Posts Tagged ‘London EcoBarbie’
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London EcoBarbie #8 The minty ‘treat’ choc
LONDON ECO BARBIE –
Life’s not fair but at least my pants are..#8 The minty ‘treat’ choc
By Amy WhitneyHumans have chewed gum for millennia but only recently has it become the hi-tech plastic, minty ‘treat’ choc full of preservatives that it is today
Next time you consider reaching for the gum before a hot date please consider the impact of your chewing gum addiction on the environment. Chewing gum takes years to biodegrade in the environment, plus millions are spent in taxes cleaning it off our streets which could be spent on new hospitals and schools. Chewing gum is not digestible by animals and many birds have died eating the stuff!! Next to cigarette butts chewing gum is the second largest littering item in the world.
Arguably unnecessary when we have good access to toothbrushes and plus you’ll be quids in after a few weeks of quitting. 5 packs of gum a week equals £4.00 saved which could be put towards new clothes or even an extra clubbing night with friends.
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London EcoBarbie #7 Brick Lane
LONDON ECO BARBIE –
Life’s not fair but at least my pants are..#7 Brick Lane
By Amy WhitneyTime spare for a lazy London afternoon? Head down to Brick Lane Sunday up market and support the local fashion talent. Up and coming designers from hot institutions such as Central St. Martins, London College of Fashion and prestigious Courtauld Institute host stalls with a wealth of on trend bargains. Not only does this reduce the extent large corporations make excessive profits but proves sustainable in the long term as money is reinvested in the local community. The area a growing culture hub has been gentrified over the last few years.
Brick lane market gives you the opportunity to explore fresh cuisine from places all around the globe- hellenic, malaysian, japanese, mexican- you name it and it’s guaranteed stall holders are making it. Healthier than shop brought food, fresher and minus the plastic wrapping. It’s easy to organise more environmentally friendly consumption habits when you plan ahead.
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London EcoBarbie #6 Karl Lagerfeld
LONDON ECO BARBIE –
Life’s not fair but at least my pants are..#6 Karl Lagerfeld
By Amy WhitneyOne of the largest problems concerning those fighting climate change is captivating the view of key players in the world economy that have the power to make a difference. Karl Lagerfield created drama at the Chanel ‘A/W 10′ show; plunging the Grand Palais audience into freezing temperatures of the Arctic. At the heart of catwalk a polar icecap sat eight metres tall, in a pool of its own meltwater. The atmosphere echoed the chilling reality of global warming.
Karl worked with Tweed, chiffon and wool to imitate the fur outfits today’s fashionistas crave. However not a single fur had been shed in the making of this poignant collection. Other fashion houses may follow. Chanel bravely providing what consumers want with a serious fashion message.
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London EcoBarbie #5 Tate Gallery
LONDON ECO BARBIE –
Life’s not fair but at least my pants are..#5 Tate Gallery
By Amy WhitneyA desire to explore hidden areas of London led me to the Tate Gallery. Free, cultural and perfect for rainy days. The breezy space boasts a beautiful collection of classic artwork by the likes of Picasso, Matisse and Van Gogh. However what really drew my attention were the works of modern artists such as Ed Ruscha demonstrating the power of media, he portrays global warming, the Tate reaches large audiences from many nations.
Whereas consumerism and desire is experienced in the work of American artist Jeff Coons provoking the question of good and bad taste in my own consumption habits.
The pieces gave me inspiration to attempt some climate change artwork of my own, COPArt on Climate Squads website. Please take the time to pop along and visit the Tate Modern when your in London, its well worth it.
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London EcoBarbie #4 Socialising
LONDON ECO BARBIE –
Life’s not fair but at least my pants are..By Amy Whitney
Socials pose a serious problem, a diet coke fan myself I request no ice; the barman’s eyes roll.
“Climate change scepticism likely to surge in 2010 from hacked emails indicating flawed data between climate change scientists, impacts vulnerable world regions” (Common dreams 2010).
Socialising consists of Facebook stalking weekly events, we are a society governed by the screen. Our entire lives fold out over the web for everyone to see, part of me considers when power cuts arrive peoples lives far too intrinsically linked to the plug will run too in blips and waves
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London EcoBarbie #3 Food
LONDON ECO BARBIE –
Life’s not fair but at least my pants are..By Amy Whitney
Raring to go, lunch packed using left overs saves waste. Gloating to fellow course mates I save the fiver they fritter away on lunch, definitely justifies the handbags.
Dinner is homemade soya mince chilli, dubious whether rainforests are exterminated to provide for the world’s vegetarians I investigate. “Brazil the worlds second largest soy exporter responds to surging demand converting rainforest into agricultural land, impacting environmental stability” (Story 2006).
I refuse to touch red meat, currently burdening our NHS with CHD victims. Switching to vegetarian food lessens cattle methane emissions and reduces grain prices for the worlds poorest.“Livestock production accounts for fifth of total greenhouse gas emissions.” (McMichael 2007). Vegetarianism decreases the West’s impact on climate change; however I cannot quite shake a love for seafood, worsening future aquatic biodiversity. Sometimes you cannot win.
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London EcoBarbie #2 Students coffee is banker’s champagne
LONDON ECO BARBIE –
Life’s not fair but at least my pants are..By Amy Whitney
Another day, another carbon footprint
Students coffee is banker’s champagne. Produced in our kitchen using water tanks saves energy. Number of failures, however, costly engineers and carbon from buying new kettles render their future useless.
“Heating water accounts 10-40% total energy consumption in urban districts”
Lectures students flock to computer rooms, statistics programmes aid climate change trend prediction. Poignant at least. A reminder everywhere businesses, schools and hospitals are entirely dependent on computer systems. Three years time power cuts strike, our entire economy will collapse unless sustainable methods of sourcing energy are promoted, god knows how many nuclear power stations are required to fill the tumultuous energy deficit.
“Industry and homes predicted to face power cuts by 2012. Britain needs £200bn investment in new nuclear, gas, wind and clean coal power stations over the next decade” (Telegraph 2010).
Misprinting “Time series in deuterium” creates energy wastage. A small pile accumulating beside the printer, a lasting image. In the future I pledge to invest in recycled reams and use Swiss Cottage ink cartridge filling station.
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London EcoBarbie #1 Ethical shopping habits
LONDON ECO BARBIE –
Life’s not fair but at least my pants are..By Amy Whitney
Climate change and human environmental impact, raised at Copenhagen 2009, are the most pressing issues facing humanity. Climate change requires restructuring of societies resource distribution; in this diary I analyse my own habits. Accepting we’re not tree-hugging, bicycle-riding eco-centric warriors is the first step in rising to the challenge to cut carbon, waste and water consumption.
Today, I concentrate on ethical shopping habits. A West Hampstead trip results in charity shopping; helpful staff, cheap and fantastic quality. A fur hat, lace shirt and pashmina in the name of S/S ‘10′, entirely unnecessary but spitting images of Topshop versions. ‘I cannot believe more students aren’t onto this!!’ “Vintage fashion is a viable, attractive and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional fashion” (Vintage fashion guild 2010). Simply by researching where to shop consumption patterns can be adjusted to benefit the local community and environment.
Starbucks, simple, convenient and never disappointing yet we’re surrounded by locally run coffee houses. In todays’ society it’s all about image. However Starbucks are the largest Fair Trade coffee buyer on the planet (Fair Trade 2010), commendable in a world where many companies engage in less than ethical business practices.
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