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Environment

Zero Waste Week: Rethinking What We Throw Away

Happy Zero Waste Week! Now, regular readers will know I’m all about making small changes that add up to a big difference for our beautiful planet. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about being thoughtful. And this week is the perfect time to get our thinking caps on about a topic that affects us all: waste. Specifically, food waste.

We’ve all been there, haven’t we? That sad-looking bag of lettuce at the back of the fridge, or the bananas that have gone from yellow to a speckled brown overnight. It’s a bit of a heart sinker, isn’t it? But did you know that the waste we see in our own kitchens is only a tiny part of the story? A staggering amount of food is wasted before it even gets to our plates.

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September 5, 2025
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Environment, Sustainable Travel

Penguins on the Edge – What the Latest Science Tells Us About Our Icy Friends (and What We Can Do!)

The planet’s magnificent, mysterious, and utterly vital blue heart is brimming with life, regulating climate, and providing immense beauty and wonder. Among its most iconic inhabitants, and top of my list, are penguins; creatures that symbolise the pristine wilderness of the polar regions and capture the imagination of many, not just me! A profound passion for the planet, its incredible wildlife, and particularly the spectacular island of South Georgia inspires my deep appreciation for these remarkable birds.

However, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer scale of environmental challenges facing the planet, with news often painting a grim picture. Even these seemingly resilient creatures are now facing unprecedented threats.

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July 20, 2025
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Environment

The Perfect Storm: When History, Science, and Art Align

It’s a strange sensation, isn’t it? The buzz of anticipation of an event like the “Whale of a Weekend”  in Dundee. The flurry of last-minute details, even the inevitable microphone mishaps and unexpected presenter illnesses!, all culminating in an event where connections are made, stories are shared, and passions ignited. For me, the true magic of these gatherings lies in the opportunity to connect with people and, of course, to champion one of my absolute favourite causes: South Georgia Island and the vital work of the South Georgia Heritage Trust (SGHT).

This past weekend felt like a perfect storm in the best possible way. Every element converged, seemingly by design, creating a powerful synergy. The programme brought together scientists, artists, and historians alongside former whalers, and what struck me most was how seamlessly they all referenced and reinforced each other’s contributions. It felt like a magnificent culmination of the last two decades of SGHT’s dedication.

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July 4, 2025
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Environment

From Scotland to South Georgia: The Untold Stories That Reshape our History

The Whalers’ Memory Bank is launched

The Whalers’ Memory Bank Montage. Photo Credit: South Georgia Heritage Trust

Delving into a topic that, while perhaps a shade more serious than my usual musing, holds a profound resonance for anyone who cares about our shared history and the intricate tapestry of human experience. It’s about the extraordinary power of untold stories, and how they can profoundly shift our understanding of even the most challenging periods of our past.

We’re all heading for a “Whale of a Weekend” festival in Dundee – how brilliant is that name?! – and amidst all the excitement, the South Georgia Heritage Trust is unveiling something quite profound: The Whalers’ Memory Bank. This remarkable digital archive is a significant development, one that promises to illuminate a complex chapter in Scottish and global history and set to reveal the often-overlooked human narratives behind the whaling industry on South Georgia.

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June 24, 2025
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Environment

Finally! A Ray of Hope for Our Underwater Worlds – And Why David Attenborough Would Approve!

You know how passionate I am about our planet, and particularly the incredible, often-unseen wonders beneath the waves. So this is truly uplifting news from the UK, because it seems we might just be on the cusp of a massive win for our precious marine protected areas!

For what feels like eons, we’ve been hearing about “Marine Protected Areas” (MPAs), often with a cynical little voice in the back of our heads whispering, “Protected from what, exactly, if destructive fishing is still allowed?” It’s been a bit like putting a ‘No Parking’ sign up, but then letting double-decker buses drive straight through your prize-winning petunias, hasn’t it?

But now, the UK government has announced proposals to ban the devastating practice of bottom trawling in 41 offshore MPAs. Could this be the game-changer our UK oceans need?

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June 20, 2025
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Environment, Sustainable 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, Sustainable 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, Sustainable 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, Sustainable 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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