Pledging to save energy ASAP to help Baglady

Today finally sees the start of the secret launch of Baglady's ASAP Pledge Round 2.  The official launch is 11.01.11, but Baglady being an impatient old gal decided to make the most of the tradition for New Year's Resolutions and the opportunity to get us Internet peeps thinking about sustainability.  You might remember my last blog post about it here.


Now I know that you're used to me thinking big and tackling some huge challenges, such as organising rubbish free tasks or setting up local collection schemes for Recycle Week, but for this year's ASAP (As Sustainable As Possible) pledge, I've decided to tackle something really small but just as important, much closer to home

You see, despite making a big effort to reduce waste, use public transport, buy local and keep the heating off until November, I've still not sorted out the simple fact that I am always forgetful about turning off the light in the downstairs loo.  Asimple thing, but the kids do it too...so much so that my husband is always on our backs about Mr Invisible spending far too much time on the toilet!

So, I've decided that my pledge this year (with the help of the children) will be to give up leaving the light on in the loo AND elsewhere in the house.  And while I'm on the subject I've also decided to take up the idea of turning off my laptop whenever it's not in use...instead of my "leaving it on just in case I need it later" routine.

Other bloggers are also on board with their ASAP pledges and have either already blogged about them or will be doing so very soon, so for inspiration keep your eyes peeled for updates from MyZeroWaste,  Cambridge EcoThrifter, From Rat Race to Positive Parent, Violet Posy, Just Jotting Along, A Modern Mother, Jo Beaufoix and Rosie Scribble.

Pledging is simple.  You just need to pop along to Baglady's website, make your pledge and pass it on via Facebook, Twitter or through your blog, encouragiing your friends to do the same.  All pledges registered on Baglady's site by midnight on 17th June will also be entered into a random draw where one lucky person will win a £100 voucher courtesy of Baglady Productions to spend at sustainable retailer Wiggly Wigglers.

So, go on...please join us in adopting Baglady for 2011 and  if you do I'd love to know if you've made a pledge. In the meantime, I'm off to make mine now....

Useful links:

Adult Pledge: http://www.bagladyproductions.org/asap-world/pledge/
Kids Pledge: http://www.bagladyproductions.org/asap-world/kids-pledge-asap/

Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/bagladyproductions

P.S.....if you're spreading news of your pledge on your blog, there's even a blog badge you can use...

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Blogger disclaimer:  Karen has been working with Baglady Productions to help launch Pledge ASAP Round 2.  However, this is a personal post as an independent participating blogger.

Let's not waste this Christmas: Adopt Baglady for 2011

Would you like to live more sustainability but need a helping hand from an experienced old drama queen? Maybe you're an eco-minded blogger who wants a great excuse to offer even more inspiration to your readers in 2011.

If this sounds like you and you fancy making your mark on creating a more sustainable society, please consider giving bonkers old Baglady a place in your home for 2011. To put it frankly, she's been hanging around here for much of 2010 and it's about time I moved her on. She won't take up much of your time I promise and in good olde Irish tradition, you can kick her out and send her on her way after you've helped her out a bit and when she's finished the washing up!

Baglady, aka environmental film-maker Shirley Lewis, hails from Northern Ireland and has pledged to help individuals and communities to live ASAP, i.e, As SUSTAINABLY as Possible. In her inimitable style she has been busy sorting out her local MPs and in 2011 she's planning on chatting up some more. In readiness she's collecting as many personal pledges as possible to take to her local assembly in June 2011 to help influence government policy and encourage politicians everywhere to take the lead in their own communities.  So she really needs your help!

What can you do?

It's very easy and won't take much time at all, no matter where in the world you are. Just spend a couple of minutes visiting Baglady's website and pledge to Take Up an idea that is sustainable and Give Up doing something in your life that isn't. Christmas is a great time to reflect on this and the new year is the perfect opportunity to set yourself some new goals and the children can get involved too.

There are also other ways in which you can help in the new year.  Baglady's campaign Round 2 ASAP is being officially launched by her PR company on 11/1/11 but she is an impatient old bag and wants to get the party started sooner than that. Well she is 590 million years old and has waited long enough, so who could blame her.

So if you are a blogger who would like to join Baglady in her SECRET INTERNET LAUNCH, sign up now! Taking place between 1st-10th January, all you need to do is blog about your own ASAP pledge and invite a few friends to do the same and help keep her going. It'll be fabulous to see how far she'll end up before she needs to be back in Northern Ireland on June 21st. 

Oh I love nothing better than a super duper secret launch party. If you would like to be involved as an ASAP Secret Launch blogger, please email me at karen[at]therubbishdiet[dot]co[dot]uk and I'll be happy to send out the official press release and blog badge and answer any questions that you might have.

So please let's not waste this Christmas: ADOPT BAGLADY FOR 2011 TODAY!

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More information about Baglady and Pledge ASAP can be found at www.bagladyproductions.org .
Blogger's disclaimer: Karen Cannard is currently working with Shirley Lewis as an adviser for Round2 ASAP.

Baglady's ASAP pledge programme

It's amazing what kids can achieve when given the right resources and inspiration.  Last week, I wrote about an amazing lady who is trying to change the lives of children and their families on a dumpsite in South Africa.  This week, it's the turn of another fabulous woman, from just over the water in Northern Ireland, who's working with schools and politicians to help create a sustainable future for all.

The lady I'm talking about is none other than Baglady, aka broadcaster Shirley Lewis, whose action-provoking ASAP pledge programme not only inspires kids to adopt sustainable choices but encourages adults to take the lead too.  Pledge ASAP was launched earlier this year and is going from strength-to-strength, with round 2 starting very soon.

Have a look at the video below to see the effects of the pledge programme in Northern Ireland, and when you're done it, would be great if you could consider adding your pledge, no matter where you are.  Just visit  www.bagladyproductions.org, where you will find out how you can make a difference.



I took my pledge in the summer too.  To "read all about it" pop over to my fairly new blog at www.anythingbutrubbish.blogspot.com, where I'll be keeping you up-to-date with my various attempts at living ASAP in the almost average household!  My poor husband.  I bet he can't wait to find out what's in store for him this time.

Time for an ASAP pledge

Yesterday I received a call from Baglady.  Not just any old baglady but Shirley Lewis, the fabulous campaigner from Northern Ireland who's encouraging folk everywhere to live ASAP - As Sustainably As Possible.  And what better time to get involved as Baglady has just launched ASAP Pledge Fortnight.

The highlight of the awareness campaign is ASAP Pledge Week, which starts on Monday 14th June and leads up to ASAP Pledge Day when, on June 21st, children from Northern Ireland will take their pledges to the Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont to ask politicians to join in and support living ASAP.

Baglady is asking you to be involved too, by sharing your ideas on how to live as sustainably as possible.  You just need visit her website and tell her what you are giving up and what you pledge to take up. It's that easy!

I'm going to join in and I pledge to give up using my car so much now that it's got fixed.  Yes, I seem to have developed a few inconvenient habits since it's come back from its MOT.   But it's not just about what I am giving up, it's also about what I intend to take up.  And for that, I pledge to help out a charitable cause which is in need of some extra recycling assistance. 

I'll share more information on that soon, but in the meantime, if you'd like to take the pledge too, visit www.bagladyproductions.org/ASAP-world/pledge and if you want to get your kids involved simply go to www.bagladyproductions.org.