Living Green

The Importance of Living Green

contributing to a more sustainable future for coming generations.

Justabout everyone has grown up hearing about the importance of taking care of the environment. This has recently turned into a green living movement, and there are few causes in the world right now that are more important. You might be wondering why green living has become so vital in today’s world.

Green living is so important because it reduces our reliance on non-renewable sources; energy and fossil fuels. Such a way of living also reduces the number of harmful toxins that make their way into the environment. It is a way of

It is not enough to just understand the importance of a green lifestyle. It is even more critical to understand the reasons behind such an approach to the environment and then to take action on it. That is why you will want to continue reading so that you can better understand the rationale behind green living and how it can benefit the world now and in the future.

Today, more and more companies are creating products that help us live a green lifestyle. Everything from cars, light bulbs, utensils, straws, cleaners, mattresses, and clothing is created with environmental preservation in mind.

These products help us conserve water, energy and precious natural resources while also helping to

curb pollution. The convenience these products provide make it easier than ever to live sustainably. However, many of us may be wondering why this practice is so important. Below we’ve outlined some of the most important reasons for adopting a green lifestyle.

Healthier Environment

Statistics from the World Health Organization report that 13 million deaths annually and almost a quarter of all diseases worldwide are due to environmental causes that could be avoided or prevented. These health issues include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cardiovascular disease, and stroke. According to the CDC, when we make sustainable food choices, use alternative transportation, purchase eco-friendly products, and recycle, we are helping to curb the pollution causing these diseases.

Healthier Foods

When we choose to make more ecofriendly food choices such as buying local, organic, and seasonal foods, we are supporting sustainable farming

methods that protect our planet. In turn, these methods help reduce the amount of harmful pesticides that end up in our food. Research shows that exposure to pesticides can antagonise the natural hormones in our bodies, leading to health issues such as immune suppression, hormone disruption, reproductive abnormalities, and cancer.

Save Money

Conserving water and energy will not only help us save natural resources, but it will also help us save money. Since the nationwide initiative began in 1987, the replacement of standard appliances and light bulbs with energy-efficient ones has kept 2.3 billion tons of carbon dioxide from polluting our air. Using energyefficient appliances and LED light bulbs in the home can also cut up to 30 percent off our annual electricity bill. That’s an average of $627 per year depending on the appliance, home, and climate.

Conserve Natural Resources

It is no secret that our natural resources are disappearing quickly. Since 1970, the use of natural resources has more than tripled and only continues to grow each year. However, when we recycle, we are helping to slow down the consumption of these resources. According to the EPA, for every ton of paper we recycle, we save 17 trees, 380 gallons of oil, 3 cubic yards of landfill space, 4,000 kilowatts of energy, and 7,000 gallons of water.

Curb Climate Change

The burning of fossil fuels for energy is one of the biggest contributors to climate change. This type of energy results in destructive carbon dioxide emissions that pollute our environment. One way individuals can help to combat climate change is to reduce our energy consumption. Research shows that switching to energy-efficient appliances could help to reduce carbon emissions by up to 19 percent. In 2017, recycling alone saved over 184 million tons of carbon dioxide from our environment. This is the equivalent of removing 39 million cars

from the road in one year. Taking steps to conserve energy in our homes can go a long way in reducing carbon emissions and protecting our planet for future generations.

Set Up Your Bedroom for Green Living

When looking for ways to live green, it isn’t always intuitive to focus on your mattress, pillows, and sheets. Thanks to our busy lives, we can forget about the bed we sleep on for eight hours each night. But finding an ecofriendly sleep solution is a major win for you (and the environment). Here are some things to look for: Most mattresses are either memory foam, polyfoam, latex, innerspring or a mixture of technologies. When looking for the best mattresses, look for thirdparty certifications, such as Cerit-PUR US® certified, which indicate the foams were made without ozone depleters, made without PDBDe, TDCPP, or TCEP flame retardants, made without mercury, lead (and other heavy metals), made without formaldehyde, and has a low VOC (volatile organic compound) and passes the emissions for indoor quality requirement. Latex foams are another great option as latex mattresses are considered highly ecofriendly; however, keep in

mind it’s more difficult to find a 100% natural latex mattress.

Sheets can be eco-friendly as well! One of the more popular certifications for sheets, OEKO-TEX®, certifies textiles have been tested for harmful substances, were made in environmentally friendly facilities that are safe and socially responsible.

It is more important than ever to adopt a green lifestyle. These small changes can help reduce the pollution that threatens our health and our environment, while also protecting our natural resources. Fortunately, it has never been easier to live a sustainable lifestyle.

Energy-efficient appliances are more affordable than ever and many companies are creating convenient products using eco-friendly practices and materials. When we all take small steps toward preserving our planet,

Growing up in a small island developing state I believe I can speak for all of us born before 1980 by saying that we were accustomed to “Living Green”. Our circumstances had us reuse, reduce and recycle. We didn’t have a heavy reliance on energy or fuel and the words ‘carbon footprint’ were far from our vocabularies and daily thoughts.

Fast forward to 2022 where the world is on the brink of a climate crisis where we all have postCovid fragile economies and our modern day luxuries we cannot live without. Suppose we could do our part to live a more clean energy lifestyle? These were my thoughts on the concept of our Living Green Issue.

It’s time for governments and businesses to take action beyond their pledges. The aim was to highlight alternatives and promote current initiatives and businesses making this possible. We need to make more cost effective decisions as we tackle and conquer this crisis household by household.

The team at ADVO hope you enjoy this edition as much as we have enjoyed producing it.

Our Team

Samantha Smith -- Editor

Sherry-ann Worrell-- Sales

Caleb Paul- - Creative Design

Contributors

Barry LovelaceChair of the Tobago Reforestation & Watershed Rehabilitation Programme

Dr. Derek ThorpeNuclear and Functional Medicine Physician

“It’s time for governments and businesses to take action beyond their pledges.”

RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES

What is renewable energy?

It is energy derived from natural sources that are replenished at a higher rate than they are consumed. Sunlight and wind, for example, are such sources.

The most popular sources of renewable energy are :

Solar Energy

Wind Energy Hydro Energy Tidal Energy Geothermal Energy Biomass Energy

Here in Barbados we have long used solar energy for our household needs, now there has been the a renewed effort to take this even further by using photovoltaic or solar panels.

Domestic and commercial interests are seeking to reduce cost from fuel

based energy and there has been an explosion of solar energy providers and corresponding residential and commercial interest moving away from the grid.

Benefits of renewable energy

We are told that there are several benefits from converting to renewable energy.

These are :

Generating energy that produces no greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels and reduces some types of air pollution.

Diversifying energy supply and reducing dependence on imported fuels.

Other benefits include clean, safe and efficient, energy independence, reduced reliance on the main power grid and of course generating new jobs.

Caribbean Climate Crisis: “Black-led Countries Matter!”

Inthe run-up to the year 2020, the leading issue that commanded global attention was the crisis of Climate Change. There was much fervour that grew out of the historic breakthrough treaty of the United Nations 21st Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP21) held in Paris, in December 2015. “1.5 to stay alive!” was the urgent cry.

This cry was the loudest from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Why? Science had shown that any long-term global temperature increase above 1.5 degrees Celsius over preindustrial levels would result in catastrophic “loss and damage” for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) like those that exist in the Caribbean.

According to the World Resources Institute (WRI), “loss and damage” is a term used in UN climate negotiations to refer to the consequences of climate change that go beyond what people can adapt to, or when options exist but still, a community doesn’t have the resources to access or utilise them.

Email: barry@tobagoarc.org

Loss and damage in the Caribbean context are generally understood to result from extreme weather events like cyclones such as hurricane Dorian that devastated the Bahamas in 2019, floods that inundate agricultural plains of

Barry Lovelace a Natural Resource Manager and Educator of over 25 years. He is currently the Chairman of the Tobago Reforestation and Watershed Rehabilitation Programme (TRWRP) and a Founding Director of the Tobago Allicance for Resilient Communities (TobagoARC)

Trinidad and Guyana on an annual basis, or the increasing reports of landslides that claim property and lives ever so often in SIDs. Caribbean damage and loss also manifest in slow onset events like sea level rise, desertification, land degradation, ocean acidification, and salinization.

The Paris Agreement that was brokered at COP21 is a landmark international treaty; for the first time ever, almost all countries of the world (over 190 parties) successfully negotiated a legally binding global climate deal. Governments pledged to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius and make further efforts to hold warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. As well, climate change adaptation recieved more focus than in previous climate treaties placing it on par with the mitigation component.

This was a positive outcome for SIDs who contribute the least to the problem but are the ones most affected. Developed countries must support adaptation of SIDS! At COP21, Developed countries reaffirmed their commitment to mobilize $100 billion a year in climate finance by 2020, and agreed to maintain financing at this level until 2025. Caribbean countries rejoiced!

As part of the Paris Agreement Rulebook, countries that are party to the pact must take stock of their carbon emissions and commit, by way of “Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)”, to keep cutting emissions until they reach the goal of net zero by mid-century. Climate action must get more and more ambitious over time. To track progress negotiators have set out a timetable in which each country must submit updated NDCs every 5 years.

2020 should have been the first year for parties to report and update NDCs. But as the year approached, news headlines of the Novel CoronaVirus (COVID-19) began to dominate the headlines, superseding news of the approaching COP26.

Worldwide lockdown and quarantine measures forced the postponement of COP26. Talks finally took place in 2021, but, the high hopes going into COP26 were dashed. The promises made by Developed countries to mobilize $100 billion by 2020 were not realised. To add insult to injury, aspirations to “phase out coal” by 2030 were reduced to “phasing down” coal. These were the disappointments that left negotiators doubtful about their efforts to meet the goal of 2 degrees Celsius by 2030, let alone 1.5.

Coming out of COP21, the optimism of SIDs and Caribbean countries was depressed.

Though the region has had to cope with the increasingly adverse impacts of climate events, this unpredictable

pandemic unleashed a new level of devastation. From new laws and measures from governments in an attempt to contain the virus to the millions of people who either died or were displaced. The pandemic revealed many vulnerabilities in the Caribbean. In the Caribbean, this health crisis quickly cascaded into an education crisis and an ongoing economic crisis.

A study conducted by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) found that children in Latin America and the Caribbean “on average, … lost nearly 4 times more days of schooling than children in the rest of the world.” The effects of this will be evident in the years to come.

The pandemic also resulted in an abrupt pause in tourism arrival, which accounted for US $36.4 billion in the 2019–pre pandemic. According to STATISTA, this fell to US $13.3 billion in 2020 when the pandemic emerged and US $18.2 in 2021. Subsequently, this has left a dent in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of the region by a combined nine percentage (9%) points.

Understandably, now that the hype and measures surrounding COVID-19 are relaxing, people are eager to move forward and leave the horrors of that period in the past. But, returning to the pre-COVID-19 status quo is a luxury the region cannot afford.

The social and economic devastation inflicted on the Caribbean Communities by the compounded crises of Climate Change and COVID-19 has been further escalated by the conflict in Europe. The Russian-Ukraine war has fueled inflation, increased energy prices and spawned an imminent food shortage.

In view of this cascade of crises, how can the Small Islands States of Caribbean Communities cope?

How is it that SIDs contribute so little to the climate change problem, yet carry much of the burden of its impacts and solutions? When will the rich Developed countries step up to the plate and give adequate support to poorer Developing countries to adapt? Why is there hesitancy? What effective actions will result from the upcoming COP27 talks in November 2022?

COP27 is scheduled to be held at Sharm El Sheikh Egypt, in November 2022. Reflecting on the disappointing outcomes of COP26, Caribbean leaders and negotiators are now looking ahead to the COP27 with greater urgency and anxiety. They need answers!

The Bahamian government took the initiative to host a high-level meeting of Eighteen Caribbean countries in August 2022 to plan a collective Caribbean position ahead of COP27.

economic shocks of hurricanes and the Covid-19 pandemic. We also have the additional battle with inflationary pressures, created not by us, but by the war in Europe. And now, to top it off, we are yet again the victims of inequitable and unjust measures on the part of major economic actors. All these factors place a stranglehold on our national development, and that of other small island developing states.”

To the surprise of many, Prime Minister Davis gave a passionate declaration that there was mounting evidence that the targeting financial services sectors of “black-governed” states or former European colonies, is not motivated by compliance but by “darker issues”. “Blackgoverned Countries Matter!” was his cry.

He went on to underscore that “we are commitment-fatigued and we are pledge-fatigued,” reminding the negotiators that rich nations had not met their promise to provide $100 billion in climate aid to poor countries by 2020.

HONOURABLE PHILLIP DAVIS PRIME MINISTER BAHAMAS

In September, the Prime Minister of the Bahamas, Phillip Davis, made good on the opportunity in his presentation at the United Nations General Assembly. He gave a preview of CARICOM’s stance.

Prime Minister Davis explained, “If we advance our interests merely as individual Small Island Developing States, our voices will be dispersed, unable to be heard above louder, wealthier, carbonproducing interests,”.

After submitting that the Bahamas is still recovering from the tremendous loss and damage caused by hurricane Dorian in 2019 he went on to expand on the Caribbean’s plight in the face of impending crises.

“We continue to struggle to recover from the

Caribbean leaders have for years said their countries’ percapita income is too high for them to qualify for aid, under a metric that does not take into account heavy debt burdens generated by paying for the effects of climate change. Prime Minister Davis advocated that Caribbean countries should back a new index based on vulnerability to climate shocks, which could help provide new resources to the region.

Pointing to the upcoming COP27 in November, Prime Minister Daivs made a plea for Developed countries to “turn talk into action” by signing the cheques that have been promised!

I am looking forward to COP27 with great interest and anticipation. How about you?

SIMPLE GREEN LIVING TIPS

In the past few years there has been a push by governments and organizations for us to adopt healthier lifestyles.

The question is, how can we achieve this and why is there a need to adopt green habits?

In the past, growing up as children, we were in fact practicing green living habits and lifestyles, we didn’t know that then but just think about it. Nothing was wasted, peelings from fruits and vegetables were fed to animals and put to plants. We were composting without knowing the term for it.

In recent times there is heightened awareness of the impact on the environment and there is renewed push that green living habits can and does save money.

Here are some of the ways you can improve your health and reduce your carbon footprint

When shopping look for natural cleaning solutions like, baking soda, lemon, vinegar using some of them to mix your own solutions placing them in spray bottles, use washcloths instead of wipes

Use a small area around your home or use plant pots to grow your own herbs and vegetables

Just do your research and choose plants that will grow well in your area and do your best to keep your garden area tidy and pest-free.

Make use of natural sunlight by opening your curtains letting in the light. It can save energy

THE

R'S OF

GREEN

Refuse plastic bags , cutlery , cup and other single use plastics.

REFUSE REDUCE

Reduce waste and repair things when possible.

REUSE

Reuse as far as possible those items like plastic bags to store items.

Recycle where possible.

ROT

Potato skins and other peelings can be used as compost.

Dr. Thorpe is a nuclear medicine and functional medicine physician with post graduate degrees from Cornell school of Medicine and the University of Florida. He mentors clients through the ketogenic diet and treats pain and injury through optimization of blood flow. mongo505@hotmail.com (246) 244-9555

living GREEN Medically

There are many ways to execute a living green lifestyle in this 21st century. It’s the invogue thing to do given the present state of global affairs. From reductions in fossil fuel use to investing in renewable energy; these intentional acts will have a tremendous effect on how animals (us included) and plants will have to adapt in the future for survival.

I considered how we humans can and should “live green” as naturally and inexpensively as possible while producing the greatest effect on our longevity and health span. Apart from natural and man-made disasters, pandemics, accidents and acts of violence, we are likely to die from one of these four causes: Metabolic (Diabetes/Obesity), Cardiovascular (Heart Attacks/Strokes), Neurodegenerative (Alzheimer’s and other Dementias) and Malignancies (Cancers). The two main drivers that put us in jeopardy of all four categories are chronic inflammation and free radical damage, (leading ultimately to mitochondrial dysfunction). Free radicals are highly energetic oxygen species that damage organ systems and cause DNA mutations.

What simple things can we do to reduce

By: Dr. Derek Berry Thorpe

chronic inflammation and free radical damage in our bodies then, in keeping with the theme of Living green? Well one effective tool is antioxidants. But let me be completely honest with you; one will never be able to eat enough fruits and vitamins to quell the hoard of free radicals produced every second in our bodies. NEVER. The trick is to eat the foods and supplements that trigger release of our own endogenous antioxidants, which are by far, more effective and give us at least a fighting chance. Antioxidants such as Glutathione and Superoxide Dismutase.

Let’s start with the simple avocado. In my estimation, one of the two most perfect fruits on the planet. Molecules in the avocado trigger release of Glutathione. If that were all there was, it would have been sufficient, but the avocado is constructed of a beneficial ‘Goldilocks’ fat that is commonly termed a Medium Chain Triglyceride(MCT). A very healthy fat, superb in reducing chronic inflammation. The other fruit of perfection is the olive. The oil from this fruit is also made of MCT’s and has been consumed for centuries producing similar health benefits of

anti-oxidation and dissipation of inflammatory states.

This list is by no means inclusive of all healthy practices and foods but my living green emphasis here is mindful of our tropical geography. For instance, the next two foods, from a tropical standpoint, are plentiful but I wanted to focus on the actual molecule in common that provides the miraculous fact of being cancer deterrents and antioxidant potential. The moringa tree, (Moringa Oliferus) and the Broccoli Sprout; part of the cruciferous vegetable family, which includes Cabbages and Brussel sprouts. Both foods, stimulate a very important physiologic pathway (NrF2), responsible for a myriad of important protective molecules and enzymes. I recommend drinking the moringa in the dried crushed-leaf tea format and buying the active ingredient in the broccoli sprout (Sulfurophane), in capsules as growing one’s own sprouts can be quite labour

There is an amazing molecule in the skin of the grape called Resveratrol. It is at the center of many clinical studies which demonstrate longevity via stimulation of a series of survival genes (Sirtuins). The problem is that there is not enough resveratrol contained in the grape skin, or for that matter in wine, that will make a truly significant difference in one’s health span. This author sources his resveratrol in capsule form and takes one every other day. Lastly, I want to address the sun, our sun. The ultimate source of energy for this planet. Judicious exposure to sunlight is of significant importance in the maintenance of our health. Upwards of 80% of adults are vitamin D deficient. There is a 30-minute activity one can take advantage of in our tropical green environment that will make a tremendous difference for our overall health span. It’s practically free and

exercise on your brain heart and liver health. An exercise where one’s heartrate and respiration increase over normal. Secondly, as we mentioned, the directly exposure to the rays of the sun stimulates the activation of Vitamin D in the skin. In addition to boosting one’s immune system, Vitamin D3’s structure is very similar to that of a hormone and essentially should be thought of as such. Finally, the act of walking on a damp/wet surface for an extended period is a perfect example of ‘Grounding’ (Earthing). Although there are other aspects to complete the Grounding act that involve a mindful communion with oneself, this physical interaction with the Earth allowing the transfer of electrons back into the body, has many benefits including inflammation reduction and improved sleep.

One more amazing aspect about the power of heat. Not necessarily from the direct sunlight, but from the high temperatures of sauna. This is not the same as sun tanning and is not a natural cultural activity of the tropics, but recent research demonstrates the

Goldfield Solar has it all for your Solar Energy needs

When it comes to setting up your solar energy system Goldfield Solar offers a turnkey service with a personalized touch which is unmatched.

The locally owned and founded business, Goldfield, was started in 2014 when co-founder and Olympian, Terrence Haynes, had the vision of helping others meet their goals in an environment where the cost of electricity and energy was rapidly rising.

Competitive prices and great quality is also married with a beautiful presentation for the Solar Design with a more personalized service is one of the many factors which helps this small business standout.

Haynes did more than just dream as he holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering with specialty in Energy and the Environment from the University of Toronto (2007) it was there that he found his passion and went on to get qualified in the field as he also holds a

Masters in Solar Energy Engineering from Dalarna University.

With the capability to cater to small residential properties to commercial and even up to utility scale, Goldfield Solar can design and install any system which one may need.

Hard work, dedication and timeliness are all things Haynes has learnt in his rise to the Olympics in the pool and thus is no stranger to transferring this to his work in providing for his customers.The turnkey service goes beyond just the design and installation.

With projects needing approvals from the Division of Energy and different bodies, Haynes said that his team handles every aspect of the service. The customer does not have to worry about where they should go or who they should apply to for the correct approvals, making the registration process a lot easier and ultimately more efficient and faster.

One can save on energy cost, where they are still tied to the electrical grid, or they can sell their excess back onto the grid which is also a savings and a way to earn a bit extra; or even be total independent off the grid which would require batteries for storage of the energy.

In the past many people had concerns about the

batteries of solar systems but Haynes gave the assurance that the battery technology has improved and it is safe. He gave an account of his own experience when the electricity was off in Barbados a few years ago and he did not have any batteries, so his system was also down. Not willing to go through that experience again he installed batteries so that if an incident like that reoccurs, he would still have power to his home.

The assessment for your home or business is free and then a deposit is required before the Goldfield Solar team starts to work on the project.

With the Global trend going in the renewable energy direction, Haynes said that getting a loan for solar energy is now as easy as getting a loan for a car.

His team is committed to community service and are committed to serving their clients, ensuring everyone has a good experience when it comes to being energy independent.

The Goldfield Solar team can be reached at 266-4416.

GROWING PINEAPPLES AT HOME

Did you know that you can grow your own pineapples right here in Barbados?

It will take a while to grow but rest assured once you take these steps and provide the love to the young plant you will have produced the sweetest pineapple you have ever eaten.

What to do:

Buy a pineapple (pull on the leaves they should not detach from stem)

Cut off the leafy top just below the leaves, about half an inch

Trim lower leaves and cut into a roundish shape

Allow to dry for a few days before potting (this is to prevent rotting)

Purchase a large plant pot 24 inches or more

Fill to top with soil mix or Miracle Gro

Insert top about five inches deep

Saturate the soil

Wet every three days

Pineapple will grow in 18/24 months, harvest when yellow.

Happy planting!

create your own kitchen garden

Noneed for lots of space to grow your own vegetables and herbs! In fact if you have no space you can use traditional pots and trays or be adventurous and use car tyres, wooden crates or coconut shells to grow your favourite and frequently used vegetables.

Some herbs can even be grown indoors.

We suggest that you begin by locating a spot either indoor or outdoors that gets sunlight. Sunlight is extremely important for the growth of all plants. Buy tray or pots for the plants you intend to grow. Use soil mix preferably as this is lighter, porous and is best for plant growth.

Next visit your local garden store and select your seedlings. Here are some of the must have herbs for your garden:

Thyme Marjoram Parsley

Celery

Rosemary

These herbs can grow over months just remember to clip/ cut and not break the plants when harvesting

Vegetables can include Kale

Sweet peppers/hot peppers

Okra

Tomatoes

All short term crops that will flower and produce in 6 weeks or less. Immediately you will notice the difference in texture and fragrance inside your home and in your pot!

Start your own project today.