Guess what I’m in the market for? And I’m delighted to report that if you’re in need of a calendar we’ve some stunning ones to choose from. Here are the ones I found on my internet travels. Some are printed in Ireland and some are printed on recycled paper. All are by Irish based illustrators, artists and designers. Did I miss out on any? If I did do let me know.
Continue reading “Irish Design (& sometimes Irish made) 2021 Calendars”
Third time’s a charm. I started this introduction twice before, but it morphed into a moan, and honestly who wants to read a moan? So I closed the laptop lid, waiting for a mood change before putting digital pen to digital paper again. Today I had a lovely walk through a sunny, tree-filled park with a friend that is refreshingly real and authentic. Funny how everything seems brighter when we nurture our needs.
Here’s some nurturing news to help lift your soul this week. Enjoy.
Scientist develop drug for Parkinson made from shell waste
A reporters experience of trying to eat only Irish food for one month.
A battery that gets its power from microorganisms in the soil!
How best to look after your cast iron cookware
Since Donald Trump took office, the clean energy sector in the United States has employed nearly three times as many people as the fossil fuels industry, and between 2016 and 2019, renewables added more than double the jobs that fossil fuels did.
A helpful tool to organise a secret Santa virtually this year
President Michael D Higgens gives a rousing climate focused speech to IEI and here’s a transcript of the President Higgen’s speech if you’d like to read it.
Don’t like to use vinegar for cleaning, use citric acid instead
French startup can convert fossil fuel car to an electric car in 4 hours. The process costs around €4,820 (€3,120 with French EV incentives).
Small village in Scotland raises enough money to create nature reserve.
Make cute bows for your Xmas pressies this year
Want to start growing food in your school? The Grow at School initiative that can help.
How to Buy Nothing this Black Friday
For the second year in a row Iceland says it will not be hunting any whales, thanks to changing public opinion and falling consumption of whale meat.
Clothing store in New York decorated with recycled aluminium cans
Eyewear brand Ace and Tate have started to sell ‘retuned’ glasses on Depop
Plant food made from human waste now available in Switzerland!
17 pumpkin recipes from some well known UK chefs
Consumers are demanding greener products as a result of pandemic
Japan pledges to be carbon neutral by 2050
Samoan government commits to protect 30 percent of Samoa’s ocean by 2025 up from 1%
Egypt’s desert forest proves to be a success
An app to help you find eco-friendly businesses in France
Study shows that adding ‘forest floors’ to urban playgrounds boost kids’ immune systems
How to turn a scarf into a sleeveless cardigan with no sewing
Let’s not limit our activism to just plastic pollution
Want to see images of the earth when you open up a new browser tab! Here’s a browser extension that will do that for you.
AIB are the first Irish bank to aim for carbon neutrally by 2030, using a “net-zero’’ approach.
Three tried and tested methods to encourage walking and cycling.
Thanks for reading and have happy sustainable shopping. You can catch up with me on Facebook and Instagram between now and next week’s newsletter.
E
We’re all being encouraged to buy local this Christmas, now more than ever given the impact of Covid-19 on small businesses in 2020. Other media outlets are doing a great job of highlighting fantastic products, made in Ireland from imported materials, but having a sustainability focus I’ve decided to showcase products made in Ireland from locally sourced materials.
In writing this article I realised that not every ‘Irish’ material is indeed Irish. I often see Irish linen cited only to find out that the fibre is grown in France and woven in Ireland. I appreciate that the fabric is ‘made’ in Ireland but I suspect that a lot of customers assume it’s grown here too.
Continue reading “Sustainable Christmas Gift Guide 2020 (Irish & local)”
Happy Hallowe’en.
What a different Óiche Shamhna we’ll be having in Ireland this year. I know some families are planning to walk around the neighbourhood on the night and some neighbours are planning on leaving treats at their gate for kids to collect, but we’ve decided not to venture out at all. Instead, we’re having our own Hallowe’en party with home-made spooky treats, a (tame) ghoulish film and a candy hunt. We might even engage in some traditional apple bobbing if the fancy takes us. Whatever you end up doing, stay safe and enjoy.
From Jan 1st France will have lifetime ratings on some products
Meal hack! Make your risotto more planet positive by swapping out rice for barley!
Tesco in the UK introduces carton recycling points in store
Blackrock’s circular economy fund has raised $900m in its first year
What to do in your garden this Autumn
Recycled airport chairs emits 95 per cent less carbon than that of any comparable product
Pre-loved Cos clothing now available online
The world’s first in-store recycling system cleans and shreds your old garments and knits new ones from the recycled fibres.
The country of Norway fund satellite map of the world’s tropical rainforests as a gift to the world
Take on the Tesco food waste challenge
UK supermarket Asda trial refill aisle
UK tree council releases guide for socially distanced tree planting
Every thought about cancelling Christmas?
Despite the impression you might get from mainstream and social media 89% of people believe in climate change
Easy peasy recipe for homemade Playdough (thanks to Sarah for suggestion)
Burger King to trial reusable packaging in US and Tokyo
Recipe for Sweet Potato Crisps
Some great tips on extending the life of your devices given by Gareth Hurley at a recent CRNI event
Homemade pear liqueur, perfect Christmas present
Woodland Trust aims to plant 50 million trees by 2025
Greenpeace creates another fabulous animation about deforestation
How researchers are using jellyfish to clean the ocean of microplastics (audio)
Uganda launches Wildlife Habitat & Corridor Restoration Project, to restore habitat for chimpanzees by adding 3 million trees to the Albertine Rift Forests.
Yummy recipe for green tomato chutney, which I made my self last weekend
US federal officials have issued new protections for Gulf of Mexico deep-sea coral hot spots, restricting damaging fishing gear in most of those areas.
How volunteers saved a seagrass forest off the coast of Virginia
Toxic chemicals in clothing! Another reason to buy second-hand or go organic if you can.
Unfortunately Asos circular collection, which I mentioned two weeks ago is greenwashing
We’ve already had massive environmental wins, we just need to keep going
World’s largest cement producer, LafargeHolcim commits to reaching 100% carbon neutrality by 2050.
How clever, a smart rigid reusable mailing box
Government to fund feasibility study on use of wool, which being disposed by farmers
Hidden cameras and secret GPS trackers reveal that some products sent back to Amazon Canada are being liquidated by the truckload and even destroyed or sent to the landfill.
Some amazing entries for Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Designer of the set of the popular TV show ‘Normal People’ embraces second-hand
Singapore has created the new 400 ha Sungei Buloh Park, home to oriental hornbills, otters, saltwater crocodiles, and many other species.
Levi launch second-hand US based website
Use the code PYJAMAPE5 to get 5% off organic pyjamas with French company Peaue Ethique
Thanks for reading. You can find me on Facebook on Instagram between now and next Friday.
Elaine
