The birds are shrinking
Plus: escape to the Cotswolds' treetops and meditation pods in Paddington
So a warming planet = smaller birds.*
While we were still waiting for a better than tepid take from COP26, the Guardian revealed that Amazonian birds have been busy evolving instead of hanging their hopes on a series of conferences that have demonstrated an annual pattern of optimism - compromise - inaction.
A forty-year study discovered that birds’ bodies have shrunk and their wings have lengthened. It’s theorised that it has to do with something called Bergmann’s Rule and how larger bodies retain more warmth.
*except the gulls in our local park.
So let’s take to the trees and join them at The Fish:
THE FISH, Cotswolds
The Fish Hotel is an eclectic selection of cosy-chic stays arrayed across the 400-acre Farncombe Estate near Broadway. The hill it sits upon used to be a place where medieval monks stored their fish, hence the name.
Both monks and fishy whiff have since moved on.
However, there’s nothing fishy about its cosy, Scandi-inspired rooms in The Lodge or its hideaway huts, shepherd huts, and—Green Spot’s favourite—trio of treehouses scattered about the estate.
And the entire kit-and-caboodle all powered by green energy.
The Fish also commits to 0% of waste to landfill, an ongoing tree-planting programme, and other sustainable leaning practices such as pork rearing on the estate.
Beyond the green scene, you’ve basically got a fabulous retreat destination with luxurious trimmings. Go for strolls in the Fish’s silver birch woods and surrounding countryside; when it’s chucking it down chill in the 16-seater screening room; and wear the kids out in the recycled wood play area (all weathers).
thefishhotel.co.uk
Meanwhile, in Peru…
Alongside its culturally-sensitive tourism philosophy, Inkaterra has now been deemed the first ‘climate-positive’ hotel brand by UN-endorsed GreenInitiative.
According to Global Traveler, ‘climate-positive’ is “any activity that furthers the achievement of net-zero carbon emissions, providing an environmental benefit by removing additional carbon dioxide from the atmosphere”.
Read about what prompted this newsletter at my About page.
While Inkaterra, for those avoiding long-distance flights, is now a lengthy boat journey away, why not look closer to home?
INHABIT HOTEL, Paddington
The Inhabit Hotel on Southwick Street is described as a “restorative, environmentally and socially conscious” place to lay your head.
The type of place that offers bespoke aromatherapy for your chambers.
A few things to know: It’s a member of Design Hotels which means it’s got an independent streak and has design chops.
Interior touches include Kalinko Homewares from Myanmar while Culture A, the hotel’s art curator, “selected artworks to complement the meditative mood of the guest rooms and public spaces” (see: photos of waves😐).
Beyond the breakers, however, there are actual meditation pods in the atrium, with guided meditations available from a positive psychology coach.
It’s also Green Key-certified. This is a voluntary commitment for meeting higher environmental standards, although perhaps more indicative of this brand’s outlook is that it’s seeking heavyweight B-Corp status.
B-Corporations are companies that are seeking to build a more equitable economy (see how this breaks down with Patagonia and Ben & Jerry’s). Translated, it generally means this is a company thinking about more than just its bottom line.
Elements of this are things like selecting sustainable social enterprise Goldfinger to create bespoke joinery or choosing Studio 306 Cushions from Aerende—a company that sells products made by people living with mental health illnesses.
A sister property, stretching across a series of Georgian townhouses in Paddington, is planned for early 2022.
inhabithotels.com
And another exciting evolutionary development to round off: microbes are evolving to break down plastic. While some are seeing this as depressing evidence of just how fierce a dumpster fire we’ve made of our planet, there is a positive angle on how it might boost our recycling efforts. 🔥
AND REMEMBER...
to please share Green Spot with anyone you might think would enjoy tip-offs on green spots to stay.
And if you enjoyed this newsletter, why not put a penny in the old man’s coffee hat below?
🎄Merry Christmas!🎁
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