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PENCINTA ALAM JULY 2012 ECO KIDS COLUMN MEET THE ZERO WASTE KIDS By Wong Ee Lynn (gl.mnselangor@yahoo.com) The Johnson family of Mill Valley, California, has managed to reduce the environmental impact of their activities and purchases to such an amazing extent that they produce only 2 handfuls of rubbish PER YEAR. The healthy, happy and environmentally-responsible family has pared down its possessions to only the necessities, yet they don't feel deprived. All food waste goes into the compost heap, they shop in bulk at farmers' markets and they take their own glass jars and cloth bags so they don't need to buy anything with packaging. They all use compostable bamboo toothbrushes, and Mrs Johnson has replaced toothpaste with homemade tooth-cleaning powder which she stores in glass jars. How do the Johnson children, Leo, 10, and Max, 12, do it? Here are some of the earth-friendly practices their parents have implemented and the 2 boys are happy to practice and share: 1. The bo...

PENCINTA ALAM JULY 2012 GREEN LIVING COLUMN TAKING ACTION FOR BIODIVERSITY, PART 2 (Edited and compiled by Wong Ee Lynn gl.mnselangor@yahoo.com) 1. Water is indispensable to the health of the Planet and that of its occupants, whether they are animals or plants. There is enough water for everyone and everything but, unfortunately, it is badly distributed and often badly managed. Here in Malaysia, we often use potable water indiscriminately and excessively. Here is how you can save drinking water: water your plants with rainwater, preferably at the end of the day (to avoid evaporation), recover grey water (dishwater, bathwater, shower water) and use it for flushing the toilet and cleaning floors with. 2. Some local authorities are now making an effort to plan and manage roadsides and road dividers as a way of promoting biodiversity. If this is not yet the case in your area, you might suggest that the department concerned try these easy-to-apply principles: plant only local species, repla...