Search advertising is a colossal business that touches pretty much every web user. So a search engine that diverts the bulk of the cash raised to protecting a rainforest in northern Brazil looks, like all the best ideas, simple and good.

The site is Ecosia and has just passed £500,000 in funds raised, 24 months on from its launch. The search engine mask at Ecosia.org, is powered by Bing and Yahoo, and 80% of the revenue from the search advertising goes straight to the WWF Amazon Initiative, which manages a number of conservation projects in the Tumucumaque region.

The Tumucumaque region in northern Brazil harbours one of the world’s largest tropical forest reserves (38,867 square kilometres) – it’s also one of the most biologically diverse regions on the planet – making it a widely accepted global priority for conservation and sustainable development.

By making Ecosia your default search engine, you can turn your web searches green, reduce your carbon footprint and make a real difference to the planet. Instead of causing CO2 emissions with your searches, you can actually help to avoid climate change because your searches will help to save endangered rainforests.

Not only does Ecosia make it easy to help save the rainforest – they also offset the emissions from each search with PURE and the Gold Standard. Ecosia’s own servers even run on green electricity, so they do not cause any CO2 emissions.

There are other green searches, like Green Maven and Ecosearch, but Ecosia impresses us most. In addition to the benefits mentioned above, Ecosia is also the best choice if you are concerned about privacy. Some search engine companies store your web searches for several months and even analyze them to create a profile of you. They sometimes even sell this information to other companies. Ecosia, in contrast, deletes all user-related data within a maximum of 48 hours.

If you like what Ecosia are doing, help them spread the word!

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

Bristol-based wholefood manufacturer and distributor Essential Trading has invested £100,000 in a new solar PV electricity system from Solarsense at its Fishponds warehouse in its latest effort to minimise its impact on the environment.

Essential Trading is an ethical company committed to the welfare of the planet. The installation of solar power panels at its factory HQ in Fishponds is the next logical step for this business that is keen to harness all environmentally friendly advances in technology.

Essential chose Backwell-based Solarsense to supply its 44.64 kWp system that comprises 186 solar photovoltaic panels mounted on the roof of its warehouse.  The solar PV (photovoltaic) technology captures the clean, natural energy of the sun.  When the sun hits the panels, it creates an electrical field within the layers of the panels.  This electrical field is converted to AC (usable) electricity and is taken up by the various demands for electrical power within the factory, warehouse and offices.

Essential is paid 32.9p/kWh for all electricity that is generated and is then free to use this energy. Any surplus electricity is then exported onto the grid and Essential is paid 3.1p/kWh for this.

The solar PV at Essential Trading will generate an estimated 38000 kWh of electricity per year.  This represents a saving of approximately 513 Tonnes of CO2 over the 25 year life of the FIT (Feed in Tariff – the Government scheme where businesses and home owners are rewarded if they invest in renewable electricity).  The cooperative borrowed the money to fund this project from ethical bank Triodos.  With the Government’s Feed in Tariff, the cash generated from the system will mean it pays for itself during the 10-year loan payback period and will thereafter be a source of income.

“We are delighted to have our solar power panels up and running now after all the months of planning,” says Eli Sarre, marketing manager for Essential Trading.  “We strive to produce the most sustainable food and non-food products and check the source of each ingredient rigorously,” she says.  “So it makes perfect sense for us to tap into the world’s source ingredient for life – the sun – to power our business naturally.”

About Essential Trading

Essential Trading is a worker co-operative established in 1971 and based in Bristol.  The company wholesales, manufactures and distributes organic wholefoods across the UK and internationally and has over 6,000 lines of healthy options, quality nutrition and ecological products.  80% of its products are certified organic and all are vegetarian or vegan.  An increasing number are fairtrade and gluten-free, thus able to meet the changing ethical and dietary demands of consumers today. With a turnover of approximately £12 million and employing around 85 people, Essential is one of the largest successful worker co-operatives in the UK.

www.essential-trading.coop

Essential Trading Co-operative Ltd is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

A new environmental blogger has hit the web and his name is Steve Waller. Bringing a new twist on traditional eco blogs, GreenSteve positions himself somewhere between consumer advisor and newspaper as he brings a vast array of topics to your attention.

He’ll advise you on ways to use less energy, create less waste and contribute to an ever growing movement of like-minded people determined to bring about real change through coordinated action.

GreenSteve also doles out the advice to business and gives his own opinions on the role of governments both here in the UK and around the world in tackling climate change. He believes in a holistic approach to bringing about action and knows that it will take consumers, industry and politicians working together to acheive the right end goal.

Some of his best posts so far in his brief blogging career include advice on how to stay warm this winter without burning the cash, ways to become a waste conscious shopper and an investigative approach to supermarket sustainability.

To get the latest updates from his blog sent directly to your inbox, you can sign up to his newsletter or follow him on Twitter or Facebook.

There is plenty more to come from this ambitious young guy and he hopes that his blog can convince people to change their habits for the good of the environment.

GreenSteve is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Green Building Store’s new Ecoplus³ range of windows & doors launched today (Thursday 30th June 2011) aims to meet the energy efficiency requirements of 2050 and beyond and comes with ultra efficient triple glazing as standard. Ecoplus³ also aims to systematically address the environmental impact of window manufacture, through use of FSC Pure timber, natural timber finishes, boron preservatives and UK manufacture.

Ecoplus³ is the third evolution of Green Building Store’s Ecoplus range since its launch in 1995, and is the most energy efficient Ecoplus range yet, with whole window U values as low as 0.86 W/m2K. Not surprisingly, Ecoplus³ triple glazed windows have also achieved an ‘A’ energy-rating in the BFRC energy rating scheme. Ecoplus has been at the cutting edge of sustainable window design for over 15 years. In 1995 it pioneered the use of safer boron timber treatments and, in 2005, was the first UK manufactured range of windows to be made using FSC Pure 100% timber.

According to Chris Herring, Green Building Store Director and designer of the Ecoplus³ range:
“Ecoplus³ is one of the most energy efficient oak or pine timber window & door ranges made in the UK and offers a unique environmental specification. Ecoplus³’s elegant outward-opening window design also works well in either traditional or contemporary settings, offering a beautiful and sustainable solution for retrofitting homes to low energy standards.”

Buildings can lose 10-25% of their heat through windows but this can be considerably improved through use of energy efficient glazing. Green Building Store believes that only triple glazed windows and doors will be the correct specification to complement the necessary super insulation measures which the existing housing stock needs to address the threat of climate change.

As well as offering high thermal performance, the Ecoplus³ range combines a number of  sustainable features. Ecoplus³ is handmade in Green Building Store’s Yorkshire workshops to high standards of quality and durability, using FSC Pure engineered pine or oak. Ecoplus³ is also treated with inorganic boron-based mineral salts, widely recognised as the safest and most environmentally benign treatment available.  It is then finished with OSMO natural plant based finishes, which are so safe they have been deemed safe enough to use on children’s toys (safety standard EN71).

As a special introductory offer, Green Building Store is offering 10% off all Ecoplus³ orders placed before 15/08/11. For more information on Ecoplus³ or for a FREE quote,  contact Green Building Store’s Ecoplus³ department on 01484 463336 or email: emma@greenbuildingstore.co.uk.

As a special introductory offer, Green Building Store is offering 10% off all Ecoplus³ orders placed before 15/08/11.

Green Building Store is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Consumers are now demonstrating a smarter attitude when it comes to going green and are even showing an interest in sectors such as auto, energy and technology according to a survey.

The study of 9,000 people in eight countries found that household products had the highest adoption rates of consumer goods according to WPP companies Cohn and Wolfe, Landor Associates and Penn Schoen Berland who carried out the study in partnership with Esty Environmental Partners.

Online interviews were held between April 2, to May 3 in Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, the U.K and the U.S.

The way people perceived green products shifted, with consumers thinking beyond products they would put into their body or on their body.

Russ Meyer, the chief strategic officer at Landor Associates said: “Consumers are really getting wiser about green brands. You look at the first study, and there are brands that were there because their logo was green. Today, when you look at the top five brands in the U. S. survey, consumers have been able to sort out the ones that have been solidly green from birth.”

There was a clear distinction in what areas had more importance to the countries surveyed. The economy was more of a concern to developed countries, while developing countries and Germany felt the environment was more important.

That doesn’t mean that developed countries aren’t aware of environmental issues that plague the world. There is more concern this year than last year about the environment with a lot of those surveyed believing that the planet is on the wrong track to tackling issues such as climate change and reducing carbon emissions.

Concerns were again split with China, France, Germany and the UK more worried about energy use and toxic the most compared to the other half of countries who ranked climate change as their top worry. Brazil was the only country to tie both climate change and use of chemicals and toxics.

Results also showed that people are willing to buy more environmentally friendly products from the auto, technology and energy sector. Brazil, China and India ranked cars as their top purchase, whilst France and the U. S. opted for technology. Australia tied automotive, technology and energy products and consumers in the U. K. placed technology and energy at the top of their list.

In terms of buying green products there was also a split between the developed and developing countries. Whilst cost was a challenge for those buying into eco-friendly products in developed countries, developing nations found that labeling and selection was much more important.

Globally known companies didn’t make it into the top five greenest brands in the U. S to which Meyer said: “I find it an interesting split.” The big brands that ranked from five to ten included Walt Disney Co., S. C. Johnson, Dove and Apple. Starbucks and Microsoft were tied at number 10.

Meyer questioned whether they were “getting a halo from being a big brand.” He also pointed out that “big brands tend to get credit for a lot of things that aren’t necessarily in their sweet spot. The thing is, if you’ve got that perception, you’d better be able to live up to that and demonstrate you’re worthy of that credit.”

Although sectors such as auto, energy and technology were included within the survey, more corporate industries such as finance, investments and forestry are thriving in the current climate given the rise of the emerging markets in Brazil, Russia, India and China.

Businesses know that taking a green approach in the way they operate is vital what with endless work being done to tackle environmental issues. Global Forestry Investments is a prime example of zoning in on the timber and teak industry and guaranteeing not only returns, but also making sure that the land invested in will remain forest land for its foreseeable future.

Global Forestry Investments is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

David Orr uniquely combines a pioneering approach to education, design, community, innovation and practice that has always embodied a whole worldview. His work not only has direct impact but is visionary and therefore inspiring for individuals and groups around the world. The Oberlin Project is innovating through rich collaboration, a response to making the community much more resilient into the future.

He is well known for his efforts in designing the first substantially green building on a U.S. college campus. The Adam Joseph Lewis Center was later named by the U.S. Department of Energy as “One of Thirty Milestone Buildings in the 20th Century,” and by The New York Times as the most interesting of a new generation of college and university buildings.

David Orr is now working to bring together a collaborative venture within the community of Oberlin from schools to private sector. The Oberlin Project joins the many strands of sustainability including urban revitalization, green development, advanced energy technology, sustainable agriculture and forestry, green jobs, arts and education into an integrated response.

The heart of the project is the redevelopment of a 13-acre block designed to catalyze the renewal of the downtown area and initiate a process leading to a prosperous post-fossil fuel powered economy, while improving its facilities and continuing one of the most important educational experiments in the United States.

The investment in construction, renovation, and energy technology is intended to stimulate the expansion of existing businesses and create new enterprises that meet emerging demands for energy services, solar technologies, green products, and locally grown foods and forest products.

David Orr’s approach to sustainability is an essential, rich dialogue on how we integrate responses to crisis and environmental challenge – where there is a role for every voice from industry and science to art and music. The Oberlin Project has already been heralded as having the potential to be an international model for change and development. Mid-project David Orr comes to Schumacher College to discuss the implications of such a cutting edge and innovative approach to a more resilient future.

Schumacher College is proud to be hosting David Orr talking about The Oberlin Project alongside Steven Mayers and Transition Town’s Rob Hopkins in an exploration of urgent collaborative responses to climate change, food security, economics.

The Road Ahead: Building Community in the Long Emergency, June 27 – July 2, 2011
David W. Orr, Stephan Mayer & Rob Hopkins
http://www.schumachercollege.org.uk/courses/the-road-ahead-building-community-in-the-long-emergency

To listen to an interview with David Orr about The Oberlin Project at Sustainable Industries http://sustainableindustries.com/podcasts/sustainable-industries-interviews-david-orr

Schumacher College, Dartington is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Helping towards Plan A

Eco Ezee are pleased to announce the successful roll out of an innovative new shoe box designed for  Marks and Spencer. The shoe boxes have been developed using Eco Ezee’s design and pulp manufacturing expertise supporting M&S’s desire to save on its use of raw materials in its product packaging. This is a significant part of its Plan A commitment to make it the world’s most sustainable major retailer.

The new packaging, when completely rolled out, will consume an estimated 1500 tonnes of recycled material every year producing approximately 10 million shoe boxes. Initially 1.5 million boxes will be produced for its womens shoe range autumn 2011.

Eco Ezee are proud and delighted to be a key component in helping Marks and Spencer reach some of its Plan A initiative ambitions of reducing the company’s carbon footprint and reducing waste to landfill,
as well as providing them with huge cost and time savings.

The new shoe box roll out was first announced in the Business Section of the Sunday Times, 24th April 2011, featuring an article about our company MD Natalie Barnwell. The article detailed the rise of the company from its early beginings with the Ezee Paint Tray, through the additions of its professional quality and sustainable Paint Brush and decorating tools range and the development of the packaging for
M&S.

Congratulations Natalie!!

Eco Ezee Limited is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Don’t be left stranded if your car breaks down. The Green Insurance Company offers quality breakdown cover from only £18.20* – plus, Ethical Junction readers can save an extra 10%!

We have a variety of breakdown cover available, so choosing the right policy has never been easier, and with more than 5,000 mechanics nationwide you’ll never be left stranded.  We also make it easy for you to go ‘green’ as we offset 100% of the carbon emissions of any recovery vehicles that are used when providing assistance – all at no extra cost.

Benefits included as standard:

• Over 5,000 qualified mechanics nationwide, available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
• An average callout time of only 40 minutes and a guaranteed £10 cashback if a mechanic doesn’t reach you within the hour
• Priority service for female drivers or those with children

• Insure with a company that gives something back. See www.greeninsurancecompany.co.uk/giving for full details of our projects   

 How to order:

Click here for a quick quote. To redeem your 10% discount simply enter the promotional code ‘ETHICAL2’ when you purchase your policy online or call 0844 842 5438 where one of our friendly team will be happy to help. Simply give them your discount code.

Get a quote

Terms and Conditions

The Green Insurance Company is an insurance intermediary, authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Registered address: 1 Masterton Way, Tannochside Business Park, Glasgow, G71 5PU. Qualifying criteria, terms and conditions apply.  These will be explained before you buy.  For your protection and ours, calls may be recorded or monitored. This offer is valid until 31/08/2011, and is open to new customers only, buying directly from The Green Insurance Company.

*Price based on vehicle 5 years or younger with Roadside level of cover.

The Green Insurance Company is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

The Green Insurance Company knows how much you value your pet. That’s why we offer a wide range of pet insurance polices making it easy for you to find the right level of protection for your pet, plus Ethical Junction users can save an extra 5%!

For as little as £5.23* a month you could insure an important member of your family, giving you complete peace of mind.

Some of the benefits included as standard are:

• 24hr access to Pet Vet line
• At no extra cost to you, choose to donate to one of our chosen
  environmental charity partners.
• Option to pay by interest free monthly instalments.
• All claims assessed by qualified veterinary nurses.
• Most claims settled within 5 days.

How to order:

Click here for a quick quote. To redeem your 5% discount simply enter the promotional code ‘GREEN362’ when you purchase your policy.

Get a quote

Terms and Conditions

The Green Insurance Company is an insurance intermediary, authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Registered address: 1 Masterton Way, Tannochside Business Park, Glasgow, G71 5PU. Qualifying criteria, terms and conditions apply.  These will be explained before you buy.  For your protection and ours, calls may be recorded or monitored. This offer is valid until 31/08/2011, and is open to new customers only, buying directly from The Green Insurance Company.

*Price based on cat aged under 8yrs and area 1 postcode. Price correct as of 01/11/10.

The Green Insurance Company is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

The Green Insurance Company is for drivers who want more than just low cost car insurance. We make it easy for you to go ‘green’ by offsetting 100% of your car’s harmful carbon emissions every year that you insure through us. So you can be kinder to the environment without compromising on quality or value. 

Some of the benefits included in our policies as standard are:

• 100% offset of your car’s emissions
• Guaranteed courtesy car with comprehensive policies*
• 90 days European cover included as standard
• 24 hour accident and windscreen claims line
• Insure with a company that gives something back. See www.greeninsurancecompany.co.uk/giving for full details of our projects  
• Special customer offers and discounts throughout the year

Special offer for Ethical Junction members: Get £35 off any car insurance policy from The Green Insurance Company 

How to order:

Click here for a quick quote. To redeem your £35 discount simply enter the promotional code ‘ETHICAL’ when you purchase your policy online or call 0844 842 5438 where one of our friendly team will be happy to help. Simply give them your discount code.

Get a quote

Terms and Conditions

The Green Insurance Company is an insurance intermediary, authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Registered address: 1 Masterton Way, Tannochside Business Park, Glasgow, G71 5PU. Qualifying criteria, terms and conditions apply.  These will be explained before you buy.  For your protection and ours, calls may be recorded or monitored. This offer is valid until 31/08/2011, and is open to new customers only, buying directly from The Green Insurance Company.

* Provided an approved repairer is used.

The Green Insurance Company is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more