Issue #2 APRIL 2009
A British Council green champions publication
Planet Post Let’s Change the World Together
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earth Save planet
Why we need to add two extra R’s!.
The 5 ‘ R’ s’
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educing the amount we use is core to helping the environment. Hyperconsumerism is one fundamental area that needs to be addressed by each and every once of us. We need to ask ourselves, “Could I make do with less of this? Reusing is the next big step before recycling. But the core of the five ‘R’s’ lies in two other stages. We also need to RETHINK. Advertisers spend exorbitant amounts telling you their product will give you spiritual self fulfillment. This doesn’t mean that you need to lead a life of self-deprivation, but thinking about whether something is truly going to make you happy before reaching into your pocket or purse is something we could all do.
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So what about the fifth ‘R’ - Refuse. Decide not to buy something… Why? Because in your decision to refuse you are deciding to find a new, different way to use what you already have. Frugality and necessity are the mothers of invention and creativity. Surely it’s more interesting to define yourself and not let your possessions do that. Think about what life can become when you stop depending on certain things. Not difficult in an economic crisis right? We have become hyperconsumers and it’s time to put a stop to it. We are running out of resources, 80% of the planet’s original forests are gone, there are over 100,00 synthetic chemicals in commerce (and our products) today, few of them have been tested, most people along the chain of production are not paid or cared for properly by their employers, kids in the Congo are paying with their future to mine a metal called coltan - a metal we use for our cheap electronics - We are not paying the TRUE price. While recycling is definitely something that we should be doing, the waste coming out of households is just the tip of the iceberg. For every bag of rubbish we put in the bin, 70 bags of rubbish were dumped up the production line to make the rubbish in the one bag we put in the bin!
EARTH HOUR Well done to everybody who took part in Earth Hour on 28th March.. During the one hour ‘lights-out’, Greece noted a decline in energy demand of 500 MW which meant that 500 tonnes of carbon dioxide were saved. This was the equivalent of removing 36,509 cars off the road for an hour. If you didn’t do it this year, do it next year. It sends out an important message!
350 350.org was founded by an American author called Bill McKibben, who wrote one of the first books on climate change for the general public. 350.org is an international campaign dedicated to building a movement to unite the world around solutions to the climate crisis. The number 350, represents parts per million, the level scientists have identified as the safe upper limit for CO2 in our atmosphere. But it is more than a number--it's a symbol of where we need to head as a planet. Join them at their website and take an active step on 24th October 2009.
h t n o M This 22/4 Earth Day Wednesday 22nd April will mark Earth Day. This year will launch the beginning of the Green Generation Campaign™ a two year initiative focussing on a carbon-free future based on renewable energy, individual commitment and the creation of a green economy.
See page 2 Nanny McGreen makes way for someone else
Green Bites
3.Separate materials (i.e. A metal lid from a glass bottle).
Put the following in the blue bins:
Bills, newspaper, books, boxes, magazines, envelopes, 4.Flatten packaging glass jars, bottles, perfume the country Stupid! and boxes so that there bottles, juice bottles, plastic should be forcibly A new film called The (including, paint containers, is more room in the Age of Stupid premiered made to watch [it]”. broken rulers, cellophane, blue container. Details of its release in last month in London. food packaging, washing Don’t recycle the This 90 minute long film Greece are to be powder packets), CD cases, confirmed but watch this following in the blue cassettes, plastic bags, about climate change is bins: set in the future and stars space! utensils, Tetrapak packets, Batteries, electrical Oscar-nominated, Pete wooden gift boxes, wooden equipment, elastic, Postlewaite. He plays a spoons, clothes hangers, CDs clothes, shoes, car oil man looking back at and DVDs. containers, pesticide Recycling… The footage from 2007 Make life easier for the containers, mattresses, Right Way! pondering why nothing Recyclers! building materials, was done to stop climate A special thank you to branches, leather goods, change. It touches on Rena Polychronidi for her furniture, organic waste, various themes including, e-mail sent out to all biodegradable products, climate change, oil, war, colleagues concerning the small pieces of paper (e.g. politics, consumerism and GREEN THE OFFICE blue recycling bins. tickets), cigarette butts, human stupidity. The Put Green plants in your office. Here’s a recap: used tissues. Ecologist claims that it, Plants cheer the place up, improve 1. Make sure that “knocks spots off An All these items have their air quality, absorb toxic gases from Inconvenient Truth” and proper place so take heed office equipment and maintain packaging is clean. and put them in the right humidity. So bring in a plant! You ex-London Mayor, Ken 2. Don’t tie up plastic Livingstone stated that, can get a comprehensive list of bags, leave things loose. place! especially eco-friendly plants from “every single person in
Bite size pieces of eco-news!
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the teaching centre.
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Y i aYi a’s Or g ani c
Easter Halva Cake
100g organic unsalted butter, 100g organic Caster sugar, 175g organic Coarse Semolina, 3 organic free range eggs, organic orange rind (grated), juice of 1 orange, 2 teaspoons, baking powder, 100g organic ground almonds.
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For the syrup: 250g caster sugar, 300ml water, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 cinnamon stick, ground cinnamon. Beat butter until soft and add sugar. Mix until fluffy. Add semolina, eggs, orange rind and juice, baking powder and ground almonds - beat until blended. Butter a 23cm ring mould turn cake mixture into it. Put in preheated oven for 10 minutes and reduce temperature to 180. Cook for a Granny McGreen makes way for further 30 minutes or until golden brown. Mix ingredients for Yiayia this month. For something syrup together and boil for 5 minutes removing any scum. Remove cake, leave to cool for a bit, ease it out gently local! with a knife and turn out onto a warm plate. Pour over hot syrup and leave to soak. Any suggestions for The Planet Post? Email: michael.pazinas@britishcouncil.gr