Issue 13 July / August 2009
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Welcome to Issue 13 of Ethical Living, our July/August 2009 issue. With this issue we are celebrating our 2nd birthday and have been looking back at the ups and downs of the environmental movement during that time. There certainly seems to have been an increasing number of you taking steps to make your lives more environmentally friendly over this time and it’s heartening to read all of your emails and letters telling us how you are improving your green credentials. We hope that we’ve also been improving and we’d like to take this opportunity to say a huge THANK YOU to all of you, our readers, for your support over the past two years. And extra thanks to everyone who completed our reader survey, giving us suggestions for things you’d like to see in future issues of Ethical Living. We’ve been busy planning how to put some of these ideas into practice and as a result have lots of exciting things to add over the coming issues. Start by taking a look at our new, regular family favourites section, which for this issue has ideas for keeping your kids entertained over the summer months. Please keep your letters coming in. We do enjoy hearing your stories about how together we are all making a positive difference. Happy reading!
Kim Marks Editor
Editor Kim Marks editor@ethical-living.org Published 6 times a year by Ethical Publishing Limited, PO Box 282, Stamford, PE9 9BW
Editorial contributors Sioned Bannister, Alison Bayne, Sarah Callard, Kate Davidson, Ellie Garwood, Andy Hamilton, Bernard Jarman, Sarah Lewis, Jaimie MacDonald, Bish Muir, Nicky Solloway
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Mellow Yellow Add some sunshine to your wardrobe
Letters, News and Events Features 07
08 The Age of Eco-Innovation
Will technology save us? Ellie Garwood investgates what developments are on the horizon to make a greener future
12 Rags and Riches
Sarah Lewis takes a close look at the not so stylish world of fashion and finds out if ethical clothing can cut its own cloth
16 Vitality Through Biodynamic Growing
Stepping beyond the organic, Bernard Jarman reveals what biodynamic growing is all about and how it can add vitality to your food
Home and Garden 20 Recycling on Allotments
From used tyres to old boats, Andy Hamilton finds that there is no end to the things you can recycle on your plot
24 Bring it to the Table
The latest ethical dining accessories and table ware to delight your dinner guests
Health and Beauty 26 Bathroom Cabinet Secrets
Kate Davidson let Lush into her bathroom to see how her beauty products scrub up
30 Review of Natural Deodorants
Smell like roses all day long without the chemicals and other nasties
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Competitions 33 Subscription Offer Fashion 34 Mellow Yellow
Add to splash of sunshine to your wardrobe with the latest ethical fashions in yellow
39 Belt up!
Ethical belts to finish off that outfit in style
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Credit Crunch Munch Quick and easy recipes for your leftovers
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Bathroom Secrets What’s lurking in the back of your cabinet?
Food and Drink
Finance and Work
40 What’s In Season
56 Ethical Business Funding
42 Credit Crunch Munch
Quick and easy recipes from the Use-it-All Cookbook show us how to make leftovers tasty
47 Happy Hampers
It’s no picnic without one of these gorgeous fairtrade and organic hampers
Family 48 The Green Birthday Party
How to throw your child a responsible party and have a rare old time
With the recession spawning new ethical startups, we look into those who fund our future
Leisure 60 How to...
,,,make recycled jewellery
62
Reviews
The latest ethical books and music
Ethical Marketplace 66 Ethical Advice 64
51 Family favourites
News and reviews for your family summer
Travel 52 Take a Walk on the Wild Side
We get up close and personal with native UK wildlife with trips for all the family
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Letters al
Li vi n g
My idea for a Chic and Cheerful Evening combines credit crunching, fund-raising and a chance to catch up with friends. It’s a perfect excuse to have a clear out too. Homemade invitations are sent (preferably by e-mail) to all your friends inviting them to a Chic and Cheerful Evening at your home. It’s £5 to get in, which includes a glass of Fairtrade wine and nibbles. Each invitee also donates items of clothing which can be sold for £2. Handbags, belts and jewellery are also welcome. As guests arrive, the items are placed in the middle of the room and sold. Don’t ask the price - everything is £2. Super sociable evening, everyone goes home with a bargain - and there’s a charitable donation to a good cause at the end. - Sue Sherman, Northampton Congratulations Sue! As our winning letter writer, you’ve won 6 bottles of wine from Stellar Organics
Events
Cllr. Rupert Read, Norwich City Councillor and prospective Green Party MEP for the East of England
If you’d like to tell us about a green idea you’ve had or eco-experience you’ve enjoyed, write to us at Ethical Living, PO Box 282, Stamford, PE9 9BW or by email to editor@ethical-living.org
11 - 12 Cherry Festival An exciting and fun family day out celebrating the fruits in season. – www.brogdalecollections.co.uk
July 05 - 11 Alzheimer’s Awareness Week To raise public awareness and understanding about dementia, its causes and the impact that it has on people. – www.alzheimers.org.uk 06 - 12 Children’s Art Day An opportunity for children to sample and enjoy the wide range of visual arts. – www.engage.org 11 World Population Day Inaugurated in 1988 by the UN Population Fund to mark 11 July, 1987, when the world’s population hit five billion. – www.unfpa.org/wpd
helpful article The truth about eco-towns (March/ April). You are quite right: every town should be an eco-town. Every existing town should make that transition, not just a handful of new towns. Let me give an example to back up the worry that eco-towns may be far from being truly green: One of the Government’s planned eco-towns is on the outskirts of Norwich. The plans are generally quite good, mostly on a brownfield site - but the scheme as it stands is dependent upon building a massive new dual-carriageway road around the north side of Norwich, if it is to work. This is completely ridiculous - you cannot have a genuinely eco-town that is highly dependent upon a major road-building scheme. By definition, a true eco-town should be designed to maximise the use of public transport, cycling etc, as are the existing eco-towns in other countries that provided the original inspiration for Britain’s ‘ecotown’ plans.
17 - 18 2000 Trees Festival Green award-winning weekend of live music in the picturesque Cotswolds. – www.twothousandtreesfestival.co.uk 27 - 02 August National Parks’ Week Celebrating 60 years since the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949. – www.nationalparks.gov.uk 29 - 02 August Big Green Gathering 5-day festival for people who care about health, the environment, sustainability, our children’s future and life in general. – www.big-green-gathering.com
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Chic and cheerful
Eco-town ridiculous?
News
Eco pads The Energy Saving Trust has launched a 3minute comedy video entitled Eco-Pads featuring the comedian, writer and actor Marcus Brigstocke. Inspired from MTV’s Cribs™. Marcus said: ‘Climate change can be a difficult subject for comedy, but like anything else it can be made funny and in the face of too much earnestness it’s important that it is.’ Marcus takes viewers on a tour of his Eco Pad in true MTV™ style, discussing alterations he has made, where he: Reveals his ‘big butt’, also known as his water butt; Demonstrates ‘where the magic happens’, in his composter; Shows off his two bicycles, with ‘fourteen inch rims’ and more. - www. energysavingtrust.org.uk/marcusbrigstocke
Trash converters Recycling has got much more rewarding, with the launch of the UK’s first scheme that gives a new incentive to recycle. RecycleBank awards Points to households for recycling that can be redeemed at Marks & Spencer, cashed-in for goods and services at local shops, restaurants and attractions or converted into cash donations to charities. Initially the scheme is being trialled in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead focusing on garden waste expanding to include mixed recycling (paper, glass, plastics, etc) later in 2009. - www.recyclebank.com
August 01 - 07 World Breastfeeding Week The greatest outreach vehicle for the breastfeeding movement, being celebrated in over 120 countries. – www.worldbreastfeedingweek.org 10 - 16 National Allotments Week A week to promote awareness and availability of allotments as well as showing the public and the local authorities the strength of support and interest for the heritage of allotment culture – www.nagtrust.org 12 - International Youth Day Concerts, workshops, cultural events, fund-raisers, rallies and meetings that involve national and local government officials, youth organizations and young people. – www.un.org/youth
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Glad rags
A pioneering initiative to help clothing manufacturers improve working conditions for their producers in developing countries was recently launched by Minister for Trade and Development Gareth Thomas. The RAGS (Responsible and Accountable Garment Sector) fund will make £3.5m available over three years for bids from companies who want to make their clothing business more ethical and contribute more strongly to development in poor countries. The fund will support and encourage ethical pioneers in the fashion industry; people and companies who have innovative ideas with the potential to drive change in the garment sector. - www.dfid.gov.uk
28 - 31 Chilterns Craft Show Browse the stalls, be inspired, get hands on and pick up a treat. From shopping to cooking, gardening to live music, there’s something for everyone to enjoy, whatever your age! – www.ichf.co.uk 30 - 31 European Bat Weekend A range of events encouraging thousands of people to see and hear bats in their natural environment. – www.bats.org.uk
If you have any news or events that you would like us to feature in Ethical Living please email us at editor@ethical-living.org
July / August 2009
The Age of
Eco-Innovation Ground-breaking new green innovations have certainly got the world talking recently. But are these inventions viable, asks Ellie Garwood, and can technology really save us?
Current eco-innovations A more sustainable, less materialistic lifestyle is undoubtedly key but a return to the middleages isn’t the only way we can once again live a less harmful existence. Solar panels, wind power and even recycling are revolutionary modern day innovations, allowing us to enjoy our creature comforts without draining the earth’s resources. With more products being developed daily,
governments, investors and eco-conscious members of the public are hoping a host of breakthrough green inventions are just around the corner. Below are a handful of those currently gripping the imaginations of scientists and the media alike.
Low carbon energy Biochar is a geo-engineering technique (artificial modification of earth systems to combat climate change) whereby trees are planted, the wood is then burnt in order to harness the biomass energy, and the remaining charcoal is buried to improve soil fertility. The slow burning process used during the procedure means the amount of CO2 released is reduced by 90%, as instead of escaping into the atmosphere the carbon is stored in the charcoal. Dr. Simon Shackley, lecturer in Biochar and Social Science at the School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh, says ‘biochar is such an important technology, as the carbon doesn’t oxidise back into the atmosphere as it does with many other bioenergy options… the technique completely removes carbon from the atmosphere and stores it in a carbon form for hundreds and hundreds of years.’ Over the last few years the popularity of biochar has significantly increased, pioneered by some of the leading names in eco-living, including Green & Blacks founder Craig Sams and carbon offsetting champion (and creator of Future Forests) Dan Morrell. The initiative is currently being trialled in the UK, or more specifically in Sussex, as well as in a range of developing countries.
Light by wallpaper Heralded as the future of green TV, Organic Light
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F
ive million green collar jobs, a new national goal on energy efficiency, and a $150 million, ten-year plan to build a clean energy future - Barak Obama has never been shy about his commitment to combating climate change, especially through ground-breaking new technologies. In Europe, green technology, although lacking the same kind of President induced PR, is also progressing with speed. Timo Mäkelä, Director for Sustainable Development at the European Commission, recently emphasised the scope of economic opportunities offered by the green revolution, including the potential for two million new jobs in the renewable energy sector alone by 2020. Others, however, believe we need to do more. Willy De Backer, European Director of the Ecological Footprint Network, has recently stated that the joint pressures of environmental collapse, energy scarcity and population explosion leaves us minimal, if any, room for research into anything that isn’t environmental technology. So are we doing enough? And are these inventions really viable? Or are we spending too much time (and money) looking forward for answers rather than back to a way of life that we know is more carbon neutral and less oil dependent?
Scientists are so confident about the technology they have already predicted the death of the light bulb, believing OLED wallpaper could well be the most energy efficient way to light buildings in the future.
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Emiting Diodes (OLEDs) could soon enable us to watch high definition television on 80 inch wide screens while consuming less power than we would watching most TVs on the market today. And the sets would be so thin they could be rolled up when they are not being used. Although still in its infancy, the potential for OLED technology is massive. Scientists at General Electric Global Research believe OLEDs are the future of lighting, providing an entirely new and energy efficient way to light homes and businesses. Scientists are so confident about the technology they have already predicted the death of the light bulb as we know it, believing OLED wallpaper could well be the most energy efficient way to light buildings in the future. In addition to being energy efficient, OLEDs do not contain any poisonous metals such as mercury (which is present in energy saving light bulbs) making their disposure easier on the environment too.
Magnetic power PowerPerfector is currently the sole provider of Voltage Power Optimisation in the UK. The technology was developed in Japan to combat rising energy costs and a lack of natural energy resources, and to date over 300,000 units have been installed in Japan alone. The device is for industrial and business rather than domestic use and is fitted in a facility’s electrical room between the meter and distribution panel. It works through internal interaction with magnetic fields increasing the optimum operating level - it basically corrects and optimises our current energy system. PowerPerfector claims to cut carbon emissions by up to 22%, as well as reducing energy costs and demands by the same figure. High-profile clients include the Tower of London, the London School of Economics, and numerous ASDA, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Fitness First outlets across the country.
Flying solar In August 2008, numerous records were broken when a solar powered Zephyr undertook the first unmanned, non-fuelled flight, flying for more than 83-and-a-half hours straight. Now, plans for manned solar planes are in the pipeline. The Solar Impulse is to undertake test flights before the end of 2009. By 2011 the Impulse plans to be the first manned solar plane to circle the world, and advancements in battery technology could make a two passenger solar plane possible in the near future too.
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Eco-innovations and the mainstream Despite hundreds of eco-innovations being devised every year we only hear about a tiny proportion, predominantly those that sell papers, such as space age, quirky or aesthetically pleasing inventions. Frédéric Morand, secretary of environmentally conscious technology network Eco Innovation, believes that the media and scientists alike are missing a trick. Simple ideas, such as composting on a large scale, organic farming and permaculture, are all eco-innovations of a sort and shouldn’t be dismissed in favour of extravagant technological gadgets. Cultural stigmas also keep good inventions in the dark. Ernö Fleit, Professor of the Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, argued that recycling the urinal nitrogen produced by the Budapest population could generate over €30 million annually from the saving on treatment costs as well as the sale of urea as nitrogen fertiliser. The technology is ignored, however, because of the stigma attached to using wastewater. In the UK, scientists have encountered similar prejudices. Dr Nigel Horan, a wastewater expert at environmental consultants Aqua Enviro, highlights the fact that fertiliser manufacturers in this country can only meet about 40% of the demand for phosphorus each year, despite there being enough phosphorus in wastewater to meet the whole of the demand.
Technology vs. sustainability The very nature of eco-innovations means they will always be shrouded in complexities and controversies. Scientists are forever disputing where efforts should be placed, where funding should be channelled, and even what a true eco-innovation is. As consumers, we must be savvy about what’s on the market, not falling for green wash but not shunning innovations that view our resources in new and perhaps unorthodox ways either. Just as importantly, however, we must be careful not to rely on technology alone, but strive to regain a balance between living a less extravagant existence and practicing a reciprocal relationship with the earth. An advance in technology is what set us on our current course for climate-change, to rely on more technology to provide a magic escape route is to severely miss the point. Eco-innovations should be developed alongside our intentions to live more sustainably, but we must be wary of viewing the inventions as a miracle fix, enabling us to continue consuming with the gusto to which we are currently accustomed.
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Advertorial
Get to the bottom of unfair trade
D
id you know that the British are the world’s most prolific users of toilet roll, with the average British person using 4,000 toilet rolls in a lifetime, equivalent to an estimated six trees? Or that, on average, every person in the UK throws away their own body weight in rubbish every seven weeks? To put it another way, enough rubbish to fill the Royal Albert Hall in London is generated and thrown away every two hours. It is so easy to simply throw something in the bin, and not think about the consequences or where that tissue, tin can or bottle is going. But the reality is that your rubbish will be winging its way to a landfill site, literally a hole in the ground that houses our waste, much of which could be reused again or recycled. And what’s more, our landfill space is increasingly running out. Fair trade organisation Traidcraft hopes that surprising facts like these will encourage and inspire people to think about how changing from their usual brands to Traidcraft’s recycled paper products could help the environment as well as change people’s lives. The pioneering fair trade organisation is working with the Northern Tissue Group to ensure its domestic tissue range of toilet roll, kitchen roll and tissues is 100% recycled. Northern Tissue Group estimate to take 64% of the scrap paper from UK tissue market to produce
Traidcraft’s 100% recycled tissue range. This means that no forests are cut down to provide the materials and the amount of paper ending up in landfill sites is greatly reduced. Recycling paper causes 35% less water pollution and 74% less air pollution than in the equivalent manufacture of pulp. And in the case of Traidcraft’s tissue range, even the water used in the recycling process is filtered and biologically cleaned without the use of chemicals. As well as helping the environment, a contribution from the sale of each of the tissue products goes directly to a fund, which Traidcraft uses to support fair trade producers from some of the world’s poorest countries. Thanks to money from the fund, Traidcraft’s producers around the world have already benefitted. Sugar suppliers Craft Aid in Mauritius are being helped to become Fairtrade certified, and Cipac (a honey co-operative in Guatemala) can now afford to start their technical assistance programme by employing a consultant to work with beekeepers to improve the quality and quantity of their honey. Seeds Aplenty in South Africa has benefitted as they can now pay for packaging and marketing materials for their fair trade flower seeds allowing them to expand into local markets. Traidcraft is inviting everyone to join its fight against poverty by making the simple switch from their regular brand of tissue products to Traidcraft’s products, which directly contribute to transforming people’s lives.
Traidcraft tissue products are available at www.traidcraftshop.co.uk, in selected retail outlets, including Booths, and by mail-order from 0845 330 8900.
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Rags and Riches T
he fashion industry has changed almost unrecognisably in the last fifty years, from small scale factories in industrial Britain producing garments for two fashion seasons per year, to international markets and workforces manufacturing eight to ten ranges annually, with designs going from drawing board to shop floor in two weeks. Thanks to rapid communication, fast transport and the necessity to force prices down to encourage consumers to spend, the fashion industry has spawned a revolution in terms of global sourcing and producing. Fashion has never been so cheap, accessible and abundant, but just what exactly is the real cost?
Cheap labour, cheap ethics A harrowing report by the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) highlights the plight of cotton farmers in Uzbekistan. The second largest exporter of cotton in the world, its primary labour source is children, as government officials force the closure of schools every autumn for cotton harvesting. The children work long hours, with very little pay and often using incredibly toxic chemicals, which can lead to devastating health consequences. Not meeting targets can mean detention, bad grades and even expulsion. Worse still, Uzbekistan’s government takes over two thirds of the profits from cotton farming, leaving the farmers with barely enough to survive. In an effort to combat such highly exploitative practices, the EJF is calling for better labelling schemes, so that the origin of cotton is clearly identified, and is urging all clothing manufacturers to properly examine their suppliers’ sources of cotton. The use of sweatshops, child labour and exploitative working conditions in the developing world has long been a contentious issue. According to the Ethical Fashion Forum, almost three quarters of world clothing exports are made in developing countries. The main problems with this model are that there is little adherence to health and safety rules, almost no regard for human wellbeing, workers often have no rights and child labour is common.
Cleaning up their act Recent high profile cases mean that many consumers are now aware of such concerns and most high street retailers now insist suppliers provide a Code of Conduct, which details working hours, health and safety measures and the worker’s right to join a union. However, these are usually voluntary and not always enforced. Some retailers have taken further steps and joined an ethical scheme, such as the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI). The ETI provides minimum standards and codes of practice, which are checked and monitored regularly. British members include Asda, Boden, New Look, Next and Tesco. All members are listed on the ETI website. When labour is utilised fairly, the fashion industry gives the least developed countries an opportunity to compete on a global
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Cotton picking girls © Environmental Justice Foundation; Sewing machine © Ljupco Smokovski - Fotolia.com; Catwalk © Gina Smith - Fotolia.com
The fashion industry has long been synonymous with flouting ethics and environmental concerns in the quest for happy consumers. Sionead Bannister investigates some of the ethical issues still surrounding the style industry today.
Fashion facts: • North America and Europe account for 45% of global household cotton product consumption, despite being home to just 13% of world population. • 90% of the world’s cotton farmers live in developing countries. • Aldicarb is a common pesticide used in cotton production; a single drop absorbed through the skin can kill an adult. From Deadly Chemicals in Cotton, Ethical Justice Foundation 2007
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scale and provides essential jobs and livelihoods for disadvantaged communities where there may otherwise be none.
Fast fashion A study by Cambridge University found that on average, consumers in the UK were buying a third more clothes in 2006 than in 2002. Where our grandparents would make do and mend, thanks to incredibly cheap prices and a media obsessed with new trends, bin it and buy again are key words for a new generation immersed in disposable culture. The biggest danger of such fast fashion, according to Kate Fletcher, author of Sustainable Fashion and Textiles: Design Journeys, is ‘the very state of mind that buying cheap and wearing once promotes’. Budget retailers like Primark, Peacocks and George are no longer the haunt of penniless pensioners and have reinvented themselves into fashion symbols in recent years. Primark reported a whopping 22% increase in profits in 2008 and according to the TNS Worldpanel 2006 report, we now buy over 40% of our clothes at value retailers. Fast fashion has disastrous environmental effects due to extremely high demand for raw materials. The Aral Sea in central Asia was once the world’s fourth largest body of salt water, until a government plan to increase exports of cotton meant irrigation projects took water from the sea to the cotton fields of Uzbekistan. Today, the Aral Sea has shrunk to just 10% of its original size and what remains is heavily polluted with pesticides and insecticides used during cotton farming, which has resulted in the devastating loss of the fishing industry. Not to mention the affect fast fashion has on waste proportions. As the expected lifespan of items is extremely short, they often quickly end up in rubbish bins, with over 1.2m tonnes of clothing and textiles being sent to landfill in the UK in 2005.
Fairtrade, organic and slow ‘Fast fashion is an outcome of the particular business models that dominate the fashion industry’, Kate Fletcher says. ‘Change those models and it will stop.’ Online stores like Adili are taking steps towards that change and have brought Fairtrade and organic fashion to the fore by mixing style, trends and desirable clothing with its eco ethos. Howies is another ever expanding brand, effortlessly combining the principles of organic cotton with laid back styles. These brands are slowly but steadily raising awareness that slow fashion is best. Their philosophy is simple - when items are made of good quality, sustainable materials, they will last longer and have less of an impact on the environment. The high street is
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following and several retailers, from M&S to H&M are now also running their own organic cotton lines. Kate firmly believes that the sustainable fashion industry will continue to grow and to flourish. ‘Consumers are becoming more aware of the many and varied issues involved in fashion production and consumption and are looking for alternatives. At the same time, many who work in the industry are also looking for alternatives. There is the beginning of a cultural shift’, she says.
Alternative materials and upcycling Choosing organic cotton will eliminate some issues surrounding cotton production but many manufacturers and consumers are looking for more sustainable alternatives. Using waste materials like plastics to create textiles is one answer but the arguments for using alternative plants like bamboo, flax or hemp, which are fast growing and generally organic, are becoming increasingly popular. Upcycling, where waste materials are used to create brand new products, is another fast growing trend and is perhaps the ultimate in sustainability. Products range from bags and pens made from sweet wrappers and old tyres, to using textile factory surplus to create new garments and refashioning an old t-shirt by stitching on bows or buttons for a whole new look. Let’s not forget the all-important carbon footprint, which can be reduced by buying clothes and textiles that are made locally. This not only supports a fading industry but greatly reduces the distance clothes have to travel. Of course, clothes made in the UK will never be cheap alternatives, but with brands like Frank & Faith, Aquascutum and Frost French championing the slow fashion, high quality argument, the UK has never been so fashionable. So, all hope is not lost. It seems the fashion industry is undergoing something of a revolution and thanks to a growing number of ethically minded designers and suppliers, ethical style is no longer the arena of striped jumpers and left wing students, it is something we can all embrace.
Useful contacts: Ethical Justice Foundation www.ejfoundation.org Ethical Fashion Forum www.ethicalfashionforum.com Kate Fletcher - Sustainable Textiles www.katefletcher.com Ethical Trade Initiative www.ethicaltrade.org
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Shop and Salon: 109 King Street, Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 6EQ • www.amarya.co.uk Telephone: 01565 653 727 • Email: info@amarya.co.uk Make a positive difference July / August 2009
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Vitality through
Biodynamic Growing
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B
iodynamic farming and gardening has been around since the 1920’s. It was originally inspired by a series of eight lectures given by Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) to a group of farmers in 1924. They were experiencing how with the rise of industrial farming techniques, the vitality and health of their crops and livestock was diminishing. It was with this concern that they approached Rudolf Steiner. His response was to offer an imaginative new way of understanding nature and exploring the intimate linkages which exist between soil, plant, animal and cosmos. He went on to suggest practical ways to enhance health and vitality on the farm. In the years which followed, these suggestions have been taken up, developed further and tested in many different situations. Today biodynamic methods are increasingly valued and applied on both small and large holdings throughout the world. A living, vital soil is the foundation for health in plants, animals and humans and its development is the first priority for every biodynamic farmer and gardener. Compost is therefore very important and great care is taken to ensure that organic waste materials are converted and fed back to the soil. Nothing is wasted, external inputs are avoided as far as possible and no chemicals or artificial fertilisers are used. In addition to these key organic principles, six carefully fermented herb-based biodynamic preparations are used to support and regulate the decomposition and soil building processes in a compost or manure pile. They also enhance soil vitality, help increase nutrient and trace element accessibility, and make the soil more receptive to the beneficial influences in the wider surroundings. Wine is the product with which the biodynamic name is most often associated. The reason for this is that the finest wines often turn out to have come from biodynamic vineyards and because wine quality is assessed primarily by taste. In France, great store is set by the subtle differentiation in flavour produced by local conditions or ‘terroir’. These unique tastes can be traced back to the specific soil in which the vines have been growing and to the particular configuration of the site as a whole. Conventional management
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Man in vineyard © auremar - Fotolia.com
Planting with the moon and using only inputs from the immediate landscape may seem extreme. But as Bernard Jarman of the Biodynamic Agriculture Association explains, it can add real vitality to plants, flowers and foods.
Wine is the product with which the biodynamic name is most often associated. The reason for this is that the finest wines often turn out to have come from biodynamic vineyards
techniques are less sensitive and tend to pass over these subtleties. These site-specific qualities and flavours gain particular prominence, however, when biodynamic methods are used in the vineyards. It is, of course, not only the grape which responds in this way. Biodynamic vegetables, fruit, cereals, dairy products and meat, regularly stand out in terms of their flavour, appearance and conformation. Biodynamic produce emanates a robust vitality, which is hard to find elsewhere and when harvested tends to keep fresh for longer.
This is not so with biodynamic farmers and gardeners. They consider these things too but also take into account the intangible living processes active in plant and animal life and extend their consciousness to include the influences streaming in from the earth’s surroundings - from the sun, moon and stars. Along with cultivating a broader, more comprehensive view of nature, they have very practical means at there disposal for enhancing what is naturally provided.
Biodynamic Sprays What makes biodynamic special? Biodynamic agriculture is a whole system approach, which takes account of life in its widest context. This means that nothing is considered in isolation. Most present day agricultural and horticultural practitioners tend to limit their considerations to the chemical, biological and ecological processes which occur.
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Biodynamic spray preparations are used to support and enhance living vitality. The first of these, Horn Manure, is a specially fermented form of cow manure that is applied to the soil as a highly diluted spray. It encourages plant roots to grow down into the earth, actively seek out the minerals they need and encourage the beneficial micro-organisms they require.
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The second preparation is Horn Silica, a specially treated quartz meal, which is applied in even higher dilution to the strongly growing crops. It strengthens the upward growing plant growth, enhances ripening and increases resistance to disease. These two preparations compliment each other. The one connects plant roots with the soil and rocks of the specific locality and the other connects the growing plant with the warmth and light of its surroundings and helps it to attain ripened maturity. The result is vital food with very site specific and rounded flavours.
Planting Calendar Another way in which flavour and vitality is improved is by observing and working with the changing relationships between the moon and the constellations. Ancient star lore indicates a link between each constellation of the zodiac and the qualities which relate to the four elements of earth, water, air and fire. Many years of research by Maria Thun, scientist, farmer and author of the Biodynamic Sowing and Planting Calendar, has shown that there is a clear link between these elements and the four corresponding parts of the plant. She discovered that if the soil is moved when the moon is in front of a particular constellation, the quality of the element associated with that constellation will imprint itself in the soil and encourage the related plant organ to develop particularly well. For example, if the soil is moved when the moon is in front of Taurus, (earth sign), it will benefit root crops such as carrots. Likewise, moon in Gemini (air sign) will benefit flowers.
Farm Individuality A further important aspect of biodynamic husbandry, is that of conceiving the holding as a single living organism. Every part of the landscape (field, hedge, etc) and each enterprise (hens, pigs, cereals, etc) belong together, and each one contributes to the well being of the whole. The aim is then to ensure that each and every one of the enterprises or ‘organs’ can support and be supported by the whole. In practical terms this means that, as far as possible, all livestock feed should be grown on the farm and conversely that only home produced compost and manures are used on the land. As the years go by this closed cycle grows more complete
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and each organ of the farm grows closer and more integrated - plants adapt to soil, soil organisms adapt to the manure and the animals adapt to the feed which is grown on the farm with their manure. This strengthening cycle leads in turn to a strengthened immune system across the whole farm. It also allows farm specific qualities to evolve and develop. These in turn translate into unique and powerful plant qualities and food with vitality.
Demeter Standards Biodynamic agriculture can be adapted to suit all kinds of different climatic conditions and today there are biodynamic enterprises on all continents and in virtually all climatic zones. It is a way of growing that respects nature while being very productive and it fits in well with the varying cultural conditions across the world. Biodynamic produce is usually available to consumers in the immediate vicinity of a biodynamic farm often through community supported farming arrangements. Biodynamic products are also available on the open market, where they can be identified by the bright orange and green Demeter trademark. This Demeter mark is used throughout the world and guarantees that high biodynamic production and processing standards have been followed. In the UK it is administered by the Biodynamic Agricultural Association, a registered organic certification organisation.
Useful contacts: The Biodynamic Agricultural Association is a registered charity dedicated to the promotion and development of the biodynamic approach in the UK. It runs regular courses and workshops, including a two year practical apprentice training, provides information and sells books on biodynamic related subjects by mail order. Membership is for everyone who is interested in sustainable living, wholesome nutritious food, caring for the earth and providing for future generations. For more information visit www.biodynamic. org.uk or email office@biodynamic.org.uk
July / August 2009
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Recycling on Allotments W
alk up and down most allotments across our land and you will see a rare breed of folk. These folk from all walks of life will often have one common purpose; to boldly grow as much fruit and veg with as little money as possible. Couple this with the fact that allotments nurture the quintessentially British pass time of tinkering. The result is something unique to allotments namely the huge array of objects being used as makeshift sheds, greenhouses, gates and a whole host of other garden furniture. Allotment folk have been recycling for decades or as Brian, the older gentleman who has an allotment next to mine puts it, ‘I’ve been recycling since before you had to’.
Windows Brian has a collection of old windows on his plot, the low winter sun often catches the light off them causing the pigeons to scarper away from their Brassica feast. During early spring the windows are placed on the ground to help warm up the soil for future plantings. Later on they are then put to good use protecting his seedlings. A rather more ambitious project on an allotment across town involves a whole series of windows cobbled together into a makeshift greenhouse. It probably wouldn’t pass any health and safety inspection but from the look of the paint, it must have been standing for a fair few years. In case you are considering using windows on your plot, I must issue a word of warning. Glass is not a stable substance and lots of older windows have thin patches or even holes in them because the glass very slowly moves downwards (believe it or not). This means that windows salvaged from old Victorian terraces can shatter easily and a shard of glass can be pretty lethal! Windows are often difficult to dispose of and using them on your allotment will keep them out of a skip. Skips often appear along my street with windows in them and their previous owners are always grateful if you take them away.
Tyres Tyre garages are also very grateful when you take their old tyres home. I picked up 8 from one once and you could tell the manager thought I was not quite right in the head (an element of truth there). He told me I could, ‘clean him out’ if I wanted. Tyres are great for
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Scarecrow © jeff gynane - Fotolia.com; Allotment site © Andy Hamilton; Sage in a tyre © Andy Hamilton
From boats to windows, allotment folk have been successfully recycling a variety of items for decades. Andy Hamilton finds there can be real beauty, as well as good practical use, in the items that can be found.
A rather more ambitious project on an allotment across town involves a whole series of windows cobbled together into a makeshift greenhouse.
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on, they seem to come free with a pint of milk. Many make their way to our allotments where they double up as bird scarers and sure enough an urban legend has developed along side their use. Apparently birds, who can be rather timid of anything bigger than them, think the eyes are that of a huge bird and will scarper if they see them. CD’s are probably the most common item found on allotments closely followed by pallets. Four pallets tied together make a great compost bin. There’s no need to secure them into the ground, but if you do want to, a stake driven between the bits of wood helps. I use 10 pallets weaved together, this means that I can have one compost bin in use, one being harvested and one full ready to be harvested.
Iron and glass
Plastic
Tyres might not be that pretty, for that you have to look around various allotments. One of the prettiest uses of old junk that I have seen is in Bristol, where someone has used an old iron bed frame and turned it into a fence on the edge of their plot. On first glance it looks just like a fence and it is not until you get up close that you can see the shiny bed knobs poking out you realise what it is. Glass bottles used on an allotment are quite striking if a little unusual. The use of them, I think, is nothing short of genius. The green glass bottles with their labels removed are half sunk into the ground in a circle. Then bean poles are stuck into mouths of the bottles and tied at the top to make a wigwam. Seeds are planted next to the bottles and the glass acts like a green house helping the seedlings until they get more established.
Plastic bottles also find their way onto the allotment, as the bottom can be cut off them and they make handy cloches. But before you throw the bottom bit away consider rolling up a bit of corrugated cardboard, shoving it inside then tying it up over winter. This contraption is known as an insect hotel and with any luck will house ladybirds and lacewings over the winter months. I have seen and heard of plenty more ways to reuse what would otherwise be fodder for landfill. In fact, one of my mates in Oxford has inherited a scarecrow that could really sum up this summer as it is made from an estate agents board. I have also seen tent poles used as bean sticks, drinks cans to secure netting, an old boat full of compost used to grow strawberries, drainpipes for seedlings and on my own allotment an old section of hose used to scare off unwanted cats (they think it is a snake). So next time you put out your bin, take stock of what you are throwing away and consider using the contents to save a small fortune in garden centre costs.
CDs I also find a row of old CD’s, shining rainbows of colours, fairly pretty. CD’s in the 1980’s were a sought after commodity and now, just 25 years
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Plants in boat © Andy Hamilton
growing potatoes in as you can stack them to earth up the spuds and the black of the tyre helps to absorb the sun. I have also used tyres to grow herbs in. My sage bush is very happy in two stacked, earth filled tyres and my mint can be held in place, as can strawberries. People do often comment on the use of tyres and of leaching chemicals. In particular the heavy metal cadmium causes concern. To my knowledge there has not yet been any study to confirm if this really is a problem. This means we only have anecdotal evidence to go on and frankly the jury is out. To air on the side of caution I would suggest lining the tyres and much older tyres that are starting to break down should also be avoided.
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Spiral Candlestick Stunning, hand carved spiral candlestick, made to fair trade standards from olive wood, by community based groups in the West Bank, Gaza. 22cm tall. £7.50 each. Available from: www.hadeel.org Tel: 0131 225 1922 Su
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Eco Table Set Set of four each, cups, bowls and plates from UK designer Tom Dixon. Made from biodegradable plastic and 85% bamboo. Stylish yet rugged enough for outdoor. Can be composted after a long life. £69.00 Available from: www.tactile-interiors.co.uk Tel: 07981 790 391
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Bring it to the table Delight your dinner guests by bringing your ethics to the table. Fair trade, natural, recycled and sustainable dining table accessories will add a touch of ethical class to any meal.
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Oko4 Egg Cup Terracotta egg cup in blue, hand made to fair trade standards in India from fine clay. Hand glazed design covers the interior and part of the exterior. Free from lead. Microwave and dishwasher safe. £3.25
Clear Wine Glasses Stylish dining glasses, hand made in the UK. Bases made from mineral water bottles joined to the neck of a white wine bottle and therefore re-used glass, which uses a fraction of the energy of recycling. £6.85
Woven Placements Set of four hand made placemats, made to fair trade standards in Northern Vietnam, from functional and stylish black bamboo and edged with a black cotton trim. £5.00
Available from: www.onevillage.com Tel: 01608 811 811
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Available from: www.traidcraftshop.co.uk Tel: 08453 308 900
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Lava Tea Set Japanese style tea set, includes tea pot with bamboo handle and two cups, hand made from high fired earthenware by potters in Tamil Nadu, India, and decorated in lead free colour. £24.00
Moroccan Tea Glasses Set of 6 Moroccan tea glasses made to fair trade standards in North Africa from recycled green glass in a metal frame for easy carrying or storing. Hand blown. £16.00
Base Cutlery Weighty yet elegant cutlery set, made from stainless steel with on average 80% recycled content and recyclable. Dishwasher safe. Contains 6 of each, knife, fork, dessert spoon, tea spoon. £95.00
Available from: www.greenshop.co.uk Tel: 01452 770 629
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Available from: www.ecocentric.co.uk Tel: 020 7739 3888
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Organic Cotton Tablecloth Classic style, beautifully draped tablecloths, made from 100% organic cotton and finished neatly with mitred corners. Easy to iron and available in a choice of 5 plain colours. From £39.00
Caesar Salad Bowl Practical and simple bowl, ideal for serving salads and vegetables, made from 100% post consumer recycled glass and brought the UK by sea freight to minimise carbon emissions. Size 20cm dia. £15.00
Decorative Ceramic Tiles Ceramic tiles ideal for use as stylish coasters or trivets. Hand made in the UK from white earthenware clay in three natural pastel colours, decorated with dandelion design, and finished with clear glaze. £5.50
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Bathroom Cabinet Secrets Think you’ve got natural beauty in the bag? Kate Davidson bravely lets Lush’s Ethical Director, Hilary Jones, poke around in her bathroom and finds a few surprises hidden beneath the label.
L
et me get this clear: on the scale of things I’d like to do on a Tuesday, letting an ethical expert rifle through my bathroom cupboards ranks somewhere between showing a new lover my worst underpants and having a colonic on a public highway. Although I aspire to be a green goddess, when it comes to toiletries I have a few secrets hidden by the tub. I suspect we all do. So it was with no small trepidation that I let Lush’s Ethical Director, Hillary Jones, go through the bottles cluttering my bathroom. She started by addressing my husband’s side of the shelves - a manly array of synthetic chemicals clad in shades of navy and black plastic.
My husband pops in to explain that his main consideration when buying toiletries is not whether a product is ethical, but that the packaging shows it’s targeted at men - I know from experience that he will always pick dark colours and drool over words like ‘strength’ and ‘sport’. It’s a problem that Hillary knows only too well. Men and women’s skins are essentially the same, but men seem to want reassurance that their products are masculine. Not wanting to pander to gender stereotypes, Lush have so far resisted creating a men’s range, but it’s a dilemma that keeps rearing its head for Ethics Director Hillary. Moving on to my (surely superior) side of the bathroom, I hope to receive a pat on the back for all the ‘good’ brands that I buy. I thought wrong. While I was looking the other way, the brands changed. Toms of Maine was bought by Colgate-Palmolive and I never considered that my Gillette razorblades came from Procter & Gamble, one of the world’s largest testers of products on animals. Again, this is apparently a common scenario. Small companies develop loyal customers, only to be gobbled up by larger conglomerates. The only solution is to regularly check the Internet for company information. Something I haven’t done.
A recycling dilemma And then Hillary cast an eye over the two-dozen odd bottles on my shelf and asked what types of plastic my council accepts. Well, er,
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Bathroom shelf © Steve Cukrov - Fotolia.com
The gender gap?
Top tips for an ethical bathroom: Research your toiletry companies The internet is a great source of information. It’s generally a good sign if a company tells you how they source their ingredients and explains policies on animal testing, GM and organic produce. Choose small ethical suppliers over brands owned by large conglomerates. Don’t be afraid to contact a company directly for answers to your questions. Look for dates A manufacturing date close to the expiry date is a good sign. An expiry date more than three years into the future is a bad sign. Although supermarket 3-for2 offers can be tempting, remember that if a product can be stored for a long time it’s likely to contain high levels of preservatives. Check the packaging Ask your council what types of plastic they recycle, and when shopping look for the number stamped on
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the container. Lids are usually made from a different type of plastic than the rest of the vessel, and remember most pumps can’t be recycled. Read the ingredients list It can be difficult to spot petroleum-derived ingredients because they have a number of different names. Many ethical companies have a policy of avoiding skin-unfriendly chemicals. Ingredients you may want to avoid include Propelyne Glycol, Parabens, Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) and Diethanolamine (DEA). Get back to basics Olive oil and sea salt makes a great body scrub. Almond oil works wonders as a moisturiser. Essential oils can be used as perfume. Remember, simpler products are not only less toxic, they are also cheaper, leaving you with more money for good quality ethical buys.
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it’s all plastic isn’t it? Except that it isn’t. There are seven grades of plastic. Look carefully and you should see a number representing the grade of plastic stamped inside a circle on your bathroom containers. Low grades are easier to recycle. Though each council’s recycling policy varies, most only accept types 1 to 4. Despite the fact that I assiduously put all bathroom containers into the recycling, many of my products had no stamp, and others were graded 6 or 7. My cupboards also contained a plethora of pump top containers powered by small metal springs, which make them impossible to recycle with the rest of the plastic. Despite my best efforts, a simple lack of knowledge had been undercutting my recycling efforts for years.
contain four petrochemicals and one item which is banned in Canada. A little knowledge is a scary thing. Now I can no longer deny that I am smearing petroleum derivatives into my eyes every single night. It is telling that the moment she leaves I throw the bottle into the recycling bin and order an ethical version from the Internet. Within other bottles Gillian finds palm oil (a major cause of rainforest deforestation) and lots of parabens, which have recently been touted as a possible factor in increased breast cancer rates. And that’s not even considering the amount of non-organic or genetically modified ingredients. Gillian wonders if I’d been online to check out how companies are sourcing their ingredients? Of course not.
It’s a date
Cost cutting
Then Gillian started looking at the expiry dates of my products. Although all toiletries need preservatives (damp bathrooms are breeding grounds for all kinds of germs) many companies put in far more than necessary so they can stockpile products in warehouses and then bring them to the shops when shelves are low. Companies have been known to stockpile for up to ten years. The problem is that many strong chemicals, such as parabens, can also kill off the healthy bacteria on your skin, throwing it out of balance. Strangely, the only product in my bathroom that displayed a manufacturing date was my husband’s oldfashioned bryllcreem; all the other bottles had no manufacturing information whatsoever. Hillary also showed me how to find the expiry dates on my products. They are represented by a symbol that looks like a jar with an open lid, and contains a number indicating the months that a product can be used after it has been opened. Ironically, I realised that a few of my favourite organic toiletries had already expired, throwing into stark relief the dilemmas that ethical companies face. After all, what’s the good of creating a preservative-free product if the consumer has to throw it away when it’s only half finished?
About this time, I start wanting to play the cost card. After all, I have a budget. So at the end of the day I can’t be a hundred percent ethical, right? But then Gillian points out that many ethical habits work out cheaper. A small bottle of good quality essential oil could fragrance my baths for months. Almond oil can be bought in bulk and moisturises exquisitely. And rather than buy aloe vera paste from the shop, had I thought of growing my own plants? I secretly curse - now I can’t even use money as an excuse. Then Gillian’s spots my Boots shaving mousse, and her disdain could not be clearer. The can is not recycle-able. And boots don’t guarantee their ingredients have not been tested on animals. And the ingredients include petrochemicals and parabens and butane and palm oil. Indeed, Gillian points out that putting the toxic cocktail of ingredients onto my skin and then running a razor blade over it might not be the smartest move. Come to think of it, why had I bought a Boots shaving mousse anyway? Weren’t there plenty of ethical shaving gels on the market? And then I have to admit the cringe-worthy truth. That much as I had laughed at my husband’s macho posturing, I chose the mousse because the ethical products were marketed at men, while the Boots can was painted with a pretty drawing of a lady’s pink calves. And with that, the last shred of my ethical reputation was well and truly flushed down the toilet.
Chemical attack Then came one of the scariest moments. Gillian lifts up a sticker to expose the twenty-seven ingredients of my Boots eye make-up remover. My limited knowledge of chemistry means I have no idea what the words mean, but Gillian explains that they
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Some deodorants stink!
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Available from selected Waitrose stores, independent health food stores and pharmacies. To learn more, visit www.weleda.co.uk
Review of
Many of us use deodorant on a daily basis with barely a thought as to the effect it will have on our skin. The problem with many conventional products is that they use anti-perspirant chemicals, such as aluminium compounds, to block pores and inhibit perspiration - an important function of the skin that removes toxins. There have been concerns about these chemicals and their potential links to breast cancer. Choosing a natural, aluminium free alternative that works with your body rather than against it is a great way to give your skin a treat.
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Woman with deodorant Š Lev Olkha - Fotolia.com
Natural Deodorant
Lavera Fresh Deodorant Spray
Crystal Body Deodorant Stick
Dr. Hauschka Roll-on Floral Deodorant
Aluminium-free spray, with warming, sensuous fragrance. Contains extracts from organic coconut, cocoa and Vanilla. Paraben free.
Made of 100% natural mineral salts, prevents odour by neutralising bacteria. Unscented, hypoallergenic, aluminium free, paraben free and alcohol free.
Creamy roll-on with soft scent of jasmine and lilac essential oils. Contains soothing neem and sage extracts. Aluminium and paraben free. No synthetic fragrances.
This 50ml bottle £6.75 Available online from: www.lucyrose.biz Tel: 01989 750 354
This 120g stick is £6.45 Available online from: www.thenaturalshop.co.uk Tel: 08456 522 654
This 50ml bottle is £9.79 Available from: www.soorganic.com Tel: 0800 169 2579
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Crystal Spring Salt of the Earth Classic
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Made from crystallised mineral salts, leaves a thin layer on skin, which inhibits bacteria growth. No aluminium, alcohol or parabens. Cruelty free.
A balancing blend of organic essential oils, including clove, lavender and lemon, and deodorising coriander. No parabens, aluminium or alcohol.
With a feminine scent from a mix of essential oils. Contains rosa mosqueta from organically grown wild roses, amyris, neroli and ylang ylang. Aluminium and paraben free.
This 90g stick is £5.49 Available online from: www.crystalspring.co.uk Tel: 02380 695 550
This 100ml bottle £5.95 Available online from: www.e-nat.co.uk Tel: 08000 664 916
This 100ml bottle is £8.50 Available online from: www.weleda.co.uk Tel: 0115 944 8222
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WIN RECYCLED TOILET TISSUE
WIN A COOKERY COURSE
Win a year’s supply of recycled toilet tissue from Traidcraft
Win a 2-day cookery course with Green Cuisine worth £325.00
Prize details:
We’ve teamed up with Traidcraft to give one lucky reader the chance to win a year’s supply of recycled toilet tissue. For your chance to win simply answer the following: How many toilet rolls does the average Brit use in a lifetime? A) 40,000 B) 4,000 C) 400 Traidcraft is the UK’s leading fair trade organisation, fighting poverty through trade and helping people in developing countries to transform their lives. Entry details: Send your answer, name, address and email to Traidcraft Competition, PO Box 282, Stamford, PE9 9BW or by email to traidcraft@ethical-living.org. Terms and conditions: Closing date for entries is 31st August 2009. Entries received after this date will not be eligible. Prize available only in Traidcraft distribution area (England and Scotland), subject to availability, non transferable and no cash equivalent Living Earth ad 2 9/7/08 10:49 Pagecan 1 be redeemed.
Prize details:
On this residential course you’ll learn how to prepare a wide selection of organic, fresh and seasonal food with the emphasis on maximising nutritional value. Daphne Lambert, nutritionist and chef, shows you which foods to choose and how to prepare them to create a diet that helps keep you healthy. There is a limit of 10 participants on the course. Includes en-suite accomodation, tuition, talks, all meals and course notes. Entry details: To enter the prize draw simply send your name, address and email to Green Cuisine Competition, PO Box 282, Stamford, PE9 9BW or by email to greencuisine@ethical-living.org. Terms and conditions: Closing date for entries is 31st August 2009. Entries received after this date will not be eligible. No cash equivalent or alternative product can be redeemed.
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FREE Weleda Wild Rose beauty products when you subscribe to Worth
Receive this great subscription gift from Weleda’s Wild Rose range: • Wild Rose Moisture Cream 30ml rrp £9.95 • Wild Rose Intensive Facial Oil 30x0.3ml capsules rrp £14.95 • Plus wild rose leaflet The range is made with organic plant ingredients selected to protect and replenish delicate facial skin and help prevent the premature signs of ageing. It’s 100% natural: no artificial additives, synthetic fragrances or chemical preservatives. www.weleda.co.uk
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To subscribe for only £18
call 08456 432 499, complete the order form below or visit www.ethical-living. org and quote promotion code ‘Wild’ Title
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Mellow Yellow Bring some of the summer sunshine into your wardrobe by adding a splash of yellow. These natural, fairtrade and organic styles in a variety of cheerful shades, from lemon to mustard, will help you to chill out with a warm glow on the inside too.
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1 Foxglove Dress, delicately knitted with ruffle sleeve. Made from Bluefaced Leicester wool, spun and knitted in UK. £215.00 www.makepiece.co.uk Tel: 01706 815 888 5 Goddess Dress, made from beautiful wild silk that is naturally gold, with bamboo buttons and keyhole at the back.. £175.00 www.boutique-ethique.co.uk Tel: 01225 309 218 3 Veja Taua Trainers, made to fair trade standards in Brazil, from organic cotton and natural rubber soles. £60.00 www.equaclothing.com Tel: 020 7359 0955 4 Icon Tee in Sunshine, made from 100% organic cotton, machine washable. £12.50 www.seasaltcornwall.co.uk Tel: 01326 377 976 Make a positive difference
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4 Regenerate ‘Love’ Raglan T-Shirt, in neon yellow with ‘Love is my Religion’ artwork print, certified by The Fair Wear Foundation. £35.00 www.thenaturalstore.co.uk Tel: 01273 746 781
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5 Raw Silk Scarf, in super lemon with tassel detail at each end. Hand made from raw silk to fair trade standards in Vietnam. £14.00 www.puritystyle.com Tel: 01252 820 055
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6 Audrey Trousers, in egg yolk with skinny fit leg and a slight stretch. Made from organic cotton with side adjuster on the leg. £80.00 www.howies.co.uk Tel: 01239 614 122
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7 Tundra Swan Top, in yellow with pink contrast neck binding and pink swan print to the front. Made from 100% organic cotton. £30.00 www.urban-buzz.com Tel: 020 8670 5925 8 WWF Hoody Jacket, made from recycled fabrics in yellow and orange. Limited edition oversized zip up jersey hoody with drawstring neck and hem. Profits go directly to WWF. £110.00 www.goodone.co.uk Tel: 020 7249 0199 9 Sasha Sundress, in lemon with leaf print. Made to fair trade standards in India from 100% organic cotton. Knee length with twisted straps and waist panel. £55.00 www.peopletree.co.uk Tel: 08454 504 595 Make a positive difference
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mattresses l bedding l sleeping bags
Green Squirrel www.green-squirrel.co.uk
now le to availab ase h purc e on-lin
Stylish clothes with a conscience Organic, eco-friendly and fair-trade fashion from Perth’s ethical boutique for women and children.
Tel: 01738 444491 15 Princes Street, Perth PH2 8NG
Sensible products at effective doses. . .
Green Tea plant extract Hyaluronic acid (anti wrinkle) Unrefined Hemp Seed Oil High Potency Co Q10 Lugol’s Iodine etc. Other supplements include products that may help with:
Heart health, Chronic fatigue, Joint problems, Liver care, Oral chelation (heavy metal detox) For further information and to purchase products please visit
www.creativealternatives.co.uk (an ethical trading company) Alternatively please call John on either of the following numbers
Tel: 0151 286 1187 Mob: 07913 853 160
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1 Woven Juice Carton Belt, ultra light and made in the Philippines from recycled juice cartons. £12.99 available from Green Squirrel www.green-squirrel.co.uk Tel: 01738 444 491 Fa
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4 Paxiuba Belt, hand made in Brazil from palm fibre, paxiuba seeds and acai seeds. £10.00 available from Jungle Berry www.jungleberry.co.uk Tel: 020 7095 9225 Fa
Bring that perfect ethical outfit together in style with a fairly traded, recycled or natural belt
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2 Mama Ursula Turquoise Jute Belt, hand woven in Peru, with silver buckle with bottle opener on inside. £16.00 available from Just Trade www.justtrade.co.uk Tel: 020 7358 8500 Fa
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5 Continental Tyre Belt, men’s belt made from recycled bicycle tyres with tag detailing tyre mileage. £25.00 available from Love Eco www.love-eco.co.uk Tel: 01223 244 710 R
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3 The Slider Firehose Belt, made from 100% recycled fire hose with nickel free buckle. £25.00 available from Pure Design www.puredesigncompany.co.uk Tel: 020 7193 2885 e cycl ed
6 BoBo Arista Dress Belt in black, made from organic and fairtrade cotton. £25.50 available from Bourgeois Boheme www.bboheme.com Tel: 020 8878 8388 Or
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What’s in Season Fruits and Nuts
Apricots, Blackberries, Blackcurrants, Blueberries, Gooseberries, Loganberries, Plums, Raspberries, Redcurrants, Strawberries
Vegetables Fish and Seafood Bass, Brown Trout, Crab, Dover Sole, Flounder, Haddock, Halibut, Hoki, Plaice, Whelk, Whiting
Aubergine, Beetroot, Broad Beans, Broccoli, Carrots, Cauliflower, Chard, Courgettes, Cucumber, Fennel, Garlic, Kohlrabi, Peas, Radishes, Tomatoes, Watercress
Meat
Chicken, Lamb, Wood Pigeon
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Plums © Ernst Fretz - Fotolia.com; Redcurrants © Elenathewise - Fotolia.com; Fennel © Pascal Martin - Fotolia.com; Radishes © Zbigniew Nowak - Fotolia.com; Fish © Paul Turner - Fotolia.com; Whelk © Alain Rapoport - Fotolia.com
July/August
Crazy Jack half page.pdf 09/06/2009 15:07:23
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Nobody likes to throw away food. Not only is it a waste of money, but it’s terrible for the environment too. Despite this, 6.7 million tonnes of food waste is thrown away in the UK each year, with the average household throwing away up to £610 worth of food every year. The using of leftovers in cooking is a dying skill that could help us to reduce our waste, lower our environmental
impact and save us money. These fantastic recipes from Bish Muir are a great way to start and offers delicious ideas for using up a variety of past their best foods, from over-ripe bananas to a glut of peas. These wonderfully versatile rissoles, for example, can be easily adapted to whatever you have in your cupboards or whatever you and your family crave.
Quick, Cheap and Easy Leftovers Turn leftovers into tasty treats with these ideas from The Use-It-All Cookbook
Green Pea Soup Time to prepare: 15 minutes
Time to cook: 15 minutes
There is nothing like the taste of fresh pea soup. If you grow your own peas, you may find they all ripen at once, in which case this recipe may come to your rescue. It can also be used if you’ve seriously overcatered and have a saucepan of cooked peas left over. Just adjust the quantities to suit the amount of peas that you have.
Ingredients:
Raw peas freeze well. You can ‘blanch’ peas for about 2 minutes in boiling water before freezing or you can lay them out on a tray in the freezer and transfer them to a freezer bag when frozen and of course soup freezes well for later. Leftovers used: Raw peas or a large amount of cooked peas.
400g peas - freshly shelled, or equivalent cooked peas A few Young Pea Pods (optional) 1 sprig of Fresh Mint 1 litre Vegetable Stock or Water Salt and Pepper 25g Butter or Margarine 1 tbsp Flour 150ml Milk or Cream
Method: If using uncooked peas, put the peas with the mint and pea pods in a small amount of salted water and cook until tender. Put the cooked peas into a blender and process until smooth (or push them through a sieve if you don’t have a blender). Combine the purée with the stock or water. Melt the butter or margarine in a saucepan and blend in the flour. Cook for a couple of minutes. Add the puréed peas and stock gradually until fully blended. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to the boil and then lower the heat and allow to simmer for about 5 minutes. Stir in the milk or cream and warm through.
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The Use-It-All-Cookbook by Bish Muir is packed full of easy to follow recipes and ideas for using up your leftovers and making your money and food go further. It includes a handy quick-reference A-Z of ingredients and also offers lots of helpful advice on planning your shopping and storing your food. Credit crunch cooking at its best.
An essential for every kitchen, that will help to ensure that you never throw any food away again, will save you money and help you do your bit for the planet too. Available from Green Books, Tel: 01803 863 843, www.greenbooks.co.uk
Basic Rissoles
Time to prepare: 15 minutes Time to cook: 10 minutes
Rissoles can be frozen so long as any meat you use in them has not been frozen in its cooked form. Be careful how you store rissoles in the freezer, though, as they are delicate and can be easily crushed. The best way is to store them between layers of greaseproof paper, in a deep, plastic container. Rissoles are an old fashioned dish invented for using up leftover meat or poultry in a way that was quick, easy and not expensive, using only store cupboard ingredients. The vegetarian option of using nuts is also delicious. Leftovers used: Leftover cooked meat or poultry; cooked or raw vegetables: carrots, leeks, peas, sweet corn, swede; nuts; stale bread (breadcrumbs).
Ingredients: 500g Cooked Meat, Poultry or Unsalted Mixed Nuts finely chopped 1 Onion - finely chopped 3 tbsps Breadcrumbs Salt and Pepper - to taste Fresh or Dried Parsley Fresh or Dried Rosemary 1 Garlic Clove - crushed 1 tsp Tabasco Sauce (optional) 1 tsp Tomato PurĂŠe 1 Egg - beaten Flour - seasoned with salt and pepper Vegetable or Olive Oil - for cooking
Variations: Beef and Onion Chicken and Sweet Corn Lamb and Rosemary Mixed Nuts Tuna
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Method: Mix all the ingredients (except the flour and oil) in a large bowl. Divide up the mixture into 8 and roll into balls. With floured hands, roll each ball in the seasoned flour, working on the ball to remove any cracks that might cause the rissole to fall apart when it is cooking. Heat the oil in a frying pan over a medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the rissoles and fry for about 10 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden-brown all over and cooked. Serve immediately on a bed of salad or with seasonal vegetables.
Organic, local, fresh ingredients from farmers’ markets, local suppliers or even your back garden will enhance your cooking and tasting experience.
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Ratatouille
Time to prepare: 20 minutes Time to cook: 15 minutes
Although the main ingredient of ratatouille is aubergine, which may not be a regular on everybody’s shopping list, don’t be put off if you don’t have one in the house. A number of things can be added to the basic peppers and tomatoes version which will make just as delicious a vegetable dish. Realistically, if you are using up the odd leftover raw vegetable, you’ll probably only make enough for a side serving, but by increasing the quantities, this can be a delicious vegetarian main dish. Leftovers used: Raw aubergine, courgettes, peppers, tomatoes.
Ingredients: 3 tbsp Olive Oil 1 Aubergine - sliced 2 medium Tomatoes - de-skinned and seeded, or 400g tin of Chopped Tomatoes 1 Red or Yellow Pepper - diced 1 large Courgette - sliced 1 Chilli - finely chopped (optional) 1 large Onion 2 Garlic Cloves 1 dsp Red Wine Vinegar 1 tsp Brown Sugar Handful of Fresh Basil 2 tbsp Salt
Variations: Other ingredients that can be added: Roasted Pine Nuts; Cubes of Feta Cheese; Chopped Anchovies; Grated Parmesan; Handful of Capers
Banana Bread
Method: Slice the aubergine and place the slices on a board and sprinkle them with salt. Turn the slices over and repeat. Leave for 5 minutes then wash off with water and drain well on kitchen paper. Score a cross in each tomato and then place them in a pan of boiling water for 1 minute, take out, leave to cool for a few minutes and then peel the skin off. Chop the tomatoes and remove the seeds. Fry the aubergine segments, peppers and courgette in some of the olive oil for about 5 minutes until they are brown all over but not cooked through. Take out and put aside. In the same pan, add the remainder of the oil and fry the onions, garlic and chilli, if using, for about 3 minutes until soft. Stir in the vinegar and sugar and cook for a further minute before adding the tomatoes and half the basil leaves. Mix in well. Add the peppers, aubergine and courgette to the pan and cook for a further 5 minutes. Add any other ingredients and serve garnished with the rest of the basil leaves.
Time to prepare: 15 minutes
Time to cook: 60 minutes
Soft, brown bananas are ideal for this recipe which is great as they are often ignored if left in the fruit bowl. Bananas release energy slowly over a period of time so banana bread is ideal for a mid-morning school snack or, in my case, any-time-of-the-day naughty moment! Much better than the sugar rush followed by an energy low gained from confectionery.
Ingredients:
I’ve included the option to add spare nuts you may have leftover or even some chocolate drops, although the chances of them being around for long are slim! You will need a 25cm x 10cm loaf tin. Leftovers used: Slightly soft or over-ripe bananas; slightly off milk; chocolate drops; nuts.
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3 large Bananas - Ripe or Over-ripe 180g Brown Sugar 125g Butter 1 tsp Vanilla Essence 2 Eggs 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon 250g Plain Flour 1 tsp Bicarbonate of Soda 3 tbsps Milk - at room temperature 150g Chocolate Drops (optional) 75g Walnuts or Pecan Nuts - halved (optional)
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Method: Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/gas mark 4. Grease the inside of the loaf tin. Mush the bananas with the back of a fork until reasonably smooth. Put the butter and sugar in a food mixer and whisk until creamy. Add bananas, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon and a pinch of salt and whisk until all the ingredients have combined. Add the flour and bicarbonate of soda and whisk again until the mixture is smooth. Finally add the lukewarm milk. Mix in well. Add the chocolate drops/walnuts/pecans to the mixture, give it all a good stir and scrape the mixture into the loaf tin. Cook in the oven for 1 hour. Test to see if it is cooked by putting a skewer through the centre of the cake. The skewer should come out clean. If not, put back in the oven for another 5 minutes. Turn out onto a cooling tray and leave to cool for about 20 minutes. Store in an airtight container.
Mixed Fruit Cheesecake
Time to prepare: 15 minutes
Time to cook: 50 minutes
A cheesecake is ideal for using up any slightly soft biscuits, including the crumbs from the bottom of the biscuit tin and it provides an opportunity to use up a variety of soft fruit as colourful decoration. Traditionally, digestive biscuits are used for the base but ginger biscuits are a really good alternative, or a combination of the two if you don’t have enough. Any kind of soft fruit can be used for the topping.
Crush the biscuits between two pieces of kitchen towel, or in a food processor.
Leftovers used: Fruit: raw apples, bananas, blackcurrants, blueberries, cherries, gooseberries, lemons, raspberries and strawberries; soft biscuits.
Ingredients: 8 Digestive Biscuits - or ginger biscuits 75g Butter 4 tbsps Demerara Sugar 500g Full Fat Cream Cheese 1 tsp Vanilla Essence 2 tbsps Plain Flour 150g Caster Sugar 2 Eggs plus 1 Egg Yolk 140ml Soured Cream 150g Fruit - of your choice Icing Sugar
Melt the butter in a saucepan, add the sugar and biscuits and mix well. Press the mixture into the base of the cake tin and put in the fridge to harden. Beat the cream cheese, soured cream, flour, sugar, vanilla essence, eggs and yolk until the mixture is light and fluffy. At this stage you can combine some fruit such as raspberries, strawberries or blueberries with the mixture if you wish. Pour the mixture into the cake tin on top of the biscuit base and cook in the oven for 40-45 minutes, until set but still slightly wobbly. Allow to cool. Meanwhile, prepare your fruit for the top of the cheesecake, picking out any fruit that does not look its best. When the cheesecake is cool, decorate with fruit and sieve some icing sugar over the top.
Variations: Toppings: Almonds; Apples; Cherries; Grated Chocolate; Gooseberries; Kiwi fruit
Method: Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/gas mark 4. Grease a 20cm cake tin. Make a positive difference
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r u o d o ! d n y u d o r o a b n u r e Give th We’re totally natural, really effective crystal deodorants that won’t leave embarrassing white marks on your clothes.
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Happy hampers Lazy Days Organic Hamper Westons cider, Millers Damsel mixed seed biscuits, Luscombe Sicilian lemonade, Island Bakery lemon melts, Kettle Chips, Organico black olive tapanade, Sunnyvale organic fruit cake, GeoOrganics chutney, Duchy Originals preserve, Green & Blacks cherry bar, in a wicker basket. £44.00
Ethical Weekender Hamper Big Tom tomato juice, Robert Wilson’s green tea, WMF tea infuser, Millers Damsel organic 3-seed wafers, Turnham Green preserve, chutney, spiced salt, garlic salt and basil salt, Domaine de Bequignol chocolate walnuts, and True Story organic dark chocolate and chilli cookies, in a jute bag. £40.00
Fairtrade Afternoon Tea Tray Equal Exchange organic earl grey tea bags and organic masala rooibos tea bags, Teadirect Fairtrade tea bags, Traidcraft Fairtrade raw cane sugar, Fairtrade Brazil nut cookies and Fairtrade strawberry jam, Rowse Fairtrade clear honey, Doves Organic butter flapjacks, in a gift wrapped tray. £35.00
Available from: Available from: www.theorganicgifthampercom- www.turnham-green.co.uk pany.co.uk, Tel: 01253 701 518 Tel: 07972 216 993
Available from: www.simplyfair.co.uk Tel: 0191 414 2001
Taste of Africa Gift Hamper Ormer Bay Chardonnay Fairtrade wine, Women of Africa CD, Equal Exchange Ugandan roast and ground coffee, Malagasy Mora Mora dark chocolate bar, Tropical Wholefoods organic dried mango and chewy banana chips, and sugar cane greetings card presented in a bangla basket. £30.00
Gift Hamper Basket Make up your own fair trade and organic hamper for a perfect sunny picnic, by choosing from any of the vast range of fair trade and organic Goodness Direct products to add to your wicker hamper basket. Delivered wrapped, with bow and gift card.
Organic Refresher Box Belvoir organic cordial, Duchy Originals organic cheese nibbles and oaten biscuits, Rowse organic honey, Green & Blacks organic chocolate Mayo bar and organic Darker Milk chocolate, Bewleys organic Fairtrade ground coffee, Against the Grain organic crunchies and Island Bakery organic oat crumbles. £29.95
Available from: www.ethicalsuperstore.com Tel: 0800 999 2134
Available from: www.goodnessdirect.co.uk Tel: 08718 716 611
Available from: www.finefoodstore.co.uk Tel: 0208 1444 495
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Your child’s special day doesn’t have to be an environmental disaster. Alison Bayne gives us her top tips on going green and avoiding the typical stress, overexcitement and focus on presents.
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heese and pineapple, and ice-cream with chocolate sauce; the days of simple children’s parties are a distant memory for many parents. It’s up to eco-parents to halt the trend of pamper parties for five year-olds, and stretch limo hire for eight year-olds, and celebrate our children’s special days in an ageappropriate way. ‘If you can aim to give your kids the best life you can with more personal effort and thought and less material possessions or expense’, says Rebecca Ash, in The New Spend Less Revolution, ‘there’s a very good chance you’ll be heading in the right direction.’ Remind yourself what birthdays are all about and make the party an occasion for all to look forward to.
Making and creating Create your own invitations, using recycled paper, magazine scraps, old birthday cards etc. If you can’t fit the whole class round your kitchen table, be brave and just invite a select bunch. Use durable plates, cups and utensils that can be washed after the party. Borrow from family and friends - ask guests to bring their own plates - or post a request on freecycle.org. No-one will care if you don’t have a matching set.
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Girl with birthday candle © ALEXANDRA - Fotolia.com
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If you don’t want to use your best tablecloth, why not use a large sheet? Get one out of the airing cupboard or from a charity shop. You can dye it in the washing machine - tie-dying would look great - or give your guests fabric pens so they can doodle during the meal. Or use cloth placemats and skip the tablecloth altogether. Maybe you could make mobiles to decorate the party room, or put up a homemade banner or bunting.
The big balloon debate If you must have balloons, avoid the shiny foil type ones (Mylar balloons), as no-one knows how long they take to biodegrade. Latex rubber balloons are made of a natural substance, which will eventually biodegrade, but it is unknown how long this takes. The findings of research commissioned by the National Association of Balloon Artists (NABAS) suggests that balloons biodegrade in approximately ‘the same time as an oak leaf’, stated as 6-12 months. However, other independent research has shown that balloons in the marine environment may still be elastic and inflated 12 months after their release. The Marine Conservation Society believes that even a minimum of 6 months is still a long time to pose a hazard to wildlife and asks that if you take home a balloon, don’t let go. For more information on the MCS ‘Don’t Let Go!’ campaign and the impact of balloons on wildlife, visit www.mcsuk.org.
Green activities Onemumandaparty.com suggest a number of green activities for children’s parties. Here are six of the best: 1. Hunt the thimble, or the lost puppy (cuddly toy), or anything really – make sure you clarify which rooms are out-of-bounds! 2. Baking – biscuits, scones, fairy cakes. Or helping to cook the party tea. 3. Put on your own puppet show. Choose a favourite story and make sock or paper bag puppets depicting each of the characters. Read the story aloud and the puppets will make the story come to life. 4. Have a scrapbooking party. Ask guests to bring some photos and set up all they’ll need to create some pages for a scrapbook. Provide some boxes
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of scrap paper, beads, feathers, buttons, ribbon, stickers, glue and scissors. 5. Make a handprint poster with every child’s handprint and signature for the birthday child plus smaller versions for each child to take home with them. 6. Even if the weather disappoints, you can still participate in nature activities. Paint pet rocks. Make bird feeders with pinecones, suet and seeds. Plant seeds in a pot. Make sculptures or miniature gardens with small items you have already gathered from the yard or park: leaves, twigs, grasses, etc. Create leaf rubbings and printing.
Save your stamps Remember to save your franked stamps for charity and recycle/re-use the envelopes, cards and wrapping paper you receive. Who wants my used stamps? Thatu is a UK Registered Charity supporting self-help and home-grown projects in poorlyresourced communities in South Africa, so that they become more sustainable. Stamps should ideally be cut from the envelope, leaving a margin of around 5mm. Send them to: Thatu Stamp Appeal, 179 Lyham Road, London, SW2 5PY. The RSPB asks that you save your stamps for the albatross. They can raise money from ALL types of stamps - whether they are used or un-used, UK, foreign or even first day covers. Post them to: RSPB Stamps, PO Box 6198, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, LU7 9XT. Support blind and partially-sighted people by collecting stamps for RNIB. Send to: RNIB Stamp Recycling, PO Box 185, BENFLEET, SS7 9BH. Please separate stamps into British and Overseas.
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• The speaker takes the globe and walks slowly around the circle laid out on the floor. •
Parent/relative: ‘This globe stands for the Earth, the planet we live on. The Earth goes around the Sun. It takes a long time for the Earth to go around the Sun. Every time the Earth goes around the Sun, a whole year has gone by.’
• The birthday child is given the globe to carry around the circle, just as the parent did.
An antidote to the hyped-up party atmosphere that many parents have come to dread, is the Montessori birthday party. As well as avoiding stress, over-excitement and a focus on presents, it also introduces to the birthday child the idea of her belonging to the universe and having a special place within it. The ceremony involves telling the story of the child’s life and truly celebrating and giving thanks for the passing of the year. This approach is probably suitable for children aged three and upwards. All you need are: a candle, a small globe, a piece of ribbon and some items from a memory box. Before the party: • Your child chooses the birthday candle. It should be a large soy candle which will be reserved for this use alone, year after year. •
Buy or find enough yarn, ribbon or cord to make a circle which is 6’ in diameter. Make it as large as you can while allowing enough space for your child to walk freely around the circle with party guests nearby.
• You need a small globe for the child to hold. • Collect together a few meaningful photographs or special items, perhaps from a memory box. Before the ceremony: • Place the candle (which represents the sun) in the middle of the 6’ circle.
•
Parent/relative: ‘Today is Martha’s birthday and we’re going to celebrate it in a special way. Martha is going to carry the globe and walk slowly around the candle four times because she is four years old. Martha is just beginning her journey with the Earth around the Sun. She hasn’t been born yet. Her Mummy and Daddy, her Nanny and Gramps, Nana and Grandpa, and all her aunties are all waiting for her to be born. On December 19th 2004, Martha is born. Martha, would you please take one step forward? (Martha moves forward one step.) Now Martha has been born. She is tiny, only this big (hold up hands to indicate a tiny baby) all pink and wrapped up in a blanket. Mummy and Daddy are so proud. Here is a picture of Martha as a newborn baby. Martha would you walk all the way around the circle? Stop when you get back to this same spot.’
• Then ,when Martha arrives, ‘Martha is 1 year old and celebrating her 1st birthday.’ • •
Show any photographs of events that were meaningful in her first year of life. Continue the story with the birthday child walking around the circle for each year of her life, showing photographs as each year passes until you reach her current birthday.
•
‘Parent/relative: Now Martha is four years old and today is her birthday. The Earth has gone around the Sun four times. Four years have gone by since Martha was born.’
• Gather friends and friends and family around. • Get your globe (which symbolizes the earth) and memory box items ready. The ceremony begins: • A parent or relative lights the candle •
Parent/relative: ‘This light stands for the Sun; the same Sun we see up in the sky. The sun is a great big ball of fire that keeps on burning and doesn’t go out.’
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You can end the ceremony by singing Happy Birthday and let the child blow out the birthday candle. It’s a precious time not only for the child but also for family as they remember events of the years past. It also reaffirms the special place your child holds in her family and in the world, as she continues to grow up, and surely, that is what birthdays are really all about.
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Birthday party kids laughing © Charly - Fotolia.com
The Montessori birthday
• The parent or other relatives begin to tell her story. (I’m using my daughter Martha as an example)
Family favourites The long lazy days of summer have arrived at last. Here are a few of our favourite family news stories, events and reviews to see you through.
Packed and ready to go Heading off on a family summer holiday? Get the kids involved right from the start with these funky backpacks, sure to get them packing their own little essentials. They’re handmade, hand dyed, fair trade and 100% cotton. Available from Green Squirrel - www.green-squirrel.co.uk
Free garden visits for kids Summer holidays can be an expensive time for families but there are plenty of free activities to keep children entertained at Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Gardens throughout August. For the second year running the UK’s leading gardening charity is welcoming children aged 16 and under completely free of charge to discover the fun of frolicking in the garden. There are several special events for families being held at RHS gardens around the UK during the summer, including storytelling and pirate days. For more information visit www.rhs.org/whatson
Rubbed up the right way
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Summertime brings lots of exciting new adentures and some little ones can find it hard to unwind. Why not try the soothing Sweet Dreams Organic Massage Oil from Pitta Patta, which contains organic essential oils with gem essences formulated to help children and babies sleep soundly at night. www.pittapatta.com
A home from home With a warm, sunny summer predicted this year, what could be a more environmentally friendly way to holiday than camping in the UK. Of course, setting up camp with a family in tow can be a daunting task. Fortunately, this is where Bell Tent come to the rescue, with their elegant tents that can be easily put up by one person in just 15 minutes! The 4m tent can comfortably sleep up to six. The beautiful design with natural cotton canvas draped from a central pole, allows you to roll up the sides and enjoy the breezy shade. And they pack down small too. www.belltent.co.uk
Dad’s can carry too! You may think that baby carriers are designed just for mums but think again, more and more dads are taking up babywearing, which helps to build a close bond with baby and gives mum a rest. And it doesn’t have to cramp their style. The award winning Close Baby Carrier comes in a range of colours and is fully adjustable, so is easy for both mums and dads to use and looks great too. Made from from 100% organic cotton, the one piece carrier has soft, wide straps for even weight distribution. www.closeparent.com
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Take a walk on the wild side Looking for a way to get your kids up close and personal with nature this summer? Nicky Solloway picks out six of the best animal activities for children.
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orget walking the dog… what about walking a llama, a donkey or even a wolf? You don’t need to visit a zoo to view interesting animals in Britain this summer. We’ve picked some of the most exciting alternatives to get your children hooked on wildlife during the long summer break.
Walk a wolf Daring children can take wolves out for a walk at the Wolf Conservation Trust’s centre in Reading. The charity works to keep wolves in the wild and supports wolf conservation projects in Croatia, Bulgaria and Russia. ‘We want to dispel the myth of Little Red Riding Hood and the wicked wolf’, says a spokeswoman from the Trust. Following a short presentation, children can walk with the wolves and even stroke them under the watchful eye of their handlers. The popular wolf encounters cost £12 per child and are open to children over the age of 6. As well as the various wolf walks, the Trust runs a Wolf Keeper Day for children aged between 10 and 14. Designed to reveal how a wolf keeper spends his time, the experience includes cleaning the kennels and checking the fences to make sure the wolves aren’t trying to escape. The activity costs £25 and children are promised the chance to howl alongside the wolves, full moon or not! UK Wolf Conservation Trust, Reading, Berkshire. Tel: 0118 971 3330 www.ukwolf.org.
Llamas are no longer such a rare breed in the UK. In fact they can be spotted picking their way through mountain paths in the Lake District and strolling along Devon’s ragged coastline. There are now a number of llama trekking centres throughout Britain offering wildlife lovers the chance to walk alongside these graceful Andean animals and to enjoy a picnic or a high tea en route. Lakeland Llamas takes trekkers in Cumbria on a variety of hikes from pushchair and wheelchair friendly strolls to full day hiking challenges. Llamas make ideal walking companions and can carry heavy loads. They are also said to be more environmentally friendly than horses. In some areas of North America, horses are banned but llamas are encouraged because their hooves don’t damage footpaths.
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Llama walking © Peak Hill Llamas
Go on a llama trek
Lakeland Llamas also has a Llama Karma café in Brougham, Penrith, offering the chance to sip a smoothie while looking out at the llamas in their paddock. Lakeland Llamas: Tel: 08707 707 175, www.lakelandllamatreks.co.uk. East Devon’s spectacular Jurassic Coast is the setting for Peak Hill Llama treks. The centre offers a variety of different treks, including a two and a half hour afternoon walk with a Devonshire cream tea en route. It costs from £30 per person, walking one llama between two. A half day Llama Experience with the chance to feed, groom and walk your own llama costs from £50 per person and a summer evening stroll and buffet in the llama paddock with locally produced food and fair trade tea and coffee costs £120 for a family of four with two children under 16 sharing two llamas. Peak Hill Llamas: Tel: 01395 578 697, www.walkingwithllamas.co.uk.
A tall story in the woods If you go down to the Forest of Dean woods, you’re definitely in for a big surprise. You’re unlikely to see bears, but you might spot three fully grown camels lolloping through the thick Gloucestershire woods. The camels belong to Smallbrook Farm, a trekking centre in the heart of the ancient woodlands, which also has llamas, donkeys, mules and a yak. There are two dromedary or Arabian camels and one bactrian camel. All the treks go through the Make a positive difference
Forest of Dean. ‘The camels stand 15 feet high, so they’re quite impressive to walk with. We don’t ride the camels in the forest because they are too high up, but people can ride in the carriages pulled by mules or donkeys and walk with the herd of llamas’, says owner, Alistair Fraser. A four or five hour trek with llamas, mules and donkeys costs £40 per person, with an additional £50 to take the camels out. Tel: 01594 528 482 / 07929 372 933, www.severnwyellamatrekking. co.uk.
On safari in Scotland You don’t need to travel to Africa to see amazing wildlife. The Highlands and Islands of Scotland can be reached by rail or ferry and offer an equally beautiful backdrop to spot a wide variety of native wildlife, including golden eagles, majestic red deer and minke whales. For the best hope of spotting Scotland’s most prized species, it’s worth taking a tour or safari. McKinlay Kidd offer a variety of themed wildlife holidays, including a Whale and Shark Watching short break from £279 per person for three nights, or a trip to the Isle of Mull to see golden eagles and the even rarer sea eagles from a specially built hide belonging to RSPB Scotland (three nights from £249pp). Tel: 08448 040 020, www. seescotlanddifferently.co.uk. July / August 2009
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Whales in Wales The beautiful Pembrokeshire coastline is awash with amazing wildlife, including whales, dolphins, seals and puffins. As part of its work to help protect these precious species, the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society runs responsible whale and dolphin watching trips through its travel company Out of the Blue. Their six day Wales break (£699pp) provides possible sightings of orcas, minke whales, common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, Risso’s dolphins and harbour porpoises, plus a trip to Skomer Island to see puffins and a guided walk on the RSPB reserve of Ramsey Island - home to one of the largest Atlantic grey seal colonies in Europe. Tel: 0845 290 3218, www.oceansworldwide.co.uk.
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Day trips are available through Thousand Islands Expeditions, who offer a Whale and Dolphin sighting trip, with the possibility of seeing orca, minke and pilot whales, plus a visit to the RSPB island of Grassholm to see one of the largest gannet colonies in the world. It costs £55 per adult and £30 per child. Tel: 01437 721 721, www. thousandislands.co.uk.
Dolphins in the Moray Firth The North East of Scotland is home to the world’s most northerly colony of bottlenose dolphins. A nature-lovers’ haven, the Moray Firth is also a favourite haunt for whales, seals, osprey, otters and even sharks. The Moray Firth dolphins are the largest in the world, growing up to 4m in length and sometimes living for over 40 years. Inquisitive and boisterous, they love to frolic and often approach boats for a closer look. To find a responsible dolphin watching trip, log on to www.dolphinspace.org. Ecoventures run eco-friendly boat trips from Cromarty harbour. Their high speed inflatable dinghy also passes the North Sutor cliffs to see fantastic sea birds such as razorbill, guillemot and kittiwake. Tickets cost £22 per adult; children (5-12) £16. www.ecoventures. co.uk. Tel: 01381 600 323.
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Dolphins © EcoVentures
To see common seals, otters, dolphins and porpoises, you could head to the Isle of Skye and stay at the award-winning Woodbine B&B in Uig for £29.50 per person. Tel: 01470 542 243. Highland Safaris offer forest, mountain or even cycling safaris with the chance to see red deer, mountain hare, golden eagles and grouse. Armed with ‘I spy’ sheets, rangers can help children discover the Caledonian forest wildlife by pointing out the tracks and signs to spot red squirrel and roe deer. Walking safaris cost from £10 per person. Tel: 01887 820 071, www.highlandsafaris.net.
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Ethical Business
Funding
As a result of the financial crisis, many people are opting to go it alone and do something more meaningful. Sarah Lewis investigates what support is out there for ethical businesses.
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customer numbers by 25% in 2008 and then a further 10% in the four months before May this year. Applications for Community Interest Company (CIC) status have never been higher with CIC regulator Sara Burgess reporting that the popularity of the company constitution ‘seems to be snowballing even in these difficult times’. So, if you have lost your job and are looking to set up your own ethical concern, there really has never been a better time.
Look outside your box Just because you want to run an ethical organisation, don’t shut yourself away in a little ethical box. Groups such as Co-operatives UK or the Social Enterprise Coalition can offer invaluable advice on the specifics of your organisation type, but you can still take advantage of all the help and information available to everyone else, such as that offered by Business Link, the government’s business and advice portal. Accepting funding from nonethical sources can be a little less straightforward than accepting advice. There are some large companies, often with a not-
July / August 2009
quite-so-ethical background, looking to put money into green and ethical projects as part of their corporate social responsibility programme. In this instance, you need to decide what is and isn’t ethical for you, and whether you can bend the rules if the pay-off is that you get to run your environmentally or socially beneficial project. Juliet Davenport, founder and CEO of renewable energy company Good Energy, says she has never compromised the integrity of her company, but that she ‘would always look at whether taking money means we can deliver our mission. If we can, then great, but if the result of taking the money is no, then we won’t.’
Ethical banking The two well known ethical banks are the Co-operative and Triodos. The Co-operative Bank offers business banking to charities and ethical businesses, and anyone opening an account is required to outline their business practices, with those not fitting the ethical bill finding their application turned down. Like other banks, they also offer business loans, and there is
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Office handshake © Yuri Arcurs - Fotolia.com
W
ith the world plunged into financial crisis, the sensible among us would probably shy away from starting a business right now. But with unemployment rising at its fastest rate since 1981, people are increasingly on the look out for ways to fend for themselves - with a surprising and exciting twist. Nynke Brett is the networks and support coordinator for UnLtd, a charity which supports social entrepreneurs. She has noticed the credit crunch has brought about a much greater interest in people wanting to combine work with a passion for creating a better world. She says, ‘We have seen people from sectors you wouldn’t expect looking into this area of work. For example, investment bankers who have been made redundant from their job in the City want to change direction. They think ‘maybe I can set up my own business but now I want to do something meaningful’.’ Luckily for these people and the planet, the eco-ethical sector is one of the few that is ticking by quite comfortably despite the troubled times. Ethical bank Triodos reported a growth in
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a sponsorship scheme run by Co-operative Financial Services, but popularity has rendered it off limits to new projects until at least 2010. Triodos provides a similar banking service and will also work with your business to help raise capital, as it has done very successfully for organisations such as fair trade coffee company Cafedirect, the Ethical Property Company and green energy company Ecotricity. Then there is The Charity Bank, a completely unique and innovative venture. Launched in 2002, The Charity Bank is both a bank and charity which distributes 100% of investors’ money in the form of affordable loans to charities, community groups and social enterprises. Invest and save your money with them to see it both flourish and help third sector organisations, or apply for a loan to help get your business up and running.
Friends, family and networking While the fantasy of working for yourself involves padding around in pyjamas until midday, drinking tea and talking to clients on the phone who will be none the wiser, it is important to remember that you don’t have to work in isolation. Friends and family, as well as networking events and your local business community can offer vital help, support and sometimes even funding. Julie Davenport found her first input of cash from a German investor she met at a networking event, and afterwards turned to high net worth individuals to put some money into the company. ‘We ended up doing a management buy out from the German investor, which was about individuals who had
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made money elsewhere and were interested in getting involved. It depends on what your business is, but friends and family are the classic initial source of money, particularly if people are really interested in what you are doing in terms of your mission, rather than just in terms of making money. In that respect, it’s very good to be clear about what your mission is and what message you are trying to send out’, she says.
Customer funding Another place to look for money is your customers. If you already have a small business but are looking to grow, where better to start than with people who are already spending their money with you? Julia noticed her company was getting calls from people asking to invest, and in 2002 managed to raise £600,000 from the existing client base.
Grant funding Grant funding from charitable and family trusts, local councils and lottery funding comes with a great many pros and cons. Perhaps the biggest pro is that, unlike a loan or investment, it doesn’t come with any kind of payback and so it’s essentially free money. The biggest downside, however, is that it is extremely hard to get your hands on, and is only available for certain organisation constitutions, such as CICs and charities, and generally excludes for-profit limited companies. Competition is fierce and some organisations use professional fund raisers to ensure their application is top of the pile. Additionally, if filling in forms is not your forte, look away now. Often grant applications are long, complex and definitely not for the faint-hearted.
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UnLtd is the exception. Funded by the National Lottery’s Millennium Commission, UnLtd grants come with a simple application process, and unlike most other types of grant funding, they seek to support individual entrepreneurs, rather than legally constituted organisations. Nynke Brett says ‘We look very much for the individuals and characteristics and ask if we believe that individual can make the impact they want. We invest a lot in individuals and foster a culture of being entrepreneurial, so a person may not be successful the first time, but they will have the confidence to try again.’
Useful contacts: Business Link www.businesslink.gov.uk Tel: 08456 009 006 For help and advice UnLtd www.unltd.org.uk Tel: 020 7566 1100 Grants and mentoring Co-operative Bank www.co-operativebank.co.uk Tel: 08457 213 213 Ethical banking Triodos Bank www.triodos.co.uk Tel: 0117 973 9339 Ethical banking and investment The Charity Bank www.charitybank.org Tel: 01732 774 040 Loan finance and advice for the third sector Grantsnet www.grantsnet.co.uk Search thousands of grants available to third sector organisations
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Keeping all your eggs in one basket can now be a good thing... Switch to Current Account Plus with a linked savings account* and discover the benefits of having all your money in one place. Current Account Plus with a linked savings account from The Co-operative Bank is a smart way to manage your money in more ways than one. It gives you the peace of mind that comes from choosing a bank that’s financially and ethically sound. And you can earn interest on your money as you go. Open an account today for all these great benefits: • a linked savings account ‘built in’ • UK call centres, open 24/7, 365 days a year • easy and quick transfers between the two accounts • a fee-free £200 overdraft facility • customer-led Ethical Policy. Switch today and start enjoying a secure home for your money, from the bank rooted in its principles.
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*The interest rate on your Savings Plus is guaranteed to track 0.5% below the Bank of England Base Rate for the life of your Current Account Plus. To open and maintain an account you must credit it with £800 minimum a month. Credit facilities are subject to status and only available to those aged 18 or over. The bank reserves the right to decline any application. Registered Office: The Co-operative Bank p.l.c, P.O. Box 101, 1 Balloon Street, Manchester M60 4EP. Registered in England & Wales (No. 990937). Co-operative Financial Services Limited, Registered Office: New Century House, Manchester M60 4ES. Registered Number IP29379R. The Co-operative Bank is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (No. 121885), subscribes to the Banking Code, is a member of the Financial Ombudsman Service and is licensed by the Office of Fair Trading (No. 006110). The Co-operative Bank is a member of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme established under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. In respect of deposits with a UK Office, payments under the Scheme are limited to 100% of the first £50,000 of the depositor’s total deposits held with the bank. Visit fscs.org.uk for details.
How to....
make recycled jewellery
Making jewellery from recycled materials is a fantstic way to lower your environmental impact and create free or very cheap jewellery. Jaime MacDonald gives us a few top tips and an easy project to get you started. The beauty of making jewellery from recycled materials is that you don’t need a lot of equipment to get started. You may have tools in your toolbox that you can begin to experiment with before you buy more specialised tools. Keep yourself safe: Wear goggles when cutting, sawing or drilling and a face mask when sanding, drilling or filing, especially if using plastics where particles or fumes may be released into the air. Somewhere to work: A sturdy table with a bench peg held on by a g-clamp and small hobby vice. An adjustable chair is also good to ensure comfort. To measure: Use a stainless-steel ruler to measure specific sizes and a fine permanent marker to mark measurements onto non-porous surfaces, such as plastic. It can be removed with nail polish remover. To cut: Scissors can be used to cut many materials. However, to cut tin and other thin metals, use a set of tin snips/metal shears. Keep fabric scissors especially for fabrics. Snips, side-cutters or endcutters are available in various sizes dependant on the thicknesses and strength of wire to be cut. For example, to cut steel wire you would need stronger cutters than if you were to cut fine soft wire. Jewellers saw frames and saw blades are different to the familiar hacksaw (which will work with some materials) in that they are adjustable and use finer saw blades, meaning that you can achieve a much finer cut line through your material. To finish surfaces: Files are available in a variety of shapes or profiles and coarsenesses to match the nature of the surface to be filed. Use these to remove burrs from the edges of materials after they have been cut and to make surfaces flush. Sandpapers are available in various grades from smooth to very rough. Start with rough and finish with smooth. Wet and Dry sandpapers, as their name suggests, can be used wet or dry. Use dry on most materials, including wood and metal, use wet on plastics. To form materials/wire: Pliers (round-nose, half
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round nose, flat nose and snip nose) are the basics that you’ll find useful for forming wire. A repousee hammer is ideal for texturing. Use a leather mallet when you want to hammer something but not leave an indentation on the surface. You may need a steel block to use as a hard surface to hammer against when texturing materials or centre punching before drilling. A selection of objects that can be used to shape wire and other materials may also be useful. Drilling and making holes: Most easily accessible are the handheld electric hobby drill, or an Archimedean or push drill, available from DIY stores. Both of these hold small drill bits suitable for most jewellery making. Drill bits are the HSS type, which are available from 0.3mm upwards. Secure items to be drilled to the drilling surface with masking tape. It may be necessary to centre punch some materials before drilling to prevent the bit from slipping. Hole punches can be used on thin materials such as paper, card and thin plastics. Joining materials: There are various ways to join materials depending on what you want to achieve. Try small nuts and bolts, jump rings, rivets, stitching, knotting and tying or staples. Adhesives will play a part as sometimes there are few other options available. Please choose the appropriate glue for the materials being joined for best results. Heating plastics: Use a cool iron to fuse plastics by sandwiching them between layers of greaseproof paper. Like laminating you can trap items between the layers of plastics. Since there are different types of plastic, these will all respond differently to the application of heat. Please be aware of possible fumes. Always wear a face mask. Functional elements: Once you’ve transformed some materials you may need additional elements to make them into wearable pieces of jewellery. These are available in various forms, such as earring hooks, brooch backs and necklace catches. You may want to progress to designing and making your own functional elements given the right materials/tools.
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Fibres Bracelet Materials: • Cardboard sellotape ring (tape removed) • Long, thin strips of fabric approx. 1-2 cm wide • PVA or clear varnish/lacquer/acrylic paint/paint and PVA mix Tools: • Drill (handheld) • Drill bit (a 2.5 mm bit was used for this project) • 1 mm/1.5 mm crochet hook Techniques used: Drilling, cutting, deconstruction, rag-rugging. Method: 1. Remembering to wear a dust mask and goggles, drill holes all over the ring’s surface. The speed of the drill will need to be quite high, as slower speeds will require more pressure to be applied, increasing the chance of the cardboard collapsing. When this is done, remove the dust. 2. Decide what background you would like, whether it should be coloured by paint or the cardboard should be left visible, with only a coat of PVA or clear varnish to protect it. Coat both the inside and the outside of the ring, and leave to dry. 3. Holding one end of a fabric strip inside the ring, push the crochet hook through a hole from the top, hook the fabric strip and pull it through the same hole. On this first pull through, you should have the loose end of the fabric coming out of the hole. 4. Taking the fabric from inside at all times, push the hook through an adjacent hole, pulling a loop of fabric through. Continue pulling loops through until you get to the end of the strip, pulling the last length through as you did with the first. You can either vary the height of the loops or keep them uniform. Add more and more strips of fabric until all of the holes are filled. Jewellery From Recycled Materials is a beautiful handbook detailing the basic principles of creating stunning jewellery from scraps, bits and bobs. With simple, illustrated, step-by-step methods and techniques, it includes a variety of projects, from making a necklace from tin to creating pendants from old keys, as well using materials such as plastic, cardboard, cork and foam. This title provides an ideal introduction to making affordable and ethical jewellery for beginners and practicing jewellers alike. Available from www.acblack.com, Tel: 020 7758 0200
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Books
The Lorax (Eco edition) ISBN: 978 0007305827 Hardback, £7.99 HarperCollins Children’s Books Tel: 020 8741 7070 www.harpercollins.co.uk
The Lorax Dr. Seuss
The Lorax, creation of favourite children’s author, Dr. Seuss, is back with an important ecological message. This hardback edition is made from 100% recycled materials and tells the tale of the long-suffering Lorax’s struggle to save the Truffula Trees from the greedy Once-ler, who is busy chopping them down to make Truffula-tuft knitted Thneeds in his polluting factory. The colourful illustrations, humour and silly rhymes, typical of Dr. Seuss’ stories, keep this a light-hearted and enjoyable read for kids and parents alike.
Herbs for Home Treatment Anna Newton
Herbs for Home Treatment ISBN: 978 1 900322423 Paperback, £14.95 Green Books Tel: 01803 863 260 www.greenbooks.co.uk
Herbs for Home Treatment is a great detailed guide for anyone interested in looking after and improving their general health naturally by using herbal remedies. With sections on the common ailments of the digestive, respiratory, circulatory and nervous systems, Anna Newton offers clear advice on creating your own tinctures, oils and ointments, maintaining your energy levels and increasing your mental and physical stamina, and much more.
Music
Baka Beyond: Beyond The Forest March Hare Music / MAHA CD28 £11.49 Released on 4th May 2009 www.baka.co.uk
Beyond The Forest Baka Beyond
An album of unique and mysterious vocals, Beyond The Forest was recorded on a solar-powered 8-track machine in the middle of the Cameroon rainforest, which has been inhabited by the Baka Pygmies, an ethnic group of hunter-gatherers, for thousands of years. At night time the Baka Pygmy women perform powerful ritual singing (yelli) to ensure a successful hunt. The Baka’s share of the royalties are administered through the charity Global Music Exchange to ensure the money gets back to the Baka Musicians and their community.
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HERBS FOR HOME TREATMENT A guide to using herbs for first aid and common health problems
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Money DOES grow on trees! Imagine if you could earn money and help the environment at the same time‌well you can! At Green Metropolis, the more unwanted books you sell and buy, the more trees can be saved and planted because we donate 5p from every sale to the Woodland Trust. Just visit the website and start recycling!
BabyKind Specialists in convenient, comfortable cloth nappies * Comfortable for baby and easy to use * Kind to your environment and purse * Trim fitting and leak free For 5% discount quote or type code: ethliv3 Offer ends Sept 30th
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Ethical Advice In this column our ethical agony aunt, Sarah Callard, answers your ethical dilemmas. From where to holiday to whether it’s better to hand wash your dishes or use a dishwasher, Sarah finds out the most environmentally friendly and ethical options.
Sarah Callard has been writing about natural lifestyles for over 10 years. She is a columnist for the Saturday Telegraph magazine and the author of Green Living. If you have an ethical question that you would like Sarah to answer, please email us at advice@ethical-living.org
???? ????? Q. We are planning a holiday
and although we are concerned about our carbon footprint we would really like to get some sun. Can’t we compensate for our flight by offsetting?
A. Although air-travel currently
only accounts for around 5% of global carbon dioxide emissions, aviation is the fastest growing source of CO2 emissions, partly due to the boom in low cost air travel. One long-haul return flight can produce up to two tonnes of carbon dioxide per passenger - more than the average motorist produces in a year. Moreover, aviation emissions are widely recognised to have a greater climate impact than the same emissions made at ground level. Offsetting your flight is one way of compensating for its environmental impact. Offsetting schemes vary, with some offering to plant trees to compensate for the carbon emissions created by your journey, while others invest your money into renewable energy schemes, such as solar installation, wind power and hydro power. Some of these projects also offer social and economic benefits for the local community, such as the provision of modern stoves to lowincome families in the Darfur
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region of Sudan by carbon offsetting company Carbon Clear. This enables the families to replace their traditional stone fires with safe, energy efficient stoves, which help to reduce indoor air pollution and improve their health. Offsetting has, however, been criticised by some environmentalists as ineffective. Critics argue that offsetting is not a long-term solution because every flight taken is still supporting the aviation industry. They say the real problem is the increasing number of flights people are taking due to the low cost of travel, which can only be tackled if people stop flying so often. Holidaying in the UK is by far your greenest option and, in order to cater for the growing demand for low environmental impact holidays, there are an increasing number of eco-friendly options available. These include everything from luxury tipis in Cornwall to cycling in Scotland for the more adventurous. However, if you want to be guaranteed some sun, avoiding air travel doesn’t mean you can’t go abroad. There are a growing number of agents who will help organize train travel to hot spots in southern Europe. So, with a bit more time and effort, you can still look forward to sunning yourself
July / August 2009
in Spain or Italy. Visit www.seat61. com for detailed advice and information on travelling to even the furthest flung parts of Europe, Scandinavia and North Africa via train and ferry. If you need any further persuasion new research has also found that flying could be bad for our health. The research showed that air contaminated with fumes from the engine is pumped around the aircraft and has been found to cause some people to suffer from headaches and nausea.
Tips for responsible travel: 1. Avoid flying if possible and, if you do, offset the emissions 2. Book your holiday with a responsible travel agent. Try www.responsibletravel.com 3. Consider transport alternatives such as rail and ferry 4. Choose eco accommodation that uses energy saving technology 5. Look out for travel and tourism companies accredited by the Campaign for Environmentally Responsible Tourism (CERT)
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1VSS ZPVS TUSFTT BXBZ Cats are fantastic companions and can even help reduce stress. If you could do with a calming influence, come and talk to us – you’ll feel smiles better!
For details of cats in your area needing loving homes or to help by making a donation, please phone 08702 099 099 (Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm) or visit www.cats.org.uk Reg Charity 203644 (England and Wales) and SC037711 (Scotland)
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Organic baby toiletries Eco cleaning products and more
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We have over 2000 products from more than 50 brands and knowledgeable product specialists on hand to give you great advice. Call free phone help 0800 169 2579, if you would like their help. No Parabens, No Synthetic Fragrance or other nasties
Brands stocked include: Weleda, Green People, Dr Hauschka, Lavera, Neal’s Yard Remedies, Essential Care, Spiezia, Earth Friendly Baby, Ecover and Moltex.
Orders placed by midday are dispatched same day
9 771754 047009
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ISSN 1754-047X
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In London? Then visit our store, 7 Turnpin Lane, Greenwich Market, London, SE10 9JA
Plus
• Eco-innovations • Dining Accessories • Natural Deodorants • Green Birthdays • Wild Holidays • WIN a Year’s Toilet Tissue
Ethical Publishing