Eco Worrier - Times Online - WBLG

Lights out, please

Has anyone else received this email about turning out off lights and electrical items on 1st February between 6.55 and 7pm (GMT)? I think it originated in France.

It's supposed to be the word's greatest co-ordinated action against climate change yet, on the eve of the UN's report publishing the latest on climate change. I like the idea; it reminds me of 'famine lunches' we used to have at school when we'd all have to make do with a bowl of soup - which would save huge amounts of cash to be given to charity. But will people really obey, do you think?

Trusting eco-worriers beware...

This week in my column, I wrote about the growing number of dodgy leaflets fluttering through the front door asking for unwanted clothing for charity. Give us your gear and we’ll save Africa from poverty, they say. Yeah, right, I hope you’re thinking. Obviously, if the charity is registered and the logo officially stamped on the bag or leaflet, this is all well and good; not much different from popping down to your local shop. Help the Aged and the Salvation Army, for instance, regularly send out bags and local volunteers pick up them up designated days. But the ones that say things like “Third World Clothing Collection” with no mention of a registered charity should arouse suspicion.

Greetings from Cardiff

I'm writing this from the Soil Association's annual conference held in the organic movement's geographical cradle, according to Carwyn Jones, the Welsh Assembly's environmental minister. In his opening speech he admitted that organic used to "something that strange English did when they moved to Wales". More recently, it has been embraced by locals (whether Charlotte Church prefers an organic chip butty to a regular one, I don't know).

Conference highlights...

Seeing the first ever organic certified tweed jacket made by Ardalanish and other fitted jackets from the little known company.

Hearing about hundreds of edible plants and other wild food that surround the famous Ballymaloe Cookery School in Ireland. It's founder, Darina Allen, who runs foraging trips every September, took us on a virtual tour, from comfrey and clams to nettles and cobnuts.

Listening to geologist Colin Campbell's unexpectedly engaging talk on where oil comes from, why it's a finite resource and why the oil age is coming to an end.

Discovering clothes by an organic cotton company called Seasalt. It explodes the myth that eco fibres have to be dull. The really nice stuff I saw doesn't seem to be on its website at the moment - it's probably next season's - so keep a look out.

Finding out about the Totnes experiment, the Devon town that is preparing to live carbon free since the creation of its Energy Descent Plan. The model is being replicated across Britain from Stroud to Bristol. 

Fair trade music

Appreciating and supporting music from other cultures is a winner for global relations. Cynics mights say that the lion’s share of financial support will always end up in the pockets of middlemen and record companies based in the developed world. Well, here is a way to avoid that. World music emporium Calabash has launched a Tune Your World campaign encouraging customers to buy songs from African artists. It promises: “At least 50 per cent (in some cases 100 per cent) of your purchase will go to the artist or to an African relief NGO… with this money, musicians will be able to buy new instruments, recording or performing equipment, complete their education, or put a new roof on their house." Choose from music by Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars and Afrobeat Sudan Aid Project. Fantastic music, and you know that the money will stay in Africa - thanks to Wayne and Wax and Gervase for this post. Off eco-subject, but on the same global music threat, I enjoyed this about how to appreciate music in another language.

Sausage dog saves the planet

One carefree afternoon, many years ago, I watched a Blue Peter episode that showed you how to make a sausage dog draft excluder. At the time, I scoffed at the thought of bothering to do all that stitching and stuffing just to abandon your creation on the floor. Now, older and wiser, I appreciate these things and rather fancy flexing my craft muscles. Especially since I heard that up to 20 per cent of your heating escapes through doors and windows. Sadly the Blue Peter website no longer provides the instructions – although I did get sidetracked by a recipe for Welsh Cakes when I was looking, just the thing for a January teatime. Anyway, I have contacted the BP team to see if they can dig anything out of their archives. In the meantime, I’d love to know your sausage dog recipes. I’m guessing a level one excluder would be a pair of thick tights cut off on one leg at the thigh, stuffed with anything you no longer want (old clothes; other laddered tights) and then sown up. But isn’t there something about buttons for eyes that you're supposed to do? And would it be possible to morph a dog into a snake by attaching a forked, felt tongue? Grave questions on a chilly January afternoon. Before I get to it, I’d better whip up some Welsh Cakes. Oh, and here are some other creative ways of saving energy.

Call in the green police

Would love to hear from anyone who has had an eco-audit done on their home by a company such as Carbon Coach, Beyond Green, or 3Acorns. Or if you’re considering having one, let me know how you want it to help you. The idea, as I said last week in my column, is similar to having a personal trainer, an expert on hand to inspire, encourage and oversee your efforts to slim down on carbon consumption.
But since I wrote about it, I’ve had a couple of emails doubting the concept. “Just another way to throw money away for organic types who have too much of it,” says Jane. Harsh words. I feel a bit miffed; I rather liked the idea. Although I agree it’s not something to do if you’re struggling to buy the next pint of organic milk.   

Bear with me during the next week, fellow eco-worriers…

…I’m doing the unmentionable – see here – next week so this blog will not be as lovingly attended to as I would like it to be. In the meantime, can I suggest you check out the promo video launched by Garden Girl, the gutsy chick from Spanish Harlem who is bringing urban sustainable living to the masses the other side of the pond. Here's her website.
Did you spot the wet t-shirt moment at the beginning? Which leads me back to my previous post (see below). But if that’s what it takes to get people building raised beds, growing vegetables, keeping livestock and spinning their own wool, bring on the sexy ladies.

Eco-totty

It’s been around for some time but as we lurch into the new year I can’t resist pointing out the Green Babes calendar for guys who like to fight global warming while admiring hot green totty. Buy it online here and money goes to fighting global warming through the Climate Protection Campaign, based in the States. Thank you to Groovy Green for reminding me about it.

Is anyone convinced by electric cars?

Following an article about the G-Wiz in Body&Soul on Saturday and my trumpeting about electric cars, I have received several emails pointing out that they do not deserve their squeaky green reputation.
Les Cowley says the following: "If the electricity they consume was generated purely from wind turbines or nuclear power then they would produce little CO2 emissions and other pollutants   
but, and it is a large but, in the UK they actually lead to additional electricity demand and use electricity made by not very efficient fossil fuel power stations.  The car might look very green but every time it is charged a power station somewhere conveniently out of sight and out of mind burns more coal, oil or gas and emits more CO2 and other pollutants."

Thank you Les - you’re not the only one whistling to that tune.