COP15 – our future depends on it
World leaders have begun the final hours of direct negotiations. The UK Prime Minister has directly appealed to Avaaz to build the tidal wave of public pressure needed to reach a deal that stops catastrophic global warming of 2 degrees.

The year ends on a blue moon, which is the second full moon in December. The term ‘once in a a blue moon’ denotes the rare occasion that this takes place and it also means that we are called to take note of the cosmic events that close 2009.

In order to keep the flow of information and continue to raise issues that need to be addressed in all aspects of our lifestyle’s, from the resources we use to food production; understanding energy efficient services and devices, ethical travel, health and wellness and all other facets of life, the Natural and Organic Show has joined forces with Life in Balance, South Africa’s only free, green publication with a nationwide readership.

Listening to a radio programme this morning that included a discussion about Christmas and meaningful gift ideas that don’t cost a fortune, it struck me again just how many of these options have far less of a negative impact on the environment than those purchased amidst the frenzied consumerism at the local mall.

That said, the discussion was motivated by the effects of the recession and how many of us will need to find creative ways to have a fun festive season on less.

Anyone who experienced the infamous Cape Town Blackouts of 2006 will remember that eating out was often a gastronomic adventure of an entirely different kind.

Restaurants were plunged into darkness and kitchens closed without warning, leaving famished patrons facing, to borrow from journalist Kate Galbraith, no-power unhappy hours. Even so, those candlelit, nearly all-liquid dinners had their fun moments.

Embodying the spirit of “cut carbon, dare to change”, sustainability consultant and editor of the book “Bending the Curve” Robert Zipplies, in partnership with Project 90 by 2030, and sponsored by Santam, recently took a month out of his life to complete an epic journey on an electric bicycle to raise awareness about climate change.

A few years ago I drove past a store named ‘Once a Tree’ and knew instantly my conscience would never allow me to shop there, despite that the store sold mostly antiques and collectibles and the fact that when satisfying my greatest pleasure – reading – what those books once were is the last thing on my mind.

Let’s face it, whilst reading online (which I do, and there are fantastic e-books available for free download) or via an e-book reader (which I am considering) have merit, the tactile pleasure derived from holding the printed version in one’s hands cannot be beaten. Even so, it would be good to be able to indulge without guilt.

The City of Cape Town’s Electricity Department has won a national prize for managing the most environmentally friendly vehicle fleet in South Africa. The prize was presented at the inaugural Green Supply Chain Awards in Johannesburg, which is hosted by the Consumer Goods Council of SA (CGCSA) and the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport.

While most people may require some sort of motivation to make positive changes in their lives, when they do take up the challenge one finds that the effects often benefit more than the person who initiated the change, which is exactly what we like about an innovative competition for businesses, recently announced by eThekwini Municipality.

If the New Year finds you counting the cost of 2009 in more ways than one, a surefire way of restoring body, mind and soul is in the garden. Cheral Kennedy of Living Matter – www.livingmatter.co.za – once again guides us through the gardening year with her 2010 Guide to Gardening by the Moon. Interested readers will be pleased to note that our new Eco Doodle includes a complete 2010 moon phase gardening guide.

What on earth is going on? One of the questions I am often asked is, “Why, when I know what to do, how to do it, and what it would be like (great!) when I did it, do I not then do it?

What is it that makes smart, rational people not do what is important to them? When we say something is important to us and we don’t do it, the reasons for not doing it must be more important than doing it.

Amidst the frenzy of the festive season, take some time to relax with our selection of events guaranteed to restore body and soul. Best of all, some of them are free – always welcome at this time, especially in January, when payday seems so far away!