365 Sustainable Decisions Challenge

Last week and over the weekend, I crafted this book. For a very good reason: I am following my heart. What this is for, I'll share with you soon 😊

A dear friend "complained" that when she buys vanilla sugar, a bag is used for only a few grams of suger. And several bags are put in plastic, causing a lot of waste when she uses it often. That's why she decide to buy the incredients in large amounts and make it herself. Well done to her!

When you would live in a forest and others would come along to cut down your trees, what would this mean to you? In this article, you can read what this means to harpy eagles in the Amazon rainforest: https://medium.com/@ErlijnG/how-is-deforestation-of-the-amazon-affecting-eagles-9ef800f52725   (credit:  feathercollector  on  Shutterstock )

As I learn more and more about sustainability, the UN Sustainable Development Goals are very relevant to know. So I have decided to familiarize myself with them.

Apparently it is possible to have four ears as well! #Nature is amazing and very worth protecting! #sustainableLiving #naturelover #catlovers #catlover #SaturdayThoughts Loading... Twitter Embed Code Retweet text: Meet Midas, the cat with four ears, Turkey He is all ears 😻

I saw this when walking past an allotment. A great way to upcycle an old plastic bottle, as it probably saves quite a few poles over the years. A great alternative from using plastic is to use the lid of an empty glass container.

Sometimes my head and heart tell me different things. Recently, my head told me to continue with Healthy You Healthy Planet, as the topic is so important, and my heart told me to stop, as it is too much to do. I follow my heart and am glad Catherine continues the project.

These days, thousands of different cryptocurrencies exist. Bitcoin is currently used most often, but unfortunately very environmentally unfriendly. This article based on scientific research explains why: https://medium.com/@ErlijnG/why-is-the-cryptocurrency-bitcoin-environmentally-unfriendly-b2e268258040 (credit:  Billion Photos  on  Shutterstock )

I know that there are many things you can do with old corks. This one I found very practical and easy.

I'm not quite sure whether this clock is made from old cutlery. Independent of whether it is, I think it is a great idea to upcycle old cutlery into a new clock!

On Twitter, I found a video that explained how to tell a certain shop that I want as little packaging as possible. As it didn’t take much time, I did so. I hope it helps! At least I believe that when a lot of people request this, they will think about it more.

Whilst on a sightseeing through my neighborhood, I came across a parking lot with these lampposts. They have a small solar panel at the top, so that they can charge during the day a shine at night, without requiring electricity from the grid. Great!

On the left you can see a sweater that my mum knitted for me. I've been wearing it many times. So often, that I had a hole in my sleeve. Instead of throwing it away, my mum decided to take the sweater apart and reuse the thread for a girl's dress (on the right). I love it!

"Biodiversity is decreasing" This not only affects the environment, but also us. Here you can read why biodiversity is important for our health: https://medium.com/@ErlijnG/why-is-biodiversity-important-for-our-health-7d55ff2c2b3c Scientific credit: @MelissaMarselle and colleagues (credit:  SarahRichterArt  at  Pixabay )

Wow, look how he made something beautiful out of something we may not even consider to be a resource! #sustainableLiving #art #artwork #creativity Loading... Twitter Embed Code Retweet text: I made the Ganesha idol at home out of Mud-clay. I want to be responsible towards my environment,hope we can leave a better-cleaner planet for our children. They learn from what they see. wishing you all happiness & prosperity #HappyGaneshChaturthi #ecofriendly #GanpatiBappaMorya

When washing clothes, I these days make sure I wash them inside out. I believe that they wear off less quickly, so that I can wear them longer.

Someone sent me a box with paper tape to close it. As paper tape is better than plastic tape (#3), I was pleased! And even better: I was able to take the tape off in good shape, so I kept it. A while later, I wanted to stick a picture to a cupboard and reused the tape. Great!

Last weekend, I made friends with this cat. When I knelt down to pet her, she jumped on my lap and from there on my shoulder. This beautiful experience was possible, because we trusted each other straight away, and because of biodiversity.  

I really don’t like ironing. And now I have another good reason to iron as little as possible: saving energy.

Did you know that rain can influence the number of female turtles? Here you read how that is possible: https://medium.com/@ErlijnG/how-does-rain-influence-the-number-of-female-turtles-baddce8c21ca This article is part of my project "Fascinating facts about nature and sustainability" in which I share scientific research in easy to understand articles. (credit:  Kris-Mikael Krister  on  Unsplash )

On my cycle and walking tours, I often pass playgrounds. At some point I realized that using a public playground is more environmentally friendly as more children can use the same devices. That's why I think it is a good idea to encourage children to play on a public instead of private playground. Another advantage is that it is easier to meet other children and practice social skills.

I don’t have the money, I don't have the time. Do you tell yourself this as well? Then this is maybe an excuse for something else, for example for low priority. If you really want it, you can find a way. Like Anastasia continued her dream even when she lost eyesight. Loading... Twitter Embed Code Retweet text: Paralympic champion and social media star Anastasia Pagonis is using her platform to educate people on Paralympic swimming, destigmatize disability, and break stereotypes associated with blindness. #TokyoParalympics (📽️ TikTok/@anastasia_k_p) @OnHerTurf

There exist all kinds of chemical substances and tools to clean bike chains. But I stick to an old t-shirt and turpentine.

The food on the party I wrote about in #615 was presented in a buffet. To make sure I was able to eat everything, I made sure I only took a little at a time. My reasoning: When I finish my plate and am still hungry, I can go back to get more. This way, I won't have any leftovers that are wasted.  

Are you curious why ducks are excellent fertilizers? Answer: https://medium.com/@ErlijnG/why-are-ducks-excellent-fertilizers-e3df78cbf0a9 This article is part of my project "Fascinating facts about nature and sustainability" making scientific research available to you in easy to understand articles.

Due to the Corona crisis, I was not allowed to visit a barber. So I decided to give the money that I saved by cutting it at home to charity for planting trees.

Making this world a better place is something we can all do in our own way. Like Mattia Villardita, who brings smiles to children’s faces who are ill. Compared to medication, a very environmentally friendly way to make children feel better! #sustainableLiving Loading... Twitter Embed Code Retweet text: É, nosso homem-Aranha que visitou um papa é mesmo um herói. Mattia Villardita visita crianças em hospitais para fazê-las mais felizes nesses momentos tão difíceis. Deus o abençoe ♥️

For a birthday party, I was asked to bring food. As I was not the only one, there was too much. I noticed that some of my salad was left, but also some potatoes. By adding the potatoes to my salad, I had a great meal the next day and this food wasn't wasted!

My change of habit rewarded me with this beautiful phenomenon. During my Christmas holiday, I decided to go for a walk in the morning as well to give my brain a break. As it was colder, I saw this! Beautiful! And incredible how the ice grows in spikes. Nature is amazing.  

I found a description on the internet how to make postcards from paper waste, a bit of water and seeds. The nice thing is that the receiver can put the card in the earth and has flowers growing. What a nice idea! I tried it and found out that it is easy. And I love the result.

Do you wonder whether biodegradable plastic is really biodegradable? Answer: https://medium.com/@ErlijnG/is-biodegradable-plastic-really-biodegradable-33e92dfae32c This article is part of my project "Fascinating facts about nature and sustainability" crediting scientific research in easy to understand articles.

I have seen this several times: people who have insulated the tubes through which warm water flows. I think this is a great idea, as this way more warm water arrives at the destination. Or in other words, the water arrives warmer at its final destination.

What we eat does make a difference to our looks. For example the more fish this blue footed booby eats, the bluer his legs and feet gets. Same for us: The food we eat can affect for example the amount of wrinkles. #sustainableLiving #HealthyFood Loading... Twitter Embed Code Retweet text: Blue-footed Booby with chicks Photo by Steve Murray #birdwatching #birds #MerryChristmas #NaturePhotographyShow this thread

This is how I love it: Yesterday, a repairman visited me to replace the ribbon of my roller shutters. He also advised me on what I can do differently, so that it wears out less quickly. I appreciate this a lot as it helps me to produce less waste.

In my garden, I have a part that is reserved for herbs and other edible plants. This year, I got rid of the weeds and planted flowers for the bees and herbs for cooking. I’m looking forward to the result!

This is my dad's bell. I'm proud of him, how he repaired it with two screws instead of buying a new one!  

Are you curious what swarms can teach us to reduce CO2 emissions? Answer: https://medium.com/@ErlijnG/what-can-swarms-teach-us-to-reduce-co2-emissions-ffd8b2dea749 In my project "Fascinating facts about nature and sustainability" you'll find easy to understand articles crediting scientific research. Please follow me on Medium to stay posted. (credit:  Albert Beukhof  on  Shutterstock )

I got inspired by someone telling my that you can also cook using a thermos flask. The idea is that you boil water, put whatever you want to cook in the flask, pour the boiling water over it, close the flask and wait. It takes a bit longer that using a pan, but saves energy. I tried it with for example pasta which works really well.

This earth is not photoshopped. It is a piece or art by Luke Jerram to allow us too see our planet in full and inspire us to take care of it well. Impressive! #sustainableLiving #saveourplanet #art #climateaction Loading... Twitter Embed Code Retweet text: Luke Jerram Floating Earth

Happy new year to you all! I hope you had a great holiday and a good start of the new year! I feel very refreshed after using the first half of my holiday to rest and the second half to think about what I want to do differently in 2022. You'll find out what's new this week!

The straps of my bras had become too long over time. Instead of going to the shop to buy a new one, my mom supported me by shortening the straps. As the rest is still perfectly fine, I can now use this bra for a lot longer.

I have a refillable bottle (#12). Unfortunately, it fell down recently, so it almost broke.  I decided to fix it before it breaks completely so that I can keep on using it for longer.