Renewables top Europe’s Energy Investment in 2009

More new wind power capacity was installed in the EU in 2009 than any other electricity-generating technology, new statistics published today by the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) reveal. 39% of all new capacity installed in 2009 was wind power, followed by gas (26%) and solar photovoltaics (16%). Europe decommissioned more coal and nuclear capacity than it installed in 2009. Taken together, renewable energy technologies account for 61% of new power generating capacity in 2009.

Green & Blacks announce a move to 100% Fairtrade

As we hear that Cadbury is to be snapped up by Kraft Green & Blacks, a Cadbury company, has announced it will switch its entire range of chocolate bar and beverage products to 100% organic and Fairtrade in 30 countries by the end of 2011. The move will open up many new opportunities for Fairtrade farmers in developing countries says the Fairtrade Foundation

Copenhagen pledges are still not good enough, says Caroline Lucas

EU leaders may have pledged more money to help developing countries adapt to climate change - but when it comes to cutting their own emissions, they are still not aiming high enough, said the Green Party leader today.

The Value of Volunteering’ much more than economics

With rising unemployment and fewer job vacancies, the current financial crisis has seen renewed policy emphasis in both Europe and the UK on volunteering as a route to employment, according to a new report from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC.)

Climate Change and ’Overpopulation’- reflections from The Corner House

The Optimum Population Trust’s continual link between population and climate change, and David Attenborough’s film for BBC2’s Horizon, ‘How Many People Can Live on Planet Earth? once again plays to the neo-Malthusian myth of over population as the world’s major problem. This paper from the ever thoughtful Corner House think tank, which shows the problems with this simplistic and ahistorical approach, merits another read.

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Previous headlines

Fair Miles not Food Miles for a just and sustainable world

Western consumer concern over climate change can do more harm than good if it cuts demand for food produced in developing nations, warns a new book by Oxfam and the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED).

10 tips for an eco-friendly Christmas

Want to save money and do your bit for a healthy planet this Christmas? Then check out Friends of the Earth’s top ten tips for making Christmas greener and surprise your family and friends with your creativity!

The Cuts Won’t Work- 2nd Green New Deal Report

This second report from the Green New Deal Group argues that the UK is currently missing a historic opportunity in the pre-budget report to tackle public debt, create thousands of new green jobs and kick-start the transformation to a low-carbon economy.

A healthy diet is a sustainable diet says new report

A new report published today (Friday 11 December) by the Sustainable Development Commission finds that eliminating waste, cutting fatty and sugary foods and reducing meat and dairy consumption would make the biggest contribution towards improving health and reducing the environmental impacts of the food system.

The Big Swap- launched for Fairtrade Fortnight 2010

RETAILERS and companies are being urged to back Fairtrade Fortnight 2010 (22 February - 7 March) by making it easy for shoppers to choose Fairtrade goods. Fairtrade Fortnight 2010 has the theme of ‘The Big Swap’ and will encourage shoppers to swap everyday shopping basket items such as tea, coffee, chocolate, cotton Tee-shirts, bananas, cakes, sugar and a host of other products for Fairtrade ones.

Voting Opens for Angry Mermaid Award for Worst Climate Lobbying

The damaging impacts of corporate lobbying on international efforts to fight climate change are exposed today with the announcement of the eight candidates for the Angry Mermaid Award 2009.

A Green Conservative Government in 2010?

Remember the days of the Turbine Tories, with David Cameron’s rather useless wind turbine, and photo opportunities of a helmet wearing David riding through the streets of London? Zac Goldsmith, inheritor of The Ecologist working on a Green plan for the next Government? When the Conservatives hugged the oak tree of their logo? The closer they get to power the more distant those days seems argues Natural Choices editor Peter Shield

Small-scale green energy schemes more productive than 2 nuclear power stations.

Small-scale renewable electricity schemes could generate more than twice the output of Sizewell B nuclear power station by 2020 if Ministers improve the proposed Clean Energy Cash-back scheme (or feed-in tariff), due to be launched in April next year, according to figures released today (Monday, 30 November 2009) by Friends of the Earth.

Economists fail to account for ‘natural capital’ – report

Many economists are failing to assess the value of their countries’ natural resources, putting billion’s of people’s well-being at risk and contributing to catastrophic species loss, according to a new United Nations Environment Programme report.(Source WWF)

11 Most Vulnerable Nations Seek Climate Justice

Final Draft of declaration issued November 11 in the Maldives, by the Climate Vulnerable Forum, comprising the 11 countries considered most vulnerable to climate change: Maldives, Kiribati, Bangladesh, Nepal, Vietnam, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Barbados and Bhutan.