SUBSCRIBE (To Receive New Blog Alerts)
‘Buy Me A Coffee’ Donation

Tag

plastics

Environment

The High Stakes of Mapping Antarctica’s Hidden World

Deep beneath the vast, white expanse of Antarctica lies a world few will ever see – a landscape of jagged mountain ranges, deep-cut canyons, and ancient valleys. For decades, scientists have been working to “peel back” the ice to understand what lies beneath. Recently, a monumental milestone was reached with the release of Bedmap3, the most detailed map of the Antarctic continent to date.

I was fortunate enough to attend a presentation by Dr. Peter Fretwell where he shared some of the results of this groundbreaking work. Listening to the sheer scale of the data collected by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) and their international partners, it’s clear that this research is far more than a cartographic achievement. It is a vital tool for understanding our planet’s future. What I love about this type of research is it’s all about facts with little hype and conjecture!

Read more
February 1, 2026
3387
Environment, Sustainable Travel

Reflections on 2025. Fragility, Resilience and the Lessons of the South

As the final days of 2025 drew to a close, I found myself looking back on a year that has been as challenging as it has been illuminating. Through the lens of this blog, we have explored everything from the quiet biodiversity of our own gardens in Dove Park to the staggering, icy majesty of the Antarctic Southern Ocean.

While the tone of environmental news can often tilt toward the “doom and gloom,” my journey this year – both through research and my own travels – has reinforced a singular truth: sustainability is not a static goal, but a series of deliberate, conscious choices.

Read more
January 5, 2026
3527
Environment, Sustainable Travel

The Pulse of the Planet: Why Your Choices in the Shopping Aisle Matter in Antarctica

How do you describe a place that feels like the very edge of the world? Antarctica is a vast, frozen wilderness – a land that has famously claimed the lives of explorers who dared to challenge its silence. But step off a Quark Expeditions vessel at Snow Hill, as I recently did, and you’ll realise that “barren” is the last word you’d use.

Watching the stoic Emperor penguins against the sheer white horizon, you realise this place isn’t just surviving, it is teeming with life. Yet, this fragile splendour is under siege. We often think of the threats to Antarctica as distant, monolithic forces – global warming, industrial overfishing and historical whaling – that only governments can solve.

But after walking among the colonies, the truth becomes clear: The fate of the ice isn’t just in the halls of parliament; it’s in your shopping basket.

Read more
December 17, 2025
3623
Environment

Farming for the Future: How Barfoots is Winning the Sustainability Race in the UK 🌽

It’s easy to think of UK farms as perpetually struggling, always fighting against temperamental weather, rising costs, and a challenging global market. You hear the news, and it’s all doom and gloom. But hold onto your wellies, because I’ve found a brilliant family-run farm in the South of England that’s not just succeeding – it’s thriving, thanks to a deep commitment to sustainability and some seriously clever tech. And full disclosure, I only stumbled across their brilliance because Oddbox mentioned them in one of the little newsletters they include with every delivery of rescued fruit and veg – so thank you for that great tip, Oddbox!

Read more
October 23, 2025
4222
Environment

Breathing New Life: The UK Schemes Turning Unwanted Instruments into Futures 🎶

My passion for sustainability, is not just about travel and the environment, but extends to how we sustain culture, opportunity, and hope. We talk a lot about repurposing materials, giving items a second life, and challenging the ‘throwaway’ culture. But what about objects that offer something far more profound than just a reduction in landfill – objects that can literally change the trajectory of a young person’s life?

I’m talking about musical instruments.

Read more
October 15, 2025
4455
Environment, Sustainable Travel

César Manrique: Art, Nature & Sustainability in Lanzarote

I’m back with another travel tale following a dear friend’s prompting, and this time, we’re talking about a true visionary. If you’ve ever been to the stunning island of Lanzarote, you’ll know that it’s unlike anywhere else. There are no high-rise hotels (bar one!), no gaudy billboards, and a beautiful, harmonious blend of white-washed buildings and dramatic volcanic landscapes. This isn’t an accident. It’s all thanks to one man: César Manrique.

Read more
September 23, 2025
5310
Environment

Harvest Fest & Seed Secrets at Ricky Community Garden Autumn Workshop.

As the days get shorter and the leaves start their spectacular show, there’s a buzz of excitement at the Ricky Community Garden! We’re all gearing up for the Sustainable Three Rivers group’s fantastic Harvest & Autumn Workshop happening on Sunday, September 28th, from 11 am to 1 pm. And guess what? It’s going to be packed with free goodies and fantastic learning opportunities! Everyone from the Three Rivers District is welcome.

Read more
September 12, 2025
4139
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.

Read more
September 5, 2025
4560
Environment, Sustainable Travel

The Antarctic Code: How to Be a True Penguin Pal

My deep-seated love for penguins started years ago, and my trips to the Antarctic have only solidified my belief that we have a responsibility to protect these incredible creatures and their pristine home. It’s easy to book a trip with an “eco-friendly” tour operator, but being a responsible traveler goes much deeper. It’s about how you behave once you’re there.

Read more
August 20, 2025
5211
Close