Earth Hour 2021, lights off for one hour at 20.30 today 27th March

 

 

To find out more information go the the WWF website, from the search engine, just type in earth hour.

MAKE AN IMPACT - WHEREVER YOU ARE

Earth Hour has always drawn its power from the people. Though global circumstances are different this year due to COVID-19, we still have an incredible opportunity to make an impact - online and from our homes.  No matter where you are in the world, you can speak up for nature and bring global attention to the issues facing our planet!

5 ways you can get involved in Earth Hour 2021

Posted by Earth Hour

Nature is essential for our survival and our existence. But we are destroying nature faster than it can replenish itself. We must change course. 

COVID-19 has knocked many plans intended to set nature on the road to recovery off-track - but as we emerge from a global pandemic, we look to a global recovery for our natural world too.

Around the world, more people than ever are getting behind action #ForNature. World leaders have signaled support for positive change, but we need these actions turned into words. That’s why Earth Hour 2021 is more important than ever, not just to bring us together, but to shout loud for our future and the future of humanity.

Even though many of us are confined to our homes, there are still ways to get involved and speak up for nature this Earth Hour. 

1. Speak up

Get creative. Our lives have been changed by the pandemic, but there are some novel ways to speak up for nature. You could design a poster showing why nature matters to you, write a letter, share your favorite nature-focused song on YouTube, or tag all of your friends when you watch the must-see video we’ll be releasing on the night of Earth Hour.

Even though we can’t be together physically, we can feel part of something digitally. This year get involved in the Earth Hour Virtual Spotlight - it’s going to be unmissable!⭐

2. Switch on 📱

No, it’s not about turning the lights on! You can still join a big switch off, but this year Earth Hour is all about staying in touch, via whatever virtual space works for you. COVID-19 has highlighted many challenges our world is facing, but Earth Hour is all about standing together in unity and showing that we care about our natural world.

WWF has created some slick GIFs that are perfect for sharing. So login, stay in touch and share one message of support #ForNature.

And if you want to really enjoy the community Earth Hour brings together, attend a virtual event - check the full list of events taking place around the world.

3. Inspire others to take action

See how Amanda Gorman has rocked the world! And you can too. You don’t have to be a superstar to get others to change their behavior, you can make a difference right from your own home. Have a chat with your mum, your sister, your neighbour, the postman! Every single person has an opportunity to encourage others to protect nature.🗣️

Of course it’s fantastic that the people we see on our screens are choosing to do the same. This Earth Hour there are loads of famous faces supporting. Noemie Tahiti (The Voice kids contestant) even wrote a song urging world leaders to step up their action for nature.

Share your story with a post on Instagram using the hashtag #VoiceForNature and a bit about why you care about nature, and see your face on the Earth Hour website too 

4. Change something in your daily routine

Earth Hour is a fantastic celebration of changing your everyday behaviour. But what else could you change? Perhaps turning the tap off when you brush your teeth, or choosing planet friendly food once a week. Our planet is our life support system, and recognizing the link between what we do, and where the things we use come from is a step to realizing just how important nature is.

There’s a wealth of resources available too, just check out the Earth Hour learning page to up your knowledge on nature loss and climate change and discover why your actions matter now more than ever. 🌴🌻🐦🐠

5. Show the world you care🙌

With a critical mass of support for nature it will be impossible for world leaders to ignore the interconnected crises we face - our health, our environment and our climate are at risk. We need action. Earth Hour not only reminds us that we are not alone, but that together we can influence decisions that can change the world. In the next decade we have an opportunity to reverse nature loss, but that can’t be achieved without the support of our leaders. That’s why organizations like WWF are campaigning for a New Deal for Nature & People - and your vote counts.

It can be as simple as signing a petition or sharing a pledge online. Start your journey today.

Check out the news later on tonight to see all the countries around the world taking part, it is really great to see.  Here in Ciutadella the council are doing their bit too! along with Mahon Airport and Mahon Council, so good to hear!

 The blog song for today is: "Boom Boom, out go the lights" by Pat Travers Band.

TTFN

 

Life is magnificent and amazing, but sometimes it can also be utterly preposterous. Here are some of the daftest things on Earth

 I have just read this on the BBC Earth Website and wanted to share it!

 Proboscis monkeys (Nasalis larvatus) are only found on Borneo (Credit: dbimages/Alamy)

The monkey with the enormous hooter

Proboscis monkeys are aptly-named. Their big noses look ridiculous to human eyes, but other proboscis monkeys may think otherwise. It's been suggested that having a big nose might help a male to attract females, much as a peacock's colourful tail does.

Having a big nose may also allow a male to make louder honks, warning off rivals.

Beyond their whopping noses, proboscis monkeys have another distinction. They may be the only primate species that chews the cud, regurgitating food for a second chew just like a cow.

 

Hairy frog (Trichobatrachus robustus) specimen (Credit: The Natural History Museum/Alamy)

The improvised claws of the hairy frog

Hailing from Cameroon, the hairy frog has a secret weapon. Its back feet have extendable claws, a bit like those of a cat.

But these claws don't work like those of your domestic moggy. They are made of bone and are part of the frog's toes. When it feels threatened, it breaks the bones and pushes the claws out through its skin.

In fact the frog is more similar to Wolverine from the X-Men, if Wolverine could extend his adamantium claws from his feet.

 

An Illacme plenipes with 618 legs (Credit: Daniel Mietchen, CC by 3.0)

The leggiest animal of all

Despite their name, no millipede has 1000 legs. The species that comes closest is Illacme plenipes, which has more legs than any other known animal.

Females of the species can have up to 750 legs. Nobody knows why: it might be that I. plenipes has evolved a really long gut to get the most out of its food, and the legs are simply a by-product.

It is only found in a 4.5 sq km area of California, the precise location of which has been kept secret for the animals' protection.

 

China is home to the moustached hipster toad (credit: Chinafotopress/Getty)

Toads have moustaches

Each male Emei moustache toad has a sharpened moustache, which it uses to fight other moustachioed males for territory.

The moustaches aren't made of hair, which amphibians don't have, but from solid spines growing out of the toad's upper lip. Each toad attempts to ram its moustache into its opponent's belly, puncturing it.

The huntsman spider has a white moustache (credit: Louise/Murray/SPL)

And so do spiders

The brown huntsman spider also grows impressive facial fluff. 

It's not just for show: this spider uses its moustache to hunt. The white hairs stand out in the dark of night and help it attract prey.

 

Tasty? or not (credit: Martin Bernetti/AFP/Getty)

Penguins cannot taste fish

More bad news for penguins. Despite fish being their main source of food, research shows they cannot actually taste it.  

A study published in February 2015 discovered that they have lost the ability to taste fish. They only have the genes to make receptors for sour and salty food.  

Apparently, because penguins tend to swallow fish whole, it doesn't really matter whether they can taste it or not.

Some cows get high (credit: Christina Gandolfo/Alamy)

Crazy cows like weed

Cows are partial to drugs. In the US and Mexico, they eat locoweeds: poisonous plants in the genera Astragalus and Oxytropis that grow in their fields.

They become lonesome, start walking funny, and bump into things. Eventually, they get so high they will take huge leaps over the smallest obstacles, such as a stick.

Well, there you have it! Cows under the influence of weed, I have heard it all!

The blog song for today is: "Amsterdam" by Al Stewart

 TTFN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zero Waste : re-use your old plastic containers and refill from Camamil-la in Ciutadella

If you want to cut down on the new plastic that you buy containing cleaning products and the like try going to Camamil-la, this place is fantastic! This is the easiest way to start to "go zero waste".  You take along your empty bottles and they will refill them for you, however much you want!  Obviously the weight of the bottle is not charged for!

The bath cleaner is very nice and smells of coconut, it is a good price too!

The great thing too is that it´s a local shop, so when I buy something I know that it is helping the local economy.

Because I make my own clothes detergent and other stuff I do not go in there as often as I used to! The girls in there are very nice and informed so it is always a pleasure to go there!

Before I started making my own stuff I bought the clothes detergent, shampoo, fabric softener, washing up liquid and the bathroom cleaner, all were very good.  I would prefer to use washing powder but because of the damp here it is really impossible to store it well without it being ruined!

The blog song for today is: " Prince Charming" by Adam and the Ants

TTFN

 

Plastic Exhibition in El Roser Ciutadella

 Here are the photos I took the other day at this fabulous exhibition put on by Per La Mar Viva:

The Welcome to the Exhibition signs

The entrance!

Under the microscope!

There is a video to watch also

and around we go!

The information about the auction piece

The brilliant painting to be auctioned.

the flip flop section is something to see.

the small pieces that slip through all filters

You would not believe where the green bin came from!

And the exit!

I hope I have put these in the correct order!  If you haven´t been yet, do yourself a favour and go, the timetable is as follows: 

Mornings: 10.30 - 13:00

Afternoons: 17:00 - 20:00 

The Exhibition closes on 7 April.

The blog song for today is: "Waterloo Sunset" by the Kinks 

TTFN