Much needed initiative in Mumbai . Check out details at The Sapling Project .
Pl participate in the sapling plantation drive on 6 June at various locations in India.
Posts Tagged ‘urban’
Gift
Monday, May 31st, 2010Back from a walk in the area. The tree cover in the vicinity is wonderful . Trees possibly planted years ago line many parts of the road providing much needed succor in the sweltering summer . The sheer sight of lush green trees is an oasis in the midst of concrete buildings. The trees stand tall providing shelter , joy and reassurance . The trees in our office area are home to many birds . Though the day we hear varying sounds of the birds that inhabit them.
In the garden are trees that we planted as small saplings 2 years ago . When we were planting them there was a sense of impatience about seeing the full fledged trees . Nurturing plants teaches us beautifully that the rhythm of life cannot be hurried.
It’s a joy to see Gulmohar trees in full bloom gently swaying in the wind with the sky as the background , mango trees full of mangoes , the venerable pipal..Trees are precious gifts.
Give yourself and the world a gift . Plant a tree.
Plastic 101
Sunday, May 30th, 2010
Plastic issues
Some of the facts about plastic in a succinct , graphic style . Pl read and share . Lack of awareness of issues pertaining to plastic is a part of the problem.
source : www.theplastiki.com
Save 1095 litres of water
Sunday, May 9th, 2010
These days many cities and neighborhoods face water shortage . Even those that are lucky to get 24 hour water supply must be prudent with water consumption.
Water used to wash vegetables , rice , dal etc can be stored in a bucket / watering can. This water can be used to tend to home gardens. This change on an average will reduce the otherwise fresh water needed to water plants by 3-4 liters daily . Multiply this over millions of households. That’s millions of liters of water that would otherwise be poured down the drain.
A single household with a home garden that consistently uses kitchen water for the home garden will save a minimum of 1095 liters per year.
If you don’t have a home garden pl make a start . It’s possible to nurture plants in a small balcony / window sill . Use wall space . The joy of seeing plants grow and blossom is indescribable. In a world where most things are marketed as ‘instant’ – from noodles to weight loss – gardening connects us with the rhythm of life that can’t be hurried. We may think we nurture the plants. The plants nurture us with their presence.
Manufacturing content
Friday, April 30th, 2010Content..NOT as in content for a website or a blog . Content in the sense of feeling contented with what one has.
Recyclable does not equal recycled
Sunday, April 25th, 2010In theory everything is recyclable. I could recycle a building, an airplane, a DVD, a camera…or even my tooth brush. For something recyclable to actually be recycled someone needs to take that something and want to turn it into something new. That is exactly where the problem lies with the recycling concept…Interesting article by Kathleen Boylan.
It’s a good idea to reuse and reuse as much as possible . Invest in quality products . And when you feel you no longer want to use a product even though it’s in perfectly good condition try one of the following (listed in no particular order)
1. Do a bit of recycling on your own. Make something else from the original object . Turn saris into tablecloth , gift wrapping paper.
2. Find an alternative/creative use for the object e.g turn old mouse pads into table mats or coasters.
3. Pl pass it on to someone who can use it.
Let’s remember that unless the object is bio-degradable – when we throw stuff away there’s no ‘away’. It remains here on planet earth.
Furoshiki
Saturday, April 24th, 2010The ultimate eco bag !
It may not be possible for all to expertly and quickly fashion stable bags from cloth . We can however use cloth creatively wrap gifts.
Ditch wrapping paper . Instead use cloth – old saris , stoles , scarves, dupattas . Being in the clothing biz we get fabric swatches of varying dimensions on a regular basis . Some of them are used to wrap objects , gifts . The end result is always delightful – for us and the recipient.
p.s – we’ve been thinking about the number of items one can make from a sari. In a few weeks we should be able to share the fun creations from a sari
The story of bottled water
Friday, April 23rd, 2010Do watch . This will make you rethink the next purchase of bottled water.
Carry a reusable bottle filled with filtered water . When you visit a friend or an office ask to refill the bottle. You’ll have better tasting water and a cleaner planet. Asking to refill the bottle at a friend’s place is possibly easier than doing so at an office . But once you start doing so it’ll feel normal . It will inspire others to do the same.
Go ahead. Make a difference.
