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Buy1Give1Free |
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14 November, 2007: For every item you buy before Christmas from the Autumn/Winter 07 Collection at fair trade fashion label Tam & Rob, the  company will donate a new sari to a needy woman through the charity Social Action for Association and Development (SAAD) in India. SAAD provides literacy and skills training to vulnerable women. You can participate in Buy One Give One Free at the website, Greenwich Market and Backyard Market (Brick Lane). All Tam & Rob clothing uses organic, fair trade or ethically sourced cotton and is manufactured in factories accredited by IFAT (International Fairtrade Organisation) or FLO (Fairtrade Labelling Organisation).
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Responsible Travel Awards |
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14 November, 2007: The Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards 2007 (organised by responsibletravel.com in association with World Travel Market, The Times and Geographical Magazine) has announced this year's winners.
 Overall winner: The New Forest, which also won the Best Destination Award. Best Tour Operator: (sponsored by The Adventure Company)
Gecko's Adventures, Australia
Highly commended: KE Adventure Travel, Tribes Travel and Imaginative Traveller
Best Large Hotel / Accommodation, sponsored by Hyatt Hotels & Resorts: Apex Hotels Ltd, UK, for their work in urban regeneration and ensuring that they are as environmentally friendly as possible.
Best Small Hotel / Accommodation, sponsored by Tourism Queensland: Finca Esperanza Verde Ecolodge, Nicaragua
Best Low Carbon Transport & Technology, sponsored by Virgin Trains: Eurostar, UK, for developing the comprehensive 'Tread lightly' programme to reduce Eurostar's negative environmental impacts across the whole business, on the rails and at the terminals; using biodegradable and recyclable disposables; recycling water; reducing energy consumption and setting a whole business example which airlines could follow.
Highly commended: NatureAir, Costa Rica and greentomatocars, UK
See the Responsible Tourism Awards website for details on all the winners and categories.
"We are delighted to be able to act as headline sponsor of the 2007 Responsible Tourism Awards," says Amanda Wills, Managing Director of Virgin Holidays, Headline Sponsor of the Awards. "We are passionate about responsible tourism and proud to be associated with these awards. The importance of sustainability in tourism has never been greater... to prove we aren't all talk, all profits from Virgin Holidays, Atlantic and Trains (estimated to be $3bn over the next 10 years) will be ploughed into research, to develop sustainable sources of energy."
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Organic milk makes a splash |
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 9 November 2007: A newly published scientific study shows that organic milk reduces eczema in children and improves the quality of breast milk. There is a significant body of evidence showing that organic food contains higher levels of beneficial nutrients than non-organic foods, but this is the first example of a definite health impact (isolated from other potential beneficial factors) of organic food consumption being published in a peer reviewed journal. This study shows that infants fed on organic dairy products and whose mothers also consumed organic dairy products have a 36% lower incidence of eczema than children who consume conventional dairy products.
"The first peer reviewed scientific paper showing a significant health benefit from eating organic food is a major landmark," says Peter Melchett, Soil Association policy director . "Given the strong evidence that organic food has more beneficial nutrients, and the absence of harmful additives, common sense suggests that organic food is better for your health. It's good to see this starting to be confirmed by scientific research."
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The Exxon Files |
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 9 November, 2007: You have four days left to add your name to the Friends of the Earth Europe complaint against ExxonMobil. ExxonMobil has published several ads claiming it is reducing greenhouse gas emissions when  they've been rising over the last few years. Looks like another case of greenwashing by a multinational corporation. Go figure. Take a look at the Friends of the Earth Europe's site The Exxon Files to investigate all the facts for yourself. And if you're on Facebook, join the group: The Exxon Files: ExxonMobil exposed for twisting climate facts.
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Love Your Home Show |
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9 November, 2007: If you're an eco e-tailer or a UK-based designer/maker, consider exhibiting at the Love Your Home Show at Sandown Park on 19-20 April 2008. One of the show's zones is decidated to eco living and there will be a `Best of British` showcase celebrating products designed and manufactured in the UK. If you would like to exhibit at the event, email
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Friends of the Earth: 1, Shell: 0 |
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 7 November, 2007: Friends of the Earth has come up smelling of roses today. Shell, not so much. Today the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld a complaint from Friends of the Earth that a Shell advert was greenwashing. The advert showed an oil refinery emitting flowers rather than smoke and claimed that Shell uses its "waste CO2 to grow flowers and waste sulphur to make super strong concrete."
The ASA ruled that both claims were misleading. Shell's claim that it uses "waste CO2 to grow flowers" was misleading, as readers were likely to infer that Shell uses all or most of its waste carbon dioxide (CO2) to grow flowers, when it actually uses just 0.5% of its waste CO2 for this purpose.
The ASA also ruled that the claim that Shell uses "waste sulphur to make concrete" was misleading. The ASA said readers would presume that Shell used all or most of its waste sulphur to make concrete, but only a small proportion of waste sulphur is used in this way.
"We're delighted that Shell (one of the world's dirtiest companies) has been brought to book for its misleading claims," says Hannah Griffiths, Friends of the Earth's Corporates Campaigner. "Companies making false green claims do nothing but make the situation worse as they try to pull the wool over people's eyes and lull them into a false sense of security. It's a shame that the ASA does not have more teeth and that Shell wasn't fined for its deceptions."
Communities around the world suffer the effects of Shell's dirty operations, such as people living near Shell's refinery in Durban, South Africa, who suffer from high rates of asthma and respiratory diseases, thought to be caused as a result of breathing in high levels of sulphur dioxide. In Nigeria, Shell's illegal gas flares emit sulphur which causes acid rain and devastates the environment and people's homes. Find out more (and join the campaign to prevent multinational corporations from abusing their power) at FOE.
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New fairtrade fashions at Equa |
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 7 November, 2007: If you've a passion for fashion, mark your diary now. On 19 November ethical clothing from Wildlife Works will arrive in-store at Equa, the fairtrade and organic boutique (in Camden Passage and online). The  collection includes this chic fairtrade and organic cotton, 'Alice' dress (right) with collared scoop neckline and button-detailed waist. It's an especially 'feel-good' purchase, as when you buy from the Wildlife  Works collection, you will also be protecting endangered species in Africa. The company buys up critical areas of poaching land there to protect endangered animals by offering alternative fair trade jobs to previous poachers. Equa also sells pretty dresses like this sweet organic cotton sateen dress with hemp detail (left) and flirty and feminine lingerie (above), both from Enamore.
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The Queen Goes Green? |
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 6 November, 2007: Not quite green enough, according to some environmental groups. In the Queen's Speech today, she outlined the government's aims for the next parliamentary year, including the following:
"My Government is committed to protecting the environment and to tackling climate change, both at home and abroad. A bill will be brought forward to make the United Kingdom the first country in the world to introduce a legally binding framework to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. My Government will introduce legislation to provide clean, secure and affordable supplies of energy. There will be legislation to tackle congestion and improve public transport."
Sounds encouraging, but last Monday the Government revealed more specific contents of the Climate Change Bill, which may be put before Parliament in late November. The plan is for a 60 per cent cut in emissions by 2050. Friends of the Earth says the law should be strengthened, and has been heading up The Big Ask campaign, encouraging UK citizens to ask their MPs to strengthen the bill to an 80 per cent cut in emissions by 2050 (based on 1990 figures), rather than just 60 per cent. (Eighty per cent is what climate scientists say is required). Other FOE suggestions are that the UK’s share of international aviation and shipping emissions should be included from the outset, and that the bill should require annual milestones to keep the UK on course for meeting the 80 per cent cut. Join The Big Ask now, and upload your own video to join the online protest march.
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ZENN car approved in Canada |
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 6 November, 2007: The ZENN (Zero-Emission, No-Noise) car has been approved for sale in Canada. ZENN Motor Company, based in
Toronto has been granted use of Transport Canada’s National Safety Mark, confirmation that a vehicle meets or exceeds the standards set by Transport
Canada (and a requirement for any vehicle sold in the country. "While we are pleased... we are keenly aware that this is merely the first step in putting low-speed, fully electric vehicles on public roads,” says
Ian Clifford, Chief Executive Officer. Only British Columbia currently has low-speed vehicle regulations in place, so ZENN will lobby the provinces to draft legislation immediately so that consumers can choose a more sustainable car. “Canada needs electric vehicles," says Ian Clifford. "Using a ZENN results in at least a 77 per cent net reduction in CO2 emissions. With renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power, the ZENN is 100 per cent pollution free." ZENN hopes the public will also lobby the provinces to make it possible for ZENNs to hit the road in Canada.
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Eco Gift List |
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 6 November, 2007: The wedding list service at award-winning green department store Natural Collection has proved so popular, the company has launched the UK's first 'Eco Gift List' service, perfect for any occasion. The company is today also launching its new, improved website to make it easier than ever to shop for ethical and eco-friendly products, from trendy fashions to green  homewares, including eco essentials such as gentle cleaning products. You'll find natural healthcare plus luxurious green bath and beauty products, everything you need for the green garden, and irresistible green gadgets. And of course, plenty of tempting Christmas treats (only 49 days to go).
The navigation and checkout systems are quicker and easier to manage, and a new staff-powered recommendation service helps you mix and match clothing and products. 
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The majority of people said they're concerned about the global environment, believing that humans are severely abusing the planet, with potentially disastrous consequences. They also expressed concern about the finite nature of the earth’s resources. But it seems we're optimists at heart, with widespread belief that it's not too late to do something about climate change. The majority believe individuals must accept responsibility and make lifestyle changes. Still, we're finding plenty of excuses to keep us from changing our behaviour. A common excuse (for around 1/4 of us) is the belief that individual actions make very little difference to climate change in the national and global context. Other reasons included lack of information, lack of time and simply finding it challenging to change habits. Almost half agreed that "any changes I make to help the environment will need to fit into my lifestyle." 
To help you convert to a less harmful lifestyle, try Defra's recently launched CO2 Calculator (left). It helps you calculate your individual impact on the Earth and provides you with a personalised action plan to reduce it. It is the only calculator based on official government data. This week, Defra has also announced it will issue a tender for a bluetongue vaccine bank. “Defra's call to develop a suitable vaccine is a positive step in helping to protect British livestock from this new disease," says Phil Stocker, head of food and farming at The Soil Association.
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Not-so-innocent |
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 4 November, 2007: As of July, it is illegal in the UK to dump waste electrical and electronic equipment in landfill, but you need nerves of steel to hand over a vibrator that's past its thrill-by date. Save your blushes with the Rabbit Amnesty, the world's first sex toy recycling scheme, from adult shopping site LoveHoney. Vibrators returned to LoveHoney are taken to a Designated Collection Facility where they are recycled and treated in an ecologically sound manner. The company has just sent its first tonne of 'overloved' rabbits for recycling. When you recycle a rabbit with Rabbit Amnesty, LoveHoney donates £1 to the World Land Trust, an international conservation organisation that takes direct action to save rainforest and other biologically important lands. It also offers you a 50% discount on a replacement so you can enjoy 'eco-gasms' (their word, not mine).
LoveHoney also uses recycled packaging for shipping its products and makes an annual donation to the World Land Trust to offset the carbon dioxide emissions generated by the company's operations and the shipment of products to the LoveHoney warehouse in Bath. You've gotta love it.
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 4 November, 2007: innocent drinks has become the first company in the world to put its drinks into 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles. Four recipes are currently bottled in 100% recycled PET plastic, and the rest of the range will join from January 2008.
innocent has been working towards this goal for years. In 2000 it started using bottles made from 25% recycled plastic, improving in 2005 to 50% recycled. The 100% target means a 20% reduction in materials and a 55% carbon reduction in terms of manufacturing. It's an impressive step, even for a company known for its shiny green halo. innocent strives to be an ethical purchaser, favouring suppliers approved by independent environmental and social auditors, and paying a premium for fruit from farms with the highest ethical accreditation such as the Rainforest Alliance.
Oh and they're really tasty too, not to mention the all-natural ingredients, with no added sugar, water or concentrates.
For fresh local ingredients, try the Autumn Smoothie, with damsons, blackberries and elderflowers. This is a limited-edition recipe so is only around for a short while, so drink up. Cheers!
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Geberit wins award |
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 2 November, 2007: Awards season is in full swing. Geberit, a leading supplier of sanitary, supply and HDPE drainage systems, has won The Green Supplier of the Year award at the Construction News Green Awards 2007, for demonstrating its commitment to affecting positive change to the environment.  Geberit has been working towards environmental change since the 1990s. HDPE is recommended by Greenpeace as an environmentally friendly alternative to other pipe systems as it consumes less energy during manufacture and transport when compared to cast iron.
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ECOutlet wins Green Award |
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 31 October, 2007: Warm congrats to ECOutlet, which won the Best New Media award at the Green Awards event Friday night for its internet viral campaign Paper Water Light Fart. ( See the list of winners here). Penney Poyzer presented the award, and the judges were smitten. The four films in the series have been downloaded over 30,000 times, passing on the messages about switching to energy-saving light bulbs, using both sides of paper when printing, eating less meat and considering the environmental impact of bottled water. Watch for yourself on ECOutlet's company Blog and dedicated Youtube channel (or below!) If
Ship in a Bottle
Fart: A Film about Meat
Paper
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 31 October, 2007: Eco and ethical site SmartPlanet has just gone live, so have a browse to find the latest news on everything from beauty to business. You'll find fairtrade and eco-friendly Christmas ideas and the latest news on trendy green cars. Join the SmartPlanet group on Facebook to be eligible for fab prizes and giveaways.
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Drumroll please... |
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The winners of the latest prizes from my newsletter are:
Joshua March, Charlotte Borger, Joanna Saady and Scott Woyka. Prizes will be posted next week. I hope you (or someone you love) enjoy the men's grooming products from Aveda. Sign up to my newsletter for your chance to win!
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Speaking of Sarah Beeny... |
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 19 October, 2007: After her ‘ How Toxic are You?’ TV programme last night, you may be looking at your makeup bag a tad suspiciously. She revealed that many beauty products are chock-full of chemicals such as (potentially) hormone-disrupting parabens, and that ubiquitous anti-bacterial soap is actually iniquitous and may be linked to superbugs.
So is it time to let yourself go? Hardly. Just clean up your act, with natural and organic skin and haircare products such as those from Green People. Its beauty buys are free from sodium lauryl/laureth sulphate, parabens, triclosan, propylene glycol, formaldehyde, artificial perfumes and other unnecessary nasties. Slick on this organic lippy, with soothing coconut oil, cupua çu butter, jojoba oil and organic beeswax.
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What's the big idea? |
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 19 October, 2007: That's exactly what NESTA (the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts) wants to know. It's launched the Big Green Challenge, a £1m prize fund for communities across the UK to figure out new ways to tackle climate change. Run over two years, the competition is for groups to develop a totally new invention or find a new way of using existing techniques or technologies. The group with the most imaginative – and proven – approach at the end of the competition will win the lion’s share of the £1m fund.
The initiative has received backing from environmentalists, business and concerned celebs. “Climate change affects everybody, so having a prize that rewards communities and groups for working together to tackle it makes perfect sense,” says Challenge ambassador Sarah Beeny, Channel 4 presenter and property guru.
To enter: Those eligible to enter include groups that are already formed, such as a local branch of the Scouts or a PTA, new groups or those led by not-for-profits or charities. Register your interest at www.biggreenchallenge.org.uk. The competition will be open for initial applications from January to the end of February. Over six months, NESTA and a panel of experts will whittle the entries down to the 100 strongest and then the 10 best ideas. Finalists will then be given a year to put their ideas into practice. Over the next year, short-listed finalists will have to achieve a measurable reduction of carbon dioxide emissions, involve the whole group or community and prove that their ideas can be expanded or copied in a different area or setting. Find out more at Big Green Challenge or ring 0845 850 1122 or write to UnLtd, the Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs, which is working with NESTA to help run the Big Green Challenge at: UnLtd, 123 Whitecross Street, Islington, London EC1Y 8JJ.
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Planes, Trains and Automobiles... and boats! |
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18 October, 2007: According to WWF, all these vehicles should be included in the Climate Change Bill. At the moment, emissions from aeroplanes and boats will not be included. Join the campaign and  send a clear message to your MP (it's easy with their pre-written email) that we must include these emissions if the bill is to have the impact necessary to tackle this problem. To make its point loud and clear, WWF is going to build a giant paper boat and giant paper plane and deliver them to Parliament. They'll be covered in the names of the people who have pledged to support  for the WWF campaign for a strong, effective Climate Change Bill, so make sure you're represented.
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Green News 
6 November, 2007: 
