Ngā Hua te Taio
- Salient Magazine
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
Good news stories (and more) for the planet
Kia ora, Salient reader! Welcome to our fortnightly column on the environment, sustainable living, and the small, stubborn act of hope amongst a world on fire! Check in every second week for waste-free recipes, genuinely good news, and practical ways to lend a hand—nudging a happier, healthier earth a little closer into view.
Waste-free recipe of the week:
Very Basic and Very Blissful Balls ~ the perfect sneaky snack for studying
2 cups pitted dates (or whatever other dried fruit is hiding in your pantry)
1 cup of almonds (peanuts also work and are less expenny)
½ cup pumpkin seeds
2 tbsp cocoa powder
1 cup shredded coconut
2 tbsp oil
1 tsp vanilla essence
Soak the dates in water for a few minutes and then drain. Place all the ingredients together, and blitz until well combined. Form into small, teaspoon sized balls. You can roll them in shredded coconut too if you want to make them look pretty. Keep in an airtight container in the fridge. Enjoy!
Kelburn campus’ (not so) secret green spaces
What wonderful campus we get to study on! It is so cool that we are on a forest-y hill rather than a concrete garden. Whenever the stressor of uni is looming large, take a breath or 3 and seek out some of the wonderful green spaces we have no matter rain or shine.
The GraveyardI know, I know some people may say that graveyards are creepy, but I have it on the best authority that it is a lovely escape from the concrete of uni. There are nearly always wild flowers blooming and, so long as you are respectful, the graves wont hurt ya.
The Hunter LawnMy goodness, on a perfect sunny day in Wellington the hunter lawn is the place to be. Take your readings on an expedition to the rolling grass hill, have lunch with some friends, and frolic if you dare. I can also say that braving the weather any day is quite rewarding.
Kiwifoot reserveIt's just a little walk up Kelburn Parade, with a 500m walking track maintained by the wonderful Kelburn Conservation Network. Take a brisk walk and soak in the tall majestic pines. Hear birds chirping and feel like you are far, far away from all study responsibilities. Dont worry though, unis just ½ a km away if need be.
Better Browsing?
It's no secret that tech oligarchies are running rampant over our precious planet, leaving a trail of pollution and highly questionable ethics. However, as students (and citizens of a 21st century world), we find ourselves forced to depend on the internet and its associates for almost every aspect of our life.
There is no perfect web browser, but perhaps there are some who stand above the pack—for our planet and our conscience. When browsing the internet this week for study, perhaps you could try saying farewell to Google and hello to Ecosia. Ecosia is a browser created originally in 2009 which has gained traction in recent years. Committed to being non-for-profit and donating 80% of all revenue to planting trees, they have flipped the tech-giant’s model on its head. The user interface is nearly identical to the all-familiar Google, however that pesky AI overview is gone and we welcome instead a little tally of trees planted from your direct revenue.
Access to the internet is a powerful privilege, so why not plant a couple of trees at the same time?
Creative corner:
