Sleeping Naked is Green

Since deciding to up the ante of my blog posts (like, yesterday) I've been reading and browsing for other sustainable writers in hopes of inspiring some continuity in myself. Enter Vanessa from Canada who one day woke up and decided that for a whole year, she'd dedicate her life to being Eco-friendly whilst documenting her escapades on "Green as a Thistle" my new favourite blog. A journalist at the National Post based in Toronto, Vanessa has an amazing flare for exciting writing and I never find it dull to read her green views (unlike some Eco-sites out there). I especially love the "Loving It" and "Regretting It" links which offer some of her thoughts and opinions on her experiences so far like products she's used, troubles she's come across and a bit of an inside on her life being green. The site has thousands of followers and she's recently published a book called Sleeping Naked is Green which I'm so keen to read but can't seem to get my hands on this side of the Atlantic. With her clever balance of witty irony and relevant facts, "Green as a Thistle" is definitely going to be one to watch this year. Well, for me anyway.

Is there any point?

Today I encountered a new perspective on climate change in the form of James Lovelock. I was once again at the RSA listening to the infamously pessimistic scientist talk about his new book and theories surrounding “The Vanishing Face of Gaia”, chaired by Guardian favourite Tim Radford. The lecture read more like an interview with Radford having to prompt the aging Lovelock into focusing on relevant topics. After hearing a brief summary of the (can you believe?) 90 year olds early career and his first job as a lab assistant in Brixton, he went on to tell us about working with US geologists and spoke of their “we can fix this!” approach to most things, calling it the “American way.” Next up was question round from the audience and the discussion was kicked off by front rower Dame Vivienne Westwood who simply asked, “What should we be doing next?” Lovelock answered staying true to his rather extreme theory (which basically states that we’ve done too much damage to reverse the path we’re already on our way down, i.e. we’re screwed either way) saying our worries should lie within the developing world countries, “Africa and India will be where the real trouble is.” The environmentalist went on to explain that there’s very little point in the UK or anyone for that matter trying to lower their carbon footprint as it will do no good for the world, other than make you feel better perhaps. Lovelock believes all our time should be dedicated to the economically challenged parts of the world that will be hit the worst by global warming consequences such as a rise in sea level. Although he acknowledges that we will be affected, predicting that “Britain will become one big city and may attract refugees.” The way I understand it is that Lovelock see’s the West as the problem starter (and should be solver) yet the affects of global warming will be small scale compared to the droughts and famine that will overwhelm Africa. Therefore, almost like some kind of sacrifice, he proposes we help the needier before considering ourselves, but if we can’t even get some people to believe there is a problem to begin with, how will we persuade them to help others?
Perhaps the answer lies in Lovelock’s book, “The Vanishing Face of Gaia”. From what I’ve gathered “Gaia” is a metaphor for the Earth and from reading a few reviews I think the basic gist is that we should stop caring for the environment because the damage we’ve caused is irreversible and start thinking of ways how to protect the human race when disaster strikes. An extremely severe point of view to say the least, so what kind of response is he getting?
There was definitely no Love lost between the Telegraph and the theorist judging by a recent review by a very head strong blogger who ended his rant with “Do not purchase The Vanishing Face of Gaia. Do not read it. Do not tell your friends about it.” So there’s one side of the argument, but what do others think? The Times recent input on the subject was a fairly boring review (if you can call it that) which was missing the rather important element of opinion. The avid fan of fence-sitting went on to explain what the book was about and ended with a “Buy the book” link, so I guess he liked it, or he just did it to be nice. I guess we’ll never know. What do you think of Mr. Lovelock? Barmy or brilliant?

Freebie Fun for Fairtrade Fortnight

This weekend was the launch of Fairtrade Fortnight at the Southbank and on Sunday I went along to have a nosy at what was going on. After a lovely walk down the river, I came across a long row of outdoor tents with lots of people milling about. From children to old folk, the fair seemed to be very popular! The first tent I encountered was called Cycle Challenge and encouraged people to hop on the exercise bike in an attempt to learn how man powers electricity, much like the TV ad. Next door there was a similar situation with a rowing machine and a very determined old lady! My personal favourite feature of the fair had to be the people walking around with trays of free food, great use of grabbing attention. I tried some organic chocolate cake, a fairtrade banana and washed it down with a shot of mango smoothie. Very nice! The most popular tent had to be Ben and Jerry's who were handing out free pots of ice cream to a very long cue of people. Other organisations who were involved were Starbucks, AMT Coffee and the Co-op who were also dishing out freebies. What was great about the day was that it was really appealing to kids, whether they were helping hand out fruit or taking part in the organic egg and spoon race, the message was getting through to them. The two adults prancing about in full body banana suits may have helped, too! What's next for the Fairtrade Fortnight?

Gin Lady Re-Launches!

This week the Gin Lady has re-launched its website! This is especially exciting for me as my Mike Hillard story features on the Eco-friendly, online magazine's brand new homepage!

Fairtrade Fortnight

Fairtrade Fortnight kicks off on Sunday 22nd with a launch event at the Southbank! This year will be bananas..! Check out the website to find out why..

http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/get_involved/fairtrade_fortnight/fairtrade_fortnight_2009/default.aspx

Calm Amidst the Storm

In the midst of an economic downturn, it's no surprise that global warming has been put on the back burner. Despite this, there have been some great developments in sustainable design.
Meet Mike Hillard, a 64-year old pioneering environmental architect who has recently built his very own sustainable dream house. Aptly named Tranquillity, Hillard designed the whole building by himself and even helped build it. Located in Stroud, Gloucestershire Tranquillity is surrounded by two acres of countryside; Hillard claims that it's the most sustainable house in the world.
“It's hugely important to live in a sustainable house,” he states. “In order to minimize the climate impact we need to get to zero carbon.”
Hillard has high hopes that his groundbreaking design will create a domino affect in sustainable living and thinks by 2012 the UK will accept this way of living is mandatory. “I honestly expect it will happen within 3 years and if the climate reality hasn't reached the public domain by then the world will be in crisis that will probably be irrecoverable.” Hillard believes the government should be partially blamed for the public's lack of awareness towards global warming “It is all pseudo action - note the airport expansions and the intended approval of nuclear. I have a signed letter from Government advising they do not know the relative costs of generating electricity from the alternative energy sources.”
It's fair to say the government must take responsibility for their actions (or lack there of), especially following their lies surrounding a supposed 21.7% cut in carbon emissions. So without the right leadership or a good example to follow, what will it take for the public to really start to care? “Understanding the truth - the reality, which some of us are working to give them.” Hillard believes there are too many lies and contradictions floating around in the media to know what's right and what's wrong. We should be focusing on educating those who don't understand the damaging effects of global warming and trying to persuade the non-believers. Schools should be teaching children about how they can help their future, Hillard suggests it should be as important a subject as Maths. “I will push for it being a sustained subject right through all curriculums. Furthermore, as children are more computer literate they will be able to push the adults in any household”.
So is education and leading by example the answer that will turn the UK into a sustainable living frenzy? Hillard certainly aims to find out and he's opened his house to the public in an attempt to try and show viewers what the house of the future will look like, “one weekend, I had over 300 visitors. I am commissioned to write a book on what can be done to the existing housing stock.” What Hillard really wants you to know is how easy it is to change your house to become better at saving energy and even saving money. Hillard says 'It can be shown that by improving performance, many other systems can be reduced in price and by careful structural design many costs can be minimized. Arguing the financial justification is also not difficult, but does include 'subsequent' savings, as in reduced detergents and cleaners by using soft water. Adding the saving of buying bottled water (as rainwater is about as pure as you can get) further improves the financial performance.”
A major set back in terms of the public's resistance to global warming is a misleading belief that being eco-friendly is expensive. “All my solutions are totally cost effective, or they are not solutions I offer and argue for. The media maintain this 'expensive' view especially with such fundamentally bad programmes as 'It Isn't Easy Being Green'." I'll admit that buying organic products is obviously going to cost more than non-organic, but essentially sustainability shouldn't cost anything. I think the media have spun this whole story about how expensive and time-consuming caring for environment is as an excuse for themselves and anyone else who doesn't care. On the flip side of the media, Hillard has found that two governments suggest we kill two birds with one stone, “Interestingly both the US and UK are now proposing to environmentally spend our way out of the economic depression! For more than a decade I have tried to push for us to develop a zero carbon Britain, and had we done it, by now we would have a massive export market and be leading the world.”
What I've learned from Mike Hillard is that nothing's too difficult if you put your mind (and green fingers) to it. He's an inspiring individual who's made me personally realise it IS that easy being green, I'll look forward to reading his tell-all book about Tranquillity. So what's the future got in store for the eco-warrior? “My time will be spent singularly trying to help the world.” Not much then!

The Obama Future!

This week I was at the Royal Society of Arts (RSA) listening to author and historian David Reynolds debate with Bonnie Greer (featured left), playwright and politics whiz. The topic was "The Obama Future - in light of the past" and began with a half hour presentation from Reynolds offering us a quick timeline of previous presidents. After mentioning some of the most memorable inaugural moments of all time ("Ask not what your country can do for you -ask what you can do for your country" John F. Kennedy 1961) he went on to question if Obama's speech was a missed opportunity. Considering this was the inauguration of America's first black president, Reynolds felt that Obama's message should have been stronger, but after a few points were made the author decided that this year, the man was the message. Greer's input was to ask "When did we all become Americans?" which is a great question considering the endless UK coverage of US politics. I'll be the first to admit I feel more inclined to listen to what Obama has to say about his new environmental agenda over Brown and his lies over the supposed 21.7 per cent decrease of carbon emissions since 1990. Anyway, back to the talk. A debate then began with several audience members questioning how long it will be before some kind of backlash begins. Throughout the presidential campaigns, every newspaper seemed to back Obama and sometimes was even perceived as a "saviour" by extremists, but how will he live up to these unrealistic expectations? Reynolds believes that as long as the new president has the support around him in the White House that he needs, there shouldn't be a backlash, but I fear there could be some repercussions as no one likes a public downfall more than the media. One of the best comments of the evening came from an American RSA fellow who blasted any negativity out the door with a compelling point about how brilliant Obama has been so far, "he was dancing til 1.30 in the morning the night of this inauguration ball and up at 8 am the next day shutting down Guantanamo Bay... I think he's on the case!" So will he get the credit he deserves, or will he be the next target for the press to tear apart? We'll have to wait and see.