Every month we help you re-learn your alphabet – the green way! This month’s letter? Starting at the beginning, it’s A, of course.
Apple
A is for? Yes, how does one not begin with this? An apple a day keeps the doctor away. True? Absolutely – the fruit lowers cholesterol, protects your fragile bones, stops asthma, prevents many different kinds of cancer (colon, breast, liver and lung), helps manage diabetes, prevents Alzheimers and, best of all, helps you lose weight. To jumpstart your healthy lifestyle, bite right in.
Arctic Circle
The Arctic, for many today, stands as the only hope of continuing to run this world on oil. A rich hub of natural resources (oil, gas, minerals, and forests), the area is also home to 1/5th of the planet’s water. However, the melting of the ice at the North Pole is a huge issue – not simply for scientists and geologists, but also for you and me. If the Arctic continues to shrink at the rate it is, chances are that the methane eventually released will lead to the sort of climate changes you’ve seen in The Day After Tomorrow.
Aloe Vera
Since the 16th century, people have been using aloe vera to help them heal. Known for its antifungal properties, aloe vera is now added to the label of every bottle of cream, lotion, shampoo, and face cleanser you can find. But drink it for its real goodness. The ancients had it right: drinking aloe vera juice helps manage glucose levels in diabetics and has been known to strengthen the liver even in cases where a patient is suffering from acute hepatiti
Arcology
Not heard the word? Not to worry – it’s simply a combination of architecture and ecology. Though most ‘arcologic’ buildings are still hypothetical and belong more to the world of science fiction novels and video games than anything else, remember our world is fast becoming an imitation science fiction one. This makes ‘arcology’ the new word to know. What do arcological buildings do? They minimise individual human impact on the environment. Cities like Shanghai and Tokyo are catching on, and architects like Paolo Soleri are spearheading a movement to make arcology trendy.
Alicia Silverstone
The pretty actress isn’t just a pretty face. Silverstone lives in a completely ecofriendly house in California. The property is completely ‘green’ with solar panels and an organic vegetable garden. She throws open her home to stray dogs needing rescuing, has her own lines of eco friendly make up and recycled handbags, and best of all, has her own website on healthy and fair living and eating – thekindlife.com
Al Gore
To introduce him would be ridiculous, wouldn’t it? Maker of An Inconvenient Truth, recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize (2007), founder of the Alliance for Climate Protection and other firm committees on the subject, Gore didn’t take up ‘climate change’ and ‘global warming’ as accessories to enter the White House. He’s been interested in the cause since the late 1970s, and since then has been raising awareness in the government and public about matters such as toxic waste and clean water. He pushed strongly for the Kyoto Protocol, has been involved in the Live Earth concerts, and continues to make a difference with his strong policies and opinions, and his boundless energy for the cause.
Alexander Thomson
If you thought sustainable energy design was a new concept, think again. Way back in the 1800s, Thomson was already coming up with ideas to save a planet we didn’t even know would someday need saving. His ideology lives on through the work of people like Frank Lloyd Wright. In the 1950s and 60s – when the concept of a mortal planet became popular – Thomson’s underappreciated work finally gained recognition.
Courtesy: Greenlife Magazine
