Tag Archives: live simply

Hungry for change: Half of all food wasted

Was Christmas an all-you-eat-and-more extravaganza which leaves you groaning at the memory? Are you still eating warmed up Turkey and snacking on Christmas cake even after the decorations are down, or have all your leftovers been binned?

 January’s the time of year for diets, detox, self-improving resolutions and saving money, so what better time to start cutting back on food waste and thinking more carefully about what we buy, eat and throw away?

A new report from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers which shows that half of all food produced is wasted gives plenty of food for thought. Continue reading

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Filed under CAFOD, Campaigning

Living simply at Christmas

4livesimplysmallstackedloafandfish_jpgRuth Valerio shares her thoughts on living more simply at Christmas. Ruth runs A Rocha UK’s Living Lightly project and you can read more from her here >

I met a friend recently who wanted me to talk to her about Christmas. It’s a time of year she hates as it brings up so many bad memories, but she wants to change and thought that hearing me talk about it might help. Because I love Christmas.

I just can’t help myself! I love the build-up, the decorations, the food planning, fun with the family, the opportunity to relax together… oh, and of course, there are the presents too!

But yet, over recent years, I’ve also become painfully aware of the cost of Christmas, not just to our personal budget, but also to the earth and its inhabitants, who sadly bear the brunt of our celebrations.

Find out about the LiveSimply parish scheme and make a difference all year round > Continue reading

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Filed under Advent, CAFOD, Campaigning, UK

Bolivia: Living well together

Sumaq amaña is an Andean concept difficult to translate from Quechua, but CAFOD’s very own LiveSimply gets close. Sumaq amaña builds on the values of solidarity, living in harmony with nature and reciprocity, meaning I help you when I can, in the knowledge that someone will help me when I need it.

Sumaq amaña is about “living well collectively” rather than individual well-being or living better than others. It is an anti-status and anti-private ownership interpretation of well-being, tied in closely to people’s indigenous identity. Sabino Mamani, a Bolivian indigenous leader explains:

“We don’t want to lose our identity as indigenous people. This land is used in common. We decide which areas are used for pasture and which for planting. We all live as one family.” Continue reading

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Honduras: Vision of hope for climate justice

Pedro LandaIn December, when world leaders meet in Copenhagen for crucial climate change talks, they will be discussing an issue on which the future of my country – and of humanity – depends.

The mountainous landscape of Honduras makes us extremely vulnerable to extremes of climate.

We only have two seasons, the rainy season and the dry season. Every year we see that the dry season is getting longer.

Right now we are experiencing one of the longest and hottest summers. The rivers are totally dry, crops are completely lost and many people have to walk up to15 kilometres just to find water to drink. Continue reading

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Bolivia: Tackling the climate criminals

Climate Justice TribunalThe law lecture theatre is on the sixth floor of Cochabamba’s San Simón University. From the balcony outside you can see the town below, but the mountains beyond dominate the skyline.

We have spent the last few days on those mountains, talking to farmers affected by a changing climate. Now their concerns and their voices are being heard by an international audience here in Cochabamba.

The law lecture theatre, its gilt-edged faded grandeur now decked with campaign banners, is the ideal setting for today’s Climate Justice tribunal. Here, established legal processes are being questioned and new ones proposed. Continue reading

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Filed under Bolivia, CAFOD