I’ve just signed up to the website One Hundred Months which provides a monthly action on helping tackle climate change.

Backed by organisations including Greenpeace, www.ecotopia.co.uk and the good old WI!, it’s based on the conclusion that even using cautious calculations, we have only one hundred months before we pass the climate’s ‘tipping point’ - the point of no return - where the chance to tackle global warming could be far beyond our reach.

The site gives you month by month guidance on doing your bit. The first action is to invite others to join so click here http://onehundredmonths.org/

For more info... read the guardian article http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/aug/01/climatechange.carbonemissions

tea and coffee

I love filtered coffee and drink copious amounts of the stuff along with my 5 cups of tea a day - fairtrade of course. I have been digging around the internet to see what i can do with leftover coffee grains and tea bags.

First, if you're a tea lover it's better to buy loose-leaf tea or tea bags without strings. Used tea bags can be recycled as compost as can coffee grains. These can be put straight on to the garden or into plant pots

Tea is also good for the skin. Before you recycle it, you can put a tea bag on your face. It can make your skin fresh and even smooth.

Find food local to you

Find the very best local produce with River Cottage & Free Range Review. Join THE local food community to discover, review, add and discuss your fave foodie places. Remember to vote for your favourite Glos outlets

I love this gadget

Firewinder is a decorative, 100% wind-powered outdoor light which harnesses the power of the wind from whichever direction it blows, to create a simple yet magical visual effect with a universal appeal. Easy to install, you simply mount it on a tree in your garden, on your roof terrace or attach to a post or wall and watch it light up and glow every time the wind blows! Firewinder magically breathes with the wind - in low winds the lights shine with a dim intensity and as wind speeds increase, the faster it spins and the brighter it shines, creating a pulsing, twisting glow in varying and inconsistent wind speeds. http://www.ecotopia.co.uk/product/140/dd0147/firewinder.html

I so want one!!

Green Electricity

What is Green Electricity?

'Green electricity' means electricity produced from sources which do not cause negative impacts upon the environment. Of course, every type of electricity generation will have some impact, but some sources are much greener than others. The cleanest energy sources are those which utilise the natural energy flows of the Earth. These are usually known as renewable energy sources, because they will never run out.

Green electrical companies such as Ecotricity harness power from natural sources, like the wind power, the sun (solar power) and water (wave), that don't pollute and don't contribute to climate change.

Deep green electricity sources

As mentioned previously, Green electricity is harnessed from natural sources, like the wind, the sun and water, that don't pollute and don't contribute to climate change. We call these Deep Green, because they're the ultimate in clean electricity generation. They don't involve any burning and offer a pollution-free, endless source of electricity.

Pale green electricity

There are other sources of green electricity. We call these Pale Green, because in most cases they involve some form of burning and there is some associated environmental impact. Examples of Pale Green sources include sewage, landfill gas and biomass. The first two provide a non-intermittent and comparatively cheap source of power and in most cases enable significant greenhouse gas savings compared to conventional sources. Pale Green sources helped Ecotricity to kick start the UK's green electricity market place and to get them where they are today, but they are no longer a feature of our generation. Our focus is on building new Deep Green capacity: the most important factor in reducing the threat of climate change.

The future of green electricity

Creating new Deep Green energy sources is crucial in the fight against climate change. This will mean a significant boost to green electricity capacity in the UK and will have a major positive impact on the environment; reducing Carbon Dioxide, other gas emissions and pollution. Every unit of green electricity that is made directly replaces electricity normally generated from conventional polluting sources.
Green Electricity Policies

Green Electricty companies should adhere to the following standards when it comes to their policies:

Increase the use of green electricity.

Minimise energy use wherever possible. Continual improvement on environmental issues where economically feasible.

Control the activities of the company to minimise risk of pollution to the environment.

Minimise the production of waste where possible and any disposal of waste produced will be carried out with due care for the environment.

Minimise the use of new products where other recycled materials are a suitable substitute.

Make every effort to ensure that where waste materials or products can be recycled they are recycled in an environmentally responsible way in order to conserve resources.

Be a responsible employer and neighbour.

Ensure that all employees carry out their duties in line with the above statement and, through training, are aware of their obligations.

Minimise the use of mobile phones and monitor existing use.

Ensure that our operations comply with or exceed current legislation and other relevant requirements

Cleaner home, cleaner Environment

With increasing emphasis in the media on climate change and the way in which we pollute our planet, environmentally friendly consumers i welcome Ecotopia’s move to increase accessibility to quality, natural household cleaning products.

The online ethical shop is a specialist supplier of Ecover products and is now the cheapest internet source of all Ecover branded items.

Many householders are unaware that the chemicals they use for washing their dishes, clothes and home can leave harmful residues, or contain petrochemicals which do not biodegrade once they have been thrown away,” says Ecotopia director, Steve Jones. “The government estimates that in, around 100 million tonnes of household waste is produced annually. Most of this waste is not recycled, ending up instead in landfill sites. This generates methane as it biodegrades which then adds to harmful greenhouse gases polluting the atmosphere.”

Ecotopia supplies a huge range of innovative, ethical products which can be easily incorporated into everyday life. Actively promoting a lifestyle which produces less impact on the environment, the emphasis is on hip not hippy. “Along with products such as the recycled car tyre mouse mats and bamboo screen computer monitors, the Ecover range is a fresh and fun way to do your bit for the environment,” adds Jones. “ Ecover shower gels and Ecover hand soaps are kind to the planet and to skin, making use of natural ingredients like lemon and Aloe Vera. Not only do Ecover products not cost the earth, they actually smell nice too!”

All Ecotopia Ecover products contain plant extracts instead of chemicals and are sold in 100% recyclable containers. To encourage consumers to make a commitment to creating healthier homes, all ordesr over £100 are delivered free of charge.
Find out more and order online at http://www.ecotopia.co.uk