‘Save cash and Save the planet’ (II)
This week ,we’ll continue with the remaining parts of ‘Save cash and Save the planet’ by Andrea Smith & Nicola Baird
9. To get rid of ants, trap them on a piece of bread spread with sticky honey. Identify the nest and destroy it by pouring boiling water over it.
10. Some home-made cleaning products
a) Bicarbonate of soda: When mixed with water produces an alkaline solution that dissolves dirt and grease.
b) Lemon juice: Surface cleaner, stain remover. You can mix it with water to whiten whites and brighten colours.
c) Tea-tree oil and white-wine/malt vinegar: disinfectant
11. Characteristics of organic farming:
a) organic farmers don’t give animals antibiotics and other drugs if they are not ill.
b) organic farmers build the fertility of the soil naturally, rather than relying on synthetic chemical fixes.
c) organic farmers don’t plant genetically modified crops.
d) organic farmers avoid the use of artificial pesticides.
12. Buying food directly from growers and producers gives farmers an alternative to selling to the supermarkets, and can help them to get a decent price for their food. Sellers at farmers’ markets typically use very little packaging — — another benefit to the environment.
For instance, Caribbean growers get just 10% of the price their bananas sell for in the shops. It is the middlemen and retailers that get the bigger cuts. Coffee producers now receive less on the world market for their beans than they did 30 years ago.
13. The grow of GM food in the US leads to the following consequences:
a) reduced profits for farmers due to the extra cost of the seed and lower market prices for GM produce
b) little or no increase in crop yield
c) increased use of weed-killers and difficulty in controlling crops growing where they are not wanted
d) contamination of non-GM and organic farms with GM plants, making sales difficult.
14. When travelling abroad, some things that you need to take caution:
a) Don’t insist on a clean bath towel every day as water supplies are a big concern in hot countries.
b) Don’t buy souvenirs made out of animals. This creates a market and healthy animals will be killed for their shells, skin, tusks, etc.
c) Support locally owned businesses rather than multinationals that will ship the profits back to head office.
15. In an office, switch equipment off at night. A photocopier left on overnight uses enough energy to make 5300 photocopies. A PC left on overnight wastes the energy that would be used to make 800 A4 sheets of paper. Also, ensure all lights are switched off at night.
Besides, adding plants to the workplace — — azaleas, chrysanthemums, ivy, spider plants and peace lilies — — leads to a 45% reduction in headaches, a 40% reduction in coughs, a 30% reduction in dry or sore throats. A little flower power in your office may benefit all your colleagues.
Source: http://www.markrothko.org/untitled-1949/
Source: http://www.markrothko.org/number-61/
Source: http://www.markrothko.org/no3-no13-1949/
Source: http://www.markrothko.org/white-center/
