London Fashion Week...

... has some really dedicated people! There was a whole section dedicated to eco-friendliness and sustainable living.

I'm going to review them this week, so watch this space!

Eco-Balls revisited!

Remember my blog about Eco-Balls a couple of months ago? Well, since then I have purchased my own and I thought I'd blog to let you know my verdict.

They're fantastic! I bought some for £9 in my local market in June and they've got plenty of life left in them. I've saved a lot of money as well, as you don't need any fabric softener or any other product!

And as for stain removers, there is a small sample included in the box, which is also Eco-friendly! So I think you should all get out there and start buying these balls; you'll save money and you'll be saving the environment.

Car pooling

Everyone likes to travel by car; it's quick, it's easy and you can listen to whatever music you want. But people forget that driving a car is one of the main contributions to CO2 emissions in the UK.

But I don't want to ask you stop driving to get to work or go shopping; I don't want to stop. Instead, I think we should take up car pooling.

So what is car pooling? Here's a definition from wikipedia, but I usually think of car pooling as getting a lift; asking a friend for a 'lift' to the local shopping centre or to work. Most people do this anyway, but just don't do it all the time.

So what are the benefits?

• Less noise pollution
• Reducing traffic, thus reducing journey times
• Reduce CO2 emissions
• Spending more time with friends or colleauges
• Reducing demand for car parking

So if you're interested in car pooling, how can you get involved?

• Get together with a group of friends and arrange car sharing
• Research car pooling services on the internet
• Put an advertisment in the newspaper or in a shop window

As for me, I'll do my bit for the environment and keep on getting lifts with my friends.

The plastic bag

Recently there has been so much talk on the plastic bag. Usually it's all about how they damage the environment.

It's been known for a long time that plastic bags can harm and even kill animals, because they can suffocate them. They are also a danger to young children for the same reason.

According to this article by The Daily Mail, plastic bags are affecting animals every where. When they swallow the bags, it ends up making them starve and they die a slow and painful death. Because of these deaths, many people are calling for a ban of plastic bags in the UK.

A village in South Devon has become the first to ban plastic bags completely. They have their own limited edition Modbury bag, which is now a collectors item. So if a little village can switch over to re-usable bags, can the rest of us?

To be honest, I don't think it matters if we can or not. I'm just so surprised that they haven't tried to find a way of recycling plastic bags. I always keep some plastic bags in my room for my little bin and I think it's a great way of re-using them, but I can't keep every single one given to me in my room; I'd end up with nothing else in it.

Conserve India have thought up a good way to use plastic bags. They use creativity to make them into fashion bags and accessories. What's more, they're even trying to help people in poor communities.

Let me know what you think about this. Could you be bothered to pay for a re-usable plastic bag? Can you re-use the free plastic bags? Do you think it's worth switching?

Bloody brilliant!

Did you know that when Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince came out, eco-groups in America wanted it boy-cotted because it wasn't made on recycled paper?

Other countries like Canada, Britain, Italy and Germany have committed themselves to publishing the books with recycled paper.

Is it just me, or is America adding to our environmental problems yet again?

Are you going to be an eco-town?

Check out this BBC article and see if your town or city is going to become one of the new eco-towns!

Would you have an eco-friendly wedding?

I was browsing the Internet for some eco-events, when I came across this idea about having an eco-friendly wedding. There are a lot of websites dedicated to these eco-friendly weddings, but I'm just wondering if this is the right idea for someone like me.


So how do we create an eco-friendly wedding?


There are a number of things that the bride and groom can do before the big day to make sure their eco-friendly wedding is as eco-friendly as possible. Here are a few tips:


* Grow your own wedding flowers
* Choose local food and drink suppliers
* Ask for eco-friendly wedding gifts
* Use eco-friendly stationery to write your invitations and thank you cards


The list just goes on and it covers the simplest things; things a non-married woman like me doesn't think about. But, here's my question: how do you make your eco-friendly wedding dress eco-friendly?


According to this website, the eco-friendliest way is to buy or borrow second-hand. In my opinion, I would never want to buy a second-hand dress from anywhere; who knows what's happened in it.


They also suggest buying your wedding dress in a vintage shop. Well, it's a good idea, but not everyone finds something they like in a vintage shop; it's called vintage for a reason.


Oxfam is also used as a suggestion for buying eco-friendly wedding dresses; I'm all for helping people out who are less fortunate than myself, but... no!


A better suggestion is to find a designer who knows how to buy eco-friendly materials and get your eco-friendly dress made. I would consider having my dress made, because it's exactly what a wedding dress is all about; it's all about originality, being yourself and making yourself look gorgeous.


Maybe an eco-friendly wedding can work, but I think you've got to be pretty laid back about it, as so many things could go wrong. But then again, what wedding doesn't have its ups and downs?

You don't need Vanish anymore!

Does it take you three washes to get those stubborn stains out? Are you fed up with wasting water? Then you need Ecover stain remover!

I know, I sound like a commercial. But I know how annoying it is to get a stain on your favourite white skirt and it takes a million washes to get it out. It took my mum about two washes at least to get every blue stain out of it; my blue hair cream exploded in my suitcase when I went to Poland, if you were wondering...

How does it work?

Put fabric in water to moisten it. When you spread the solution onto the stain, use the built-in brush to work it in. Then just put it in with your normal load of washing.

So what is so great about this Ecover stain remover?

• Most of it's ingredients are plant based
• It's not tested on animals
• The packaging is a 100% recyclable
• Has a minimal impact on aquatic life

But how does it benefit my washing?

• Suitable for white and colourfast laundry
• Effective in removing those stubborn stains, such as grass, mud, blood and grease
• Perfect for shirts collars and cuffs

The only disadvantage about this product is that it's not suitable for silk and delicate fabrics, which in my opinion is what stubborn stains ruin if the stain isn't washed off.

Grand Designs

Grand designs are taking their show to London with an exhibition, which will be broadcast live on Channel Four, starting on Sunday 4th May 2008.

But what's so special about this?

Remember the underwater home that's wanting to break the world record? Well Grand Designs are doing their own eco-friendly house, so I think this could be a great show to watch for all you environment lovers.

Rock to this!

I was wondering if music was eco-friendly, so I typed 'eco-music' into google and this came up; eco-music.net.

Take their survey and look at their gallery.

Don't do it!

I've just read a disturbing article on the BBC about South African elephants being culled because of surging populations.

There was a halt on elephant culling in 1995 in South Africa, but they have brought it back because the numbers of the creatures have doubled. The Government in SA say the culling will only be used in strict conditions.

In my opinion, I don't think the elephants should be killed, just like seals shouldn't be beaten in Canada. It's barbaric and wouldn't be acceptable in human society if the same was done to a human; it's called murder!

The article mentions something about contraception being used; I wish they would use it. These elephants should be looked after and managed in a reasonable way, not killed because they do what it natural; reproduce.

I hope someone or something stops these killings, before we become too used to slaughtering innocent animals, and maybe in the future, humans.

You couldn't get one of these in Topshop!

On the 10th May, the world's biggest dress comes to Sheffield for the weekend to promote awareness for corporate irresponsibility. Go along and show your support and hopefully the Government will open their eyes and regulate companies in the UK and Europe.

Do you wanna be an eco-bunny?

I was looking at these videos on Youtube the other day, and I think they're great. Not only do they promote eco-awareness, but the bunnies are just funny... and cute.

They're slightly simple though; telling us things we already know. I think they should be showed to children; my eight year old sister would love them.

Christmas presents?

A friend of mine who specialises in textiles mailed me some sites about eco-textiles. I browsed the sites and I took to a site called LoooLo. I seriously believe that my prayers have been answered; Christmas is saved this year!

You're probably asking what eco-textiles has to do with Christmas, right? Well I'll tell you.

I (my mum) always buy my grandparents scarfs and they usually return the favour. LoooLo actually sell scarves, cushions and blankets made from certified organic materials, which is great for the environment.

The other great thing about these eco-products is if you really don't want them, you can throw them onto your compost heap and they will biodegrade within the year. Great way to hide those unwanted gifts and perfect for all you garden lovers.

Go put the kettle on!

Did you know that in Britain we drink 229 million cups of tea and coffee everyday? It's no surprise that they've made an eco-kettle!

How does the eco-kettle work?

The eco-kettle has two chambers; a central chamber and a outer boiling chamber. By pressing the button on the lid, the water dispenced into the boiling chamber from the central chamber, which can be filled right to the top. At the push of a button you can set the exact amount of water you need; the kettle only boils up to eight cups at a time.

How does the eco-kettle save energy?

• reduces the boiling time by 90 seconds
• uses less electricity
• reduces your carbon emissions

And if that isn't enough to convince you! The Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) reckons that if every kettle user in the UK switched to the eco-kettle then we'd save 1,270,000,000 kWh of electricity every year.

So get an eco-kettle and make everyone a cuppa!

Under the sea...

Is it possible for humans to live under the sea? Can you imagine looking out of your window everyday and seeing miles of ocean? This guy can!


Shaun Waterford is attempting to live under water for three months to try and break a world record. But is that the only reason for his adventure? In his interview with Joanne from Rocketboom, Shaun emphasises that he is living in the dome, because he wants promote awareness of the effects global warming has on the oceans.

So what do I think of this guy and his under water attempt? I like it and I agree with everything he says. When you talk about global warming, you're usually talking about the rain forests. Is this because we can see the effects?

On Shaun's Myspace, it says that scuba and the ocean are a part of his interests, which could mean he's seen the effects of global warming on the seas. And his knowledge about his project and the ocean is amazing. He explains how his dome will become similar to a coral reef, because of fish and other sea life creatures living on it.

So, if you wanna part of this amazing dome, then get bidding for it on eBay!

In conclusion, I think that this idea is great! If anyone thinks this guy is crazy then just think; if the sea level keeps rising, then we're all going to be living under the sea.

Have you ever heard of Earth Day?

Apparently, Earth Day is held in spring in the Northern Hemisphere and in autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. Its aim is to promote awareness and appreciation of the Earth’s environment. I thought we were supposed to appreciate the environment every day?

A strange fact about Earth Day is that it is celebrated twice! The United Nations celebrate it on the March Equinox, which is usually around the 20^th March. This day was founded by John McConnell and its purpose is to celebrate the sun being directly over the Earth’s equator.

The second Earth Day is celebrated on the 22^nd April and was founded in 1969 by politician Gaylord Nelson (see left). Senator Nelson stated that the 22^nd April 1970 was going to be a day celebrating the environment and promoting an environmental reform. Luckily for him, the day was a complete success.

It was celebrated in two thousand colleges and universities, ten thousand primary and secondary schools and hundreds of communities in the United States. Twenty million Americans came out to participate in peaceful demonstrations in favour of an environmental reform.

Many environmental laws were passed including the Clean Air Act and laws to protect drinking water, wild lands and oceans, thanks to the 1970 Earth Day. Furthermore, the United States Environmental Protection Agency was created after the movement.

The eco-awareness movement was going on before the 1970's movement as well. Rachel Carson, a natural history author, was inspired before the movement to write her book Silent Spring, which is about animals, birds and humans dying because a lack of care to the environment. Sounds like something I hear on the news nearly every week.

The results of the 1970 movement have made Earth Day popular word wide. It is observed by 175 countries and is run by a non-profit organisation called Earth Day Network. It is said to be the largest secular holiday in the world, with over half a billion people celebrating it every year.

So I just have one question...

Why haven’t I ever heard of it before then!?

Greenbook

Facebook are again promoting eco-friendly products with it's new application 'Greenbook'.

But what is this Greenbook? Basically, the company that run Greenbook invest in green computer programs and buying renewable energy credits to help their members play on Facebook without releasing a lot of CO2 gases.

The application explains about how Greenbook is run and also informs members of green ways to live. The members can rate each green idea, by giving it a thumbs up. Ideas, such as shopping locally, walking instead of driving and shouting at friends when they throw plastic bottles away, are just some that have thumbs up.

Greenbook is run on money sponsorships, which increases if more people join the application. So if you wanna do your bit for the environment, then get adding Greenbook on Facebook now!

(Because these links run to Facebook, you may have to join to view it.)

Be an eco-school!

Eco-schools look at environmental impact of schools and promotes awareness about the environment in national curriculum subjects. There is also an award scheme, which can promote schools. The achievements come in three stages; bronze, silver and The Top Green Flag.

The eco schooling system includes everyone involved in the school, such as teachers, children, non-teaching staff, school governors, parents, the local authority, the media and local businesses. The scheme encourages team work and an understanding of what it takes to make such a scheme work in a school. It also teaches everyone how to respect and enhance the environment.

So what type of issues do eco-schools cover?

• Litter
• Waste and recycling
• Energy
• Water
• Transport
• Healthy living
• School grounds
• Biodiversity
• Global impacts

I think schools introducing these ideas into early education will benefit the future, because unlike the older generations who are not educated with environmental issues or environmental sciences, the younger generations will be educated and hopefully it will not be too late to prolong the existence of the Earth we know today.

So how do schools promote these issues?

• Forming an action team: meeting new people
• Undertaking an environmental review: educating the environmental issues
• Formulating an action plan: Teamwork
• Creating an eco code for the school: children learning to work under rules from an early stage and parents and teachers helping their children to understand why these rules are put in place and why it's important to follow them.

I hope these schools really take off, because it's a great way to promote eco-awareness. But what about people who aren't involved with an eco-school?

Here are some ways to get involved with the environment on the internet:

• WWF-UK - providing fun and information for children on environment and sustainability issues. Here's their page for teachers.
  
• Young People's Trust - trying to encourage young people's understanding of the environment.
  

Facebook's getting involved...

Facebook have a new free gift; a save energy logo. The logo promotes changing old light bulbs for new CFL bulbs.