Nature.is

Find the greener side of Iceland by using the Green Map

The Green Map of Iceland is a joint international project of Nature.is the Green Map® Systems project, and the University of Iceland. The Icelandic Green Map is based on the Green Map universal icon system, and the extensive work of Nature.is in registering various sources on its Green Pages and supplying the map with a massive database of eco-friendly information on Icelandic business and tourism. The map is published in Icelandic on Náttúran.is and in English on Nature.is and in German on Natur.is along with the enormous amount of information already displayed on the site. A printed version of the Green Map of Reykjavík was published in the autumn of 2010 and the second edition in July 2011. Around 3.000 registrations under 100 groups are already on the map. The map’s purpose is to point out the many eco-friendly opportunities available throughout the country and to encourage people to support companies who act in a responsible way towards the environment. To be registered on the Green Map please contact nature@nature.is. Basic registration is free of charge!

Take a look at the Green Map of Iceland.

The graphic shows some of the Green Map icons. From left to right:

Geological feature - Natural monuments, National parks and areas that are protcted because of their geolocical qualities.

Childrenfriendly Site - An environmentally engaging area that is safe and accessible to children.

Green Roof- Green roofs can be seen in many countries on  both urban skyscrapers and on rural homes. In Iceland green roofs are part of the building heritage belonging to the era of turfhouses. Green roofs help cool and clean the air, provide fireproofing and recycle rainwater. Ideally used for publically-accessible roofs (or tours) or sites that can be seen by the public from the street or neighbouring buildings.

Cultural Site- These contribute to the city's environment and sense of place in many important ways. Noninstitutional resources, monuments and places, even temporary events (monthly swap meet, annual eco-fair) may be included.

Energy Conservation - Site, service, project or products that minimize the use of energy

Eco-Agriculture / Permaculture- Organic farm or producer of agricultural products with organic certification by Tún. Includes also shops specialized in the sale of organic products.

Online Resource - Web adresses (or links) to good local information on the internet about environment of all kinds. They direct you towards sustainable and conserving green sites, services and resources.

Healthy Dining - The emphasis is on wholesome and healthful, fresh foods. Perhaps the ingredients are organic, and vegan foods are served. The meats come from animals that are "free range" and ethically treated. Some cities include cooperatively-owned cafes and a wide range of ethnic cuisines in this category.

Environmental Education - Can range from intensive programs within a regular school system or university, to places offering one-time environmental workshops and lectures to the public.

Rental Share - Bicycle and or Eco-Car rental or share facility or a website that facilitates traveling with ohters by sharing cost.

Responsible Company - Companies with ISO 14001 certification.

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The Work Environment - guidelines

The work environment is a concept that encompasses both the work site and the products and the work itself which is related to and performed with the product. Guidelines for use on the packaging should therefore ensure that the product is used in a safe and secure manner.

Guidelines for each product should show how the product should be used without endangering health of the worker or user of the product. The product should not be harmful to health and it is the responsibility of the producer and then the distributor to ensure that the right message about the right use of the product reaches the consumer.

Harmful agents in the working environment can, for instance be: noise, air pollution, the wrong use of chemicals, evaporation and the wrong working position:

Noise – Does the use of the product create noise, measured in dB(A)?

Air pollution – Toxic chemicals may not be released into the atmosphere (many chemicals are not harmful in the right mixture but can become toxic if released from chemical bonds).

The wrong use of chemicals – Does the usage of the product demand special care or specific use of chemicals? If so, which chemicals? Can the chemicals be harmful to human health? Guidelines because of maintenance and running of the product have to be available. It can be of little use to buy an environmentally friendly product if the use of the product requires a large quantity of unsavory chemicals!

Evaporation – Sooner or later chemicals evaporate into the atmosphere. Therefore the producer has to define accurately which chemicals are incorporated into the product. Slow evaporation can be harmful in the long term even though a point measurement shows chemical concentrations within limits.

The environmental situation in general has improved in many respects as more knowledge and better technology has become available, for instance cleansing equipment in industry. But new knowledge has also led to new discoveries. Pollution that is taking place today is in many ways more complicated than it was in the past. The pollution sources are more numerous., They are also more spread out and the pattern of consumption has changed enormously. The root of chemical release into the environment stems, for instance, from our consumer products today, while we’re using them.

Bromated flame retardants and phthalates are among the common chemicals found in household appliances and clothes all around us. Those chemicals however, have a negative effect on both human health and the environment. Bromated flame retardants have been used for a long time in order to make plastics and resins more resistant to heat/flame. Those chemicals are most likely to be found in your computer and in the textile (áklæði?) on your chair. Today the consumer has a choice. I It is possible to buy both textiles and computers without bromated flame retardants. Many synthetic chemicals are toxic and should be avoided. But it is also necessary to avoid those chemicals that appear harmless but have a negative impact over the long term. It can be very difficult to assess the impact of such chemicals;therefore care should be taken.

Wrong working positions concerns, for instance, the adjustment of chairs, furniture and equipment - Are there specific guidelines about the product, working positions and possible adjustments? It may be necessary to adjust, chairs, tables, screens, keyboards, control boards and the general working environment.

Biologically speaking we’re still primitive animals, designed to be constantly on the move out in nature. A stone has probably been our first desk. Today things are different. The human body, designed to be constantly on the move, sits for hours in almost the same position. This has led to the fact that more and more people suffer from pain in the neck and shoulders. Mouse shoulder, is becoming as common an affliction as tennis elbow among athletes When buying desks, chairs and computers, it should be kept in mind that use of the product can influence health. TCO labeling provides information about both the environment and how work-friendly the item is. TCO labeling encompasses computer screens, keyboards and office chairs.

Graphic: A symbol exclusively used for work environment at nature.is ©Nature.is.

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Do you know what food additives are in your food basket?

In modern food production there are various food additives that most of us know very little about. Shouldn‘t we know what chemicals are being used and the impact  they can have on our bodies? Will some of them provoke allgergies or even cause ADHD in our kids or will they have a positive anti-oxidating effect?

In the right hand column E-efnin, Nature.is has compiled a comprehensive list of the various food additives. These are chemicals such as dyes, preservatives, and binding chemicals. Some may be harmful to human health, while others are anti-oxidants and considered to be beneficial. The third group are relatively neutral, i.e. they are not known to cause a positive or negative effect. The harmful food additives are marked in red on the scale, neutral additives are on the yellow part of the scale, and food additives considered positive are on the green part. Sources are cited in every instance and the precautionary information is given for your consideration. Nature.is is not expressing it‘s opinion in this case.

By entering the name of the E-chemical you want to learn about, you can receive information in the field below (only in Icelandic but will appear in English as well shortly). Then you‘ll be in a better position to decide what to buy and your choice as a consumer can  have an positive impact on the market. Our hope is that through proper education, consumers will understand the issues, stand together and bring about a renaissance in food production.

All the food additives have a so called E-number, where E stands for Europe. More detailed information about them can be found on the web page of The Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority – www.mast.is . The Authority is responsible for the surveillance of food with food additives used here in Iceland.

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Park / Recreation Area

You´ll find information about Parks and Recreation areas here on the Green Map.

The description for this icon is as follows: 
Green space that offers place to relax and play. May include sports fields, running paths, or children's play equipment, along with a vegetation and a pond, creek or other water feature.

See more about Parks and Recreation ares here on the Green Map in the category „Park / Recreation Area"

Graphic: The icon for the Green Map® System category “Park / Recreation Area“.

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Móða á baðspeglinum

Nuddið sápu á baðspegilinn og pússið síðan af með eldhúspappír. Eftir það sest móða ekki lengur á baðspegilinn.

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