Disappearing natural landscapes in Europe
Virgin forests are unfelled, undisturbed places.In Europe, humans have intensely transformed virgin landscapes (i.e., unfelled forests preserved in their original form). If we survey the history of land development in Europe, we discover that over the past few centuries virtually all the European forests — from Norway to Bulgaria, and Spain to the Northern Urals — have been felled, consistently and repeatedly.
They now cover only 1% of Europe. Editor’s note: 5% of America.About 2000 years ago virgin landscapes covered 80% of Europe.
Toward the end of the 19th century they had been so drastically reduced that they covered only 10-15% of their original area.
These landscapes were further destroyed in the 20th century. Now they make up no more than 1% of all of Europe. By the beginning of the 21st century, virgin landscapes were preserved only in a few geographical locations, including Europe’s northeast, the Caucasus, and Georgia.
Human activity, such as logging, is the culprit.Nowadays the destruction of virgin forests continues though deforestation, construction of new highways and industrial enterprises, and the excessive human use of mountain meadows and winter pastures. Lands that were once fertile have been reduced to “badlands” — barren, rocky, erosive land, devoid of soil and vegetation cover.
Why are virgin landscapes important?
Whit Gibbons, an environmental professor, has defined virgin forests as:
The original meaning is simple, from the word meaning “chaste,” representing a forest that has never been timbered and in which the dominant, old-growth tree species have reached their maximum ages.1
The International Union of Forest Research Organizations extends this view to include young growth:
Not all virgin forests are old growth.There seems to be general agreement that not every virgin or primeval forest is of great age; that young stands may be of virgin or primeval character although they are not old growth. These would be stands that have regenerated after natural disturbances and have not been subjected to human disturbances.2
Virgin landscapes are unique natural complexes that, among other things:
Virgin forests shelter other undisturbed landscapes, such as meadows. regulate climate; for example, they store large amounts of carbon dioxide that would otherwise contribute to greenhouse gases
maintain water cycles and freshwater resources
ensure the survival of unique and endangered species
protect one-of-a-kind mountain meadows, marsh tracts and other ecosystems within their territory
prevent soil erosion and flooding of streams
provide ecological refuges for indigenous knowledge
The size of virgin landscapes may vary. For example, landscapes in mountainous countries range from a few square kilometers to dozens upon dozens of square kilometers. It is of great significance that a landscape is a sum of smaller natural units. These units are closely interconnected and dependent on one another.
A good night’s sleep and for most of us that starts with sleeping with comfortable bedding and on a comfortable mattress, but for a range of reasons related to health and comfort concerns or simply to help preserve the environment, many people are looking for alternatives to mattresses and bedding primarily with man made materials. One solution a number of people are choosing is an organic mattress and bedding.
What is organic bedding and mattress’?
Bedding washes great and feels silky soft. Very lightweight organic cotton with all around elastic for safety. It comes in many bright colors and patterns to choose from.
A organic mattress is made completely from natural materials and according the National Association of Organic Mattress Industry (NAOMI) there are actually a number of quite stringent requirements for a mattress to be considered organic. Among them are
Mattress must be free of synthetic fibers
Any wool used in the mattress must be both from sheep raised according to organic standards and processed according to organic standards. As well, the wool cannot be treated with any chemicals suspected of being toxic and it must be tested free of arsenic and lead.
All cotton batting as well as any hidden inner fibers and fabrics must also be certified organic and processed according to organic standards.
Any rubber used must be tested free of benzene, toluene, phthalates, SBR, petroleum additives, formaldehyde, arsenic, plus, any glue used in manufacturing, must be free of formaldehyde and phenolated compounds.
I found a wonderful article I wanted to share with you by Jeff Lakie who is the founder of Plastic Surgery Resources
With today’s image conscious shopper becoming more conscientious as a consumer, a line of vegetarian, or vegan, clothing and footwear has emerged. First there were cruelty-free cosmetics, which generally meant that the item had not been tested on animals and didn’t contain any animal by-products. Consumers responded well to cruelty-free products and a demand for compassionate clothing soon followed and with it, a line of vegan, or vegetarian shoes.
Vegan shoes, simply put, are shoes that are made from non-animal materials. Traditionally, shoes are often made from leather, thus making it difficult for those following a vegan lifestyle to find footwear, which were cruelty-free.
Hemp is usually the most common material found in vegan shoes. It is strong, yet flexible, making it a great substitute for leather. Many shoe manufacturers have opted to use hemp for shoes and other products, which were traditionally only available in leather, such as wallets and knapsacks. Hemp is a very strong fiber, and unlike traditional textiles like cotton, it is stronger when wet. Other manufacturers use materials such as cotton, or other plant-derived textiles. Vegetan, a new synthetic material, is being used more frequently. It’s look and feel is very similar to leather, but is completely free of animal products. It’s waterproof, breathable, and scuff-resistant, making it the perfect choice for shoes.
Vegan shoes come in a variety of styles, ranging from boots to sandals. Many of these styles are made to be long-lasting and comfortable, especially if they are made using hemp. For example, hiking boots made from hemp are very durable, water-proof, and are usually as comfortable as their non-vegan counterparts. Athletic shoes are also usually made from hemp, although they can also be made from canvas as well.
There are more and more vegan products entering the marketplace, making it easy for vegetarians to find fashionable and affordable footwear, that fit in with their beliefs.
Though a bamboo towel might be a bit more expensive, there are several clear benefits it possesses over the common cotton towel. First, bamboo fabric has the unique ability to absorb moisture and water more efficiently. This is a natural quality of the bamboo from which the fabric is made, and compared to your standard cotton towel, will absorb more liquid and dry out faster because of its porous nature, and ability to breathe. In addition to the obvious benefit, you can rest assured that bamboo towels were made through environmentally sound methods. This means that the bamboo itself, the manner in which it was harvested, and the process in which it was made into fabric and dyed was natural, and throughout no chemicals or toxins were used.
When you purchase a bamboo towel, you are not only receiving a more quality product, but helping the environment. It’s a win-win situation.
While artfully applied makeup can highlight a woman’s most attractive facial features, a botched powder job just looks plain tacky. In light of that fact, it’s important that one only puts on just enough foundation, lipstick and shadow to get the job done. Striking the perfect balance is no easy task, especially when it comes to eye shadow. The goal is to bring out the natural color and vitality of a woman’s eyes, and this can only be accomplished through subtlety.
After the eyebrows have been trimmed and tweaked to one’s liking, it’s time to apply some mineral eye shadow. Begin by covering the eyelid with a light-colored base coat, working from the lash line up toward the brow. Add a slightly darker shade to the lower lash in order to set up a striking contrast. When choosing colors, try to factor in the hues associated with your outfit. Don’t stray far from those general shades.
Hemp, which is distinguished from recreational cannabis by its lack of THC as well as its practical use in an industrial capacity, has been utilized by civilizations all over the world. Since the crop grows in abundance without the need for pesticides, herbicides and other harmful chemicals, those who want to promote green living often turn to hemp whenever possible. Its uses include but are not limited to clothing, plastics, cosmetics derived from its oil and of course ropes and canvas bags.
The cannabis plant has been plagued with an enduring stigma in America, and the hemp industry has struggled to find a firm foothold. Fortunately, a grassroots movement to spread the word about the plant’s legitimacy and usefulness has sprouted in recent years. As a result, hemp hats, purses, handbags and wallets have become more popular. Hemp is known for its durability and its sustainability as a cash crop, and its future appears bright.
Just a few years ago, the mention of recycled clothes and accessories would have garnered giggles or perhaps even puzzled looks. Few people stopped to consider all of the waste that was created by throwing away old garments. After all, thrift stores have space and quality restrictions that prevent them from accepting every last article of clothing. The resulting misfit clothes would just end up taking up space in a landfill.
But this is 2009, when eco-consciousness has become the norm. Recycled clothes have lost their stigma; in fact, they are in high demand in trend-setting circles. Recycled messenger bags balance fashion with function, offering cool kids an excellent means to transport their laptops to and from class. It’s truly amazing that through sheer innovation and creativity we can be a bit kinder to the earth.
Over time, the effects of free trade have become more and more apparent. Critics of free trade label claim that it allows wealthy Western nations and large corporations to exploit producers in developing countries. A resistance movement emerged in the form of “fair trade.” According to this approach, producers are paid enough to live comfortably and make their operations sustainable.
In recent years, globally conscious consumers have turned to fair trade products, which all bear distinctive labels. Coffee, tea, sugar, bananas, cotton clothing and wine are just a few of the most readily available fair trade goods that are widely available. Fair trade has not put a stop to imperialistic exploitation, but it has at least made a few strides in the right direction.
In college, I had a friend whose bath towels smelled awful. I could tell they hadn’t been washed in weeks, maybe even months, and had all kinds of bacteria growing in them. He didn’t realize that leaving his warm, wet towels balled up in the closet caused them to grow microbes and, consequently, stink. “What’s the point of taking a shower if you dry off with disgusting towels?” I asked. He needed a few biology and hygiene lessons to get his act together, and he could have also benefitted from using bamboo bath towels.
Towels made from bamboo fibers are naturally hypo-allergenic, anti-microbial and odor resistant. Even if my friend didn’t wash his bamboo towels for a while, they would have been more hygienic and less smelly. On top of that, bamboo bath towels have the softness and silkiness of cashmere, yet are even more absorbent than cotton. They’re even durable enough to go in the washer and dryer – perfect for college kids, like my friend, who can’t be bothered with special washing instructions.
While cotton reigns supreme as the world’s most common choice for clothing, bamboo fiber is becoming more and more recognized for its beneficial properties when made into clothing. It feels and drapes like silk, but is much more durable and less expensive. Because the fiber has a very high soil release value, you can throw it into the washer and dryer like you would cotton. Bamboo is more antibacterial than cotton, and it wicks moisture away, making it great for your circulation and skin in hot weather or during exercise.
Bamboo womens clothing is great for women with sensitive skin because it’s hypoallergenic, meaning its organic fiber properties are non-irritating. Bamboo does not require pesticides or fertilizers, but cotton is one of the most pesticide-sprayed crops in the world. For the eco-minded, this is just another reason to wear bamboo clothing. Animal-lovers, don’t worry about stealing the pandas’ food; there are more than 1,200 species of bamboo in the world and most bamboo clothing is made from a species that pandas do not eat.