Newsletter – December Week 2

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

Nothing mentioned in this post has been sponsored. It’s all just my own personal opinion. If you like your sources to remain independent then please share this post or support me with a small monthly donation via Patreon or with a one-time donation via Paypal

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

14 countries, responsible for 40% of the world’s coastlines, have signed a new pledge to end overfishing, restore fish populations and stop the flow of ocean plastic in the next 10 years

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