2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity and this provides you with an opportunity to see how you are impacting the environment. There are many different ways you can participate throughout the coming year in order to support this important and critical time in our evolution.

People from all walks of life and from all corners of the world took action on World Environment Day – 5 June. This year’s global hosts Rwanda, a country of exceptional biodiversity, that has taken huge strides on environmental protection, lead the celebrations. Activities have been arranged in Hong Kong to Abidjan with beach clean ups, concerts, exhibits, film festivals and a range of community events.

But World Environment Day isn’t just one day of the year, it’s about being a part of the solution by taking action and doing something consistently – however big or small. Here are eight easy tips that you can do consistently at home;

Many of us forget that we can save water by turning off the tap when we’re brushing our teeth, having a shave or simply washing your face.
Insulate your water heater as we have done at home – it will save valuable energy.
Install shower heads with low flow in your bathrooms – a great way to save water.
Hang towels to dry so that you can re-use them longer (after all you are clean when you use them) and in this way save energy by washing them less.
Also, use towels to dry your hands and face rather than paper or tissues which you use once and throw away.
Using a hand razor instead of disposables goes a long way to cutting back on waste.
As you leave the house; switch off all the lights and appliances at the wall unit.
Go vegan once a week. It’s surprising how raising animals for food generates considerable green house emissions.

The next event during this all important year is Global Wind Day which takes place on 15 June the world over.

Tens of thousands of people all over the world will be exploring and emphasizing the enormous benefits of wind energy. There will be something for everyone; wind farm open days, conferences, exhibitions, workshops and information days to regattas, sporting contests and theatre shows.

Use the events of Global Wind day to improve your knowledge and learn about the numerous benefits of wind energy. The message is clear; wind energy tackles climate change, it boosts energy independence and it is an intelligent investment.

Most of you will know that even in Feng Shui, wind is an important factor. Indeed Feng Shui is translated as Wind and Water.

Feng translates as wind. Of course its not just about feeling the breeze blowing through your hair it is also about the intangible components in life. Those aspects that you can ‘feel’ having an affect on you but those that you cannot see or hold on to.

On the other hand Shui translates as water. This would include lakes, rivers, waterfalls, rain, and even swamps. In fact in modern day towns and cities the streets, roads and bridges are also considered to be flowing water.

If you consider the name Hawaii, the magnificent archipelago I visited for the first time in 1994 and which I consider to be a healing place for me. ‘Ha’ means breath and ‘Wai’ translates as water.

Native Americans considered wind as ‘divine breath’ which was critical to the creation of man and woman.

On the other hand, Greek philosophers and Taoists consider water the source of everything. Without water there is no life. To flourish all living things need water.

Wind and Water, the original elements of creation are indeed interconnected and inseparably intertwined. Solely or together they create forces that impact either positively or negatively on inhabitants of the environment. Hence, through the practical and skilful application of Feng Shui we can change our experience by changing the forces at play…and enhance our life.

2010 [Feng Shui Centre]