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"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world;
indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." 
Margaret Mead, American anthropologist, 1901-1978
 


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  1. Gardening brings health benefits, new study shows

    Posted on

    Want to improve your wellbeing?  How about doing some gardening?

    At the start of National Gardening Week (which starts on 26 May 2021), the RHS is calling on us all to get our dose of Vitamin G!

    New research suggests that it can have the same positive impact as exercise such as cycling or running.

    Those who garden every day have wellbeing scores that are 6.6% higher and stress levels that are 4.2 lower than those who don’t garden.

    And gardening two to three times a week can lead to better wellbeing and lower stress levels too!

    Gardening brings lots of benefits

    The RHS Wellbeing Fellow and lead author is Dr Lauriane Chalmin-Pui, who said "This is the first time the 'dose response' to gardening has been tested and the evidence overwhelmingly suggests that the more frequently you garden - the greater the health benefits.”

    As we garden, we are distracted by the nature around us which moves our focus from ourselves and our stresses.  Gardening restores our minds.  It reduces negative feelings.

    Why garden?

    The research looked at why people get into gardening.

    5,766 gardeners and 249 non-gardeners responded to a survey that was distributed electronically in the UK.

    • 6 in 10 people garden because of the pleasure and enjoyment they get from it.
    • Under 30% said they garden for the health benefits.
    • One in five said wellbeing is why they garden.
    • 15% of gardeners said it makes them feel calm and relaxed.

    Gardening can boost mental health; those with health problems said that gardening eased episodes of depression (13%), boosted energy levels (12) and reduced stress (16%).

    Find out more about the different benefits gardening can bring

    Why do I garden?

    I’ve never met anyone who says “I’m going to improve my health and wellbeing by going out and doing some gardening” in the way you get people who say “I’ve been to the gym” with the specific purpose of getting fit, keeping fit, losing weight etc.  I don't garden because I want to get fit.

    People I know who garden just do it because they love doing it, spending time with nature, seeing immediate results from their endeavours – even if it’s just planting seeds and knowing there will be a few weeks or months before they come up.

    The fitness benefits are an added benefit. 

    Maybe that’s why it’s easier to keep gardening than going to the gym for so many of us?

    And could it be because nature doesn’t answer back; she listens, she is kind and giving (except on those days when the wind blows all your flowers down, or a lack of rain is killing everything off).

    In short, gardening is a very gentle activity, good for the body and mind. It doesn’t feel as strenuous as going to the gym.  It can be done at home without the journey there, unless you’re working on an allotment or community garden. 

    All I know is that it makes me feel happy, relaxed, less stressed – and that I can look forward to sitting in the garden with a cup of tea and piece of cake, or a glass of chilled white wine, listening to the birds tweeting and chirping away, watching the bees and butterflies flutter here and there, drinking in the beautiful colours of my flowers and just being at one with nature.


    Why not give a loved one a gift membership to the RHS?


    Gardening can benefit wildlife too!

    If we make the choice, we can garden to help wildlife which can bring its own extra benefits.  You could end up with your own nature show that you can watch from your arm chair!   Wildlife watching can give you a whole new interest of its own and it's amazing how involved you can get in creating habitat for wildlife and a garden in which they can thrive!

    The RHS says the key things to do to help wildlife in your garden are:

    1. Encourage garden birds and provide shelter
    2. Let a patch of lawn grow long
    3. Make a wildlife pond - these don't have to be big
    4. Plant a flowering tree or a berry bearing shrub
    5. Sow a pot or border with nectar rich annuals.

     

    Find out more about helping the wildlife in your garden here.

    Visit the RHS website here.

    The research was conducted by the RHS in collaboration with the University of Sheffield and the University of Virginia.

     

  2. Petition to Hermes about crocodiles for handbags and shoes

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    Sign Care2’s petition demanding that they abandon the proposed facility in Australia, and ban the use of exotic skins from its products completely!

    Where does the material for handbags and shoes come from?

    Well, Hermès, the French fashion brand, want to build a new facility in Australia.  Here 50,000 crocodiles will be born into captivity.  They will be skinned and turned into handbags and shoes.

    Incredibly, the project has been granted development and environmental approvals.

    How is it that someone can say it’s okay to breed crocodiles into captivity to be skinned for handbags and shoes?

    The fashion brand plan to steal eggs from mother crocodiles in the wild.  This will cause fear, stress and aggression.

    When the eggs hatch in the factory farm walls, the baby crocs will kept in tight concrete enclosures.  Their movement will be restricted and they will have no stimulation. 

    Sign the petition to tell Hermes to abandon plans for their crocodile breeding facility and ban the use of exotic skins from its products


    And when they have grown big enough, their skin will be ready to be harvested.

    PETA have reported that on other crocodile farms, crocodiles are electrocuted. Their bodies shake and protest wildly.

    Some may even still be alive as their necks are slit.  Metal rods are rammed down their spine in an attempt to kill them.  Some have been seen to be alive as the skinning starts.

    Hermès says it "has defined and implemented a very strict, science-based, animal welfare policy."

    Hmm...really?

    Chanel, Vivienne Westwood and Mulberry have banned exotic animal skins in their products.  They use vegan alternatives which look the same.

    Tell Hermès that’s not too late to join the right side of history. Sign the petition demanding that they abandon the proposed facility in Australia, and ban the use of exotic skins from its products completely!

    Please sign the petition here

     

     

     

  3. International Day of Biological Diversity is on 22 May 2020

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    The 22nd May 2020 is International Day for Biological Diversity and this year, the theme is “our solutions are in nature”.

    The UN proclaimed such a day to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues.

    Here’s the incredible Sir David Attenborough explaining what biodiversity is:

    #ShareOurPlanet

    Watch Our Planet on Netflix

    The Council of the EU has produced a good video, too, called  Help Protect Biodiversity and it will protect us

    The theme “Our solutions are in nature” emphasises the importance of working together at all levels to build a future of life in harmony with nature.

    2020 is a year to reflect, grab the moment and come up with creative and innovative solutions.  We all need to work to stop biodiversity loss, for all people and all life on Earth.

    Message from BirdLife International on Biodiversity Day 2020

     

  4. Please see this video from Gravitas - how nature is reclaiming its spaces due to the Coronavirus

    Posted on

    Sometimes you see something on the internet or on television that really hits you hard and makes a point extremely well.

    I saw this video, this afternoon, and I wanted to share it with you.  Please share it with everyone you can.

    The ultimate message is that we SHARE this planet.  It demonstrates how dominant the human race has become - and how selfish.   I am not going to tell you anymore about it - please just watch it for yourself.   Here it is:



    Thank you, Gravitas.

    Please vow to make a difference today. 
    Find out how to reduce your impact on the earth's resources here.

     

     

     

     

  5. Shut down wildlife markets NOW!

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    How did the coronavirus start?

    Its outbreak in Wuhan, China, was suspected to be the starting point for the coronavirus.  And a harsh light was cast on wildlife markets.  

    Huanan Seafood Market has a terrible range of live and freshly killed animals is thought to be the starting point.

    The meat of 30 terrestrial animal species is at the market, as well as seafood.  Pangolins, civets, squirrels, pheasants, scorpions, snakes and various rates are available there.

    Shut down wildlife markets NOW!

    Shut down wildlife markets NOW!


    Wildlife markets do 2 things:

    1. They spread disease – it’s easy to see why when you just have to look at the terrible conditions in which these animals are kept
    2. These markets are driving species towards extinction.

    We are heading towards a massive extinction – the 2019 UN report warned that up to one million animal and plant species could vanish forever. 

    In October 2020, China is due to host a UN conference on the Convention of Biological Diversity.  Representatives from nearly 200 countries will look to find ways to stop the mass extinction.

    Let's put pressure on China...

    Now is a good time to put pressure on China and push for a worldwide ban on the wildlife trade.

    Rainforest Rescue has a petition to shut down these markets once and for all.  They are utterly barbaric and it’s high time they were stopped.

    Please sign here and let's get wildlife markets STOPPED