Hippyshopper

Ecological Footprint Conference at Cardiff University

The Centre for Business Relationships, Accountability, Sustainability and Society (BRASS) is hosting the first Ecological Footprint Conference, 8-10 May 2007, City Hall, Cardiff. Keynote speakers are Mathis Wackernagel PhD, Professor Tim Jackson, Professor William Rees, Professor David Pimentel and David Stubbs, who is Head of Environment and Sustainable Development of the Organising Committee of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Register early to get the £265 rate; £295 after March 1. Fees include lunch, with vegetarian or vegan option. [GT]

Ecological Footprint Conference

More Shows & Events

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

Celebrate World Wetlands Day 2 Feb with free wetlands tours

While it's disconcertingly unlikely that your walking tour will look like my Niagara Falls trip of '03, what with the great absence of white stuff going on these days, at least you can visit all Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust centres for free on 2 February to mark World Wetlands Day.  Wetlands may not seem particularly glamourous - they lack the obvious charm of the seaside, for example - but I spent a lot of time on the marsh as a young teen and developed a deep appreciation of its subtle beauty, as depicted here by my once-tutor Thaddeus Holownia.  Wetlands are also a essential filter of natural and unnatural poisons that otherwise pour into the water table.  Finally, can you look a duck in the eye and tell it to go get a condo?  [GT]

World Wetlands Day 2 Feburary FREE ENTRY

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Call for proposals for six art gardens in Quebec City

Quebec City's 400th anniversary occurs in 2008, and part of the celebration involves six Contemporary Ephemeral Gardens. Each garden will be designed by a living artist, to be established in the heart of the festivities, and to live only so long as the celebration does, from June 10 to September 28, 2008. Each garden should address the three major themes of the festival:

Where the river narrows;
Your history, my history, our history ;
and Sowing the seeds of culture.

[GT]

A Call For Creation Of Contemporary Ephemeral Gardens [via Land+Living]

Related stories: Iota garden decor | Joan Baez braves bulldozers for LA organic garden | Barnet Garden Project provides chemical-free veg and a hand up

Organic Products Europe, April 2007

Last year had 567 vendors from 235 countries.  This Natural Products Europe and Organic Products Europe Expo - two events on successive days, 15 - 16 April 2007 - is expected to be even bigger.  You can register for a free ticket to attend this massive organics and natural products event in Grand Hall Olympia, London, England.  [GT]

Natural Products Europe and Organic Products Europe

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Enter the FOE Scotland raffle before 23 December!

For the ticket's price of one measly quid, you can enter the Friends of the Earth Scotland raffle to potentially win your very own rooftop wind turbine, valued at £1500.  Other prizes include a year's supply of product from Ecover, return train tickets from Virgin, £150 from Natural Collection, and more.  Plus, your pound goes to support FOE and their good works in the new year, so it sets you off in 2007 on the right foot.  Hurry though; tickets must be in by 23 December, so you'll likely want to buy by credit card over the phone.  [GT]

Friends of the Earth Scotland - Prize Draw 2006 [via GreenGirlsGlobal]

Related stories: Calling stage 3 pupils to shout about FOE! | How to save £50 a month on petrol | Buy book, save planet and pennies

"Dreaming of a Green Christmas?" debate

More Christmas shopping help for those bereft of ideas for green presents is on its way in the form of a 'green Christmas bazaar' taking place at the Science Museum's excellent Dana Centre on the evening of 6th December.

It's all part of a night of discussion and debate called 'Dreaming of a Green Christmas?' where a leading waste and recycling expert will give an overview of the complexity of being eco-friendly, before product designers and manufacturers explain why their products are worthy of being considered a green purchase.

The event gets all interactive and Pop Idol after that, when the audience gets to vote on what they think is the most green product by using eco-criteria including energy efficiency, re-use, recycled materials and sustainability.

Showcasing their products at the event will be Anna Roebuck, designer of lightpieces, screens and jewellery handcrafted from recycled plastic bags, and Peter Martin, creative director of Junkk.com, a web forum dedicated to reuse, repair and reduction. Apparently, Peter hasn't thrown anything away for three years.  (When I lived in a house with a massive cellar and a loft, I used to be like that, too, although I may be missing the point here.)

Important Information
Dreaming of a Green Christmas? starts at 7pm and ends at 8.30pm.

Events at the Dana Centre are usually free but they've asked that people pre-book if they can, by calling 020 7942 4040 or e-mailing tickets@danacentre.org.uk.  You'll also need to be 18 or over (due to licensing restrictions).

Location details for the Dana Centre can be found here.

Oxjam October for Oxfam

October's nearly over, but there's still five days left of Oxjam! Oxjam is the biggest, hottest, longest, most diverse music event in Oxfam history, going all month, across the entire kingdom, to rock out and raise heaps of cash to fight poverty. It's also an opportunity to get your music on MTV: put on an Oxjam gig, film it, upload it to MTV Flux, and you'll be considered for the big gig in April. Drop by the Oxjam MySpace page to get a list of events going on in your area. [GT]

Oxjam

Related stories: Rally at the US Embassy, London, 4 November | Soil Association Organic Food Fest in Scotland, 4 & 5 November | ITV Granada Big Cleanup campaign

Rally at the US Embassy, London, 4 November

As part of the Campaign Against Climate Change, on 4 November - that's the Saturday before the UN Climate Talks in Nairobi - all are called on to join the National Climate March past the ExxonMobil offices, Australian Embassy and Downing Street to arrive at US embasy at 11.30 am. Speakers include George Monbiot, Colin Challen MP, Caroline Lucas MEP, Norman Baker MP, Zac Goldsmith. Then there's a lovely stroll down to Trafalgar Square for 1pm where the March joins the I-Count at 1.45pm. The March is in solidarity with thousands of other marches worldwide - as it should be, since everybody should have a say in how the planet turns out. [GT]

Campaign Against Climate Change

Related stories: Soil Association Organic Food Fest in Scotland, 4 & 5 November | ITV Granada Big Cleanup campaign | Join the Big Noise

Autumn Ideal Home Show 2006

More and more, the ideal home has heavy green components, and the Autumn Ideal Home Show 2006 reflects this with some great green exhibitors. 6 - 15 October at Earls Court in London, you can visit booths ranging from Dr. Energy energy savers, to Dryerballs non-toxic anti-static balls, to Energy Saving Trust, and others starting with an even greater range of letters from the alphabet. Weekday tickets are £8 adults, £7 seniors; weekend tickets £10, £9 seniors; admission only £5 after 5pm any day. [GT]

Autumn Ideal Home Show 2006

Related stories: Soil Association Organic Food Festival - 4 & 5 November 2006: 10am-6pm Saturday, 10am-5pm Sunday | More Design and furniture at Hippyshopper

Soil Association Organic Food Fest in Scotland, November

Onward to Scotland!  The Soil Association has announced its first online map of how to get there by public transport (or car if you must) and the exhibitors' list looks stellar.  For more information, visit the Glasgow  food festival.  [GT]

Soil Association Organic Food Festival - 4 & 5 November 2006: 10am-6pm Saturday, 10am-5pm Sunday

Related stories: Who's who of organic food | The Ethical Travel Guide | Yay or Nay: Ashton Kutcher donates $50k to Habitat for Humanity if he gets 50,000 friends

ITV Granada Big Cleanup campaign

A whole slew of green groups have gotten under the ITV Granada umbrella to help green up its viewership. The campaign has daily eco-tips, a free 'green guide' in a reusable keepsake box, and a freephone response line you can call to find out how to get greener. As part of the campaign, you can get a hand cranked mobile charger for only £5 after P + P. 3 minutes' crank = 3 minutes' talk time. Adapters available for a wide variety of mobiles for only an extra 24p. [GT]

ITV Granada Big Cleanup campaign | ITV Big Cleanup Mobile Charger

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See the eco-home at Grand Designs Live and donate to Christian Aid

Drop by Grand Designs Live to see the eco-home and garden centerpiece for Christian Aid. Not only is it designed to be sustainable, it's also meant to protect the inhabitants from hurricanes and earthquakes. The Honduras version has insect-repellent natural paint, a defense wall made of recycled truck tires, and a strengthened rammed-earth wall. The Asian version is on stilts and contains emergency assistance packs. The African model has specialized ventilation, water butts and solar panels. You can also buy virtual presents based on what's in the model home, to provide saplings and solar panels to communities in need. [GT]

Grand Designs Live | eco-home for Christian Aid

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Re[design] in London until 26 Sept

Can design be green and beautiful? Of course. But as the proof of the pudding is in the eating, the proof of the design's goodness is in the viewing. So toddle over right now to [Re]design 2006, from 20-26 Sept, 11am-7pm daily, to see the latest eco-pieces and participate in seminars on "How not to chuck" and "Consuming green". Held at the Boiler House, Old Truman Brewery, 152 Brick Lane, London. Anybody know what admission is? [GT]

[Re]design 2006

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Site of the week: StyleWillSaveUs

We've been big fans of StyleWillSaveUs since it launched earlier this year, and it seems to just keep dishing out better servings of style mixed with eco-sense. Shown here is a gorgeous quick-and-easy outfit in silk and cashmere featuring Ali Hewson, Bono and designer Rogan Gregory making this fairtrade and 30% organic fashion label scrumptious. They also have a great listing of activities, including the Well Fashioned Exhibition: Eco style (until Oct 27), Vintage Fashion Fair - Earls Court (Oct 1) and [re]design '06 Exhibition (Sept 21-26). [GT]

StyleWillSaveUs

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Review: Simply Green: Parties

Simply Green: Parties
by Danny Seo, published by HarperCollins, £7.25

I enjoyed Danny Seo's Simply Green: Giving quite a bit, so when I received a review copy of Simply Green: Parties, it was with enormous relief.  Here, I figured, was something that could be invaluable in planning this wedding thing in a practical way.  While it doesn't specifically address weddings, it does cover baby showers (no darling, that's not an oblique way of telling you anything), housewarmings and general summer parties.  Seo gives plenty of interesting little tips on how to improve the green factor of any social event at a minimal (if any) cost. Also engagingly written; every time I sat to flip through it I found myself absorbed by the accessible, sensible style.  Although I agree with his decision to showcase six types of parties to wrap his tips around, at the same time I would have appreciated more general advice on structuring a green event.  4/5.  [GT]

Related stories: Review: Simply Green: Giving | More Green Weddings posts

London Vegan Festival, Sunday Sept 10

At the same venue (Kensington Town Hall, Hornton Street, London W8, England, 10am-10pm) as the Festival of Life is the London Vegan Festival, which draws thousands of participants. Stallholders range from 21st Century Toys to Trudy's Handmade Chocolates to the Animal Protection Agency. Admission included in the £1.50 donation to the Festival of Life and vice versa. [GT]

London Vegan Festival

Related stories: Festival of Life | Organic Fortnight: Sept 2-17 | Join the Big Noise

Festival of Life, Sunday Sept 10

The Festival of Life is about spiritual issues such as meditation and holistic child raising, but also practical issues such as healthy sweets, organic hemp clothing, and sustainable agriculture. Raw food is a major theme this year. Events range from vegan talks to juggling classes. Minimum entry donation: £1.50. The event itself is held at Kensington Town Hall, Hornton Street, London W8, England, 10am-10pm. The nearest tube stop is High St. Kensington. [GT]

Festival of Life

Related stories: Organic Fortnight: Sept 2-17 | Join the Big Noise

Tuesday topic: Organic Fortnight

It's Organic Fortnight in the UK and hundreds of events are going on!  Adam at thegreenguy has a terrific listing of the Ten Rising Stars of the UK organic scene, ranging from Fresh Daisy Organic ice cream and kids treats at number 10, to the very adult (but still fabulous sounding) Rude Health Organics Ultimate Muesli at number one.  More Organic Fortnight roundup after the jump - and if you attended any OF events, please post in comments (especially links to your own blog writeups on the subject).

Treehugger has a couple of great pics showing how well-attended the Bristol Food Festival was.  Ecotivity has a brief entry but is a site well worth exploring otherwise. And of course, don't forget to drop by the Official site from the Soil Association for a full listing of what's available.

Last but not least - don't miss out!  Sainsburys is giving away a Soil Association certified jute bag when you buy 5 items from their SO organic fresh fruit, vegetable and salad range.  Kudos, Sainsburys.  [GT]

Organic Fortnight runs Sept 2-17.

Electrolux Design Lab 2006: Healthy Eating 2016

Calling all design students - in a hurry!  The Electrolux Design Competition 2006 (warning: Flash site with lots of white noise) is still open until August 18.  The theme: Healthy Eating Habits in 2016.  You are called on to create innovative artwork and designs that encourage ten years of better consuming at the very basic level.  This is your chance to influence the future for the better, and of course win fabulous prizes in the process.  [GT]

Electrolux Design Competition 2006 [via Cool Hunting]

Related stories: The Ship: the Art of Climate Change | Organic Fortnight 2006 | Join the Big Noise

The Ship: the Art of Climate Change

Climate change is a tough topic to make beautiful - but March of the Penguins managed it, and so has The Ship: the Art of Climate Change.  A free exhibition at the Jerwood Gallery, the pieces range from six-metre-long minke whale skeleton by Heather Ackroyd and Dan Harvey, encrusted in clear alum crystals, to  a poignant painting of a hermaphrodite polar bear by Gary Hume, depicting the devastating effects of chemical pollution.  There's also a film about Cape Farewell, titled Art from a Changing Arctic.  A newspaper was created by July's Student Summit to accompany the exhibition.  Monday to Saturday 10.00-17.50, Sunday 11.00-17.50, until September 3.  [GT]

The Ship: the Art of Climate Change [via thegreenguy]

Related stories: Organic Fortnight 2006 | Join the Big Noise

Organic Fortnight 2006

Organic Fortnight, from Sept 2-17, is the best time to try to turn your neutral friends green. Thousands of events and promotions will be happening across the entire UK, so put the arm on those fast-food eaters and show them that natural is better! The Soil Association site has a listing of all events happening so you can find out what's going on in your own area - but it's not too late to enter your own! Contact the Soil Association and let them know what you are contributing to the Organic Fortnight. [GT]

Organic Fortnight

Related stories: whyorganic August is out | Edible Oil '06 convention in Seville

Edible Oil '06 convention in Seville

There's nothing like a nice trip to Spain in August, unless that trip is something you can also feel ethical about because you're going to the Edible Oil '06 convention. It's a showcase for edible (and non-edible) oil products where, among other things, you can find out the latest on biodiesel, but also more conventional oils like coconut, sesame, olive and grape seed. Last year's exhibitors are mostly Spanish, but heck, it's a convention in Spain in August. Go learn the language. [GT]

Edible Oil '06 convention

Related stories: The true cost of biofuels | Episode 4 - It's not easy being green - heat recovery systems - bio-diesel from chip fat

Stop Global Warming and save endangered animals

Amid all your ethical consumption, do stop by StopGlobalWarming.org and add your name to the petition to demand our governments, corporations and politicians get on the ball (or is it globe) about the heat wave we're all experiencing. As of now, there are 430,375 signatories! Then pop over to sign another petition to save Grassy Narrows from being logged in the Boreal Forest in Canada, home to caribou, lynx and black bear. It's also where the Ojibwa tribe conducts a lot of their traditional rituals. Or, we can sit by and let the loggers dictate how the consumerism goes. [GT]

Petition pages: StopGlobalWarming.org | Save Grassy Narrows

Dr.Hauschka in/formal consultations

Did you know that Dr.Hauschka has regular skin consultation events - some informal little jobbies where you drop by unannounced like the doctress was your favourite aunt, and others you actually have to schedule like a real doc appointment and where you get a prescription for your future beauty - that are ongoing from today in Southhampton through the end of July and beyond? Well, now you do. Drop by while the doctor (well, one of the doctor's interns probably) is in and find a nice clean green way to turn your suntan into silk. [GT]

Dr.Hauschka skin consultation events

Related Dr.Hauschka stories: Ski protection without the chemicals | Mmm, moisturizer

Join the Big Noise

Make Trade Fair is an Oxfam initiative intended to - among many other things! - put together the largest petition in human history.  The petition, called the Big Noise, demands that global decision makers quit putting it together based exclusively on finance and start factoring in people.  Fair trade for everyone now! 

Make Trade Fair also draws attention to the unethical behaviour exhibited at WTO meetings and general international economic debate. The latest story is on how between the US and the EU, international fair trade dialogue is totally stalled. While they've given a symbolic yellow card to George Bush, it's going to take more than that to get things on track. Act now! [GT]

Related Oxfam stories: Oxfam smites FILA, praises Reebok | Even fairer coffee | Spend a penny for Xmas

Second Sustainable Science Symposium, 8 July

Calling all greenies in Wales!  (Like Hippyshopper emeritus Ella at Organic Jac!)    Saturday, the 8th of July, those into green building design and construction can see the best and brightest in Architecture: Advanced Environmental and Energy Studies showcase their work at the Second Sustainable Science Symposium, held at the Center for Alternative Technology, in the hills of Southern Snowdonia.   Both students and prominent local experts will speak on how to go greener in business - but also in the home, so don't feel like you need to be a CEO or an academic to.  attend.  There'll be workshops on cob and strawbale construction and also clay and lime render.  If even  that is a bit over your head, you'll still be sure to enjoy a set of art workshops aimed at young adults and kiddies.

Consumer attendees include Dalsouple sustainable rubber goods, Precious Earth sustainable paints,  Hippyshopper fave The Green Shop, Dulas renewable energy consultants, and Pen Y Coed sustainable insulation specialists.  Something for everyone!  [GT]

Second Sustainable Science Symposium

Related stories:  Urge Canada to Strengthen Regulations of Toxic Chemicals! | GreenBusiness.networking

Urge Canada to Strengthen Regulations of Toxic Chemicals!

Did you know that Canadian environmental laws are so lax that companies are not required to disclose ingredients on many consumer goods? Often I find myself having to buy imported goods from the US or abroad because my disabilities require that I avoid many additives, and Canadian goods do not provide me with enough information to adequately judge the product. This is just the tip of the iceberg, of course: dumping laws are weak, accountability is poor, and protection for endangered areas is arbitrary to nonexistent. Canada plays green, but recently ranked near the bottom of the industrialized world in its environmental habits - worse than countries like Korea or Greece, both of whom are not exactly noted for being stellar. Environmental Defense has mounted a petition - overly modest in that it seeks only 5,000 signatures and already has over 3300! - calling for Canada to shape up its environmental act. It's open to international signatories, so please do go stuff your autograph in the virtual box: Canada belongs to your planet and your planet deserves better.

My note on the petition: I and my fellow Hippyshoppers call on the Canadian government to provide at _least_ the level of regulation provided by the American government!  I find it shocking that I am obligated to buy American-made products if I want to get full disclosure on the ingredients in my beauty products and other consumer goods.  Shame!  [GT]

Viva! Incredible Veggie Roadshow barrels into July

While you're at the Gloucester Vegan Fayre, be sure to visit the Viva! Incredible Veggie Roadshow.  The York  event was a huge success, attracting over 2200 people - more than at any previous Roadshow display.   (Visit here to see pictures.)  If you can't make it to any of the events, you can at least request a free vegan starter pack, which includes a copy of It's Time to Go Veggie magazine, plus literature and other helpful materials.  [GT]

Gloucestershire Veggie Fayre

Saturday, July 1, at the GL1 Leisure Centre, Gloucester, 9:30am-5:30pm, you could stroll into the Gloucester Vegan Fayre, the biggest, veganest event in - according to its sponsor, Yaoh (who sells those hemp things we mentioned here recently) - the entire world. There'll be a real mix of stalls at GVF, offering everything from food & drink to Indian head massages to cosmetics or books! All products on sale will be cruelty free vegan products - this means no meat / dairy / eggs / leather / silk or anything which has come from animals. Nutrition, fitness, food, videos and contests. And if you go early or go late (before 9am or after 3pm) the parking is even free - as indicated in the directions to the Fayre. [GT]

The Earth Dinner card game

Published by Organic Valley, the Earth Dinner is an ethical dinner party with, if you wish - and here's where the publishing part comes in - a set of Earth Dinner cards that encourage you to figure out "Who grew the food? How was it grown? What is the geographic origin of the food?"

You can check out their stories of other Earth Dinners to get ideas, and download a sample set of eight cards to get a feel for how it works.  Or, if you're not so much a homecooked meal type, there's a listing of restaurants that encourage Earth Dinners and also sets of seasonal, location-specific dinner menus to whet your ethical appetite.  [GT]

Living on a whim

The Living on a Whim Project is the summer brainchild of  Jos