Hippyshopper

UFO's Can Solve Climate Change, Says ex Defense Minister

Ex-defense minister of Canada Paul Hellyer has recently declared that he believes the best solution to global warming is alien technology. He calls on all governments to immediately disclose any alien tech they've been hoarding, for the good of humanity. Hellyer, once a candidate for leadership of both the Liberal and Conservative parties respectively, says "We need to persuade governments to come clean on what they know. Some of us suspect they know quite a lot, and it might be enough to save our planet if applied quickly enough." [GT]

Alien technology the best hope to 'save our planet:' ex-defence boss [via Treehugger]

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News Roundup: Road pricing debate continues, chilly Neanderthals and more

1. Road pricing is not 'stealth tax'. Blair responds to the 1.8 million people who signed a petition against it. [Guardian]

2. Looks like the Neanderthals were frozen out. [BBC]

3. Native people hold valuable knowledge for saving endangered species. [Independent]

4. EU target to cut carbon emissions survives attacks. [WWF]

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News Roundup: Too late for ice caps, or will thick clouds save us?

1. It may already be too late to save the ice caps. [Guardian]

2. Could artificially-created 'thick' clouds protect us from climate change? [BBC]

3. London's congestion charge zone extended westwards. [MSN]

4. Low levels of air pollution can increase risk of stroke. [Planet Ark]

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News Roundup: New climate pact, bad news for sea levels and more

1. Leading international politicians sign climate pact. Does this mean that change is in the air? [BBC]

2. Water found under Antarctic ice - sea levels could rise quicker than previously thought. [Guardian]

3. New evidence shows there was water on Mars. [Telegraph]

4. Pioneering scheme from Australia turns household (unrecyclable) rubbish into compost. [Independent]

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Canada's Kyoto constitutional crisis

Opposition parties in Canada have just passed a bill requiring the Canadian government table plans to follow Kyoto within the next sixty days.  However, the Tory government of the country with the fourth highest greenhouse emissions per capita has indicated that it will probably just ignore the law if the Senate (equivalent to the House of Lords in terms of bill-signing powers) passes it into law.   [GT]

Kyoto bill sparks constitutional questions | PM says he will 'respect' Kyoto bill

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Environment Minister John Baird called the bill a "toothless tiger", despite that many constitutional scholars have indicated it would still be, er, a law, and not following it could collapse the government.  Developing.  Update: Harper indicated that he will not simply ignore the law, but complains the law allocates no money to create a plan to follow it, so has no force.  So if I have no money for car insurance, I should just drive without it?  What if I have no money for clothes?

News Roundup: Greener air-con, whaling ship on fire and more

1. Japanese whaling ship catches fire. Fears for crew and environment. [BBC]

2. Greener air-con targetted. I'm guessing they're not just talking about opening a window... [Green Consumer Guide]

3. Road-pricing is part of the climate change solution. [Friends of the Earth]

4. Greenpeace wins nuclear (legal) challenge. [MSN]

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It's here! The M&S top: made from 11 plastic bottles

A month ago we reported that Marks and Spencer's would soon be making clothing out of bottles as part of its £200m eco-plan. So if you were wondering what this would look like,  here's a taster. The first item to be displayed is this black fleece made from 11 plastic bottles, which look like, well, a fleece. It's not going to be wowing 'em at London Fashion Week, but M&S sells a lot of fleeces, and making staple wardrobe items from recycled materials makes perfect sense when you consider that the chain will save 6000 barrels of oil a year to make fleeces alone.

Related Stories: M&S announces unprecidented green overhaul | The green welly brigade

Added to that the bottles that would have otherwise gone into landfill, and you have a coat that would make the most cynical among us feel as warm and cosy inside as out. The brains behind the recycled clothes are Greenpac, an innovative recycling organisation that worked with M&S to create the new line of clothing. The fleece is just the beginning of the suggestions Greenpac are putting to M&S, and it'll be very interesting to see what they do next. They seem to be full of good ideas!

News Roundup: How to have a green Valentine's, climate deadlock and more

1. There is still hope! International climate deadlock may be ended after all. [BBC]

2. UK's children have lowest well-being in the developed world. Golly. [MSN]

3. Britain tries to block European targets for renewable energy. [Guardian]

4. How to have a green Valentine's Day. [Independent]

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News Roundup: Shifting Shores, rainforest protection and more

1. Shifting Shores report spells trouble for Welsh coastline. [Guardian]

2. A third of Borneo now protected thanks to landmark rainforest declaration. Hurrah! [WWF]

3. UK government wants to cut spending on climate change research. Yeah, 'cause that makes sense... [Independent]

4. North Korea agrees to nuclear disarmament. [MSN]

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News Roundup: Toxic waste, whaling, and an alternative view on climate change

1. Monsanto chemical company dumped toxic waste in UK. Cleaning it up won't be so easy. [Guardian]

2. Join the latest trend - ditch air travel. [Independent]

3. An alternative theory on the science of climate change. [Times]

4. Japanese government pushes whale meat to an unenthusiastic public. [PlanetArk]

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Dirt Floors are the new black

“It’s beautiful,” said Mr. Rowell, 28, as he stood back to take in the whole room. “It’s just what we wanted.” What he wanted was a dirt floor, made of classic mud combined with lime and sand to make it set hard, and then treated with linseed oil and beeswax to make it water-repellent and shiny. Natural pigments can be used to create designs in the earthen surface, and "some builders add the blood of oxen for maroon coloration". While they're still extremely rare, they're starting to catch in in trendy new construction, with natural building company MudCrafters now booking for 2009. Just be prepared to give up stiletto heels; it dings easily. [GT]

Down and Dirty [via Spluch]

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Call me Al: Branson introduces new pal

They're not the likeliest pair: Richard Branson made a fortune polluting the planet with his aviation empire, while Al Gore became the world's foremost environmentalist when he released An Inconvenient Truth. But they seemed to be getting along very nicely indeed when one of Shiny's spies spotted them cosying up at the swanky launch of Branson's latest venture Virgin Media last night....

All was soon made clear, as Branson revealed that today marks the launch of his Virgin Earth Challenge; a £12.8m prize, offered to anyone who can come up with a way to remove significant amounts of C02 from the atmosphere.

Let's hope this is the start of a beautiful friendship...

News Roundup: Protesters get into cold water, doomsday vault, and more

1. Anti-whaling protesters rescued from Antarctic waters. Brrr! [Guardian]

2. Doomsday vault to safeguard the world's agriculture? [BBC]

3. More evidence that NiMH Rechargeables are the greener choice for your gadgets. [Treehugger]

4. Inuit accuse US of destroying their way of life - and infringing human rights laws - with climate change. [Independent]

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News Roundup: Government grants run dry and winter arrives in Britain

1. Energy efficiency grant money runs out. Again. [Guardian]

2. Winter arrives and throws a blanket of snow across Britain, then sits back and watches the travel chaos. [MSN]

3. It's not all sunshine and icecream: Why warmer doesn't mean better. [Time]

4. Founders of Lonely Planet condemn 'frivolous' travellers. Anyone else seeing pots and kettles? [Independent]

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News Roundup: Nuclear waste, green crimes, and more

1. Car makers forced to cut CO2 emissions on new cars. [Guardian]

2. Out of sight, out of mind: burying nuclear waste is fine. Apparently. [BBC]

3. You're nicked! New plans to punish crimes against the environment. [MSN]

4. Britain to host meeting on the cost (as in hard cash) of climate change. [PlanetArk]

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News Roundup: 4x4s roll and eco-city in China?

1. 4x4s suffer another public relations blow in crash report. Apparently, they are 'twice as likely' to roll. [Times]

2. China's eco-city. Yep, you read that right... [Independent]

3. Over 200 turtles have died in the Bay of Bengal over the last week. And we don't know why. [PlanetArk]

4. Smelly - and confused - flower blooms in winter. [Guardian]

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Biorefinery - eats rubbish, spits out energy

Developed for the military (to give them a portable method of both generating energy and disposing of their rubbish), the 'tactical biorefinery' apparently eats rubbish  (any kind) and uses it to generate energy.

The people responsible - researchers at Purdue University - will deserve great awards if they pull this off. Talk about solving two of the planet's biggest problems in one...

[Via SciFi.com]

Related stories: Alternate energy sources | Sunlinq folding solar panel

News Roundup: Packaging row continues and poor to suffer most from global warming

1. Shops, not shoppers, should be forced to dispose of packaging. Whatever stops them wrapping things up. [Independent]

2. Company that makes Twix and Mars bars to stop advertising to the under-twelves. Let's hope others follow. [BBC]

3. The world's poor - who are least to blame for climate change - will be hit hardest by it. [MSN]

4. Highstreet stalwart M&S adopts cruelty-free testing policy for its beauty products. [Naturewatch]

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News Roundup: Humans 'very likely' climate change cause, Charles too green for Queen, and more

1. The debate is over: verdict on whether humans are responsible for climate change raised from likely to 'very likely [CNN]

2. Scientists offered cash to dispute IPCC claims, as lobbying group attempt to undermine findings (no prizes for guessing what industry it represents). [Guardian]

3. Queen's growing concern over eco warrior Charles: Her Madge fears son's green revolution is leading to tensions within the family. [This is London]

4. Sainsburys has announced that its own brand toilet rolls are to get greener. [Namnews]

5. 'Sustainability is cool' say Wal-Mart. Here's what they plan to do about it. [Independent]

News Roundup: Tuna catch cut, airlines whinge about tax and more

1. It's not just bad for the planet; link found between air pollution and heart disease. [BBC]

2. Airlines run to their lawyers to challenge the new passenger tax. Do you feel that they may be missing the point? [Guardian]

3. Japan and EU agree to cut annual tuna catch by almost a quarter. Let's hope it isn't too late. [Times]

4. Since Iceland re-started commercial whaling two months ago, seven endangered fin whales have been killed - and for what purpose? [Greenpeace]

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News Roundup: Climate change reports censored, wolves, and more

1. Bush administration accused of censoring scientists' reports on global warming. Is it me, or is this utterly unsurprising? [Guardian]

2. How reintroducing wolves to Scotland could be good for local economy. You could say it would keep the wolf from the door. Sorry. [Times]

3. Parliamentary report says curbs on solar panels and wind turbines should be scrapped. [PlanetArk]

4. Statistics published today show that UK government is failing in the fight against climate change. [Friends of the Earth]

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Indy declares war on waste

The Independent has launched a campaign against 'excessive packaging' of consumer products, inviting readers to send in examples of 'absurd packaging'.

Backed by a number of politicians of all allegiances, the waste-war aims to put pressure on supermarkets and other organisations guilty of over-using cardboard, cling film, plastic and other materials, many of which are difficult or impossible to recycle.

Since 2003, laws have existed to prevent overly bulky packaging, and to make it reusable or recyclable. Yet a trip to any well-known store will turn up plenty of examples of bending the rules. I had to agree with the reader who bemoaned the amount of extra bumpf that gets added to computer software boxes, which are frequently 10 times the size of the CD inside.

If you have an example you'd like to donate to the cause, let us know or email waste@independent.co.uk

News Roundup: Mexico City's smog, smoking ban plan, and more

1. US Wolves no longer endangered - so soon it'll be okay to hunt them again. [BBC]

2. EC wants to clean up the air with a total smoking ban across 27 countries. [MSN]

3. Government plans compulsory water-metering to combat water shortages. Seems sensible. [Guardian]

4. Mexico City's infamous smog lifts - well, a little bit, anyway. [PlanetArk]

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Britain gears up for 'greenest ever games'

The 2012 Olympics will be a "cutting edge example of sustainability", setting examples in low waste,  low carbon emissions and green transportation, according to the Powers That Be. 

In a statement issued exactly 2,012 days before the games begin, the Olympic Delivery Authority detailed a number of ways in which London 2012 will be greener than green (or at least greener than the Sydney Olympics, the reigning champion in Olympic eco-friendliness terms).

And from what they're letting on so far, they've got it pretty much covered: carbon emissions will be 50% lower than in Sydney, with a shift to on-site and renewable energy; 'recycled buildings' will be used in the construction of the new stadiums and park, and if you were wondering how all those tons of concrete are going to reach our fair capital, they've thought about that too, with half being shipped by rail and water.

News Roundup: Carbon trading sounds good and iceberg on the move

1. Passive smoking linked to diabetes - better hurry up with the ban in England, then. [Which]

2. Pop promotes carbon trading (music, not lemonade). [Guardian]

3. Two-million-ton iceberg will be on the move this summer. Ships beware. [Independent]

4. Bad news on the piste: Planet warming makes it harder to predict avalanches. [PlanetArk]

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Global Warming Caused by Jesus, says Yank

While An Inconvenient Truth is being shown in schools around the world, it's having a hard time getting traction in its home country of America, partly because of complaints that Inconvenient Truth is sacreligious, since global warming is a sign that Jesus Christ is about to return to Earth. Uh. So anyhow, school board guidelines require that if "controversial" material is being shown, there has to be reasonable alternative material shown also. However, they are having trouble finding actual alternative science. "The only thing I have found so far is an article in Newsweek called 'The Cooling World,' " Walls said. It was written 37 years ago.. [GT]

Gore Film Sparks Parents' Anger [via Groovy Green]

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News Roundup: Energy Revolution report and randy spiders

1. 'Energy Revolution' report released. It says renewables are the way forward. What? Not coal, then? [BBC]

2. One species of spider is turned on by sunshine. Aren't we all? [MSN]

3. Since the EU banned dumping tyres in landfills, some companies are thriving on shredding them. Not everyone is happy, though. [Guardian]

4. Britain's fastest-growing export to China: our own waste. [Independent]

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RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch - start twitching!

This weekend (27-29 January), the RSPB is calling for help in the world's biggest birdwatch.

The Big Garden Birdwatch happens annually across the UK and provides a vital snapshot of the bird population each winter. Last year, 470,000 people took part.

The study records the decline in numbers of our common birds. Since 1979, the study has shown a 52% decline in the number of house sparrows and a 72% decrease in starlings.

It only takes an hour and is simple enough to make into a family activity.

Take a pen and paper and record the highest number of each species that you see during that hour. Then go online and submit your results.

There are guides to help you identify the birds, and if you don't have a garden, the RSPB says you can choose to carry out the study at your local park, instead.

Visit the Big Garden Birdwatch to find out more.

Related stories: Popoutz recycled plastic bird feeder | Bird box

News Roundup: Green belt under threat and Toyota aims high with Hybrid

1. Call for UK's green belt to be loosened. [Guardian]

2. Commander of Congolese rebels agrees to stop shooting the mountain gorillas. [Wildlife Direct]

3. Soil Association conference 'One Planet Agriculture' kicked off today, showcasing the importance of grassroots, community action. The message - pull together people! [Soil Association]

4. Toyota is aiming to increase Hybrid sales by 40% in 2007. [Treehugger]

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State Of the Union: Bush admits climate needs attention

I was pretty surprised, while watching the American State of the Union address last night, that Bush said anything admitting climate change was a problem, much less gave any airtime to biodiesel, ethanol, or other alternative fuel sources being necessary. The bad news is he only committed America to a measly 20% reduction in petrol usage over the next ten years, which is psychologically goofy as well as environmentally weenie. However, if even a hardcore Texas oilman can start to come around on the issue, pretty much anything is possible. Meanwhile, Al Gore is up for an Oscar for An Inconvenient Truth, and while he hasn't announced for president in 2008 yet, he's surely getting some heavy groundswell that wasn't present last time he was elected.  [GT]

State of the Union roundup: Climate Progress, Green Diary, Life, the Universe..., Renewable Energy Access

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News Roundup: Wrecked cargo ship latest and celebs behaving badly

1. Latest news from the wrecked cargo ship Napoli; 1000 seabirds covered in oil, 600 dead. [MSN]

2. Celebs: private jets and humungous carbon footprints. [Guardian]

3. An Inconvenient Truth nominated for Academy Award. Let's hope it wins. [Ecostreet]

4. Independent's anti-waste campaign gets political support. Will retailers start listening? [Independent]

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Telecaster Canada nixes Green Fuels ad; Corn Cob Bob on hunger strike

When just another pasty face on the campaign trail in Canada, Stephen Harper made a campaign commitment to require 5% renewable content in fuel and promote the benefits of ethanol and biodiesel. Now that he's prime minister, he seems to have forgotten, so the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association decided to run an ad with a clip from his old speech, as a gentle reminder. But when the CRFA submitted the ad for routine approval from Telecaster Canada, they were told that even though the clip came from a public appearance - one indeed intended to be preserved and promoted - that without Harper's permission (unlikely) that the ad could not run. Their heartsick mascot, Corn Cob Bob, is now on a hunger strike until the ad runs. Update: Telecaster has admitted it bungled the deal - though now 91% of those polled at Bourque Newswatch say Telecaster needs reform. The ads are now running. [GT]

Canadian Renewable Fuels Association

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News Roundup: Dirty rivers, water shortages and more

1. Switch off your taps - the world is running out of water. [Guardian]

2. Chief execs of some of the largest companies in the US urge Bush to tackle climate change. Yeah. Ask him nicely. That'll work... [BBC]

3. Dirty rivers: The Ganges is so mucky that many Hindus no longer want to step in. [Time]

4. The Competition Commission today acknowledged that the dominance of supermarkets may be leading to the loss of farmers and small shops. Well, duh. [Friends of the Earth]

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News Roundup: GM in developing world, tuna conservation and more

1. Oil spill on Devon coast. Cargo ship has leaked 200 tons of oil, which doesn't bode well for the beach. [MSN]

2. Developing world planted more GM crops than ever last year, but there was no reduction in pesticide use. Well, that blows that pro-GM argument out of the water, then. [Guardian]

3. Serious talks about conserving tuna (finally) get underway. [BBC]

4. Out of the frying pan into the...bath? Heavy rains ease Australian bushfire threat, but leave people stranded in floods. [PlanetArk]

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Climate Change Experiment results

A quarter of a million people took part in the BBC's Climate Change Experiment, alongside expert scientists. Each person downloaded a computer model that used spare processing power to predict future climate.

Scientists at Oxford University received and compiled the data to create the most comprehensive prediction yet for the Earth’s climate up to 2080. The results show that we should expect a 4°C rise in temperature by 2080 according to the most likely results of the experiment.

The results confirmed that heatwaves are on the rise and, by 2080, summer temperatures of 40°C will be common. Winters will also be warmer and wetter and storms will be more frequent and more severe. Sobering news after this week's severe weather.

Read all about it at the BBC Climate Change Experiment site and watch Sir David Attenborough discuss the findings on BBC 1, Sunday 21 Jan, at 8pm (24 Jan in Scotland) in the programme Climate Change - Britain Under Threat.

Related stories: Donate your spare (computer) cycles | Reviewed: Dave Reay's Climate Change book

News Roundup: Storm deaths, Tesco going green, and new standards for offset schemes

1. Every Scottish high school child to see An Inconvenient Truth. [Ecostreet]

2. At least twelve people died and hundreds were injured in yesterday's severe storms in Britain. [Times]

3. Can it be true? Is the supermarket we love to hate going green? Tesco pledges to spread the environmental message. [PlanetArk]

4. Government standards unveiled yesterday may cost money. They will be well worth it, though, if they ensure offset cash actually goes towards reducing global emissions... [Guardian]

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News Roundup: Bushfires, jellyfish and gorillas under attack

1. Aargh! The jellyfish are taking over! [Guardian]

2. Snowdon will be plain old 'don' in 13 years. [Independent]

3. Mountain gorillas under attack by Congo rebels. [WWF]

4. Bushfires blaze in two Australian states. [PlanetArk]

More Green News.

News Roundup: Ski runs no fun for birds, nanopollution and more

1. Research on 'nanoparticles' used to study the way pollution flows through our water. [Telegraph]

2. Spring in January: wildlife confused. I know the feeling. [Independent]

3. Ski runs aren't as much fun for alpine birds. [BBC]

4. Apparently, we are leaving our green habits at home. New report shows we don't bother at work. [Guardian]

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Women in Ethical Business Awards 2007

There is a call for entries for the Women in Ethical Business Awards.

Run by Tridios Bank and Eve magazine, the contest is looking to reward businesses that are founded on ethical principles, and that benefit people or the environment.

Last year's winner (pictured), Juliet Davenport, was the founder and director of Good Energy, a green energy company.

[Via ecostreet]

Related: Magic Monkee promotes ethical businesses | Saving Green by Going Green | Loreal takeover The Body Shop

Protection for 'weirdest' species

Targeting creatures that are meet the "Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered" or EDGE, criteria, the Zoological Society of London is trying to protect those such as the slender baby loris depicted here, the bumblebee bat and the pygmy hippopotamus. Because the creatures are so distinct, it's very difficult to incorporate them into mass conservation programs without accounting for each individually. "They represent entire lineages," said ZSL's Dr Barrie. "If you were to think about Edge species in terms of the art world, it would be like losing a Mona Lisa - they are totally irreplaceable and unique." [GT]

Protection for 'weirdest' species

Related stories: Stop Global Warming and save endangered animals | Buy a Bamboo pullover, save a Panda | Yay or Nay: Would you eat a grey squirrel?

News Roundup: Unhappy 4x4 owners in Richmond and Asian leaders sign energy pact

1. Asian leaders sign energy pact - but the targets are vague and, in some cases, voluntary. [PlanetArk]

2. Conservation scientists request protection for 'biodiversity hotspots' around Britain's coast. [BBC]

3. Richmond council whacks 4x4 owners with higher parking costs. Oddly enough, the plan is not universally adored. [Guardian]

4. The Globalisation Institute says we need a "pro-growth, pro-technology approach" to tackling climate change. Personally, I'm not convinced.  [MSN]

ecocentra: A green alternative to ebay

ecocentra is a new online marketplace that only lists products that are of an eco-friendly and ethical nature. So, you'll be able to advertise that surplus of home-made organic jam to a like-minded audience.

The site is open to all - organisations and individuals. Even better, listing is completely free. Commission is only charged when you sell something (and then it's just 2%).

To mark this recent launch ecocentra are waiving the 2% commission until 31st January 2007. Also, as a special offer for HippyShopper readers, ecocentra are giving a further six months free use if you list at least five products. To get the six month deal simply join at the website, and email info@ecocentra.com quoting "hippy shopper offer".

Related: ebay charidee challenge | A Year of Living Generously

UK public says no to nuclear weapons

Sometimes, what with recycling, reusing, and walking my kids to school, I forget that the threat of nuclear war is a major issue for environmentalists (and anyone who likes living things to remain that way).

Luckily enough, a YouGov survey conducted last week shows that 64% of the British public aren't as forgetful as I am, and want the government to support an international convention to ban nuclear weapons.

The convention would outlaw all nuclear weapons, as well as providing processes for verification and inspection. A good idea, no?

Hop over to CND and add your support.

Related: Yay or Nay: Is nuclear power not so bad?

First Green Hostel in Britain Wins Award

One of the biggest problems with traveling green is it adds a huge expense. (When you're disabled, such as I am, you really don't have it to spare, either.) So it was great news that a new Yorkshire youth hostel is also completely green. Solar thermal panels do the hot water, solar roof panels do the power, grey and rainwater flush the toilets, the insulation is sheep's wool, and even the paint is organic. Now it's cheaper to operate - using 30% less water and emitting 40% less carbon dioxide - and its visitors have gone up 50%, from 2000 a year to 3000. The new Green Beacon is the first of what is hoped to be many new green hostels to come. Outstanding! [GT]

Yorkshire youth hostel wins a green award [via Greenthinkers]

Related stories: The Ethical Travel Guide | Share your travel knowledge online and help UNICEF | Travel in (eco) style

Osaka plant turns wood waste into power and bioethanol

Going in the renewable direction, a wood-based bioethanol plant has just opened in Osaka. Using waste material from construction, agriculture, forestry and other sources, there's plenty of fuel to burn and waste to turn into fuel. A good start, but, as Pink Tentacle points out, only a step considering the real problem: the 63,000,000 chopsticks thrown out every day. (Perhaps a bamboo box just for them? They'll burn!) [GT]

Wood-based bioethanol plant opens in Osaka [via