Well as widely expected the third runway at Heathrow is today likely to get approval by the Labour government, but it is far from certain that it will go ahead and should not be a cause for panic just yet.

It is however worrying nonetheless that the government still think this is a positive project to approve despite the widely acknowledged environmental issues with adding an additional 125,000 flights a year, never mind the environmental impact of the existing Heathrow operation which is far from fit for purpose!!

When oh when will governments, not just in the UK, but across the world begin by valuing natural capital in the way it should be, and less of this hell bent desire for economic growth and crazy drive to push consumerism to its limits.

I was however heartened to see that Greenpeace had managed to purchase a bit of land on the proposed site of the development.  Please take a look at their website and join the airplot campaign.

Belated Xmas wishes to you all from me.  I hope that you are enjoying the Christmas break.  I got really some quite good presents - a couple of really good books and some excellent Po Zu slippers.  I hope ‘Santa’ was equally as good to you.

I’ll get a review of all my goodies once things settle down, and I have had time to wear them in/read them!  Now on with preparing the lovely free range duck that we are having tonight!

Now the wearing of contact lenses is a problem area for me; not that I don’t like wearing them but the environmental impact of wearing them as opposed to glasses. As someone who uses daily disposable lenses I feel very guilty about the impact that I am creating both from the production of the lenses themselves and also the packaging. However I have chosen a supplier that does seem to use as less packaging as possible.

It is not that I am vain and won’t wear glasses it is just that contact lenses are far more practical for me and wearing glasses is often problematic for me. I do try to minimise the number of days I wear them, wearing glasses instead, however this is not always possible.

How do I find the balance between environmental responsibility and day to day practicality?

I would be interested to hear other peoples thoughts on this issue. Do you wear lenses? What is the lowest impact method - daily disposable, monthly? Have you found any site/resource detailing actual impact.

Pardon the pun but I think it is important not to lose sight over these small things!!

I wish it was not the case but I am certainly doing my bit for the environment tonight through not using the heating - not out of choice unfortunately as it is bloody freezing! Our central heating system has packed up and although I think I have isolated the issue I don’t have the materials to fix it, and even if I get them tomorrow I am not 100% sure it is going to work. Going to try it tomorrow anyway - don’t wnat an expensive service call out if it is a simple fix. If it does not work out it will be another cold night tomorrow!! Oh well a night of snuggling up and plenty of clothes (and I mean plenty!!!)

Sorry folks there have been no updates for a few days as I really have been snowed under with work and other activities and had limited time to get near the computer - probably not a bad thing!!!  Although withdrawl symptomns have got too much and I am back.

Planning a little micro-enviro activity for tonight/this weekend - I am going to try (with the assistance of my wife!) to make some Christmas crackers with the numerous toilet rolls I have saved up along with the other recycled material I have saved.  The only question now is what to put inside them.  Do I find some very poor jokes, do I put in little quotes, environmental messages, or simply nothing?  I might settle for a combination of the first three. 

I suppose I also have to come up with a cunning plan for the ‘bang’ element.  Mmmmm, plenty to ponder!