Earth Day, a little late

I wanted to share these on the 22nd, but wasn't able to. I look forward to seeing these movies with my toddler.

African Cats

Disney Nature will make a donation to the Savanna during the first week of the screening of African Cats.

Born to be Wild

and a video shared by a friend on facebook

Choose compost and natural fertilizers rather than chemical fertilizers

Palm tree, Malaysia
Photograph by Philippe Bourseiller

Overuse of chemical fertilizers containing nitrogen contributes to pollution of water by nitrates. Highly soluble, these chemicals are easily washed away by rain and carried into rivers and aquifers. Nitrates contribute to the eutrophication of rivers by causing them to become over-rich in nutrients, so that algae grow rapidly and deplete the oxygen supply, which suffocates all water life. Large amounts of nitrates in groundwater interfere with drinking-water supplies.

In your garden, use natural fertilizers (stone meal, bone meal or wood ash) and compost made from organic waste to improve soil structure and fertility naturally, effectively and sustainably.

- from the book '365 Ways to save the Earth' by Philippe Bourseiller

Apply Slow Food principles to the rest of your life

(For the 23rd of April)

Capitol Reef National Park, United States
Photograph by Philippe Bourseiller

The credo of the Slow Food movement can be extended to many different arenas, from clothing design to architecture. The Slow movement asks us to slow down, engage with and reflect upon all the things we bring into our life, whether goods or experiences. 'Slow Design' artisans produce handmade goods of high quality in which materials are sourced locally (and are often recycled) and nothing is mass-produced. A 'slow home' is designed by an architect (instead of a developer) who takes time to tailor the property not only to the needs of the owner but also to that of its environment. 'Slow travel' may mean you spend all of your time in one place and really get to know it instead of moving restlessly from city to city or sight to sight.

A slow life focuses on quality, social and environmental responsibility, creativity and personal engagement - an antidote to conspicuous and hasty consumption of inferior, mass-produced goods and experiences.

 - from the book '365 Ways to Save the Earth' by Philippe Bourseiller

Consider a career move

Volcanic lake, Kamchatka, Russia
Photograph by Philippe Bourseiller

Today universities offer many courses in environmental fields -  from policy to education to business administration. If your job is at odds with your concerns, consider moving in a different direction. You might not have to reinvent the wheel: You can offer your current skills to businesses who are trying to be greener - they all need consultants, marketing professionals, lawyers, accountants, assistants and so on.

Think about working in an environmental field, whether it be business, consultancy, conservation or recycling. Green business is one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy and demand for green products, renewable energy and new technology is only going to grow as resources become more scarce.

- from the book '365 Ways to save the Earth', by Philippe Bourseiller

Introduce environmental education to schools

Laguna Colorada, Bolivia
Photograph by Philippe Bourseiller

Many local environmental charities or natural reserves offer free or low-cost education presentations or field trips for school-aged children - often it is simply a matter of asking. They usually focus on environmental problems facing your area, or tours of the natural features it has to offer. They often tailor their programs to the national curriculum, ensuring that children can easily make the link to their classroom education.

If you would like environmental education to have a higher priority in your children's school, spend  some time investigating the organizations that offer educational resources. It is a good way to increase awareness among students, teachers and other parents.

- from the book '365 Ways to Save the Earth', by Philippe Bourseiller

Research the impacts of aquaculture before eating farmed fish

Cherry Blossoms, Japan
Photograph by Philippe Bourseiller

At present, fish farming accounts for 43% of the world's fish production. This is unlikely to change as the world's demand for fish grows along with its population, and many wild species continue to be in peril because of over-fishing. Aquaculture is often criticized for its negative environmental impacts: To produce 1 pound of farmed salmon, 3 pounds of wild-caught fish are needed to provide meal and oil. And, like all intensive farming, fish farming uses chemicals and antibiotics, which affect humans.

There is such a thing as sustainable aquacultures: Tilapia, catfish and many varieties of shellfish can often be farmed safely. Organizations like Seafood Watch and the Marine Stewardship Council have developed strict criteria for sustainable fish farming and offer advice to the public about how to choose the best fish. Look out for their logos on the fish you buy.

- from the book '365 Ways to Save the Earth', by Philippe Bourseiller

Boil only as much water as you need

Thunderstorm clouds, United States
Photograph by Philippe Bourseiller

Whether you use an electric kettle or a saucepan, heating water uses energy. There is no point in doubling the energy you use, for no purpose. Boil only what is necessary. A study found that if all British people did this on just one day, the energy saved could power all the country's streetlights through the following night.

When you boil water for tea or a hot drink, try to boil only what you need, or pour the surplus into a thermos flask to keep the water very hot until you need it.

- from the book '365 Ways to Save the Earth', by Philippe Bourseiller