It's official. More of us than ever are dropping our rubbish - but not in the way you may think. Defra (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) recently published figures that indicate UK households have reduced their total waste (down 0.2 million tonnes in the final three months of last year). Also 33.9% less waste is being sent to landfill and more is being diverted to recycling plants.

It's feedback like this that encourages us to recycle more. And we sure need to. Britain dumps more waste into the ground than any other European country. But at least now we know we're making headway.
Along the same landfill avoidance lines the Olympic Development Agency recently announced the development of the 2012 London Olympic Park will aim to reuse or recycle 90% of waste created during its construction.

Also Keep Britain Tidy is launching The Big Tidy Up this September encouraging schools, businesses plus other groups and individuals to participate in the country's biggest ever litter clean up.

If we keep this up we may soon be the least wasteful country in the EU.

Riding my bike from Greenwich to the West End this morning a flash of insight appeared. My route takes me along some of the heavier main roads of London but thankfully mid-journey there is a small reprieve from the heavy exhaust fumes and bullying noise of the tarmac - it’s a two-minute park ride, abundant with lush country-esque foliage.

Riding the shady, sun streaked path it occurred to me that when it comes to eco concerns i.e. the wellbeing of our planet, many of us don’t segregate the media hype and scientific research from that which surrounds us in our everyday life. More than ever the corporate marketing gurus, spiritual preachers and local governments are doing their best to help us find a greener thumb by informing us of the effects our actions have on the finite resources of the earth.

Whilst the affects of our buying choices on global warming are a concern, it’s vital every now and then to remember why we really want to save the earth from environmental ruin. It gives us so much of itself. It revives us with green calm and clean air on a daily basis.

By appreciating the natural things in life, say by taking a step back to admire a tree or two on the way to work, we remind ourselves of our impact on the environment - be it the Guatemalan rainforests or our own backyards - within our every day activities.

Biodynamic farming was founded on the spiritual and practical principles of philosopher-scientist Rudolf Steiner. The Austrian devoted himself to non-physical, spiritual studies in an attempt to discover more natural, balanced ways for all living things to interact and thrive.

Biodynamic farming builds on the values and processes of organic farming. Like it's organic sister, biodynamic is all about chemical-free, earth friendly agriculture. A biodynamic farm does however place more emphasis on being self-sufficient. For example, a biodynamic farm would utilize its own compost and natural manure, as well as generate its own animal feed so that all inputs beyond the farm fence are as low as possible. To increase nutrient and mineral in the soil, compost added to it is treated with herb and quartz based preparations.

It is when enthusiasts start talking about lunar cycles and the astronomical calendar that many switch off to this method. But you do, think how the moon already plays such a huge role in our lives. From the twelve-month calendar to the female menstrual cycle, our lives are played out, in many respects by relating to the skies.

Since so many people are disconnected from their food these days (it's a long road from seed to mouth) restoring the nutritional and biological integrity of our food systems by following cycles of our natural environment makes sense. Using a sowing calendar and moon chart to assess the optimum times to sow and harvest provides a practical framework for a more diverse ecosystem and sustainable agricultural system.

A number of natural products are certified biodynamic by the Biodynamic Agricultural Association who owns and administers the Demeter Certified Trademark.

A few years ago there was much debate over the benefits and pitfalls of the genetic modification of our plant crops. It seemed then that we had won the war on GM following a backlash from scientists and the general public demanding it to disappear from our food. But alas the GM supporters are back and they're trying to circulate misguided beliefs that GM crops will help soothe the world's food shortage problems. This is misleading and it's important to know why as it could affect the products we buy and ultimately the health of our families and the earth. Debate in the media and political arenas is stirring and you're likely to be asked for an opinion - be it in the office or at the dinnerparty table - you can help spread the right word.

The GM industry has been claiming for nearly two decades that GM crops could offer better nutritional quality, withstand drought and use fertiliser more efficiently. GM was born from the desire to control disease, insect and weed problems - not to increase yield. There is a mountain of evidence to suggest GM plants have negative effects on our bodies. Reports, such as livestock dying suddenly after grazing on GM cotton; workers exposed to GM crops suffering from allergy-like symptoms; and severely stunted rat pups born from mothers fed herbicide-resistant soybeans, do not bode well for the pro GM side.

According to a recent UN report on global food production, the most sustainable solution with the most potential is organic farming. Why? Oil prices are skyrocketing, the need to cut CO2 levels is intensifying and the nutritional benefits of organically grown crops have higher levels of nutrients compared with traditionally grown crops.

The persuasive intention of GM supporters is one to be wary off. Visit the Soil Association and the Ecologist for more information on the perils of genetic modification.

Half of the UK's bumblebee population is either extinct or on the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. This is yet another indication of the earth's depleting ecological diversity. Here's why...

Bees play an important role in this country's increasingly fragile environment as they pollinate both wildflowers and crops. The Bumblebee Conservation Trust work with farmers to increase the bumblebee population in rural areas to improve plant diversity and health.

As urban gardens cover more area than all the nature reserves combined in the UK most of us can help improve the plight of our bumblebees and thereby aid farmers' crops. All we have to do is plant bumblebee friendly plants during feeding time from March through to October.

Bumblebee friendly plants produce more nectar and protein rich pollen. Flowers that bumblebees find particularly delectable are:
Apple, Bluebell, Rosmary, Heather, Pear, Plum, Pussy Willow (March/April)
Wallflower, Geranium, Honeysuckle, Poppies, Rasberries, Roses, Wisteria (May/Jun)
Lavender, Majoram, Mint, Snapdragons, St Johns Wort, Sunflower (July/August)