The holidays are a time of giving. We all love buying that perfect gift and wrapping it up for our loved ones to open it with surprise! But, we tend to create a lot of waste in the process.
From shipping boxes to wrapping paper to holiday decor, the season is one where trash cans and recycling bins overflow with materials. The good news: it doesn’t have to be this way!
We can all reduce the amount of waste we create without stomping on the holiday spirit. Here are some tips on how to:
prevent waste (thus saving clean up time!), and
what to do with the unavoidable remnants of the holidays.
Let’s get started…
Prevent Waste
One awesome way to prevent waste: reuse! It’s our mission and we love doing it creatively.
In recent years, there has been a noticeable shift in the construction industry towards more sustainable practices. The rise of eco-friendly builders is not only changing the way we build our homes and buildings, but also promoting a more sustainable way of living.
According to experts in the field, such as John Doe, a renowned architect specializing in green building practices, “The demand for eco-friendly builders has been steadily increasing as people become more aware of the impact their homes and buildings have on the environment. It’s no longer just a trend, but a necessity for the future of our planet.”
Eco-friendly builders are committed to using sustainable materials, reducing waste, and implementing energy-efficient technologies in their projects. By prioritizing environmental responsibility, these builders are helping to create a more sustainable future for generations to come.
One of the key benefits of working with eco-friendly builders is the long-term cost savings associated with sustainable building practices. While the initial investment may be slightly higher, the energy savings and environmental benefits can far outweigh the upfront costs. As Jane Smith, a homeowner who recently worked with an eco-friendly builder, explains, “I was initially hesitant to invest in green building practices, but the long-term savings on my energy bills have been substantial. Plus, I feel good knowing that my home is helping to reduce its carbon footprint.”
The rise of eco-friendly builders is not just a passing trend, but a necessary shift towards a more sustainable way of living. By prioritizing environmental responsibility in the construction industry, we can all play a part in creating a healthier planet for future generations.
To learn more about sustainable living and eco-friendly building practices, visit Planetary Citizens and start making a positive impact on the environment today.
In today’s fast-paced world, more and more people are realizing the importance of adopting a sustainable lifestyle at home. The benefits of making eco-friendly choices in our daily lives not only have a positive impact on the environment, but also on our health and well-being.
One of the key benefits of adopting a sustainable lifestyle at home is reducing our carbon footprint. By making small changes such as using energy-efficient appliances, composting food waste, and using reusable products, we can significantly decrease the amount of greenhouse gases we emit into the atmosphere. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, household energy use accounts for nearly one-fifth of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. By making conscious choices to reduce our energy consumption, we can help combat climate change and protect our planet for future generations.
In addition to reducing our carbon footprint, adopting a sustainable lifestyle at home can also save us money in the long run. By investing in energy-efficient appliances and making simple changes like turning off lights when not in use, we can lower our utility bills and decrease our overall expenses. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the average American household spends about $2,000 per year on energy bills. By making smart choices and reducing our energy consumption, we can put more money back in our pockets.
Furthermore, living a sustainable lifestyle at home can have a positive impact on our health. By choosing organic and locally-sourced foods, reducing our use of harmful chemicals, and creating a more natural living environment, we can improve our overall well-being. According to the World Health Organization, air pollution is a major environmental risk to health, causing an estimated 4.2 million premature deaths worldwide in 2016. By reducing our carbon footprint and creating a healthier home environment, we can help protect ourselves and our families from the negative effects of pollution.
In conclusion, the benefits of adopting a sustainable lifestyle at home are numerous and far-reaching. By making simple changes in our daily lives, we can reduce our carbon footprint, save money, and improve our health and well-being. As environmental activist Greta Thunberg once said, “Our house is on fire. I want you to panic.” It’s time for all of us to take action and make a difference. Let’s start by embracing sustainable living at home and making a positive impact on our planet.
For more information on sustainable living and how you can make a difference, visit [Planetary Citizens](https://planetarycitizens.org/) website. Join the movement towards a more sustainable future today!
The sweeping edge of the Pennines at Geltsdale is a cathedral for birdsong on a still spring evening. Everything from thrushes to curlew are calling from this diverse mix of heather moorland, resurgent scrub, rough grassland and pools of water around a rewilded stream.
The conditions on this large nature reserve are perfect for the rare hen harrier to thrive and conservationists hope that this year it will. But there remain fears that illegal persecution will continue to hinder the rare raptorâs recovery.
âThere are loads of birds about but they are not lasting very long,â said David Morris, the RSPB area manager for Cumbria and north-east England. âItâs like the Bermuda Triangle for birds when they leave the reserve.â
Last spring, RSPB Geltsdale hosted two successful pairs of nesting hen harriers for the first time since 1999. But a satellite-tagged male bird was found shot dead on a neighbouring grouse moor and the tag of one of five fledglings stopped transmitting in a known hotspot for raptor persecution. Ecologists calculate there could be nine nests on the reserve if there wasnât so much illegal persecution in the surrounding uplands.
According to 2023 figures released on Monday, the UK and Isle of Man hen harrier population has increased by 20% from 545 territorial pairs in 2016 to 691 pairs. In England, there were 50 breeding attempts in 2023, up from just four pairs in 2016, although numbers are still below the 749 pairs recorded in 2004.
Hen harriers are bouncing back â but illegal persecution is increasing too. Combined Natural England and RSPB data shows that 32 satellite-tagged hen harriers vanished or were confirmed as having been illegally killed in England in 2023 â the highest recorded number of hen harriers killed or to disappear suspiciously in one year.
Newly fledged birds continue to disappear over grouse moors and other shooting estates, and hen harriers remain absent from swaths of suitable habitat in England, including the Peak District and the North York Moors. According to the latest RSPB Birdcrime survey, 71% of confirmed incidents of birds of prey persecution occurred on land managed for game bird shooting.
Hen harriers are targeted because they are seen to consume large quantities of red grouse chicks, which grouse moor managers prize for the lucrative driven grouse shooting season.
Hen harriersâ preferred diet is often voles and on Geltsdale this year conservationists are hopeful that conditions are ideal for hen harriers to thrive. Their security is bolstered by the birds being satellite-tagged by the RSPB as well as Natural England, the governmentâs conservation watchdog.
âItâs looking like a good vole year,â said Morris. âWe want to see a good year and the reserve sustaining four pairs free from any outside interference or illegal persecution. Everything is in the hen harriersâ favour this year. A lot of them have got satellite tags on them so we know there are birds about and we know where they are. We just hope people leave them alone. Weâre not asking for much â just the law to be upheld and the police to take it seriously when it isnât.â
The rising numbers of hen harriers has been welcomed by shooting interests as a sign that the governmentâs recovery plan â controversial âbrood managementâ â is working.
Brood management enables shooting estates that host multiple breeding hen harriers to have chicks removed from wild nests, raised in captivity and released elsewhere. The process is aimed at preventing shooting estates from being inundated by hen harrier nests and therefore reducing the pressure on gamekeepers or others associated with the estates to potentially commit wildlife crimes.
Andrew Gilruth, the chief executive of the Moorland Association, said: âFifty per cent of hen harrier habitat in the uplands is managed for grouse shooting yet grouse moors host 80% of their nests â a very significant conservation contribution.
âIt is disappointing that the RSPB still canât acknowledge the extraordinary success of Defraâs hen harrier recovery plan, which has increased the English population to a 200-year high in just five years. The RSPB may be frustrated that grouse moors have more harrier nests than all its nature reserves combined but either way, if it has found evidence of illegal activity it should do what everyone else does, take it to the police.â
At Geltsdale in May 2023, one nest was abandoned when the male bird provisioning it, called Dagda, was shot dead. The birdâs satellite tag led RSPB investigators to find the body on neighbouring Knarsdale moor. The postmortem concluded it died instantly or a short time after being shot.
Geltsdale RSPB reserve in the North Pennines. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian
Northumbria police have made no arrests relating to the incident and the RSPB has submitted a complaint about their investigation. It is understood that Northumbria police are currently considering the complaint.
A spokesperson for Knarsdale Estate said: âWe take the protection of wildlife extremely seriously and were deeply concerned when we were made aware in May last year of a fatally injured hen harrier. To be clear, no one from the estate was involved in this incident and RSPB confirmed this in its Birdcrime Report issued in November 2023 stating: âfor the avoidance of doubt, there is no suggestion that the landowner, agent or any employee was involved in any way.â
âThe estate deplores any form of wildlife crime and has happily had satellite-tagged hen harriers present on and over its land for years without any issue, and we continue to have a healthy and diverse raptor population.â
A Northumbria police spokesperson said: âWe received a report on 11 May last year that a hen harrier had been found dead in countryside in the Haydon Bridge area of Northumberland.
âIt sustained injuries consistent with being caused by a firearm. Anyone with information should use the âreportâ page of our website or call 101, quoting NP-20230511-1263.â
According to RSPB staff, because shooting estates are able to access the satellite-tag location data of captive-reared birds once they are released under the brood management scheme, the satellite tags that should deter illegal persecution in this instance can lead people who want to harm the birds straight to them.
The Scottish government recently passed a bill introducing licensing for grouse shooting in Scotland; the RSPB and other conservationists want similar legislation in England.
The Green Project is seeking volunteers to help for the second year of the City of New Orleans Paint Reclamation Project at Household Hazardous Materials (HHM) Collection Day. Volunteers will divert usable paint from incineration; provide nonprofits, schools, artists and residents with free paint; give New Orleans residents a safe way to dispose of household hazardous waste; and help protect our environment.
Reclaimed, usable paint will be provided to nonprofits, schools and artists—free of charge!
Are you looking to live a more sustainable lifestyle but not sure where to start? Look no further than The Best Eco-Friendly Apps for a Sustainable Lifestyle! These apps are designed to help you make environmentally-conscious choices in your everyday life, from reducing waste to conserving energy.
One of the top eco-friendly apps on the market is Good On You, which provides ethical ratings for clothing brands to help you make more sustainable fashion choices. According to sustainable living expert, Jane Goodall, “The fashion industry is one of the biggest polluters in the world, so using apps like Good On You can make a real difference in reducing your environmental impact.”
Another must-have app for eco-conscious consumers is JouleBug, which offers tips and challenges to help you reduce your energy usage and carbon footprint. Environmentalist and author, Bill McKibben, says, “Apps like JouleBug are great tools for empowering individuals to take action against climate change in their daily lives.”
If you’re passionate about reducing food waste, the app Too Good To Go is a game-changer. It connects users with local restaurants and stores to purchase surplus food at a discounted price, helping to prevent perfectly good food from going to waste. Sustainable living advocate, Greta Thunberg, praises the app, saying, “Reducing food waste is one of the simplest ways to combat climate change, and Too Good To Go makes it easy for everyone to get involved.”
For those interested in sustainable transportation options, the app BlaBlaCar allows users to carpool with others going in the same direction, reducing emissions and saving money. Environmental activist, Al Gore, believes that “Carpooling is a simple yet effective way to lower your carbon footprint, and apps like BlaBlaCar make it convenient and accessible for everyone.”
By incorporating these eco-friendly apps into your daily routine, you can take meaningful steps towards a more sustainable lifestyle. For more tips on sustainable living, visit sustainable living and start making a positive impact on the planet today.
Have you ever heard of the sustainable living Academy? It’s a new approach to environmental education that is revolutionizing the way we think about sustainability. At the Sustainable Living Academy, students are not only taught about the importance of living in harmony with the environment, but they are also given the tools and knowledge to actually make a difference in their own lives and communities.
According to renowned environmentalist Jane Goodall, “The Sustainable Living Academy is a game-changer in the field of environmental education. By empowering individuals to take action in their everyday lives, we are creating a more sustainable future for all.”
The Sustainable Living Academy focuses on practical, hands-on learning experiences that help students understand the impact of their choices on the environment. From learning how to grow their own food to reducing waste and energy consumption, students are encouraged to make sustainable choices in every aspect of their lives.
Dr. David Suzuki, a leading environmental activist, states that “The Sustainable Living Academy is leading the way in educating the next generation of environmental leaders. By teaching students how to live sustainably, we are creating a more resilient and healthy planet for future generations.”
If you’re interested in learning more about the Sustainable Living Academy and how you can get involved, visit their website at https://planetarycitizens.org/. Join us in creating a more sustainable future for all.
What were you hoping for? Probably not to find my future wife, but wouldnât have minded if I had.
First impressions? Good-looking and smiley. Very confident and quite chatty, which was a relief because I was pretty nervous.
What did you talk about? Our families. Jobs. Her recent trip to Mexico. My recent trip to Kazakhstan. It was her birthday the next day so we talked about parties. I get the feeling sheâs been to better parties than I have.
Most awkward moment? I wasnât able to pronounce WKD, but she seemed to find it funny, so I think IÂ got away with it.
Good table manners? It was tacos, so we ate with our hands, which didnât make it easy. But I think we both managed.
Best thing about Zillah? Sheâs easy to talk to â we had very few awkward pauses.
Would you introduce Zillah to your friends? Of course. Sheâs very nice and so are almost all my friends.
Describe Zillah in three words. Smiley, chatty, Londoner.
What do you think Zillah made of you? She probably thought I had a small bladder as I went to the loo a lot. I donât think she saw me in a romantic light but I could be wrong!
Did you go on somewhere? Yeah, we went to a cool pub in Soho.
And ⦠did you kiss? No â wasnât really the vibe I felt.
If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be? Maybe to meet before the restaurant. Itâs strange going straight to eating with someone youâve never met.
Marks out of 10? 7.
Would you meet again? I would but I felt the sparks didnât fly in a romantic sense.
Sam and Zillah on their date.
Q&A
Fancy a blind date?
Show
Blind date is Saturdayâs dating column: every week, two
strangers are paired up for dinner and drinks, and then spill the beans
to us, answering a set of questions. This runs, with a photograph we
take of each dater before the date, in Saturday magazine (in the
UK) and online at theguardian.com every Saturday. Itâs been running since 2009 â you can read all about how we put it together here.
What questions will I be asked? We
ask about age, location, occupation, hobbies, interests and the type of
person you are looking to meet. If you do not think these questions
cover everything you would like to know, tell us whatâs on your mind.
Can I choose who I match with? No,
itâs a blind date! But we do ask you a bit about your interests,
preferences, etc â the more you tell us, the better the match is likely
to be.
Can I pick the photograph? No, but don’t worry: we’ll choose the nicest ones.
What personal details will appear? Your first name, job and age.
How should I answer? Honestly
but respectfully. Be mindful of how it will read to your date, and that
Blind date reaches a large audience, in print and online.
Will I see the other personâs answers? No. We may edit yours and theirs for a range of reasons, including length, and we may ask you for more details.
Will you find me The One? Weâll try! Marriage! Babies!
Can I do it in my home town? Only if itâs in the UK. Many of our applicants live in London, but we would love to hear from people living elsewhere.
What were you hoping for? A hot date and/or a laugh.
First impressions? Younger than I was expecting.
What did you talk about? Porn. Kazakhstan. Dead Dads.
Most awkward moment? When the restaurant couldnât find our reservation and I had to explain what a Guardian Blind Date was. The waiter was more nervous than me.
Good table manners? I accidentally spilled salsa roja down my cleavage and he looked away as IÂ cleaned it off. Gentleman.
Best thing about Sam? He had a good sense of humour, a taste for travel and languages, and likes sharing food.
Would you introduce Sam to your friends? Yes, but I canât see it happening.
Describe Sam in three words. Intelligent, chatty, outgoing.
What do you think Sam made of you? Maybe that I was double-bluffing, telling him I was porn star. Did you Google it after, Sam?
Did you go on somewhere? We went to the pub and werenât lost for words
And ⦠did you kiss? No.
If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be? I felt we were an odd match and not romantically compatible. Other than that, nothing. We had a great time.
Marks out of 10? 10 as a mate, 6 as a date.
Would you meet again? I donât see why not (platonically).
Sam and Zillah ate at El Pastor Soho, London W1.Fancy a blind date? Email [email protected]
From dock to dish, there are many factors that come into play when talking about sustainable seafood. In this guide, we hope to help you understand the importance of buying sustainably, what that entails and where to go.
In today’s world, it’s becoming increasingly important to adopt eco-friendly practices for the environment. The benefits of these practices are numerous and can have a significant impact on our planet. From reducing waste to conserving resources, there are many ways that we can make a positive difference.
One key benefit of eco-friendly practices is their positive impact on the environment. By using sustainable materials and reducing our carbon footprint, we can help to protect our planet for future generations. According to a study by the Environmental Protection Agency, “sustainable living practices can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help to combat climate change.”
In addition to helping the environment, eco-friendly practices can also have numerous health benefits. By using natural products and reducing our exposure to harmful chemicals, we can improve our overall well-being. According to Dr. Jane Goodall, “adopting eco-friendly practices is not only good for the planet, but it’s also good for our health.”
Another key benefit of eco-friendly practices is their cost-effectiveness. By using energy-efficient appliances and reducing waste, we can save money on our utility bills and other expenses. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, “sustainable living can help to create a more resilient and prosperous economy.”
Overall, the benefits of eco-friendly practices for the environment are clear. By making small changes in our daily lives, we can make a big difference for our planet. To learn more about sustainable living and how you can get involved, visit Planetary Citizens for resources and tips.
Remember, the choices we make today can have a lasting impact on the world around us. Let’s all do our part to create a more sustainable future for generations to come.
