Ethical Pulse - from the Ethical Junction membership

Posts Tagged ‘land’

Anti-insect Camouflage

Saturday, February 14th, 2009

Naturally safer and stronger eco-friendly anti-insect camouflage products from incognito selling at record levels

People are defying the recession and the cold weather by planning holidays abroad, and with the euro so high, tropical holidays are on the increase. incognito, creators of 100% natural, ethically produced anti-insect products have noticed a surprising surge in sales of their most popular items, many selling out before Christmas last year.

Selling both in the UK and abroad, including recently in Hawaii and
the Caribbean, the fresh, pleasant smelling incognito products use a
secret blend of 100% natural ingredients, all containing an organically
certified citronella only found on the volcanic island of Java, which
is much more effective against insects than ordinary citronella found
elsewhere.

So how does incognito work?  Says Patricia Carter,
Director: “A female mosquito can detect human kairomones (similar to
pheromones) up to one kilometre away!  Our products mask these
kairomones, camouflaging the wearer so they remain incognito –
unrecognisable – to the blood thirsty mosquito!  They also do not have
the unwanted negative side effects and health risks associated with
chemical repellents such as DEET.”

As well as smelling much
better than pungent chemical-based repellents, incognito camouflage
products are ideal for people, especially babies and young children,
who do not wish to expose themselves to the potential hazards of
chemically manufactured toxins.  They prefer to invest in an infinitely
safer product.  Those with sensitive skins or skin conditions will also
benefit from the gentler, natural formulations, without compromising on
efficacy. 

Rigorously tested by the London School of Hygiene and
Tropical Medicine, incognito works on all insects, not just
mosquitoes.  The range includes a 100ml camouflage spray, citronella
incense sticks, after-sun moisturiser, and a 3-in-1 shampoo,
conditioner and camouflage, as well as soaps: jasmine rice, ginger and
citronella; lemongrass and citronella; and luxury loofah soap, which
contains skin conditioning loofah for exfoliation as well as cleansing,
and therefore the perfect minimalistic product for light travelling -
you can even recycle the loofah as a gentle pan scourer when all the
soap is gone!

All soap packaging is made from biodegradable Saa paper, made from
sustainable mulberry bark harvested in fair trade conditions by
impoverished Thai women.

incognito products are transported ethically, fashionably and
practically in their roll-up travel bags which can be hung on a wall or
door, or unrolled flat.

Sold direct through their website or through
Wholefoods in Kensington, Fresh n Wild, Planet Organic, John Bell &
Croydon and most chemists, sales have been steadily rising since winter
began.  All products except the luxury loofah soap (which contains
honey) are certified by the Vegan Society.

 From April 29th, Wholefoods and Fresh n Wild will be selling the
exfoliating scrub at half price for only £3.62.  These two outlets
along with John Bell & Croydon in Wigmore Street also stock the
entire incognito range.

Natural Resource Management

Saturday, February 14th, 2009

Article 13 Report
12th February 2009

Sustainable Development, Climate Change, Environmental protection – just a few of the terms currently being linked to global droughts, floods, fires and other climate related natural disasters occurring more and more across the globe.

With an increase in world population and urban development, heightened environmental risks and vulnerabilities are demanding long-term, sustainable management of natural resources. Natural Resource Management (NRM) involves managing complex and intertwined systems such as biodiversity, desertification, just to name a couple.

This month Article 13 is focussing on two of the issues surrounding
Natural Resource Management (NRM) and briefly explores the
technological and organisational responses from business to help combat
environmental degradation.

Water management

Water management refers to the sustainable management, governance and
utilisation of water resources, including rivers, lakes and estuaries,
coastal and marine waters; sewage treatment; and reservoir safety.
Water management is an issue of the global commons, which means it’s
outside national jurisdiction and there is an ever increasing battle
for access to fresh water resources. Initiatives must cross borders and
boundaries to make any real difference. The United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP), partners with over 150 businesses and concentrates on
the potential risks associated with water scarcity and the strategic
importance for businesses to act responsibly. Businesses and
Institutions need to start acknowledging the interconnectedness of
water resources with many of the world’s major issues, including
climate change, energy, economic development, environmental health, and
social justice. For businesses to tackle the challenges surrounding the
depletion of water resources, there needs to be the following:

  • Financial investment into a water supportive infrastructure.
  • Partnerships with water management coalitions. 
  • Integrate water management systems into the business, in order to minimise environmental risks

So how are businesses managing water resources? Some examples include:

BAA:
A water management scheme at Terminal 5 reduces BAA’s reliance on
mains water and economically harvests water from rainfall on campus and
boreholes on its own land
(http://www.article13.com/A13_ContentList.asp?strAction=GetPublication&PNID=1364).

AWG: “RiverCare” programme a community approach to involving
communities in cleaning up watercourses
(http://www.article13.com/A13_ContentList.asp?strAction=GetPublication&PNID=1314).

United Utilities: Establishment of a multi-partner sustainable water
catchment management programme to deliver improved water quantity and
quality. (http://www.article13.com/A13_ContentList.asp?strAction=GetPublication&PNID=1360)

Land management
Land management refers to the sustainable management and development of
land resources. Land management practices often include, conserving and
enhancing the natural environment, ensuring that industrial processes
do not exploit land resources and foster social and economic well
being. It is in a business’s and individual’s best interest to act
responsibly with land resources and manage them effectively. Poor land
management practices can lead to heightened environmental risks with a
rise in CO2 emissions and the destruction of ecosystems, biodiversity
and plant diversity. Also businesses can be affected greatly through
poor land management, with high cleanup costs, consumer boycotts and
increased pressure from environmentalists and NGOs. Alternatively,
sustainable land management can have beneficial factors in terms of
climate change impacts, wildlife, biodiversity, social well-being,
social equity and help the bottom line; for example:
Wangari Maathai: “Promoting ecologically viable social, economic and
cultural development”
(http://www.article13.com/A13_ContentList.asp?strAction=GetPublication&PNID=1091).

For more information please contact Fiona Banyard on
fionab@article13.com or call 020 8840 4450. Please also see Article
13’s website www.article13.com


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