Disney's Environmental Initiatives on America Recycles Day

Hey everyone,

As you are probably unaware, I am an enormous Disney fan and have been going to Disneyland and Disneyworld since I was a baby. In fact I am going to be there is just 2 weeks!

Image from: http://www.disneytouristblog.com

However, growing up, I never really thought about my impact on the environment and I was not educated on this at school. Throughout the past few years, since graduating high school and completing my environmental degree, I have grown to understand how we must take care of our planet, as it is the only one we have. I want my children one day to live in an environment that is healthy and sustainably managed unlike the one today. So, when I found this video created by Disney outlining their current recycling and environmental initiatives I was really excited. It is extremely difficult for an enormous multi national company to be completely sustainable but I can not see a world without these powerful companies anytime in the near future. It did make me happy to see this as I believe every bit counts. If one of the world's largest and most powerful companies influences others to undertake environmentally sustainable practices, then the world will definitely be a better place. Yes, I know Disney does contribute towards pollution and greenhouse emissions, but Disney is definitley on the right track. Please watch and let me know what you think!

Until next time,

Keep loving the green life

Greenwashing

Recently at university I learnt about the concept 'Greenwashing'. This is when a company claims to be environmentally friendly to improve their business image of their brand but they are misleading consumers. It has been found that 95% of products claiming to be 'green' had actually committed at least 1 negative environmental impact. The average person is finding it extremely difficult to tell which companies are actually helping the environment and those who are not.

Image from: <http://www.futurelab.net/blogs/marketing-strategy-innovation/2008/07/how_bad_is_greenwashing_really.html>

To help you when choosing products at the shops, here is a small picture of companies who 'Greenwash' their customers and we should aim to avoid them:

Image from: <http://www.guypearse.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/UQ-GCI-Greenwash-Launch-with-slides-11-Oct-2012.pdf>

So some of your favourite companies who claim to be green are likely not, keep an eye out next time your buying something and maybe do some research to figure out who is genuinely trying to improve our future and who is trying to make a big profit.

Until next time,

Keep loving the green life

Story of Stuff

This is a video which we had to watch at university a while ago, but it sends a great message that humans live in a consumer society and we really need to take a look at what we are doing to each other and the world...

Until next time,

Keep loving the green life

Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is a very historical and special piece of nature as it was the first national park ever established in 1872 in Wyoming, USA. It is a very popular place for nature lovers to visit as it is a landmark full of diversity and resources. There are amazing bush walks and fantastic bird watching, where you can enjoy landscapes of mountains, forests and greenery. After a great hike, you can also enjoy an afternoon in the hot springs.

Image from: <http://www.rockymountainmagazine.com/national-parks/yellowstone-national-park/>

This amazing place is definitely on my 'to visit' list as there are a great variety of animals which you can observe such as the American Bison, Black bears, Grizzly Bears, Moose and Mountain Lions. After watching some documentaries on the Animal Planet, the backcountry seems like the place to go for a truly memorable experience. Although it is riskier, you get to see animals completely in the wild. 

Image from: <http://castle.eiu.edu/~wow/classes/fa09/Yellowstone/yel_lessons.html>

Until next time,

Keep loving the green life

5 Tips To Improve The Nature In Your Backyard

Anyone can help to improve the world's biodiversity by starting in your backyard. Making a few minor changes in your backyard allows to you to grow your own ecosystem.

<Photo from: http://ferncreekdesign.org/backyardecosystem.html>

Compost bins

Having a compost bin is great as you can throw all your food and garden scraps in it and soil will begin to develop along with micro-organims and biodiversity. Here are just a few things to throw in there.

• Vegetable and food scraps
• Tea leaves and tea bags and coffee grounds
• Vacuum cleaner dust
• Garden scraps
• Used vegetable cooking oil
• Egg shells
• Old newspapers (wet)
• Sawdust (not from teated timber)
• Wood ash
• Human and animal hair

Bird bath and bird feeder

These will encourage a large variety of animals to create a home in your backyard. The birds will take baths and eat bird seed in your backyard. Birds will eat bugs in your backyard, aerate the soil and attract bugs that pollinate. It is important to wash these regularly though to prevent spread of infection among the bird population.

Small vegie or herb garden

Making your own vegie or herb garden will provide you with organic fresh produce. But it will also encourage insects such as bees who pollinate in your own garden. You can add waste from here into your compost bin. You also save money, there is greater quality in the food and you will spend more time outside.

No pesticides or fertilisers

Instead use natural solutions such as your own compost, kelp or animal manure is great for fertilising your plants. You can make a homemade pesticide by crushing a bulb of garlic and covering with vegetable oil, then strain the liquid and add a few drops to 1 litre of water  to prevent any pests from eating your vegetable garden.

Variety of plants

By investing in a variety of plants in the garden you can then create your own community. Animals including insects and birds will love the variety and start to use the garden as their habitat. They can gain shelter, look for food and even reproduce in the safety of your garden.

Until next time,

Keep loving the green life

Ways to Reduce Energy Use Around Home

Recently, carbon dioxide levels reached 400 parts per million and during the 800 000 years prior to the industrial revolution, CO2 levels never exceeded 300 parts per million. So this is an important wakeup call for everyone as the higher the carbon dioxide levels are, the greater impact climate change will have including increased temperatures and rising sea levels.

We should all be making an effort to reduce our energy consumption at home as every little bit counts. The tips are very simple and cost very little to do, here they are:

1. Next time you are shopping for an appliance, always look for the energy use rating. The more stars, the less energy used, like the one below.

<Image from: http://energyrating.com.au/rf5.html>

2. Always unplug any appliances after you have used them, including the TV, washing machine, microwave (75% of the power used at home is when appliances are turned off)

3. Change all your lightbulbs to fluroescent or LED bulbs which cost more initially but will use 75% less energy and last 10 times longer than regular lightbulbs.

<Image from: http://planetforward.ca/blog/ikea-ban-the-sale-of-incandescent-light-bulbs-a-bright-idea/>

4. Approximately 50% of energy is used to cool or heat the home, so it is important to have efficient insulation in the walls to avoid using a heater or air conditioner.

5. When doing a load of washing only used cold water not hot water, then hang your clothing outside to dry rather than use a clothes dryer.

As well as improving the environment by reducing any harmful emissions, this will also reduce costs of you energy bills. 

Until next time,

Keep loving the green life

The Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef on the Queensland coast of Australia is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. It consists of 3000 different reef systems, hundreds of tropical islands and immense biodiversity. It is the only living thing that can be viewed from space. There are over 400 types of coral, 1500 types of tropical fish and some sea turtles being more than 120 years old. This gorgeous reef used to be pristine, however there are various human threats which may lead to the demise of the Great Barrier Reef. The main threats according to the WWF are listed below:

Image from <http://www.greatbarrierreef.org/about.php>

• Climate change is the major threat as it is increasing ocean temperatures, acidification and sea levels which have enormous impacts of the reef ecosystems.
• Coral bleaching is when the coral looses pigmentation due to stress of environmental and human impacts. Surveys show that 60% of the reef haas already experienced bleaching.
• Pollution due to human activity has lead to reduced health of the reef. More than 1/3 of the reef has been affected by human pesticides.
• Overfishing based on the high levels of demand by humans. Trawling for prawns is allowed in 1/3 of the marine park but leads to bycatching precious native animals and plants.

Image from <http://www.anzang.samuseum.sa.gov.au/index.php?blog/show/Our-Impact-2009.html>

By understanding the major threats to the reef, it is vital to realise that we need to live a sustainable life and minimise our impact on the environment as these threats may mean that the next generation cannot enjoy the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef.

Until next time,

Keep loving the green life

Greenpeace Australia: Stop Coca-Cola trashing Australia video

Hey guys I saw this video on YouTube and think it is a great idea to spread the importance of littering in regards to our sea birds. As you would already know, littering is terrible for our natural environments. It causes the death of up to 1 million sea creatures each year and 85% of sea birds are affected by this rubbish. Coca Cola has recently tried to stop a recycling program in the Northern Territory where you get a 10 cent rebate for each bottle or can handed in. This program has been highly successful in South Australia where 81% of bottles are recycled (twice the amount of the rest of Australia). This video is going viral, with almost 1.5 million views.

Until next time,

Keep loving the green life

Beagle Freedom Project

A while ago I came across this amazing organisation, The Beagle Freedom Project. Many people don't realise that animal testing is still a huge issue across the world and especially in America (70 000 dogs alone were used for animal testing in America in 2012). Beagles are very popular for animal testing as they are very forgiving and passive natured.

There are some alarming statistics on the BFP website such as 106 000 people die from drugs tested as 'safe' on animals every year and less than 2% of human illnesses are seen on animals. Therefore testing drugs and cosmetics on animals is largely unnecessary. The Beagle Freedom Project rescues beagles (and other animals) from laboratories once they are no longer 'usable', they then rehabilitate them and adopt them to dog lovers to start their new life as a dog.

Please visit their website: http://www.beaglefreedomproject.org/ to find out more, where you can volunteer, adopt rescued beagles and donate money towards this amazing cause.

Until next time, 

Keep loving the green life

Place of Interest: Lamington National Park, QLD

Lamington National Park is one of my favourite places that I have visited. It is possibly the most popular rainforest to visit in Queensland, Australia and is definitely thriving with biodiversity. It is more than 20 000 hectares of flora and fauna. Amazing bushwalks, including a tree top walk allow visitors to view the pristine national park without interfering with nature. It is worth the long car trip up the dangerously windy road to see what nature has to offer.

 <Images from: http://papundits.wordpress.com/2009/09/03/o’reilly’s-at-green-mountains-part-2/>

Whilst visiting, we saw the rich biodiversity before our own eyes. There were red-necked pademelons (a type of wallaby), ringtail possums, glow worms and many other creatures roaming around the plush greenery. Numerous types of birds (more than 160 types) including black cockatoos, tawny frogmouth owls, bowerbirds and lyrebirds filled the rainforest with music. However, along with the many visible organisms, the most important of them all are the microorganisms which we cannot see. 

As well as the vast biodiversity, there is a strong history of Lamington National Park. It was home to Aboriginal tribes for thousands of years, then in the late 1800s logging started in the area, with many significant people lobbying to protect the forest. It was finally a success in 1915. If you are ever in Brisbane or the Gold Coast, it is a must to see this stunning national park for yourself, as photos can never encapsulate the true beauty to be seen here. 

Until next time,

Keep loving the green life

Supporting Free Range Pig Farming

Free range farming has been a topic of controversy for years worldwide and particularly in Australia. I believe it is important to know that the animals you consume have been produced as naturally as possible. Free range pigs are more popular than ever, as many companies are no longer using gestation crates or sow stalls to grow their meat.

First of all, sow stalls are controversial as consumers are more aware of where their products are coming from. The sow stalls are usually tiny, constraining the pigs so they cannot walk anywhere. This results in joint damage, inability to stand and urinary tract infections because the pigs are confined to the firm floor (not even straw is laid beneath the animals). It causes permanent stress on the animals, building up toxins in their systems which humans consequently eat. 

Photo from: http://www.catcahelpanimals.org/26.html

Watch this video below to see the process of free range farming of pigs:

The main attraction to free range meat is that the animals can spend their lives living on the natural land, displaying characteristics and instincts not possible in crates or sheds. It makes the consumer happier to consume their meat, knowing it had a good life. The pigs get to graze all day in the pastures, absorb the sunlight and have a stress free life. Free range is of course more expensive, as less animals are grown however we do not consume the toxins produced by stress, the animal lives a great life and we then eat tastier meat.

Photo from: http://www.rightonsofshipston.co.uk/contentok.php?id=443

The Australian Pork Industry has planned to gradually ban sow stalls by 2017 due to animal welfare issues. Nonetheless, this does not mean all pigs will be free range so it is important to support the free range farmers. Next time you are at the supermarket make sure you look out for this Humane Choice Symbol as it is the only official certification of free range meat:

Until next time,

Keep loving the green life

Avoiding Palm Oil

The first topic I want to blog about is about how to avoid palm oil. Most people have probably heard about palm oil and have even learnt about the devastation it causes on the environment and orangutans but still consume it on a daily basis without knowing. Palm oil is used on over 50% of products on the market and is normally not listed as 'palm oil' under ingredients. It is in foods, cleaning products, cosmetics and numerous other products.

Picture from: http://www.commercialpressuresonland.org/press/cheerios-maker-linked-rainforest-destruction

Palm oil is mainly produced in Indonesia and Malaysia after vast amounts of rainforest are cleared and enormous palm oil fields are grown. In the picture below is an orangutan who's home has been destroyed. He is a lucky survivor as he was tranquillised and relocated away from the palm oil plantation. But there are thousands and thousands of orangutans who die each year due to the palm oil industry.

Picture from: http://keriruri.wordpress.com/2010/05/13/rainforests-labyrinths-of-life/

Here are just a few products that contain palm oil and to avoid:

• Arnott's (including Shapes, Tim Tams, Wagon Wheels and Tiny Teddies)
• Kraft (including Easy Mac, Peanut Butter, Oreos and Ritz crackers)
• Mars (including M&Ms, Maltesers, Extra Gum, Skittles)
• Uncle Toby's (including Fruit Rollups, LeSnack, Muesli Bars)
• General Mills (Old El Paso products, Cheerios, Betty Crocker products)
• Colgate products
• Palmolive products
• Heinz beans
• Avon
• L'Oreal
• Maybelline 
• Schmackos, Pedigree, Royal Canin, Whiskas, Advance dog foods

Picture from: http://ecoempire.org/tag/palm-oil/

So how do you know if palm oil is in the products you are purchasing? You will need to read the label to identify whether it is used or not. Here are only a few names that palm oil can be listed as:

• Vegetable Oil
• Vegetable Fat
• Palmate
• Stearic Acid
• Elaeis Guineensis (in cosmetics)
• Palm Kernel Oil

To stop supporting palm oil industry, you should aim to avoid any products that use palm oil. This will minimise the demand for palm oil. You will not only feel good about supporting this cause but you will most likely reduce the amount of junk food you eat. Here is a great website where you can donate, adopt or volunteer to help conquer the palm oil industry:

http://www.saynotopalmoil.com/how-to-help.php

Until next time,

Keep loving the green life

Welcome to Loving the Green Life

Welcome everybody,

My name is Amanda Williams and I have created this blog with the aim to inform others on being green. I am currently undertaking an Environmental Management degree as I have a passion for the environment. My endeavor is to improve the ecological footprint of everyone who reads, as well as my own. I will blog about different environmental issues, animal welfare, my experiences, tips to live a greener life and how even a small change from everyone can help in the bigger picture.

It is important to live within our means and to appreciate the world we live in. The expansive biodiversity provided by nature is delicate and we as humans have the responsibility to nurture it. We exploit our fragile resources because we have been told repeatedly by multinational companies that our purpose as humans is to consume. People always want to newest trends, the newest technology and the newest products. However, continuing like this we are exploiting the precious planet we live on.

It is clear we need a change, however humans are more money hungry than ever and are willing to do anything for that extra revenue. Even if it means obliterating biodiversity that has developed over millions of years to plant a new palm oil field. Or killing every single elephant for its ivory until they are extinct, destroying the equilibrium of the food cycle. If every human took the time to educate themselves on the current and future situation of our planet, we may be able to live sustainably with the environment and with one another.

Until next time,

Keep loving the green life