Meriliis Kotkas

Day 15. Visited environment education conference and enjoyed lectures about climate change. I also helped to carry out workshop about climate change :) I was happily surprised to find that all coffee, tea and sugar in the conference was Fairtrade and that it was possible to eat meat free without even have to ask about it  (it was made so comfortable).

In the conference, there was a discussion about meat industry effects on the environment and I heard a good point that even though meat production worldwide is usually industrial, intensive and harmful for the environment, it is not so black and white in  Estonia. Of course only when we talk about beef and mutton (pork production is still intensive and industrial). Cattle live normally outside, they eat what they find (grass, not soy) and they help to maintain unique natural communities - semi-natural sites (poollooduslikud kooslused). So when you eat beef or mutton in Estonia, then you actually help local biodiversity. Because many orchids and other species that live in semi-natural sites, need grazing to survive. Btw semi-natural site is a place where there have been found the highest biodiversity in Estonia (76 vascular plants per m2).

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY OF THE CHALLENGE! Good work team Go Green Estonia! It has been inspiring two weeks together :D

Day 14. I cannot believe that Ecochallenge has lasted already two weeks. Those daily task that I chose, are already habits that I enjoy doing every day. I have gathered so much inspiration when I was reading other participants feedback. I am grateful for Go Green Estonia! team members for being so active and inspiring. I admire one participant, who offered some prizes for our team to motivate them. I also want to point out our team's other captain for being so active :) 

Tomorrow I plan to attend at the environmental awareness conference and complete my last one-day challenge - watch food documentary. 

Day 13. Today I enjoyed a nice vegetarian dinner. I appreciate that caterings also offer vegetarian food, so my meatless meal challenge is much easier. Saw for the first time in my life, how one musician used grass to create music. Wow, it was wonderful ... and funny :D

Day 12. Today I felt inpired and tried new vegetarian recipes. I made pizza with eggplant, tomato, sweet pepper, pineapple and cheese. Yummy :D I also prepared some seasonal food - pumpkin soup. 

Day 11. I went hiking to the bog (guided a tour), saw a fox and ate some cranberrys. There were many animal footprints on the moss.  I love my job :)

Day 10. Feeling great and inspired by my other teammates. Let's do it, Go Green Estonia!

Day 9. I  cycled to work and enjoyed sunny weather and colourful nature. I was invited to a fancy dinner where there were three courses of gourmet food. I had wonderful time. Now few hours later I just realised that I ate meat. Yikes. Better luck tomorrow! 

Greenpeace is having a free online film festival. Check it out - https://greenpeacefilmfestival.org/en/ Ülesanne vaadata toiduteemalist dokumentaali saabki lihtsa vaevaga tehtud ;)

Day 8. Today I worked more than 8 hours, so I didn't manage to keep my work-life balance. But I don't regret it, as the second part of the day I leaded one hike in a nearby bog. Nature is so colourful and inspiring at autumn, I love being outdoors. It goes dark outside so early - at 18.30. Would love to have more sunlight.