Green Living Spring 2011

greenliving Your lifestyle guide to all things eco...

Spring 2011

magazine

Clean Breaks Our guide to low-impact leisure

Helen Browning Soil Association’s new director on pastures new

Zero Carbon Britain A plan that adds up?

Win!

A three-night break with Canopy & Stars

Join the homegrown energy movement Good Energy is an energy supplier with a difference – we believe that the way energy is made and used in the UK needs to change. All of our electricity is 100% renewable and our main tariff is independently certified by the Green Energy Supply Scheme.

We believe energy doesn’t have to come from big power stations, it can be made by ordinary people up and down the country. As well as making our own electricity from our wind farm in Cornwall, we support more than 1500 independent renewable generators around the country.

By joining the greenest possible electricity supplier, homes and businesses have the opportunity to play a part in something important.

Electricity and gas prices held during the winter.

www.goodenergy.co.uk

0845 456 1640

green living_welcome

greenliving

Editor: Holly Aurelius-Haddock holly@greenlivingmag.co.uk

Welcome...

Assistant Editor: Faye Allen faye@greenlivingmag.co.uk

In our first issue of 2011, we thought it might be nice to offer you plenty of fresh ideas for the year ahead.

Art Director: Jason Ewing Jason@thegroupofseven.co.uk Advertising: Clare Wicks clare@greenlivingmag.co.uk Contributors: Bill Gething, Rebecca Sullivan, Richard Spalding, Guy Watson, Isobel Tomlinson. greenliving Magazine 151-153 Wick Road, Brislington, Bristol, BS4 4HH Tel: 01179 779188 Visit: www.greenlivingmagazine.co.uk Please send any comments or suggestions to the publisher at the above address.

For general enquiries: Peter Francomb Email: peter@greenlivingmag.co.uk © Copyright 2011 greenliving.

All rights reserved. Material may not be reproduced without permission of greenliving.

While we take care to ensure that reports, reviews and features are accurate, greenliving accepts no liability for reader dissatisfaction arising from the content of this publication. The opinions expressed or advice given are the views of the individual authors, and do not necessarily represent the views or policies of greenliving.

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Spring 2011

So with various bank holidays on the horizon, we’ve been to some of the region’s greenest getaways in a bid prove why there’s no place like home – turn to page 20 to find out more.

It’s also a new dawn for the Soil Association’s recently appointed director Helen Browning. Formerly director of external affairs at The National Trust, she says no other job could have tempted her away. Helen runs a 1,350-acre farm in Wiltshire and knows first– hand the challenges the agricultural world currently faces – she shares her views on the future of farming on page 18.

Finally, those looking to embark on a self-fulfilling enterprise might be interested in our Turn Over a New Leaf feature on page 30 – if you do, be sure to get in touch and let us know how you get on.

Change starts with us.

Holly Aurelius-Haddock. holly@greenlivingmag.co.uk

greenliving_contents

greenliving

contents

Welcome to greenliving

you

your home

your planet

14 riverford The latest from the farm down in Devon

10 Green Goodies Planet friendly treats you shouldn’t be without

20 Clean Breaks Discover why there’s no place like home

36 Casa Architects Reduce CO2 levels in your own home

16 Between a rock and a hard place The Soil Association looks at the threat of peak phosphorus

26 Win! A three-night stay for two at a Pippin Gypsy Caravan

38 CJ Wildlife Giving our birds a fighting chance

34 Zero Carbon Britain Bill Gething seeks answers to a questionable plan 44 Planet Worth Saving Inspiring photography from around the globe

We hope you enjoy this issue of greenliving.

We would love to know your thoughts so please get in touch. Email holly@greenlivingmag.co.uk or write to us at 151-153 Wick Road, Bristol BS4 4HH

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Spring 2011

Spring 2011 Meet the team With every issue we offer the latest eco news and advice from some of the sector’s most prominent figures:

Richard Spalding

guy watson

Richard Spalding teaches Human Geography and Environment Studies at UWE in Bristol. Whilst sitting as the Chair of South Gloucestershire Local Food and Drinks Partnership and Winterbourne Medieval Barn Trust, he also finds time to grow a few vegetables of his own too!

Having founded Riverford Organic, Guy Watson has always been fired by a passion for good food combined with traditional farming principles. Determined to loosen the supermarkets’ stranglehold on quality and supply, Guy Watson deals fairly with everybody, which remains an intrinsic value to the business’ operation.

bill gething

the soil association

rebecca Sullivan

Architect Bill Gething was a long-standing partner of Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios before setting up an independent consultancy in 2010.

He has contributed to the practice’s international reputation for sustainable design and is currently a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects’ Climate Change Board.

With their fingers firmly on the pulse, the UK’s leading organic organisation keeps us informed on the latest campaigns and community programmes promoting planet friendly food and farming methods.

Rebecca Sullivan has completed Environmental Leadership Studies at UC Berkeley California and a Masters in Rural Development, Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Change.

Her most recent project has seen her establish a women’s farming co-operative near Stroud.

Spring 2011

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greenliving_news

News Worthy Farm is switched on!

Founder of Glastonbury Festival Michael Eavis has set yet another record. A 200kW solar PV system–currently the largest privately owned rooftop system in the UK designed and installed by Solarsense UK now adorns one of the barn roofs at Worthy Farm, the festival site.

Three years in the planning, the PV system covers 1450 square metres and will save over 88 tonnes of CO2 per annum, enough to fill 88 hot air balloons! Solarsense have been working with Mr. Eavis on this project since early 2007 and are delighted that the recent Clean Energy Cashback Scheme

announcements have enabled the project to be not just green, but also a sound financial investment for the Glastonbury founder. Mr. Eavis can expect a return on his investment (ROI) of up to 12per cent, which translates into an annual income of over £60,000.

To find out the return on investment you could expect from a system on your own property, visit the Solarsense website where the feed in tariff scheme can show you what financial benefits are available for those getting involved in green energy.

T: 01275 461 800 W: www.solarsense-uk.com

England’s private pastures Ecocetera Ecocetera is a fully accredited, Bristolbased renewable energy company who specialise in solar photovoltaic systems.

They are passionate about helping homeowners reduce their dependence on fossil fuels and nuclear power. What’s more, they pride themselves on the quality of their installations, professionalism of their staff and ethical product sourcing.

Tel: 01179 590580 W: www.ecocetera.com

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Government plans to sell off all or part of the publicly owned forests and woodland managed by the Forestry Commission has caused an outcry from the public. Whilst fears of a rise in holiday villages, golf courses and adventure sites grow, the government has been quick to defend its decision claiming that any new owners would be required to maintain biodiversity and public access. A recent YouGov poll found that 84 per cent of the British public agreed that woods and forests should be kept in public ownership for future generations, while only two per cent disagreed.

Spring 2011

greenliving_news

Capital Gain Europe’s largest ground source heat pump system has been employed at One New Change, a shopping centre in London.

The heating and cooling system is situated in the basement where a 60 km pipe network converts thermal heat from underground into a fluid medium. The intelligent control device is the product of three years’ work and is expected to save 350 tonnes of CO2 a year, reducing the building’s carbon footprint by 10 per cent and saving One New Change £300,000 off its annual energy bills. The new development is sparking hopes that shops and offices across the capital will soon adopt the low-carbon technology.

W: www.geothermalint.co.uk

DATES FOR THE DIARY

Go Green Week 7-14 February 2011 People and Planet, the UK’s largest network of student campaigners, have launched Go Green Week, a national week of action on climate change in hundreds of schools, colleges and universities. From veg bag schemes to renewable energy demonstrations, Go Green Week will expose the key role education can play in tackling climate change and challenging unsustainable behaviour patterns.

W: www.peopleandplanet.org

Fairtrade Fortnight 28 February– 13 March 2011

WIN! Glad Rags from Allotment Envy!

Allotment Envy Clothing is an inspiring range of eco clothing organically printed in Bristol. Run by a young couple that loves living their own version of The Good Life, the kitsch designs aim to encourage everyone else to do the same. Get your hands dirty, grow for yourself and to be sustainable in your own way.

Allotment Envy is giving one lucky greenliving reader the chance to win a cosy hooded jumper and a Good Life inspired shopping bag. To win simply email competitions@ greenlivingmag.co.uk stating your name, address, phone number and where you got your copy of the magazine. Good luck!

Be loud and proud for two whole weeks and ‘Show off your label’ for this year’s Fairtrade Fortnight.

The Fairtrade Foundation is urging everyone to brag about using Fairtrade, from the sugar in your cake to the shirt on your back.

The Mall Gallery in Broadmead is hosting Bristol’s annual Fairwear Fashion Show on Saturday 5 March.

Pop along to celebrate the best of ethical fashion and feel inspired by a youthful and unique collection.

W: www.bristolfairtrade.org.uk

W: www.allotmentenvy.com

If you have any news or events that you would like to share with us here at greenliving then email info@greenlivingmag.co.uk Spring 2011

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Wood fuel heating made easy Award-winning biomass boilers from ETA Heiztechnik makes efficient wood fuel heating the easiest way to save money and CO2 for your family. There has never been a better time to switch away from oil or LPG. n n

n

n

Fully automated wood pellet boilers Self lighting and self cleaning with no user maintenance required Electronically managed log boilers for rural properties and farms Lower your fuel bills and your carbon footprint and get the Renewable Heat Incentive

0845 12 66 555 www.fairenergy.org.uk Call Fair Energy CIC to see how easy it is to make the switch to renewable energy with wood fuel and solar heating and PV solar electricity

Solarsense The South West’s leading solar installer since 1994 Installers of solar thermal and PV systems.  Sell surplus power at premium rates with the Clean Energy Cashback Scheme: - Up to 41.3p per kilowatt hour sold back to the grid.

- Expect a return on installation 'investment' cost of 8-12%.  Solarsense have installed over 4,000 domestic and commercial solar systems throughout the South West. Projects include the Clifton Lido, Redland Park United Reformed Church and the newly activated 200kW PV array at Glastonbury Festival's Worthy Farm, the largest private roof system in the UK.

www.solarsense-uk.com

01275 461 800

info@solarsense-uk.com

greenliving_bright stars

Joining Greenpeace was one of those turning points in my life. It gave me the opportunity to bring about the changes that I wanted to see in the world.

What I love about Greenpeace is that we have an international reach, with a presence in 40 countries across Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa and the Pacific. Environmental problems such as climate change, declining fish stocks or deforestation don’t stop at national boundaries and so we need to have the ability to have a coordinated response. We are prepared to take peaceful, direct action-physically acting to stop an immediate environmental wrong at the scene of the crime.

It’s always great to win. In the last few years I have had the privilege to work on some truly inspirational campaigns that have succeeded. In February 2008, I was one of a group of Greenpeace activists that scaled a BA plane in a protest over the expansion of Heathrow airport. On 12 May 2010 the Coalition government announced that plans for a third runway at Heathrow airport had been axed-a huge victory for the climate and for the residents of the village of Sipson who were living under the threat of eviction.

I recently took part in the Channel 4 campaign, Hugh’s Fish Fight. Celebrity chefs like Hugh can help to get people to be more adventurous and try new things. Hugh is very committed to making sure that our kids will still be able to enjoy fish in the future and he is not afraid to ask difficult questions and challenge powerful interests.

The programme resulted in Tesco committing to only using suppliers that employ more sustainable methods.

However, Princes, the biggest supplier in the UK market, has yet to change their practices.

Sarah Shoraka Greenpeace UK Feeling inspired by one of the most active and successful charities in the world, this month we spoke with Sarah Shoraka, an active campaigner from Greenpeace to discover what goes on behind the scenes of a charity with a very green heart...

We don’t ask for or accept funding from governments, corporations or political parties, or donations which could compromise our independence, aims, objectives or integrity. Instead, we rely on the voluntary donations of individual supporters and grant-support from foundations.

Their support allows us to be on the frontline exposing environmental problems and challenging decision-makers to make the necessary changes.

Even with the successes that we have there are still many challenges to face, climate change being the greatest. We need to respond to these challenges and find new, creative ways to reach people with our messages.

W: www.greenpeace.org.uk

Spring 2011

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greenliving_green goodies

GREEN this month’s must do, buy & see

goodies

The G3 Rocket stove – New for spring 2011!

Performance and good looks meet in the G3 Rocket, the next generation of outdoor wood cooking stove. Highly efficient and clean burning, this fabulous stove combines the convenience of a conventional camping stove with the magic of an open fire. The unique two-pot converter is a must-have add-on!

The stove is £65 plus P&P (special pre-order price).

Green Eyes…

Eco-Eye real time electricity monitors for the home or office are the smart way to save money on your electricity bills and reduce your carbon footprint.

On average you can save 15 per cent on your electricity bill. The monitors are designed and produced in Britain and can be installed in minutes.

T: 0117 230 2346 W: www.wildstoves.co.uk T: 01903 851905 W: www.eco-eye.com

The better, greener alternative to wood

Save money with every flush…

Embers in Bristol is proud to offer ‘Cheltenham Easy-Logs’ a greener, cleaner way of heating your home. They are one of the most convenient carbon-neutral eco-fuels on the market. Premium quality 80mm briquettes made from 100% recycled Gloucestershire sawdust. Don’t forget to find out about their variety of solid-fuel and wood burning stoves with free local delivery.

T: 0117 9251115 W: www.embersbristol.com

Save money on your metered water and sewerage bill by fitting a Dual Flush converter to your existing WC cistern. This can save up to 50 per cent of flushing water – approximately 15 per cent of total household water use. Easy to install, there is no need to turn the water off or drain the cistern. Special Offer: Usually £22 or £20 if you mention greenliving magazine.

T: 01784 432449 W: www.peterton.co.uk

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Spring 2011

greenliving_green goodies

Wiggly Wigglers!

Turn your waste into rich compost with this best-selling wormery. The worms will make short work of vegetable peelings, pasta, paper and tea bags along with many other kitchen and household scraps. The kit contains everything you need to get started, including worm treat, a moisture mat, lime mix and full instructions and 500g of composting worms. At 74cm in height and 76cm in diameter, the housing takes up far less room than a full-sized compost heap, making it a great choice for smaller plots.

Paint the house green‌

T: 01981 500391 W: www.wigglywigglers.co.uk

Auro Paint use only natural ingredients in their paints, no petrochemicals and synthetic resins are ever used. You can rest assured that you will be painting your home in completely sustainable, safe and natural paint from a CO2 neutral manufacturer. Their matt emulsion comes in 92 natural colours and they also have floor oils, waxes and wood stains for interior and exterior use.

W: www.auro.co.uk or call 01452 772020

No splinters for little fingers!

Pack away everything from muddy wellies, gardening tools and outdoor toys in this child friendly storage bench. This 1.6 metre long bench is made from 100 per cent British recycled plastic which won’t warp, rot or turn mouldy. Produced to the same density as wood, this bench not only looks and feels like wood it is also safer as it is not flammable. Because it doesn’t retain water, it will never be damp to sit on too!

Suitable from 3-10 years of age.

T: 01282 861325 W: www.kedel.co.uk

Spring 2011

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rebecca sullivan Rebecca Sullivan has completed Environment Leadership Studies at UC Berkeley California and a Masters in Rural Development, Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Change. Her most recent project has seen her establish a women’s farming co-operative near Stroud.

This month Rebecca Sullivan pays a visit to a very sweet bakery in East London to find out how you can have your cake, eat it and feed your conscience too...

e k a c H a ppy Enter the exuberant and beautiful Lisa Stockton. Armed with a mixing bowl full of what looks like a chocolaty concoction to make any woman go weak at the knees, wooden spoon in hand and donning a bright apron made by a women’s group in East Africa and here you have a woman on a mission to teach the world a lesson or two through their stomachs by eating some yummy, healthy and ethical chocolate cake.

Yes, I said all of those three words together yummy, healthy and ethical. Not forgetting the chocolate part either.

Happy Kitchen is a social enterprise bakery in East London run by a group of lifelong friends and founded by Lisa and her oldest friend Ellie. They hand make mouthwatering, cakes, flapjacks, brownies and cookies – free from wheat, dairy, eggs and sugar, with some also gluten-free – using only plant-based British, seasonal, organic and fairly traded ingredients.

Passionate about food, people and the planet, they want to use their cakes to spread the word of happiness everywhere!

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A proportion of their time is invested in education projects about food, sustainability, health, the environment and climate change.

Committed to reducing our impact on the planet they compost any fruit peelings, carefully manage waste and recycling, use packaging derived from plants, deliver by LPG van and use energy that is 70 per cent renewable to run the bakery.

With their food educational programmes, Lisa has so far been

into schools and community centres, attended festivals, events and delivered seminars at numerous conferences, to deliver projects, workshops and talks about many food and environment related issues. Her inspirational attitude shines through both in the way she talks and cooks. So much so, you leave thinking “Wow, I can make a difference too!” Happy Kitchen works to produce and sell food as a campaigning tool and to raise money for environmental and social projects in the UK and developing countries.

Spring 2011

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Her inspirational “ attitude shines through

es!

both in the way she talks and cooks. So much so, you leave thinking “Wow, I can make a difference too!”

The major aim for them is to partner with all relevant local authorities and programmes that currently work in delivering food-based education to create a campaign that all schools can get involved with. This will centre around making food a fun and engaging subject that encompasses the wider issues surrounding the ethical, social

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and environmental issues within food agriculture and consumption. Lisa is looking to take this opportunity to not only further the work she has thus far developed, but to share skills with others so that they themselves can implement work in many more places within London and perhaps nationwide.

Lisa is well-known in the food world for cooking sustainably for the masses and she’s most likely to be found in her bakery kitchen with a crew of happy helpers making sustainable food, hosting dinner parties from food waste, out in the woods foraging for food or digging in her local community allotments. Thankfully for us she has shared one of her recipes so we can do our own bit for the environment whilst still being able to enjoy what feels like a guilty pleasure...

Happy Kitchen Flapjacks Makes 10 flapjacks Add the following into large bowl: • 450g organic English porridge oats • 100g ground English linseeds/ flaxseeds (grind in a blender for oils to be fresh) • Pinch of sea salt • 2 tsp cinnamon • 400g chopped English organic apple, rhubarb or gooseberries etc (wash and core the apple, slice into eighths, then slice across to the size of a 5p piece) • 150ml English hemp oil • 6 level tbsp English organic apple purée (puree apples with skin on in food processor) • 350ml fairly traded Agave syrup or English honey Instructions: Mix liquids in well so all oats are coated. Pour out the mix into a lined baking tray and smooth out with a spatula. Ensure an even thickness (2-2.5cm deep) and that the edges are straight and smooth. Place tray into preheated oven, gas mark 6, 200°C. Cook for 20 minutes or until lightly golden. Remove from oven and leave to cool before slicing into squares.

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greenliving_riverford farm

Down on

Riverford Farm...

This issue: Kale

Cavolo nero is the slowest-growing, least hardy and hungriest of the kales, so we have to plant it early in a good field to produce a decent-sized plant.

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We pick individual kale leaves in October, but at this time of year cut the whole plant to go in the vegboxes. In the kitchen, try stripping the leaves off the stalk and blanching them for a few minutes, then drain and fry with olive oil and garlic. It makes a good side dish, or you could turn it into a quick pasta sauce by blitzing it with cream, Parmesan and dried chilli. Although, after a hard day in the fields, our field workers agree there isn’t much to beat a hearty cavolo nero soup.

Try Riverford Field Kitchen chef, Jane Baxter’s, recipe.

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O “

n these cold winter days, our field workers are busy harvesting kale for the vegboxes. We grow different kale varieties including curly, red russian, thousand head and cavolo nero (black kale). Cavolo nero is a real favourite with us at the farm, and thanks to its robust flavour and texture, it’s becoming increasingly popular in restaurants. It has very dark green, sometimes bluey-black, long blistered leaves with a heavy mid-rib.

Guy Watson Founder of Riverford Organic

Spring 2011

greenliving_riverford farm

By Jane Baxter, Riverford Field Kitchen.

Taken from the Riverford Farm Cook Book

Recipe

Cavolo nero and potato soup with red chilli

e k lin nal .u onseasos at .co Go re ipe ord o M rec rf e riv w. w w

Serves 6

Ingredients

Method

400g cavolo nero or other kale

Strip the kale leaves from their central ribs. Cut the leaves into roughly 5cm pieces and wash well.

3 tbsp virgin olive oil 1 onion, diced 6 garlic cloves, sliced 1 small dried red chilli, chopped 1 bay leaf 1 tsp salt 4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced 1 litre water or stock Freshly ground black pepper Soured cream, to serve

Heat the oil in a large pan, add the onion, garlic, chilli, bay leaf and salt and cook gently for 3-4 minutes. Add the diced potatoes and a cup of the water or stock and cook for 5 minutes. Add the kale, pour in the remaining water or stock and simmer for about 30 minutes, until the potatoes are soft.

PurĂŠe a cup or two of the soup in a blender and then return it to the pot.

Season with black pepper and serve with a dollop of soured cream.

Special

FREE vegbox* offer

Offer!

for greenliving readers! *Place a regular order and the third box we deliver is free.

Applies to new customers placing a regular order. The free box will be the same value as the cheapest previous box. Quote GLM10

Spring 2011

Riverford Organic Vegetable Limited Wash Barn Buckfastleigh Devon TQ11 OJU Local Call: 0845 600 2311

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greenliving_soil association

Between a rock and a hard place As the world continues to depend on rock phosphate, a cheap and readily-available fertiliser, its diminishing supply has a bleak future that can only be rectified by radical change, as the Soil Association’s Isobel Tomlinson points out…

There is one critical issue in securing our future food security that is missing from the global policy agenda: we are facing the end of cheap and readilyavailable phosphate fertiliser on which intensive agriculture is totally dependent.

The supply of phosphorus from mined phosphate rock could ‘peak’ as soon as 2033, after which this non-renewable resource will become increasingly scarce and expensive.

In Europe we are dependent on imports of rock phosphate, having no deposits of our own, but the geographical concentration of reserves adds further uncertainty to the future security of

our sources-in 2009, 158 million metric tonnes of phosphate rock was mined worldwide. 67 per cent of this resource was mined in just three countries - China (35 per cent), the USA (17 per cent) and Morocco and Western Sahara (15 per cent). China has now restricted, and the USA has stopped, exports of phosphate.

The uneven distribution of reserves led to an article in Scientific American to declare phosphorus “a geostrategic ticking time bomb”.

Without fertilisation from phosphorus it has been estimated that wheat yields could more than halve in the coming decades – from nine tonnes a hectare

to four tonnes a hectare. The current price of phosphate rock is approximately twice that of 2006. When demand for phosphate fertiliser outstripped supply in 2007/08, the price of rock phosphate rose 800 per cent.

That’s why here at the Soil Association we’ve recently published a report on the issue – ‘A rock and a hard place: Peak phosphorus and the threat to our food security’. We reveal that supplies of phosphate rock are running out faster than previously thought and that declining supplies and higher prices of phosphate are a new threat to global food security. We believe there’s an urgent need for farming to become less reliant on phosphate rock-based fertiliser.

This critical issue is missing from the global policy agenda-we are completely unprepared to deal with the shortages in phosphorus inputs, the drop in production and the hike in food prices that will follow.

A radical rethink of how we farm, what we eat and how we deal with human excreta, so that adequate phosphorus levels can be maintained without reliance on mined phosphate, is crucial for ensuring our future food supplies.

‘A rock and a hard place’ sets out the actions needed to close the loop on the phosphorus cycle.

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Spring 2011

greenliving_soil association

of phosphate rock “areSupplies running out faster than

previously thought and declining supplies and higher prices of phosphate are a new threat to global food security

”

What changes are necessary?

Changing what we eat Eating less meat can reduce the demand for mined phosphate. This is because vegetable-based production is more efficient in its use of phosphorus than livestock production. Meat from livestock grazed on grassland that has not been fertilised with artificial fertilisers will perform much better than meat from livestock grazed on fields that have been, or livestock fed on grain grown using artificial fertilisers.

Changing how we deal with human excreta The report recommends a radical change in the way we treat human excreta and the need to abandon our current ‘flush and-forget’ toilet systems in favour of Ecological Sanitation. The report also calls for a change to EU organic regulations to allow the use of human sewage – rich in ‘natural’ phosphate-on agricultural land to ensure phosphate levels are maintained.

Changing how we farm Different farming systems vary enormously in their reliance on mined phosphate. Organic farms are more resilient to the coming phosphorus rock ‘shock’, as it can only be used as a supplement to nutrient recycling (including crop rotations, green manures, and composting, and not as a replacement. Organic crops generally have a lower fertiliser requirement than non-organic crops, with a greater capacity to scavenge for nutrients through denser and deeper root systems.

Spring 2011

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greenliving_helen browning

The Greenliving profile

Helen Browning Newly-appointed director of The Soil Association As Monty Don steps down from the post, we grab the opportunity to catch up with one of the most inspirational women of the food and agricultural world…

I grew up on the farm that I now run and became interested in organic farming from the early 1980s, so when I took on the farm in 1986 I started experimenting with organic farming and therefore became familiar with the Soil Association quite quickly.

Initially I started out as a licensee, then I got involved as a trustee and later as a Chairman from the late 1990s to 2001.

I then came back in 2004 as a Food and Farming Director. I’ve had nearly 25 years of involvement in various guises with organic farming, food and the Soil Association as well as many other organisations along the way, so it’s wonderful to be in this new position.

Since its beginnings, the Soil Association has changed from all recognition. When I first started, it only had about five members of staff. The standards were still in development and it was certainly a labour of love. It was very much a movement of people who were committed to bringing about a way forward for

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farming and nutrition that was different to what had become very quickly the establishment. There was a lot of energy and not many hands on deck. The early ‘80s was a very exciting time to be involved with them.

Working with the National Trust is still very important to me. The Trust is an organisation which is doing amazing work. It’s working hard to be known for its countryside just as well as it is known for its buildings and stately homes. There’s just stacks of really good stuff happening there coupled with some really great people working there too. The Trust is also very keen to reach out to a bigger audience.

There are a lot of parallels between the National Trust and the Soil Association in terms of its core beliefs: the natural

world and our interaction with it.

People working to bring joy and beauty to people’s lives is, I think, an amazing mission and is not too dissimilar to what the Soil Association is doing with food and farming.

The National Trust has a clear understanding of where it’s trying to go which I think is crucial.

Reaching out and being a much more open armed organisation is the goal of the Soil Association as well. Both are membership organisations. The Trust has 3.8 million and The Soil Association includes 20,000. Learning what makes the Trust so compelling for so many people is a very interesting case study. There are

Spring 2011

greenliving_helen browning

lots of areas where the organisations work together on a practical basis and going forward, I think there is some great work we can do together.

Taking the Soil Association forward is about talking to people here and outside the organisation and making sure I understand their views and concerns about where we are going. I know we need to be reaching out a lot more. We need to make sure the organic approach, the Soil Association’s core message, is one that we can talk about and people can relate to. We need to make sure that we are playing to our strengths which is about practical solutions so that people can live better on this planet.

Spring 2011

We live in a world of limited “ resources and for our own sanity and safety we have to find a way to live within our means

Some people are forced to buy the cheapest food come what may. We are about helping people feel the benefits of going organic. We live in a world of limited resources and for our own sanity and safety we have to find ways to live within our means. People at the moment are feeling the pinch, so our job has to be to help people understand and feel the benefits of living out their values. The price of conventional, non-organic food has gone up so much it’s virtually the same as organic.

”

This does increase the opportunity for people to buy organic at no extra cost. There are ways to highlight the difference organic makes, we just have to make sure we talk about it in a way that makes people want to do it!

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greenliving_clean breaks

CLEAN Breaks

In the words of Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz ‘there’s no place like home’, and once you’ve seen our selection of planet-friendly holiday options for the spring, we hope you’ll agree...

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Spring 2011

greenliving_clean breaks

Merlin Farm As staycations go, you could do a lot worse than head for North Cornwall, an area whose rugged beauty is matched only by its superlative landmarks. Between King Arthur’s Tintagel, Bodmin Moor and The Eden Project, there’s something altogether otherworldly about the place. This is echoed by the futuristic wind farm clusters dotted around - iconic representations of a thriving green scene.

If you’re keen to follow the region’s holiday trail without leaving a carbon footprint, look no further than Merlin Farm . With a background in hotel architecture, owner Darrel Wheeler set about renovating the stables just over two years ago, transforming them into four boutique eco-cottages. The interior design was undertaken by his wife Lucy who has attended to every last detail.

“

North Cornwall, an area whose rugged beauty is matched only by its superlative landmarks

”

Set in the backdrop of 27 acres of beautiful countryside overlooking the Vale of Lanherne, sustainability lies at the heart of Merlin Farm, encompassing everything from ground source heat pump underfloor heating to Horace the donkey come organic hedge trimmer! To improve efficiency, Darrel also has plans in the near future to generate his own electricity from solar PV panels.

Darrel and Lucy have hospitality in the blood, the former having taken on the family hotel in Newquay which he eventually sold to buy the farm three years ago. Born and raised in Cornwall, the couple are both well-informed and forthcoming on the best places to visit, and in particular, eat. Just as well then that Merlin Farm is five minutes from Jamie’s Fifteen and less than half an hour from Rick Stein’s numerous outposts and Nathan Outlaw’s two Michelin star setup in Rock.

In his own words, Darrel describes his idyllic corner of the world as “a fantastic place that’s still undiscovered”. That might be true, but thanks to his tireless efforts to combine low impact leisure with luxury, Merlin Farm is the ideal base from which to start...

T: 01637 860236 W: www.ecocottagescornwall.co.uk

Spring 2011

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greenliving_clean breaks

Yurtcamp Devon Yurtcamp Devon is the ultimate ‘glamping’ and family camping holiday experience. Set in 40 acres of beautiful Devon ancient woodland are 18 Contemporary Yurts. Yurtcamp offers all the best bits of camping; the real outdoors and camp-fires, in comfortable, weatherproof, spacious well equipped Yurts with log burners, cosy beds, and everything else you need for a great break. On site there’s loads of space for children to run and play, a new toilet and shower block with plenty of hot water, a games barn, a woodland assault course and zip wire, a full sized all weather tennis court, outdoor fire pits, chickens and goats. We have a fully licensed Cafe bar for those who fancy breakfast or a sociable evening drink. Yurtcamp is ideally situated in South Devon, five minutes from Dartmoor and 20 minutes from the coast. Yurtcamp is available to hire for group events of up to 100 people. They have a large Giant Tipi for parties, wedding receptions and corporate events.

They are fully licensed and don’t forget to ask about the catering available for your function.

To book, contact Yurtcamp at enquires@yurtcamp.co.uk or visit www.yurtcamp.co.uk

Why not build your own Eco Retreat with a Bell Tent?

Find an idyllic spot and create your own Eco Retreat, if that happens to be at the bottom of your garden then it doesn’t get much more low carbon footprint than that...

An unbleached Cotton Canvas Bell Tent take less then 15 minutes to put up and you can even roll the walls up on a scorching afternoon to let the breeze blow over you. Once it’s up you need to deck it out with Glamping Goodies to create that boutique vibe you’ll pay hundreds for at a festival or retreat. Use it as a summertime chill out, children’s playroom or even an extra bedroom when the house is full or pop it up in the corner of a farmers field to get away from it all.

Bell Tents start from just £299 from www.belltent.co.uk (07830 355993) and deck them out at www.campingwithsoul.com (07847 933667)

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Spring 2011

greenliving_clean breaks

Wonderfully Slow holidays from Inntravel

What is a Slow holiday? A Slow holiday is all about discovering the path less taken and enjoying a truly individual experience at your own pace. Whether you choose to walk, ski, cycle or take an inspiring journey by train, boat or car, Inntravel’s carefully crafted self-guided holidays ease you into the rhythm and patterns of everyday life as you journey through wonderful landscapes, uncover hidden corners and share authentic encounters with local people along the way. They give you time to relish delicious regional cuisine and relax in family-run hotels and character inns, where you will receive the warmest of welcomes.

Inntravel’s Slow holidays are a breath of fresh air. The emphasis is on exploring in a relaxed way and entirely at your own pace. You follow an itinerary using Inntravel’s detailed route notes and maps, but you can stop when you want, head off to explore something that

Spring 2011

To receive Inntravel’s new brochures containing a wide choice of tempting holiday ideas for spring, summer and autumn, call 01653 617039 or download a digital brochure at www.inntravel.co.uk interests you on the way, take time to wander around a small town or village, chat to people you meet, enjoy a drink at a local café and simply watch the world go by. Inntravel do not believe in clockwatching so you have time to enjoy your holiday in the way that suits you best.

A Slow holiday is the perfect tonic for a hectic life. So, whether you choose to walk along ancient mule trails, cycle through an olive harvest or take a leisurely journey by rail among the most spectacular mountains in Europe, Inntravel’s experienced staff will help you get the most from your Slow holiday. Savour the moments and enjoy the Slow life-with Inntravel.

EXCLUSIVE

GREENLIVING OFFER! Book any Inntravel holiday before 31 October 2011 and Inntravel will send you a FREE copy of the fabulous Rough Guide, Clean Breaks. This 400-page book (RRP £18.99) has been compiled by green travel experts and offers 500 new ways to see the world.

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greenliving_clean breaks

Stock Gaylard Holidays “Woodlands alive with wildlife”

Two groups of three luxury yurts, each with a living yurt and two sleeping yurts. Most of the furniture has been made especially for the yurts using timber from the estate. This includes comfortable kingsize beds, kitchen dressers and unique coffee tables. Similarly, the Shepherd’s huts and Woodman’s wagon have been restored and fitted out on the estate.

Staying with us is the perfect way to appreciate this unspoilt and stunning scenery. The hedgerows and woodlands are alive with wildlife for all ages to enjoy.

T: 01963 23511 W: www.stockgaylard.com

At the yurt sites have a bath under the stars with steaming hot water supplied from the wood fired heater.

All the accommodation is set within 1,700 acres of North Dorset’s most spectacular countryside, which includes 300 acres of mostly oak woodland and an enclosed 80-acre deer park.

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Spring 2011

greenliving_clean breaks

Monkton Wyld Court A rural Victorian rectory with 11 acres of grounds, gardens and meadows near Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, Monkton Wyld Court is dedicated to the education and enrichment of guests and residents alike. The Court promotes sustainability through cooperative living and learning, practical skills and personal growth.

From beekeeping to yoga, the Court’s programme promotes low impact, earth centred skills for changing modern life. Family week holidays offer activities like bushcraft, fossil hunting and theatre.

Meals are lovingly prepared using fresh organic ingredients from our own organic walled garden and other local producers. We also offer B&B and specially tailored holidays for family celebrations.

T: 01297 560342 W: www.monktonwyldcourt.co.uk

Tordown Bed & Breakfast and Healing Centre Tordown B&B and Healing Centre is a haven of peace and tranquility nestled in the southern slopes of Glastonbury Tor. Tordown specialise in helping you feel nurtured in a sacred, safe and loving environment, where you can explore Glastonbury Abbey and surrounding area, walk the Tor, meditate in Chalice Well or just unwind watching the birds in the garden. This site of sanctuary is 4* rated by Visit Britain with a Gold Award from the Green Tourism Business Scheme.

Caring for the environment in simple ways is at the heart of Tordown. Visit online or give Tordown a call to find out about the holisitc therapies.

T: 01458 832287 W: www.tordown.com

Spring 2011

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greenliving_competition

Win! A 3 night stay for two at a Pippin Gypsy Caravan in Devon Sawday’s Canopy & Stars is a wonderful collection of beautiful and quirky places of a luxury camping kind! We’re not talking about any old camping holiday and we’re not just talking about tents.

Some call it ‘glamping’ but for Canopy & Stars it’s about ‘getting back to nature’ but with a delicious twist.

Pippin the Gypsy Caravan offers a beautiful and colourful place to stay. The wagon was hand painted by Nick Dow, whose specialist skills in traditional restoration have been put to use in the past by none other than the Rolling Stones’ Ronnie Wood.

Inside, the wagon is full of a collection of vintage things lovingly thrown together from auctions, bohemian Totnes markets and second hand shops. The feel is very traditional and oldfashioned but there’s still a gas hob, for those cups of tea when you just can’t wait. The bed is soft and warm and folds up to give the inside a bit more seating space. From the steps of the wagon you can see across

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the orchard to the loo and the ‘rustic wet-room’, which was built on the site of the old earth outhouse. This is also where you’ll find the cedarwood hot tub, where you can sit back with some local cider and soak up the stillness of the countryside. While the focus of Cleave Farm is firmly on the slow life and relaxation, there is plenty to do for the more active. Nearby Dartmoor is great for walking, cycling and climbing and you’re only a short distance from Bohemian Totnes in one direction and the sea in the other.

Canopy & Stars is offering one lucky greenliving reader the chance to win a 3 night stay for two people in the Pippin Gypsy Caravan in beautiful Devon.

To enter, simply email info@ greenlivingmag.co.uk stating your name, address, phone number and where you got your copy of the magazine from. Good luck!

Terms and conditions apply.

Closing date March 31st 2011.

Contact Details: The Old Farmyard, Yanley Lane, Long Ashton, Bristol BS41 9LR

Spring 2011

greenliving_richard spalding

in an age of crisis By downsizing our food expectations now, Richard Spalding reflects on a future with a very different landscape...

I keep on wondering what our landscapes, and particularly our foodscapes, will look like in 100 years time. With this, I found myself gazing at two maps, one book and our own chickens to find the answer.

security. In the cruelest of ironies, much of this land has already been lost to the global food system as traditional market garden economies have collapsed as local land assets have been devalued.

Map one is of parish shapes in Lincolnshire.

My first encounters with this particular patch of soil and land began when I was five years old. The parish boundaries in part of the county run at right angles to the contours either side of the limestone high point of the Lincoln Edge. Such organisation ensured that each place developed with an intimate knowledge around its basic (and local) assets of soil, water and biodiversity in an ecologically efficient manner. The community worked within its means and traded as necessary for other items. Local resource management had a comforting feel, which seems to have been lost under the powerful interests of the global food system. Parochial is commonly defined under accusations of “narrow” or “restricted in scope”-perhaps that’s exactly what we need right now if we are to deliver resilient foodscapes for the future.

The book Dwellers in the Land - the bioregional vision is Kirkpatrick Sale’s 1985 exploration of some potential ways in which human communities might organise themselves within ecological principles. He cites a journey in which the future might be imagined, designed and then created which centres on the notion of the bioregion. This is

The second map is less parochial and shows the location across the whole of England of agricultural land classified according to its capacity to grow food consistently. Somewhat frighteningly, much of the land identified as Grade 1 agricultural land lies only between 1-5 metres above sea level. The threat posed to this land falling under sea level is real and potentially catastrophic to our food

Spring 2011

and envisage a downsized, relocalisation of our food and farming activities, then what might emerge is a new patchwork of foodscapes which grow out of the local assets base as before. This can include locally generated energy production to fuel the emergence of a truly resilient agri-culture to sustain us.

I am writing these exploratory statements at a time of seeming impossibility, but here they are as a set of challenges for the future. Many of you are already doing this pioneering food work in and around our own Bristol region and in effect envisioning and creating the foodscapes of the future right now.

What of the chickens? The idea here is to provide eggs and to hoover up kitchen waste so as to render the newly delivered waste food bins unnecessary for this family.

Even as I write, the fox is visiting to search for his own share.

If we dare to dream now and envisage a downsized, “ relocalisation of our food and farming activities, then what might emerge is a new patchwork of foodscapes which grow out of the local assets base as before a place which reflects my earlier thoughts on parish economies, but on a regional scale. He also refers to the Polish philosopher Leszek Kolakowski who said: “It may well be that the impossible at a given moment can become possible only by being stated at a time when it is impossible.”

I want to apply this thinking to our future foodscapes. The current moment sees a dominant, corporate, global food system fuelled by oil with an apparently unstoppable logic as the whole of humankind is drawn into its influence. However, if we dare to dream now

”

Richard Spalding Richard Spalding teaches Human Geography and Environmental Studies at UWE in Bristol.

Whilst sitting as the Chair of South Gloucestershire Local Food and Drinks Partnership and Winternourne Medieval Barn Trust, he also finds time to grow a few vegetables of his own too!

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greenliving_CJ birdfood

As the nation’s favourite tweeters struggle to feed in a tough winter, we turn to the industry experts CJ Wildlife to learn how to give our birds a fighting chance…

CJ’s Plywood Nest Box offers the perfect retreat for flourishing birds £8.49

Birds need fat to stay fit!

During the short, cold days of winter your wild birds will be spending more and more time looking for food with a high energy content.

They need to find food that is so rich in calories that the surplus can be stored as fat during the day and then burnt off during the night to keep warm. When the days are at their shortest, the nights will be up to 16 hours long, leaving just eight hours for the birds to replace the energy used to keep warm during the night.

There’s usually lots of competition at the feeders so the smaller birds such as blue tits and robins often have to wait until the larger birds have had their fill, further reducing the time available to feed.

Putting out energy-rich foods such as kibbled sunflower hearts is a big help to a wide range of species, but when the weather gets cold the best approach is to give the birds exactly what they need: fat. It’s important to avoid salty fat from bacon or gammon as most garden birds can’t cope with it. Apart from that, it’s fine to use fat saved from a roast dinner or purchased in blocks as lard or dripping. Fat cakes are available from specialist companies such as CJ Wildlife, or you can make your own by mixing the fat in with wholesome scraps such as cake crumbs or broken up biscuits, avoiding chocolate as it contains a substance harmful to birds and pets.

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Metal Seed Feeder with Sunflower Hearts £19.95

Squares from CJ Wildlife available in 6 flavours from £2.25

Making fat cakes can be a fun way of involving even quite young children.

For young children, dripping or lard should be cubed and then gradually mixed in with the other ingredients using only the heat of the hands to produce a nice stiff mixture. The “adults only” approach is to melt the fat on a low heat and keep stirring in dry ingredients until the fat can absorb no more. CJ Wildlife’s Bird Cake Mix is a tried and tested mix of peanut flour and seeds which, when mixed with melted fat, creates a delicious homemade treat.

Whichever method you use, the final mix can be put into a mould such as a clean can or baking sheet and allowed to

harden outdoors or in a fridge. By tying string around a short stick and putting this into the base of the can before adding the mixture you can make a hanging cake. Simply place the mould in hot water for a few seconds to free the cake when needed. You can also remove slices from a backing tray for use on the ground or on bird tables. Thin slices of the mixture can be put out for hedgehogs that are fattening up before hibernation, or rubbed

Spring 2011

greenliving_CJ birdfood

For your feathered friends this winter...

To order any of the items shown, please complete and return the form below. Photocopies and handwritten orders accepted, please ensure all orders are clearly marked with “Green Living – C1956” Item no.

Description

10082

Original Peanut Cake Square

Quantity Price £2.25

10080

Peanut Cake Square (with Seeds)

£2.25

10081

Peanut Cake Square (with Insects)

£2.50

10083

Very Berry Peanut Cake Square

£2.50

10084

Robin Gourmet Treat Peanut Square

£2.50

10085

Fruit ‘n’ Nut Peanut Cake Square

£2.50

18041

Bird Cake Mix 1kg

£3.75

98025

Metal Feeder & 1kg Kibbled Hearts

£19.95

93010

Selection Table

£16.95

90101

32mm Plywood Nest Box

£8.49

Total

Standard Postage & Packaging £2.50

£2.50

Standard P&P free on orders over £50

FREE Order Total £

Call freephone 0800 731 2820 quoting C1956 at the start of your call or visit www.birdfood.co.uk/greenliving Or complete & send with payment to: CJ WildBird Foods Ltd, The Rea, Upton Magna, Shrewsbury SY4 4UR Title: _____ Initial: _____Surname: _____________________________ Address: __________________________________________________ __________________________Postcode:________________________ Tel:______________________________________(used for queries only) into the bark of trees to provide a “feeding stripe” of fat crumbs which are ideal for the smaller species like long-tailed tits, treecreepers and goldcrests which seldom dare to “mix it” with great tits and starlings at the feeders.

As well as providing essential foods, having a nest box in your garden will provide a much needed roosting site to offer shelter to your garden birds and will protect them from the worst of the winter weather. Plus, the earlier a nest box is in place, the more likely it is to be used in the spring.

I enclose a cheque made payable to CJ WildBird Foods Ltd. Alternatively, complete your card details below: Card no: Start date

/

Security code:

Expiry date:

/

Maestro issue no.:

(Last 3 numbers on signature script or for Amex, 4 numbers on the front of card)

Signature/date: Terms & conditions CJ WildBird Foods Ltd. Registered in England No. 2101581.

Cards are charged at time of despatch. All items subject to availability.

Prices correct at time of printing. If you order your details will be added to a mailing list to receive future catalogues. Your privacy is respected and your details will not be shared or sold to any other companies. Please notify us in writing to the above address or email sales@birdfood.co.uk if you wish to be removed from our mailing list.

For your free copy of the Handbook of Garden Wildlife contact the advice and order line on Freephone 0800 731 2820, or visit www.birdfood.co.uk.

Pictured right: Selection Table – £16.95

Spring 2011

green living coupon outlines.indd 1

1/25/2011 4:30:36 PM

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greenliving_turn over a new leaf

Stop Buying, Start Borrowing!

Whatever you may have lying in and around the house or garden, abandoned or unused, could seriously subsidise your income! From your neglected greenhouse to your golf clubs, your driveway to your designer handbag, the bike you never use to the pony you want to share and everything in between.

The Borrowers website has been created in a bid to encourage people to recycle their possessions and share their property. All those things tucked away in lofts and garages all over

the UK could be advertised for hire on www.theborrowers. co.uk. It’s a win-win situation – the lender earns a little extra and the borrower saves money by hiring instead of buying new. What’s more, the first 100 adverts listed are free for 6 months advertising.

What have you got to lose?

Find out more at UK Aware or visit www.theborrowers.co.uk

Turn over a new leaf The New Year is the perfect excuse for a new resolution. If you are looking to make a difference to your life, or to someone else’s, then embrace what the New Year and a new start could really mean for you...

Foster and change a life forever…

Bristol City Council need to find another 70 foster carers for vulnerable children and young people in care in Bristol.

Could you consider fostering?

Fostering is caring for someone else’s child in your own home. Children are in care for a variety of reasons. The most common reason is abuse and neglect. There are different ways to foster a child, depending on the skills you have and the time you have available. Help is at hand. All foster carers receive an allowance, which is related to the age of the child they care for – between £125 and £215 per week. Carers with relevant experience may be eligible for a fee on top. Speak to a member of the family placement team to find out more.

Tel: 0117 353 4200 Web: www.bristol.gov.uk/ fostering

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Case study Max, a learning support assistant from Bristol, currently cares for two sisters, aged seven and nine, with help from her son, who is 16. “I have always wanted to foster, but had to wait until the right time in my life, until my son was older, to put myself forward. The assessment process took about four months, and the support I’ve received from my social worker has been amazing. It’s tiring and very demanding, especially as a single carer, but I get lots of support from my social worker, my family, and from the head of my school. I would recommend fostering to anyone who enjoys working with children and feels that they’ve got more to give.”

The Big Switch Off! On Saturday 26 March 2011 the global skyline will be plunged into darkness for WWF’s Earth Hour 2011, the world’s biggest call for action on the threats facing our planet.

From London to Sydney, Berlin and Singapore, people all across the world will switch off their lights to show they care about tackling climate change and protecting the natural world. It’s a message to world leaders that they need to take action and a reminder to us all that we only have one planet Earth.

Register now to take part at wwf.org.uk/earthhour.

Spring 2011

greenliving_the colour of money

Sustainable Investment

The Colour of Money Making every penny count has been a consistent theme since the financial crisis hit. Never before has investing for the good of our planet, our pocket and the people been more vital.

The term ‘sustainable investment’ describes financial services that combine financial objectives with concern for environmental, social and ethical issues.

They offer a means by which consumers can advance positive social and environmental goals while achieving financial returns.

A sustainable investment can also help investors benefit from major social and environmental trends such as international regulation on deforestation, the growing demand for sustainable building materials and the need for new and renewable sources of energy.

Sustainable investment is something most fair-minded people agree with. It is plain to see that making a profit at any cost is both morally questionable and environmentally unsustainable.

A host of surveys suggest that the vast majority of investors do not want their financial gain to be at the expense of other people, animals or the environment, and most investors seek a ‘decent’ return in both senses of the word. Unfortunately, unless you have deliberately chosen a sustainable option for your money there is a good chance you may be investing in companies whose products and services you may disagree with.

Being prepared with the best advice possible will ensure your money stays as safe and green as possible. We speak to the industry experts to help you on your way…

Spring 2011

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greenliving_the colour of money

Sustainable Investment cont’d

Pachamama Forest Pachamama Forest is the sister company of Pachamama Colombia-a forestry management company with a strong emphasis on research and development. Pachamama Forest aims to provide clients with investments that are economically, environmentally and socially sustainable.

The company believes that to create a sustainable future everyone needs to start investing responsibly by placing their funds in something that directly prevents climate change and loss of biodiversity.

We talk to Mario Chejab, Director of Pachamama Forest to find out how green our money can be‌ As Independent Financial Advisors will tell you, with any investment there is always an element of risk. Therefore, it is vitally important to pick the right sustainable investment project to minimise that risk. Many sustainable investment companies act purely as sales agents for the project they are promoting. In the majority of cases their chosen project will be based overseas, often in developing countries, and the agents will have little or no control over how the project is managed.

To ensure your investment is as secure as possible, you will need to choose a brokerage that is part of the company. A company that also owns the project will mean the brokerage has more adaptability and decision-making power, therefore giving your investment more security.

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Investors should look at the geographic location of the investment as a key indicator as to whether the country in question is stable, on a political as well as financial level. Other key indicators include strong economic growth, a strong export sector, high levels of foreign direct investment, free trade agreements and good relationships with major economic players such as the EU and US, a good strategic location that offers access to key markets, a growing tourism industry and favourable media commentary from respectable institutions such as the World Bank, Merrill Lynch, the United Nations etc. It is also good practice to investigate how much support the host country gives to the sector or industry in which your investment is focused.

It is highly advisable to choose an organisation that uses a secure payment process such as an ESCROW account for client monies. An ESCROW account will act as trustee for funds and land, giving investors a high level of security. Reputable

projects should be independently audited by a third party organisation on a regular basis to guarantee progress and transparency.

Projects that provide insurance against key risk factors will offer much higher security.

It is also worth noting that reputable projects will be happy to assist clients in visiting the project and viewing their investment.

A carefully chosen sustainable project can offer investors a very competitive return on investment. In many cases factors such as environmental pressures, population growth, rising oil prices and the rapid growth of emerging economies mean the demand for sustainable products and services far outweighs the supply.

If we look at the example of sustainable timber, the demand has increased over 2500 per cent in the last 40 years. It has been the only asset class in existence that has risen in three out of the four market collapses of the 20th century. The average annual returns have outstripped those from leading global stock indices,

Spring 2011

greenliving_the colour of money

A carefully chosen sustainable project “ can offer investors a very competitive return on investment. In many cases ... the demand for sustainable products and services far outweighs the supply

”

property, oil and gold for the past decade (source: The Economist).

We safeguard all of our investors with these considerations. As much as we are committed to providing investors with a good return, we are also determined that our plantations have a positive affect on the locale’s people and wildlife. We will meet both of those commitments by i) siting and preparing our plantation sites carefully ii) assessing the social effects that our plantations may have iii) using only the best materials and iv) adopting leading-edge forestry practices and technology.

Tel: 02072 417469 Web: www.pachamamaforest.com

Charity Bank

Working together to bring about real social change Charity Bank finances charities, social enterprises and community organisations, with the support of depositors and investors who want to use their money to facilitate real social change.

Charity Bank now offers a 2% Cash ISA with a difference.

Unlike other ISAs, all deposits will be invested in charities and community organisations that benefit people and communities across the UK. To find out more visit: www.charitybank.org or call: 01732 774040.

“At Charity Bank we show openly how we use customers’ money. We publish details of every loan we make – who we are lending to, and what they are doing with it,” said Geoff Burnand, chief investment officer of Charity Bank. “People who buy our ISA can be assured not only of a good financial return, but also that their money will make a measurable social impact.”

Savers can apply now for the Charity Bank Cash ISA offering 2% gross interest per annum. Charity Bank is both a registered charity and a Financial Service Authority (FSA) regulated bank and is a member of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

Spring 2011

Charity Bank borrowers Parchment Trust (above left) and Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (main photo) are two of the hundreds of charities that Charity Bank supports.

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greenliving_bill gething

As the recent Cancun summit fails to produce some much needed answers, Bill Gething looks to a desired form of politics a little closer to home...

Up until its final moments, the recent UN climate change summit in Cancun looked as though, far from sealing a global deal on what to do about climate change, might even signal the end of international attempts to reach any such agreement at all. Right at the eleventh hour the process was saved and we were at least left with the hope that it established a basis for more concrete progress to be made next year in Durban, when the whole circus reconvenes once more.

What we did get was yet another re-statement “that climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time”; that countries should “take urgent action to meet the challenge of holding the increase in global temperatures below 2°C” and that “…deep cuts in global greenhouse gas emissions are required” in order to achieve this.

Zero Carbon Britain

A plan that adds up?

Below: Cancun Climate Change Summit

So, we all agree that we need to change – but what, practically, do we do about it?

As one of the countries that led the world into the Industrial Revolution, you might think Britain should be in a position to lead it out of it. Unfortunately, while we may lead in terms of policies (for example our legally binding target to reduce our national CO2 emissions by 80% by 2050) we have no real idea of how to go about it.

In the words of Professor David MacKay, Chief Scientific Advisor to the Department of Energy and Climate Change, the government does not have a “plan that adds up.” It seems to be being left to individuals and nongovernmental organisations to come up with visions of our low carbon future.

Professor MacKay (in his previous persona as Professor of Natural Philosophy at Cambridge University) has himself produced a range of scenarios for meeting future energy demands using low carbon sources (see www.withouthotair.com) that illustrates the

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scale of the problem and some of the choices that might be open to us. How much of our energy demands can realistically be met using UK renewable resources? Do we need nuclear generation? What resources from overseas might we rely on? Solar driven steam turbines producing electricity in North Africa or biomass from Canada?

A more comprehensive vision, Zero Carbon Britain 2030, was published by the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) in June this year.

This looks at a broad range of lifestyle issues rather than just energy, covering everything from electrical and heating energy use, transport (including shipping and aviation, conveniently forgotten in most such studies), to land use, agriculture and employment, the built environment, farming, economics and policy.

It has its origins in CAT’s 1977 report: An Alternative Energy Strategy for the UK, produced just five years after the Centre was set up in a damp, disused quarry in Mid Wales. In those days before mass communication, just 12 copies were bound up and sent to a youthful Tony Benn, at the Ministry of Energy (in the days when government departments did what they said on the can). Predictably dismissed at the time as the rantings of unrealistic idealists, in fact, its predictions of future energy consumption turned out to be considerably more accurate than those of the energy industry at the time.

30 years on, in 2007, CAT produced its first Zero Carbon Britain report; a thoroughly researched, integrated vision of a zero carbon lifestyle within 20 years that set out the logic behind the vision so that it could be interrogated and tested. The current report develops the thinking and was launched at Portcullis House in Westminster; this time with a copy given to every MP.

Spring 2011

greenliving_bill gething

Technically, the transformation is demonstrably possible; however, there remains huge gaps between the vision and what we currently regard as reality (a lifestyle supported by cheap energy equivalent to having an average of 40 “energy slaves” each).

It seems to be being “ left to individuals and non-governmental organisations to come up with visions of our low carbon future

”

The report was also the topic of this year’s Schumacher Conference in Bristol, an annual event run by the Schumacher Society which exists to promote the wisdom and insight of E.F. Schumacher, author of Small is Beautiful, “to inspire a new generation who are seeking relevant and practical solutions to heal a world in crisis and build a sane, humane and ecological society”. Next year will be the 100th anniversary of his birth.

The audience in Bristol was rather different from the Westminster Village. While there was an element of preaching to the converted, a different selling job was required to convince the stauncher proponents of an alternative lifestyle that CAT had not sold out to Mammon.

As CAT director Peter Harper was at pains to point out, the basis of the work was that there should be no absolute taboos in order to reach a realistic balance between mainstream energy expectations (that there should be lots of it, that it should be cheap and that there should be no power cuts) and environmental prohibitions (protect rural uplands, no nuclear, no tidal barrages, no

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Economically, the Zero Carbon Britain team acknowledged that the price of carbon would need to be set at £200-400/tonne rather than its current price of just over £15.

Realistically this would need to be set by global agreement; a depressing prospect given our inability to make concrete progress at Cancun.

Politically, it would need a series of governments prepared to sign up to an overarching long-term framework in the confidence that the electorate wouldn’t turn on them for making tough decisions.

offsets, no geo-engineering, no biofuels, etc., etc.) … and, of course, no lifestyle changes.

Is this perhaps the future face of Coalition politics?

The 2030 scenario is based on a combination of “Power-Down”, reducing our energy consumption by 50 per cent, including electrification of transport where possible, reducing air miles by two thirds, reducing heating energy use by 70 per cent, a radical change to agriculture to produce all our own food and “Power-Up”, a switch to renewables, particularly offshore wind. Producing all our own food would only be possible by reducing meat production very significantly – it takes a thousand times as much water to produce a kilogram of beef as a kilogram of grain and 11 times as much grain to feed a man if it passes through a cow first.

For extra information: David MacKay’s book: Sustainable Energy Without the Hot Air can be downloaded from www.withouthotair.com CAT’s Zero Carbon Britain 2030 Report can be downloaded from: www.zerocarbonbritain.org/ index.php/zcb-world A DVD of the Schumacher conference can be ordered from www.schumacher.org.uk Information on the Centre for Alternative Technology can be found at www.cat.org.uk

The timescale of 20 years, although extremely challenging, is intended to move the debate from short-term fixes tweaking “business as usual” to a considered understanding of where we eventually want to end up and then working out how to get there. To bridge what was described by Peter Harper as the “yawning chasm” between frantic efforts to find low hanging fruit, which might lead us down blind alleys, to a long-term strategy that might even mean increasing emissions in the short-term but will pay dividends once a new framework for a genuinely sustainable lifestyle is established.

Bill Gething Architect Bill Gething was a long-standing partner of Feiden Clegg Bradley Studios before setting up an independent consultancy in 2009. He has contributed to the practice’s international reputation for sustainable design and is currently a member of the Royal Institute of British Architect’s Climate Change board.

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greenliving_casa architects

This month we asked Adam Dennes, Director of CaSA Architects in Bath, for some practical steps you can take around the house to reduce your own carbon emissions.

Why is upgrading existing homes so important?

The government has set a target to reduce carbon emissions by 80 per cent by the year 2050. Apart from transport and fundamental lifestyle changes, your home offers the greatest opportunity to reduce emissions.

Approximately two thirds of the existing 25 million homes in the UK will still be standing in 2050, so upgrading these is a critical part of meeting the targets.

Make yours a happy home with a green refurbishment!

What financial assistance is out there to encourage people to act?

The government is moving away from grant-based assistance to payments directly to homeowners for energy generated in the home by all sorts of ways, including photovoltaic panels, biomass boilers and air and ground source heat pumps. Further payments are made for surplus electricity which can be fed into the grid. £860 million has been committed in assistance over the next four years. The recently announced ‘Renewable Heat Incentive’ is due in June 2011, which again will encourage people to make the necessary investment.

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How can we tell how efficient our homes are?

If you bought your home after August 2007, you will have been provided with an energy performance certificate (EPC) which rates your home much like a new appliance, with grades A (best) to G. If not, you can commission your own EPC from a domestic energy assessor which will give you a feel for the major areas for improvement prior to any upgrading programme. For more specific and detailed advice in advance of extensive refurbishment work I would always recommend consulting an architect with expertise and experience in this area.

What are the first steps we can take?

I would say that increasing levels of insulation in your loft (and cavity walls if you have them) is usually the simplest and remains in the forefront in terms of cost benefit. After this draught proofing around doors and windows, especially in older houses. If your boiler is more than 15 years old it will also pay to replace it with the latest model, with efficiencies that will save you hundreds of pounds a year. The next step is to reduce your family’s consumption. After replacing light bulbs and buying efficient appliances this will rely on making lifestyle changes such as turning the

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greenliving_casa architects

What about those considering an extensive refurbishment?

Then there are many other options depending on both the owner and the specific characteristics of their home.

Replace windows and doors with the latest, highly efficient glass, insulate walls internally or externally and adopt a coordinated approach to renewables.

Are renewable technologies worth considering even in modest homes?

Yes, is the short answer! Even if it’s only a small solar panel on your roof which raises the temperature of the water in your hot water cylinder before being topped up by your boiler.

This can provide up to 80 per cent of your hot water needs with very little investment. Other renewable options are being opened up to many more people with the introduction of the Renewable heat incentive (RHI), although the up front capital costs will still need to be met by the householder even if the pay back timescales now make it a much more attractive proposition. thermostat down, turning lights off and reducing temperatures in rooms that are seldom used.

Being aware is the key, so investing in an energy meter will help. Installing wood burning stoves can also provide a sustainable and efficient alternative to relying entirely on a central heating system using fossil fuels.

Installing wood “ burning stoves can also

provide a sustainable and efficient alternative to relying entirely on a central heating system using fossil fuels

”

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Do we need to do it all at once?

No, I think it’s more important to decide at the outset on the optimum goals, which will deliver long-term efficiency. These can then be implemented in stages if necessary, but need careful planning to anticipate the later stages and ensure future proofing as far as possible.

How do we know if we are going to get a return on the investment?

As well as reduced running costs and enjoying greater levels of comfort, homes with the best EPC rates (B/C) will sell at a premium, whilst homes with low rates (F/G) will become increasing difficult to sell.

Where can we look for further advice?

The carbon trust has a good website for information on the latest initiatives www.carbontrust.co.uk. It’s also worth taking a look at the housing section of the energy saving trust website www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/housing for general tips and guidance.

Tel: 01225 851871 Web: www.casa-architects.com

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greenliving_energy saving trust

The Big Petrol Fight!

As our costs continue to rise and our wallets look as barren as ever, we speak to the Energy Saving Trust to find out how we can save a few pennies on the next fuel bill through some very simple steps...

Win £250 of Kwik-Fit Vouchers!

What an expensive start to 2011! With petrol and diesel now costing more than ever before, as well as the recent increase to VAT, we’re all feeling the pinch. Thankfully, the Energy Saving Trust is on hand to help out and show us that there are things that we could all do to stop spending so much money on fuel, and help the planet too. After all, road transport produces a quarter of UK carbon dioxide emissions, with almost 60% of this coming from our cars.

“Most people don’t realise that even though they may use their cars every day, there are still many ways that they can reduce the amount of carbon emissions that they use, as well as saving up to £250 per year on fuel.” says the Trust’s Transport Adviser, Paul Winney.

Winney, who is based in the Energy Saving Trust advice centre in Bristol, goes on to say: “in the south west, we’re a really eco-minded bunch but many of us still rely on our cars. It’s brilliant to be able to show people that there are things that they can do to reduce carbon when they drive.”

For starters, we’re told that the most efficient speed to drive at is around 45-50 mph. And we should all be checking our revs when we change up

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Remember to check your tyre pressure to save money a gear – the optimum time to do it is between 2000rpm and 2500rpm. Tyre pressure should be checked regularly too, as under inflated tyres increase fuel consumption.

about the things that you can do in your car, to save fuel, as well as be in with a chance of winning £250 worth of Kwik-Fit tyre vouchers!

The best way to find out more, is to talk to the Energy Saving Trust advisers on (freephone) 0800 512012. They’ll tell you how to complete a transport energy check which will give you a personalised report telling you all

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Moral Fibre

greenliving_gecco interiors

Combining elegant interior design with unique fabric combinations, stunning colours and strong eco credentials is the aim of Gecco Interiors, an eco interior company with a difference As an ardent eco supporter and lover of all things ‘green’, launching an eco-interiors website felt like natural extension of Angie Kraft’s interior design business. That was 18months ago and Gecco Interiors continues to thrive and the customer base is growing daily.

“I just love the variety of green products now available for the home” says Angie.

“You really can create a wonderful

You really can create a “ wonderful design scheme in the

knowledge that the products you have used have been made in harmony with the planet

design scheme in the knowledge that the products you have used have been made in harmony with the planet. We even carry a line of fabrics that are bleached by sunlight, hung over vast wooden racks outside; it is hard to be more environmentally friendly than that.”

Gecco Interiors boasts the largest sustainable fabric collection in the UK

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”

with over 250 fabrics to choose from.

This month they are thrilled to launch the latest in Camira’s sustainable upholstery fabric range – Craggan. Made in the same Yorkshire mill that makes ‘Sting’ (listed

by Kevin McLoud as one of his top ten green heroes last year) this rugged 97% wool fabric is reminiscent of Scottish moorlands with a splash of bright accent colour that reflects the brightly coloured

flora found in the barren landscape. The addition of 3% viscose brings an inherent fire retardancy that prevents overuse of nasty chemicals. The fabric is 140cm wide and comes in 8 different shades costing just £33.50/m.

Angie is also excited about her latest addition to the sustainable wallpaper range – Eco Wood - a new harmonious collection of wallpapers reflecting the anatomy of a tree from its leaves and branches to the bark and the trunk. Made in Sweden using FSC/PEFC approved paper with chlorine free cellulose, low VOC content and water based inks.

For more information check www.geccointeriors.co.uk or simply call Angie for some sustainable interiors advice on 01494 565459 or email at angie@geccointeriors.co.uk.

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• Do you want a stylish new home or work space which will be comfortable and cheap to run?

• Do you want to extend or redesign your building, perhaps to accommodate your expanding family, or to provide more modern and flexible open space?

• Maybe you’re also concerned about climate change and want a more sustainable building which will help to reduce your Carbon Footprint?

At MAS we can help you to achieve all of this with comfortable, attractive, and spacious buildings which are very energy efficient and highly sustainable.

To find out more contact Nigel at info@mas.eu.com or telephone 01373 300403

Friday 25th and Saturday 26th of March 2011, Olympia 2, 1st Floor 50 free tickets available at www.ukaware.com with discount code GL2011 Tickets £10 on the door or £7 online

Now in its 4th year | 100s of exhibitors | 1000s of products and services SEMINARS | WORKSHOPS | SWISHING | FASHION SHOW | KIDS AREA

greenliving_ethical solar/uk aware

UK Aware This year Britain’s largest sustainable lifestyle exhibition, UK Aware, will be working closely with Climate Week to introduce people to a planet-friendlier lifestyle…

Ethic al Solar Ethical Solar pulls us from the dark into the light with this energy efficient alternative...

Readers of greenliving are no doubt already aware of the potential environmental benefits of solar energy and of generating energy locally. The recent introduction of the government’s Cash Back Clean Energy scheme and Feed-in Tariff means that installing solar panels now makes brilliant financial sense too. In fact, there has never been a better time to increase your solar footprint and to help both your finances and planet!

The scheme provides those who install PV solar panels with long-term financial returns.

The Feed-in Tariff guarantees two payments: a generation payment of 41.3p for every unit of electricity generated and an export payment of an additional 3p for each unit of electricity fed back into the national grid (these figures are based on a lower than 4KWp system). It is a common misperception that

Spring 2011

the generation payment only covers unused electricity, but it is actually guaranteed for every unit generated, regardless of whether or not the electricity is used. These payments add to the savings from significantly reduced electricity bills.

The payments are tax-free and linked to the retail price index (RPI), which means they increase annually with inflation. They are also guaranteed for 25 years.

While exact income depends on each system’s size, location and variables such as roof direction, the return on investment can reach 12 per cent or more.

As a PV solar panel installer and advisor, Ethical Solar can help explain how your property can benefit from solar panels.

We provide free advice on all aspects of solar PV installation, including details on your potential system’s generation and returns. We support customers through the whole process – from installing pane ls to setting up your payments.

We are proud to offer the greenest and most sustainable solar systems available.

Climate Week is a new national occasion taking place from 21 – 27 March 2011. Thousands of businesses, charities, schools, councils and many others will run events showcasing the practical solutions to climate change, encouraging thousands more to act during the rest of the year.

UK Aware and Climate Week share the same vision of providing a platform for ideas, demonstrating and inspiring small steps that individuals can take towards a low carbon, low impact lifestyle. Both will act as a catalyst for more people to discover, learn and create a positive impact on a personal, community and society basis.

Danny Carnegie, UK Aware Director said: “It is very exciting to be working with Climate Week as they are a

The new dates of the exhibition will now be Friday 25 March and Saturday 26 March 2011 at the Kensington Olympia in London.

wonderful organisation and I believe that strong partnerships are key to results.

Together UK Aware and Climate Week offer realistic and accessible solutions.” www.climateweek.com www.ukaware.com

Find out more at www.ethicalsolar.org

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greenliving_a planet worth saving

“It’s a 60km trek through the vast landscapes of the Fiordland National Park. I was stopping every 10 metres to take a photo of the same beautiful rolling hills and golden sun, when I suddenly spotted the reflection in the grass. The contrast of the metallic blue water surrounded by seemingly endless green mountains was captivating.”

The Kepler Track South Island, New Zealand

Picture taken by James Walker, Bristol

A planet worth saving...

greenliving_a planet worth saving

Have you taken a breathtaking picture you’d like to share with our readers?

If so, please email holly@greenlivingmag.co.uk or write to us at 151-153 Wick Road, Bristol, BS4 4HH

greenliving_beth hutchins

Make Christmas 2011 less white and more green!

Although the thought of Christmas has been pushed to the back of our minds, Beth Hutchins reflects on what we can do to make Christmas 2011 friendlier for both purse and planet...

The festive period is over. The turkey soup has finished, the sherry bottle drained and the naked trees have been dragged unceremoniously from the living room. It is a time when we look glumly to our expanded waistlines and our depleted wallets. As we recover from the festivities, the last thing on our minds is next Christmas but this is the best time to take heed of how we can lessen the environmental, financial and digestive impact for Christmas 2011.

Try to source your Christmas tree locally and use LED lights which are 90 per cent more efficient than traditional ones. Artificial trees are made using plastics and hard to recycle materials but they are re-usable, as are the decorations. Dig out those glittery fur cones you made in primary school and create homemade decorations. It may require some effort but make them whilst enjoying White Christmas and a glass of mulled wine and you will soon feel creatively festive.

In England between 2009/10, our households produced 23.7 million tonnes of waste.

Only 39.7 per cent of that is currently being recycled. However that number has increased from the previous year so we are moving in the right direction. Putting facts and figures aside, there are simple actions for individuals to take to reduce festive waste and that won’t detract from time spent eating, drinking and being merry.

Don’t buy gifts that you know will only gather dust. Try listening to what friends and family say and question them (subtly) on what they need. Start in October and make a list so that shopping is easy and stress-free. It can happen! Make a batch of chilli jam or red onion marmalade and re-use old jam jars covered with off-cuts of pretty material and ribbon.

It is personal and inexpensive. Christmas is also a time to help the world around you and the people in it so buy on someone else’s behalf. Buy a bee a house, provide a school uniform for an African child or buy land for the preservation of the Indian tiger.

It is becoming a trend of late to send e-cards which saves on waste but if you are one for the traditional seasonal greetings, you can buy recycled cards from charities. Next Christmas you can use cards as gift tags or recycle them in stores such as WHSmiths or Marks & Spencers where money is donated to The Woodland Trust’s More Trees, More Good Campaign.

You can even vote for trees to be planted in your area.

We did not buy chocolates this year as we knew that plenty would arrive in the house as gifts so we didn’t waste the money. Buy less food! If you do, you will eat less, cutting down your spending, your waistline and the amount you end up throwing away. If you have found yourself with a fridge full of odds and ends then dig out the cookbooks and browse the Internet for some great ideas on how to use your leftovers. Try to compost your peelings

too and provide food for your garden.

The ideal we need to embrace is reuse and recycle. Ask at your recycling centre if you are unsure as many items can end up in landfill because of confusion. Recycling is not a chore.

If we expand our outlook, we will see how steps can be made away from the wasteful and consumerist world we live in and instead, embrace the true meaning of Christmas.

“Recycling encourages an environmental consciousness,” states Mari Webster, Principal Planning Officer for Minerals and Waste at Wiltshire Council. “It is the starting point for strengthening our lost sense of community which is a very current issue, both nationally and locally.” We must all change our perspective; it is not an option but a necessity.

There is no need for bah humbug. Let your hair down but don’t lose the hairband! Be inventive. If you don’t have time then invest in charities that will provide you with the materials to make Christmas 2011 a happier and greener one all round.

Keep me on the ‘important pile’ and re-use this info next Christmas!

For more information: www.woodlandtrust.org.uk To have a say about what trees are planted in your area. www.goodgifts.org Buy a gift on someone else’s behalf. www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/recipes For some great ideas on how to use your leftovers. www.recyclenow.com For clarification on what you can recycle.

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Herbs for Healing

Barnsley Herb Garden, Barnsley (Near Cirencester) GL7 5EE Tel: 01285 851457 www.herbsforhealing.net

Discover the powers of medicinal herbs on a visit to the beautiful gardens at Herbs for Healing.

Davina Wynne-Jones has created a magical place - a tranquil, inspiring and spiritual spot to learn and relax in.

Buy from the garden directly or order online. Alternatively take part in the workshops from March – November and make your own tinctures, ointments, creams and flower essences.

Imagine.

Imagine a project whose main objective is to save the planet A project where finance meets art, and technology meets the community Imagine that we have a limited amount of time to decide our legacy to future generations and A team dedicated to making this happen, and to making it profitable for investors, the community and for the environment

Welcome to Pachamama Forest The future is our business 274 Richmond Road, London E8 3QW • 0207 2417 469 • www.pachamamaforest.com