Monday December 1, 2008, 3:56 pm
I think we need to consume much less by weaning ourselves off all the gadgets, widgets and doodads that clutter our lives. It is criminal to continue to produce all the useless, wasteful junk that people mindlessly buy every day.

My husband and I aim to create as little waste as possible by recycling, avoiding plastic, shopping locally and not buying over-packaged goods. Wherever possible, we make our own environmentally sound detergents and soaps or buy the Earth friendly store versions. We save water by using a rainwater tank and capturing grey water to use on our lawns and gardens. I use the cold water from the shower to clean the bathroom, kitchen and the floors. We also throw all food scraps into the garden. We try to use the car as little as possible; I walk to work and my husband catches the train. I can honestly say I haven’t washed my car with water in about eight years. When we do wash it, we employ the services of our local, friendly eco-wash guys:

http://www.ecowash.com.au/

Also, to save our planet and ourselves from further ruin, we need to care for our wildlife and save our precious animals by refusing to buy products that are tested on them, protecting their habitats and fighting for their rights to live in peace.

We need to battle the greedy developers to stop destroying our trees and green spaces to build more skyscrapers, mega-shopping malls and potential urban slums. We need to petition politicians to stop spending billions of dollars on five-star, luxury conferences where they gorge themselves on caviar (grrr) and French champagne and ACT – NOW, before it is too late.

Of course, I am perfectly aware that I am preaching to the converted, but it feels good to vent.

Tuesday December 2, 2008, 1:00 am
Nora, I could not have said it better myself!
"...preaching to the converted...", You're right of course.
I am spreading "Green News" wherever I can though.
To those in power here in Sweden, they think/say that we have come far, but we still have a long road to walk...
And, since we all share this Planet, (the only one we've got) we must work together. So much to do - so little time!
Things are happening; like solar power plants in a large scale. Spain is upfront on that one, and many are to follow. There are plans to build solar power plants i the Sahara desert, in 10-15 years they could produce enough electricity for the entire Planet!
Wind power plants are coming on strong here in Sweden. Denmark is upfront on that one.
Electric cars, air-powered cars(!), in just a few years we will see a lot of those, believe me!
They say "it's never too late", but now we have to do things we should have done 30 years ago!


"Who killed the electric car?":
http://www.sonyclassics.com/whokilledtheelectriccar/
Zero Pollution Motors:
http://zeropollutionmotors.us/
Solar Power in Spain:
http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/04/spanish-solar-tower-could-eventually-power-an-entire-city/
Wind Power in Denmark:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind_power_in_Denmark

"If not NOW - WHEN???"