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

published twice a week

Campaigns, charities and involvement

Derek Wall Interview 02.09.10

Derek Wall, the Green Party of England and Wales former male Principal Speaker and candidate for the Deputy Leader speaks to Natural Choices about the last election results and the future of the Green Party. The Green Party finally broke into the UK Parliament at the last General Election with Caroline Lucas winning in Brighton Pavillion, they are also well positioned to become the official opposition in the coming Norwich municipal elections.

Greens step-up campaign to be largest party in Norwich 21.08.10

Jenny Jones, Green Party member of the London Assembly and former deputy mayor of London, is in Norwich today supporting the Green Party’s campaign to become the main party on a UK local authority for the first time ever.

What now for the Green Party? 17.08.10

The Green Party has made some major breakthroughs over last the couple of years, the election of Caroline Lucas to Parliament was one of the few bright points on an otherwise dismal election night. At a local level they now have just over 120 councilors and the two MEPs, The problem however is that the election showed up how patchy and locally concentrated their support base actually is. With the Autumn Party conference approaching what are challenges facing the Green Party of England and Wales.

UN votes water and sanitation a human right, UK abstains 30.07.10

Safe and clean drinking water and sanitation is a "human right that is essential for the full enjoyment of life and all human rights," the General Assembly declared today, voicing deep concern that almost 900 million people worldwide do not have access to clean water. Source: Transnational Institute

The Carbon Carousel: VAT Tax Fraud 30.07.10

VAT tax fraud – dubbed by the mainstream media as ’carousel fraud’ or ’missing-trader fraud’ – has been troubling the carbon trading industry for a few years, reports Corporate Watch.

2000-2010 A History of Oil Disasters 30.07.10

A new report catalogs a decade of serious oil spills, fires, leaks and loss of life over the last decade that National Wildlife Federation(USA) says underscores petroleum company malfeasance. The report, “Assault on America: A Decade of Petroleum Company Disaster, Pollution, and Profit,” shows that it is not just BP but the entire industry that has put profit before lives, local communities and the environment.

Trident- who’d buy it? 29.07.10

Trident replacement is looking less likely today , says Greenpeace, after Chancellor George Osborne told media that the Treasury weren’t willing to stump up for the project out of central funds. Speaking in New Delhi, where he is accompanying David Cameron on his visit to India, Mr Osborne told the Bloomberg newswire: "All budgets have pressure. I don’t think there’s anything particularly unique about the Ministry of Defence. I have made it very clear that Trident renewal costs must be taken as part of the defence budget."

£500 million Hawk jet deal with India aids arms companies, not the poor 28.07.10

Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) has condemned the sale of Hawk jets to India, a country where poverty is rife and which is situated in a conflict zone. The deal was announced to coincide with Prime Minister David Cameron leading a heavy-weight ministerial and trade mission to India from 28 to 30 July. Source Campaign Against the Arms Trade

Labour Activists slam Bangladesh Garment Workers Wage Proposal 28.07.10

Garment-workers unions and labour-rights organisations have reacted with indignation and disappointment at the newly-proposed increase of minimum wage in Bangladesh’ garment industry. Yesterday the National Wage Board recommended an increase of the minimum wage to 3000 Bangladeshi ’taka’ (€33). Source: Clean Clothes Campaign

Ministers to pimp the arms trade 25.06.10

A Government Minister has declared that senior members of the Government will promote arms exports to compensate for budget cuts at the Ministry of Defence. Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) says that this brazen support for the arms trade by the new Coalition Government will result in existing arms controls being further overridden or ignored and arms companies gaining ever greater influence over government.

2 short satires from War on Want condemns ’sweatshop’ brands 24.06.10

Campaigners today step up their drive for a watchdog to prevent supermarkets abusing suppliers’ workers by launching new films which satirise overseas sweatshops. Source: War in Want

Lidl Retracts False Claims of Fair Working Conditions 02.06.10

Consumer and worker rights organisations are celebrating a historic victory after the giant German retailer Lidl agreed to withdraw public claims that its goods were being produced under fair and decent working conditions. The agreement was reached following a legal challenge, launched by the Consumer Agency Hamburg, which accused Lidl of engaging in false advertising.

Boycott tuna sandwiches from Boots, Greggs, Subway and Tesco 28.05.10

A survey by Ethical Consumer Magazine has revealed that the fishing methods which these companies employ to catch the Skipjack tuna used in sandwiches results in the unnecessary death of thousands of sharks, turtles and other marine wildlife every year:Source Ethical Consumer Blog

EU Emissions Trading scheme fails to reduce emissions 27.05.10

Sandbag has today released analysis showing how Europe’s carbon caps have turned into a carbon trap. This analysis is launched ahead of the European Commission’s communiqué expected this week, which will analysis the options for moving beyond a 20% emissions reduction target. Leaked versions of the communiqué have been widely circulated and indicate that the EU acknowledges there are problems with the systems and the oversupply of permits, recommending removing 1.4bn tonnes from the scheme from 2013-20. Sandbag analysis shows that that this number is too low, for caps to become effective 2.3bn tonnes need to be removed.

UK Organic market drops 12.9% in 2009 14.04.10

Organic sales in the UK had a terrible year in 2009, after a decade of double digit annual increase, last year saw a 12.9% drop in total sales to ₤1.84 billion, from a high in 2008 of ₤2.113 billion. Particularity hard hit was the organic meat and prepared food sectors, while organic milk, baby foods and home cooking ingredients held up and cosmetics and health product demand increased. Early signs from 2010 indicate a slow resurgence with projections of between 2-5% according to the newly released Soil Association’s Organic Market Report 2010.

Conference for a 1,000,000 Climate Jobs 28.02.10

The failure of politicians to come to an agreement at Copenhagen has meant that the struggle against climate change takes on a new urgency. Here in the UK, the huge demonstration before Christmas shows that millions of people want to see serious action on climate change.

Palestinian Olive Oil Producers in Manchester for Fairtrade Fortnight 19.02.10

Jamil Hijazin from Bethlehem University’s Fairtrade Development Centre and Mahmoud al Qadi from the East Bani Zeid Co-operative (NW Ramallah / al Bireh) will visit Manchester during Fairtrade Fortnight 2010.

Campaign Against Climate Change 3rd Trade Union Conference 13 March 2010 09.02.10

The Campaign Against Climate Change Trade Union conference have brought together hundreds of Trade Unionists to discuss the role that the Trade Union movement can play in the fight against Climate Change.

Tell the EU: Palm Plantations Aren’t Forests! 09.02.10

A leaked document reveals that the European Union wants to require member states to use biofuel from destructive palm plantations — and to do that it wants to define plantations as “forests”- An alert from Rainforest Rescue

Nike agree to stop buying Amazon leather following Greenpeace report 28.07.09

The global sportswear company Nike has announced that it is to stop buying leather from the Amazon region of Brazil, following concerns that its shoes and trainers could be driving the destruction of the world’s largest rainforest and contributing to climate change.

Pakistan plants 541,176 trees in one day 17.07.09

Pakistan set the Guinness World Record for tree planting, beating India in a healthy and productive international competition contributing to preserving fragile and endangered forests. With 541,176 young mangroves trees planted by 300 volunteers from the local fishermen communities just in one day, the country broke the previous 447,874 record held by historical rival India.

Severn shortlist ’seriously flawed’ says RSPB 08.05.09

The Government’s shortlist of tidal power schemes for the Severn Estuary is ’seriously flawed’ and should be scrapped according to an expert review of the advice ministers were given.

Lancaster residents fight against unsustainable shopping mall 08.05.09

Residents of Lancaster continue to fight plans to ’regenerate’ their city with a new shopping centre that would increase the size of the city centre by around 50%. A London-based company called Centros has waved enough cash under the nose of the near-bankrupt Lancaster City Council that the latter agreed a 250-year lease of the site, reports Corporate Watch

End Animal Testing in Europe demand campaigners 01.05.09

As MEPs prepare to vote next month (May 09) on proposals to update Europe’s animal experiments directive animal advocates are taking to cyber-space to demonstrate public support with a virtual march on the European Parliament. Launched today by the Dr Hadwen Trust for Humane Research, Four Paws and the Humane Society International, the Make Animal Testing History virtual march is a global first for animal protection campaigning.

‘Not for profit’ job losses ‘worse than’ Charity Commission figures 18.03.09

Unite, the largest union in the country, believes that the picture for charities, particularly job losses, is bleaker than the latest Charity Commission research reveals.

Monsanto 0 Austria & Hungary 2 03.03.09

The European Commission was defeated in its latest attempt to force two countries to drop bans on controversial genetically modified maize

2nd Trade Union Conference on Climate Change 02.03.09

Saturday 7th March the Trade Union Group of the Campiagn Against Climate Change brings together leading figures in the Labour movement with a wide range of climate change activists.

150,000 support Handle with Care Petition 26.02.09

A coalition of animal welfare groups headed by the World Society for the Protection of Animals handed over 150,000 signatures supporting the ’Stop Long Distance Transport of Animals for Slaughter’ petition to the European Union Health Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou.

6 Billion Ways conference 23rd February 19.02.09

There are still places at the 6 Billion ways conference, which takes place on the 23rd Fernruary at Rich Mix, Bethnal Green. The agenda is packed will some superb speakers from the full range of development, world social justice and green arenas. One not to miss.

Put People First march on the 28th March 16.02.09

A huge new platform of unions, development agencies, faith and environmental groups plans to tell world leaders attending the G20 summit in April that only just, fair and sustainable policies can lead the world out of recession.

Chicken Out! campaign launches design a Tesco chicken label competition 06.02.09

The Chicken Out! campaign is asking for your creative skills in designing a new label for standard intensively reared chicken.

Gaza appeal raises £3 million in first week 01.02.09

Since the appeal was launched on Thursday 22nd of January, members of the DEC have reached almost 800,000 people with vital supplies of blankets, food, water, sanitation and medical equipment.

Just Transition - Call from the 2008 Climate Camp 05.08.08

The climate camp is determined to stop the human causes of climate chaos because of the devastating impacts it will have on both people and planet. Climate chaos is a social justice issue because it is already killing people now and because it will impact upon the poorest and most vulnerable first, both nationally and globally.

2.4 billion items of unworn clothing in the British wardrobe 01.02.08

Almost half of the clothes in Britain’s wardrobes go unworn, a new survey from Oxfam and Marks & Spencer has shown.A YouGov report, commissioned to mark the first day of the M&S and Oxfam Clothes Exchange, shows that 46 per cent of people’s clothes - an estimated 2.4billion items - have sat gathering dust on shelves and hangers and were not worn once in the last year.

RSPCA launches a campaign to end £2 chickens 02.01.08

The RSPCA launches a new campaign as celebrity chefs move chicken into the spotlight. Shoppers are being urged to upgrade to higher welfare chicken and sign a new online petition calling for retailers to ditch ’standard’ chickens as part of a new RSPCA campaign.

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.

UK mining companies complicit in abuse of poor 21.11.07

British mining corporations supported by the UK government, such as Vedanta Resources, Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton, are complicit in human rights abuse while making huge profits in developing countries.

FTSE 100 Climate Commitments may lead to increased emissions 03.10.07

Campaigners from Christian Aid have publish the results of research which shows that most of the UK’s FTSE 100 companies have not committed to targets for absolute reductions in their greenhouse gas emissions.

Surfers against Sewage special offer 07.09.07

The superb sea and coastline campaigning organisation, Surfers against Sewage is now offering a free wallet and the chance to win special prizes to new members, you too could be pictured in the press with a six foot inflatable turd.

Child Labour Awareness Week 20th August-26th August 23.08.07

While children in Britain are preparing to go back to school, an estimated 80 million children in India will not have this option according to a report published by Indian children’s charity the Child In Need Institute to mark Child Labour Awareness Week.

Camp for Climate Action 2007- A spark of hope 20.08.07

Last weekend’s actions at Heathrow and round the country are a superb reminder that civil protest is still possible, and now more than ever necessary, argues NaturalChoices editor Peter Shield.

88% of colleges want sustainability on the syllabus of all subjects 13.08.07

Amidst growing concern about climate change, the University and College Union (UCU) endorsed a call by colleges for more environmental education in the college curriculum.

Downsell Primary School stars in Climate Calendar 2009 08.08.07

18 lucky pupils from Downsell Primary School in Leyton took part in a special photo shoot for Flipside Vision’s 2009 edition of the superb Calendar of Climate Change.

New map highlights massive building plans for England and Wales 03.08.07

An online map highlighting the location of over one hundred new developments that could be forced through if the Government gets its way over changes to the planning system has been launched by planningdisaster.org.uk

MPs demand tougher targets for Climate Change Bill 01.08.07

’Beyond Stern: From the Climate Change Programme Review to the Draft Climate Change Bill’ from the House of Common Environmental Audit Committee calls for stronger, more coherent, action by Government on climate change.

Growth in animal experiments enrages animal rights groups 24.07.07

The fact that the numbers of animals used in experiments jumped by four per cent in 2006 – the greatest increase in five years, and the highest number since 1991 – goes to prove the lie that the Government is putting its ‘best efforts’ into reducing the numbers of animals used in experiments, says the BUAV.

New Labour, New Environment? -report slams Labour’s green claims 20.07.07

Carbon dioxide emissions are now two per cent higher than they were when Labour came to power. Gordon Brown must do much better than his predecessor, Tony Blair, if the UK is to play a leading role in tackling the catastrophic threats of climate change and biodiversity loss.

The Netherlands becomes the second EU nation to ban the trade in seal products 19.07.07

One small step for seals, one giant step to end the brutal seal hunt. This is the message coming out of The Netherlands with news yesterday that all trade in seal products will now be banned.

UK 21st in European league of carbon efficiency and well-being 16.07.07

New Europe-wide research, conducted by the new economics foundation, using an innovative measure of carbon efficiency and real economic progress reveals that Europe is less efficient now at delivering human well-being than it was 40 years ago.

Cut the Carbon March leaves Belfast on Saturday 13.07.07

Christian Aid’s Cut the Carbon March sets off for a 80 day, thousand mile walk around the British isles on 14th July, it is the longest protest march ever held in the UK. Marchers Mohamed Adow, and Fraser Winterbottom speak to Naturalchoices.

The rise and roots of ethical consumption in the United Kingdom 09.07.07

Peter Shield, editor of naturalchoices looks at the roots of ethical consumerism in the United Kingdom. From the Rochdale Pioneers in 1844, to the growth of consumer power in the 1970s.

Christian Aid challenges music lovers to ’Cut the Carbon’ at T in the Park 06.07.07

Unlike Live Earth which expects to attract 2 billion viewers T in the Park is a smaller gathering of music fans, smaller in number and much smaller in carbon footprint- in fact it has no carbon footprint at all. A mere 80,000 music lovers who won’t get to watch the concert on MSN because they will all be seeing it live at Balado, Perth and Kinross.

Live Earth set to be the biggest global musical event ever 04.07.07

On Saturday 7th Live Earth will now combine 7,112 concerts, parties and festivals in 129 countries around the world. With monster concerts in a rolling programme starting in Sydney and finishing Copacabana beach. Alive Earth is a cool alternative, online and fun.

Greenwash – doesn’t reassure consumers on climate change 20.06.07

What Assures Consumers on Climate Change?, a new report from Consumer International and Accountability found that corporate and government efforts to inform consumers on climate change are falling on deaf ears, with barely one in ten people believing what they say on the issue.

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.

Plastic Ain’t My Bag- campaign builds for Christmas 2007 12.06.07

We Are What We Do, the people who brought us “I’m not a Plastic Bag”, and "Change the World for a Fiver", launches its first high profile national campaign to unite shoppers and shops for a plastic bag free Christmas.

Green Mobile link up with the Environmental Investigation Agency 31.05.07

Green Mobile, the UK’s first environmentally friendly phone service, has teamed up with the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) to offer a mobile service that raises funds for the EIA.

Climate change - one billion people homeless by 2050 14.05.07

Human Tide: the real migration crisis, a new report for Christian Aid Week estimates that the number of people forced out of their home by climate change related events, flooding, scarce water, conflict over scarce resources, could reach one billion by 2050.

Bio-fuels the wrong road to sustainability 10.05.07

Transport Minister Stephen Labyman’s proposed Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation increases the amount of bio fuel in the mix for our cars, they have asked for public comment. You have until the 17th May to add yours.

Sustainable Agriculture -Cuban Style 30.04.07

Nick Wright interviews Humberto Rios Cabrada head of the Cuban Local Innovation Programme in Agriculture. The crisis of climate change has the power to profoundly change the way that people think about the future.

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.

Official-UK to miss its own carbon emissions target 01.02.07

In the same week as BAA announces plans for a second runway at Stanstead and the European Commission caved into to pressure from the car lobby, David Miliband, Environment Secretary, said that the 2010 target cut on carbon dioxide emissions "looked increasingly difficult to achieve".

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