Wave magazine

With the summer holidays fast approaching, many people will be, perhaps guiltily, day-dreaming about spending some time abroad. But are there positive ways we can still travel? Pearl Bates investigates

Why do we feel the compulsion to travel abroad for our holidays? For many, an annual trip to foreign lands can be the highlight of the year – a well-earned break away from the stresses and strains of the everyday grind. A time for a change of scene, to experience a different culture, soak up some sunshine, find yourself, lose yourself, get active, be inactive… the motivations are different for everyone. Despite the environmental implications, it’s easy to see why more of us, rather than fewer, are choosing to fly.

However, Justin Francis, the managing director of Responsibletravel.com says, “For many of the world’s poorest countries, tourism makes up a significant part of the economy. If we choose not to go on holiday, it’s these people that are likely to be affected.” These days, when it comes to travel, ‘responsible’ is the mantra. Typically, this refers to tourism that protects the environment, respects local cultures, benefits local communities, conserves natural resources and minimises pollution. We all know there are fantastic things to do with our leisure time here on our doorsteps. But if you have the wanderlust, there are things you can do to help ensure that your trip treats others, and the planet, as kindly as possible. (more…)

Sustainability by the sea now comes in the form of Brighton’s new, ground-breaking festival Green Wave – where all the fun of the fair will have an ecological twist

You may be scrupulous about recycling and diligent about taking your bag for life to the supermarket – but do you ever wonder what one person can really do to make a difference? Actually, rather a lot, as it happens! And The Green Wave Festival is about to show you how. A vision of inspiring, ecological fun, Green Wave was dreamed up by Maddy Carr, Assistant City Centre Manager at the Brighton and Hove Business Forum, and Frank Jay, of New Era Associates.

“The Green Wave event is designed to help local organisations showcase their green products and services at the same time as educating and entertaining the public.” says Maddy. “It will also provide visitors from outside the city with another good reason to visit Brighton in their leisure time and so increase the visitor spend.”

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The people behind this month’s spectacular Brighton Festival chat to Wave about ensuring the city has an event to be proud of when it comes to being green

Coming up with green alternatives takes creativity and initiative – are there any performances or events taking place at this year’s event that you find particularly inspiring?
In this years’ Brighton Festival – which runs from 3-25 May – we have Sir David King, one of the leaders in the environmental field. Former Chief Scientific Adviser to the government, he will be looking beyond the spin and cutting straight to the chase. Also Rider Spoke is a unique event that will have participants engaging in their own personal cycle trail around the streets of Brighton seeking out the hidden spaces in the city.

Sir David King

When and where will Sir David King be giving his talk? Where can people get tickets from?
In the Pavilion Theatre on 8 May. Tickets cost £7.50 and can be bought from the Brighton Dome Ticket Office, in person, by calling 01273 709709 or on the website www.brightonfestival.org

Rider Spoke sounds amazing!
Rider Spoke are part of the free outdoor programme, and their performance takes participants on a night-time cycle through the city’s secret spaces and hidden sanctuaries. Each person embarks on their own individual journey armed with a bike and handlebarmounted video consul. You then take a journey answering questions, leaving memories or simply eavesdropping on fellow players. It runs from 8-11 May, with slots every 15 minutes from 6pm-10pm on the 8th, 10th and 11th. Really adventurous players can take part on 9 May, when the programme will run from 8pm-2am. Tickets are free but must be booked in advance through the Ticket Office.

When and where is Alex James giving his talk?
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Elaine Hills-Haney presents some compelling thoughts on why ditching meat can be a good idea

What’s the one thing you can do to magically decrease the amount of suffering in the world, drastically reduce your carbon footprint and improve your health? Turn vegetarian!

The packaging of that seemingly innocuous chicken sandwich from the supermarket disguises the fact that it could be the end product of a chain involving the overfeeding of often lame birds in crowded, unhygienic cages, with no natural light. Even if birds are freerange – allowed more space and to go outdoors – the slaughtering process is still harrowing.

The sausage sandwich from the deli on the corner may seem harmless, but the massive scale of meat production to meet the needs of Western diets is having a devastating effect on the planet. Huge scale livestock production has led to a demand for more grazing pastures, leading to massive deforestation – between 2000 and 2005, ninety million acres of forest were destroyed, resulting in a loss of biodiversity and an increase in carbon emissions, partly because they were previously absorbed by trees. Raising animals for food also contributes to water pollution and the wind (methane) passed by these animals produces more greenhouse gas emissions than the world’s entire transport system!

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Need some more of the feel-good factor in your life? Read on as Pearl Bates spills the beans

What is happiness? When I researched this question, and put it to some friends and colleagues, the definitions that I got back were many and varied. But one thing people seemed to agree on was that happiness is a good thing to have.

“We have not got proof,” says Mike Rudin, producer of the BBC series The Happiness Formula, “but scientific research suggests happiness leads to long life, health, resilience and good performance.” Happy people are energising and inspiring to be around. They are more productive, have fewer sick days, are nicer to be with and make for a happier workplace. This ‘happiness’ thing seems to have almost magical qualities – no wonder we all want more of it!

So how do we go about cultivating happiness in our lives?

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