Springfield, Massachusetts - Connecticut River TORNADO - incredible!!!

Springfield, Massachusetts - Connecticut River TORNADO -incredible!!!

June 2011

Related External Links

Massachusetts Tornadoes Kill 4 Tornado warning issued for some Boston suburbs

How to live through a tornado

HAARP WEATHER CONTROL could be part of NWO DEPOPULATION PLAN, here's the science.

Related Blog Topics

Informative video on HAARP (High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program) 


Related External Links

HAARP Being Used To Create Floods To Destroy World’s Food Supply!

Britain's HAARP base revealed

Ibiza forest fire forces Brit tourists to flee the holiday island - mirror.co.uk

Ibiza forest fire forces Brit tourists to flee the holiday island - mirror.co.uk

Related Blog Topic

Ibiza Fire Could Be Worst in Balearic Islands’ History

Heavy rain flooding and landslides in the Philippines, Thailand and other parts of Asia

The adverse weather continues worldwide....

 
Serious flooding in Thailand


 
Serious flooding in the Indonesia, Philippines

Preparation List of Food & Supplies - Emergency preparedness plan

This is a very useful video which I found on YouTube.  It has some very useful information in terms of an emergency plan or exit strategy. There are plenty of other videos online, so make sure you look them up and start making preparations.

Just in case you can't watch the video, I have made a list of most of the things listed in the video below (Amend it according to your needs)

Prepare a Disaster Supplies Kit (Bug Out Bag)

Use a waterproof backpack/duffel bag or suitcase -- Store your Bug Out Bag where you can reach it in seconds

1) Cash/credit card, phone card

2) Bottled water

3) Over the counter pain medications / Prescription medications

4) First aid book and small kit

5) 3 day supply of high energy foods e.g raisins, granola bars, peanut butter, crackers

6) Can opener / Plastic utensils / Paper plates / Cups /Wipes

7) Change of clothes - Socks, rain coat, shoes

8) Blankets or sleeping bag / waterproof tent

9) Small tool kit / Knife / Rope / Candles / Waterproof matches

10) Important phone numbers

11) Cell phone or Mobile phone

12) Pen and paper

13) Duct tape / plastic sheeting / Compass / Local map - Sunglasses / Visor cap / Sunscreen / Hair ties

14) Compact umbrella

15) Hand crank flashlight

16) Hand crank radio

17) Hand crank lantern

18) Infant and baby, elderly or disabled family member special care items

19) Hand sanitizer, wipes, plastic bags e.g. Toothpaste and toothbrush and other toiletries

20) Whistle on string for each person / Mace or wasp spray

21) Small portable sterno holder (canned heat holder)

22) Important papers (ID info, blood type, allergies, child's photo) kept in a zip-lock bag

23) Eyeglasses, Spectacles (including spare pairs) and Contact Lenses (including solutions/saline)

24) Car keys

25) Ready to eat canned meats, tuna, sardines

26) Fresh or canned fruits and vegetables

27) Water and other drinks and juices, capri sun etc - Water is the MOST important.

28) Peanut butter

29) Bread

30) Dried fruit and nuts

31) Biscuits, cookies and energy bars, cereals

32) Instant coffee, tea, bags

33) Vitamins and other supplements

34) Special dietary needs and other foods
35) Wind up torchlight or flashlight
36) Wind up radio
37) Solar powered chargers for mobile phones etc

If you can think of anything else that would be useful to put on the list, leave a message in the comments section below.

Related External Links

Survival Garden (This may save your life!) Must see....

Prepping: The Emergency Food & Water Project

Joplin Missouri Tornado AfterMath Video (Dog Saved Live)

Joplin Missouri Tornado 23 May 2011
(Some audio issues but good footage)

Massive Tornado hits hospital in Joplin, Missouri

 

21 May 2011 Topeka, Kansas - Tornadic storm and large hail stones

   

Joplin Missouri tornado total devastation loss

Tornado leaves scores dead in US city


Below I have included some useful links on the latest warnings from the UK Met office.

Related External Links

ALERT!!! ANOTHER Tornadic Cell Heading Towards Joplin, Missouri … On To Lebanon and Rolla (MO)

Tornado Warnings Still Ongoing Now  <---- Check here for other US warnings

How to Survive- Storms

ALERT - Met Office - UK: severe weather warnings for Northern England May 2011- <---- Check here for other UK weather warnings (If link is broken, go to main page)


Joplin Death Toll Climbs to 116 and more fatalities expected as gas leaks cause fires, more weather looms

Stunned Joplin Survivor: 'This Is All Gone'

5/22/2011 -- MASSIVE eruption at Iceland Volcano Grimsvotn -- watch in HD

Iceland Volcano erupting

Magnitude 5.2 Earthquake Strikes in Spain May 2011

Double Earthquake hits Spanish town of Lorca, Murcia - Magnitude 5.2

Earthquake in Lorca:  

A team from TVE records the collapse of a Church Bell and Tower

Related External Links

Strong earthquake near Lorca and Murcia in Spain <--- Check here for up to the minute information and updates

Survival Garden (This may save your life!) Must see....

This short video shows you the tools that you will need in the future for surviving emergencies in a scenario where you will have to provide food for yourself and your family....As the motto of the Girl Guides goes always "Be Prepared"....

)

Tools needed for a Survival Garden

Related External Links

Food in Uncertain Times: How to Grow and Store the 5 Crops You Need to Survive

Garden As If Your Life Depended On It, Because It Does

Japan declares nuclear no-go zone

 
Japan declares nuclear no-go zone

Related External Links

Fukushima evacuees face arrest if they return home - Japanese government declares 12-mile no-entry zone around nuclear plant, with residents facing arrest or fine if they go back

Japan holds anti-nuclear energy protest

Japan to conduct 3rd search mission

Magnitude 6 quake hits eastern Japan

Japan crisis drags, France wants global nuclear reform

Large Tornado at Pine Apple, Alabama on April 15, 2011

Raging tornado in Alabama on 15th April 2011

Related External Links

South recovering from storms, death count climbs

Storm leaves Alabama poultry industry in ruins

US tornado outbreak was 'biggest ever'

US tornadoes: Death toll rises as more bodies found

Severe weather USA Tornadoes Slideshow/Pictures of the devastation

Tornado strikes St. Louis airport in US

US storms kill 313 across 9 states

Youtube video - How to Survive- Storms

Amazing footage of liquefaction in Japan and incredible ground movements weeks after the major earthquake

 

Japan incredible ground movement "LIQUIFACTION" process - Part 1

 

Japan is SINKING into the ocean - liquefaction of the ground continues!

Related External Links

Japan radiation fears prompt firms to move employees

Japan nuclear operator aims for cold shutdown in 6-9 months

A Last Message Sent Out From Man In Japan. YouTube Has Been Restricted In Japan

I just came across this video sent from a distressed french man who with his family, wife and children, lived and worked in Japan.  This was uploaded to YouTube on 17th March 2011.

From the video, you can see that this man is clearly distressed about the fact that there was a nuclear explosion at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, but on switching on the television, there was no news, advice or guidance as to what to do. Does anyone know if this man and his family got out of Japan ok?

A Last Message Sent Out From Man In Japan.

YouTube Has Been Restricted In Japan

Also, the thought had crossed my mind that if and when this disaster happens elsewhere there should be a plan in place to inform and let people know what is happening, what to do, and give them up to the minute information.

Yes, people deserve to know the truth, instead of watching comedy shows on TV.

This is where other world Governments need to take notes and learn from these mistakes.

Contingency planning is the key to SUCCESS!

Michael Jackson - Earth Song

Michael Jackson - Earth Song on MUZU.

Heavenly power set to light up St Mark’s Church, Southend

Heavenly power set to light up St Mark’s Church, Southend

Geologist Predicts Major North America Earthquake Imminent

There have been a few signs predicting or pre-warning the earthquakes we have been seeing around the world lately.

Apparently, there is a major earthquake coming to North America anytime soon.

Watch the video to learn more....

North America earthquake coming soon?

Video dated 16th March 2011

Related External Links

Worried Californians Purchase Gas Masks, Chemical Suits

Radiation Risks to Health: A Joint Statement from Leading Scientific Experts

First Japanese radioactive particles reach U.S. West Coast but UN officials claim they're a 'billion times' beneath danger levels

Iodine protects thyroid and glandular system from radiation damage: Here’s where to get some

How close is your home to a nuclear power plant?

Quebec Canada Earthquake, small earthquake of magnitude 4.3 on 16th March 2011

Quebec Earthquake, A minor earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 4.3 struck Canada on Wednesday 16th March 2011 around 1:36 p.m. It was apparently strong enough to bring down the federal site, with earth tremors stretching from Laurentians, Cornwall, Greater Montreal to Ottawa.

No injuries reported from what I have read so far.

This may be a pre-warning before a bigger event in Canada or possibly surrounding areas....

Related External Links

Canadian nuclear watchdog requests review

Quebec Earthquake

Another Earthquake But This Time Quebec Canada – 16 March 2011

Quebec earthquake 4.3 magnitude

Magnitude 4.3 - ONTARIO-QUEBEC BORDER REGION, CANADA

Check out this great MSN video: Blue Planet: Deep Trouble

Check out this great MSN video: Blue Planet: Deep Trouble


Comment

LOL....Suddenly this video is private.

Basically, in the comments section you are being made aware that the native people are part of the BNP.....Let me explain....There is a man going around the Internet saying he is native American, but is actually a member of the BNP.....It's a smokescreen...A con.

Japan Devastation Earthquake, Tsunami and Nuclear Aftermath Video

Japan Devastation Earthquake, Tsunami and Nuclear Aftermath Video

 

Fresh footage of huge tsunami waves smashing town in Japan

Related External Links

How close is your home to a nuclear power plant?

The moment nuclear plant chief WEPT as Japanese finally admit that radiation leak is serious enough to kill people

Elderly patients left to die in hospital six miles from Japan's stricken nuclear power plant

Number of Japan quake victims tops 18,000 Two survivors found nine days after Japan quake: report

Number of dead, missing nears 21,000

WHO spokesman: Japan food safety situation "serious"

Hot Detoxification Baths Relieve Radiation Signs Japan earthquake: Radiation found in food near nuclear plant

Fukushima workers in hospital after radiation exposure

Japan Earthquake 8.9 magnitude followed by Tsunami and warnings for other areas

 

Japan Earthquake: Tsunami Hits After 8.9 Quake

 
Destructive Japan tsunami caught on film

Last night I was reading about an earthquake that struck Japan on the 9th March 2011, measuring 7.2 in magnitude on the Richter scale, fortunately, in that earthquake there were no serious casualties according to the news reports that I have read, although there was a Tsunami warning issued at the time.

Today, 11th of March 2011 yet another earthquake has hit Japan once again, this time very serious. This earthquake measured 8.9 in magnitude followed by a Tsunami of approximately 32 feet high, according to news reports. Many people have been injured, hundreds have been killed, thousands are feared missing.

Tsunami warnings have been issued for Japan, Russia, Marcus Islands, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Taiwan, Philippines, Indonesia, and Hawaii.

Related External Links


8.9 magnitude quake hits Japan

7.2-magnitude quake hits Japan

Emergency declared at nuclear plant

Japan: Earthquake aftermath at a glance

Tsunami slams into Japan after massive earthquake

Pacific Northwest Faces Nearly Identical Risks to Japanese Quake

Scientists say Japan quake shows US nuclear risk

Two Japanese Nuclear Units Still at Serious Risk

Chile & Easter Island on Tsunami Alert

U.S. airlines halt most service in Japan after quake

Hawaii orders evacuations in Pacific tsunami threat

Hundreds dead and up to 80,000 missing in Japan tsunami

Japan declares nuclear emergency

Japan earthquake: UK rescue team heads for Japan

For Battered Japan, A New Threat: Nuclear Meltdown

South Korea relatively safe from major quakes: experts

Japanese Nuclear Meltdown Confirmed

Donate Carefully for Japan Disaster Relief: Avoid Charities Fraud

Informative video on HAARP (High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program)

Related External Links

HAARP

HAARP home page

H.A.A.R.P  High-Frequency Active Auroral Research Program

The Military's Pandora's Box

Haarp: High-Frequency Vandalism in the Sky

European Parliament Issues Warnings on HAARP!

Report on the environment, security and foreign policy

Britain's HAARP base revealed

5.8 Magnitude earthquake rocks China 2011

An earthquake measuring 5.8 in magnitude has hit China today. So far 16 people have died and 135 people so far are injured.

Well, this is getting scary, an earthquake almost every month!

Massive 6.2 earthquake in Chile today, thankfully nobody injured

I have just been reading that there was a magnitude 6.2 earthquake in Chile on Sunday (yesterday), it shook and destroyed buildings, but thankfully nobody was injured and no lives were lost.

Well, that really is a turn up for the books. I guess that has made my monday! Some good news for a change.

Related External Links

Magnitude-6.2 earthquake shakes northern Chile, no injuries reported

6.2-magnitude earthquake rattles Chile

Dramatic aerial video: Strong earthquake hits Christchurch, New Zealand February 2011

A 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit New Zealand yesterday, over 98 people dead, many people have been injured and killed and there are still people trapped under rubble. Another 200+ people unaccounted for so far.

This is really serious!


Related External Links and Information

Canterbury Earthquake Response information about the 22nd February 2011 earthquake in Canterbury, New Zealand – canterburyearthquake.org.nz is managed by Christchurch City Council and CDEM group

New Zealand Earthquake Kills 145 With More Than 200 Missing

Brazil hit by worst floods in decades in 2011

I have just learned that Brazil is experiencing severe floods and landslides since December. The worst flooding in 28 years.

Wow, I wonder what is going on in the world!

There is something very wrong.

Australia floods strand 200,000 people

How can we help the flood victims in Australia

Queensland Government - Donate to the disaster relief appeal

Cyclone headed for Australia's flood-ravaged north 

No deaths after Australia cyclone

Dancing panda - This will cheer you up!

Cute dancing panda!

Isn't it nice not to have a care in the world, just eat, sleep and dance....LOL

I love pandas! They are so cute, cuddly and so peaceful, they don't trouble anyone.

Short video of the Cycle Hire Scheme in Kennington, London

Cycle hire scheme, Kennington, London

While out and about in South London, I came across the bicycle hire scheme in London.

Above is a short video clip of the bicycle hire scheme introduced around London recently. From my footage you can see that these bikes look to be quite popular, there were only four bikes when I passed by the hire spot some days ago, which is located near Kennington Park post office on the junction of Bowling Green street and Kennington Road in London just around the corner from the Oval Cricket ground. So, if you live near that area you know where to hire your bicycle. The cycles appear to be quite popular, there were only four bikes available when I walked past. Looks interesting enough and appears to be taking off.

On the temporary Android phone that I have, the Samsung Galaxy S, I downloaded the Cycle hire widget from the Android market, this app seems to do a good job of locating the cycle hire points around London and I was easily able to locate the place where I recorded the video in Kennington park complete with a map of the area in a matter of seconds. It's a free app, so this adds to the convenience.

If you have used one of these bikes or the Cycle hire widget on Android, leave a comment and say what you think about the scheme.


If you have hired one of these bikes, leave a comment and say what you think about the scheme on my youtube page as well.

China landslides and floods - Videos

Pakistan Floods 2010 - VIDEOS

Three million affected by Pakistan floods

Pakistan flood aftermath

Related Blog Topics

Flood risk - What can we do now to prevent it

URGENT - GULF OIL SPILL CAUSING TOXIC RAIN, KILLING CROPS??

Oil spill Gulf of Mexico 2010

The Gulf of Mexico Oil spill 2010. Shocking new pictures

The Gulf of Mexico Oil spill 2010. Shocking new pictures.

Related External Links

Former Contractor: BP Not Interested In Cleaning Up Oil Spill

Videos from the Ideal Home Exhibition 2010, Earl's Court, London

Ideal Home Exhibition 2010, Earl's Court, London

A fun-filled day at the Ideal Home Exhibition 2010 


Comments

Green Blogger said...

Love the videos from the Ideal Home Exhibition, wish we could have been there, watching the videos it looked like a great "green" event.

Grow your own vegetables - Gardening at home

Plant and Vegetable grow bags

This is a little piece about one of my favourite hobbies, gardening. I enjoy growing things and the anticipation of seeing the results of my hard work come to fruition. In the past, I have successfully grown a garden full of potatoes, spinach, onion and a few other things.

While out and about a few weeks ago, I came across some vegetable grow bags, which is the main focus of this article. You can also buy plant grow bags for flowers and other plants for decorating your home and garden.

The Grow Me! seed bags are similar to the brown paper bags you get when you buy things in a coffee shop. They contain a number of seeds, which are easy and fun to grow. So, even if you have a small garden, window-sill, lawn, patio tubs, planters, containers, a flat or backyard you can have a go at growing some lovely and fresh vegetables in no time at all. It's easy and you also have instructions telling you what you have to do.

While I was choosing my grow bags, I came across a woman who was browsing and we got talking. She was giving me instructions on how to pickle my beetroot with vinegar, once I had successfully grown them.

These grow bags are also an excellent way to introduce children to gardening and nature, helping them to appreciate how things grow and seeing the fruits of their hard work....So exciting for them.

I bought three of these grow bags, which were:

Beetroot - I love beetroot. In the bag you have 4 plants pots, instructions on how to plant them, some compost and about 100 seeds, which is more than enough for you to attempt at growing your own fresh and tasty vegetables. According to the packaging, these are easy to grow. 

You can use beetroot to add colour to salads and soups. Boiled or pickled, they are sliced or diced to accompany lettuce, tomato, and radishes for any typical British style salad.

Beetroot vegetable grow bag with pots, seeds, 
compost and instructions

Carrot - I have always wanted to grow some carrots. Carrots can be eaten raw, cut into sticks for snacking, can be shredded into a salad, sliced for stews and casseroles or boiled and eaten along with a wholesome meal or you can throw them in a blender or juicer and make a nice nutritious drink. Carrots are rich in Vitamin A and beta-carotene, calcium and a number of nutrients for health and vitality.

In this grow bag you have the early Nantes variety of carrots. The bag again contains all the things you need to successfully grow your own carrots. It comes with 400 seeds, 4 plant pots, instructions, and compost. There are other varieties of carrots that you can buy.

Vegetable grow bags - Carrots, beetroot and lettuce

Lettuce - I love fresh lettuce with beetroot. In this bag you get 500 lettuce seeds, 4 plant pots, instructions and compost to successfully grow your own succulent lettuce. The dark green leaves of lettuce are a good source of beta-carotene, Vitamin C, and Vitamin A and have a high water content.

Related Blog Topics

Grow your own workshop in Myatts Fields park in August 2010

Gardening for fun - Trying your hand at growing your own fruit and vegetables

Healthy Eating - Living Salads

Reduce the volume of your waste and save landfill

Compost - Feed your garden and your plants

Related External Links

Jamaicans Turn To Home Gardens After Rise In Global Food Prices

Brixton Farmer's Market - Every Sunday 10am - 2pm on Brixton Station Road

I first found out about the Brixton Farmers' Market while in Brixton in October last year. At the Brixton Farmers' Market, I was able to taste some fresh organic cheese, talk to some fruit and vegetable sellers and take some pictures. Also on offer are free range eggs, and organic meat.

 Brixton Farmer's Market Placard

English apples, seasonal vegetables, speciality juice, traditional meat, free range eggs, homemade preserves, local honey, handmade bread, fresh fish, regional sausages, farmhouse cheese.

When you visit, you will be amazed at how fresh everything tastes.

It is located on Brixton Station Road in Brixton, just past the bridge near Brixton Leisure Centre every Sunday between 10:00am - 2:00pm.


Related External Links

Brixton Market Info

Recycling old batteries

While I was out and about, I came across a battery recycling scheme taking place at Currys Digital stores where I saw that they had a container filled with batteries for recycling.

I have an old Bisto container which houses all my used batteries (while I tried to figure out what to do with them), so I was glad to see that I can dump all my used old batteries for recycling. I now use rechargeable batteries most of the time so I don't really have to worry much about recycling old batteries which contain mercury, a poisonous chemical found in batteries. Well, at least you know that batteries can be recycled.

While talking to one of the Managers in-store, I was given some information about some other recycling schemes that they have. He told me that customers can drop off their used and old electrical equipment that needs to be recycled at Currys. I was impressed as sometimes you see these used electricals lying in the streets causing an eye-sore, so you can drop them off at Currys Digital for recycling.


How much do you get for recycling old batteries?

Well, as far as I know, you don't get anything for recycling old batteries in the UK, but you may get something for your battery recycling efforts in other parts of the world.

However, it is good to recycle them because batteries contain toxic chemicals and are dangerous to just dump in the dustbin.

Recycling Batteries at Currys and PC World

You can also recycle your old printer ink cartridges in the recycling bins provided instore.

Ink cartridge recycling at PC World and Currys

Update 18 June 2013

I saw an advert online where some people are buying old ink cartridges. So many you can do a search and see what's on offer for your old ink cartridges. I normally just send mine in those plastic charitable envelopes when I get a few piled up.

Deep freeze costing Americans big money

Well, I don't think it's just the Americans that are losing money from the big freeze...However, shouldn't there be contingency plans in place for this early winter weather?

In the meantime, in the UK, transport chaos as usual and closed schools, oh and a shortage of grit....what's new...

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

msnbc.com - Deep freeze costing America big bucks

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Snow disrupts European travel, sport etc



Related External Links

Friends build an Igloo in Birmingham

Happy Christmas from Green Issues Blog

Wishing you a lovely Christmas and New Year from Green Issues.

Below are a few videos I recorded with a Christmas theme...

Snow at Christmas December 2009 at Camberwell Green

Christmas Lights in Oxford Street, London 2009

London Christmas Lights Oxford Street December 2009


Leave a comment.

Go Green Natural Kitchen Cleaner review

I know it's been a while since I posted anything on this blog, but I really have been busy getting on with my life offline...Anyway, I was shopping in one of those 99p bargain stores a few days ago and came across a new green product I wanted to share, because I really like it.

I have seen a number of this particular brand of Go green products and wanted to buy a selection of them, but seeing as I have never tried this particular brand, I decided to pick one in the store, try it out and then buy more later if it was any good.

The Go green natural kitchen cleaner is a brand of environmentally friendly products designed to help you to keep your household clean and fresh while helping to keep the environment pollution-free at the same time. It is made by MPM Consumer Products based in Manchester.

This natural kitchen cleaner has the added benefit of helping to keep your surfaces, like tiles, glass and mirrors streak-free with a gentle shine. I will be buying more of this product as the price is affordable, it is gentle on the hands and contains natural ingredients in the form of essential oils such as lemongrass oil, grapefruit oil, limonene, and other ingredients which are lactic acid, sodium citrate and non-ionic surfactant. It also contains alcohol.

In terms of the ingredients, some essential oils such as Lemongrass are known for their anti-bacterial properties and others are known for their anti-viral properties, therefore it makes sense to include these in a household cleaning product.

According to the packaging, the Go green natural kitchen cleaner contains 'cleaning ingredients derived only from plants & vegetables' and 'helps remove grease and grime leaving surfaces fresh and clean.'

The Go green natural kitchen cleaner is a clear colourless liquid and has a consistency very much like water with a slightly soapy formula. It is free from petrochemicals, artificial colours and fragrances, preservatives, animal derived ingredients, sodium laureth sulfate (SLS), parabens and phosphates.


The Go green natural kitchen cleaner is made in the UK.

Update 2010:

A few weeks ago, I went back to buy some of this natural kitchen cleaner, which I think is excellent, unfortunately, they don't have any more.

Update 8th February 2011:

Spoke to the company that sells this product and they say it is available to buy in Lidl stores and 99p stores. So, I guess I'll try Lidl since my local 99p store doesn't have it anymore.


Related Green Issues Blog Topics

Green tip of the day - Quick tip for descaling your kettle

Top green tips for becoming more green and environmentally friendly

Go green - Become more environmentally friendly

Heavenaura - A Sad Pathway - Calming Music

I came across this video and music online and enjoyed listening to it, so I thought I would post it here.

The artist is Heavenaura who put the song together on Musicshake and the song is entitled A Sad Pathway.

Heavenaura - A Sad Pathway
(Audio from original Artist)




Heavenaura - A Sad Pathway
(Video with Dolphins swimming)

I would love to swim with dolphins, they are so friendly.

Top Green Tips for becoming more Green and Environmentally Friendly

Here are my top green tips - These have come off the top of my head, but I will add more when I think of them and then I will update this post.

Did you know that car parts and old electrical items can be recycled and used to make things like pens and pencils? I was given a few recycled pencils and a pen and when I read the information on the side, they were made from recycled car parts.

Selling off unwanted and used electricals - You can easily sell your unwanted and used electricals to people who need and want them, or you can give them away. Some people use the parts of these machines for spares or to build things. This will save landfill, which is where most of these items go once they are no longer in use. If not in this country, then they go to developing countries where they pollute the land for innocent people.

Buy re-usable or rechargeable batteries - If you buy re-usable batteries, you can use these for a number of years without throwing them away. This will not only save you money, but it helps to preserve the environment as single use batteries contain mercury which is not only poisonous but also toxic. There are many places that now provide battery recycling such as your local library and various retail outlets.

Recycle your old and unwanted clothing, shoes and accessories - You can give these to a reputable charity. Old clothes and accessories can easily be used to make new material such as quilts and blankets and can be re-used by others. If your shoes are in good condition, you can give these away as well. Also, someone, somewhere could make good use and appreciate this clothing. Instead of throwing these items away, give them to people who need them.

Use natural products - Natural occurring products are good for the environment as they require minimum manufacturing, energy, chemicals etc. These also have the added bonus of being biodegradable, decomposing and wearing away once left out in the open environment for a considerable length of time.

Use biodegradable products - These will waste away and disintegrate easily and naturally and will not litter the environment and pollute the sea.

Use a water butt - You can use one of these to collect water. The water can be used to water your flowers, as well as house and garden plants, these have an added bonus as plants like rain water. If you look at your house plants which are watered with tap water, you can see a white film and build-up around these plants. This is caused by the calcium and other minerals in tap water. The plants hate this. I used to have this on my plant, so I started using filtered water on the house plant and I sometimes leave the plants outside when it rains, this will help to wash away the calcium.


Related Blog Links

Organic Foods - The Benefits of Going Organic


Related External Links

Electric hire car scheme spreads

Some pictures of my plants and pictures of flowers taken on my travels

Since this is an Environmental blog, I am going to add a few pictures of my plants and other flowers I come across on my travels. I used to have about four plants, which I put outside, but people keep coming to steal  them in the middle of the night. My favourite was a nice rubber plant that I promised to look after for someone who was going back to America, many years ago. My neighbour appears to have this problem too, thieves in the night. It is either my plants get stolen or they die. My African violet died. *big sigh*. I have had about 4 African violet plants and they have all died on me, I am just not good with that plant.

Flowers on display at Westfield Shopping Centre

These are some purple flowers I saw when I was at the Westfield Shopping Centre in Shepherd's Bush. Nice aren't they?

At the moment I have one Crassula ovata otherwise known as a jade plant, good luck tree, or money plant. It appears to have a number of names, which I have maintained for well over a year now. For some time the leaves were looking a little yellow and the plant did not look so well. I went to buy some fertiliser and met a lady who gave me some of her liquid fertiliser while I was out hunting for some. We had tea and a long chat too and she told me how to maintain the Crassula ovata, which she said I had over watered. She advised me to leave it outside and take the plant out of the pot completely in order for it to dry out a little bit. Unsurprisingly, this worked as these plants do not like too much watering. They are known as succulents.

I plan on buying an aloe vera plant soon. Aloe vera plants are great because you can break off a branch, squeeze the juice out and rub it all over the skin to keep mosquitoes away, this was a good mix with citronella spray to avoid getting bitten.

Crassula ovata

Below is a rosemary plant I spotted on my travels.

Rosemary Herbs

I have tried my hand at growing my own fruit and vegetables both here and abroad. I have also grown scotch bonnet peppers successfully there and my brother grew some brown beans on a few occasions.

I have grown potatoes, spinach, onion, water cress and mustard. Potatoes and water cress are fairly easy to grow. Potatoes like lots of water and with a lot of sunshine you can easily get some really big potatoes. The spinach gave me a few headaches and had some kind of parasite growing inside it and eating the leaf from the inside out. I used to pluck off the leaves that had this problem and eventually the spinach grew big and strong and were able to withstand the pests. On many occasions, we enjoyed the spinach and it feels so good to be able to grow your own fruits and vegetables from time to time.

As part of my science course at college many years ago, we had to grow flowers from their seeds, but that did not go too well. As you can tell, I am not so good with maintaining flowers but I am better with plants.

Update 6th May 2011

Beautiful flowers on the concourse at Victoria station

Here is one of my Jade plants. When I bought it it was really small. I've changed the pot once because it has grown so big. I have others.....Nice isn't it?

Crassula ovata or Jade plant

Crassula ovata, Jade plant or Good luck tree

(Seems to have lots of names)

Some African violets in a flower bed at Bankside

Related Blog Links

Healthy Eating - Living Salads

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