Eco-friendly recording artist - The Phoenix Rose

http://www.greeninformation.co.uk/leisure/ecofriendly_recording_artist__the_phoenix_rose/

"Sick & Tired’ is the debut single from “green” band The Phoenix Rose, produced by the legendary Pete Hammond and supported by The Big Issue. This infectiously catchy track was released on environmentally focused record label Archangel^ Green on 9 September 2009.

The Phoenix Rose front man Jarvis Smith has been involved in several eco-friendly projects including Channel 4’s eco documentary ‘dumped’.  Unusual and exquisite vocals are provided by shaman vocalist Judith Seelig.

Green pledges 

Phoenix Rose had these clauses written into their contract…

• carbon offset travel to live gigs and recordings
• use a green energy tariff for recording
• produce limited CDs only for promotion purposes unless they are encased in sustainable packaging
• where possible use enviro-friendly products and clothing and
• apply pressure to venues to proactively publish public travel links and switch to green energy tariff

The Phoenix Rose toured throughout the summer of 2009 at key festivals including Glastonbury and Secret Garden, as well as the main stage at the Bristol Vegan Fair and the UK’s Greenest Festival, Waveform.  The Phoenix Rose are also the resident band in the festivals’ leading sustainable Eartheart Cafe. "

Eco flooring by Sam Mckinven

http://www.greeninformation.co.uk/home_improvement/eco_flooring_by_sam_mckinven/

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Types of eco-friendly flooring

 

 

If you are looking at getting a new floor why not go for the eco-friendly option? There are many companies that supply eco flooring. Materials commonly used for eco flooring are bamboo, marmoleum, cork and carpet. Sanding is the most environmentally friendly way to have a new floor is by giving an old floor a ‘face lift’ rather than replacing it.

 

Bamboo

 

 

Bamboo is used rather than traditional hardwoods because it is an environmentally friendly renewable resource, it is stronger and harder than other timber floors and it is available in unique light and dark colour options.

 

Marmoleum

 

 

Marmoleum is made from cork, linseed, rosin, jute and limestone. It is a completely natural product and is 100% biodegradable, because of this it is one of the most durable and resilient floor coverings available. Marmoleum is the alternative to vinyl as people are becoming aware of the effect vinyl has on the environment. It come in any different colour and comes in tile and sheet form.

 

Cork

 

 

Cork is made from the bark of an oak cork tree and is probably the most environmentally friendly cork option available because the cork making process can be carried out continuously without any damage being done to the trees. Other benefits to cork are it is a great thermal conductor and sound insulator, soft yet resilient, water resistant, hypoallergenic, warm to the touch and very hard wearing. Cork will always spring back to its natural shape due to its elasticity no matter how much it is walked on or how much furniture stands on it. Cork is available in all shapes, sizes, colours and patterns.

 

Carpet

 

 

Carpets are mainly made out of synthetically produced using nylon, polyester and polypropylene pile fibres. However, carpets made from natural fibres like wool, jute, coir and coconut husk are environmentally sound and so provides a completely natural product. "

Enhanced Capital Allowances

http://www.greeninformation.co.uk/reduce_costs/enhanced_capital_allowances_eca_/

"Did you know that as part of the government’s programme to manage climate change, Enhanced Capital Allowances (ECA) are available to encourage businesses to invest in certain types of equipment? ECA are 100 per cent first year allowances enabling a business to relieve the entire cost of the asset against profits in the year of acquisition, so providing a cash-flow advantage over other capital allowances.

ECA are available on

• certain energy saving equipment
• certain environmentally beneficial (water efficient) equipment
• cars with carbon dioxide emissions not exceeding 110g/km driven
• natural gas, biogas and hydrogen gas refuelling equipment"

10 tips for a more eco friendly garden by Annie Lee

http://www.greeninformation.co.uk/garden/10_tips_for_a_more_eco_friendly_garden_by_annie_lee/


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1. 1. By planting native trees and flowers in your garden it helps stop them from going extinct.
2. 2. If you’re worried about the pesticides you may be using, hang bird boxes in your garden as they eat slugs and snails, which means you can leave pest control up to Mother Nature!
3. 3. To protect against greenflies and other insects, encourage other animals such as ladybirds or frogs.
4. 4. Grow your own fruit or vegetables. By not buying them from the supermarket, you’re helping stop shipping them from other countries which wastes fuel and pollutes the atmosphere. Alternatively, get a vegtable box or buy local from your farmer’s market.
5. 5. Let some of the vegetables grow into flowers; this will allow bees to start pollinating.
6. 6. By keeping a container outside when it rains, you can use the collected rain water to water your plants.
7. 7. I recently discovered push powered lawn mowers as well. They don’t use electricity and they work just as well as electric or gas mowers. They’re cheap to run and if you think they may be difficult to push, there are some very light mowers available.
8. 8. If you water your plants every day using a sprinkler, one tip is to put a frisbee toy, rim up, on the lawn and when it has filled with water, shut off the sprinkler.
9. 9. Try planting shade trees in your garden as they produce lots of oxygen, provide shelter for animals and prevent storm water run off.
10. 10. Start using a compost bin, it cuts the amount of waste we produce if we compost it ourselves and it’s cheap, easy and contrary to popular belief shouldn’t smell if it’s done right.
11. "

http://www.greeninformation.co.uk/holidays/keep_mosquitoes_away_with_an_alternative_to_deet_/

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Holidays to some countries can be spoilt by mosquitoes and other biting and stinging insects and many people feel uncomfortable in covering themselves with DEET.

People have been documented as dying from using 4 (chemical name N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide, former nomenclature N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide-), mainly children. Although DEET deaths are rare the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has documented many cases of DEET users experiencing fainting, nausea, vomiting, headaches and seizures! Only use DEET as a last resort and if this is the case, a 50% concentration will suffice as there is no added benefit to higher concentrations; just increased risk of an adverse reaction. DEET ‘melts’ plastics and synthetic fibres and it is not good for your skin. Indeed, there are numerous instances of skin scarring when using this neuro toxin especially for women and children over prolonged periods.

DEET should NEVER be used on children as their DNA is more susceptible to mutation whilst growing and their skin is much more sensitive.

In 2008 news came from Cambodia that even the latest anti-malarial drugs, artemisinins, are not working as well as they used to and it is only a matter of time before they do not work at all.  Despite stronger and stronger medicines, insecticides and repellents, mosquitoes and the malaria parasite are still winning the battle with a malaria death currently every 30 seconds. It has been predicted that malaria will return to the UK in the near future.

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Eco-friendly nappies by Sam Mckinven

"http://www.greeninformation.co.uk/children/ecofriendly_nappies_by_sam_mckinven/

What are eco-friendly nappies?

 

Environmentally friendly nappies are the same as the disposable but just reusable and therefore they are much more environmentally friendly. There are many different types of disposable nappies such as; original terries, pre folded eco-friendly, pre- shaped, all-in-one and bamboo. All of them are different in style but fulfil the same purpose. They each come with a wrap already sown into the nappy; all they need is a fresh (flushable) liner. Bamboo nappies are made from East Asian bamboo. They are 60% more absorbent than disposable nappies and because of this are slimmer. Bamboo is the fastest growing woody plant in the world.

 

Why use eco-friendly nappies?

 

Disposable nappies are a real problem for the environment it is thought that they take between 40 and 500 years to naturally decompose. About 2.8 billion nappies are sent to landfill sites each year (100,000,000 tonnes). Eco-friendly nappies contain fewer chemicals which reduces nappy rash and it is better for babies not to come into contact with as many chemicals at a fragile age. They provide a naturally dry environment for babies and because of this are thought to quicken toilet training. There are also benefits to parents from a financial point of view. By buying a few reusable nappies, although they cost more to begin with, will save money in the long run because there is no need to keep buying packs of disposable nappies."

Kent climate change

http://www.greeninformation.co.uk/kent/kent_climate_change_community_network/

"aollowing the success of local projects Elham Envionment Group decided to arrange a get together in December 2009 to share information on what some groups were doing around the county.   Details of what group members are working on is on each of their pages. 

If you would like to share what you are doing in your area please get in touch and we can add you to the network (or start one of your own if you are not in Kent)

At the first meeting we had a presentation by KCC Climat Change Project Officer, Lucy Breeze."