Latest news on ethical and eco friendly living in the United Kingdom

published twice a week

Transport and travel

History of the Garrigue 28.06.12

Contrary to the what most people think there is very little natural about the garrigue that covers the hills of the Aude and the Languedoc. It is very much the product of the agricultural development of the land, the history of this ecology can be traced back over 4500 years but the last 60-70 years have been the most dramatic. The garrigue is very much a product of man’s over exploitation of the dry Mediterranean landscape.

High Court case casts further doubt over Heathrow’s 3rd runway 06.08.09

The government’s plans to expand Heathrow Airport were dealt another blow today following a High Court decision that a hearing should be held to consider the case against the controversial decision to build a third runway.

21st century rail - at last 06.08.09

Morning Star Editorial: When Michael O’Leary tells you an idea’s dreadful, you know you’re on to a winner. The union-bashing Ryanair chief is so consistently on the wrong side of any argument that you’d be forgiven for taking it with a pinch of salt if he told you to keep breathing.

Heathrow and Stansted expansion even less likely as BAA posts record losses 29.07.09

Source: Plane Stupid Have you been wondering why BAA has gone quiet on its plans to expand Heathrow and Stansted? Just a few months ago it was keen to stress that both airports would have new runways as soon as the tarmac could be poured, but their latest financial reports shows that BAA is so broke that it is reusing teabags* in the staff canteen.

Incognito a 100% natural protection from moquitoes 30.06.09

Holiday time is upon us once again, time to pack the tent, book the train or bus and wobble off precariously off into the countryside on the bike to enjoy the wide big outdoors and dodge the dusk arrival of the bugs that bite. Anyone who has ever been camping in Scotland can tell you that midges can take all the fun out of an adventure. Luckily there is now a 100% natural, and vegan, solution to 90% of the problem.

Sail away with a Nordic God 20 – 25 September 07.05.09

Staying in the UK for your holidays this summer doesn’t mean cutting back on adventure and glamour. You can simply go as far as Embercombe on the Devon coast this July to spend a week on Embercombe’s beautiful old Dutch Sailing Barge, Baldur, delving into the myths of Nordic Gods and using them as a gateway to self-understanding.

Responsible Tourism Awards 2009 08.04.09

Nominations are now open for the Responsible Tourism Awards 2009 organised by responsibletravel.com and sponsored by Virgin Holidays. The Awards celebrate tourism ventures around the world that make positive contributions to conservation and the economies of local communities.

National Park saved from A57/A628 Mottram-Tintwistle Bypass 26.02.09

The Campaign for Better Transport today welcomes the news that the A57/A628 Mottram-Tintwistle Bypass has been rejected for funding and therefore cannot be built until at least 2016.

Kate Humble at the Royal Geographic Society 12th March 24.02.09

Travel Africa magazine in partnership with EarthWatch are pleased to announce that journalist, adventurer and BBC TV presenter Kate Humble will be giving a talk in the prestigious Ondaatje Theatre at the Royal Geographical Society in London on Thursday 12th March 2009 (doors open at 6.00pm for a 7.00pm start).

A bleak future for Eco-friendly walking tours in France? 16.02.09

The fall-out from the threatened closure of the Cevennes railway on eco-hiking in France would be enormous, writes Scott Anderson from The Enlightened Traveller

Top 10 ’green wheels’ to watch in 2009 02.02.09

As part of their regular ’Top 10 green wheels’ series, the superb WhatGreenCar.com team look ahead to the greenest cars due for launch in the UK during 2009.

Electric cars to be widespread by 2020 04.12.08

The government’s Committee on Climate Change yesterday predicted that within twelve years four in ten cars on British roads would be electric if ambitious new targets to reduce greenhouse gases were to be met reports ETA.

Top 10 Green Cars to beat the credit crunch 24.11.08

With credit well and truly ’crunched’, and a repeat of this summer’s soaring fuel prices highly likely, there cannot be a better time to buy a low-cost, fuel-efficient car. As switching to a car with high fuel economy also reduces emissions, fuel efficient cars are therefore, by definition, ’green cars’ - which is why they also benefit from road tax, company car and London Congestion Charge incentives says WhatGreenCar.com

Greens denounce ’sham’ Heathrow consultation 21.02.08

The Government’s continuing support for an expansion of Heathrow airport demonstrates a complete contempt for the environment, the health of UK citizens and for our democratic processes, Green MEP Caroline Lucas said today.

£1 billion to be invested in cycling in London 12.02.08

The Mayor of London today announced the most ambitious programme to transform walking and cycling in London’s history. The bike scheme is modelled on the successful Parisian model introduced last year.

Top 10 tips for greener skiing 21.01.08

The mountain tops are snow covered, the skis are rattling restlessly in the basement, knees are being flexed and the old salopettes are being squeezed into after a Christmas of excess. It’s that time of the year again- ski time. So how do you cut down on the impact of this mountain passion.

Top 10 Green Wheels To Watch In 2008 03.01.08

Those brilliant guys over at What Green Car have come up with the hottest green cars to be looking for in 2008 for a cooler planet. Every one would be a great step forward for those of us who can’t use public transport all the time, from zero emissions Th!nk City to the heaviest in the list the Vauxhall’s New Agila at 120 gms per kilometer.

Ethical market worth £32.3bn in 2006 30.11.07

The Co-op Bank’s ethical consumerism report for 2006 show the sector has grown from 29.3 billion in 2005 to £32.3bn in 2006. Household spending on ethical goods and services is now £664, up from just £366 in 2002 an 81% increase in five years.

Toyota cut emissions by 5% Daimler increase by 0.6% 15.11.07

French, Italian and Japanese carmakers extended their lead over German rivals last year in the race to deliver fuel efficient and low emission vehicles according to new figures published by Transport and Environment (T&E), the sustainable transport campaign group.

6% of Brits offset their holiday travel emissions 12.11.07

Quarter of holidaymakers say they’ll switch to greener plans, but only 6 per cent put their money where their mouth is. Few holidaymakers are prepared to part with their cash in order to fulfil green travel aspirations, according to a new study from research company TNS.

£10 billion five year plan to improve the railways 01.11.07

Network Rail, the company that run the country’s rail infrastructure has revealed that it will double investment over the next five years to deal with increased passenger and freight demand. It will also move to using renewable energy and aims to cut its carbon footprint by 20%.

G-Wiz electric vehicle- the perfect London run around for £6,797 31.10.07

The Reva G-Wiz is the leading urban electric vehicle in the UK, available exclusively from GoinGreen. Its top speed of 45 miles per hour combined with a 48 mile range and exception from the Congestion Charge makes it the prefect Londoner’s ride. Ditch the petrol beast, G-Wiz is the latest in capital cool.

Cutting your Car Use-by Anna Semlyen 29.10.07

Cutting Your Car Use: save Money, Be Heathly, Be Green by Anna Smlyen is the latest updated versionof the superb pocket sized guide from Green Books. A practical handbook on how to reduce our reliance on the beast in the garage.

17.7 million Brits would spend more on greener cars 08.10.07

Interest in green wheels is soaring as 17.7 million Brits are prepared to splash out almost £13 billion more on environmentally friendly vehicles, according to research just released by EDF Energy.

EU emissions trading plan set for takeoff despite transatlantic rift 04.10.07

The EU will press ahead with plans to integrate aviation into its emissions trading system despite a major rift within the UN body responsible for the sector.

‘120 by 2012 must stay,‘ say MEPs 26.09.07

MEPs have sent a strong signal to the Commission and Europe’s governments that the EU’s long-standing commitment on carbon dioxide limits for new cars must be respected.

WhatGreenCar.com the guide to the best green wheels in the UK 24.09.07

For car-buyers who are after a cute city runaround, a family saloon or an executive auto, WhatGreenCar? provides the ultimate guide to buying the most eco-friendly car.

Bio Fuels- cure worse than the disease 12.09.07

Friends of the Earth called on the EU to scrap its ten per cent target for using plant-based bio-fuels for transport, after a leaked paper revealed that the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development OECD’s has grave concerns about their social and environmental effects.

EU plans to curb aviation emissions will not work 04.09.07

Current proposals to include aviation in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme will have very little impact on aviation’s contribution to climate change, a new report by leading climate scientists warns today.

Danger ahead as car industry demands weaker CO2 standards for heavy cars 30.08.07

European lawmakers must reject car industry calls for weight-based CO2 emissions standards because they would lead to more road deaths and higher emissions overall says European enviromental campaigners Transport and Enviroment.

GSE EcoTour’s Village Homestays: In Search of an ethical & cultural holiday 28.08.07

Karen Fields of Kenya’s GSE Eco Tours explains the idea of Village Homestays and why it is a growing part of the responsible travel sector. The holidays that GSE Eco Tours support both the local economy and help the traveller understand the life and culture of the country, it’s a far cry from ‘Fly and Flop’.

Cycle Tourism takes off as £120 million mark passed in 2006 22.08.07

Instead of returning from a well-earned break relaxed, rested and tanned, large numbers of Brits are coming home toned but windswept and saddle sore. Latest research from MINTEL finds, that Brits blew some £120 million on dedicated cycling holidays in 2006.

The cost of biofuels 17.08.07

Researchers at the University of Leeds and the World Land Trust have warned that growing biofuel crops to make eco-friendly car fuel could actually be harmful to the environment.

Buyer beware: WWF seeks help of British tourists to stamp out illegal wildlife trade 16.08.07

WWF is urging British tourists to be vigilant about buying wildlife souvenirs this summer when travelling abroad.

Low cost democratising air travel?- 55% didn’t fly last year. 15.08.07

Low cost airline’s claims that they are making international travel available to all was burst by Defra 2007 environment survey, 55% of English people never took a leisure flight, while a mere 4% took a third of all return flights.

Organic Places to Stay in the UK and Ireland-3rd Edition- Linda Moss 31.07.07

Now in its third edition and now including Ireland. Hotels, B&Bs, holiday homes and campsites, Linda Moss has gathered an extensive range of organic orientated holiday accommodation across the UK in this superb guide from Green Books.

MEP says EU Trading Scheme should be only action on aviation 27.07.07

A recommendation by an MEP playing a leading role in the debate on aviation’s introduction into the EU’s Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) has rung alarm bells within the environmental movement.

Ryanair adverts attacking Brown condemned by ASA 18.07.07

Ryanair, dubbed by Labour’s Ian Pearson as the “irresponsible face of capitalism”, has finally had their advertising rapped by the ASA following a complaint from Airport Watch. The campaign, created in-house by Ryanair’s marketing department attached Gordon Brown as a thief, and rubbished claims about aircraft CO2 emissions.

Zipee bikes – the green answer for urban commuting 12.07.07

Plug it in over night, zip to work in the morning. Zipee bikes are a low cost, no emissions, electrical bike that looks like a scooter, and sounds like a purring cat.. Zipee’s founder Naomi Aptowitzer talks to Naturalchoices about why Zippe is the commuters dream.

Railteam takes on planes for European travel 09.07.07

Railteam, an alliance of Europe’s high speed train services, unite to take the air out from under the wings low cost flights. French, Belgian, Austrian, German, Dutch and Swiss networks link up to provide a low carbon travel alternative.

Eco-Centres and Courses – by Terena Plowright 06.07.07

Throughout the UK the galaxy of courses and hands on training around living a more sustainable life is breath taking. Published by Green Books, this is a comprehensive guide of fun and interesting days out for both adults and children.

Tour de France- Discovery’s Blue Train goes Green 06.07.07

Lance Armstrong’s ex team Discovery Channel, the famous Blue Train, that dominated the peleton for so many years are going carbon neutral for this year’s Tour which starts in London on Saturday.

Responsible Travel – just another business bandwagon? 25.06.07

Scott Anderson, director of The Enlightened Traveler, a travel company based in the Camargue, in the Languedoc region of southern France, writes about how they have created a responsible travel company for the discerning holiday maker.

Thenag.net changing the world one click at a time 19.06.07

You know what to do, that list of 101 things is pinned to the fridge and all it makes you do is feel guilty. How do you turn that first step into a skip? Briony Greenhill The Nag’s Project Director tells to naturalchoices how it works.

Flybe introduces ‘eco’ labelling for flights 05.06.07

Cunning plan or marketing scam? Last week, Ryanair announced that environmental awareness about flights were beginning to hit their bottom line. This week Flybe introduces eco-labelling and carbon off setting.

Four Seasons at The Barn Vegetarian Guest House 05.06.07

Richard & Sandra Barnett set up the Barn Vegetarian Guest House in the New Forset four years ago. Richard writes about the ups and down of starting an ethical tourist business.

The Ethical Travel Guide from Tourism Concern 11.04.07

Travel in the modern world is an ethical minefield. The Ethical Travel Guide written by Polly Pattullo with Orely Minelli for Tourism Concern, published by Earthscan, doesn’t have all the answers but it is a good place to start.

Car and Air Travel advertising should carry climate warning demands report 06.04.07

A report published by the Institute for Public Policy Research, argues that car and airline advertising should carry a warning, cigarette style, saying Driving and Flying Causes Climate Change.

The Greenest Wheels in Town 05.04.07

At the Sexy Green Car Show at the Eden project, Europe’s leading car manufacturers are showing off their latest green machines. Sustrans is also there showing what a true green machine looks like.

Green driving- a users guide 05.04.07

80 to 85% of the total emissions of a car are from day to day usage rather than the manufacturing of it. How we use our cars is as important as picking a greener variety, here are some tips on both from the Sexy Green Car Show.

Citroen- C1 C2 C3 small green mean machines 05.04.07

Citroen, one of the star exhibitors at the Sexy Green Car Show, demonstrates how pioneering technology intelligently used boosts energy efficiency and lowers emissions.

Sexy Green Car Show, world’s first launched by Eden Project 02.04.07

The Eden project in Cornwall has launched the world’s first eco-friendly motor show, running from 30th March- 15th April 2007. The Sexy Green Car Show is sponsored by CIS Insurance, who are offering a Honda Civic Hybrid worth £16,300 to one lucky visitor.

Dying on a Jet Plane- £10.4 billion air travel subsidy 20.03.07

The aviation industry is the fastest growing producer of carbon emissions in the United Kingdom, due to enormous tax breaks it is also heavily subsidised according to the World Development Movement.

Skiing like you care in the French Alps 15.12.06

Alpine downhill skiing is my passion. It is a passion I share with over a million Brits who go to the French Alps every year. Yet there is no greater clearer link between sport and the environment than skiing, a mere one degree temperature rise will make over 160 European Alpine ski-resorts unviable.

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