Editor’s Note This issue of ECCO Magazine™’s ezine we continue our 2010 Green Resolution, where we ask you to try to implement a few new green steps in your routine to help make Jamaica a greener, healthier place to live. This month we look at COMPOSTING, the natural ‘organic ‘breakdown of biodegradable material we would normally throw in our garbage. But these materials can be very useful, our 2010 Green Challenge shows you how.
Shelly-Ann Dunkley
Cell:(876) 378-1257 • Fax:(876) 926-8152
March 2010 is going to be one of many months to remember this year, as we bring to our Green Army members the gift of International Earth Hour. On March 27th turn your lights off. at 8:30pm the world will delight as millions of people turn off their lights, in their homes and businesses for ONE hour, in the fight against climate change. You can start your own Earth Hour in Jamaica this year. A few suggestions of things to do: play hop scotch, dandy shandy, revive the ancient art of conversation with your children, and for the romantics among us, you can have a nice, quiet candle light dinner… whatever you do, just “flip the switch”... Read more
EARTH HOUR
Composting 101
Reduce your Carbon Footprint
Earth Hour started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia when 2.2 million homes and businesses turned their lights off for one hour to make their stand against climate change. Only a year later and Earth Hour had become a global sustainability movement with more than 50 million people across 35 countries participating. Global landmarks such as the, Sydney Harbour Bridge, The CN Tower in Toronto, The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and Rome’s Colosseum, all stood in darkness, as symbols of hope for a cause that grows more urgent by the hour.
What is Composting?
There is a prevalent Global effort to reduce carbon and greenhouse gas emissions. This effort is aimed at slowing down the Global Warming phenomenon and safe-guarding a cleaner planet for future generations. Jamaica, in doing its part, must ‘DECARBONIZE’ its economy. Businesses must become more ‘GREEN’, more eco-conscious in every area of its daily operations.
In March 2009, hundreds of millions of people took part in the third Earth Hour. Over 4000 cities in 88 countries officially switched off to pledge their support for the planet, making Earth Hour 2009 the world’s largest global climate change initiative. Read more...
* It is created by: combining organic wastes (e.g., yard trimmings, food wastes, manures) in proper ratios into piles, rows, or vessels; adding bulking agents (e.g., wood chips) as necessary to accelerate the breakdown of organic materials; and allowing the finished material to fully stabilize and mature through a curing process. * As compost breaks down in the soil, it provides the fertilizer nutrients of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in forms that are readily available to plants * Earthworm activity is encouraged, further enhancing soil fertility.
What can Compost be used for? Read more...
How do businesses become more eco-conscious and what is the incentive to go ‘Green’? Cutting costs! - Yes, your business can save money, while seeming more socially responsible. Here are a few tips: Read more...