Archive for Carbon Dioxide emissions

As Lewis Hamilton becomes F1 World Champion can the sport ever hope to go green?

November 2, 2008 · Filed under CO2 emissions, Carbon Dioxide emissions, carbon footprint, reduce carbon footprint · Tagged , , , ,

Firstly congratulations to Lewis Hamilton on his great achievement.  Despite not being a fan of F1 it was a great race.  Seeing how much fuel the cars use and being sponsored by companies such as Shell it made Ethical and Green wonder about how green the sport could ever be and what effect this would have on driving as a whole.

It has been estimated that 20 cars emit around 9,150 kg of carbon emissions per race which is quite staggering!  So that’s the cars.  What about all the lighting, power cables, tourists who travel from all over the world….When you add it up the carbon emissions of an F1 race are HUGE!!

We all know that a huge amount of money is invested into F1 so if they go green the investment into new technologies could benefit us all.  Max Mosley, president of the International Automobile Federation is keen for the sport to cut down on it’s carbon footprint and this season F1 cars had to have some biofuel in their tanks.  Practice laps have also been dropped to stop wasting fuel.  This is great but what next?

Well next season clean technology systems to harvest kinetic energy from deceleration and to capture heat from machines engines will become mandatory. Hotels in cities where the races are held should also stand up and be counted.  For example the Singapore Freeport skylounge at the Fullerton Hotel built a solar canopy to offset half the energy it used to entertain its 250 guests during the Singapore Grand Prix.  Wouldn’t it be great if other hotels took part in this.

It’s great to see that F1 racing is taking onboard it’s responsibilities to the planet.  However, in a sport where efficiency isn’t a priority it will be interesting to see how the proposed changes to the sport will be received by the makers of the cars.

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Energy Saving Week

October 20, 2008 · Filed under Carbon Dioxide emissions, carbon footprint, carbon neutral, reduce carbon footprint · Tagged , ,

Today marks the start of Energy Saving Week being run by the Energy Saving Trust.  This campaign aims to help the British public save energy, reduce their carbon footprint and save money!

Energy Saving Week is being supported by the model Helena Christiansson and Aliesha Dixon to name but a few.  As Karen Lawrence, head of advice, at the Energy Saving Trust explains:

“Climate change is arguably one of the most important global issues now affecting millions of UK households. It is no longer just a Government problem to be tackled on a policy level, but something everyone is thinking about on a daily basis. We’ve all been asked to change certain daily habits: dustbin-days have gone topsy-turvy as councils re-think their recycling programmes, major supermarkets now charge shoppers for carrier bags forcing us to think twice before using plastic bags.”

We’re constantly being shown targets and timelines - telling us what the nation has to achieve and by when - to help fight climate change. But how on earth are we expected to fit an eco-rich lifestyle into our time-poor lives? Energy Saving Week - 20th to 26th October - is the perfect opportunity to discover your Green/Life Balance. We’re urging people to take time to make time to change their households’ habits to help fight climate change. It doesn’t take long to get things started - there are lots of things you can do in just ten minutes.”  From the Energy Saving Trust website.

There is also a less than thrilling diary by Joan Ruddock MP about how her week is going trying to save energy.  Yawn!!

Click here to get more information and see the Energy Saving Clock.  Alternatively you can call 0800 512 012 for energy saving tips and advice.

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Who’s enjoying the credit crunch?

October 10, 2008 · Filed under CO2 emissions, Carbon Dioxide emissions, carbon footprint, carbon neutral, reduce carbon footprint · Tagged , , , ,

Here at Ethical and Green we are actually enjoying the credit crunch and the financial turmoil.  For many years now bankers have been gambling away huge sums of money with care free abandon.  Let’s be realistic- this credit crunch isn’t bad luck, it’s been an accident waiting to happen.  And the motivating factor behind it?  Greed.  Greed combined with selfish thinking.  If the financial industry had stopped to think what they were doing and hadn’t been trying to make obscene bonuses we wouldn’t be in this mess today.

 

The reason we are enjoying the credit crunch isn’t because the bankers are suffering.  They have made so much money I don’t think they really care.  The Head of Lehmann Brothers reportedly made $500 million dollars whilst he worked for the company!  No the reason we are enjoying it is because finally people are worrying about money rather than spending it on things they don’t need.

Car sales in the UK have dropped by 20% which is good for the environment.  People are also using their cars less because petrol is too expensive.  This means more people are using public transport to save money.  The downside is that new cars are more environmentally friendly so I hope people aren’t buying second hand cars with worse emission records. We’ll have to wait and see.

 

As we have seen before the credit crunch is encouraging people to exchange clothes and recycle.  People are also using sites such as Freecycle more rather than buying new items.  Some people are also recycling more as it gives them reward points.  There was recently a story in the press about a couple who fanatically recycled so they could fly back in business class from America where they went on Honeymoon!  Great for them and the environment!

In terms of holidays the credit crunch meant that this summer more people had a holiday in Britain as opposed to travelling abroad.  This reduced the holiday seasons carbon footprint.  Some airlines have also stopped flying to particular destinations and are flying less frequently thus reducing the carbon footprint of the aeronautic industry.  Reports this year showed that in the UK camp sites were fully booked!  A truely environmentally friendly holiday.

As oil prices soar so fuel bills rise.  This means that consumers are looking at ways to cut down on their bills by saving electricity.  People are converting to environmentally friendly lightbulbs and turning electrical appliances off as opposed to leaving them on standby.  The government has also brought out grants for home insulation which keep your house warm as well as cutting down fuel bills.  All good for the environment and reducing your carbon footprint!

So there we have it.  Just a few examples of why Ethical and Green are enjoying the credit crunch!  Let us know what you think….

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Method eco-friendly cleaning products

September 23, 2008 · Filed under CO2 emissions, Carbon Dioxide emissions, reduce carbon footprint · Tagged , , , , ,

It has to be said that cleaning is not on my list of favourite things to do.  I also find that standard cleaning products leave me sneezing and not feeling my best.  We have all heard of Ecocover eco-friendly cleaning products but in the past they have been associated with being a hippy.  The bottles aren’t inspiring but the products do the job.

 

However, a revolution is occuring in the world of eco-friendly cleaning products.  With all things ethical and green becoming more mainstream and ‘cool’ it was only a matter of time before the world of cleaning products was addressed.  One day not so long ago a box of Method cleaning products turned up on my doorstep.  Prior to this I had heard that the likes of Madonna and Gwenyth Paltrow were using Method’s products.  Part of me thinks that possibly Madge and Gwennie don’t do their own cleaning but thats by the by!

Method cleaning products are the brainchild of Americans Adam and Eric.  They are now bringing their fabulous range of products to our shores.  A quick read of their website shows that the products are 100% natural.  So natural in fact that you can drink them without burning away your oesophagus and requiring the services of your local A&E Department.  Method are definately ethical and green in their approach to their products.  Their packaging is made from recycled materials and the products aren’t tested on animals (because they think it’s mean!!) 
Method
So I opened the box and was pleased at the minimal amount of packaging.  Good start.  The bottles also looked really good.  Stylish, trendy and excellent colours.  In fact they didn’t look like cleaning product bottles at all.  To be honest you wouldn’t mind leaving one of these out on your unit- much better looking than Domestos and you are showing off your eco-credentials!  They also smell lovely- grapefruit, eucalyptus, mint.  They smelt so fresh I was almost tempted to drink it (which I didn’t, although I could have safely done so.)  Ok so Method products are aesthetically pleasing but do they work?

Despite the fact that I usually don’t excited about cleaning this was an exception.  On went Stevie Wonder’s greatest hits and off to work I went.  All in all I was extremely impressed with all the products I tried.  The house was clean and smelt fresh and not at all chemically.  Will I keep buying Method products?  You bet.  I’ll be checking out the whole range.

If you want to get your hands on Method cleaning products the full range is on sale at BigGreenSmile. Click on the picture to get taken to the site. Alternatively you can check out Method’s own website here.

Eco-friendly cleaning products have become cool and trendy thanks to Method.  They also work extremely well showing that you don’t need chemicals to keep your house clean.  No wonder Madonna and Gwyneth are fans ( and they don’t have to worry if Lourdes, Moses or Apple go snooping in the kitchen cupboards and help themselves!!)

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The debate over alternatives to coal heats up

August 15, 2008 · Filed under CO2 emissions, Carbon Dioxide emissions, carbon footprint · Tagged , , ,

As some of you may be aware the UK government appears to see that building new coal fired power stations are the answer to the energy gap.  This has put the back up of many environmentalists.  In a letter to the Sunday Times Robin Webster of Friends of the Earth, Ruth Davis of the RSPB, Keith Allcott of WWF UK and Robin Oakley of Greenpeace UK voiced their opinion.

They point out that the Royal Society, the House of Commons environmental audit committee, both main opposition parties and the world’s leading climate change scientists have argued against new coal power stations.  The authors ask that renewable energy should be used to secure our energy and cut our carbon emissions.  We have already seen how the UK is dependent on coal, oil and gas from other countries so it is important that as an island we are more self sufficient with our energy.

The letter goes on to show that a study by Poyry an energy analyst firm outlines that if the government delivers on its existent commitments for energy efficiency and renewable energy then no new coal or gas stations are needed even on days with wind.  Seems slightly odd then that they would want to build more coal powered stations.  What is the theory behind this?

 

Lastly the writers point out that the government has a stark choice to make- they either ‘push ahead with coal fueled power stations in the face of opposition or they can deliver on efficiency by building a sustainable, thriving, renewable energy industry for Britain.’ We know which way we want them to go…..

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French designer Starck turns to renewable energy

August 12, 2008 · Filed under Carbon Dioxide emissions, carbon footprint, reduce carbon footprint · Tagged , , ,

The French designer Phillipe Starck has turned from more mainstream design to designing items to help the environment.  It would be fair to say he has gone green and has even described his previous work as ‘unnecessary.’

Starck is known for his iconic designs for everything from juicers to hotels.  His focus is now on the environment and Ethical and Green think he is going to have a huge impact.  Next year Britain will see the launch of a designer wind turbine.  We’ll take their word for it that it is in fact a wind turbine as it doesn’t have the classic design that is more windmill-esque!  In fact it looks like something that you could easily have in your garden and make a feature of.  The best thing about the turbine is that it will extremely cheap at £400.  Even better is the fact that it can provide a small house with around 60% of the power needed for heat and light.  Light at the end of the rising costs of fuel?  Critics think you will need five of Starck’s turbines but time will tell…..

 

Other designs Starck has for the environment are solar panels, a hydrogen powered boat, ab eco-moped an eco house and an electric car.  With Nissan and Mercedes launching electric cars we’ll have to see how popular Starck’s car will be.

 

As some observers have commented the wind turbine may help cut your carbon footprint long term but what is the carbon footprint of making it?  The design is good but what about the materials?  Where are they sourced from?  Possibly then it won’t be the most ethical and green wind turbine out there.  In fact you will most probably find that it will appeal to those who are fair weather greens and do it more as it’s popular as opposed to being truly eco-conscious.

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Eco Libris

July 14, 2008 · Filed under CO2 emissions, Carbon Dioxide emissions, carbon footprint, carbon neutral, reduce carbon footprint · Tagged , , , ,

The founder of Eco Libris recently contacted us and told us about his business. We had a look and it sounds like a great idea. Here is some more information about the site:

More than 20 million of trees are cut down annually for virgin paper used for the production of books sold in the U.S. alone. What Eco Libris want to do is to raise awareness to the environmental impacts of using paper for the production of books and provide people and businesses with an affordable and easy way to do something about it: plant one tree for every book they read, sell or publish. Customers also receive a sticker made of recycled paper for every book they balance out saying “One tree planted for this book” and can later display these stickers on their books’sleeves. Publishers can use the logo in their cover designs to indicate one tree is planted for that book.

Eco Libris have partnered with three highly respected US and UK registered non-profit organizations (SHI, AIR, RIPPLE Africa) that work in collaboration with local communities in developing countries to plant the trees. These trees are planted in high ecological and sustainable standards in Latin America and Africa, where deforestation is a crucial problem, and planting trees not only helps to fight climate change and conserve soil and water, but also benefits many local people, for whom these trees offer many benefits and an opportunity for a better future.

Eco Libris are one year old and in the past year they have balanced out 50,005 books which results in 65,586 new trees that are being planted with their planting partners in developing countries.  What a great result!  Their website is http://www.ecolibris.net 

They also run a blog that is about “books, trees and everything in between”.

The address is http://ecolibris.blogspot.com.  Get involved.

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Prince Charles shrinks his carbon footprint

July 3, 2008 · Filed under CO2 emissions, Carbon Dioxide emissions, reduce carbon footprint · Tagged , , , ,

Those of you who keep up to date with the Royal Family will know that Prince Charles is a keen eco-warrior.  He is committed to renewable energy programs and runs his Duchy business in an ethical and green fashion.

This week in the news it was revealed that Prince Charles has reduced his carbon footprint even further by running his cars on biofuel.  He has reportedly spent £5000 converting his Jaguars, Audi and Range Rover to run entirely on biodiesel.

What intrigued us here at Ethical and Green is the fact that Prince Charles 38 year old Aston Martin has been converted to run on bioethanol from surplus wine!  What a great idea!  Who knows- maybe one day we’ll all be doing this.  Watch this space….

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BT Going Green

June 23, 2008 · Filed under Carbon Dioxide emissions, Companies going green, carbon footprint, reduce carbon footprint · Tagged , , , , , , ,

BT (British Telecom) is the largest provider of internet and phone lines in the UK.  In 1990 the company made a pledge to optimise environmental management.

Since 1966 BT has reduced its carbon footprint by 58% which is pretty amazing.  Their new target is to achieve an 80% reduction in CO2 production by 2020.  Even better they are to propose a new model to encourage global businesses to follow suit.  Good on BT.

 

Now I have to admit that I have found customer service at BT slightly wanting but knowing how committed they are to the environment makes it worthwhile.

Other green initiatives the company have are cutting down on paper bills.  If you elect to have your bill online you save £1.25 a month and The Woodland Trust will plant a sapling in a British woodland creation site on your behalf.

 

BT are also looking to their suppliers to reduce carbon emissions.  They are encouraging suppliers to promote sustainability and reduce impact on the environment.

BT has 18 million customers in 170 countries and therefore they are in a position to make a real difference to the environment.  The company has produced a range of energy efficient phones and by July 2008 more than 90% of their phone range will be energy efficient.  Cost to the customer?  Zero.

For businesses BT has produced a guide to help companies see how they can go green by reducing energy consumption and carbon footprints.

Well done BT- keep up the good work.

If you want to change your phone or broadband or indeed both follow this link BT Total Broadband - click here to order now

 
                                               

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Green Energy Revolution

June 22, 2008 · Filed under CO2 emissions, Carbon Dioxide emissions, carbon footprint, carbon neutral, green energy, reduce carbon footprint · Tagged , , , , , ,

This week the UK will see a £100 billion renewable energy strategy unveiled.  Yes that is £100 billion.  The EU has set targets for its member states to reach 15% of their energy consumption to be generated by renewable sources by 2020.  As part of this is government is to build 3,500 onshore wind turbines and 7,000 offshore wind turbines.

 

For homeowners who generate their own power there are plans to allow them to sell surplus power to the national grid for a premium price.  What an incentive to get people to install renewable energy sources into their homes!  Although there is a large initial outlay in costs for the installation of renewable energy, eventually huge savings are made and if you can sell back surplus you may even make a profit!  Good news for the planet.

 

However, the government still aren’t doing enough in terms of grants for installing renewable energy sources such as solar panels.  Installation of solar panels cost between £5000 and £10000 which is beyond the reach of most homeowners no matter how eco-friendly they may want to be.  If the government can not offer bigger incentives it will be difficult for them to reach the targets set by the EU.

On the plus side of the green energy revolution using renewable sources of energy would result in a 5% drop in oil use by 2020.  This would significantly reduce the UKs carbon footprint.  Another positive, as pointed out by Greenpeace, is that this would make the UK more self-sufficient in terms of energy production as we would be less reliant on foreign countries.  Our energy bills would also come down in price in the long term which I think we would all agree is needed!

 

It would seem that the UK government has held back or as long as possible to look into renewable energy sources.  If investment had been put in ten years ago we would not be in the position we are now of huge increases in our fuel and energy bills.  You have to admit that it is not a surprise that fossil fuels have gone up in price as reserves run low and countries develop.  The fact that stores of fossil fuels will not last forever is not exactly a new concept.  So why has the government taken so long to act?

 

Long live the green energy revolution!  It has been a long time coming but things are gradually turning in a green direction.  For those of us who can not afford our own solar panels check out the Green Energy page and have a look at what energy companies are doing to go greener.  There is a list of companies that are offsetting their carbon footprints alongside those who are using 100% renewable energy sources.  If we all sign up to one of these tariffs we could make a huge difference to our carbon footprints.

Click here to go to the page.

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