Back in London and today I went to check out some exhibitions going on at the Somerset House. There is one in particular I want to discuss called “The Syngenta Photography Award, Exploring Global Challenges. Scarcity-Waste”. It was beautiful and moving exhibition that explores issues of global significance.
This was the quote at the entrance

 In the past 50 years, the world’s demand for natural resources has doubled. If we continue to use resources and generate waste at the current rate, by 2030 we will need the equivalent of two planets. But we only have one. Something needs to change.

Location: Somerset House
Nearest tube station: Temple / Charing Cross
Exhibition: Scarcity-Waste
Dates: 11 March – 10 April 2015
Free Admission

What will it take for us to start making a change to help our planet earth?
Is it because we feel helpless?
Is it because we assume the big enterprises will take care of it?
Is it because we don’t know what to do?

It could very well be a mixture of all those points.
In this post I want to share some great documentaries, talks and tips about what we can start doing to help the earth.
Earth is us and we are earth. The more it gets destroyed the more it destroys us.

I recently keep reading more and more disturbing news. 
According to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation, the world on average has just 60 more years of growing crops

When I lived in China during Summers 2013 & 2014, the first thing I would do is check the pollution meter on my smartphone. Some days the pollution would be over the 300 mark, which is considered the most hazardous, and some were okay days like 100 which is still considered quiet unhealthy. To put it into perspective everyone should be breathing air that falls under the 0-50 meter.

Photos from the exhibition discussing China’s air pollution

Here in London unfortunately levels of nitrogen dioxide on Oxford Street broke the EU limit for the whole of 2015 over just four days in January! I do not want face masks to become the new fashion trend. 4,000 Londoners die prematurely every year due to air pollution. To imagine to start my mornings (in London) looking down at my phone to check the smog levels is a nightmare that could soon be a reality.

Below is an incredible documentary about China’s air pollution recommended to me by a friend. Watch all 8 parts. You will not regret it.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhIZ50HKIp0&w=560&h=315]

The exhibition highlighted serious issues about our world and what will happen if we don’t do something about it.
Most of the general population ignores it like a bug but the facts are becoming more and more alarming so, what can we do as individuals to save mother earth?

An inspirational woman called Solveiga Pakstaite is battling food waste with her innovative solution. Her invention “Bump Mark” won the Dyson innovation award in 2014 and the Mayor’s Low Carbon Entrepreneur prize in 2015. She has also spoken at a TEDx talk at the TEDxHultLondon conference that my team and I organized earlier this year.
You can watch her talk here:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sADyyrVqDVY&w=560&h=315]

For those who want to take baby steps on how to save the world, here are 5 things you can start doing today to help save planet earth.

1) Recycle!
You can recycle everything nowadays. Paper, glass, plastics, cardboard, newspapers, magazines, the list goes on!
For more information on recycling click here

2) Shop with a reusable bag
Instead of using the store’s plastic bags, bring a tote/reusable bag. Over 10 million plastic bags from shoppers end up in dumps every year. You can make a difference in this number with your tote. I have post-it notes on my front door and in my kitchen reminding me to bring my specific grocery bag.

3) Unplug Electronic Devices
Computers and other electronic devices continue to use energy even when they’re turned off. Unplug them when you’re not using them to save energy.

4) Ditch the meat once a week
One less meat-based meal a week helps the planet and your diet. Why? It requires 2,500 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef. You will also also save some trees. For each hamburger that originated from animals raised on rainforest land, approximately 55 square feet of forest have been destroyed.

5) Since I’m all about travelling – please use an E-Ticket when possible
Slowly but surely all the airlines are getting high-tech so we can all have our boarding pass on our phone instead of printing it out. E-tickets will soon be the only option, they save the airline industry $3 billion a year.

For more environmentally friendly tips and advice click here for 50 ways to help the planet.

Please share this information with your family and friends because every single action counts.

Until my next adventure.

See you soon, Gab 😉