By now you’ve become well aware that your lifestyle could use a bit of greening up, but you’re reluctant to make the changes. So many of the changes demanded of living in a more environmentally friendly manner require renouncing elements of our daily lives that we have grown utterly accustomed to: driving less, flying less, eating less meat, using less electricity, using less gas.

But there are other changes we can make that actually  augment our lives: they save us money, encourage us to eat healthier, spend more time outside, reconnect with nature, give us a sense of agency. One of the most beneficial changes we can make, for both our own and the environment’s well being, is to start our own organic gardens.

This proposition, however, can be daunting, especially for those of us with poor track records in the green thumb department. But that’s where Alejo Mendez Guerín comes in. Alejo offers two day, intensive workshops that cover the basic theories and practices of organic cultivation. The workshops are very reasonably priced and Alejo speaks perfect English and will be able to clear up any questions you may have along the way. He says of his intentions for the workshops, “I try to demystify what organic cultivation is really all about so that people will fell as though it is something that they are very capable of doing.”

Alejo, a tall, spindly young man of 25, mature well beyond his years, is a wealth of knowledge on sustainable agriculture. His eyes brighten as he hurtles through information ranging from explanations of soil varieties to strategies for chemical-free pest prevention. No question goes unanswered, no theory explained without the inclusion of a practical use.

Alejo has been teaching these workshops for over a year. He also offers private consulting to individuals and groups who are interested in growing organically, but don’t know where to begin. He recently completed his degree from the School of Agricultural Economics and Management at the University of Buenos Aires. While working on the degree, he spent a couple of summers at the Centre for Research and Education of Sustainable Agriculture (CIESA) in the Chubut province of Patagonia studying “biointensive” agriculture methods.

Biointensive agriculture is an method of growing crops organically in a small area, such as a vegetable garden in one’s backyard, or on one’s terrace as is more common here in Buenos Aires. The efficiency of space is the central theme, and most techniques were created to be used in a 10m2 plot of land. The method focuses on producing healthy, high-quality soil by using compost rather than fertilizer, companion planting (growing plants that complement each other) and best utilizing the unique attributes of the given ecosystem. CIESA says that the biointensive method is able to produce, from one 10m2  plot, 40-60% of an annual vegetarian diet for a family of four, and will allow the family to save approximately $1000 a year on groceries.

Enticing statistics like these bring many different types of people to Alejo’s workshops, some with gardening experience, others with strong commitments to a sustainable lifestyle, and still others who are just beginning to dip their toes into the stream of information on how to live in more environmentally friendly ways.

Alejo divides the workshop into two days: the first dedicated to theory, the second devoted to putting the theories into practice and getting dirty in the garden. The theory session begins with a discussion of the true and unnerving nature of modern industrial farming: the effects of genetically modified seeds, the exhaustion of soil by monoculture farming and the dangers of chemical pesticides. After this unsettling presentation Alejo offers a taste of the fruits of choosing a different path: quiches of organic pumpkin and spinach from his own garden. Refreshed and inspired, the participants are now ready to hear about the alternatives.

The second half of the day introduces the participants to the basics of biointensive agriculture. The method’s primary theme is the most efficient utilization of soil. Thus, the different properties and varieties of soil are explained, as well as what crops are best grown in each. The biointensive method teaches a technique called “double-digging”, in which plant beds are raised to allow for a total depth of just over 60 centimetres. This allows the vegetables to send their roots deeper into the soil and access a wealth of nutrients as well as permitting the crops to be planted more closely together. Thus, one is able to produce more food in a smaller area.

Alejo also expounds on such topics as compost varieties, natural methods of pest prevention and “companion planting”, which involves choosing plants that complement each other’s growth. For example, some plants will produce odours that deter certain insects, while others will change soil composition in manners beneficial to their neighbours.

The manifestation of these theories is exhibited to participants when they join Alejo at his personal vegetable garden on the outskirts of La Plata, in Buenos Aires province, for the practical day of the workshop. But they don’t just marvel at Alejo’s work, they mix compost, dig their pitchforks into the soil and sow seeds.

After completing the workshop, participants have a strong foundational understanding of organic agriculture and are ready, and usually highly motivated, to start their own organic vegetable gardens. Alejo says of his teaching method, “it’s important not to assign people specific formulas to follow, but rather to give them the tools to understand and work with what they already have.”

To find out when Alejo will be offering the next workshop and to register to participate visit: http://alejomendez.com/. The two day workshop costs $150.

By now we are pretty much all in agreement that climate change is happening and we should all be making an effort to lead greener lives, especially as the recent summit in Copenhagen has proven that we cannot trust politicians to lead the way on this one. But sometimes it can be difficult to pick through a minefield of different information and get into the habit of more environmentally friendly practices. Ambientate, an Argentine non-profit organisation aimed at improving simple daily habits, has come up with 25 tips for a greener life this year, proving the smallest thing can make a big difference if put into practise by everybody.

1. Stop using plastic bags

Ninety percent of all plastic bags end in landfills where they take decades to decompose. New laws are coming in to slowly filter out the use of plastic bags, but they will not come fully into effect for another couple of years. In the meantime we can all improve our habits by taking our shopping bags out with us and telling cashiers ‘no hace falta una bolsa, gracias’.

2. Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth

Leaving a tap running loses nine litres of water per minute, the equivalent of what three adults drink in a day. Simply turning the tap off whilst brushing your teeth makes a huge difference to water consumption.

3. Separate rubbish for the cartoneros

In Buenos Aires a system of rubbish separation exists: the cartoneros. To help them do their work, separate your rubbish. Hit the street, talk to your cartoneros and find out what time they pass so you can give them the recyclables directly. Even better, talk to your neighbours or portero and see if you can systemise your rubbish by putting plastics, card and paper, and glass and metal in different coloured bags. Your neighbourhood will be cleaner as a result.

4. Don’t leave chargers plugged in

Chargers use energy even when they are not working. By unplugging chargers, you save energy. This ‘commandment’ can also be used for turning things off – don’t leave appliances in ‘standby’ or ‘sleep’ mode as they still use 30% of the energy they consume when switched on. And if you are going away, unplug them at the mains.

5. Carshare

The traffic in Buenos Aires is ever worse, but you can help improve it by cutting the number of cars on the roads – and therefore the amount of emissions – simply by carsharing. You will save at least 50% on fuel and tolls, and can easily find someone living close to you by visiting www.compartocoche.com.ar or  www.viajamosjuntos.com and clicking on Argentina. And if you have to buy a new car, it is much better to choose a light coloured bodywork – it has been proven that dark colours add to global warming.

6. Stop buying water in plastic bottles

Bottled water produces 1.5m tonnes of plastic water, meaning 47m gallons of oil use per year. Eighty percent of these end up in landfills. Additionally, plastic bottles are bad for our bodies – small compositions of chemicals enter the liquid and are bad for us, even in small doses. The water in Buenos Aires may not taste the best, but it is perfectly drinkable. Leaving it in a jug or bottle for a couple of hours improves the taste enormously, or buy a filter for your tap.

7. Use a bicycle

Buenos Aires city government is starting to create bicycle lanes on many of the avenues in the capital, making riding a bike much safer. And plans are underway for bicycle hire, special areas in parking lots, as well as group outings, such as Critical Mass. So it is time to start pedalling – this saves the 2,500kg of carbon dioxide a car emits and is much better for your health.

8. Remember the Three Rs

Think about the number of things that end in the rubbish each day and how many you could avoid. Perhaps follow in the footsteps of a movement in the US and carry your trash for a day to see how much of it you really needed to buy in the first place. The three pillars of reducing your consumption are: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. If something breaks, think if you can fix it instead of throwing it away – one thing Argentines are particularly proud of is how they can fix anything – so put them to the test!

9. Put a plug in the sink when washing up

Washing the dishes with a running tap uses a lot of water – nine litres a minute – and this could be avoided by simply putting a plug in the sink, or using a washing up bowl. A plug costs less than $5 and can be found in any hardware store.

10. Turn off lights

Switch off the lights when you are not in the same room – or at home! Switch them off when there is natural light. And if you have to have the lights turned on, buy energy-saving lightbulbs – yes they are much more expensive here, but last for around six years, so are a worthy investment.

11. Eat less meat

A hard thing to suggest when in Argentina and the meat is soooo good! But the meat industry is also one of Argentina’s biggest polluters. But it is proven that the single thing an individual person can do to help the environment is turn vegetarian. Now, let’s be realistic, this is not going to happen in the land of the lomo, but regulating your intake could make a big difference.

12. Try not to fly

Air traffic is responsible for 3% of all global carbon dioxide emissions. And such missions have a greater effect the higher they are produced, and at the height most planes fly, carbon dioxide could be around for 50 to 100 times longer, having two to four times a greater impact. Although it is easier and quicker to travel by plane, ground transport is a better choice where possible.

13. Don’t litter in the streets

Quite often, the drains don’t work properly in Buenos Aires as the a blocked by rubbish that has been thrown in the street. You wouldn’t throw rubbish on the floor in the middle of your house, so why would you do it in the street? It is very common to see people throwing things on the ground as if we had no ownership of the public places in the city. If you see someone doing it, say politely ‘señor/a se le cayó algo‘ (Sir/Madam, you just dropped something), pointing to the thing they just threw down. It’s a way to politely point out that such actions are not acceptable, without being confrontational.

14. Turn the air conditioning down

Yes, it’s hot in Buenos Aires, but the amount of air conditioning being used is not good for the environment. There is a way to live without the heat, but without causing too much damage – by putting your unit at 24 degrees. Try closing your shutters during the day will keep your rooms cooler, and when the air conditioning is on, keep doors closed to keep the cold air in. It is also a good idea to try to save the water that drips out of the unit and use it to water the plants or clean.

15. Flush the toilet less

With 30% of all water household usage, the toilet comes second to the shower in water consumption. An old toilet uses 16 litres of water per flush (sometimes more). Many new toilets are thought out to use less water consumption, but if you can’t invest in a new toilet you can reduce the water used in each flush by putting a two litre bottle full of water in the cistern. And then there is always the old mantra ‘if it’s yellow, leave it mellow, if it’s brown, flush it down’…

16. Don’t wash your car with a hose

To begin with, try to only wash your car when it is necessary – once a month is more than sufficient. Using a hose wastes hundreds of litres of water which can be easily saved by using two buckets – one to clean, one to rinse. It is always better to use biodegradable cleaning products.

17. Buy off local, organic producers

Organic products are full of flavour and don’t contain chemical residues, better for your health and the environment, as well as the people working in the agricultural industry. As well as buying organic produce, it is important to try to buy seasonal and local goods off small producers to support the local economy and give a fair price to producers. The food industry, and its industrialisation, is responsible for 40% of all emissions worldwide, as well as genetic modification killing biodiversity and ruining the soil.

18. Choose returnable bottles

A massive 30% of all things that end in landfill are packaging, and takes between 100 and 400 years to decompose. Whenever there is a ‘returnable’ option, take it – from beer to soft drinks to whatever. It may be a bit bothersome, but it is cheaper and generates much less waste than throw-away packaging. Most brands have a returnable option, so start to take it!

19. Plant vegetables

On your balcony, patio, terrace, in your back garden – wherever – start to plant your own garden. By growing some of your own vegetables, or even just herbs, you are helping to green up the cityscape as well as providing yourself with a nutrional, organic alternative to buying something in a store.

20. Clean up after your dog!

For all those dog aficionados out there – clean up after them! If the pavements are cleaner, porteros will have much less of a reason to hose them down with drinking water each morning.

21. Think about where you put your electro-domestics

The refrigerator is the electro-domestic that uses the most energy, followed by the television and washing machine. Its efficiency depends on its location, and as a result it is important to keep it away from hot areas – out of direct sunlight and away from the oven.

22. Buy in large quantities

When you go shopping, always try to buy the largest packet of whatever you are after. It uses less packaging and will be a cheaper alternative in the long run. For example, instead of buying a 200ml shampoo, buy a 750ml one, buying one bottle instead of three overall and saving money. If you want to go ‘green extreme’, avoid buying offers, a they almost always have some extra packaging which is completely pointless and will end up in the bin.

23. Maximise energy use

From the simplest things we can all save energy. For example, if you are boiling water, don’t forget to put the lid on the saucepan. Recycle hot water, for example, if you recently made a mate there is still water in the thermos, use this water as a base for the water you are going to heat. And for your mate, try to always use a thermos rather than a kettle, as it keeps the water hot longer, saving reheating.

24. Buy your portero a broom

Whilst porteros around Buenos Aires are cleaning the pavements with drinking water, may people in other parts of the country don’t have water on tap to even drink. Hundreds of thousands of litres of water are used every day by porteros cleaning the pavement with a hose. Buy your porter a broom or mop and bucket and start changing this habit now! If we all make an effort to keep the city cleaner, there will be no need to clean the pavements with water on a daily basis.

25. Join Ambientate!

Ambientate is dedicated to making a difference in the everyday habits of the general public, through events and an awareness campaign. They will be running five two-month campaigns this year, starting with responsible consumerism and food during March and April, including film cycles, outdoor events and Argentina’s first carrotmob! Join the Facebook page or sign up to Ambientate’s mailing list to find out more about their campaign and green events that are going on throughout the year and how you can help to make a difference. Get involved to go green in 2010. info@ambientateargentina.com. www.ambientateargentina.com

Argentina’s Agency of Environmental Protection (APRA) is almost finished testing the city’s first Ecobus—just in time for the new year. The Ecobus, a prototype using hybrid technology, is a promising source for less noise and less pollution.

The bus will run off thermal and electric energy and use two motors. An electric battery and diesel power will eliminate the emission of poisonous gases and reduce hydrocarbons that the current bus system employs. Forty-five batteries along the ceiling will store energy produced by the electric power of the brakes.

“When security tests have concluded in January, Buenos Aires will be at the standard of other large cities not only in its concern for citizen health but also of the planet, with global warming”, president of APRA, Graciela Gerola said.

Argentine scientists are hoping the model is successful and may become a source of income as an export. The new design allows the bus to shut off while waiting for lights or in traffic and start again with little noise and no loss of power. The buses are also estimated to be 30 to 40% more fuel efficient.

The Ecobus is also assumed to reduce 75% of the black smoke emissions of the current model as well as noise pollution which plagues all parts of the capital city.

“In the microcentro and surrounding area (where the traffic congestion is greater), these units are going to function only with electricity, with which the levels of noise pollution will decline notably”, said mayor Mauricio Macri.

The number 62 bus line will be the first to include the “green”—actually black and white—buses. Other routes are scheduled to make the switch in the coming year. During 2010, 20 hybrid buses will come into circulation among the some 9,500 others.

I sat in the passenger seat of Juan Carlos’ Fiat Palio, filled with trepidation. We were on our way to Ecovilla Gaia, a community founded on permaculture principles in the pueblito of Navarro, around 120km outside of Buenos Aires.

I had signed up for a sustainable life course and, while considering the environment a vital issue, felt anxious that my green credentials would not quite be up to scratch. Betraying my ignorance, I turned to two other course participants: “What exactly is permaculture?” It would not be long till I became well acquainted with the term and hurtled into a way of life that is dramatically different from any I had previously known!

Sweet, fresh air filled my lungs. Born and bred in London, and a Buenos Aires resident for three months, I am without doubt a ‘city rat’, as the Argentines coin it. The vast, flat, green pastures of the Pampas were foreign to me.

A Very Big House in the Country

On arrival, we were shown to our rooms. We had been advised that accommodation at Gaia is “simple” but I had not expected to confront a huge mud heater – resembling an alien from ‘Dr. Who’ that I can’t remember the name of – directly in the middle of the dorm. I soon became quite fond of it however! Every room has lockers and plugs and there is always a dry-compost toilet nearby, but you have to walk a short distance to get to the solar powered showers.

The thatched roof, bamboo shutters and mud walls ornamented with mosaics and glass bottles, make the Gaia community centre striking to behold. Inside, as we sat down to our first naturalist dinner, I still felt a little nervous. However, the tension dissipated after we watched a film about two ‘highly consuming’ US citizens’ experiences at an eco villa. Surely I couldn’t be as hopeless as them!

The sustainable life workshop began the next morning. After some bread and amazingly addictive home-made jam (if you have a sweet tooth I defy you to come away without buying some), our seven-strong group gave brief introductions. Course organisers and Gaia inhabitants, Gustavo – a man with a serious aspect and a beard longer than Santa’s – and his wife Silvia, introduced themselves and the course.

We learned that Ecovilla Gaia covers 20 acres, is 12 years old and 100% sustainable, apart from some cheese and milk obtained from a neighbour, and – the essential – mate!

The general daily routine for the sustainable life workshop was a 7am breakfast, in order to start practical work outside by eight. Lunch at one was followed by a theory class in the afternoon and a group task at six. This was either collecting firewood, cooking or cleaning. At eight the whole community dines together and there was often an activity afterwards.

I confess that such packed days can be draining, both mentally and physically. One group member, Sanra, commented that she had been “overwhelmed during the first few days”. We all learnt so much, however, that this compensated for being tired out.

Course organiser Silvia has very good English and she is happy to help those who are not overly confident in their castellano. She translated for Canadian participant, Naila, who felt that her Spanish was not strong enough to understand everything. Naila commented that this did not put her at a disadvantage, particularly because she was already familiar with permaculture principles.

One tip for English-speakers is to learn nature-related vocabulary before going. Particularly tools: wheelbarrow (carretilla) is an essential!

Guided Tour

On Saturday we tagged along on the Gaia guided tour, which I recommend to anyone with an interest in sustainable living or the natural world. It takes place every weekend and on national holidays, but it’s worth arriving before the tour itself starts and paying slightly more to have lunch, particularly because it will probably be very tasty pizza.

Gustavo gave a thorough explanation of how Gaia works. He showed us the ingenious plants that clean the community’s dirty shower water and we marvelled at the carefully thought out construction of the buildings on site and their naturalistic air conditioning and heating systems.

Participants were also invited – positively encouraged, in fact – to make an unconventional contribution to the project: in the dry compost toilets! All waste is made use of, either as tree compost or fertiliser. Hesitancy to use these loos will vanish, when you learn that every year an adult flushes out (no pun intended) an average of; 365g of phosphorous; 730g of potassium and over 4kg of nitrogen. All of these are important fertiliser components, which are often expensive or scarce.

The Politics

After the guided tour there is a question session, at which point the strong political ideals (or cynicisms) that underlie the eco villa are revealed. An unashamed anti-capitalist, Gustavo never missed an opportunity to condemn “the system”, which he believes is based on pride, possession and competition, and managed by “secret societies”. We were not allowed to forget that the impending implosion of such societies will mean that we have no choice but to leave the cities and live sustainably in the future.

Permaculture is an alternative life structure that encourages “observation and interaction” with the land and the “least possible intervention” into nature. It promotes the regeneration of ecosystems, planting trees to restore the earth and produce oxygen. Growing your own food is also essential. It is not only healthier, but cuts out the 12,000km that 1kg of food travels, on average, to consumers dining tables.

I asked Gustavo if there was enough cultivable land to support the whole of the Earth’s population, living according to the Gaia model. He replied: “Seventy million people could live on 20% of the land that makes up the ‘damp Pampas’, following Ecovilla Gaia’s example.”

By the end of the week, I felt uncomfortable and could not shake off the idea that I ought to relinquish my journalistic pretensions, banish myself to a remote field and start growing my own potatoes as soon as possible.

We watched several documenataries as a part of the workshop. All of them are educational or political, relating to genetically modified soya amongst other issues. One of the films we watched, ‘Zeitgeist’, a cult film rapidly gaining popularity, sums up much of Gaia’s political stance. All can be obtained at Gaia for a small (monetary) contribution.

Sustainable Life Activities

Aside from the politics, we studied natural construction and cooking, which were both highlights for me. We helped construct the walls of the new auditorium, which plans to accommodate around 300 people for meetings and classes.

Silvia encouraged us to put plastic bags in between helpings of mud, whilst building up the walls. When there is no further use for these bags, for the Gaia inhabitants it is sensible to incorporate them into buildings where they can’t do any harm, as they take hundreds of years to disintegrate.

The hard physical work of mixing mud, water and straw with our feet, then shovelling it into buckets to take over to the construction site was a killer! I felt it in my shoulders and back during the week and was consistently ravenous after natural construction sessions.

One participant saw this in a positive light, revealing that she had often procrastinated physical work outdoors for fear of not being able to cope with it. The week at Gaia showed her that she is physically capable of more than she had realised and inspired her to put practical plans into action when she got home.

Each member of the group left their mark on Gaia, sculpting an array of objects such as flowers and animals on the outer wall of the auditorium, and decorating them with mosaics. Creativity is apparently also an integral part of the permaculture approach!

In the natural cooking class we made, amongst other things, a roasted aubergine dip, a ricotta pie, an apple crumble and quinoa. Quinoa is a multi-purpose food that is popular with indigenous communities, who also used the soapy liquid it produces when rinsed prior to consumption for washing things.

Uruguyan group member Susan admitted that she “had not expected naturalist food to be so tasty”. The only thing she had missed during the week was chocolate. I must also confess to the occasional strong dairy craving, though the fault here is probably my own.

Seeds and seed saving comprise another fundamental aspect of permaculture. Gustavo showed us Ecovilla Gaia’s seed bank, a fascinating room filled with jars of seeds of different shapes and colours. He emphasised the importance of keeping them dry, for which Gaia has developed its own special method.

Though you might not immediately realise it, these seeds are an important part of the political revolution. Farmers can keep those that perform best and swap varieties of seed with other cultivators. We learn how soya farmers’ ability to do this has been threatened in some parts of the world by genetically modified seeds, patented by large corporations, which contaminate their plantations.

“Cookies”

On our last morning at Gaia we threw the seed “cookies” that we had made at the beginning of the week. These “cookies” are inspired by Masanobu Fukoka, a permaculture guru, and form part of his plan to reclaim and rejuvenate the earth.

Made out of mud with various seeds and a little fertiliser added to them, they give the organisms the best chance of germinating and can be used to cover vast areas of land. Essentially, they work like cow dung.

It was uplifting to walk side by side throwing the “cookies”, in the knowledge that we were helping to revive the earth. Strengthening your bond with nature is one of the main reasons I would recommend a week at Gaia to everybody. One participant was so moved by the view of a sunset across the Pampas that she hugged a large nearby tree.

As a group, we returned to a small plot where we had cast some bolletitas – like “cookies” but smaller and rounder – exactly a week ago. Tiny shoots were beginning to force their way out of these little balls.

Reflecting on what I had learnt, I wished that the permaculture principles promoted at Gaia might start to sprout in the minds of all those who visit the project, be it only for one afternoon. My only fear is that political radicalism and ‘local discounts’ for Argentines may put off some visitors, particularly foreigners.

All in all, I had a genuinely life altering experience at Gaia and was introduced to a vast number of new ideas. Alicia, a student from Rosario, commented how much she had learnt. “Things that I didn’t even expect to learn. And not just from the course, but also from all members of the group. I feel sad, that I have to go back and continue living in the city.”

To find out more about visitng Ecovilla Gaia, including the details of upcoming courses, visit the website: www.gaia.org.ar