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Mission Spiritus Oman Expedition

A small team of expert adventurers is heading out to Oman to undertake the most comprehensive study ever of micro and nano plastics in any desert region. The 26-day expedition through the Empty Quarter of the Oman desert will cover over 1000km, with all equipment being transported by 4x4, camel, on foot and by hot air balloon.

Fifty two sand samples will be collected for analysis and there'll also be studies on how the human body copes in hostile environments.

This mission aims also to inspire millions of children around the world to plant trees and protect forests.

Making mosaics with recycled materials: Katy Galbraith

eco friendly mosaic maker Katy Galbraith uses old bits of crockery and glass to make her beautiful works of art. She says making mosaics is a lot like doing jigsaw puzzles

The importance of renovating wood in the home

Exposed oak wooden beams are a feature of architecture over the centuries

Dundee Design Festival 2024

Aster la vista: flower of the month

asters are a perfect flower for autumn colour in the garden

Tips for keeping cut flowers fresher for longer

keep cut flowers fresh for longer by remembering a few key tips..like changing the water regularly, cutting the ends of and trimming any dying foliage

Winter shrubs with lovely berries

Head to your nearest garden centre and load up on berry-laden shrubs.

Skimmia: an evergreen shrub that adds a touch of elegance to any garden, even in the middle and winter. It produces clusters of fragrant flowers in spring, followed by vibrant red or white berries that persist throughout the autumn and winter months. Skimmia is ideal for shady spots and can be grown in containers or as a hedge. They are low-maintenance and can tolerate a variety of soil conditions, so ideal for a beginner gardener.

Campaign to go pesticide free

Local councils and campaigners are urging the new UK Labour government to pan pesticide use in urban areas. They say the recent Olympics have showcased a beautiful Paris, a city that has been pesticide free since 2017.

Campaigners here argue we should live in spaces free of toxic chemicals to protect humans health and wildlife.

More than 150 councillors around Britain have joined 15,000 members of the public in a drive by the Pesticide Action Network to call for urban areas to be pesticide-free.

London Design Festival 2024

Strike a pose: eco friendly yoga mats

The drive to leave plastic behind is gathering force and lots of areas of life we don't associate with plastic are keen to do their bit. Such as yoga, which does require a mat if you're doing it in a gym or hall with a hard floor.

Yoga Design Lab, based in Bali, launched in 2014 to produce beautiful designs that didn't cost the earth. The product range has grown and now includes towels. The brand's USP is the marrying of appealing design with eco friendliness - the eco credentials coming from its use of cork, natural rubber and recycled plastic.

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