Start a Green Revolution at Work

You buy organic groceries and use eco-friendly cleaning supplies at home, but do you forget the environment when you’re busy at work? Many people do. A YouGov poll from December shows that three out of four office workers are leaving their eco-efforts at home.

In April at UK Aware, there will be many exhibitors on hand who can help you learn how to be green at work. One exhibitor, First Impressions Last Longer, is the world’s first carbon-neutral supplier of office products. The paper they sell is made in a factory here in the UK from UK recycled waste, and the factory is powered by methane released through the recycling process. While of First Impressions' product lines are more expensive than others, the company says they can save your company money overall. First Impressions does not believe in a green ‘premium’ for business; they think going green should reduce your costs, not increase them. Come and see some of what they offer at UK Aware.

In fact, going green at work is not only right for the environment, it can also be good for business. I mean, if you want to really impress your customers, why not outfit your entire office in recycled furniture from The Recycle Warehouse. They have all sorts of recycled office goods, including pencils made out of recycled newspapers, waste bins made from recycled crisp packets and lovely pedestal desks made from recycled timber. You can also check out some of their offerings at UK Aware this year.

A Flick of a Switch

Have you heard about the World Wildlife Fund’s “Earth Hour”? On Saturday 28 March 2009, at 8:30 p.m., people, businesses and iconic buildings around the world will switch off their lights for one hour – WWF’s Earth Hour. The campaign will kickstart WWF’s Global Deal campaign to convince governments to agree on effective action for fighting climate change, leading up to December’s UN climate summit in Copenhagen.

Some 377 cities from 74 countries have already signed up to take part in Earth Hour. Many iconic landmarks including the Forth Bridge, the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Table Mountain in Cape Town and the Sydney Opera House will be cloaked in darkness for the hour.

You can register to take part as an individual, organisation, school or business. Once you’ve registered, WWF will send you information on what you can do to become more involved in Earth Hour, including resources and tips. You could arrange a movie night or host a candlelight dinner party, for example. WWF even has menu suggestions. Or you could persuade your local pub to put on a pub quiz in the dark.

Earth Hour is a wonderful way to unite people from all over the world in a common cause: stopping global warming. WWF will host a booth a UK Aware this year, so make sure to stop by and learn about all the various ways the organisation is working to save the planet and conserve its resources, and how you can help.

Will you Join the Bandwagon?

Tickets for UK Aware just recently went on sale, but within the last two weeks, almost 3,000 have been sold. Looks like this year's show at London's Olympia in Earl's Court, April 17 & 18, is on track to be even bigger and better than last year's!

Some people may wonder why we bother stressing the importance of eco-friendly living during these times, when so many people are worried about losing their jobs and their savings, and the economic forecast looks more dour every day. Aren't there more important things to worry about? Indeed, times are tough, but passing down a livable planet to future generations should always be a priority, right? What's more, living your life in an environmentally friendly way can actually help you beat this bloody credit crunch.

At UK Aware, many of the exhibitors will show you how being green can help you save money and cut costs, too. At the Eco-eye booth, you'll discover how installing an electricity monitor can help you cut down on the total amount of electricity coming into your home. Eco-eye monitors, the only British designed electricity monitors on the market, literally "keep an eye" on the amount of energy you're using, and they display this information in a user-friendly way, serving as a reminder to turn off unnecessary lights and appliances.

Then there's the National Trust for Green Energy, a new, renewable electricity product, available to everyone, that is produced from clean energy sources such as offshore wind and hydroelectric power. At their booth at UK Aware, you'll learn how switching to green energy is simple and can, yes, save you money! The National Trust Green Energy was created by the National Trust and npower to make it simple for consumers to switch to green energy. When you sign up, npower will give the National Trust £15 to invest in low and zero-carbon initiatives at its sites, and as a customer, you will receive great offers and ideas to help you save energy in your home.

So hurry up and join the other 3,000 people who just bought tickets to UK Aware. You can purchase them here. See ya there!

The E-book Revolution

An article in this week’s Economist talks about how electronic books are growing in popularity, and, well, we just have one thing to say about that: Finally! Newspapers and magazines are now widely read online, and have been for some time, but when it comes to books, could the digital revolution really be starting now?

Indeed, a new wave of portable e-readers is making it easier and more comfortable for readers to curl up with a good e-book. One of the exhibitors at UK Aware this year is Libresco, distributor of the Iliad Reader, a lightweight, portable device that lets you read digital documents as easily and as conveniently as print. You simply upload books, newspapers, work documents or what have you onto the Iliad using WiFi, a PC connection or flash memory, and voila! Your reading material is always at hand.

Most importantly, investing in an Iliad is an investment in the environment. Paper production is harmful to the planet on so many levels. According to the UK charity Waste Watch, the average UK household throws out 4kg of paper each week, and as that rubbish rots in landfills, it produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming.

What’s more, the rising demand for paper is leading to a loss of diversity in the world’s forests – this also according to Waste Watch. The loss happens when magnificent old-growth forests are chopped down and replaced by managed plantations of fast-growing trees such as conifers. This process destroys valuable wildlife habitats and damages ecosystems.

So come to UK Aware in April and try out the Iliad reader for yourself. After all, nobody said being book smart was a bad thing.

Gifts from the Heart

If you're still searching for that perfect Valentine's Day present for your sweetie, I found some lovely, heart-themed gifts on the website Green Fairy Godmother. I love this bright, cheerful heart-shaped rag rug, which is made from recycled materials. You'll also find a recycled aluminum, handpainted bowl, which would be perfect as a candy dish or as a place to keep rings and jewelry, and a delightful nibble tray with three tiny spoons. Green Fairy Godmother is a great place online to shop for ethically sourced and environmentally sound gifts. You'll find organic baby clothes, fair trade Indian jewelry boxes, recycled glass tumblers and much, much more. The company will also have a booth set up at UK Aware this year, so stop by to check out their myriad offerings. And make sure to visit them here.

One Person's Rubbish is Another's Hubcap Creature

One of the most-exciting and best-loved exhibitors at last year’s UK Aware was Hubcap Creatures, and lucky for all of us, Hubcap is making a return appearance at this year’s UK Aware show in April.

So just what does a hubcap – a rather measly and inanimate car part – have to do with a living, breathing creature? Quite a lot actually, once artist Ptolemy Elrington gets his hands on few used ones. Ptolemy turns the old, worthless pieces of metal into all sorts of creatures, including sharks, dragonflies, fish, dogs and even lovely little penguins.

The beauty of Ptolemy’s work lies not just in the end result, but also in his ability to see art in the everyday, his genius mixture of resourcefulness and imagination. As he notes on his website, hubcaps are automatically rubbish when on the side of the road, but with a little effort and creativity, he transforms them into something that gives people a great deal of pleasure. Ptolemy finds something more in abandoned objects than their intrinsic worthlessness.

So leave the lillypads and landscapes, the bridges and ballerinas to other artists. Give the used hubcaps to Ptolemy, and next time you are about to discard of something that seems to have no value or purpose, consider its infinite possibilities.

Come to UK Aware, April 17-18, where you can see some of Ptolemy’s hubcap creatures, and maybe even purchase one! Get your tickets here.

Mean, Green Machines

Just announced: This year’s UK Aware will feature a Green Machines Expo, which is on track to be the largest and most diverse collection of green vehicles ever seen under one roof in the U.K.!

More than 30 manufacturers have been invited, and more than 50 cars are expected to be on hand. It’s all adding up to an amazing showcase, and a must for car aficionados and anyone in the market for a new ride, or interested in learning more about electrical and hybrid vehicles.

The Battery Vehicle Society is also going to take part in the Green Machines Expo. The U.K.-based society, founded in 1973 and more than 500 members strong, is dedicated to owners and designers of electric cars and to increasing awareness of electric and hybrid vehicles. They will offer advice to anyone interested in buying or driving an electric vehicle—whether it’s a bicycle, motorbike or car—and to those who are interested in the in-depth technical stuff, too. Members of the society will be present at the show to help explain the environmental and financial benefits of trading your gas guzzler for something a little more eco-friendly.

Green Right Down to the Brochure

Behind every good event, is a snazzy brochure, right? Well, given that UK Aware is an environmental show, the organizers have decided to print the brochure on recycled paper. They recruited the team at Ecologist magazine, who are also exhibiting this year, to oversee its production.

Ecologist magazine is one of the most respected environmental affairs publications and is a must-read for anyone interested in environmental issues and how they affect the world we live in. Each issue features amazing photography and helps set environmental and political agendas around the world by focusing on the root causes, not just the effects, of current events.

The articles in the magazine examine a wide range of issues, from toxic chemicals to corporate fraud, mass media to farming, pharmaceuticals to fishing. In this month’s issue, for example, you’ll find stories on biofuels, bird flu, pig farming and noise pollution, in the sea of all places!

The Ecologist offers both a print and a digital edition, which can be read from any computer. The digital edition is identical to the print edition but eight quid cheaper. You can visit the Ecologist website here to get a free trial issue. And visit UK Aware to pick up some complimentary copies. Buy your tickets to the show now at www.ukaware.com!

Refrigerator Smackdown

An article in today’s New York Times talks about how a small segment of the green movement has come to regard the homely refrigerator as an unacceptable drain on energy, and is choosing to go without it. Go without a refrigerator! No cold beer or ice cream. No yogurt, no juice. Talk about dedication.

You can begin to understand why someone would want to unplug their refrigerator when you realize that an older model uses about 1,300 kilowatt-hours per year, or produces roughly 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide – the same amount from burning 105 gallons of gasoline. A newer, more energy efficient model would cut that figure in half yet still produce an abundance of CO2.

Nonetheless, getting rid of your refrigerator because it contributes to global warming is a bit extreme. The truth is, you don’t have to go to such radical measures to live more sustainably. That’s the purpose of UK Aware – to show you how you can incorporate little changes into your day to day life that help cut down on greenhouse emissions without sacrificing your modern lifestyle. Attend UK AWARE in April to find out how you can help save the planet without suddenly morphing into Fred Flintstone.

The Battle Over Heathrow

Swords are drawn over the British government’s decision to add a third runway at Heathrow airport. While BAA, the airport operator, is praising the move, residents who live near the airport and environmental groups are going to battle over the proposed expansion.

The U.K. branch of the environmental activist group Greenpeace has launched a major campaign to reverse the government’s decision and support of aviation growth. The group, which is one of the exhibitors at UK Aware in April, teamed up with actress Emma Thompson, comedian Alistair McGowan and parliamentary candidate Zac Goldsmith to buy a plot of land in the middle of the proposed third runway site at Heathrow in an effort to try and stop the expansion.

Activists with Greenpeace say that coal-fired power plants are the biggest contributors to global warming, but the growth in aviation as a source of carbon emissions cannot be ignored, especially in the U.K., where the per-person aviation emissions are already higher than in any other country in the world.

Greenpeace says that an expanded Heathrow would overtake the U.K.’s current biggest single source of carbon emissions, the Drax coal-fired power station in Yorkshire, to become the biggest U.K. emitter of greenhouse gases. According to Greenpeace, the U.K. will never be able to meet the emissions reduction targets it has set if it allows the Heathrow expansion to happen.

If you want to learn more about the proposed expansion and what you can do to help stop it, swing by the Greenpeace booth at UK Aware and visit their website at http://www.greenpeace.org.uk.

Fairtrade Irish Coffee

With London transport running on delays (if at all), the sidewalks slippery, and the roads practically impassable, today is the perfect day for skipping work and curling up on the sofa with a good book and a warm Irish coffee. Lovely!

Lately I’ve been trying to make sure that most all of the coffee I buy is Fairtrade certified, meaning that the product meets the international standards set forth by The Fairtrade Foundation. Fairtrade means better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world who grow and harvest coffee beans. Look for the Fairtrade mark on bags of coffee at the supermarket, as well as on goods like sugar, spices, tea and chocolate. Representatives from The Fairtrade Foundation will be on hand at UK Aware to answer any questions you may have about the organization and its benefits.

Ready to make the perfect mug of Irish Coffee? Here’s how:

1 shot of Bailey’s
1 shot of Irish Whiskey
freshly brewed hot Fairtrade coffee
1 tablespoon whipped cream

In a glass, combine Baileys and whiskey. Top up with coffee. Add a dollop of whipped cream. Sprinkle some grated chocolate on top. Enjoy!

Snow Day in London

All of London and the southeast of England woke this morning to a world blanketed in white—the largest snow in 20 years, and it’s still coming down in buckets! Global warming skeptics will undoubtedly use this rare weather event as proof that temperatures are not really rising, evidence that global warming is a hoax. But global warming is about average temperatures across earth, not about two days in February in southeast England. Local weather and global climate are not the same thing and this incident does not mean that average temperatures across the planet are not slowly and steadily rising. For more information about global warming, be sure to visit UK Aware in April.