This is the third occasional newsletter for Habitat Aid’s friends and partners to let you know how we’re getting on.  If you’d like to get this mailing by automatic subscription, which this month would also have included glorious technicolour pictures of endearing livestock, please fill in the form on our website or visit http://habitataidnews.wordpress.com

I’ve found myself blogging about food recently, which I suppose just shows how closely connected a lot of gardening / conservation / foody issues are. I’ve been particularly pleased that we’ve done relatively well with fruit trees over the last few months, and I’m delighted that one of our suppliers, RV Roger, will be offering Perry Pear trees for us from this autumn. Thanks chaps.
 
I can’t wait until the Spring to see how our meadow areas are doing. The sheep are now grazing less precious bits of pasture at home and I keep telling myself it’s too early to look for the first signs of Yellow Rattle. I’m really excited by our meadow projects this year – not only our own here, but also the demo areas on Archie’s farm on the A303 – to say nothing about the courses we’re running. And talking of farming folk, every time I turn the TV on I see Monty Don telling wannabe smallholders to buy Large Black Pigs – hurrah!
 
We’re beginning to be asked to source plants for some larger scale projects, including meadows, which is hugely encouraging. These are species not necessarily advertised on the website, but the service is one we’re delighted to provide. It’s helpful for the client to have just one point of contact, and to be confident in the quality of the plants provided.   
 
I’ve got to say again how indebted I’ve been over the last couple of months to all sorts of folk, from bloggers and journalists to customers to suppliers – thank you all very much for your help. Do please carry on giving me suggestions for improvement!

Habitat Aid Ltd. is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

A trip around one of the biggest trade shows for the furniture industry left me aghast last month at the lack of interest, product lines or even marketing towards sustainable design or production.

In 4 halls of the NEC, I spotted one small sign for PEFC timber and just two companies selling products made with the planet in mind – one of those was a Portuguese company over here for the first time.

One other company handed out free bags to entrants advertising special ‘trade show’ deals. One such deal offered an upholstered dining chair covered in ‘eco leather’ selling at a trade price of £42.99! As a retailer of recycled leather and knowing the prices involved I was intrigued to find more. I spoke at length to one of the sales people who was surprisingly knowledgeable about the recycled leather he was selling. The product was indeed waste off-cuts from hides used in the tanning industry that were headed for landfill. This waste product was then shredded to form fibres, which were then bonded back together and given a PVC coating for durability. This is in fact how recycled leather is made and it has environmental credentials because it diverts a waste product from landfill. I enquired about the sales for this particular product. Recycled leather cannot be sold as ‘leather’ because it is classed as bonded fabric and so it has a lower price point. That is the reason for any sales made – i.e. lower price points!

Speaking later with the one FSC certified company in the whole show, they had received a great deal of interest. Their stand was suitably decorated with a large overhead hoarding depicting the great work that their chosen charity Tree Aid was doing in the third world. The FSC logo was clearly visible and many people stopped to ask about the bedroom ranges on offer. The reaction from the industry however was incredulity. What was this FSC logo all about? How do you expect to compete with prices that are so high? I can buy that bed frame for my shop for half the price in another hall! Once again price point is king!

Interestingly, when I spoke at length with the Portuguese company, whose business ethos was built around sustainable design and production, they informed me that on the Sunday, during public access, their stand had been extremely busy, but that interest had waned during the trade only days.

Perhaps it would be wise for those doing the purchasing in the furniture trade, to read up a little about how the products are made and the impact those products are having on the planet. In addition they might want to check if the consumers give a damn, I think they could be surprised.

Gecco Interiors Limited is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

It all started with the Tsunami in 2004. Many people who saw the stories of loss and devastation wanted to help – they wanted to get out there, roll up their sleeves and just help. For most people, this is an instinctive and apparently rational response – that same response is being shown following the Earthquake in Haiti.

HOW CAN I HELP?

people and places – the award winning volunteer organisation – has the following advice:

“Few of us have the skills needed now by the people of Haiti. They need hard skills – people who are experienced in disaster relief and crisis response – whether they’re doctors, water engineers, logistics and distribution experts. Haiti’s infrastructure cannot yet deal with emergency relief, and will certainly not be able to cope with the care and management of well-meaning travellers with a plethora of skills that are more appropriate for development work.

“If you want to help in Haiti right now, send money to a reputable aid agency. If you can be patient, wait until the crisis is over – which is likely to be years, rather than months – and travel with a reputable and responsible organisation with a clear strategy on the ground. Please don’t just turn up – local resources will be fully stretched for some time,” said Sallie Grayson, programme director at http://www.travel-peopleandplaces.co.uk 

“You can register your skills for future use on these sites:
www.haitivolunteer.org/ 

www.cidi.org/reg_off.htm

www.onlinevolunteering.org/en/vol/index.html

http://www.healthcarevolunteer.com/

“We’ve been approached by a number of people who feel the need to help in Haiti. As we explain, our volunteer programmes look to use the transfer of skills to enable local communities to build the future they would wish for themselves. These will be the very skills Haiti needs in the future.”
And if you want to donate be careful – be wary of opportunism!

• Donate to recognized charities that you have given to before.
• Do not respond to any spam. Only open attachments from known senders.
• Be wary of charities that ask you to wire money through services like Western Union.
• Don’t give or send cash
• Ask for identification if you’re approached in person

For further information email sallie@travel-peopleandplaces.co.uk

people and places is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

The introduction of the feed-in tariff (known as Clean Energy Cashback scheme) opens a new and exciting era for microgeneration. Here we answer some of the most common questions on the new scheme. If you’ve got any more, please add a comment below and we’ll do our best to answer. The information below refers to domestic installations of less than 50kW. This blog post supplements our main information page on feed-in tariffs which gives all the rates for each technology.

What return on my investment should I expect?
The scheme has been devised to give a 5 to 8% return on investment for “well-sited installations”. Of course, you will only get this good a return if your system performs well, so it is important to measure the wind speed, or solar potential, before going ahead with an installation.

Is it better to export the electricity I produce, or to use it at home?
The aim of the Clean Energy Cashback is to incentivise people to use the electricity they produce at home where possible. The amount you save by not buying electricity from your energy company is significantly more than the sum you get for exporting it. It makes sense to do things that use electricity while your system is generating. So you might do the vacuuming or run the washing machine during the day if you’ve got solar panels, or when the wind is blowing if you’ve got a turbine. The government hopes that by generating your own electricity you will develop a better understanding of energy and become a more efficient electricity user.

Do I have to make my house more energy efficient to qualify for the scheme?
There are no mandatory requirements to do so, but it makes sense to increase the energy efficiency first, as it is generally a more cost effective way of reducing energy bills and carbon pollution. The expectation is that by installing a microgeneration system you will get a much better understanding of how you use electricity, and that will lead to a reduction in your total use. The system is structured to encourage that too – the less you use, the more you can export and earn income on.

What happens if I move house?
With the average family moving house every 7 years or so, and the life of the feed-in tariff at 20 years (10 for CHP, 25 for solar panels), this will happen to a lot of people. The government expects standard property ownership rights to apply to the generating equipment. This means that when a house is sold, the generating equipment and the FiT payment are sold too, and the system administrator must be told of the sale. They expect that the market will decide how much a microgeneration installation will increase the price of a house.

Can I take my solar panels or wind turbine with me, and still claim the Clean Energy Cashback?
No. The scheme is only available on installation of new systems, by an an MCS accredited installer. If you took your equipment with you, reinstalling it would count as a second hand installation, and not be eligible for the Cashback.

Will there be loans available to help with the upfront costs of installing microgeneration equipment?
Although the government is currently piloting five Pay as You Save schemes, it has no plans to introduce “a mechanism for up-front capitalisation of FiT revenues”. It says: “We hope the market will provide the necessary loans or other finance packages to drive the uptake of small-scale technologies”. However, it is possible for owners of generating systems to assign their rights to feed-in tariff payments to others. This is expected to pave the way for a range of ways of financing microgeneration in social housing and new build, and may form the basis of a new type of loans for homeowners.

Am I eligible for the feed-in tariff if I install my own system?
No. To claim FiTs you must use an MCS accredited installer and install MCS accredited products.

Will I have to pay tax on the income I get from the Clean Energy Cashback?
Income for domestic properties generating electricity mainly for their own use will not be taxable income for the purposes of income tax.

Are the payments inflation proof?
Both the generation and the export tariffs will rise annually in line with the retail price index.

How long will I receive the tariff payments for?
25 years if you have photovoltaic (solar) panels; 20 years for hydro, wind and anaerobic digestion; and 10 years for micro-CHP. If you installed your system before 15 July 2009 you will receive payments until 2027.

I’ve heard that the rates “degress” over time. What does this mean?
The theory is that as the market for microgeneration grows the prices of the equipment and installation are expected to go down. As this happens there will be less need for such a large financial incentive and so the rates of the Clean Energy Cashback will go down. Degression is where tariffs for new installations are set at a lower level each year, than they were the previous year. The rate you receive at installation then stays the same for the whole life of the tariff (with annual adjustments in line with the retail price index). Degression will not start until April 2012.

What happens if I add to the capacity of my renewable energy installation?
If you have two different technologies on the same site (ie wind turbines and solar panels) they will be classed as different installations. Multiple installations of the same technology at the same site will be classed as a single installation. Similarly, if you add to an existing installation of the same technology within 12 months it will be treated as an increase in capacity of the same installation.
If you add to a system more than a year after the first part was registered in the Central FiTs Register, it will count as a new station.

I installed my system before the Feed-in Tariff proposals were announced. Am I eligible?
If your system was installed before 15 July 2009, and is accredited under the Renewable Obligation (RO), then you will be automatically transferred onto the Clean Energy Cashback in April 2010 (albeit at the lower 9p generation rate). If you are not accredited under the RO, then you must get accreditation before 31 March 2010 to be eligible. You will continue to receive this support until 2027.

Can I claim the Clean Energy Cashback if I install a refurbished or second-hand system?
No. The reasoning behind this is that the scheme is intended to encourage new entrants into the market, and has been designed on the basis of cost assumptions for new equipment. However, the government aims to keep this under review, and will “consider whether or not there are merits to allowing renovated or refurbished technologies to receive FiTs support in the future, bearing in mind the different cost and the fact that equipment may have received other financial support through its life”.

What is the MCS?
The Microgeneration Certification Scheme is an independent, industry-led, certification scheme for both installers and products. It is accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) and is adminstered by Gemserv.

Can I opt out of the export tariff and sell my electricity on the market?
If you feel up to dealing with the risks of the electricity market you can choose to out of the export tariff. If it doesn’t work for you, you can opt back in – but can only make the change once a year.

Why is the case different for micro-CHP?
This is a new technology, which has the potential in the long run to take over from condensing gas boilers. It is being included in the Clean Energy Cashback scheme as a pilot to provide initial support for the new industry. It is limited to the first 30,000 units (with an electrical capacity of 2kW or less), and will be reviewed after the first 12,000 installations. Recipients of the Clean Energy Cashback for micro-CHP will receive it for 10 years.

Will off-grid generators qualify for feed-in tariffs?
Yes, you will receive the generation tariff. To do so, you will have to declare that the electricity generated has been used, and must comply with the scheme requirements in relation to metering. You can approach any of the mandatory FiT suppliers (ie the big electricity companies) and they will be obliged to provide your Clean Energy Cashback payments. Voluntary FiT suppliers (ie the smaller energy companies) may also agree to provide FiT payments to off-grid generators.
Eligibility for off-grid remote communities will be considered at future reviews of the scheme.

Which suppliers can I export my electricity to?
All suppliers with a minimum of 50,000 customers will be obliged to accept microgeneration customers. They are described as mandatory suppliers. Smaller specialist suppliers can.

First published on the YouGen.

YouGen is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

In Association with Warren Evans and Supported by the FSC UK

8th – 21st February

Wood you… like to sleep with a clear conscience in a beautiful handcrafted wooden bed built from responsibly managed forests? Now you can this February with Feel Good Wood Fortnight.

Award winning bed and sleep specialist Warren Evans has launched the inaugural Feel Good Wood Fortnight, supported by the Forest Stewardship Council UK (FSC UK), a registered charity that promotes responsible management of the world’s forests.

The Fortnight, which runs from 8th-21st February, highlights the many benefits of buying responsible forestry products, and aims to encourage more consumers to invest in sustainable products for their home and beyond.

Here are just five reasons why you should look for the distinctive FSC logo when buying wooden products:

1. FSC certified forests are cared for and managed with consideration to people, wildlife and the environment, so you can buy with a clear conscience
2. The FSC protects the rights of all indigenous people who live and use the forest where the wood is harvested
3. The FSC is the only wood certification scheme in the world that is supported by major environmental charities including The Woodland Trust, the World Wildlife Fund and Greenpeace
4. All FSC certified wood is tracked from the forest to the store and carries the identifiable FSC symbol so consumers know that the wooden product they are investing in does not have a negative impact on the environment
5. Forest owners are committed to using only locally sourced labour, and to providing fair working conditions and a decent salary for all workers.

Warren Evans is proud to be the first bed maker in the UK to be FSC certified, having gained the prestigious certification for his handcrafted beds in 2007.

Zoe Robinson, Sustainable Development Manager at Warren Evans, says: “Since inception, Warren has ensured that the wood he uses does not have a negative impact on the environment. And as such, he works exclusively in FSC certified pine. We do hope that this event will become the first of many.”

Warren’s dedication to the environment and to his customers has earned him six influential awards including an Observer Ethical Award, a Sunday Times Best Green Companies Award, a BCE Award and most recently a Growing Business Award.

Rosie Teasdale, Deputy Director at the FSC UK, adds: “We are pleased to support this Feel Good Wood Fortnight, raising awareness of FSC and the importance of sourcing responsibly.  Consumers tend to associate the FSC logo with garden furniture more than household furniture and promotions such as these help to highlight the range of FSC products now available.”

Warren Evans’ official FSC number is SA-COC-1742.

www.warrenevans.com & www.fsc-uk.org

Check out the new ‘Good stuff’ section of our website – it is becoming a major knowledge base of free resources such as videos, links, new Life² articles and downloads that can help you to gain perspective on your own life, navigate through the modern world and live a happier, wiser and more meaningful life!

www.lifesquared.org.uk

Life² is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Come and check out our new FREE audiobooks and courses on MP3 – including ‘A quick MOT for your values’ and ‘The problem with consumerism’ – available at www.lifesquared.org.uk.

Life² is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Shockingly, make-up is most likely to contain at least one, or a combination, of these highly toxic, skin destroying chemicals; Mercury, Bismuth Oxychloride, Phthalates, Parabens, Carcinogens and even Carmine – crushed beetles! 

For flawless skin use Green People’s new certified organic mineral make-up.  A luxurious collection of nine natural make-up essentials that are like ‘organic food for your skin,’ feeding it the purest quality blend of mineral pigments, plant extracts and natural ingredients like Beeswax and Cupuaçu Butter to nourish, protect and energise your skin.  

Certified organic by Ecocert, you won’t find any chemical nasties in this pure, gentle collection which is suitable for all skin types, even sensitive skin and those prone to acne, eczema, psoriasis or rosacea.

Charlotte Vohtz, Founder, Green People says, “Our skin deals with up to 515 different chemicals every day – foundation alone can harbour 24 independent chemicals.  This toxic way of living can cause problems from skin irritations and allergies to fertility issues and links to cancer. Our new collection offers an organic alternative with all the added benefits from mineral make-up including non-pore clogging and full, natural coverage without the chemical cocktail!”

Nude Concealer, £12.99 – does not clog pores and made without Parabens, Petrochemicals, Phthalates and synthetic colourants to bring you the purest concealer nature can offer.   

 Pressed Mineral Powder, £19.99 – 3-in-1 foundation, powder and SPF 15 sunscreen seamlessly blends without clogging pores. Sits on the skin minimising pores, fine lines and wrinkles. Minerals reflect light for smoother, younger, flawless looking skin.  

Available in three shades: Honey, Caramel and Maple

Eco Eye Collection, £22.99 – crease-free and 100% gentle for delicate eye area. Four warm, neutral shades suit all skin tones.  Free of Propylene Glycol, Parabens, Petrochemicals or Phthalates.

Contains: Cream, Nutmeg, Fondant and Espresso colours

Volumising Mascara – Black, £13.99 – defines eyelashes with this fabulously rich, non-smudge black mascara. There’s no mercury, just shea butter and almond oil to condition lashes for a volumised effect that lasts all day. 

Eco Lipsticks, £10.99 – no crushed beetles, Formaldehyde or artificial colours in this organic lipstick made with natural colours from earth minerals and Fairly traded Cupuaçu Butter and Coconut oil to moisturise lips.

Available in three shades: CandyFloss, Cherry and Cinnamon

The essential ingredient for any make-up bag, these gorgeous products are the perfect organic choice.   The new mineral make-up range is available at www.greenpeople.co.uk or by phoning 01403 740350. 

Green People is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

A common question seen on many travel forums is “how safe is it to travel to X (one on the Latin American countries) as a solo female traveller?” It is fully understandable why travelling alone to Latin America can seem an intimidating prospect, particularly if you are a woman. However, women who have already been to this region of the world know there is no need to post this type of question. All of the countries in Central and South America are generally safe to visit as a solo female traveller. There are, however, some areas that pose a risk and these should be avoided.

Many of the large cities in Latin America have areas that aren’t particularly desirable and you should stick to the main tourist or modern parts of these cities if you visit them. This includes all of the major cities in Central America (i.e. Belize City, Guatemala City, Managua, Mexico City, Panama City, San Jose, San Salvador and Tegucigalpa). There are also certain parts of South American cities that should be avoided such as Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, and Sao Paulo in Brazil, and Caracas in Venezuela. As with the large cities in Central America, stick to the touristy areas and you’ll be fine. You should also take care when visiting particular areas of certain countries such as in Colombia and Venezuela. For example, it isn’t a good idea to hang around the border regions of Colombia or travel to obscure, off the beaten track destinations. Although Colombia and Venezuela get some bad press they are both relatively safe to visit if you stick to the top tourist destinations mentioned in reputable travel guides. If somewhere is mentioned in a reputable guidebook, it is almost certainly safe to visit.

This leads to an important point in the discussion. It is very easy to get paranoid about visiting certain countries and cities but this is totally unwarranted. Remember, it’s only certain parts of these countries and cities that are best avoided, just as certain parts of cities in Europe or North America are best avoided. In fact, travelling around most of Latin America is far safer, and more pleasant, than travelling around many parts of Europe or North America. Additionally, as Susan Griffith rightly points out in ‘Travelling Solo as a Woman in Asia’ “there is a pernicious mythology surrounding the lone female traveller, whether it be as a hitchhiker around Britain or a traveller in Southeast Asia. Many people instantly exaggerate the perils and dwell on a single woman’s vulnerability. Often this doom-ridden response is just an excuse for their own timidity of spirit.” Don’t get paranoid: the countries of Latin America are no more dangerous than many other countries in this world, and in reality you are more likely to encounter problems in some European countries or North American states.

Referring back to the classic question seen on travel forums (i.e. how safe is it to travel to X as a solo female traveller) it is worth mentioning the responsibilities and abilities of the individual. Safety is inherently linked to knowledge and experience. Whenever planning a trip to Latin America or anywhere else in the world, it is absolutely essential you do your research. Try and find out as much information as you can about the country or countries you wish to visit. Travel guides such as those produced by Lonely Planet and Footprint will help you decide which places you want to visit and those you might want or should avoid. The internet is also an invaluable source of information and there are many websites dedicated to the concerns of solo female travellers. We often hear people described as being ’streetwise;’ if the definition was applied to travel rather than the urban environment, some travellers could be easily be labelled as ‘travelwise’ (i.e. having the shrewd awareness, experience, and resourcefulness needed for survival in a difficult, often dangerous overseas environment). Travel experience (particularly in the third world) goes a long way in ensuring safety. This is because people with extensive travel experience evaluate risk more effectively and size up situations more successfully. Thus, it’s fair to say that overall safety is partly dependent on the qualifications (age, knowledge and experience) of the person posing the question.

To a large degree safety is simply a case of being sensible and staying alert. For example, flaunting items such as expensive cameras, jewellery, or mobile phones is likely to attract opportunist thieves. Similarly, putting your day pack on the luggage rack of a public bus rather than keeping it on your lap or by your feet is asking for trouble. The key message here is don’t take any unnecessary risks. You might fancy a late paddle on Copacabana beach (Rio de Janeiro) but any guidebook will tell you not to visit this area after dark. You might want to hit the bars and clubs in Quito but leave your valuables in your hotel. You might want to get drunk in the nearest disco but don’t try walking back to your hotel late at night. It’s all a matter of common sense really.

The main issue for solo female travellers is the threat of sexual harassment from local men and even male travellers. While male travellers might be a problem on occasions, you need to be aware of the culture differences between Latin American men and those from your own country. Machismo attitudes are fairly widespread among Latin American men and it is advisable to follow local practice and take your cues (i.e. how do local women deal with prolonged eye contact, etc) from local woman if you don’t want to be the object of curiosity. Appropriate dress and conduct will attract less unwanted attention from the local men. It is a sad fact that many local men view Western women as promiscuous. This impression is largely due to how some women dress. Acting drunk and a bit wild is also bound to create the sort of interest you are trying to avoid. You need to balance your sense of adventure with an awareness of cultural differences. It is also important that you listen to and trust your instincts. If you are in a situation that makes you feel uncomfortable as a woman, you need to follow your instincts and leave.

Most countries in Latin America are well established on the ‘gringo trail,’ hence, there will always be opportunities to hook up with other travellers. This will greatly reduce any hassle you might get. This should not deter any woman from travelling alone as this can be a rewarding and empowering experience. There is probably nothing more satisfying to a solo female traveller than knowing she forged her own path.

While it’s true that there are specific concerns for female travellers, the risks that are out there shouldn’t stop you from hitting the road. There are thousands of solo female travellers currently exploring Latin America and you could be one of them.

Volunteer Latin America is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Deepdale Backpackers & Camping and Deepdale Farm are holding their annual North Norfolk Coast Earth Day on Thursday 22^nd April.  They are looking for artists or school groups who would like to get creative with scrap and recyclable materials to take part in a Scrap Heap Art Challenge.

The Scrap Heap Art Challenge will take place throughout the day.  Artists will be welcome to use any of the recyclable or scrap items available on the Deepdale site to create sculptures or art pieces that will then be displayed around the hostels and campsite.

Artists will have from 9am to 3.30pm to create their artwork, when they will be judged and prizes awarded.

The Scrap Heap Art Challenge will be judged by a small panel of judges, who will be looking for creativity, unusual use of recyclable materials and even audience participation.  “As a judge I’ll be looking for an artwork which makes me stop and think”, said Andrea, one of the judging panel.

Artists will be promoted on the Deepdale website (www.deepdalefarm.co.uk) and the winning artist or school team will win a stay in a tipi and be invited to be a judge at next years Scrap Heap Art Challenge.

Interested artists should contact Andrea Bramhall at Deepdale, Tel: 01485 210256 or Email: andrea@deepdalebackpackers.co.uk

For more information on the North Norfolk Coast Earth Day please visit www.deepdalefarm.co.uk/earthday

End Press Release

Interested artists should contact Andrea Bramhall at Deepdale, Tel: 01485 210256 or Email: andrea@deepdalebackpackers.co.uk

For more information on this press release or the North Norfolk Coast Earth Day please contact:

Jason Borthwick

Tel: 07776 254019

Email: jason@deepdalefarm.co.uk

www.deepdalefarm.co.uk/earthday

Deepdale Farms is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more