Is Food Wrapping a Bad Idea?…….Transition Streets 3.7 Some plastic wrapping and packaging may be necessary for processed and bulk foods, and there are studies that show that the plastic waste from fresh food packaging is less climate damaging than the negative effect the 20%, or more, of that food being wasted through damage or spoiling in shipping, storage, and … Read More
What Type of Food is That..?
Organic, Chemical Free ??……Transition Streets 3.6 Organic fruit, vegetables, milk, eats, and even biscuits….what do the labels mean? A short Local & Home Grown (pdf) for a quick round up of the terms – Organic, Chemical Free, Biodynamic,and Permaculture.
Pesticides in Food
Pesticides and You…….Transition Streets 3.5 Large scale, industrial farming, both for food and for things like cotton, has relied on pesticides to maintain their production rates. Any monoculture is open to “weeds” and “pest insects” because the natural balance has been broken. Quick information on Pesticides [pdf] Explore much more with Friends of the Earth The most common pesticides 1. … Read More
What are Food Miles?
A Brief Intro to Food Miles…….Transition Streets 3.4 Because the transport of food uses fossil fuels, there is a hidden cost to the environment. But it is much more than that – it also means “globalised seasonal foods” – like blueberries in winter – and weirdly, the stages of picking and packaging can occur hundreds of kilometres apart. More information … Read More
Seasonal Food Guides
Eat Ethical – Eat Seasonal……Transition Streets 3.3 Being aware of when foods are at their freshest, and of when it is the best time to harvest or gather, makes a lot of sense. These foods are at their peak nutritional value, and at the most natural “harvest” time for the plants. And, as a bonus, they should be at their … Read More
Thinking About Your Food
Ready for a Food Audit……Transition Streets 3.2 Buying food and preparing meals can get a bit automatic – are you ready to do an audit of what you have in your pantry and fridge, and then look at what you eat, and what you throw away? Download pdf – a general pantry, and fridge food audit worksheet
The Real Cost of Food
There is a hidden cost to food……Transition Streets 3.1 Food costs more than just the price at the shop. The industrial way food is produced, the social changes this has forced, the cheap fossil fuel energy needed, and the overall CO2 footprint, means there are huge hidden costs – and yet this large scale production will not be enough. … Read More
How Many Energy Servants Do You Need?
Kids Fun – Energy Servants…….Transition Streets 2.3 If 1 kWh is like having a “servant” for an hour – can you work out how many “servants” you have in a typical week? Hint: Toast for breakfast can add up to 1 “servant” Watching TV a few hours each night can add up to 4 “servants” in a week. Boiling a … Read More
Reducing Your Energy Use
Reducing Your Energy Use…..Transition Streets 2.2 Where does your energy go? Heating [15%] – Cooling [6%] – Lighting [8%] – Cooking [8%] – Hot Water [25%] – Appliances [25%] – TV & Games [14%] But there are things you can do to reduce your total energy needs – download this short pdf guide to Reducing Your Energy
Understand Your Energy Usage
Your Energy Usage Worksheet…..Transition Streets 2.1 How much electricity and gas do you use? This Energy Usage Worksheet will help you understand your bills, and then gather a picture of your overall energy use compared to the national averages. [Energy Usage Worksheet – pdf ]