Green, Environment News 24 January 2018

 

A round-up of this week’s environmental, green and ecofriendly news and updates.

 

 

 

Don’t forget the “blue blood moon” next Wednesday night!

 

woman eating food drinking water is betterIt seems that some students are subjected to some pretty horrible “lunch shaming” when their family can’t afford to buy lunch for them at at kindergarten, school and college. Some students are made to wear stickers or bracelets, or are given smaller, less nutritious lunches. They may be denied lunch altogether. There is a link between nutrition and education – if you don’t eat properly, it’s difficult to concentrate. Often it results in lower grades and more absenteeism.

But New York Governor Cuomo wants to change that. He’s proposed a No Student Goes Hungry Program, where all children in New York schools will be fed. Plus, the plan gives a financial incentive to schools to increase the offering of local foods (Farm to School), which is very ecofriendly as well as healthy. And, most importantly, the plan means respect for all students.

Let’s hope the plan gets approved!


 

My Recommendation of the Week is all about water. Many people don’t like the taste of their tap water. Many others are concerned about the safety of their water.

But please don’t go and buy bottled water!

Apart from the fact that it’s often simply tap water (sometimes filtered, sometimes not), it strains precious resources and the plastic bottles use more water to make than they contain! Plus, the bottles are a huge waste plastic problem all over the world.

So, what’s the answer?

water filter replacement under sinkA water filter. There are loads of choices – jugs or pitchers that filter your water, filters that simply clip on to your tap or faucet, to under-sink units that remove more stuff, to whole-house filters.

And if you do have a water filter, see if you can recycle it where you live.

If you prefer fizzy water to still (I do), no problem. Consider a Sodastream or equivalent. I use mine without the added flavours, but you can add some interest if  you wish with the extras – or just add some fresh fruit for some natural vitamins and taste!.


 

ecofriendly pet care - adopt petsAre you one of the many people who lives with a pet (or two)? My husband and I have always had dogs, and they add so much to our lives.

But the environmental impact of some pets can be quite astonishing.

Luckily though, you don’t need to give up pets to be green and ecofriendly. This interesting Guest Post gives you lots of tips for reducing their impact  while still keeping your furry friends happy and healthy. Read it here.


 

I remember quite clearly as a child being horrified when I found out that lobsters were dropped alive into boiling water. It seemed barbaric. Oh, but they don’t feel pain, I was told. And death is instant, they said.

Well, it now seems that we may have got that wrong. Lobsters can’t tell us if they feel pain – but some scientific experiments seem to indicate that they do. So it makes sense to assume they do, and help them avoid unnecessary suffering. Yes, they will die so that people can eat them, but that death should be quick and as painless as possible.

The Swiss government has made a new law – starting on March 1, lobsters will have to be stunned  before being cooked. (That means using a very sharp knife on the lobster’s head, to destroy the nervous system). In addition, when lobsters are caught, they are no longer allowed to be transported on ice or in icy water. Instead, they must be transported and held in a more natural environment.

The new Swiss law also aims to crack down on illegal puppy farms and imports, and bans devices that automatically punish dogs when they bark.

Hopefully, other countries will follow suit.


 

Global Green News:

Japan has an excellent high speed rail network.  But, like all transportation, it kills wildlife. So they’ve designed great ways to protect the animals (and keep the trains on schedule). Tunnels were dug under tracks to allow turtles to cross safely. Ultrasonic waves are sent across the tracks to stop deer (humans don’t hear them). And some trains make deer sounds – a deer snort indicating danger, followed by a clip of barking dogs, which is enough to make them flee.

Norway will phase out the cruel business of fur farming, where animals are kept in cramped cages and then killed for their fur. It will save the lives of an estimated 700,000 minks and 110,000 foxes each year. (14 European countries have either ended or committed to phasing out factory fur operations). Fur farmers will be assisted in transitioning to other forms of income, although some say they will fight the decision.

US Green News:

I’m a huge fan of US company Tesla – their battery storage systems have helped to revolutionise green energy. Their SpaceX rocket will launch in a few weeks, and although it may not make it into space this time, it’s planned that the world’s most powerful rocket will eventually take humans to Mars.

Normally on a test like this, rockets are filled with concrete blocks or other “heavies” to simulate cargo. But Elon Musk said that would be “boring”. So he’s putting his original cherry Tesla Roadster car into the rocket, and it will play ‘Space Oddity.’ (I think David Bowie would have been delighted).


 

What do you think? Let me know in the comments below.

Please spread the Green word and share this info.

And if you’re on Twitter, get a daily green tip by following me – @EcoExpert1 . See you there!


Tags

climate change, eco friendly news, ecofriendly, environment news, green, Green News


  • More interesting information here. Where to start. I love the techniques Japan has used to protect the animals. We could take a few lessons. Where I lived in the Arizona mountains they were building runs under the highway where the elk would normally migrate through. It helped stop human deaths as well. We need to stop forgetting about their needs. I don’t drink bottled water and do have a filter I change in the fridge every 6 months. I do buy gallons of distilled water and our area no longer recycles them so I reuse them for extra water just in case. My last husband thought it was funny to make our dog bark. I worked tirelessly to retrain her to stop after the initial warning bark. I also taught her to stay by my side off leash. It wasn’t that hard. Just caring enough. rather than torture a dog. I didn’t realize anyone still bought fur. And I did not know that about lobsters but have never eaten one anyway. Ocean bugs are not my thing. My daughter loves them. ;( We just need to keep doing more. Have a great week.

    • Thanks Marlene! I agree, I think the Japanese idea is wonderful – I would never have thought of putting speakers on trains to ward off animals! Those under-highway runs are such a good idea, I see they’re being used in many parts of America and it’s great! I’m glad you re-trained your dog, it takes a lot of patience and time but it’s well worth it. I love to see well-behaved dogs and owners who care. Yes, it’s sad that people still buy fur. I remember ages ago my mother wanted a fur stole and it felt lovely but as a child I couldn’t believe it actually came from an animal. Sadly it did, but luckily more people are more aware nowadays. I don’t eat seafood of any sort, but lobster is very popular on this island – poor things! You’re right, we do indeed need to keep doing more. Thanks, and I hope you have a lovely and stress-free week!

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