Save the world wednesday, Think Green Thursday: Recycle glass

http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com/

http://workofthepoet.blogspot.com/2009/09/think-green-thursday_10.html

In a factory in South Auckland, I spotted a big chimney. Upon looking closely, it was a glass recycling plants. What a great idea.

Recycling saves a lot of sand from the beaches, and probably a lot of power from dredging the sand and transportation.

My son Sam only drinks from a glass bottle. he thinks water from a plastic bottle taste funny. So he refills tap water into a glass bottle.

Save the world: Reuse Challenge

For this week's challenge:

Each time you shop for a non-food item, look to see whether a recycled version is available. If feasible, buy the recycled version. If there isn't one, but it's a category such as paper where you know recycled versions exist, ask the store to start carrying a recycled version.

OR

If you already buy recycled items regularly (or cannot afford to do so at all) then write a blog post about products made from reclaimed materials.

Great challenge, don't you think?

http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com/2009/08/ctww-rules-and-challenges.html

This is the most popular object in my room. The whole school did a production on pirates, and a group of kids used recycled boxes and paper to make a pirate ship. Only one group made this, and all the other groups wanted to make one too. All the boys wanted to take it home.

Girls are girls, they added a feminine touch with some flowers. They called their ship Maria.

Save the World Wednesday: Think Green Thursday:350, Chill out at Climate action Day

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http://wo

I am passionate about environmental issues. Yesterday, I climbed up the Big Kings volcanic cone to show our committment to prevent catastrophic climatic change.
350- What does it mean?

350 is the number that leading scientists say is the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide (CO2) measured in parts per million (ppm) in our atmosphere. The current concentration of carbon dioxide is around 389ppm, and is rising 2ppm annually.

350- 350 International Day of Climate Action.

This marks a world wide call for political leaders to commit to a 350ppm.

350- How do we get to 350?
In December, the world leaders will meet in Copenhagen, Denmark to negotiate a new climate treaty to reduce CO2 emission.

In Auckland, there was a 350 Big Bike Ride and events at the volcanic cones of Mt Eden, Mt Albert and the Big King.

I was at the Big King and my friend Ngarimu was also there. The Big King is a place of significance to me. Big King is part of Three Kings, but now there is only one cone left. The other two cones had been hollowed out to be a big hole.

http://www.350.org.nz

Save the World Wednesday: Think Green Thursday:keep warm

http://workofthepoet.blogspot.com/2009/09/think-green-thursday_10.html

http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com

We are having an exceptional cold weather for this time of the year for spring. It is a 25 year cold and we have freak snow fall. Last night, I wore two layers of winter thermal and I was still cold. So I got out of bed and put on another duvet on top of my winter downs duvet. Finally I fell asleep.

As the weather heads to Jack Frost's domain in the northern hemisphere, remember to keep warm and save the world.

These photos of Sam are staged. We just bought this duvet cover. He chose the Ahoy Captain and jolly roger pattern. This was why I took the photos. We chose a queen size for him, so he can tuck the duvet in the sides to keep the warm. Last night, he slept under two duvets. He felt snug and warm.

Save the world Wednesday:Think Green Thursday: Cup of worm tea for your plants

http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com

http://workofthepoet.blogspot.com/2009/09/think-green-thursday_10.html

My school's kids join the environmental club. The teacher in charge Kieren teaches them to be green. Here is their worm farm "cafe". Food scraps from the classrooms and the staff room are collected daily to feed the worms. In return the worms produce yummy tea for the plants. This tea is organic fertiliser for the vegetables and fruit trees tended by the children.

Our school, Pt Chevelier school is in collaboration with WWF. All the children are allowed to harvest the crops whether or not if they have any input in the growing.

Biodegradable disposable cutlery and crockery

http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com/2009/08/bit-of-this-and-tmlhat.ht

Sometimes, it is inevitable that we have to use disposable cutlery and crockery. The convenience outweighs the tedious job of washing up like a big picnic or party.

I am very proud to be associated with Ngarimu and his Ngati Whatua Maori people in leading the zero waste movement in New Zealand. During our Waitangi Day, Ngarimu led a whole army of volunteers to teach tens of thousands of festival goers recycling.

To walk the talk, Ngarimu supplied cutlery and crockery made of potato. These special disposable forks, spoons, knives and plates went to the worms at the worm farms on the Marea.

These food fed the army of workers and volunteers. The yummy food came in big containers at lunch time. Ka Pai aka good job. No need for too much washing up and harmful detergent.

Can you see the beige colour forks, knives and plates?

Go meatless: Grow your own food: Mushrooms

You either love it or you hate it. Luckily for me, the whole family loves mushrooms. My school's envirommental teacher got some mushroom kits at $15 each. Some of the teachers bought, not everyone bought. Now I have fresh brown mushroom growing in my redundant bath tub.

Saute the sliced mushroom with garlic or as a salad, BBQ them whole, mushrooms are rich in protein. You can serve up a meat less dinner.

Change the world:

http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com/