The Origin of 365 Ways...
I came across this amazing book by Phillippe Bourseiller when i was in Denmark close to a year ago:
"For the past 15 years, Phillippe Bourseiller has photographed nature from every angle: from the eruption of the volcano Pinatubo to the great deserts of ice and sand, he has captured the hidden colours and breathtaking lights of our planet.
But our contemporary way of life threatens this fragile beauty. To encourage more restraint, Philippe Bourseiller teams 365 photographs with a daily ecological action. Each of the initiatives is accompanied by facts and statistics that illustrate the threats to the environment posed by our behavious, and demonstrate the beneficial consequences of the recommended actions. Each day reveals the image of a wonder of nature along with the guidelines to preserve our planet. Through the pages of 365 Ways to Save the Earth, a truly ethical way of life takes shape."
Starting from today, i would like to post each inspiring page according to the days on the yearly calendar (supposed to start from jan, but...i'll catch up!). Hopefully, you'll look at everyday a little differently after this...
Mud flats, Alaska
Worldwide, on average half the water in distribution grids and in cities is lost to leakage. Thus, the volume of water lost in Nairobi to leaks and illegal siphoning could meet the needs of Mombassa, the country's second-largest city.
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Trace the leaks in your house's plumbing: a dripping tap can lose 15 litres of water a day if it drips at a rate of one drop every second. A leaking toilet can lose 45 litres a day.
Primary tropical forest, Austrailia
More than one-third of Europe's bird species are threatened with extinction. Birds are vulnerable to habitat damage from intensive agriculture and forestry, the growing impact of development on the land, unrestricted water use and all kinds of pollution.
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When you are out in the countryside, treat wildlife with respect. Do not disturb animals, especially young animals and chicks. Watch them discreetly, from a distance, without disturbing the peace and tranquility of their nesting places.
Drifting ice floe, Antartica
By breeding fowl using growth-promoting drugs and antibiotics, farmers have succeeded in decreasing the average amount of time it takes to produce an average 2.2 kilogram chicken, from 84 days in 1950 to 50 days today. Living conditions for these battery-raised animals are crowded and grim; these birds never even see the light of day. Recently, free-range and organically-raised chicken has become more widely available as an alternative, although organic farmers in the UK may keep flocks of up to 12,000 birds, in line with European Union standards. Instead, seek out organic and free-range chickens and eggs marked with the more stringent Soil Association label. These animals live in flocks of no more than 2,000 and ideally no bigger than 500 birds. Their diet includes organic grain, but no drugs. While more expensive to produce, humanely raised chickens are healthier and they taste better.
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Consider reducing your meat consumption and replace quantity with quality. Think about how that inexpensive, intensively raised roast came to market and treat yourself to the somewhat more costly, but much happier organic bird. Choose meat, dairy products and eggs bearing the Soil Association, IOFGA, or Organic Farmers and Growers mark. www.irishorganic.ie/ www.organicfarmers.uk.com/
Elephant, Kenya
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Although the international ivory trade was banned in 1990, jewellery and statuettes made from ivory can still be bought in African and Asian markets. If traders offer you ivory objects illegally, do not buy them. It encourages trafficking and, since the trade in ivory items is illegal, you will not be allowed to take them home.
Namib Desert, Namibia
About 65 % of the water people use is pumped from underground aquifers. However, more is drawn off than is naturally replaced because impervious surfaces such as pavement and buildings prevent rainwater from entering the ground; therefore, aquifers are gradually being drained dry. Some aquifers close to the sea - in Spain, for example - have started to fill up with salt water. In India, the water table has dropped by between up to 3 metres over three-quarters of the country's area. This shortage is evidence of the need for proper conservation and management instead of technological fixes, such as desalinisation plants, to access more water.
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In some countries, water is scarce. Think about it when you are travelling. In developing countries, the average tourist uses as much water in 24 hours as a local villager does in 100 days. Be careful: take as few baths as possible and avoid wasting this precious liquid.
Seeds, Shenandoah National Park, United States
Soil erosion is caused by wind and rain and is aggravated by human activity. The texture of the soil, the gradient of the ground and the plants growing in it all play a part. When soil becomes impacted through heavy rainfall, water is not able to penetrate the surface and so runs off, eroding the edges of river banks and ponds as it does so. Bare spots on a lawn and exposed shrub and tree roots are signs of soil erosion in a garden. Signs of erosion in the country side are muddy water in streams or drainage ditches, the build-up of silt and the widening and deepening of streams and rivers.
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Help prevent soil erosion: use mulch on flower beds, install guttering and downpipes that discharge rain water onto areas where it won't cause damage, and protect the soil where it enters the ground by using splash blocks or drainage tiles.
Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
We cheerfully use the car to travel short distances. A national survey showed that the average annual distance travelled in a car has increased. In the lowest income bracket, drivers typically travel less than 8 kilometres on average in their motor vehicles. In the highest income bracket, drivers average twice that per trip.
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Choose to cycle or walk instead. A walk of just one kilometre, or just over half a mile, into town takes less than 15 minutes! It is difficult to beat that in a car, when u think of the time spent looking for somewhere to park. You will save fuel and the world will be spared yet more greenhouse gas emissions and climatic upheaval.
Mud flats, Alaska
