Now we are… GOING GREEN…^^

Guys… take a look on this website: http://www.treehugger.com/gogreen.php. You will get all the go green tips in your daily life (whole life may be…XD) either in home, at office, walking on the street, dating, your lovely wedding and so on and so forth… Of course, some of the tips might only apply on other countries but there is no harm to read on this, knowing something new actually is just great and fun.^^

Well, in case you guys are not free to read all… Here I will show you the basic go green tips from the website… Come… Let’s back to basic…

Top back to basic tips...

1st is educating yourself… Haha^^… Yes guys… You still need to read through the website when free to get all the tips to go green. We only can solve the problems or mitigating the problems if we gain enough of information on green thinking, environmentalism and sustainable thinking. Of course, we all as an environmental engineering student, there are lots of go green information in our mind. So don’t just keep in mind, practice it…

2nd is transport… Common sense… Walking, biking, bus, KTM, LRT… any public transports… or carpool… Some might think this is impossible to practice everyday, how about few times per week or month? At least done something to reduce the air pollution. If this really sounds impossible for you, how about consider fuel consumption as a major factor in your choice of next vehicle. There is always got solution, no worry.. Haha ^^… Nowadays, AirAisa make all of us can ‘fly’ but flying is notoriously carbon intensive. If your destination can reach by road transport instead of plane, try to go for it. Anyway, train is the best… (but the price for the flight ticket sometimes is just too attractive XD)

3rd is energy… This dosen’t means you need solar panels for your house or get a brand new house which is more environmental friendly. Make all things easier… Turn the light off when you are not using it… install energy efficient bulbs and appliances… keep your eye on consumption (this is what my mum always do… Normally when there is a possibility we will over our electrical budget, mum will give us a quota for using the air conditioner… For sure, this always work…^^)

4th is water… Clean, drinkable water is precious and needs to be used most efficiently. Every drop of tap water we use required energy to filter, purify and transport which means tat fossil fuel emissions. What we can do?? Every day and night, if u got the habit to turn the tap off when you’re brushing teeth.. Well done, u just do something tat save our planet. Besides, install water-saving shower heads and aerators are some good ideas. If you’re so lucky to have a compound or small garden that need you to water it from time to time, you might try to collect rainwater for use in garden. This can make some change on your water bills also…XD

5th is food… Four principles guide you to greener meals: eat local (For example, since we got so many tropical fruits, why must get kiwi or lychee?), eat seasonal (even you like durian so much, rambutan also not bad or you should try papaya…^^), eat organic (plant some vegetables or fruits trees at back yard… healthy and save money also) and finally, eat less meat (Why? You can read on Shengliang August posts which talk about eating veges to save our planets)…

6th is waste… Adopt 3R please… Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.. and don’t forget to compost. Every item thrown away has taken energy and resources to manufacture and transport, and it need energy and resources to process and dispose of, whether through landfill or recycling. So, think before u buy and throw…

7th is thread… Even consumers who always eat organic may happily be wearing garments that were liberally sprayed with noxious chemicals. In fact, cotton is one of the most heavily sprayed crops on the planet, so it stands to reason that our choice of clothing can have a major ecological impact. Fortunately, solutions are out there. Organic cotton and other alternative fabrics like hemp, flax or bamboo are becoming increasingly common, as are high-end fashion items from recycled materials. And then, of course, there are the trusty vintage and thrift stores so beloved by students everywhere—style never goes out of fashion. So, girls… try not to be too crazy when got carnival sales… haha^^

8th is personal care… There’s been an increased awareness about the impacts of personal care products on both the environment and on our health. Fortunately, there has also been a huge increase in the number of companies providing more sustainable alternatives. But remember, less is almost always more when it comes to green living—that hemp-based, yak’s milk lip blusher may be the greenest product of its kind on the market, but going ‘au natural’ takes you one step further!

9th is furniture… Many of us spend staggering amounts of money on furniture during our lifetime. Now most TreeHugger’s will be aware that buying tropical hardwoods from Amazonian clear-cuts is a poor way to look after our natural heritage, but what are the alternatives? Fortunately, the industry is responding to concerns about its sourcing practices, and stylish furniture from certified, sustainably harvested and/or recycled and salvaged materials is becoming increasingly common.

10th is keep it clean… Now you’ve spent all this time putting your house in order with organic clothing and chemical-free furniture, why douse it in chemicals to keep it clean? Many everyday cleaning products are made up of pretty nasty constituents, yet there are natural alternatives that work just as well. For example, if your refrigerator started to have some unpleasant smell… just put in some lemon skin… this is works… because my home is using it now… haha^^

I knew not all the tips we can adopt and practice… but just have a best try on this… remember, any small steps we take… we move forward a better environment… :D

Well, what is you guys 'green practice' at home?? at office?? o other green practice that you wanna share with us...XD TQ~ for reading.. TQ~ for leaving a comment here ^^

Permaculture, The Way of Life Towards Sustainable Living

I guess everyone is familiar with the term sustainable living, and the cost associated with having to adopt the technology part of it. In this article however, another way of life known as Permaculture, a combination of two words – permanent and culture, is another alternative route towards sustainability. It is the science of using natural functions to create an environment that is sustainable in all its functions and in every way. It is the creation of sustainable human habitats by following nature’s patterns. It uses the diversity, stability and resilience of natural ecosystems to provide a framework and guidance for people to develop their own sustainable solutions to the problems facing their world, on a local, national or global scale. It is based on the philosophy of co-operation with nature and caring for the earth and its people.

Permaculture Definition

• A globally recognized environmental design methodology.
• A holistic ecological approach to the design and development of human settlements that takes into account food production, structures, technologies, energy, natural resources, landscape, animal systems, plant systems, and social and economic structures.
• About working with, rather than against nature. It provides the tools to satisfy our needs in a way that sustains the earth, future generations and ourselves.
• Inspired by traditional wisdom, especially the sustainable farming cultures of Asia, India and Africa and incorporates new appropriate methods and technologies.
  

Ethics & Principles
Essentially, the 3 pillars of Permaculture consisted of,
Earth Care – is about working with nature, not against it – not using natural resources unnecessarily or at a rate at which they cannot be replaced. It also means using outputs from one system as inputs for another and so minimizing wastage.
People Care – is about looking after ourselves as individual and everyone in a community as people, not just the world we live in. Self-reliance, co-operation and support of each other should be encouraged. People care is also about our legacy to future generations.
Fair Share – is about having to share the earth we live in – with each other, with other living things, and with future generations. Limiting our consumption, especially of natural resources, and working for everyone to have access to the fundamental needs of life – clean water, clean air, food, shelter, meaningful employment, and social contact.

Permaculture and Sustainability
Sustainability is “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (UN Agenda 21). Sustainability of the environment, systems, and the people is a central concept that the Permaculture Design Systems provides solutions for.
Permaculture is a design system for creating sustainable human environments. The ecological and biological processes of the land, plants, animals, nutrient cycles, climatic factors and weather cycles are all examined and incorporated into a productive, functional Permaculture System. Elements in each system are viewed in relation to other elements, and the outputs of one element become the input of another. Inhabitants’ needs are provided for through proven technologies for food, energy, shelter and infrastructure. Within Permaculture Systems, work is minimized, “wastes” becomes resources, productivity and yields increase, and the environment is restored.

Permaculture aims to create stable productive systems that provide for human needs, harmoniously integrating the land with the people not only for today but also the future.

In The Star article dated 24th July, 2010 by Joleen Lunjew, Permaculture is slowly and surely developing in Malaysia.

A Dane, by the name of Shaykh Hassan Henning Pedersen, who lives in Indonesia, is a naturopathic doctor, permaculture designer and master of several martial arts systems with more than 25 years of experience in sustainable living. He has been involved with NGOs and activists since he was a teenager but only got into permaculture a decade ago. Pedersen was in Malaysia organizing workshops and teaches hands-on permaculture.

Among Pedersen’s main efforts in walking the talk is transforming his home in East Java into an eco-friendly showhouse where water catchments are used to collect rainwater, which in turn is used to breed fish and water the plants. He grows plants wherever possible and uses kitchen and fish waste as fertiliser. Pedersen does not own a car and eats 80% of his food raw.
“I have travelled to 26 different countries in 20 years and have never needed a car. It’s too destructive to the environment. I’d rather take public transportation. Regarding food, good enzymes are killed at 40°C, so why consume food that has less nutrients? Apparently, his whole family adopts a similar eating habit, and his eldest son, who is 9½ years old, has never been sick in his life.”

Pedersen’s way of life has inspired many to start practicing sustainable living. Among his students, Atika Irfan, 36, says she hopes to learn how to become more sustainable after completing her workshop.
The Pakistani, who has been living in Malaysia with her Malaysian husband for 14 years, is now thinking about building a rainwater catchment system, rearing her own fish and prawns, and starting her own salad garden. She currently buys only local products from the local markets to minimize consumption of imported food.
“Over the years, she had realized that companies are all about making profit. Our meat is contaminated with hormones, and chemical pesticides have been making us ill. My mum’s medication costs RM500 each month for 30 pills. Health problems run in my family. I can’t afford the cures so I don’t wish to be sick,” says Atika.

Another student, Awaludin Mohal, 68, is moving towards making his 0.8ha land in Janda Baik fully sustainable in preparation for the peak oil phenomenon. Analysts believe that when the oil runs out, the economy will collapse and food will become scarce — Awaludin is giving himself a headstart.
“Food will be a problem when the economy collapses. History shows that people will even kill for food, just like during the 1930s Great Depression. I have to think about my family. It’s better to be prepared than sorry,” he says.
Awaludin grows all sorts of vegetables on his farm and rears his own chickens, geese and fish.
“I’m looking to grow worms and maggots for my chickens. Worms are also good for the soil. I feed my carp banana leaves and my tilapia eats tapioca leaves,” adds Awaludin, who plans to build an eco-friendly house in the near future.

However, permaculture had made it presence in Malaysia sometime ago, in the small town of Batu Arang. A small community of permaculturist have been living and practicing exactly what have been described herewith for quite awhile. The community teaches, does training and host permaculturist from all over the world whom drop-by every now and then. Check out Embun Pagi and you will probably be fascinated by their activities. So, now there is a choice of how we should ride the sustainability wave, the way of Permaculture, where it is inexpensive and ensures our well-being are taken care with rising cost of living.

Check out this website,

http://embunpagi2009.wordpress.com/

RICH people POOR earth??!

Of the many tales and stories of our childhood, there is one which comes to mind immediately as a morality tale with regards to the environment..perhaps even a cautionary one! the heroic and love story of little boy springs to mind..

though cold and wet, the youngster was steadfast through the night in plugging the leak in the dyke with his mere finger..thus saving a town and a nation from certain disaster..can we all afford not to emulate this kid to stem the tide of environmental disaster that will surely befall our POOR earth if we do not act?i've saw so many rich people here in our country, but do they really really care about the environment??well,we can start by relooking the very fundamental and basic aspect of our economy. And what can be more basic than food?shelter? and clothing?its kind of impossible for everyone of us to implement the "green building" concept for our houses..but how about the rich people?the one who own a megastructure buildings,universities, or mall maybe?there is no one single techniques for designing and building a green building. But building that are "GrEeN" often have common design characteristic. Like, preserving natural vagetation, using non toxic or recycled building materials, being readily accessible to public transportation, use of natural lightings and the flexible use of interiors to name a few characteristic. such efforts strongly indicate that we can indeed seek environmental shelter by going green, but can you name me one?i know we have few..but few only lah~

Now as to food..nowadays agriculture has led to severe harm to both the environment and public health. As a production tool, industrialisations of the farm has been a success..BUT the Questions is..is it sustainable??can industrialisation of the farm ensure that future food needs be met? well, no one is suggesting we go back to our current agriculture practices that are clearly unsustainable. And since food is, like shelter, a vital and basic need, the issue of sustainability is driven.

we started off with the love story of the youngster, the very responsible youngster. we end by taking note of an irresponsible one- "like dog cried mountain" (direct malay translation!). most assuredly we are not the crying dog by raising the environmental concern and issues over these past years. they are for real. what is important now is to realize...that beyond the tipping point, there will be little left to save!