May, 2021

More Simple Steps to Make Your Office Eco-Friendly

We might be making some minor changes in our everyday lives to be more eco-friendly, but we cannot just turn a blind eye to the damage that offices are inflicting on the environment. So, below you will find some simple steps that can help your business to be more sustainable.

#1. Encourage Employees to Change Their Commute

Suppose there are 150 employees in a company. Now, imagine the significant amount of greenhouse gases that are released into the atmosphere when all these employees drive their vehicles to the office.

As a responsible employer, you can provide some great incentives to encourage your workers to either carpool, walk, ride their bikes or take public transit instead. For example, why don’t you organize a contest out of commuting and offer monthly rewards such as a cash prize for the employee who uses public transportation the most? And, trust me, this small change will have a certain impact on the environment.

#2. Adapt Your Dress Code

What does the office dress code have to do with the environment?

Let me explain: Wearing a suit with a shirt, a jacket and a tie during a scorching summer is not only uncomfortable and unpleasant, but it is also not very sustainable as you would most probably out on the AC.

This is why it is recommended for the management to be more flexible on the dress code and allow the employees to adopt a more climate-adapted dress code.

#3. Telecommuting: It’s Green and Better for You

I think we have heard it enough, but teleworking is good! (Besides, with the current Covid-19 pandemic, I don’t think we have any other choice)

Teleworking, also known as telecommuting, is when employees work from home, using their internet, emails and telephones. And, this process has several advantages, including:

Reduce real estate costs
Decrease employee recruitment and training costs
Lowers personal costs
Saves times
Allows a better management of private life also
And, the most important one is that it benefits the environment (it avoids moving and fewer cars on the highway means a safer and healthier environment).

#4. Try Team-Building Events

When it comes to team-building events, there are more than just going to a lush restaurant and having a nice meal with colleagues. Instead, you can opt for these ideas:

Organize a tree-planting event
Have fun with environmentally theme board games
Organize a minimal waste competition
Litter picking activity
Outdoor activities

#5. Create Monthly “Green Challenges”

“Monthly team challenges can be a fun way of combining competition and going green.”

-Andrew McCrea, a green team community events chair at Weber Shandwick

An interesting method to reduce waste in a fun way and to bring your teams together to participate in the sustainable activities is to make use of challenges. And, nothing motivates employees like an enticing prize.

Here are exciting eco-friendly challenges that you can try out:

Who will print the least in one month?
Which team can spend a month without using any plastic eating utensils?
Which department can recycle the most in one month?

Now, the winners of these challenges can be rewarded with a free dinner at a restaurant of their choosing, coffee gift cards, an extra day of paid time off, or a week’s worth of free lunches (believe me, this will surely attract all the foodies in the office). That sounds really great, isn’t it?

#6. Invest in a Bottleless Water Dispenser

Nowadays, many smart water coolers are available on the market that can help you to significantly lower the need for plastic bottles or cans in the office.

#7. Use Microfiber Cloths Instead of Paper Towels

Tell me honestly, what is the go-to method for cleaning up a chili spill? I would say a few paper towels. They are quick, convenient and inexpensive. However, did you know that paper towels represent a big waste of forest resources?

So, it is better to opt for some eco-friendly alternatives such as some microfiber cleaning cloths.

Remember that every change you are implementing in your organization, it will benefit not only the environment but also your company. If you have some more green suggestions, why don’t you share them with us in the comment section below?

May, 2021

Simple Steps to Make Your Office More Eco-Friendly

Nowadays, many companies are focusing on corporate social responsibility and investing in green practices. If you also want to become a responsible business owner and make your office more environmentally friendly, this article will be of great help to you.

#1. Create a “Green Team”

“Employees engaging one another is more effective than memos from the top.”

– Andrew McCrea

One effective way of raising awareness and getting your employees engaged about green practices is by organizing a sustainability team for your office. Rather than getting orders from the top, the team will be better positioned to educate the staff through informational lunch-and-learn sessions.

The tasks and projects of the team could include:

Determining and setting specific green goals that the company wants to achieve. One top priority could be decreasing the monthly energy usage by at least 20 %. And these goals need to be communicated to all the employees.
Starting a recycling program.
Conducting monthly inspections and checking the power/gas meters and the number of office supplies bought.
Scheduling regular meetings so as to evaluate the effectiveness of sustainable projects.
Distributing monthly newspapers (both to employees and customers).

#2. Embrace Renewable Energy

An old excuse for not using solar panels – it’s too expensive. But, this is no longer acceptable. Over the last five years, the cost of buying and even installing solar panels has reduced significantly. Plus, investing in solar energy promises a huge positive financial return in the long run.

Now, some more benefits of switching to solar energy are:

Solar panels are known to last for a very long period of time (at least more than 25 years).
Can drastically reduce your electric bills
Increase your property value
And, of course, protect the environment

#3. Maximize Natural Light

Approximately 25 % of the US electricity consumption is used to light office spaces. Relying on natural daylight can not only help to protect the environment, but it can also reduce the cost of your utility bills. And, as per the World Green Building Council, employees working near sunlit places tend to have a 15 % higher productivity rate.

Jennifer Walton, an agency principal at H. Hendy Associates, claimed that “Natural light sets the body’s circadian rhythms, which control awakening, falling asleep, synthesizing vitamin D and digestion while indoor light is a major work disruptor.”

#4. Turn off and Unplug Electronics at the End of the Day

Our workdays are sometimes like this:

Sit down in front of the computer with a vague idea of what needs to be done and then you end up spending way too much time on unimportant tasks, get distracted by personal thoughts and have to bear the constant grumbling of your boss. And when it is the end of the day, you are all but ready to bolt out the door. You are either starving, worried about finding out what new mess your kids made while you were away or you are just eager to have some relaxation time. Honestly, we all know that feeling.

However, if you can take only ten additional seconds to unplug everything that will not be used overnight, there will not be any ghoulish spirit haunting the office at night (I am talking about some phantom power). And, if all employees adopt this method, I am sure huge amounts of energy waste will be reduced.

#5. Go Paperless

“The greenest paper is no paper at all.”

– Vince Digneo, a sustainability strategist

Business reports, financial documents or contracts – these printed documents can contribute up to 90 % of office waste in America. This is why Digneo said to go digital whenever possible. With cloud storage services and digital pay stubs, the need for papers or even printers at the office has significantly reduced.

How to go paperless:

Rather than storing papers in file cabinets, keep digital files on computers and mobile devices.
Review digital documents on a screen instead of printing them out.
Try to print as little as possible
Set up automated payments which will reduce the need for printed checks
Ask vendors to provide e-statements and invoices

The list is long and there are many more steps that need to be taken to have a green and eco-friendly office. If you find this article helpful, don’t hesitate to come back for part 2 and you can also share your comments below!

May, 2021

Best Ways to Promote Sustainable Tourism

According to the United Nation’s World Tourism Organisation, “sustainable tourism refers to a tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities.”

With this definition in mind, let’s review some of the amazing ways to promote sustainable tourism.

#1. Take Non-Stop Flights

Do you travel a lot by plane? Well, did you know that besides emitting a lot of heat, take-offs and landings cause most of a plane’s carbon emissions?

This is why it is recommended to book a non-stop flight, which will require less amount of fuel and lower the plane’s carbon emissions.

#2. Avoid the Plane Itself

Ok, this is not always possible, but if you can, I would recommend you to avoid the plane and for example, take the train instead. Traveling by train can not only decrease your carbon footprints, but it can also provide you with the unique chance of experiencing a deeper sense of place.

#3. Travel Responsibly to Less-Visited Destinations

There are around 195 countries in the world, with more than 4 billion hectares of forest area and around 9 million waterfalls. Despite all these tourist attractions available, statistics show that 80 % of people tend to visit only 20 % of destinations in the world. Can you believe it?

For instance, in Venice alone, there are more than 30 million tourists per year and these destinations are the ones suffering from over-tourism. Let me give you some more examples:

Great cities like Bruges in Belgium put a stop to its day trips advertising so as to lighten the weekend rush.
On the other hand, Paris, Barcelona, Rome and Amsterdam (with some more European cities) are limiting the number of beds available in licensed hotels in order to decrease over-tourism.

The saddest thing is how these beautiful destinations turn into toxic wastelands due to the effects of over-tourism and overconsumption. But one way to fight against this is to travel to less-visited places in the world. Now, I am not asking you to stop visiting the City of Love or the City of Lights, but I encourage you to opt for some off-the-beaten tracks.

#4. Research the Accommodations

It is evident that you will make a proper planning of your trip (except if you want to break the monotony of preparing everything, take up a crazy challenge and go to an unknown destination). Therefore, it is essential to do your research and choose a hotel that has high environmental standards and which is certified by a third party like Rainforest Alliance or Global Sustainable Tourism Council.

Another way to promote sustainability is by choosing local places to stay.

#5. Support Local Restaurants

Another easy green tip is to spend some time in local restaurants and food joints. Instead of having several meals at luxurious hotels and ordering from food giants, it is better to support small businesses. And, in this way, you will not only support locally-grown and produced ingredients, but you will also meet locals and try their traditional food.

Moreover, I suggest not choosing all-inclusive package holidays as it means that you will have to pay up-front for your accommodation, food and activities and as a result, it will discourage you from going out to local restaurants.

#6. Walk Where Possible

The most basic way of visiting a new place is to walk around and of course, this can also reduce your carbon footprints. What you can do is to ask tour guides for advice on places that are safe to walk through.

Furthermore, by leaving your vehicle behind and waking, you will not disturb animals in the wild (as they are often rattled by heavy sounds like those generated by motor vehicles).

#7. Travel With Reusables

Perhaps, this is the most easiest and simplest way to go green. So, always remember to pack reusable bags, reusable water bottles, metal straws, a travel mug and so on. Trust me, by adopting this habit, you will discourage the use of plastic items that fill up landfills and cause harm to the environment.

Will you adopt these habits when traveling? Please share your comments.

May, 2021

The Fundamentals of Eco-Renovation

Summary

– Eco-renovation: its advantages

– Characteristics of an eco-renovation

You want to live in a healthy, comfortable, and ecological house? Have you decided not to remain passive in the face of environmental degradation? Here are some indications to help you understand the basics of eco-renovation.

Eco-renovation: its advantages

The eco-renovation consists of adapting an existing construction to create a comfortable and healthy interior space while seeking to reduce its impact on the environment, taking into account

– the work done (low impact materials, heritage quality,…);

– the use of the house (heating, water, waste, transportation).

Determining criteria

Here are several reasons that can motivate this approach:

– To adapt the existing to the current comfort requirements.

– To reduce expenses.

– To gain independence from the fluctuations of energy costs.

– To improve comfort (no more “cold walls”, no unwanted air movements,…).

– Reduce the risks of building degradation (condensation on or in the walls).

– Create activity in a high-potential field (creation of wealth, non-relocatable jobs…).

– Anticipate future thermal regulations.

– Respond to environmental issues:

◦ climate change;

◦ depletion of resources;

◦ risks to health and biodiversity (waste, nuclear accident, oil spill, etc.).

Investing in the existing rather than building new

The reasons can be diverse:

– Safeguarding agricultural land.

– Preserve and enhance the local heritage.

– The non-increase of the local authorities’ expenses (networks, waste collection, etc.).

– The conservation of a dynamic of town or neighborhood.

– The limitation of energy consumption of construction mainly due to the structural work.

Characteristics of an eco-renovation

Take the time to design the project.

Above all, it is a question of taking the time to:

– Carry out an inventory of the existing: the building system and its specificities, the possible problems of humidity to be solved, the solid points/weak points of the existing (inertia, orientation, the layout of the rooms,…), the patrimonial elements to be protected.

– Define the objectives of the renovation.

– Call upon the competent people for:

◦ free advice: renovation platform, etc.;

◦ the design and management of the construction site.

Taking energy performance into account

Given the current comfort requirements and the environmental impact of energy consumption, an eco-renovation must imperatively take into account the energy performance of the house:

– Aim for the residential green building standards, which appear to be the most relevant to your project.

– Give priority to insulation, airtightness, efficient ventilation, and summer comfort (inertia, solar protection).

– Think about renewable energies (solar, wood, especially wood pellets).

Reduce the environmental impact of the work done

The manufacture and implementation of materials for your renovation are not neutral from an environmental point of view. To reduce their impact, choose bio-sourced materials (mainly of plant origin) or recycled materials.

Find the right balance between architectural quality, heritage preservation, quality of use (comfort and low costs), and environmental impact.

Important: Have an airtightness test performed during the construction and at the end of the work: it is one of the best ways to verify the quality of the implementation.

Look for quality

Call on professionals with a proven track record:

– Ask for references from jobs similar to yours.

Ensure that the professionals are aware of the stakes of eco-renovation and are trained in the relevant fields.

Note: in the case of an old building, do not forget to consider the behavior of the wall with humidity (capillary rise, opening to water vapor).

Do not forget:

– Air quality: use finishing products with low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) emissions, and don’t forget ventilation.

– Water management, whether it is rainwater or water consumption (use of aerators and water-saving showerheads).

All in all, these were the basics of eco-renovation. Please, feel free to share, comment, and add more ideas from your side.

May, 2021

I Want to Respect the Environment, but How Do I Do It?

Summary

– Step 1: Know your energy consumption

– Step 2: Innovative and efficient heating systems

– Step 3: Change your behavior by adopting simple gestures

The preservation of the environment and the fight against energy waste have become a priority for everyone. It is even an obligation in the construction sector, especially with the 2012 thermal regulation, which requires all new buildings to be low-energy consumers. Using energy differently is both eco-responsible and good for your wallet.

1. Know your energy consumption

Air pollution and global warming are partly due to greenhouse gas emissions. These are produced by human activity, particularly in the transportation and housing sectors.

By having an energy performance diagnosis of your home carried out by a professional, you can know both your energy consumption and your greenhouse gas emissions. Better informed, you can then, thanks to the advice of the thermic technician, envisage work to reduce your energy bill and adopt an eco-responsible behavior.

When renovating, be careful when choosing the energies that you will use to optimize your bill and integrate the environmental dimension in your decision. This post will provide you advice on this subject.

2. Innovative and efficient heating systems

Advances in heating technology have made it possible to optimize energy consumption, particularly in terms of heating, with:

– the use of thermostats to regulate the temperature and stop heating when it is no longer necessary;

– the appearance of new, more efficient boilers: condensing, hybrid, cogenerators, etc.

Good to know: Replacing a heating system is worthwhile if your home is adequately insulated.

3. Change your behavior by adopting simple gestures

Replacing a heating system, using renewable energies, and insulating your home are the main ways to consume less energy and help preserve the environment.

You can also control your consumption daily in the following ways:

– By lowering the temperature of your heating by 1°C, you reduce your energy consumption by about 7%.

– Have your heating, ventilation, and hot water production equipment checked regularly. If they are dirty, defective, or badly adjusted, they consume a lot of energy and pollute.

– Choose showers over baths, as they consume less water and less energy.

– Have your hot water temperature set to a maximum of 60°C to prevent the appliance from scaling up too much.

– Wash your clothes at 40°C.

– Defrost your freezer regularly. A 3 cm layer of frost increases your refrigerator’s electricity consumption by 30%.

– And, clean your light bulbs regularly, and buy energy-efficient ones

Hope you have liked this post. Please leave your comments in the section below.

You can also read:

May, 2021

Corporate Social Responsibility: 7 Steps of an Environmental Audit

Summary

– Environmental audit: definition

– Characteristics of the environmental audit

– Environmental audit: steps

An environmental audit is an internal or external evaluation of the practices implemented by a company to respect the environment. It is a strategic approach of the company that is conducted in 7 steps.

Environmental audit: definition

An environmental audit, or environmental diagnosis, is an evaluation of the policies put in place in a company to preserve the environment.

Good to know: it is about understanding how companies integrate issues related to sustainable development.

The definition of an environmental audit is “a periodic, systematic, documented and objective evaluation of the organization, management systems and the performance of the equipment put in place to ensure environmental protection.”

It would help if the company carries out an environmental audit with a standard (e.g., ISO standard), a regulation (e.g., EMAS regulation “Eco-Management and Audit Scheme.”

Example: mandatory use of low consumption light bulbs.

It is also a commercial argument that companies can put forward to stand out from the competition.

Characteristics of the environmental audit

Forms

An environmental audit can be internal, i.e., carried out by a company’s department, or external, i.e., carried out by a firm outside the company.

Content

The environmental diagnosis evaluates many aspects of environmental preservation. Some examples are:

– greenhouse gas emissions,

– discharges into the aquatic environment,

– soil contamination,

– the use of energy,

– all kinds of nuisances,

– risks of environmental accidents,

– transport of goods and people, etc.

Example: noise, odors, vibrations, dust, visual nuisances, etc.

Environmental audit: 7 steps

An environmental audit is a precise procedure that is divided into 7 steps:

The opening meeting: this first meeting sets the framework for the intervention of people concerned by the audit, both the audited and the auditors.

2. Technical execution: this is the phase during which the auditors carry out their investigations.

3. The audit team’s meeting: the people in charge of the audit meet to share the results of their different investigations.

4. Meeting with the management of the audited company: the team that conducted the audit transmits its observations and recommendations to the management.

5. Closing meeting: this meeting allows the strengths and weaknesses of the company in terms of environmental protection to be presented.

6. The audit report: all observations, investigations, measures, and recommendations are summarized in an audit report.

7. The follow-up of the audit: the follow-up allows to ensure the implementation of the corrective measures requested.

Hope you have liked this post. Please leave your comments in the section below.

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May, 2021

Astounding Ways to Have an Eco-Friendly Picnic

When the bright shining sun is out, the sky is a striking blue and the air carries a fresh smell, it inspires you to have a nice picnic. However, it is important also to consider the environment around you. Therefore, we bring you some fantastic ways to have an eco-friendly picnic.

#1. Have Your Picnic at a Local Location

When it comes to having a picnic, many of us tend to opt for an extravagant place and the traveling process often requires much time and energy. However, instead of driving to faraway destinations and burning a lot of fuel, why don’t you choose some lovely places around your location itself?

Now, remove that misconception from your head that you have seen all places in your area and instead, with the help of the internet and some navigational technology, look for some breathtaking picnic spots in your locality. Besides, even your simple backyard could do for a fun family picnic.

#2. Have an Eco-Friendly Menu

Even if you are having a nice picnic, you can still go green and choose meals that will cause less harm to the environment.

Choose organic foods as they are not only nutritious but were usually grown and processed using farming ways that recycle resources and do not make use of synthetic pesticides or bio-engineered genes, hence promoting sustainability.
And, I strongly believe that the outdoors is the perfect place to eat veggies. I don’t recommend beef for your green picnic as many environmentalists claimed that beef production on a huge scale poses several threats to the planet (for example, from the methane produced on cattle farms to the fuel it takes to transport the beef).
Moreover, I suggest supporting your local community or small farmers by purchasing local food or fresh and local ingredients to prepare your meals.
If you end up with orange peels or other food remains at the end of the picnic, you can add them to the compost pile as these compostable products can break down naturally and have several benefits for the environment.

#3. Grilling

Who doesn’t like some tasty grilled food on a picnic?

But, before making such plans, consider the environment first as it is noted that grilling could generate a lot of carbon emissions into the air. However, if you still want grilled food for your picnic, then go for solar cookers which can make grilling better for the environment.

What if I don’t have solar cookers? Then use natural lump charcoal. But, rather than a lighter fluid, use a charcoal chimney.

#4. Avoid Packages and Take Away

Ordering take-out looks like a very easy option when you are preparing for a picnic, isn’t it?

But, I am sure you know that the packaging is made out of plastic and you must also be aware of how much harmful plastic can be to the environment. In addition, wrappings that are used to prevent spillages of liquid food can also cause much harm to the planet.

So, now think about the amount of waste is being generated just with these takeouts.

#5. Take the Picnic Utilities From Your Home Instead of Buying New

Did you know that all that you need for a picnic can be found in your house?

Take a good look around and you will find:

The perfect blanket you need
A nice and big carry-on bag
Cloth napkins
Mugs (you can even bring those cute Disney mugs for your kids)
Stainless intensils
Tumblers

Taking your own home supplies instead of buying new ones will not only help you not to spend so much money but will also cut back on waster and carbon emissions.

#6. Use Natural Repellents and Sunscreen

An outdoor picnic represents lots of fun and adventure. But, it also means lots of bugs and insects of all types (but the most irritating with these insects is when they try to get into your meal).

The only way to keep these insects away from you is by using skin repellents or carrying an insecticide. However, as these products often consist of harmful chemicals which can be dangerous for the environment, we recommend you to choose natural skin protection and repellents.

If you are preparing for an outdoor picnic, will you consider our tips? And, once you have that nice picnic, why don’t you share your experience with us in the comment section below?

May, 2021

Adopting Environmentally-Friendly Eating Habits

The Green and sustainable living movement is sweeping the whole world and now people are focusing more on what they eat. If you care and want to protect the environment, then read on to learn about some of the environmentally-friendly eating habits.

At the Store

1.Reuse Bags at the Store

You will be surprised when I tell you that each year in the United States alone, people use over 100 billion plastic bags, which costs at least 12 million barrels of oil. Can you actually imagine that?

Moreover, it is noted that worldwide, approximately only 1 % of plastic bags are actually recycled. And, of course, it means that the rest end up in landfills, oceans or somewhere else in the environment. And the consequences? Nearly one million birds, 100 000 turtles and other marine animals die after ingesting discarded plastics. Plastic bags pose a threat not only to aquatic life but also to other numerous elements of the environment, such as the dilapidation of agricultural land.

So, if you want to play a role in preventing millions of trees from being cut down to make plastic shopping bags, next time you go to the store, make sure to bring a reusable bag with you.

2. Avoid Items With Excess Packaging

If you wonder why let me tell you that excess packaging is often and mostly made out of unsustainable materials that contribute in increasing the waste in landfills. And, maybe the worst culprit of all is polystyrene, which is not only a suspected carcinogen but is also produced through a process that has a tremendous negative impact on the environment. This is why it is recommended to purchase products with minimal packaging.

3. Do Not Purchase Plastic Bottles

With all these billions of plastic bottles around, I think you can already guess how many tons of plastic are being used to produce these bottles. And, let’s not forget the landfills that are being overflowed with these bottles.

One way to reduce your carbon footprint is to use tap water which is much better compared to these bottled water.

4. Choose the Right Shop

Why don’t you choose to buy and give your money to eco-friendly stores, both in the organization’s practices and in the food selections they provide.

Eating

5. Start Eating It Raw

Now, it is true that not all foods can be eaten raw, but there are some vegetables, for example, that can be eaten raw and can help you to save energy on gas from your stone. For instance, instead of boiling or sauteing a raw carrot, why don’t you chew it down?

Below is a list of food that can be eaten raw:

Pineapple
Coconut
Blueberries
Broccoli
Onions
Red Bell Peppers
Nuts
Seaweed

6. Go Local

For those who didn’t know, eating locally produced food is one of the best ways to live eco-friendly and to reduce your carbon footprint. Besides, locally grown foods are fresher, tastier and retain more nutrients compared to food products that are usually shipped across the globe.

7. Eat a Lot of What You Buy

Do you know how many people around the world are dying due to starvation? Forget about the adults and think about all those needy and innocent children who die from hunger each year? Sd, isn’t it?

But, now what if I tell you that according to the statistics of the Food and Agriculture Organization, over 1.3 billion of food ends in landfills every year?

This is why it is always said not to waste the food you buy.

8. Go for Organic

Here, only food labels can help.

There are specific certified organic foods that are generally grown and processed using farming ways that recycle resources, do not make use of synthetic pesticides or bio-engineered genes, hence promoting sustainability.

But, remember, even if organic foods have numerous benefits on the environment, they can be costly and if you have a certain budget to abide to, then you need to calculate and limit your organic purchase to the ones that make the most impact.

Will you follow these tips? Please share your comments!

Apr, 2021

Green Museums in the World

Today, like many buildings, museums are also following the latest trends of sustainability. And by adopting eco-friendly practices, green museums do not only provide opportunities for us to look back at the beautiful historical past but can also protect our future. So, from Russia to France, here are some astonishing green museums!

State Hermitage Museum – Saint Petersburg, Russia

Founded in 1764, the State Hermitage Museum was initially the main residence of Russian Tsars. Unknown to a few but loved by many, this museum is the second-largest art museum in the world, housing some of the most prominent art collections. For instance, it includes artworks of Picasso, Van Gogh, Caravaggio, Gaugin. Matisse and Cezanne.

The museum can also be considered as the third greenest museum in the world. Why? Well, you will be surprised to learn that this whole architectural structure has managed to decrease its overall energy consumption by about 60 %. And this was accomplished by only replacing the traditional light system with energy-saving light bulbs.

What an innovative strategy to turn a magnificent building into a green museum!

The State Hermitage Museum is an example to prove how even ancient buildings can play a role in the protection of the environment.

The Parisian Quai Brainly Museum – Paris, France

Just a short stroll from the Eiffel Tour and you will get the chance to visit the most exotic museum in Paris, the Quai Brainly Museum. Opened in 2006, the museum symbolizes 200 years of history, enrichment, study and conservation of public collections. The museum houses approximately 370 000 works originating from Africa, Asia, Oceania, the Near East and the Americas and these works depict the richness and cultural diversity of non-European indigenous civilizations from the Neolithic period.

However, the museum is not only famous for its representation of indigenous art and cultures but also for its green architecture.

Firstly, one of the significant green features is the stunning 800mq vertical garden.
And, by itself, the green wall is said to improve the air quality and also reduce thermal dispersion during both winter and summer.
The museum also consists of a renewable energy system that is based on solar and geothermal energy.

Undoubtedly, this museum displays its green commitment towards environmental sustainability.

California Academy of Sciences – San Francisco, California

This natural history museum and research institute found in San Francisco would have definitely received the gold medal among the greenest museums in the world. This scientific structure combines perfectly scientific research with awareness-raising of environmental issues.

With more than 11 buildings, which consist of an aquarium, a natural history museum, a planetarium and a big rainforest exhibit, it is known as one of the largest museums of natural history in the world.

Completely rebuilt in 2008, you will be surprised to discover the extent to which this museum is committed to sustainable development and environmental protection.

Designed by Renzo Piano, an Italian architect, and completed in 2008, its green “living” roof can provide energy, control wastewater and nourish various plant specimens (and I am not talking about only a few, but more than 46 million). In addition, it can also reduce the building’s energy requirements by keeping the museum cooler.
The air conditioning system of the museum was replaced by openable windows.
Solar panels are used as the main energy source for lightning.
Metal structures are made up of nearly 90 % recycled material.

This seems like a huge step to the promotion of sustainability, isn’t it?

Jeongok Prehistory Museum – Yeoncheon County, South Korea

Did you know that the Jeongok Prehistory Museum was built on a site of archaeological significance in South Korea, where an Archeulean hand axe was found for the first time in East Asia?

The museum was built with the aim of creating a space that brings the prehistoric past alive for visitor and this is why it also known as the “door to prehistoric age.” It is a perfect archeological learning place where people can experience the amazing evolutionary trace of humanity through a model of human bone fossils and the reproduction of cave paintings. Besides, the museum offers great programs and activities such as children’s cave painting activities and excavation programs. As a result, it became the center of tourist attractions of the Northern Gyeonggi area.

Let us now take a look at the building’s green features:

The museum was built between two elevated points, hence placing it seamlessly with the natural environment.
The soft edges and curvy structure evoke the natural flowing water and, together with the prehistoric garden, makes a perfect natural landscape.
The exterior of the structure was constructed in a way to regulate the temperature in order to minimize energy waste.

Do you want to visit these places? Please share your comments below!

Apr, 2021

How To Have a Sustainable Wedding?

Green is beautiful. One myth about sustainability that people should stop believing in is that sustainable choices or living mean less quality and more expensive. On the contrary, we are here to provide you with some excellent ideas on how to have a stylish, elegant and at the same time, sustainable wedding.

#1. Choose Your Location Wisely

It is no secret that airplanes and automobile emissions are significant contributors to environmental damage. Therefore, if you really want a sustainable wedding, you should think well before choosing your wedding location.

For instance, despite the growing trend of destination weddings, remember that it would mean lots of air travel. In addition, even a wedding venue in a remote location can represent lots of car travel. Now, I am the first to say that one should get married wherever you want, but it is better if you choose a location which requires fewer plane and car journeys.

#2. Sustainable Clothing

Indeed, the fashion industry is also one of the most polluting industries in the world and if you opt for an eco-friendly wedding, you will need to have a different approach to bridal clothing. But of course, you can still look incredible on your wedding day without doing any harm to the planet.

• You can choose a vintage wedding dress.

• You can also go for a second-hand dress or one from a charity bridal store (maybe this would be the least considered option as no one, and I really mean no one, wants to wear a second-hand dress on their big day).

• Even if you bought a brand new wedding dress, you can rewear, resell, recycle or even donate it (obviously after your wedding day).

• Besides, you can make a conscious choice to use ethical and natural cosmetics.

#3. Flowers and Decorations

Honestly, a wedding is lifeless without flowers and decorations. They bring the “look” and “vibe” of a wedding together, but they come at a cost – in both financial and environmental terms.

There are many environmentally-minded people who often recommend forgetting about flowers and to rather go for potted herbs and greenery. But, if you are as obsessed with flowers as chocoholics are to Godiva, then I am sure you wouldn’t want to ditch floral arrangements. So, depending on the time of the year in which you are getting married, you can ask your florist to choose only seasonal and local flowers.

But what happens to the floral arrangements after the wedding? Well, you can simply donate them to a local hospital or hospice.

When it comes to wedding décor, there are some popular trends that one cannot ignore. However, as much as we love them, decoration items such as balloons and sky lanterns can cause harm to the environment and depending on how you dispose of these items, they can also cause harm to the local wildlife.

Therefore, for a more eco-friendly wedding, you should choose recyclable or reusable items such as glassware bunting, ribbons, books, vintage candlesticks, macramé, non-toxic candles, biodegradable glitter and biodegradable confetti.

#4. Eco-Friendly Menu

No wedding would be complete without lips-smacking food, but how can you make sure that the wedding meal provided at your venue is eco-friendly?

• You can choose farm-to-table which promotes fresh local food.

• Organic food is also recommended as there has been no use of pesticides.

• One can also opt for a vegan or vegetarian menu as this would reduce the impact of farming, but if this is too drastic for you, I suggest you to aim for at least a 50 % vegetarian menu.

• Choose alcoholic drinks only from local wineries, distilleries and breweries to reduce carbon footprint.

• Instead of organizing the buffet yourself, you can also find a catering company with a sustainable ethos.

#5. Plan an Ethical Honeymoon

Needless to tell you what happens after a wedding.

A honeymoon is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, so of course, I will not tell you to spend it on a farm or out in the wild (unless that’s exactly what you want). However, what you can do is research ethical locations. Moreover, there are some travel agencies that specialize in such responsible and sustainable holidays.

So, will you go for a sustainable wedding? Please share your comments!