This is the first entry in the Gavarni’s blog in a new section: advice on how to be a good eco-citizen. We’ve decided to start off with a simple question: how can you identify a really organic egg ?

This is a valid question, because some retailers are not totally honest and won’t think twice before selling you so-called organic eggs which have in fact been laid by battery hens !
Since January 1, 2004, all egg producers who sell directly to consumers have had their products monitored and identified, from the farm to the point of sale, using food grade inks. These are known as category A eggs or “fresh eggs”.

The significance of the first figure is as follows :
* 0: organic eggs
* 1: free range hens
* 2: barn hens
* 3: battery hens
Category 3 eggs from caged hens come from laying hens living in batteries (450cm2) or specially fitted cages (600cm2) which are little better than batteries.
In other words, eggs for which the initial figure is 0 or 1 are of better quality. Egg quality is determined by the food and conditions in which laying hens live: temperature, stress, light, etc: so these are happy hens.

Beware: the phrase “Fermier LR” denotes a Red Label egg, but does not mean that it is organic. If you want to be sure to eat only organic food, you need to buy products marked “AB”.

Source

By Felicity Barringer

The polar bear, including the Arctic is the favorite hunting ground and has greatly reduced due to global warming, will be placed under the protection of endangered species.

While giving the bear a little more protections – hunters no longer have the authorization to import hides or other trophies killed in Canada, for instance – the Interior Ministry of the United States has added some stipulations, rarely used in the framework of the law, which would allow oil and gas exploration and the possibility to proceed in areas where bears live, as long as companies continue to comply with existing restrictions under the Marine Mammal Protection Act .

Mr. Kempthorne said Wednesday in Washington that the decision was driven by overwhelming scientific evidence that “sea ice is vital to polar bears, and all the scientists show that the rapid loss of ice will continue. The bears use sea ice as a platform to hunt seals and that follow the path to the shores of the Arctic. The reports reflect varying assumptions about the speed of the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere will increase.

Photo : fyimo

Gardens and landscaped areas play an important role in the life of city-dwellers.  Recognizing the ecological importance of such zones can help to improve their access and maintenance. Since 2001, the city of Paris has undertaken a sustainable development initiative which aims to provide continuous improvement of the environmental quality of these gardens. The key stage is that of certification. The Hôtel Gavarni itself is aiming to obtain an eco-label.

The Ecocert certification body has designed a label known as EVE (Espaces Verts Ecologiques) which recognizes eco-friendly management of landscapes. Launched in 2006 in 16 Parisian parks, it was progressively extended last year to another 60 or so parks in the capital. The label, awarded by Ecocert for a period of one year following an audit, can be renewed following a second inspection.

This initiative to promote eco-friendly management of green areas corresponds to a number of objectives:
- reducing ambient pollution (air, noise, etc) and other hazards (soil and water pollution, etc)
- encouraging the development of fauna, flora and biodiversity
- responsible water management
- introducing GM-free, low-maintenance plants
- responsible garden waste management
- introducing waste sorting available for the public, etc
The 60 certified parks and gardens include the Parc de Passy and the square belonging to the Musée Galliera, both located in the 16th arrondissement, just down the road from the Gavarni.

Hotel Gavarni, un hotel green à Paris

All the major French cities are now concerned: Toulouse, Nantes, Marseille, Paris and others. For some months now, the “ Neon Clan ” has been active all over France with illuminated signs in their sights.
Their objective is to protest against the “excessive” use of stores’ neon advertising signs by switching them off.

Doing so is very straightforward. The power switches for neon signs are located outside stores, so all you need is a suitable pole and/or a leg up to reach up and cut off the juice.
It’s an amusing – and non-violent – way for this masked band to combat energy-wasting and protest against the consumer society all in one go. Even if the means used by these clandestine eco-warriors are very simple, they are nonetheless effective: some retailers have already abandoned their lighting.

The group has a very clear message :
“This is a simple, non-violent act which does no damage to property. Our own neon-lettered logo will be switched off and “clan” disbanded only once stores switch off their signs at night.”

Do you find the air’s better in the country than in major cities such as Paris? From now on, there’s a balloon to inform you about air quality in the capital.

The balloon has been moored in the André-Citroen park for some years now and has become a landmark in southern Paris. It’s continuing to fulfil its initial vocation – that of taking on board passengers so they can experience the fun of going up in the air.
From now on, however, it will also be providing information about the air quality in Paris: red means bad, green means good.

The André-Citroen park balloon will be visible for up to almost 40km.

This display will work using two separate lighting systems:
- for air quality in areas close to traffic, a system of light-emitting diodes (visible night and day) will be arranged around the lower part of the balloon,

- for the city’s ambient air quality, there will be a system lighting up the whole of the balloon using colour bulbs located on the inside (which will be more visible at night).

It will thus be possible for air quality indications based on the levels of pollution in general and close to traffic recorded by the Airparif network’s monitoring stations to vary independently of each other.

An information and exhibition area which is both fun and educational will also be installed at the foot of the balloon to explain to younger Parisians how people’s everyday behaviour affects air quality.

This will enable Paris schools to continue to familiarise their pupils with the pleasures of the aérostation free of charge, at the same time as introducing them to the issue of air quality in Paris.

Source: Paris.fr

The promenade planted is 4.5 km long and is such a park in the 12th arrondissement of Paris.
It was built on a former railway viaduct of the 19th century which connected the Bastille to the eastern suburbs of Paris. He ceased all activities since the 14th December 1969.
The promenade extends from the Opera Bastille in the east of the city limits, resulting in a short distance from the Bois de Vincennes.

Pedestrians have a garden and cyclists have a road at ground level. Then, 4.5 km from the roads meet at ground level and arrive at the Bois de Vincennes. The high level of road sections closed, as in passages between buildings.

The arches under the viaduct have been transformed into art studios and craft. This section is called the “Viaduc des Arts”.

Photos: fredzo.zo and Ricardo Philippi de los Santos

The “Fête de la Nature”,  is open to all: an opportunity to discover or rediscover the hidden wealth of biodiversity in France and share a desire to protect and celebrate it.
The Fête de la Nature will enable everybody in France to experience an exceptional weekend in the heart of natural sites which are outstanding or simply everyday, in the company of professionals and volunteers whose job and passion is protecting, managing and enhancing nature and ensuring its ongoing diversity. The aim of this event is to enable the population to reforge strong ties with nature and acquire (or recover) the pleasure it brings us. Wonder gives rise to a desire to understand and thus to preserve.

The Fête de la Nature will also be a strategic moment for raising awareness of urgent situations and the issue of protecting biodiversity both in France and abroad.

In addition, it’s an opportunity for everyone to reflect on the place of mankind in nature and consider our responsibility to protect biodiversity.

La Fête de la nature -> 24 and 25 of may 2008.

Creation of the first festival dedicated to environmental image in all its forms: photography, installation, video and digital art.
Why a festival?
To find artists whose environment is the subject of creative thinking.
To raise awareness of the issues of sustainable development through the medium of artistic creation.

The works will be sold by the agency Photoslimited in price of 450 €, of which 5% will go to WWF and 25% to the association Black Box. This price was determined based on the French market of the photo.
This award was established to encourage sales, the alignment of general rates, excluding those of galleries and art fairs and, therefore, hope to win more money for WWF.
By accepting this lump sum, exhibitors will participate actively, not only artists, but the eco-citizens, as well as buyers.
The public and prizes will be awarded on Saturday 15, followed by the auction of 10 images chosen by the public, and 20 images selected by the jury.
All sales must purchase 8% to the City of Paris.

Festival de l’Image Environnementale
Parc de Bercy

A parcel of 4.5 hectares located in the heart of the Parc Floral de Paris was closed in 1990 and closed to public attendance. After the storm of December 1999, she remained in good condition. The study of this plot can follow the evolution of the forest (sylvogénétique cycle).

Paris has 60 green green label. Spaces are neglected for the price category nature1er wild course resume its rights.
Parisians are regularly encouraged to participate in the revegetation of the city through the creation of shared gardens, floral competitions balconies and windows, courtyards and garden tips, a guide to organic gardening …

Photo credit: Hachimaki

Did you know that there are over 300 beehives in Paris?
Bees like cities for a number of reasons: warmer temperatures, a wide variety of plants, pesticide- and fertiliser-free growing methods, large numbers of parks and gardens – and plants everywhere: on terraces, window ledges and in courtyards.
Plants are in flower in parks from spring to autumn, so bees can collect pollen for a large part of the year. Bees visit 700 flowers a day within a three-kilometre radius around their hive. Most plants cannot be fertilised without the work of bees.
They play a vital role in nature. The presence of bees is a sign of a healthy environment, and preserving them is also a way of preserving the planet.

Untouched by man for 20 years!
A 4.5-hectare plot of land located in the centre of the Parc Floral in Paris has been closed since 1990 and is off-limits to the public. It was even been left untouched after the great storm of December 1999. By studying this plot, the development of a forest environment can be studied (the sylvogenetic cycle).

Paris is home to 60 certified ecological spaces. Specific areas have been left to grow wild so that nature can rule there once again.

Parisians are regularly encouraged to contribute to the plant life of the capital by creating shared gardens, taking part in balcony-in-bloom contests, attending classes and picking up tips about gardening, reading up on organic gardening, and so on.

Source: Paris.fr
Source photo: autan