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…

Happy Earth Day!

(copyright Monika Roleff 2009.)

(image – Autumn Rosehips.)

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.)

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.)

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.)

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:

Recipe courtesy Michele Knaus, EatLikeAChef.

(copyright Monika Roleff 2008.)

(copyright CookingUpAStory, 2008.)

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.)

MSNBC Green Roof Chicago News

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.)

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.)

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.

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.)