Is leather green?

As a product, it seems to be- it’s natural, will eventually biodegrade, has a decent lifespan and promotes a culture of natural products, against cheap synthetics which are not bought to last and which often use fossil-based energy or materials to create.
Is its production green? It can be eco-unfriendly when chemicals are used to process it, and farming animals can be harmful to the environment. But chemicals don’t have to be used and farming doesn’t have to be intensive.

Leather is a substance that, as a natural material of durable quality and ancient origins of ritual craft, has regularly intrigued and enchanted this EcoSwitch writer. Synthetic materials- whether they be straps on bags or grip-tape on a cycle’s handlebars- certainly are resistant, but abrasively so- a cut or burn from synthetic fibres sting deeply and seems wholly unnatural; the material will get shabby and unusable without losing its integrity, meaning that it becomes a useless shell; and if and when the item made from synthetic material gets ripped or torn (more the case with less durable synthetics like thin polyester clothing) the thing seems irreparable and as if it has nowhere to go- it wont rot, so what the hell do you do with it?
Leather, on the other hand, doesn’t burn you and wears in naturally. It is strong enough to be stitched (in most cases) and repaired. An old leather belt looks good and feels good. There are other natural materials than leather, of course; but it is a strong and protective fibre. If one has enough green-consciousness, one will keep irrepairable or soiled leather items for some future use, and will not go crazy on purchasing leather items; they will treat each piece of leather as a sacred object (of sorts) and appreciate all the energy, life, craft and time that has gone into each piece. A green-conscious leather-user, then, will exercise respect, care and moderation (one mustn’t forget that over-consumptive non-greens could probably make an environmental crisis occur through the overuse of hemp, or by planting too many trees in the wrong place- the key here is moderation).

Leather, then, seems to have the potential to be as renewable as sustainably produced meat. If organic beef can be cultivated sustainably, with an accreditation system and recognised certification bodies, then the ‘next step’ of extending these systems to the side-product of edible meat doesn’t seem to be an impossible goal. Leather has been used for millennia; think of the heroic characters of Homer’s epics who wore leather circa 1200BC, aside from much more ancient instances (which is not to say that leather production has always been a ‘noble’ trade; aside from perhaps the native Americans, in many civilisations, the trade was considered foul because of the urine and faeces that was used to tan hides).

The fact that leather is most often a by-product makes it seem an efficient and resourceful use of an animal- be it a cow, ostrich or bison; dependent, of course, on the processes and industries that sustain and ultimately kill the animal. The commercial beef industry has been much investigated and rightfully exposed for its many wrongs. Looking at another animal, the ostrich, also highlights the dangers- ostriches were at one point in history hunted almost to extinction, and in the 1700’s were hunted purely for their decorative feathers. Ostrich leather is a highly luxurious item, and is even today used to make handbags for high-class fashion houses- there is, however, a market for ostrich meat, meaning that the frivolities of consumers with disposable incomes has not led, at the present time, to a complete, massive and wasteful hunting of the bird. Naturally-tanned leather, then, gained as a by-product from the sustainable, small-scale farming of animals, will surely appeal to meat-eating greens as an eco-friendly option; with the proviso that such leather items are necessities (this elimnates leather-coated tooth-pick holders, for instance, from the equation), and that a responsible use and purchasing of leather is maintained (buying clothes for life, etc).

Leather can in theory be produced on a small scale, and without ruining land. The analyses of those more thoughtful than this writer have shown that certain animals- e.g. bison- have less of an impact on their environment than cows, the traditional source of our leather: aside from needing less water and grass than cows, bison are said to help till the soil with their sharper feet. Being primarily pastured animals (many cows, in contrast, are kept in cage-like homes) they also fertilise this tilled soil with their waste. Bison are in fact distributed in both North America and Europe (the European species being known as the ‘wisent’); this use of bison would, though, have to be squared with the meat-production of the animal (there would need to be a market for parts of the bison other than its hide to make its farmed life ‘worthwhile’).

Leather can also be produced without hard chemical involvement. Bark tanning was actually a precursor to ‘chrome’ tanning; chrome tanning is an industrial innovation, used because it’s a lot faster than plant-tanning. Amongst many other things, it has been shown in studies to be a human carcinogen when inhaled. The risks for tanning-workers adds to a negative picture of this chemical-intensive process; the chemical tanning of hides also uses fungicides and other aggressive ingredients to preserve the leather.

Natual tanning processes, on the other hand, which use the tannins in plants for the tanning procedure, use only salt water to rid the hide of bacteria. Plant tanning is the ancient precursor to chrome tanning, and was the primary method before chrome came along; it can be found throughout history, whether in early modern western civilisations or, it is speculated, in cultures such as the Egyptian world of 5000BC. Eco-tanneries use sustainably harvested pure plant agents.

If one is an optimist regarding animal farming and its sustainability and small-scale potential- or even if one accepts that people will continue eating meat and therefore feels that the whole animal should be made us of (possibly a controversial position)- then natural leather might well be a material of choice. Plant tanneries and, further down the line, small-scale leather workshops (such as that of Green Shoes, England, mentioned in another article on this site) show that it can be produced effectively without harsh chemical involvement, with low-energy methods and with minimum ecological repercussions when it has finished its use as a serviceable object.

Recycled leather is another issue, and shouldn’t be discussed here; that seems like a no-brainer, seeing as no animals were killed for a second-, third- or fourth-generation item; the ethical issue of wearing dead animal skin is another concern.

Posted under Articles, How To's & Guides, Lifestyle & Fashion

With September nearly at a close and the summer holidays coming to an end, this can mean only one thing dreaded by both child and parent across the country - Back to School Shopping! And, of course, you can expect there to be the inevitable temper tantrum, strop out, tears-before-bedtime scenario; but, kids, be patient with them, they're only adults.

The battlegrounds have been set, the war will be waged, and the cross-fire of what you can and cannot have will surely take its casualties. But here at EcoSwitch, we will help you with the one necessary piece of school kit for any child under any syllabus: the backpack. We've selected a range of eco-friendly school bags that will keep you off of the front line; hopefully have you both agreeing over what is 'cool'; and for that evening, perhaps, allow you to give peace a chance. Here's some of the best of what's out there now:

Pure Sativa Hemp Shoulder Bag - Rucksack., RRP £35.00
The Pure Sativa Hemp Shoulder Bag is a great rucksack. Medium sized (width 27cm; height 30cm) its design incorporates an easy to use drawstring main pocket compartment, with magnetic lock; as well as two accessible pockets with traditional academic styled leather straps and buckle. It comes in black and is available from www.shopeezee.co.uk for £33 inc VAT.

Organic Hemp College Backpack - Natural., RRP £39.00
The eco-friendly Organic Hemp Backpack is a waterproof rucksack made from 100% hemp. It has a more modern appeal; with numerous zippered pockets and dual adjustable straps. It is a good size 17" x 12" x 9" - which is large enough to fit an average laptop inside it. The product can be found online by a US producer based in Chicago, Bean Products. The company has been certified by Green America and goodprint, which will ensure that the product is 'people positive', 'eco positive' and 'animal friendly'. Just remember to offset the real cost of shipping it across seas.

Jute Bag - Reusable Carrier., RRP *prices may vary
Now this is a bag that has got increasingly trendier over the past year or so. Once it would only be seen in the post offices or supermarkets, but now they are literally everywhere. The Jute Bag is essentially a reusable carrier bag designed to hold shopping. But kids, teenagers, adults alike are all using them these days. And at jutebag.co.uk you can even upload your own design onto fairtrade cotton, to give it that extra little touch that makes it all your very own.

Solar Travel Case - Laptop Bag., RRP £69.00
Perhaps the best has been saved till last, that is, of course, for you to decide. But whether you like it or not, the Solar Travel Case, brought to you by Eco Express ($109.99) is at least the most innovative on our list of eco-friendly bags. The case has a central panel, which works in the same way a PV solar cell does, in that it allows you to charge iPods, mobile phones, iPhones and PDAs. It comes with a full range of adapters too. (www.ecoexpress.com)

So whether your wizz-kid needs the most advanced piece of bag engineering, something a little more creative, a bag that's too cool for school, or a nice traditional rucksack; hopefully we've set you well on your way to finding an eco-friendly alternative that, we would like, most children to arrive with on their first day back.

Posted under Articles, How To's & Guides

Books on how to live a more eco-friendly life can tend to be rather laborious and preachy - Do this, Stop that's and Never Never's always seem to prevail. However, instead of the ever-present voice of concern, this collection of top tidbits and clever ways to live a little greener will have you feeling less apologetic for a modern lifestyle and more I never knew that was even possible! So, without further adieu, here some of the top titles for this season

Simply Sustainable Homes - RRP £17.95: Listen up home-owners, renovators and builders! Here is an ABC guide for anyone looking to renovate, upgrade, or build their dream home in an ecologically friendly and sustainable way. This book's simple style gives that hard to digest information in more agreeable bite sized chunks. It reveals the ways in which a sustainable home is one that is manageable and looks to minimise its overall impact on the planet. It advises on some of the most environmentally sustainable materials to build with, the energy ratios used in construction, and the waste predictions (as well as ways to reduce them) for the people living in such homes. Simply Sustainable Homes also shows its readers how to design their very own sustainable home, along with simple explanations of what makes more 'green' sense throughout stages of the build. This book is surely a touchstone for any home enthusiast looking to reduce their impact on his or her surroundings.

Author: Tim Pullen
Publisher: Ovolo Publishing Ltd
Pages: 176

Do It Yourself 12 Volt Solar Power - RRP £9.95: If they say that a good book is the print and page of a great mind, then Do It Yourself certainly offers fantastic testament to its author Michel Daniek. This 45 year old solar-wiz was born in Giessen, Germany. Fifteen years ago, upon reaching his 30th birthday, Michel simply became unhappy with the modern ways of life, bought himself a utility truck and decided to set out in search of alternative ways of living. Experimenting with a small solar system in his truck, it was the start of a long love-affair, and the author of this unique and inspiring book has never looked back!
When you read this book it will soon be apparent that no matter how much you thought you were doing to help the environment, there's always that little bit more possible. Daniek makes doing that bit more somehow more appealing. Written in a fun, colloquial style, Daniek's is a book that shows how anyone out their can suddenly turn around in their life, move far away from a mains power socket, and live a life powered by the sun. What else would we come to expect from a man known to his friends as Solar Michel.

Author: Michel Daniek
Publisher: Permanent Publications
Pages: 128

Don't Throw It, Grow It! - RRP £6.99: Every kitchen seems to have one these days; set up next to the little recycling bin is a even smaller bucket-tub for what can only be described as mulch. Don't Throw It, Grow It! is a great guide all about recycling your mulch (or kitchen produce, as it's universally known) to help feed your new, hungry houseplants. Not only a fantastic thing-to-do with your tiny toddlers and eco-warriors of tomorrow, at the heart of this book is a simple cycle: reducing your waste by feeding your plants that improve your living conditions.
Every corner seems to have been covered. Techniques, maintenance and requirements are all there, as well as how to reduce the common house fly section of the entire experience. There are nearly 70 different varieties of houseplants covered between these pages; vegetables, fruit and nut plants, herbs and spices, as well as your more exotic sprouter. The best thing about it is, as soon as you pick up this little number you can already begin to picture who it is you are going to give it to, before it finds its new home behind the spice rack.

Author: Deborah Peterson & Millicent Selsam
Publisher: Storey Publishing
Pages: 153

Liquid Gold: The Lore and Logic of Using Urine to Grow Plants - RRP £4.95: If living a sustainable life is what this article has grown from, then there is no better place to finish than with human (that's the first person pronoun) waste. It is commonly known that human urine contains most of the nutrients in domestic wastewater (which we are told time and time again to re-use), with less risk of disease. Liquid Gold begins by laying down a brief history of urine, but doesn't bore or stop there - we are whipped off to worldwide landscapes where food is grown, the environment protected, fertilizers reduced, and nutrient cycles fully understood, all thanks to the thematic thread of urine.
This book is utter brilliance! Our author, Carol Steinfeld, projects director for Ecowater Projects, has managed to deliver an enlightening source of sustainability alongside proven profiled gardeners, who are more than happy to share their way withthe world. With a whimsical tone from start to finish (including some very amusing sketches) this book belongs in any household lavatory, but not as toilet humour - as an educational supplement!

Author: Carol Steinfeld
Publisher: Green Books
Pages: 128

Posted under Articles, House & Home, How To's & Guides

Since taking presidency, Barack Obama has both welcomed and promoted the fact that his presidential term might have to right a number of the Bush administration's wrongs; already he has closed Guantanamo Bay, and looked to sanction a peaceful two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine question.

But a number of challenges that Obama faces will be domestic, and reports have today announced that the president intends to review the use of corn-based ethanol as a source for bio fuel production in the US.

Under Pressure

Barack Obama has stated that, when it comes to looking for a genuine programme for reform in his nation's fuel consumption, he will look to science and not politics.

But the political animal is not one that will die easily, and President Obama has seen members of Congress, backed by a number of agricultural companies, place pressure on his administration to continue with corn-based ethanol in bio fuel research and production.

Reports today, however, are indicating that Obama will not back down on his intention to develop greener bio fuel, even if it is at the expense of major agricultural companies or influential congress members.

$1.8bn to be spent

Championed previously as a potential replacement for fossil fuels on a mass scale, bio fuel has come under scrutiny in its production; thought not to produce unnecessary carbon dioxide emissions; it has not been shown, by several studies, to create more carbon dioxide than some fossil fuels, during its conversion process.

Obama, then, has pledged to spend close to $2bn on developing a bio fuel that does not rely on food crops, leading to a projected decrease in carbon emissions.

As a measure, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has suggested that advanced bio fuels should have to meet, as standard, a mark that is at least 50% cleaner than ordinary petrol.

This will take into consideration the carbon emissions produced from conversion of crops for the purposes of bio fuel production.

Principles over Politics

The move, which has met with some criticism, is a bold one, in light of current economic difficulties. Though current ethanol plants will not have to adhere to the criteria immediately, any newly developed plants certainly will, and this will put strong financial demands on the technological development of the industry.

In President Obama, though, the world at large might see a leader who is willing to give clean energy a genuine voice, speaking not just with words, but with deeds.

Source: The Guardian

Posted under Articles, Environmental News, House & Home, How To's & Guides

GLOBAL

As Spinoza once said, 'Man is a social animal.' This is something we keep proving to ourselves through the number of get-togethers around whatever takes our fancy. Even with the financial hardships both nations and individuals are suffering, somtehing we have been 'celebrating' a lot lately is the environment, in one way or the other. Another big event on the environmentally relevant side took place today, on the 22nd of April. Although more of a general back-drop for a string of random and local events rather than the straightforwardly coordinated WWF's Earth a month ago, Earth Day is still a massive thing and in a way the biggest we have. It is definitely, in this context, one of the oldest.

In 1970, when Gaylord Nelson (Democratic Senator from Wisconsin, US) launched Earth Day, he wanted it to be a grassroots demonstration that 'would shake the political establishment out of its lethargy and, finally, force this issue permanently onto the national political agenda.'* 1970 seems so very far back now but it was not just a year of scattered manifestations. Some consider it the year that the environmental movement was born. The Environmental Protection Agency began its work in December that year. But it seems that for most of this time, the environment has been such an easy issue to side-step whenever there was what looked like a bigger or at least more urgent problem at hand, like a recession for example. This is the way it has been since Rachel Carson published Silent Spring in 1962. Some steps forward, some steps back. The first International Earth Day was celebrated in 1990. Two years later the Earth Summit took place in Rio de Janeiro, Agenda 21 took out a new direction and sparked many intiatives like schemes for recycling and so forth. Looking back, one wonders what happened and why we find ourselves here, at this precipice. It would perhaps have been all right had it not been so that our problems, environmental and otherwise, have a nasty tendency not to take the proverbial 'one step back.' They take big, bold and frightening strides forward. One explanation for this could be that there was a lot of rebellion connected to the green movement, disconnecting it from mainstream society. Jed Goldberg, president of Earth Day Canada, says:

So much of the earliest environmental movement was mostly activists, scientists with a smattering of government. People didn't feel part of the green movement. Earth Day has opened the field to people who want to be involved. Canadians are keen to do something but they need someone to help them out and give them some support.*

Things small and big related to the planet happened all over the place. NASA released a suite of pictures taken from space in order to commemorate the day. One of the images included was the first ever, taken in 1960 from the TIROS-1 weather satellite. That one was a fuzzy and monochrome. But those that have followed have helped us understand many things. This kind of photographs of our blue planet, shrouded in light clouds, have made us marvel at both how enormous it is but also, perhaps, lonely and fragile as it floats through space. Also in the US, marking Earth Day, President Barack Obama said that:

The choice we face is not between saving our environment and saving our economy - the choice we face is between prosperity and decline. We can remain the world's leading importer of oil, or we can become the world's leading exporter of clean energy. We can allow climate change to wreak unnatural havoc across the landscape, or we can create jobs working to prevent its worst effects. The [United States] that leads the world in creating new energy sources will be the nation that leads the 21st century global economy.**

The question we need to answer now is if we want 2009 and the next few years to be yet another example of some small steps forward and some backwards sustainability while unsustainability keeps striding along without breaking it's pace. The Obama quote above is tinted with desperation, trying to reconcile economy and ecology to 'solve' this combined crisis. However, both matters are equally pressing and we will need to try and do just that, the sooner the better. Now. Earth Day is every day. Earth Day is now.

.

* Article 'Making Earth Day an eco turning point - Eco Commitment' by Shelagh McNally for Canwest News Service on 22nd of April 2009, read it here.

** Article 'On Earth Day, Obama stresses clean energy' by Foon Rhee on Boston.com on the 22nd of April 2009, read it here.

[Updated on 23rd of April 2009] Actually, on Earth Day Network's Website, there is not much room to take a breather. They are already pushing for Earth Day 2010, something which will actually be the 40th and not just a random . Here is what they say about it:

Now - more than ever - is the time to galvanize and empower individuals to effect meaningful personal changes toward a sustainable future. Earth Day Network is poised to help bring to fruition the domestic and international public's desire to participate, as individuals, in what might become historic advances in climate policy.

The 40th Anniversary of Earth Day in 2010 will be recognized by future generations as a world turning point, and a shift toward global sustainability symbolized by the birth of The Green Generation^TM.

So why wait? Start planning your Earth Day 2010 event or action now, and join The Green Generation^TM!***

Not wanting to wave the flag of cynicism too wildly -and definitely not to focus on petty details when we are talking about big ideas- but why does The Green Generation^TM has to have the Trade Mark ^TM strapped to it? The globalised aspect of the planet's very own day is only natural, it is the corporate side of things that is a bit of a mystery to tell the truth. But having said that, Earth Day has shown to be a day we can gather around. Let us do that next year as well.

*** From Earth Day Network's Website, see it here.

Posted under Environmental News, Events, How To's & Guides

The UK Aware Show at London Olympia was another great success this year. Over 100 green companies and organisations attended, keen to expose the latest green products and services. Most of the stands were full with interested visitors, admiring electric cars, mopeds, scooters, bikes, green energy tariffs and a whole host of other cutting edge green products and services. Over 7,000 visitors attended.

EcoSwitch was on hand to exhibit at stand J11 and took the opportunity to announce the upcoming launch of its Green Lifestyle Guide and Comparison Site. William Worthington of Eco Switch explained:

'There are so many comparison websites out there, so many products, so many companies saying ''we are the greenest or we are the cheapest''. What EcoSwitch seeks to do is provide an independent comparison service that cuts through all of the greenwash.'

In June, visitors will be able visit EcoSwitch.com and compare a variety of products grouped under such categories as green cars, green energy tariffs, ethical money and ethical travel destinations. The green products and services found within each category are then compared by not only price, but also how green the companies and products are. There are answers to questions like: which are the best green cars for my needs? Which are the cheapest? What makes them green? Which Green Electricity tariff should I sign up to power my car and home? Which is the greenest electricity company and why? Will switching really make a difference?

In the Green Energy category, which Tariffs should I choose?

There is a vast difference in the quality of Green Tariffs available and rather than comparing all tariffs on the market, Eco Switch have decided to only price compare companies that source at least 20% of their energy from Renewable Energy. Currently the greenest suppliers include Ecotricity, Good Energy and Green Energy. The remainder of the Energy Companies including EDF, E.On, Scottish Hydro, Southern Electric, Scottish Power, British Gas and NPower (including National Trust Energy Tariffs through NPower) all source less than 10% of their energy from Renewables. They are a long way off achieving the EU target of 20% by 2020. Consumers should therefore consider where they want their money to go - to companies that are only interested in profit or to companies that are balancing making a profit with environmental considerations?

The Really Green and cost effective options

1. Good Energy 100% Renewable Energy Tariff

Good Energy only sell 100% renewable electricity to all customers - which is admirable. In fact, they are the only company in Britain to do this.

They also support microrenewable operations - they will help advise you with the installation of renewables in your home and will buy back the energy at a premium rate. Their strategy is to support distributed generation rather than own and operate large scale renewable plant.

If you want to switch to 100% renewable electricity from Good Energy, you will pay a price premium of around £3 per month depending upon your postal code. Once you are a customer of Good Energy, this premium can actually be offset if you get some of your friends and family signed up to Good Energy. EcoSwitch have arranged a promotion with Good Energy that will add a £10 credit to existing customer's bills, for each friend or family member that clicks on the Good Energy link below and makes the switch. This is simply a thank you for referring them.

If you sign up through Eco Switch, you will also be able to get Gas or 'Renewable Heat' as they call it. This is currently only available to their 25,000 domestic customers or to new customers signing up through Eco Switch. They make the Gas 'renewable' by using the profits from selling gas to pay small scale micro generators a premium for the electricity they produce.

2. Ecotricity New Energy tariff and New Energy Plus Tariff

Ecotricity are currently the only Green Electricity Supplier within the Green Three that match your current suppliers standard tariff with their 'New Energy' deal. This way, it does not need to cost more to go green. In fact, it can be cheaper switching to green energy from Ecotricity if you do it through the current promotion we've agreed with Ecotricity - if you sign up to Ecotricity and stay for more than a year, you will receive a £25 credit on their bill at the end of year 1 - so going green can actually be cheaper.

That being said, how green is this tariff ? Whilst this particular tariff isn't 100% green like Good Energy's, the Company does exceed the Government's 2020 Renewable Obligation as they source more than 20% of their energy from Renewable sources. In fact, they reported around 37% of their overall company energy comes from Renewables. The next set of figures are expected to report around 50%.

Ecotricity do have a 100% Renewable Energy tariff as well - called New Energy Plus. This costs around £2.00 more per month depending upon your current location. So if you really care for the environment, you can view the extra £2.00 as like giving to a good cause. At least you'll feel good at home knowing all of your electricity is 100% clean!

The impressive fact about Ecotricity is how they invest your money. They currently invest around £401 per customer per year back into building macrorenewable wind turbines. This is almost as much as an average electricity bill is each year!  It is no wonder Dale Vince, their founder has won an OBE. As Ecotricity build more and more wind turbines, they plan to phase out the use of Fossil Fuels but this takes time as Planning Permission is required before Turbines can be build.

3. Green Energy UK

They have a pale green tariff and a deep green tariff. The Deep Green comes from 100% Renewable sources and the Pale Green is derived predominantly from CHP. CHP does emit a small amount of Carbon Dioxide, but the Generators have been awarded accreditation by the regulator, Ofgem for producing cleaner, more environmentally friendly power. In 2008, Green Energy reported that 32% of energy sourced for its customers came from Renewables.

In terms of pricing Green Energy vary according to your postal code, as do the other providers. You can expect to pay a slight price premium of around £3 more per month.

Green Energy are unique as they offer a shareholders' scheme where the first 100,000 customers get shares in the Company as long as they remain a customer of the company for at least three years. This is designed to reward those that remain loyal. Any customer that signs up through Eco Switch will also receive an Eco Kettle from Green Energy to help cut your consumption.

Will my switching really make a difference? I hear China are building one coal fired power station a week?

Whilst we can all blame industry, it is us as consumers that keep industry going! So by switching to green, it will send the message to the power stations that we no longer need dirty energy. Power stations in the UK contribute a massive 33% of all Carbon Dioxide emissions. Switching to a green electricity company/tariff is the single biggest thing you can do to start minimising your Carbon Footprint.

At UK Aware, the Big Issue also had a stand and their latest issue identified the importance of each one of us switching:

'In the UK we only need around 1% of homes to change to green energy tariffs to push demand beyond supply and rapidly improve the energy market's commitment to renewable power generation forever. Nearly half the homes in the UK can save money by changing to green energy tariffs, with the average home slashing 2 Tonnes/year off the CO2 footprint'.

There are some interesting facts about how much CO2 is saved by switching to a 100% Renewable Tariff which proves how much of an impact each of us switching actually has. Switching to a 100% renewable tariff saves about 2 TONNES of Co2 which is the equivalent of:

* enough gas to fill 2 olympic sized swimming pools

* the amount of CO2 emitted by the average car each winter

* is the equivalent of 1/3 of the annual CO2 footprint from each of our houses in the UK.

So for all those who love the environment as much as we do, switching only takes 3 minutes, if that...and it is free to do and there is no hassle involved. The only difference is the name on the top of the bill, the price at the bottom and the massive reduction in your Carbon footprint (up to 33%). To enquire and/or switch follow the link you are interested in:

Ecotricity

Good Energy

Green Energy UK

Posted under Environmental News, Gas & Electricity, How To's & Guides, Renewable Energy

Apart from the obvious health benefits, the humble bike - along with the ever-increasing add-ons now available - has become the vehicle of choice for many commuters and travellers. For The Cycling Gardeners it is more than that!

As the cost of fuel yo-yos from week to week and environmental reports continue to confirm that humans are leaving a bigger and more damaging footprint on the earth than perhaps they should, many small businesses are reaping the benefits of using alternative ways of operating. As just one example, The Cycling Gardeners have established strong business models that operate within well-defined ethical guidelines. With fuel and oil-dependency in mind, they run their small businesses using the very-renewable pedal power! As most people these days will be well aware, there are a huge number of trailers available for push-bikes - from the brightly coloured kiddy-carriers that weave in and out of slowed-down morning traffic, to the more rugged outdoor types, that provide ample space for weekends away in the hills. The Cycling Gardeners have adapted their trailers to serve as tool-transporting, compost-carrying vehicles that put strain on the calves and hamstrings, and not the local environment.

But why is this important?

As science, politics and popular opinion all move closer to the collective realisation and acceptance of the very big environmental questions facing us all, we need to find the alternatives; to do the same things, to do new things - but in different ways.

Why not look into ways of ditching your business car, for a business bike? Start a new revolution!

You can find Norwich's Cycling Gardener on film and a link here for Brighton's. More ideas for trailers can be found at Carry Freedom

Posted under Cars & Transport, Climate, Corporate, EcoWarriors, Environmental News, Gardening & Outdoors, Gas & Electricity, How To's & Guides, Renewable Energy

UNITED KINGDOM

This Wednesday, the 25th of February, The Economist Magazine is hosting the 2009 Sustainability Summit at The Dorchester, London. What is it about? The Syntao.com website for Corporate Responsibility in Business and Investment sums it up neatly as follows:

The 2009 Sustainability Summit: A new climate change. Responsible and effective carbon-footprint across borders is the best way of accessing the leaders in sustainability, exploring the measures they've taken, and learning from their successes. Are you fully aware of new legislation on corporate social responsibility? Would you like to cut costs while improving quality with refined and effective sustainable practices? Are you using your PR effectively to gain competitive edge in the global business landscape? Economist Conferences' Sustainability Summit 2009 has the answers to these questions and more. *

Leading decision-makers and those of influence are congregating at the Dorchester in London this Wednesday 25th February to attend the latest Sustainability Summit, organised by Economist Conferences. The summit will teach companies how to save money and be green at the same time. The current economic climate and environmental urgencies make it a singularly relevant event to attend for the targeted audience. It will cover topics including:

• Global warming and its implications for corporate strategy
• New legislation on CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility)
• Ways to cut costs while improving quality with refined sustainable practices
• Using your PR to gain a competitive-edge in the global business landscape-'being seen to be green'
• Gain access to the latest thought, insight and strategies gathered from a survey of 500 senior corporate executives - conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit.
• How to apply these insights and strategies immediately within your own environment.
• Network with expert strategists and meet peers across industry and commerce.
• Join the global network of leaders and be at the forefront implementing effective business practices.

Leaders within the business community will be out in full force and a number of them will also be speaking. Some of those that are expected to attend include:

Jat Sahota Head of Corporate Responsibility, J Sainsbury
Mike Barry Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Marks & Spencer
Peter Brabeck-Letmathe Chairman, Nestlé
David North Community and Government Director, Tesco
Peter Clarke Executive Director, The British Land Corporation
Chris Burgess Director of Corporate Responsibility, Vodafone
David Nussbaum Chief Executive, WWF UK
Leigh Hudson Environment Manager, British Airways
James Whittingham Group Environment Manager, TUI Travel
Philippe Maso y Guell Rivet Chief Executive, AXA
Mark Williamson Director of Innovations, The Carbon Trust
James Smith Chairman, Shell UK
Jos Delbeke Director General, European Commission
Richard Sharman Partner Head of Carbon Advisory Group, KPMG
Jonson Cox Group Chief Executive, Anglian Water Group
Colin Matthews Chief Executive Officer, BAA
Alan Barclay Governance Director, Diageo
Neil Carson Chief Executive, Johnson Matthey
Ian Cheshire Chief Executive, Kingfisher
Alexander Nicoll Director of Corporate Responsibility, Liberty International
Anders Linde Director External Environmental Affairs, Rexam
Professor Stephen Hopper Director, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Peter Maier Senior Vice-president, Industry & Suite Solution Marketing, SAP
Noel Morrin Senior Vice-president Sustainability, Skanska
Ignacio Campino Sustainability and Climate Change Board of Management, Deutsche Telekom
Paul Edwards Head of Sustainability, Hammerson
James Watson Senior Editor, Economist Intelligence Unit

The 2009 Sustainability Summit is this Wednesday and is a must for any business serious about implementing the latest green strategies, cutting costs and fighting climate change.

If you wish to attend, the standard cost is £971.75 (including VAT) per delegate however if a team of two book at the same time, the cost is circa £805. There is also a saving of up to 15% off the full standard delegate fee for Economist subscribers who quote ‘ECON' in all correspondence.

To register you can do so online at www.thesustainabilitysummit.com or telephone +44 (0) 20 7576 8118 for further information or click here to read more and register.

EcoSwitch will attend the event, sending CEO William Worthington and reporter Trisha Gukhool.

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* Read full post on Syntao.com here.

Posted under Companies, Corporate, Environmental News, Events, How To's & Guides, Press Releases

UNITED STATES

The following quote is the first paragraph from the introduction in an academic paper, presented in January this year, by Eric Pooley. A former managing editor of Fortune and a writer for Time magazine and who spent his fall semester at Harvard, he has written a very accessible report with the title: How Much Would You Pay to Save the Planet?

Suppose our leading scientists discovered that a meteor, hurtling toward the earth, was set to strike later this century; the governments of the world had less than ten years to divert or destroy it. How would news organizations cover this story? Even in an era of financial distress, they would throw teams of reporters at it and give them the resources needed to follow it in extraordinary depth and detail. After all, the race to stop the meteor would be the story of the century. When it comes to global climate change, it is sometimes said that we are the meteor.

Pooley is of course right when he goes on to said that the metaphor is flawed. But it is true enough. Averting or stopping climate change has now been ruled out; the 'meteor' will come close enough to heavily affect the planet. Everyone would accept that 'mitigating' a meteor would take some very determined and collective, across the board action just as our current predicament and that there would not be a single day to lose talking about who and why. Poole quotes from the director of the Environmental Defence Fund Peter Goldmark, saying, 'It took ten years to get to the point where it was accepted that there were not two equally valid sides to climate science. [..] We are at the beginning of a new debate and we don't have ten years to get this one right.'

Who remembers Wag the Dog, the 1997 film by Barry Levinson, with Dustin Hoffman helping Robert De Niro stage a fake war to cover up some sort love affair? It was produced and screened on cinemas during the Clinton-Lewinsky marathon in the Medias. Was there perhaps a really dirty war going on somewhere that needed to be covered-up by a presidential love-affair? The manipulation of the media is not a privilege of high office and sometimes the reporters, inadvertently of wilfully, do it to themselves. What Eric Pooley is investigating is how media in general deals with climate change and more specifically how environmental journalists has been covering the climate change debate in connection to a Senate bill. He writes:

In the first six months of 2008, as the Lieberman-Warner bill approached the Senate floor, the oil and coal industries spent $427 million on advertising and lobbying. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, another opponent of mandatory C02 reductions, held a series of "Climate Change Dialogues" around the country [...] The coal lobby prepared a TV spot warning that without cheap, high-carbon fuel, "We may have to say ‘goodbye' to the American way of life we all know and love.

The battle over the truth of climate science is now to all effects over: almost everyone accepts that, yes, the earth is warming and yes, man is a major contributor and yes, decarbonising our society is necessary. The lobby has moved on from discrediting science to pushing the panic button of economic distress and the financial crisis, pitching those against environmental action. Faulty science was given equal weight in the name of impartial and non-biased journalist practice and flawed economics are now granted the same privilege. High-lighting short-term costs, for example higher electricity and petrol prices, the costs of greatly increased societal disruption are often left out of the story. Further on Pooley says, 'This is the great political test, and the great story, of our time. But news organizations have not been treating it that way. [...] The press failed to perform the basic service of making climate policy and its economic impact understandable to the reader and allowed opponents of climate action to set the terms of the cost debate.' The end-result is biased by default if for example the reporter accepts assumptions that doing nothing about climate change carries no or little cost.

The role of level-headed, serious reporting on the politics of climate change -where legislation, economy and environmental details all come in the way of one another and makes difficult the understanding the big picture- is stressed over and over in Pooley's text and he applauds the new environmental unit of the New York Times where eight expert reporters are assembled. It remains to be seen what news are fit to print.

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All quotes come from Eric Pooley's paper how much would you pay to save the Planet?

The American Press and the Economics of Climate Change.

Download/read the full text here

Leif Ahnland

Posted under Climate, Corporate, Environmental News, How To's & Guides

SCOTLAND

Tomorrow, the 6th of February, Dundee Sun City Conference of 2009 opens - with a mix of interesting speakers and workshops with networking opportunities. What is called 'a fair and local conference dinner with eco-entertainment' is held in the Scottish city of Dundee that in partnership with the association Solar Cities Scotland [SCS] has adopted the sun as the future of energy. Offered a Sustainable Action Grant of between £26,000 and £39,000 by the Scottish Government, SCS have created the Dundee Sun City project. SCS was established in 2003 to

1. advance the education of the public concerning renewable energy and energy efficiency through a programme of training, publishing, demonstration projects, seminars and any other means for providing public knowledge and information
2. encourage and participate in research and development in renewable energy for the public benefit.
3. conserve and protect the physical and natural environment through the promotion of sustainable energy practices.

These three points are all present in the Dundee conference which is part of  the 'participative awareness-raising campaign' to foster changes in habits and outlook while creating a collective responsibility towards energy efficiency and renewable energy. The result is an urban community 'that aims to develop a strategic approach to maximise use of renewable energy technologies, in conjunction with improved building thermal performance and carbon emissions reductions from the built environment.' Aha. Aiming to develop a strategic approach is nothing for the weak of will power. But in Scotland it seems to work. The UK's first eco-store opened on Hope Street in Glasgow ages ago and in Dundee there is more than just round table discussions.

The public is encouraged to get involved and come up with ways in which they can reduce building energy use, developing an approach which can be adapted and promoted to other communities throughout Scotland. The campaign was publicly launched in April 2007. A problem with some of these initiatives is when they are too well made. One or two features of the Dundee Sun City website catch the eye. First is the online footprint calculator. 944 households have until today completed a full carbon footprint audit. Still far from the initial target of 5000, the numbers are valid. Annually, these almost one thousand homes total an estimated energy use of 34,971,042.90 kWh and emissions of 36,027.04 metric tonnes. The site also tracks the impact of renewables in the Dundee inner city area. 414,530.60 kWh have been generated from wind, solar, hydroelectric and through which only 172.35 tonnes per year were offset, approximately 5 houses worth. Which could have been pretty good. But the problem is that more than half, 87.8 tonnes, comes from Green energy tariffs. What have we learnt? That three years of government funded and highly targetted campaigning in a well-defined and local context seems not to have achieved very much at all. Or is something coming about?

Literally constructive and very much more to the point is this very interesting and welcome ingredient Dundee does add to the green building debate: the Sun City House. Where the clever twist is? It is not a new build. Instead it is a major refurbishment and remodelling of a poorly constructed and thermally inefficient janitors house built in the 1960s. It is intended to function as a 'showroom for technologies, materials and methods of construction that can be retrofitted to existing housing stock, where the major challenge lies in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the domestic sector in the UK.' We do not need the latest and most eco-friendly alternative of every category of our consumption checklist. We need to understand how we can adapt both our houses and our lifestyles to a changing world. This is one of the lessons that Dundee Sun City Conference 2009 has in store for its participants.

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Visit the Dundee Sun City web site here.

See the Scottish Government's page on Solar Cities Scotland here.

Leif Ahnland

Posted under Environmental News, Gas & Electricity, How To's & Guides