Just a quick note to let you know that the BBCs Thread Fashion Competition closes in less than seven days. If you haven’t got your entry in yet get going!! You can check out some of the entries by following this link http://www.bbc.co.uk/thread/stylesearch/gallery/index.shtml?gallerypage=01
Let us know what you think!
As some of you may be aware the UK government appears to see that building new coal fired power stations are the answer to the energy gap. This has put the back up of many environmentalists. In a letter to the Sunday Times Robin Webster of Friends of the Earth, Ruth Davis of the RSPB, Keith Allcott of WWF UK and Robin Oakley of Greenpeace UK voiced their opinion.
They point out that the Royal Society, the House of Commons environmental audit committee, both main opposition parties and the world’s leading climate change scientists have argued against new coal power stations. The authors ask that renewable energy should be used to secure our energy and cut our carbon emissions. We have already seen how the UK is dependent on coal, oil and gas from other countries so it is important that as an island we are more self sufficient with our energy.
The letter goes on to show that a study by Poyry an energy analyst firm outlines that if the government delivers on its existent commitments for energy efficiency and renewable energy then no new coal or gas stations are needed even on days with wind. Seems slightly odd then that they would want to build more coal powered stations. What is the theory behind this?
Lastly the writers point out that the government has a stark choice to make- they either ‘push ahead with coal fueled power stations in the face of opposition or they can deliver on efficiency by building a sustainable, thriving, renewable energy industry for Britain.’ We know which way we want them to go…..
The French designer Phillipe Starck has turned from more mainstream design to designing items to help the environment. It would be fair to say he has gone green and has even described his previous work as ‘unnecessary.’
Starck is known for his iconic designs for everything from juicers to hotels. His focus is now on the environment and Ethical and Green think he is going to have a huge impact. Next year Britain will see the launch of a designer wind turbine. We’ll take their word for it that it is in fact a wind turbine as it doesn’t have the classic design that is more windmill-esque! In fact it looks like something that you could easily have in your garden and make a feature of. The best thing about the turbine is that it will extremely cheap at £400. Even better is the fact that it can provide a small house with around 60% of the power needed for heat and light. Light at the end of the rising costs of fuel? Critics think you will need five of Starck’s turbines but time will tell…..
Other designs Starck has for the environment are solar panels, a hydrogen powered boat, ab eco-moped an eco house and an electric car. With Nissan and Mercedes launching electric cars we’ll have to see how popular Starck’s car will be.
As some observers have commented the wind turbine may help cut your carbon footprint long term but what is the carbon footprint of making it? The design is good but what about the materials? Where are they sourced from? Possibly then it won’t be the most ethical and green wind turbine out there. In fact you will most probably find that it will appeal to those who are fair weather greens and do it more as it’s popular as opposed to being truly eco-conscious.
Fed up of your kitchen looking a mess because of separating your recycling? Looking for a compartment recycling bin? Then look no further as Ethical and Green are reviewing some rather nice compartment recycling bins. True, they might not be the most exciting product out there but they are very practical.
One of the best ones is the 11L Trento Oko Recycling bin that has three compartments. So that’s one for plastic, one for glass and one for tins. This one retails for £49.95.
However 11L is quite small so if you want something bigger and a bit more trendy looking why not check out the Trio Recycling bin that again has three compartments but holds 20L. Better for a large family but has a large price tag at £109.95. Think about saving the environment. Trio also do a circular recycling bin if you don’t have the space for a rectangular one. The circular one is also chrome and have three compartments.
All these bins are available at Ethical Superstore. Follow the signs…..
Alternatively check out Convert Recycling bins that are more affordable and can be stacked on top of each other therefore saving space. Each unit has a 37L capacity. Cool! Check out Nigel’s Eco Store for these, they are a snip at £16.99. Check the website out at www.nigelsecostore.com
Yes folks that’s right- Paris Hilton has launched a campaign to be the next US President….Well sort of…..The US comedy website Funny or Die has commissioned a spoof advert for Paris’ Presidential campaign. It is intended as a hit back against the Republican presidential candidate John McCain who recently compared Barack Obama with Paris and Britney by suggesting he is more of a celebrity candidate.
Paris Hilton wears minimal clothing in the advert (sorry boys no picture of that.) In fact to be accurate she wears only a swimsuit! Her slogan is not to bring about change but to ‘be hot.’ With regard to the environment Paris says she will become ‘a hybrid of both candidates’ to reduce CO2 emissions and solve the energy crisis. She also promises ‘limited offshore drilling with strict environmental oversight, whilst creating tax incentives to get Detroit making hybrid and electric cars.’ Go Paris!! She’s also thinking of having Rihanna as Vice President.
So there we go America…If you want to vote hot, vote Paris! Good luck world!!
On a more serious note should someone as high profile as Paris be making a joke out of such important issues like the environment? Could she have used this video to make a serious point about going green? Thoughts on a postcard…
Those of us who are interested in buying ethical and green products will no doubt have noticed that more and more online shops are popping up. This can only be good news for the environment. One of the latest green online shops is Big Green Smile.
Big Green Smile sell a wide range of green, ethical, recycled and eco-friendly products. Their unique selling point is that they offer the largest range of water saving products in the UK. Great if you are on a water meter!!
We checked out the site and found it easy to navigate and packed with lots of info on how to go green and reduce your carbon footprint. We liked the eco MP3 player but are not sure if it will give the iPod a run for it’s money just yet. Perhaps we’ll have to buy one and give it a go!
BigGreenSmile.com work closely with their suppliers to ensure that all products are the most environmentally friendly of their type on the market. They also have a wide selection of products in almost all categories you can think of. As BigGreenSmile.com Director Nicholas Buhler says ‘The site allows people to make small changes in the way they shop so they can help protect our planet’ which is a fab outlook.
So if you are interested in checking out the site the address is www.biggreensmile.com It’s worth looking at as there are some tips to help save money in the credit crunch as well as saving the planet.
We have just heard about an interesting competition run by BBC Thread. Unfortunately my fashion design skills are non-existant or else I’d be having a go. Check out the details below:
The Search is on!
BBC Thread is looking to put your style on trial.
Can you set the trend for ethical fashion this summer?
If you think you have what it takes, check out BBC Thread’s Style Search competition.
www.bbc.co.uk/thread/stylesearch
You could win a day with a catwalk stylist, assisting with the styling of the Thread fashion show at London Fashion Week!
Style Search is now open for entries and works like this:
1. You upload a digital photo of an ethical fashion outfit styled by you to the Style Search website (www.bbc.co.uk/thread/stylesearch)
2. A panel of fashion experts cast their eye over it.
3. If it’s eco-fabulous enough, you get to go to London Fashion Week.
Simple. Get styling!
Applications close on 26th August 2008-07-03 Entrants must be aged 16 or over.
All finalists will need to be available between 14-21st September 2008 to take up the prize.
Sounds like fun. Who knows where it may lead!!
When we go through companies going green we often talk about what measure companies are taking to go carbon neutral. However, with Sky there is no need to do this. This is because Sky is the first media company in the world to be totally carbon neutral. That’s right since 2006 Sky has no carbon footprint to speak of!! They did this with the help of a company called Carbon Neutral who are helping companies all over the world become carbon neutral.
It doesn’t stop there. Sky are also committed to helping their customers live more sustainably. They are doing this by using the medium of TV by increasing the number of environmental programmes they show. Sky engineers also gave customers energy efficient light bulbs when they installed various Sky products.
You can also download Sky’s Rough Guide to Saving Energy and Reducing Your Carbon Footprint which shows you how to go carbon neutral and save money. There are more ways in which the company is helping the environment which you can find by visiting their website.
It’s good to see a company like Sky using their medium of TV and advertising to do something positive for the environment. It’s even better that they are setting a good example by being completely carbon neutral and still striving to do more. This makes me feel a lot better now when I sit down to watch TV using Sky Plus. Not only is Sky Plus (in my opinion) one of the best inventions it is also guilt free now I know Sky is carbon neutral. The fact you can also get broadband from Sky and do online shopping, therefore reducing your personal carbon footprint is even better.
If you want to sign up to Sky in an effort to reduce your carbon footprint and get Sky Digital TV, Broadband, Phone for £26, order online!
Who else thinks that the bag shown above is a thing of beauty? It is made by one of my favourite designers Cath Kidston and is in her trademark spotty design and are on sale at Tesco.
There are many other wonderful features about this bag including the fact that it is made out of nine recycled 500ml bottles. Even better 50p from each bag sold goes to the Marie Curie Cancer Care. No profit goes to either Tesco or Cat Kidston and you can earn green Clubcard points when you use it.
Aside from their style, ethical and green credentials and charitable donations the bags are a mere snip at £3.50 which make them possible the cheapest Cath Kidston bags you will ever own!
So go on and buy yourself one. Not only will you look stylish but you’ll also be helping save the planet by recycling, going carbon neutral and donating money to charity. Can life get any better? Get yours here.
We have been showing how ethical and green issues have become more mainstream over the last two years. We have looked at green cars, green mobile phones, ethical fashion, eco-clubbing and now bring you ethical and green condoms! Yes that’s right- if you want to life a completely ethical and green life there are now even certain condoms you can use.
French Letter condoms are made by Fair Deal Trading ho guarantee higher wages and better working conditions for rubber tappers in South Asia. Fair Deal Trading originally brought Fairtrade footballs to the UK but have expanded into different avenues…..
So are their condoms safe? Yes they are! French Letter condoms are kitemarked by the BSI and are CE marked. This means that they meet all the standards.
There we have it- no excuses for not living an ethical and green life! Enjoy!
French Letter condoms can be bought from Ethical Superstore by clicking the image below.
