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Environment

Environment

Beyond Bricks and Mortar: ‘That Hempcrete Guy’ Reveals the Carbon-Negative Building Solution We Already Have!

Regular readers here know I’m passionate about exploring sustainable solutions, from the food we eat to the energy we use as well as uncovering those unexpected sustainability individuals. In the UK, we’re facing a dual challenge: creating warmer, healthier homes and significantly reducing our carbon footprint. The good news? We have the skills, tools and materials readily available to achieve both, particularly through sustainable building practices. The frustrating part? For some reason, we’re still not utilising these incredible resources, especially when it comes to larger-scale housing developments.

I recently had a fascinating conversation that opened my eyes and really brought this home. My guest, Will Stanwix a.k.a. ‘That Hempcrete Guy’, a pioneer in the world of natural building, shared his journey and insights, highlighting just how much potential we’re sitting on. Another unsung hero quietly championing the use of carbon-negative hempcrete to revolutionise eco-friendly construction and reduce humanity’s environmental footprint.

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June 12, 2025
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Environment

Celebrate World Oceans Day: Book Your Place At the Upcoming ‘Whale of a Weekend’!

Can you believe it’s almost here again? This Sunday, June 8th, marks World Oceans Day 2025, and it’s a date I always have circled in my calendar. Why? Well, it’s a day to pause, reflect, and truly appreciate the magnificent, mysterious, and utterly vital blue heart of our planet. From the tiniest plankton to the grandest of the whales, our oceans are brimming with life, regulating our climate, and providing us with so much beauty and wonder.

And that’s what got me thinking. Heading to Dundee end of June, and learning more about the whale research that’s been taking place in and around the remote sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia, is a perfect way to celebrate our oceans. From meeting the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) scientists and hearing directly from the team about their ‘Hungry Humpbacks’ research and experiences, to meeting the principal curator of the Natural History Museum AND meeting artist Michael Visocchi, actually seeing the Key Table of the Whale Memorial that will head to South Georgia… these opportunities don’t happen often!

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June 6, 2025
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Environment

Beyond the Tap: Your Hidden Water Footprint

If you’re anything like me, you probably thought you had a handle on your household water usage. Prepare to have your mind blown! That’s how I felt when we kicked off our nearly last Transition Streets module about water.

We all know about the obvious ways we use water at home – showers, toilets, washing up and laundry. But did you know that your personal “water footprint” is likely far greater than the 150 litres per person per day we typically use in our homes? According to the module notes, the average water footprint is a staggering 3,400 litres per day! Here’s why….

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May 29, 2025
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Environment

Dundee’s Calling! Get Ready for a “Whale of a Weekend” with South Georgia Heritage Trust

Guess what’s on my radar for June? Mark your calendars because the South Georgia Heritage Trust (SGHT) is bringing a truly unmissable festival to Dundee, Scotland, from June 26th to 29th, 2025! Get ready for the “Whale of a Weekend” – and trust me, it’s going to be epic.

You know how passionate I am about our planet, its incredible wildlife, and particularly the spectacular island of South Georgia – this event ticks all the boxes. It won’t be just a fun day out but a deep dive into the fascinating, and sometimes heartbreaking history of South Georgia, polar exploration and science and a beacon of hope for wildlife conservation.

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May 26, 2025
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Environment, Travel

An Evening of Antarctic Inspiration: A James Caird Society Dinner to Remember

Last week, I had the immense privilege of attending the bi-annual James Caird Society dinner, at Dulwich College, an event that always promises a deep dive into the heroic age of Antarctic exploration. This year, however, felt particularly special, leaving me filled with inspiration and a renewed sense of awe for those who braved the frozen continent.

The air bubbled with anticipation as members gathered around the James Caird, many of whom have their own incredible stories connected to polar exploration. The evening’s speaker in the Great Hall at Dulwich, was Bob Headland, a renowned writer and polar historian whom I had had the pleasure of sitting next to at the previous dinner. His address was, as expected, a masterclass in storytelling, ‘Non-existent Islands & Rocks of the Southern Ocean’, bringing to life incredible marine tales of endurance and resilience that define the era of Shackleton, Scott, and their contemporaries.

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May 20, 2025
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Environment

Love Food, Reduce Footprint: Diving into the Transition Streets Food Module

If you consider that around 25% of global carbon emissions come from food and agriculture it’s an area where we can have considerable impact on our planet… and on our own health too. But there are so many factors to consider when you start a conversation about the food we buy, from our dietary needs, cooking skills and the time we have, through to cost, environmental impact and animal welfare.

We delved deep into the sometimes daunting world of food at our latest Transitions Street meeting and got stuck into some vital conversations about how we nourish ourselves and our planet.

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May 12, 2025
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Environment, Travel

World Penguin Day Calls for Action!

Today, April 25th, marks World Penguin Day – a perfect opportunity to celebrate these incredible, tuxedoed inhabitants of our planet. From the icy plains of Antarctica to the sun-drenched shores of the Galápagos, penguins captivate us with their charm and resilience. But beneath the adorable waddle and the impressive dives lies a stark reality … many penguin species are facing a perilous future.

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April 25, 2025
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Environment, Travel

An Invitation to Protect Our Oceans: Underwater Gardens

Remember the two coral frames we sponsored through Reefscapers at the Four Seasons in the Maldives? Following my last blog, “Finding our Sustainable Footprints from Local lanes to Distant shores,” where our group discussed ways of ‘offsetting’ our travel abroad, I wanted to revisit these little underwater gardens that we sponsored in 2022 and 2023 putting them uppermost in our minds as a small example of a way to ‘pay back’ for our travel footprint.

Let’s dive into the progress of our adopted reefs.

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April 21, 2025
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Environment, Travel

Finding Our Sustainable Footprints, From Local Lanes to Distant Shores

Our little corner of Chorleywood gathered together on a cold March evening, for a thoughtful discussion on something that touches all our lives: travel. With a focus on sustainability, we delved into the nitty-gritty of our local transport options and broadened our horizons to consider the impact of our holidays.

It was an uplifting discussion, with many different opinions and inputs. Here are our outcomes….

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April 14, 2025
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Environment, Travel

Small Steps, Big Impact: New Sustainability at Princesa Yaiza, Lanzarote

Lanzarote, the captivating island of volcanic landscapes and whitewashed villages, holds a unique charm. But its delicate ecosystem, heavily reliant on tourism, faces significant sustainability challenges. From water scarcity to waste management, preserving the island’s natural beauty requires a conscious effort from everyone, including its visitors and the businesses that cater to them.

During my recent stay at the stunning Princesa Yaiza Suite Hotel Resort in Playa Blanca, I was heartened to witness the small yet significant steps since our last visit, that they are taking towards a more sustainable future. It’s not like they’ve suddenly built a wind farm on the beach next to them or anything – though with the considerable winds here, of course, there is one wind farm near Arrecife and another was approved in 2024 – but it’s all these clever little things they’ve been doing over the last couple of years that really add up.

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April 6, 2025
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