with ocean-bound plastics.

Meanwhile, their HP Tango printer is made from 30% post consumer recycled plastic.

Click here to download HP’s’circular economy report: https://h20195.www2.hp.com/v2/GetDocument.aspx?docname=c06614535

9. Hollywood Actor Pledges $43 Million for Wildlife Protection

Leonardo DiCaprio has announced he'll be pledging $43 million (£30.2 million) to help protect the Galápagos Islands.

DiCaprio posted on Twitter saying: "More than half of Earth's remaining wild areas could disappear in the next few decades if we don't decisively act."

The project should bring the pink iguana, the Floreana giant tortoise and the Floreana mockingbird back from the brink of extinction, and to ensure the people of the Galapagos thrive with the wild.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/57168243

10. Feel Good Volunteering Projects

If you're feeling enthused and want to do your part I have added some volunteer projects you can get your teeth into below:

a) Join the Conservations Volunteers:

During 2020, TCV worked with 51,000 people, transforming 900 green spaces, planting 50,000 trees and giving 340,000 trees to community groups.

They delivered 31,000 volunteer days with a further 13,000 days of green space connections - through volunteering, training courses, nature engagement and education sessions.

b) For plastic free projects in your local community why not check out:

https://plasticfree.org.uk/get-involved/find-your-community/

c) Fancy joining a Beach Clean? Head over to https://beachcleans.org.uk/

Like what you've read so far? See more feel good stories at:

https://www.lovelierplanet.com/p/lovelier-news.html

Blue & Orange Starfish on Beach Photo by Mark Walz from Pexels

You're a Star!

Friday, 23 April 2021

Review - There's no Planet B!

This is my 21st review on plastic alternatives.

Scoring system:

❤ = Will keep, I love it / 👀 = Not sure, will try some more / 😐 = Oh dear, it's not for me

Review Twenty One - There's no Planet B

There is no Planet B book By Berners-Lee

For a late Christmas present I treated myself to a book called There’s no Planet B by Mike Berners-Lee. I bought the latest version which was released in January 2021.

I remembered seeing the author Mike Berners-Lee on the TV show called 'Feast to Save the Planet' about the impact of our food on the environment. I’m a lover of statistics so felt encouraged that I would learn lots, & lots I did indeed learn! I have added some quotes from the book below with some of my interpretations.

“It’s not what we do, see or have that matters but how much we appreciate it.” p141

The tendency in today’s society is to have it all, do it all and want more of it. But can we appreciate the amount we do have without pushing for ever better (but also more wasteful) things? We need to find the right balance of having just enough & not pushing for more. Businesses need to learn from this too as they are often the ones driving our wasteful society.

“Human impact = impact per person x no. of people.” p169

How many people think ‘there’s no point me doing anything if everyone else is not bothering’ but if all the folks who wanted to do something make a start then as a collective it does make a difference.

Per person, our own little bit of impact can benefit the planet as a whole, but be careful as this can apply both ways, bad as well as good! By doing nothing we are creating a bad impact so any little bit in the right direction really does help. In other words, do start to make changes no matter how small they are & build on them. You could influence others to do the same!

“12 billion careful people could live well on the planet, whereas 1 billion careless people couldn’t.” p262

Our planet can survive even with a bulging population but only if those very people take care of Earth’s precious resources. If not then the planet would have trouble even with 1 billion of us. Us humans are intelligent enough to realise that all is not well but realising is not enough, we need to create the action needed to change our ways. But, it can be done!

“If all the world’s discarded plastic was cling film, it would be more than enough to wrap the whole planet.” p63

Well if that doesn’t get you started in cutting back on plastics nothing will!

Plastic Wrapped Earth Photo by Anna Shvets from Pexels

Some changes I made

During my 50^th year on this planet I decided to make some changes in reducing plastic.

I am not claiming to be perfect, my house does still have plastic products in it, but I have tried to make the switch in many ways (more soaps, shampoo bars, bamboo toothbrushes, non plastic razors, recycled bottles, re-using old bottles with re-fills, making my own products & more).

Click here to see how I made some switches. I hope it will provide some inspiration to others who want to make a start too.

I highly recommend reading 'There's no Planet B', it really will get you thinking & is packed FULL of information from start to finish. It is indeed a love ❤ from me. Happy reading!

Meanwhile let’s give the Earth a bit of TLC, because, where would we be without her?

Mike is also the author of the books ‘How Bad Are Bananas? The Carbon Footprint of Everything’ & ‘The Burning Question’ (a book about climate change).

Thursday, 18 March 2021

Just Peachy Soap!

My 20th review on plastic alternatives in my bid to reduce 50 plastic items. Hope you enjoy!

Scoring system:

❤ = Will keep, I love it / 👀 = Not sure, will try some more / 😐 = Oh dear, it's not for me

Review Twenty - Just Peachy Soap

If you're starting out on your journey to reducing plastics a great place to start is in the bathroom. Far too many plastic bottles in there, ranging from shampoos, conditioners, body wash & bubble baths. So why not step back in time & go back to soap?

I recently discovered that Imperial Leather do a new soap called 'Just Peachy' which looks lovely, smells devine & feels really nice & creamy.

In World War II, Imperial Leather marketed their soaps as being long lasting & the soap of choice, for that savvy wartime family when soap was being rationed!

And did you know that in the 1950s, Imperial Leather was one of the 1st brands to advertise between dramas, which led to the phrase of 'soaps' in TV shows?

The new just peachy soap brand comes in a card box, is a good price & smells lovely too. So I give this a big love from me ❤ Additionally, why not try their pink lemonade & donuts?

Happy lathering!

Spring is Springing, what better way to enjoy than getting wildflower seed balls for your garden. See our Etsy store to order.

Wildflower Seedballs by Lovelier Planet.

Saturday, 9 January 2021

Food to Save the Planet

How your Eating Habits can Make a Difference

I was watching with interest the BBC 2 Horizon documentary 'Feast to Save the Planet' aired in January 2021. Five celebratory diners were asked to choose a starter, main meal, drink & dessert. While they enjoyed their meal, Mathematician Dr Hannah Fry worked with researcher & author Mike Berners-Lee to crunch numbers on the carbon foot print of each course..

Which Foods Fared Worse?

Did you know that food accounts for a third of greenhouse gas emissions? Comedienne Sara Pascoe's choice of Asparagus weighed heavy with high carbon footprint due to the product being imported from Peru. In the Summer it would have been a good choice but 'out of season' it has to be flown in by plane to keep it fresh. Local 'in season' fruit & veg fared much better.

In terms of fish, local cold water prawns & local mussels have a lower carbon footprint. Overseas warm water prawns fared much higher. Local salmon rated higher than mussels, as farmed salmon are fed on diets containing fish to get them to their optimum weight.

In terms of meat, chicken fared better than beef due to the cow's propensity to pass methane gas. Cows digestive systems rely on bacteria breaking down the food in its four stomach compartments, causing excess gas as a by-product (peppermint tea anyone?)

Dairy food from cows leads to a higher carbon footprint too due to similar circumstances.

Cow Looking down Lens Photo by Jan Koetsier from Pexels

Excuse Me 💨

If you missed the programme click here to watch it now. You only have 28 days to watch it sadly and may only be available for UK viewers (due to license fees in the UK).

What Can We Do?

The take home message is that we can choose foods that are wrapped in less plastic waste, but also more likely to be in season and travel less food miles. A good way to do this is by supporting your local farm shop or grocery store, some of whom offer deliveries, or order online & arrange a click & collect.

The food is less likely to have been sprayed with chemicals or stored in nitrogen containers to prolong their lives. Our local farm shop delivery comes in boxes or in paper - very low plastic or chemicals involved.

If you do shop in a supermarket bring your own mesh bag & buy items loose if you can to cut down on plastics. Look for items that are in season too (think root veg & winter greens or autumnal fruits such as apple & pears).

Whilst buying your product look out for the label of origin to guide you. Some symbols will even show the Union Flag for British grown produce.

Like to Learn More?

Mike Berners-Lee who featured in the program, is a researcher & writer on carbon footprints.

He's an author of the book 'There's no Planet B' (mentioned in our list of 10 books on reducing plastic waste).

A new edition of the book is due to be released later in January 2021. I have purchased a copy & look forward to reviewing it later in the Spring.

P.S the book review is now available (click here for link).

Sunday, 22 November 2020

How to Have an Eco Christmas

Go Plastic Free This Christmas!

Christmas is a wonderful time of year but sadly encourages a lot of waste and plastic wrap. Even glittery cards may contain plastics although thankfully some stores are beginning to ban certain types of glitter, opting for more eco friendly ones instead.

Last year I covered some ideas on 'How to have a Greener Christmas' including eco friendly advent calendars, alternative wrapping, cards, decorations and gift ideas. I also wrote a post on 'Less Waste at Christmas' examining the impact of Christmas and what we can do to help reduce our waste.

If you're looking for inspiration or gift ideas why not check out my list of books on reducing plastic waste suited to children or adults (click on the word adult or child for a seperate listing).

So what have I been up to lately?

During the year I have been busy making plastic free products including:

* Fabric re-fillable Christmas crackers with wildflower seed balls inside
* Patterned washing up cloths made with 100% cotton and natural kapok
* Makeup wipes made with cotton and soft wynciette fabric
* Upcycled crafts including wine and whisky bottles with fairy lights
(the light switch is made from plastic, batteries are replaceable and should last a lot more than single use).

Current Prices of my goodies are as follows:

£3.10 for reusable fabric cracker sleeves
£3.95 for unsponge washing up cloths
£4.30 for xmas themed washing up cloths
£6.25 for festive cracker with inner bamboo tube + pack of 6 seed balls
£7.45 for 6 makeup wipes + tote bag
£7.95 for 7 makeup wipes + tote bag
£7.99 for gift box + pack of 10 wildflower seedballs
£8.10 for reindeer facewipes + tote bag
£8.99 for giant size refillable cracker + tote bag
£10.50 for fairy light bottles (around £7.50 + £3 postage)

(Supplies are limited and prices may vary -
proceeds go towards keeping our web site going).

To check out my Etsy store go to: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/LovelierPlanet

We are also proud to be listed on the new PlasticFreeThings marketplace which only lists UK sellers who make their own products.

Our store front can be found at: https://plasticfreethings.com/lovelier-planet/

Giant Christmas Cracker with Wildflower Seedballs

Also check out my plastic free reviews section for lots of gift ideas including plastic free razor, bamboo toothbrushes, beautiful wax wraps and more.

The site below reviews some plastic free household items such as loo rolls at:
https://www.greenspringboard.com/help-me-choose (treat yourself to an eco friendly bottom!)

Random News!

1) During your web browsing why not try Ecosia, a search engine that donates 80% of profit per clicks to growing more trees around the world? As part of their projects, 2020 trees were recently planted around hospitals in the UK: https://blog.ecosia.org/ecosia-planting-uk-nhs/

2) Did you know that National Tree Planting Week (for UK) starts on 28th November? Our local farm shop have been asking for pledges to plant bushes and trees on their land where they will add in bird feeders and nesting boxes.

The Woodland Trust offer free trees to schools and local communities, applications are open for March 2021 tree delivery. Or you can buy from the Woodland Trust shop if you want to get started now.

If you're craving fresh air and a walk in the forest, check out this link to find a wood near you. Your lungs will thank you for it!

3) It was great to hear recently that a community in Oxfordshire have built a hedgehog highway through their gardens, some digging tunnels and adding ramps along their fences? How lovely!

Check out Hedgehog Street if you'd like to build your own and place your highway on the map.

For more lovelier news check out our positive news stories section.

Whatever you do and wherever you are have yourself a warm and fuzzy Christmas!

🎄🎇🎄 🎄🎇🎄🎄🎇🎄 🎄🎇🎄

Wednesday, 30 September 2020

Positive News for Autumn

Good News Stories Autumn 2020

Positive news helps us with a lift & shows us that good things can happen.

Here’s a few roundup stories to keep us all in good spirits!

Face Painted Orca Photo by Nicola Seal - Seal Ceramics

1. The Upside of Lockdown?

During Covid Lockdown, folks had to take stock of their lives and make new choices, whether by being more resourceful and making things last longer, or getting fitter by cycling or walking.

The Country Living magazine reported a new study (see link below) by Princes Fish, where they found 27% of people have been cutting back on food waste, while 22% now wash clothes at a lower temperature, to reduce their environmental impact.

Meanwhile 28% have been cooking from scratch and upcycling household items, while a further 29% have been cycling or walking to places rather than driving.

Here’s 20 ways on how householders reduced their waste: https://www.countryliving.com/uk/news/a34138520/eco-habits-uk/

2. On Yer Bike

According to Positive News, the government encouraged people to get on their bikes during lockdown, by giving away thousands of cycle repair vouchers and earmarking £2bn to boost walking and cycling.

As a result, the UK saw a 146 per cent increase in cycling with a reported 1.3m bikes being sold in the same period.

Some councils have redesigned their town centres to make them more bike & pedestrian friendly. Many hope this will be the start of a greener way of living.

Cycling UK are looking for volunteers for their ‘Pumped Up’ campaign to keep the momentum going.

3. Getting Heavy on the Levy

It’s been 5 years this October since the plastic bag levy of 5p was introduced in the UK.

The Pre-loved web site reports that plastic carrier bag sales have fallen by more than 95%, with charities receiving nearly £180 million since 2015.

The average person in England now buys just four bags a year from the main supermarket retailers. The UK Government are planning to raise the bag levy to 10p from April 2021.

4. Sea Kayaks Made from Marine Waste

The group Clean Ocean Sailing have collected 5 tons of marine waste off the coast of Cornwall. The waste including barrels and hard plastics, was transported by their boat ‘Annette’ to Exeter, where they will be converted into kayaks by the Ocean Recovery Project.

The Ocean Recovery Project has recycled over 20 tonnes of material and achieved an 80% recycling rate.

It’s wonderful to see great minds come together for the greater good and help to reduce marine waste at the same time.

Check out this BBC Report: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-cornwall-54190973

5. Re-purposing Discarded Tents

Remember the shameful sights of discarded tents where festival goers had left them behind?

A resourceful team at 2 Minute Beach Clean got to work collecting them, to turn them into beach cleaning sacks.

In turn these sacks help clean up plastic waste - waste from one venture being used to help clean up another (yes we humans are messy).

Simply a great idea – see this BBC video and report for more: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-cornwall-49182294

Tent in the Countryside Photo by Cliford Mervil from Pexels

6. Is There Wind in Your Wales?

Per a Positive News article, the Crown Estate, which manages the seabed around England, Wales and Northern Ireland, has granted two new leases for windfarms in Welsh waters, including one that will float.

Floating windfarms can be useful where the seabed is too deep, which would normally inhibit installation.

Meanwhile, the Gwynt y Môr offshore windfarm in North Wales has been granted permission to extend – they are currently the 5th largest offshore windfarm in the world.

7. Free Those Trees (yes please!)

The Woodland Trust are providing free trees to local communities and schools.

‘We want to make sure everybody in the UK has the chance to plant a tree. So we’re giving away hundreds of thousands of trees to schools and communities.’

All trees supplied are sourced from UK & Ireland - deliveries take place March & November.

For more details go to:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/plant-trees/schools-and-communities/

8. Dubliners Go Wild!

In February 2020, Trinity College in Dublin submitted a poll to ask who would like to see a wildflower meadow in their College Green. A whopping 90% of respondents voted a resounding yes!

The wildflowers planted include a mix of annuals and perennials, with as many as possible being of known Irish origin.

Planting may be supplemented with bulbs and plants such as wood anemones. The main aim will be flowering to extend over as long a period as possible.

Trinity College is in the centre of Dublin, so tourists as well as students will get to admire the colourful scene. How wonderful!

For more on the story go to:
https://www.tcd.ie/news_events/articles/trinity-plants-wildflower-meadows-on-college-green/

9. Lego Maybe Bricking It!

After pressure from children, the BBC reported that Lego have agreed to be more environmentally friendly.

They will replace plastic packaging with paper from 2021 and are investing up to $400m (£310m) over three years to improve its sustainability efforts.

In 2015 the Danish firm set a target, to make its products from sustainable materials by 2030. As part of this pledge it will expand the use of bio-bricks, such as those using sugar cane as a component.

2030 seems an awful long way away, so keep up the pressure kids!

10. Have your Cake & Eat It?

I leave you with news of a zero waste and organic veggie shop newly opened in Sowerby Bridge in West Yorkshire. With a cheery yellow façade, Artichoke Natural Foods stock an amazing array of organic fruit and veg.

Check out their Facebook page for a look at their tasty bakes, fresh bread, gluten free options, dried pasta, re-fillable herbs, spices and pulses, plus plastic free bathroom products.

https://www.facebook.com/artichokefoods

See other feel good stories!

https://www.lovelierplanet.com/p/lovelier-news.html

🍃

How to Have a Greener Christmas

Less Waste this Christmas

Eco Product Reviews

Books on Going Plastic Free

Home Made Eco Gifts

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Friday, 19 June 2020

Positive News for Wildlife

Positive News for Wildlife

This report reflects how our wildlife can make a comeback with a little support. Enjoy! 💕

1. Sea Life Returning to the River Thames

According to Octopus Optimist Report: In the 1950s, London’s River Thames was so polluted it was declared biologically dead. However, after 62 years of conservation efforts, the River Thames has once again been deemed a “hub of life” by the Zoological Society of London.

In 2019, ZSL launched its Mother Thames campaign, calling for public awareness of – and participation in – conservation efforts. In September, after their first comprehensive survey, the charity announced that 138 seal pups had recently returned to the Thames’ riverbanks!

They join more than 120 species of fish, including two species of shark, short-snouted seahorses and the critically endangered European eel.

2. Re-wilding Project to Help Nature Recover

A new national wildlife charity called Heal Rewilding is planning to buy ecologically depleted land across Britain and give it back to nature.

The charity will seek former farms, green belt or lower-grade land where wildlife can recover. The sites will be within easy reach of large towns and cities to benefit more people.

According to the Guardian: The initial £7m, 500-acre project will be in the southern English lowlands on a site yet to be announced, avoiding wildlife-rich land. The site will grow wild from its seed bank, animal seed dispersal or by spreading seeds from nearby land.

3. Beaver Population on the Rise in Britain

The River Otter Beaver Trial followed the two families of beavers introduced under licence into the wild in Devon in 2015. By 2019, the population had increased to at least eight breeding pairs across 13 territories.

Per the Positive News site: 'The report noted that beavers help to increase diversity of habitat for fish; higher numbers of brown trout, minnow and lamprey were recorded in beaver impacted areas of the river.'

Meanwhile, pools created by beaver-made dams contained 37 per cent more fish than stretches of the river with no dams.

4. Grass Cutting Being Stopped to Create Wildflower Meadows

Helen Tandy, from Friends of the Earth’s Chester and District branch said, “The Friends of the Earth team is really excited to be involved in the Urban Meadows project (at Chester and Ellesmere Port). We have been campaigning to protect our pollinators for over 10 years now and as part of that encouraging more local pollination strategies."

This project is part of the Council’s new Pollinator Strategy to boost biodiversity in the borough.

The Chester Standard reports: The new urban meadows will have nectar-rich plants like oxeye daisy, field scabious and knapweed which will provide nectar for bees and other insects into late summer.

5. Providing Habitat for Lemurs in Madagascar

The People's Trust for Endangered Species are working with partners on a project to help lemurs in Madagascar. The project called SEED aims to replant trees to help them survive.

The team have collected 20,000 Acacia mangium seeds and 5,000 other seeds of 17 different native species. This vital work will reconnect lemur habitat and increase the forests by 58 hectares.

The Acacia grows really quickly, plus fixes nitrogen into the soil and has a high survival rate. So growing this species first makes the environmental conditions more favourable for planting native species. Then native species are added to increase diversity.

6. Barn Owls Growing in Number in the UK

In 1987 barn owls were at their lowest ebb with around 4,500 breeding pairs, having declined by 70% since 1932.

According to the Guardian: In 1988 their fortunes started to change thanks to the work of Colin Shawyer, who set up the Barn Owl Conservation Network with the aim of doubling the population by 2020. More than 20,000 boxes have been put up nationally, with Shawyer installing 4,000 personally.

Shawyer’s ambitious targets have been smashed: barn owl numbers have nearly tripled and he doubts they will be able to climb much higher. Up to 80% of barn owls now nest in man-made boxes. There are an estimated 12,000 breeding pairs in the UK.

Barn Owl Photo by Jean van der Meulen from Pexels

7. White Stork Chicks Hatched in the Wild for the 1st Time in Centuries

Eggs in one of three nests at the Knepp estate in West Sussex have hatched, the White Stork Project announced. It came after the same pair of white storks unsuccessfully tried to breed at Knepp last year.

Lucy Groves, project officer for the White Stork Project, said it was the first time in hundreds of years that wild white stork chicks have hatched in the UK.

According to the Guardian: The project aims to restore a population of at least 50 breeding pairs of white storks in southern England by 2030.

8. Numbers of Greenback Turtles Spotted by Drones in Australia

Drones spotted endangered greenback turtles over the Great Barrier Reef heading for Raine Island in Australia. They estimated 64,000 turtles heading to shore ready to lay their eggs.

Young turtles are very vulnerable and a recovery project team on Raine Island are hoping to monitor the young ones to ensure their chances of survival improve.

Videos of the mass migration can be seen here at: https://edition.cnn.com/2020/06/09/world/green-turtle-drone-nesting-intl-scli-scn/index.html

9. House Sparrows Make a Comeback in the UK

The Guardian reports: Since the Big Garden Birdwatch began in 1979 house sparrow numbers have declined by 53%. But in the past 10 years their numbers have begun to recover, with a 10% increase in sightings.

This year the house sparrow remained at the top of the rankings as the most commonly seen garden bird. Starlings were the second most sighted, followed by the blue tit.

More gardens also reported seeing long-tailed tits, which were up 14%, while wrens were up 13% and coal tits up 10% in 2020 compared with 2019.

10. Giant Orchard Planned for the West Country

Octopus Energy are working with Yeo Valley to plant a giant apple orchard in the British west country.

From the Octopus site: Over the last 100 years, apple orchards have disappeared from the British landscape, so ours will be planted at the site of a lost orchard where only a couple of ancient trees remain.

The trees will suck carbon out of the atmosphere, and act as a supportive habitat for endangered British birds, insects, and mammals - like the vole!

Some Other Links of Interest:

Feel Good Stories Mar 2020 / Positive News Jan 2020 / Lovelier Planet News 2019