Thoughts and ramblings of just another girl

25 October, 2006

Mostly for my own reference

Canadians leave heavy ecological footprint: WWF

http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2006/10/24/wwf.html

A new report by conservationists says Canadians rank fourth in the world in their consumption of the Earth's resources.

The World Wide Fund for Nature report on the state of the natural world measures the environmental impact or "ecological footprint" left by 150 countries.

The footprint of a country includes all the crop land, grazing land, forest and fishing grounds needed to produce the food, fibre and timber it consumes, to absorb the wastes in generating the energy it uses, and to provide space for its infrastructure.

The group says humans are stripping the Earth of its resources faster than at any other time in history and that we will need two planets' worth of natural resources by the middle of this century to support it if current trends continue.

WWF names the United Arab Emirates, the United States, Finland and Canada as the worst offenders, followed by Kuwait, Australia, Estonia, Sweden, New Zealand and Norway.

It says the carbon dioxide footprint, from the use of fossil fuels, was the fastest growing component of our global ecological footprint, increasing more than nine fold from 1961 to 2003.

'Dire consequences'

The report, released in Beijing on Tuesday, also says the number of species has declined significantly between 1970 and 2003. Land-based species declined by 31 per cent, freshwater species by 28 per cent, and marine species by 27 per cent.

"We are in serious ecological overshoot, consuming resources faster than the Earth can replace them," James Leape, the director general of WWF International, said in a news release. "The consequences of this are predictable and dire."

"It is time to make some vital choices," he added. "Change that improves living standards while reducing our impact on the natural world will not be easy. The cities, power plants and homes we build today will either lock society into damaging over-consumption beyond our lifetimes, or begin to propel this and future generations towards sustainable living."

The report singles out China for its potential to make a difference.

The country comes mid-way in world rankings, at No. 69, but its growing economy and rapid development mean it has a key role in keeping the world on the path to sustainability.

Leape told Reuters that China, home to a fifth of the world's population, was making the right move in pledging to reduce its energy consumption by 20 per cent over the next five years.

"Much will depend on the decisions made by China, India and other rapidly developing countries," he said.

20 October, 2006

To do list, nothing to see here

Rental inspection next week, and a heap of things to do around the house, plus a few projects I want to work on, so a to do list seems like a good idea. This is really for my own reference.

House
~Weeds at side of house
~Front flower bed, clean out
~Weeds at back of house
~Vacuum
~Mop kitchen and bathroom
~Clean bathroom
~Clean bedroom
~put up curtain in lounge room
~hang mirror in bedroom
~Sewing room- Keep up with transformation
~laundry

Books
~Pull RABCK books, address and stuff envies
~Label books for release saturday
~Free release pile of books on saturday

Sewing
~Pattern Hose
~Work on felling hood seams
~Bring material in to be washed
~Catalogue material

Other stuff
~See about donations for brunch
~Start putting together baskets for brunch
~Sewing with Miss D?
~Hanging out with Kazzia?

10 October, 2006

Why hello again!

Look, my blog is still here! Imagine that!

Well, work has been quiet for the first time today, and I after a bit of hectic lifeness and sick that I'm finally over, I feel that it's truly time to start building my 14th century wardrobe. First a few other things to finish...

1)Athol's other tunics. Really, about 30 minutes of machine sewing when I get the correct colour thread
2)My Bliaut and Chemise. About one night's work, maybe 1.5
3)German Dress. An ongoing project. Will also include shift, shoes and hat, but it's one of those things I want done for Yule, so really there's only two immediate things.

Oh, and then the organisation of the house/sewing room, but that also eludes me sometimes.

So, the 14th century wardrobe as I see it developing, considering the amount of fabric I currently own, it shouldn't require buying any new stuff, for a bit. (oh, how it hurts to say that)

Black wool underdress, and black linen underdress. Summer/winter thing here.
Green linen overdress, short sleeved, with tippets AND FICHETS! (there are nowhere near enough dresses with fichets around)
Blue short sleeved overdress with tippets and funny headdress (think duc de berry)
shifts x2
hose
shoes
surcote of some sort
Headress that isn't simply some veil/wimple combo
New girdle, and a pomander

Then, I have some burgundy wool I'd love to make a square necked more italian looking cote with. And I really want to make to make one of these, as I just love them.


So, I think that's a good start, and should keep me busy for a few months.

Keeping in mind I have a great dream of making this cool hoopy later italian dress too, and an early period surcote, more 13th century with dress... I'm a busy girl.


So, thoughts, comments, opinions?