Posts filed under 'City Nature'
Earth Day 2009
Here’s to a great Earth Day, 2009! Many things
are happening all over the world, and again it’s
an inspiring thing to see just how much is happening
to celebrate the earth and nature. Even the smallest
gesture is enough to create awareness…
(copyright Monika Roleff 2009.)
(image – Autumn Rosehips.)
2 comments April 22, 2009
Food Waste – Jonathan Bloom Part One
In the first part of this discussion about food waste, Jonathan Bloom states the waste factor of food worldwide is at a rate of 40%! When lifestyles were more rural and there were ways to dispose of excess food, waste was not such an issue. Increasingly urban areas worldwide are tuning into different ways of being more conscious of waste, and many programmes have been started to minimize these issues.
This series of interesting videos is produced by Rebecca Gerendasy from the brilliant CookingUpAStory.
(copyright Monika Roleff 2009.)
(copyright CookingUpAStory, 2009.)
Add comment April 8, 2009
Earth Hour 2009
Earth Hour 2009 is happening around the globe this weekend.
Their target is one billion participants this year,
so let’s see what happens!
Saturday March 28th, 8.30 pm Australians are turning off their
lights for an hour. Be part of this amazing event where it happens,
around the world!
(copyright Monika Roleff 2009.)
(Earth Hour 2009 clip courtesy You Tube 2009.)
2 comments March 23, 2009
Bee Update
Have been chatting to a long time apiarist in rural regions
and asked about the bee situation, in case it was an
exaggerated thing, but he confirmed that without bees,
humanity would not survive. He also explained that
bees never swarm at people, they only follow the
command of the Queen Bee and do her bidding. This is
why bees appear so “busy” all the time, and make
“beelines” for certain flowers or trees. They are simply
following the beat of nature, so be kind to bees!
(copyright Monika Roleff 2009.)
2 comments March 23, 2009
Artichoke Heaven
Very nearly tempted the other day to buy a Jerusalem Artichoke plant, but decided against it, thinking it would be too hard to grow. Michele Knaus, new gardener, but experienced chef, shows how success with these exotic plants can be a reality, and also how to make delicious and versatile Artichoke Pesto. For anyone has never tried this beautiful vegetable, it’s definitely worth investigating. The taste is unforgettable. Thanks to the brilliant filmwork of Rebecca Gerendasy from CookingUpAStory, this is an easy to follow cooking lesson. For the recipe, read on:
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Makes about 2 cups 2-4 people
Recipe courtesy Michele Knaus, EatLikeAChef.
(copyright Monika Roleff 2008.)
(copyright CookingUpAStory, 2008.)
2 comments November 1, 2008
Mini Farms & Urban Backyards
Urban farming makes sense in so many ways,
and pays back the people who take the trouble
with it many times over in a myriad of beneficial ways. Two women
from Portland, Oregon take the initiative, do the hard work and
reap the rewards with their backyard farming enterprise.
This is another brilliant uplifting story filmed filmed by Rebecca Gerendasy
of CookingUpAStory, a rich resource to follow in planning your
own sustainability commitment, however small, starting from
your own backyard.
(copyright Monika Roleff 2008.)
(copyright CookingUpAStory, 2008.)
2 comments November 1, 2008
Green Roof Reality
In this linked article from Caroline at greenroofs.org, it’s plain to see
the value of green roofing ideas, and good evidence for
their usefulness. Some of the benefits listed are the decrease of pollution
and storm runoff, which are definite positives. If you have ever
been caught in a sudden city deluge you will appreciate this!
Green Walls and roofs
are becoming something real.
For a take on residential green roofs, this link was
supplied by Joanne, of a quirky woodland style
home with a totally green roof in Wales, UK.
(copyright Monika Roleff 2008.)
10 comments April 16, 2008
Vertical Garden Store and Green Roofs
In addition to the post regarding vertical gardens on walls in urban areas…thrilled to see a very stylish example on the Firth’s eco conscious store in London adopting the idea. Learned about the store, Eco Age, on treehugger.com which is a great resource for all things green and emerging! As can be seen from the photograph of the exterior of the store, the upper story is clothed in a very calming green, beautiful to see in the city.
WorldGreenRoof.org shows other examples of greenery being incorporated into building design on roofs. Featured on the link are some stunning photographs, expanding on this brilliant idea.
(copyright Monika Roleff 2008.)
8 comments April 7, 2008
City Walls of Nature
Just a quick article to show how a brilliant
designer, Patrick Blanc, is transforming
cities with vertical gardens. Mr Blanc has
patented the vertical design*, allowing the greening
of city buildings, inside and out. Take a look
at his wonderful website gallery, “Walls”, a slideshow of
beautiful, sustainable ideas. Great concept for
getting nature back into urban places.
(copyright Monika Roleff 2008.)
*Mr Blanc’s designs are patented, therefore, are
not to be copied. Further details on site link.
14 comments March 25, 2008
Urban Colours
This spectrum coming from the sun came about twice in a week, once seeing it like this from the sun, and another time seeing it reflected in a water stream. It’s amazing what you see once you start looking, the same natural wonders as can be found anywhere in the world, can be found in cities. When we see a rainbow, the colours are exactly the same spectrum, also seen in oil/petroleum residues, and some detergent residues. What is this phenomenon, a spectrum of colour like this, seen in a range of ways in urban places?
(copyright Monika Roleff 2007.)
11 comments December 16, 2007
