Feel like escaping underwater for four minutes? Free diving world record holder Guillaume Nery filmed this video at a place in the Bahamas called Dean’s Blue Hole, a 202 metre hole in the ocean. Stunning and mesmerising, the film evokes, beautifully, the immense silence and power of the ocean. The film reminds me of The Big Blue directed by Luc Besson – one of my all-time favourite films and one of the greatest dream movies of all time.
Environment
You’re strolling along in your favourite shoes, with a little skip in your step, the wind in your hair, when suddenly your stroll is rudely interrupted by the unwelcome arrival of a pesky piece of stale chewing gum adhering itself to the sole of your shoe. Old chewing gum deserves a resting place other than the pavement, but an ordinary rubbish bin doesn’t quite do it justice. From a bright idea sparked in the UK, discarded chewing gum can now be put to good use. The hotpink Gumdrop Bin is a polymer-based rubbish bin manufactured from recycled chewing gum, resulting in a sustainable lifecycle for gum. When chewing gum starts to lose its flavour, pedestrians can look for a Gumdrop Bin wrapped around phone poles or lampposts and in turn contribute a more sustainable way of life.
Whilst eco-friendly homes are generally associated with corrugated-iron roofs, water tanks and solar panels, one Parisian architect is taking green building to a literal level. Disguised as a rolling, grassy knoll, Patrick Nadeau’s hill-shaped eco dwelling is insulated with earth and a selection of plants. The ‘maison-vague’ or wave house features a wooden structure covered in grasses, succulents, lavender and other small plants, coupling landscape architecture with sustainable design. With a facade made from greenhouse material, the eco-house blurs the line between home and garden. Patrick designed the wave house as part of a French public housing project, L’Effort Remois, which places high priority on environmental quality. Due for completion in late 2011, the home is currently being constructed in Reims, France.
A film which tackles one of the many sustainability concerns facing our planet, The End of the Line explores the fishing industry and exposes our dwindling supply of fish. The world’s first documentary film addressing the devastating effects of over-fishing was presented at the Sundance Film Festival, and the film made some startling discoveries. Urging us to consider the global consequences of the absence of marine life, The End of the Line exposes the imminent extinction of bluefin tuna, brought on by increasing western demand for sushi, and the consequential impact on marine life, resulting in a huge overpopulation of jellyfish. The United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organisation state that over 75 percent of the world’s fish have been fully-exploited or over-fished. The profound implications of a future world without fish will not just affect the underwater world but is believed to spark a mass starvation in parts of the globe. Filmed over two years, The End of the Line follows investigative reporter Charles Clover as he confronts politicians and restaurateurs, who seem disinterested in the damage occurring to our oceans. (more…)
Whilst many people know the ramifications that eating certain foods can have on their bodies, not everyone considers the environmental impact of food production. Meat Free Monday is an environmental campaign, led by Paul McCartney and his daughter Stella, to raise awareness of the effects producing and consuming meat has on the climate. Many people may be unaware that livestock production is responsible for 18% of global greenhouse-gas emissions, producing more toxins than the transport sector. The UK’s Food Climate Research Network suggests that food production from farm to fork is responsible for between 20–30% of global greenhouse-gas emissions. The United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has concluded that the livestock sector is one of the top two or three most significant contributors to the most serious environmental problems, at every scale from local to global. However, the campaign asserts that by giving up meat for at least one day a week, you are not only making a difference to the environment but contributing a meaningful change to political and ethical issues. The campaign has set up a website, which promotes healthy eating habits and suggestions of meat-free meal ideas for people following the campaign.
Some announcements are worth sitting up and listening to. When the Handsome Prince issued his proclamation to the belles of the ball, lasses around the land paid attention, when Martin Luther King, Jr. encouraged us to dream big, ears worldwide pricked up. Towards the end of last year the United Nations declared 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity. As we welcome the beginning of a new season this week, we are faced with a good opportunity to take heed of the UN’s global message. Nearing four months into 2010, what steps have our local communites taken to upe the ante when it comes to protecting the species, plants and micro-environments around us from the effects of global warming? (more…)
Watching a lonely leaf dancing in the wind, your fingertips running over the spiky edges of a hedge, or simply breathing in fresh, crisp air. Human beings are designed to co-exist with the environment and to reside outside the confines of four walls and a roof. Whilst cave dwelling doesn’t tend to blend seamlessly with current societal housing, a solid connection to the Earth can infuse a home with a rich appreciation of the environment, healthy living and a feel-good existence. Italian design company, Altro-Studio, has designed a prototype biocompatible mobile home, the Lawn House, with a view to create a symbiotic relationship between nature, the dwelling’s inhabitants, and factors concerning environmental health. Covered in lawn, with incorporated drainage and using biodegradable materials, the Lawn House explores how our wellness and appreciation of the land can be enhanced by our surroundings.
Iconic Uluru and the classically Australian outback, enveloped within the Northern Territory, is a sight that signifies the ‘Land Down Under’ to the world. However, contradictory to international thought, many Australians don’t live in the outback. Many Aussies also haven’t seen magnificent Ayers Rock. A magical place of Indigenous peoples’ heritage and the land of dreamtime stories, the history and natural beauty of the area is astounding. For those who are a little tentative to venture into Crocodile Dundee territory, fearing survivor like conditions, there is a solution. To whet your appetite for cultural and national discovery, sitting like a cherry on top, a haven awaits you. Longitude 131° creates a soft landing for your outback adventure, appearing as an oasis in a sea of richly red dust. Longitude 131° is a luxurious eco-sensitive resort neighbouring the world heritage listed Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Unlike the journey of pioneers and explorers before us, experience exclusive 5-star treatment in one of 15 luxury tents.
Whilst living in trees is usually reserved for Peter Pan, or eco-warriors protecting forestry, a German design firm has brought treehouses to the masses in the form of made-to-order architecturally designed dwellings. The caravan-sized treehouses from Baumraum are full of inspirational design elements, and are specifically designed to suit the owner’s tastes and tree of choice. Once the personalised treehouse is installed, it will be itching to be filled with laughter, clubhouse meetings, romantic trysts, and midnight snacks. Safety and limited environmental impact are the treehouse creator’s passions, and all trees used are handled with care. The designs can incorporate ramps, twisting staircases, roomy decking and unobtrusive materials, which blend into the natural surroundings.
Release your inner greenie at the Green Earth Festival on Saturday March 13, when the Brisbane City Botanic Garden opens its gates to a celebration of all things green and environmentally stimulating. The festival’s organiser, Green Earth Group Inc. is a non-for-profit environmental awareness group spreading its wings in Brisbane’s environmental circles. The group’s founder, Leigh-Chantelle Koch identified a need for green advocacy groups and animal rights groups to unite forces to spread the message that ‘it’s easy being green’. The festival will celebrate caring for the environment with live bands, ‘green’ cuisine, speakers, workshops, roving entertainment, art and fashion displays, and information stalls from companies promoting environmental awareness. The festival will help the wider community learn more about environmentalism, grass roots activism and how to promote greener ways of living.
The 24th of October is an international day of climate action, with more than 4,220 events being held in 170 countries around the globe. The 350 day, calls for a fair and effective climate treaty to stabilise atmospheric CO2 at less than 350ppm (parts per million) and for everyone to play their part in reaching a safe climate and a just world. There are a number of Brisbane events happening. (more…)
To raise awareness of the plight of humpback whales, David Rastovich initiated an adventure for him and four of his friends on what has been dubbed as the Transparent Sea Voyage. Pro surfer Dave Rastovich will be joined by artist/surfer and co-director of Surfers for Cetaceans Chris Del Moro, water photographer Hilton Dawe, musician Will Conner and Surfrider Foundation Australia General Manager Kristy Theissling. The group started in Byron Bay and will make their way down the coast until they reach Sydney. Along the way, they will stop in at coastal communities to organise beach clean ups, create awareness for the humpback whales and go surfing. The crew will make this epic journey using single-seat Hobie trimaran kayaks and aim to complete the voyage in 36 days. This voyage can be tracked via the Transparent Sea Voyage blog, which already profiles a clean-up day in popular surfing town Yamba and a chance encounter with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society’s ‘Steve Irwin’ ship. This is a great initiative, particularly at the start of the beach season, to create awareness for the upkeep of Australia’s beaches and the animals that call them home.
The climate-change meeting in Copenhagen will be the one of the most important meetings for everybody in this world. The decisions that the world’s political powers will make will have an effect on each and every one of us. Positive solutions will help world citizens tackle the biggest problems. Providing a unified voice for all those passionate about our future is TckTckTck – an unprecedented global alliance of civil-society groups, trade unions, faith groups and passionate people that are calling for an ambitious climate-change agreement. If enough people push for something, the politicians will listen. A revolution powered by passion, strength and support is what’s needed to turn the tables around and give back to the environment. Are you ready to build the world’s biggest mandate?
Via National Geographic: Most people think that once a plastic bottle has found its way into the ocean that it will remain there for the rest of its indestructible life. According to National Geographic, some plastics decompose rapidly in the ocean. And this isn’t a good thing. Degrading plastics are leaking toxic chemicals such as Bisphenol A, a chemical building block of plastics, into the ocean. Apparently this decomposition of plastics is occurring at cooler temperatures than expected and within a year of the rubbish hitting the water. A Japan-based team collecting samples in US, Europe and Indian waters discovered some astounding results. The water samples contained derivatives of polystyrene, a common plastic used in disposable cutlery, Styrofoam, and DVD cases. This plastic soup is just another thing our marine animals and plants have to fight. How can we prevent this? Stop using plastic water bottles and bags. You’ve heard this before, but with the state of the world’s oceans, it doesn’t hurt for you to hear it again. For the full article, visit National Geographic.
In this day and age, where businesses are realising their need to do justice to the environment in which they operate, it’s activists like Paul Hawken that you want at a boardroom meeting. Environmentalist, entrepreneur, journalist and best-selling author, Paul Hawken moved to Boston at age 20 (he is now 63) to study macrobiotic philosophy. This sparked his dream to dedicate his life to changing the relationship between business and the environment, and between humans and living systems. Paul’s work includes starting and running ecological businesses and writing and teaching about the effect of trade on the environment. His latest book Blessed Unrest: How the Largest Movement in the World Came Into Being, and Why No One Saw it Coming profiles the ever-present green movement that largely goes unnoticed by political parties and world organisations. This book is yet another attempt by Paul to illustrate to businesses, politicians and the public to remember the environment when undertaking any venture.
Southerners; avert your eyes and block your ears. This morning I awoke to find my boyfriend had left the sprinkler running overnight. In other states, this would generate extreme panic, the wrath of neighbours and possibly legal action. Initially I felt a wave of remorse and guilt; however, as we live in a city without water restrictions, we shrugged our shoulders and continued on with our lives. Eighteen months ago I moved from Brisbane to Darwin as a water conscious, frugal consumer of H20. I dutifully used a water timer while showering. I let my car become stained with dust and caked with mud in the name of water conservation. I even recycled the used water from my washing machine to use on the garden. Yet I am now a shadow of my former self. I have become acclimatised to the Territory’s ways. (more…)
You don’t need to be a greenie to be green. It just makes good sense to take care of our life support system – our environment. It’s not about sacrifice – it’s about living smarter. Who wants to breathe foul air, swim in polluted water, and live on a poisoned planet? This is your chance to make a world of difference. Cool Australia – your essential website for all things environmental, is embarking on an exciting awareness, behaviour change and fundraising week of action from 11–17 October 2009. To raise funds for various environmental charities and organisations, Cool Australia is urging all Australians to get sponsored and take on an environmental challenge or dare for one week. Challenges will include everything from starting a compost bin, ditching the car and walking, showering with your pets and loved ones, going vegetarian and anything in between. You can register for your challenge from August 13.
It’s been a big 7 days in the planet’s history. While one of the most loved lies shrouded in mystery, another, as equally revered, is basking in bright, renewable sunlight. In a historic vote approving the Clean Energy and Security Act, Barak Obama has revealed a new America to the world. This bill sets the stage for the dawn of the clean energy future. While imperfect, it sets forth a set of goals America must achieve — and exceed. The bill’s most important achievement is setting the United States on a path to reduce carbon emissions some 80 percent by 2050, a signal accomplishment necessary to preserve the planet for future generations. But this event pales in comparison to the Obama’s vegetable garden, the first since Eleanor Roosevelt planted one in honour of America’s victory in World War II. It’s refreshing to see a leader, leading isn’t it?
Everyone’s making eco bag these days, but the environmental credentials of green bags aren’t very clear cut. TBWA’s tongue-in-cheek range of Eco Bags are a breath of fresh air and a reminder that appearing ‘green’ isn’t the same as acting green.
If you were lucky enough to see it, Earth from Above was the stirring, photographic installation project of Frenchman Yann Arthus-Bertrand that toured the world. A decade in the making, the collection of images taken from the air, documented both the World’s natural and man-made happenings. Not satisfied with either the exhibition, or DVD of the same images, in 2009, Yann, who was possibly inspired by Jehane Noujaim’s Pangea Day, is releasing Home. In partnership with French film director Luc Besson, and a global PR firm, Yann is simultaneously broadcasting the film on the same day in over 50 countries. That day, is World Environment Day, June 5. There’s no place like home. (Apologies, it’s late…;)
