What do you think? Is Christmas sustainable? How would it all work in it a changed world? Or should all the 'do-gooders' leave our festivals alone!!!!

I don't think the Christmas period is sustainable because the majority of people who celebrate at this time of year for what ever reasons, are more than likely, thinking about what presents they need to buy and probably what the would like to receive. Then there's the Christmas decorations which are no longer restricted to the living room but to the front the house, place of work and education, shops and maybe for yourself (the appropriate get up for the Christmas party). Then there is the FOOD, and from all the mouth watering adverts on television as well as new recipes the families will want to try out, people will shop in supermarkets as though their going to 'feed the 5000!'

Christmas in a 'Eco friendly' world would I agree, help with reducing some elements of climate change. However I don't know how many minds around the world, governments and professionals would to be able to convince that decorating houses so it is the spitting image of Santa's grotto and so many other seasonal tradition should come to a stop to save the world, one that seems to be doom any way.

The media and their Influence when it comes to serious issues.

To fulfill the needs of today's societies, who have become celebrity obsessed and convinced that the goings on in things like 'Eastenders' are indeed factual and that The XFactor is a small part of their life, stories and newspapers like the one opposite are what is going to sell. 

I have to say in the little research I did, I found that serious issues rarely get that much exposure by the biggest selling newspapers unless it's a politician slipping up or a story that's been grabbing every headline available. We can see the story with Gordon Brown in 'The Sun' just making the front page by being shoved in a side column by a world exclusive from Britain got talent, as an example. In my opinion I don't think they should change what they write about just because more of Britain population buys their stories because their is media such as the news and other newspapers that can inform people in more depth and possibly with more factually based stories as well.

If I reflect this opinion on low budget entertainment and their coverage of serious issues, again I think they do it when it suits them or when they believe it to be relevant to their audience but not because they need to. For example on the latest episode of The XFactor, one of  Simon Cowel finalist Danyl Johnson sang 'Man in the Mirror'. The judges was singing his praises for his vocals but were left confused by the Video Back drop choice, Louis commented on why polar bears, climate change and children had been used for Danyl's performance and said the images where distracting. Simon responded that they were to go with the song choice. Distracting or not distracting millions of viewers that night received a message about man kind changing from that XFactor performance.       

I think I blind man could see that this country feeds off mass media and low budget entertainment, I don't think its going to change any time soon because it brings in so much money for these industries and I'm sure they don't want to lose their piece of the pie or the part of the power the have gain by starting to cover serious issues.    

To what extent do you think that it is your duty as a citizen to be 'informed'? Are you informed? How do you get to be informed about serious issues?

I don't exactly remember when it became a global phenomenon but the best way I can describe it is like the snow ball effect; the world became bombarded with issue after issue effecting the world we lived in. Terms like Global Warming, Co2 emissions and Greenhouse Gases are used everywhere, in schools, on the news and in newspapers, the media have crafted it in adverts with celebrities and local super markets who want to help us save "our planet". We have been advised by the government with free friendly booklets on how to reduce Co2 emissions at home and when we're out and about. They have showed us in serious talks and with fancy websites that they too are prepared to make necessary changes and commitments for whatever the world's forecast might bring.

I believe as a citizen, someone who has lived on the earth for 22yrs, and also recognising the fact that in the eyes of some I am responsible in some way for contributing to the planet's current condition, have every right to know what going on in regarding the world's welfare. I have this right when I get told the hard facts gathered from the country's or the world's leading scientists and because this worldwide crisis has spread into people's homes, bringing with it concerns and questions on what this means for the future and how are people meant live within the change. It is true that I and many others might not have a degree in science or have any qualification in environmental studies, but we are citizens of the world, which leads me to my conclusion, I do think we should also have a say in the changes made to stabilised our country just as the PM has his and should be briefed with lasted developments on climate change just as he is because let's us not forget that Gordon Brown is just another citizen too.

  

What actions could you (in theory) untaketake that would improve the 'sustainability' of your life? What might be preventing you from doing these?

My lifestyle became more sustainable when I first moved out on my parent's house as this was when I really had to take responsibility for myself.

Unlike at my parent's, I had to pay my own way for the basic and main essentials; food and bills which before were given luxuries. I soon realised that I had to change the way I spent money and what was the difference between my needs and wants.

I firstly put a stop to my shopaholic ways. I tended (like a lot of the ladies) to buy clothes and shoes when I already had clothes and shoes, some of which I had never worn. Instead I made the best of what I had already brought; this allowed me to see what I wasn't wearing and then donate to charity shops. I was no longer under the impression that I NEEDED the LATEST top or dress but what I acquired over the years was just fine but not that I couldn't treat myself now and then!

When it came to my finances the amount of my savings was looking healthier month after month and to my delight I was able to keep my bank balance stable.

Moving out own was an experience that has definitely had a positive impact on my life. Right now we are in times of a huge economical crisis; the government are in talks about making cuts in spending to help the nation. I now am able to adapt with ease to the changes that have occurred due to the lack of money has had on people because I learnt how to organise and budget my money properly for everything I NEED. I now know where my money is going, when its going and how much I've got, so having no support from my student loan yet isn't that daunting. 

The first Learning for Sustainable Development class

It was much more in depth then I thought it was going to be, which I was pleased about.

I'm going to be honest, when the we we're asked to answer the question;

WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY?

I didn't have much of a idea, not enough to put pen to paper or hold a discussion with my friend.

So with that in mind, I am looking forward to grasping a better understanding for the course... does that sound cheesey?