This week I’m having to practice what I preached last week. Neither of my kids are getting second-hand or ethical this Christmas. Although they’re not buying a lot and the items have been well considered they’re still big brand, or 100% virgin plastic, or 100% brand new. Normally I try to intervene earlier in the year to direct people towards less damaging options but with college I just haven’t had the time. To say I’m bitterly disappointed at the lack of influence I’ve had on my family’s choices is an understatement, but it is what it is. I’ve learned to let go of other people’s actions for the benefit of my own mental health. I can only do me and this year everything I’m buying is made in Ireland, or second-hand, or organic.
Now on a more positive note here’s some sunny sustainable news
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Photo by Marina Khrapova on Unsplash
UCD launches project to measure road traffic
The world’s largest diamond company, De Beers, has committed to reaching carbon-neutrality across all global operations, full traceability of all diamonds, achieving gender parity in its workforce, supporting 10,000 female entrepreneurs, engaging 10,000 girls in STEM, and halving its water footprint by 2030.
FREITAG, a brand of recycled messenger bags, have launched a Tinder-style exchange platform called SWAP where old products can find new homes within the global FREITAG community.
Contractors of all new large-scale road projects in England are now obliged to create conditions for native wildflower meadows to thrive on all new verges
Pepsi commits to 100% recycled plastic bottles in 9 EU markets by 2022
The woman fighting plastic waste in the Bahamas
Make sure your natural Christmas tree gets composted or burnt this Jan
All six major US banks have now ruled out financing for oil and gas development in the Arctic
Swedish iron-ore giant, LKAB, is investing €39bn to decarbonize most important energy st
Singapore has become the first country in the world to give the go-ahead to meat created without slaughtering any animals, after approving the sale of lab-grown chicken nuggets.
Stunning shots of the natural world
Portlaoise to get Ireland’s first ‘bottle-to-bottle’ plastic-recycling plant
A new study has shown that air quality in Europe has improved dramatically in the past decade
After ten years of restoration, Monserrate Hill, on the outskirts of Bogota, Colombia, has been transformed from a deforested eyesore to a bird sanctuary. It now offers an oasis of calm amidst the city of 8 million people, and is home to over 115 species of birds, including 18 types of hummingbirds
250 years after they were stripped of their ancestral homelands, a 1,200 acre ranch has been returned to the Esselen tribe of northern California, a deal that will conserve old-growth redwoods and the California condor and red-legged frog
Since 2008 Pristine Seas have inspired the creation of 23 marine reserves, covering an area of than five million square kilometers
A new UK Agriculture Bill: how farming and forestry could co-exist happily
Student develops a passive light source
Ireland’s recent Climate Case ruling explained
Going backwards to go forward; wind-powered shipping
Platform helps architects estimate carbon emissions of planned buildings
A review of the climate bill by Green News
Vodafone commits to net zero carbon emissions by 2040
Want to get a jump start on propagation next year? Here’s some kit to put on your Xmas list.
New Zealand couple shuns developers to give 900 hectares of land to nation
Inside Berlin’s stylish second-hand outlet NochMall
How indigenous knowledge could help prevent Australian bushfires
Financial Times feature video on zero waste restaurants
Research finds that greening front gardens reduce physiological and psychological stress
Plan for next year with this guide on how to set up a fruit garden
First paper wine bottle (with plastic inner pouch) goes on sale in Scotland
Hi
I know what you mean about trying to get other people to buy presents without plastic packaging etc, i’ve only bought what i know people need or will use & my partner is making his mum a stand for a real xmas tree & some bird boxes for xmas & i’ve asked him to make me a bee hotel as a pressie as i love🐝.
Best wishes
Pennyxx
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I really never know what people will use or need, except my kids and they don’t want ‘useful’ gifts. Well done on your shopping list. Sounds fab. Lucky bees