Going Green Podcast, Video blog and Daily News

Is a Probiotic Milk Drink Really Good for You?  Walk down any supermarket aisle and you’ll be met by smiling bottles promising better digestion, stronger immunity and a happier gut . But do probiotic milk drinks really live up to the hype – or are they just clever marketing in a plastic bottle? Let’s take a calm, evidence-based look (without falling out with your fridge). What is a probiotic milk drink? Probiotic milk drinks (think small yoghurt-style shots) contain live bacteria , usually strains of Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium . The idea is simple: These “friendly” bacteria reach your gut They help balance your gut microbiome A healthier gut = better digestion, immunity and possibly mood Sounds great. But reality is… more nuanced. What the science says (the good bits) There is reasonable evidence that probiotics can help some people , some of the time . They may: Help reduce diarrhoea after antibiotics Ease symptoms of IBS for certain individua...

  Making Your Own Compost at Home Turning kitchen waste into garden gold Every time we scrape peelings into the bin, we’re throwing away something surprisingly valuable. Composting at home is one of the simplest ways to cut waste, save money, and improve your garden – and you don’t need acres of land or specialist kit to do it. Why bother composting? Cuts household waste – up to 30% of what we throw away can be composted Saves money – less need for shop-bought compost and soil improvers Improves soil health – better structure, moisture retention and nutrients Reduces emissions – food waste in landfill produces methane In short: composting is low effort, high reward. What can go into your compost? A good compost heap is all about balance. Think greens and browns . Greens (nitrogen-rich): Fruit and vegetable peelings Coffee grounds and tea bags Grass cuttings Plant trimmings Browns (carbon-rich): Cardboard and shredded paper Dry leaves and twigs ...

Are UK reservoirs really full – and will we have enough water for the next summer? It feels like we’ve gone from “hosepipe ban panic” to “will it ever stop raining?” in the blink of an eye. After a long, dry spring and summer last year, much of the UK is now seeing persistent rainfall. Rivers are high, fields are waterlogged, and flooding headlines are back. Which raises the obvious question: Are the reservoirs actually full – and does this mean we’re safe if we get another dry spring and summer? Rain now doesn’t automatically mean water later Heavy winter rain certainly helps refill reservoirs, but it’s not a silver bullet. Reservoirs don’t capture all rainfall – much of it runs straight off saturated ground into rivers and out to sea. Short, intense downpours are far less useful than steady rainfall that soaks into catchments. Some regions benefit far more than others – the north and west often do well, while the south and east remain vulnerable. In other words, ...

  Ultra-Processed Foods: Why the UK Is Starting to Treat Them Like Cigarettes A new report comparing ultra-processed foods (UPFs) to cigarettes lands at an interesting moment for the UK — because policy is already edging in that direction , even if politicians don’t quite say it out loud. The core argument is simple and unsettling: UPFs are engineered for over-consumption , not nourishment — much like cigarettes were engineered for addiction rather than enjoyment. And in the UK, the regulatory response is starting to echo the early days of tobacco control. The UK Policy Context: Quietly Toughening Up 1. HFSS Rules (High Fat, Sugar & Salt) The UK already restricts HFSS foods : No prominent placement at checkouts Bans on aisle-end “impulse” promotions Limits on price promotions like buy one get one free This mirrors tobacco’s journey — not an outright ban, but reducing visibility and impulse use . 2. Advertising Bans (Especially for Children) From 2025: ...

  Doing Your Own Recycling (and Not Throwing Stuff Away) There’s a moment we all know. You’re holding something broken, empty, or “past its best” and the bin lid is already halfway open. Job done, problem gone. Except… it isn’t. It’s just been moved somewhere else. Doing your own recycling – and better still, not throwing things away in the first place – is one of the quiet superpowers of greener living. No flashy tech. No grants. Just habits that add up. Step 1: Reduce beats recycle (every time) Recycling is good. Not creating waste is better. Before something becomes “rubbish”, ask: Do I really need this? Is there a refill or loose version? Can I buy one good version instead of three cheap ones? Less packaging in = less guilt out. Step 2: Reuse like it’s 1975 Your grandparents weren’t “eco”. They were just practical. Glass jars → screws, nails, rice, lentils Old takeaway tubs → freezer meals Cardboard boxes → storage, posting, kids’ projects If it...

  Successes and Failures of Bird Reintroduction What works, what doesn’t – and what it teaches us about conservation There’s something wonderfully hopeful about releasing birds back into the wild. A crate opens, wings stretch, and a species gets a second chance. But while some reintroductions have been spectacular successes, others have been… let’s politely say educational . So what separates the triumphs from the tragedies? 🟢 When reintroduction works brilliantly Red kites – from poisoned pariah to suburban regular Few UK conservation stories are as positive as the red kite. Once reduced to a tiny Welsh population, carefully managed releases in England and Scotland transformed their fortunes. Why it worked Strong legal protection Public support (people liked them) Plenty of suitable habitat and food Long-term monitoring and follow-up Today, they’re so successful that many people forget they were ever rare – which is exactly the point. White-tailed eagles – controve...