Galapagos dropped from UNESCO endangered list
UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee said it has removed Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands from its list of endangered sites, due to 
Quito’s protective efforts in the Pacific archipelago.
“By a vote of 14 to five, with one abstention,” the committee removed the islands from its endangered environments list, where it was included in 2007, said Brazil’s Culture Ministry, which presides over this week’s committee meeting in Brasilia.
“It’s important to recognize the Ecuadoran government’s effort in protecting and preserving this heritage site,” Brazilian Heritage Institute president Luiz Fernando de Almeida said in a statement.
Brazil had requested that the Galapagos be removed from the endangered list.
Located 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) west of Ecuador’s coast, the Galapagos archipelago of 13 main islands and 17 islets has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978 for its rich plant and animal life both on land and in the surrounding sea.
In 2007, the organization declared the island chain’s environment endangered due to the increase of tourism and the introduction of invasive species.
Some 10,000 people, mostly fishermen, live on the volcanic archipelago, which rose from the Pacific seabed 10 million years ago and became famous when Darwin visited to conduct research in 1835.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s List of World Heritage in Danger includes 31 cultural or natural sites around the globe at imminent risk of degradation or destruction.
The 34th annual meeting of the World Heritage Committee this year takes place in the Brazilian capital from July 25 to August 3.
>>> Please read more here
August 13, 2010
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CITROËN DS3 ‘ECOMEDY TOUR’: TWO COMEDIANS, FIVE NIGHTS, FIVE HUNDRED MILES, ONE TANK OF FUEL
Citroën’s DS3 is going on tour – transporting comedians Dan Adams and Christian Ancliff to their first ever Edinburgh Fringe
Festival (6th to 30th August). The Citroën DS3 Ecomedy Tour will see the two stand-ups piloting a DS3 DStyle 99g and gigging all the way from London to Edinburgh – a journey of over 500 miles – all on a single tank of fuel.
The pair will put in a performance each night during the tour, playing in London, Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon, Manchester and Glasgow before reaching Edinburgh in time for the start of their Fringe run. The DS3 Ecomedy Tour runs from 1st to 6th August and is supporting Oxford-based hospice, Helen & Douglas House.
To allow members of the public to follow all the action, Dan and Christian will be updating a special tour microsite, www.ecomedytour.com every day with videos, images and words.
Christian Ancliff commented; “It’s our first Fringe appearance, so understandably we’re fantastically nervous and very excited at the same time. Trying out our show material right across the UK during the tour will give us a great warm-up and a brilliant experience.”
Dan Adams added; “We’re testing our humour against the public and Citroën’s technology against the elements. I only hope we can match audience laughs per gig with DS3’s miles per gallon. This should be a terrific adventure for a very worthwhile cause. We look forward to sharing it with the public.”
For more information on each performance or to follow the tour activity, visit www.ecomedytour.com.
Tour updates will also be published on Citroën’s official Twitter and Facebook pages: www.twitter.com/citroenuk & www.facebook.com/CitroenUK
>>> Details: Kicks off in London on the 1st August and finishes in Edinburgh on the 6th August
>>> Visit the website here for more information
>>> For information on Helen & Douglas House click here
August 11, 2010
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Green cleaning: There’s the scrub
Our products harm the environment. They are not environmentally friendly. We never say they are environmentally friendly.” Who is saying this? BP’s Tony Hayward, perhaps?
Actually these are the words of Mick Bremans, chief executive of Ecover, the biggest-selling brand of “ecological” cleaning and laundry products in Britain. Despite celebrating 30 years in the business of selling greener, cleaner household products, Bremans’ team at Ecover has not yet discovered a dishwasher tab or laundry liquid that is what the consumer with a conscience is looking for – environmentally friendly.
In fact, Bremans is making the point that no product, be it a lavatory cleaner, a hybrid car or a locally sourced punnet of strawberries, is technically environmentally friendly. Everything we make takes its toll on the planet in production and leaves its mark when disposed of. Instead, Ecover describes its products as “ecological”, to communicate that they are kinder to the environment than comparable products.
>>> Please read the full article here
>>> Find out More and Shop for Ecover Products
August 9, 2010
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German power plant testing CO2-scrubbing algae
Swedish energy group Vattenfall said it had launched a major pilot project using algae to absorb greenhouse gas emissions from
a coal-fired power plant in eastern Germany.
The two-million-euro (2.6-million-dollar) trial run, which will continue until October 2011, in the depressed Lausitz mining region is one of several experimental attempts in the sector using algae to slash carbon dioxide output.
“The microalgae use climate-killing CO2 to create valuable biomass,” the chairman of Vattenfall Europe Mining and Generation, Hartmuth Zeiss, said in a statement.
“Moreover the new technology will bring useful know-how to the Lausitz and increase its importance as a region for energy production.”
Half the funding for the project called green MiSSiON (Microalgae Supported CO2 Sequestration in Organic Chemicals and New Energy) comes from Vattenfall, the other half from state and European Union subsidies.
The gas emitted at the Senftenberg brown-coal-fired plant is being pumped through a kind of broth using algae cultivated in 12 plastic tanks.
“The aim is to find out what kinds of algae work with brown coal dust and then, how economical this kind of CO2 reduction is,” a spokesman for the Vattenfall division, Axel Happe, told AFP.
The biomass produced in the process can be used to produce biodiesel, to feed biogas power plants and as a nutritious supplement in fish food, Happe said.
He said it was difficult to quantify the amount of CO2 emissions normally emitted at Senftenberg or estimate how sizeable the reduction could be with the use of algae, which can scrub 10 times as much CO2 as land-based plants.
But he said the company aimed to publish initial results in late 2011.
A project at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2008 found that diverting CO2 through an algae broth could reduce emissions by as much as 85 percent.
Vattenfall is the third biggest electricity provider in Germany.
Last month, European aerospace giant EADS unveiled what it called the world’s first “hybrid” aircraft to run on algae fuel.
>>> Please read the full article here
August 7, 2010
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Wind turbines ’set for increase’
In a Sunday Telegraph interview, the Lib Dem minister backed new onshore and offshore wind power over nuclear.
Mr Huhne, whose department is facing cuts of between 25% and 40%, said turbines were “incredibly competitive” but not always popular among locals.
Offshore sites had fewer planning issues and were “likely to be an important part” of energy independence.
There are currently around 250 wind farms operating in the UK, with a further 12 offshore, with 2,909 turbines in operation in total. A further 27 onshore and five offshore wind farms are currently under construction while plans for another 468 wind farms have been announced.
Speaking ahead of a key policy statement to the Commons, Mr Huhne identified Dogger Bank in the North Sea as a prime area for further offshore development.
“It’s relatively cheap to put wind turbines in that shallow area,” he said.
Mr Huhne said the UK needed to become more independent in energy production to allow it to withstand “shocks from the outside world”.
“The lights will not go out on my watch,” he said.
The Energy Secretary said it was feasible for Britain to be totally self-sufficient thanks to renewable sources, which also includes wave power and harnessing tidal streams.
“It implies quite a stretch as it implies we would be building an awful lot of turbines around our coasts. But the technology is changing. It is becoming substantially cheaper to generate from these renewable sources,” he said.
Plans for new nuclear plants won support from both the Tories and Labour in the previous parliament but Mr Huhne said the new coalition had “no money” to subsidise such a move.
Under the coalition agreement, Lib Dem MPs can register their long standing opposition to the issue by abstaining from any parliamentary vote.
Mr Huhne, however, told the Telegraph he expected new power stations would be built through private investment “given the framework we can put in place”.
>>> Please read the full article here
August 5, 2010
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New car emissions dropped 5%
The level of carbon emissions produced by new vehicles in the UK has dropped by almost five percent, according to new figures.
Data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) highlighted that there was a 4.7 percent drop in average emissions rates of vehicles registered in the first six months of 2010.
It was also noted that registrations of alternatively-fuelled cars more than doubled to 11,468 units in the first half of the year.
Paul Everitt, chief executive of the SMMT, commented: “Continued vehicle manufacturer efforts to improve fuel efficiency and cut emissions has further reduced average carbon dioxide output during a better than anticipated first half of 2010.” It is thought that the scrappage scheme, which saw people receiving cash incentives to trade in their old cars for a newer, more energy-efficient model, has helped drive vehicle emissions down.
Mr Everitt added that the remainder of the year will be challenging for the industry now that the scrappage scheme has ended.
>>> Please read the full article here
August 3, 2010
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Top-Ten Eco Things to Do When You’re Bored
- Enjoy the fresh air. Grab the bikes, take a picnic and enjoy the great weather and fresh air. Whether you are with your family or by yourself you’d be surprised what a bit of outdoor activity and a good long walk will do for your brain and your boredom! Check out eco picnic ideas here.
- Read a good book. Go down to your local second-hand or charity book store and grab yourself a good read. Settle down with a glass of wine and indulge in some ‘me-time’. Try and read something new and a bit different – this will keep your mind engaged and broaden your horizons!
- Board games. Whether it’s an old Monopoly that’s sat covered in dust at the back of your cupboard, a game of twister found at your local charity shop, one of the fantastic eco-friendly games you can get online or your grandma’s scrabble set a board game is a great way to relieve boredom and engage the whole family!
- Clear out those cupboards. Not only will this help remove clutter from your house it will also give you something constructive to do to remove that boredom! Sort out all your old clothes, books, CD’s, DVD’s and cuddly toys and take them down your local charity shop for a responsible and eco-friendly time-killer!
- Research ways to make your life more eco-healthy. There are hundreds of fantastic websites that offer great advice on how to keep eco-friendly and eco-fit. Whether you’re after a responsible holiday, advice on how to stay slim or advice on ways to kick your life into eco-gear you can find articles and how-to’s online.
- Dig out an old classic. Take a look through your collection of old DVD’s for a classic old favourite and enjoy some leisure time.
- Get creative! Whether it’s fashioning new clothes out of old ones or helping your kids create dolls houses from boxes and ecover bottles (Blue Peter style!) there’s always creative ways to re-use your recyclables.
- Think. We often have such hectic lives that we rarely just sit down and have a think. Grab a cup of tea and sit in silence – you’d be surprised just how relaxing that can be.
- Do some exercise. I won’t bore you with the merits of exercise. Everyone knows it’s good for you http://www.moreeco.co.uk/news/top-ten-ways-to-keep-eco-healthy/ and helps you trim up. But if you are bored there’s no better way to feel better than get that heart pumping. Grab some of your favourite tunes and go for a jog for a sure-fire way to alleviate boredom and feel fantastic.
- Eco-shop! Don’t forget you can always check out your favourite eco retailers. Whether shopping for a special occasion or just browsing there are always new products at our retailers. Check out some of MoreEco’s favourites here.
July 19, 2010
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Eco Summer Holidays!
For once the weather in England is shining and it serves to remind us to ditch the chocolate and get bikini ready. Whether you’re
staying at home or jetting off to some luxurious location don’t let the sun distract you from the importance of keeping an eye on your carbon footprint.
There are plenty of eco-friendly alternatives to flying away to your favourite destinations. Check out responsible tour operators to find out what the least damaging methods of travel are to the planet. Also try and buy sustainably wherever you can. Here are our top ten tips to keep yourself eco-friendly this Summer.
1. Get in the slimming mood – eat less, drink more water and buy more organically produced food. It’s good for the planet and for your beach-body.
2. Get outside and enjoy the sunshine. There’s nothing better than ditching the car for a sunny walk to work and it will tone up those legs too!
3. Avoid those airports. Planes are the number one most damaging form of transportation to the planet. Try and find alternatives such as the train or ferry.
4. Buy eco wherever possible. We all need you need to protect your skin with sun tan lotion and your eyes with sunglasses so make those purchases count. Buy sustainably sourced products from eco-shops.
5. Recycle your old summer clothes. It’s all too easy to fall for the latest trend (maxi-dress anyone?) so make sure you truly need it before you buy. Leaving the purchase until the next day is sure to stop any impulse purchases. And if you simply have to have it then try and buy eco-friendly wherever you can.
6. Support Britain! Stay in the country and enjoy everything we have to offer. Avoid increasing your carbon footprint by lavishing in the stunning scenery the UK has to offer.
7. Shop around. Find the best deals and the most planet-friendly goods.
8. Use your green thumbs. This stunning weather is the perfect excuse to get out in the garden and enjoy the sun.
9. Talking of gardening, use those leftover scraps of food to make your own compost. Stops any wasteful disposal, recycles leftovers and it’s good for your garden. Perfect.
10. Have fun! There is nothing better for the planet than optimism. Believe you can make a difference, do what you can, buy sustainably where you can and then enjoy yourself.
>>> Find out more about responsible travel here
June 1, 2010
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Responsible Tourism – The Future of Traveling?
Much has been said about the relative merits of responsible tourism. Yet many have not heard of it or see it as a ‘fad’ – yet
another form of eco-friendly consumerism dominating the marketplace.
However, responsible tourism presents one of very few opportunities to make small changes that could make a big difference. Operators offer holidays, adventure packages and traveling advice that can cut your carbon footprint dramatically. Responsible tourism is a genuine solution to combating the damage made by traveling (and let’s be honest, we don’t want to give up those days in the sun).
Companies such as Responsible Travel provide experiences that respect the local communities and cultures of your destination. They help build a tourist infrastructure and economy whilst paying fair wages and without exploiting your host country. They can be a fantastic way of immersing yourself in a new culture (or a new beach!) without damaging the host community.
Responsible Travel was the first company to recognise the requirement for responsible tourism. They saw the potential in helping communities build a tourist economy that could benefit, rather than hinder, them and their culture. Since then they have gone on to become the largest provider of responsible travel experiences and remain the first stop for eco-aware travelers across the globe.
So if you are looking to try something new, experience a different culture or simply lie on a beach for a week, look no further than a responsible tourism company to provide an eco-friendly experience you will never forget.
>>> For more information on responsible tourism click here
>>> For eco-friendly travel products take a look at our eco travel advice
>>> Check out Responsible Travel and get £2 cash back here
May 25, 2010
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