Appearing
this month on the shelves in WH Smith and Borders nationwide, new eco-living
directory BOOK OF GREEN is the most comprehensive guide for everybody to
genuinely and easily green their lifestyles.

With
the general public currently becoming more receptive to living a more
eco-friendly life, this completely free guide points the consumer in the right
direction – it includes hundreds of approved ethical providers in a wide range
of sectors including business services, health and beauty, home and garden,
green energy, travel, parenting and food & drink.  All the companies
in the directory are in some way mostly or completely environmentally friendly,
sustainable, fair trade, organic,  ethical and socially responsible.

Book
of Green is intended to show everybody how to easily reduce their carbon
footprint, live a healthy lifestyle and make  a personal positive 
impact on the environment by integrating truly ethical products and services
into their daily home and family lives.

With
an initial print run of 30,000, the guide comes in a handy A5 format and is
printed in vegetable inks on 100% recycled paper.  An online flip magazine
version is also available at www.bookofgreen.com 
 Book of Green will be available in WH Smiths this July, attached to the
front of Permaculture Magazine as well as distributed across the UK in high
street eco stores, online eco stores, and at events during the summer as well
as at the Eden Project and the Kent Eco Village, the Kent Show by The
Ecologist, July 17-19.

Book
of Green is co-founded by Sue Jueno (founder of Allthingseco) and Katie Keegan
(founder of One Green Earth),
 whose combined experience of 6 years in the eco/ethical business arena
has given them the experience, knowledge and contacts to create a guide for
green living which everybody can trust.

“Being
green is more than reducing the threat of climate change, it’s also about
ethical trading and personal health.  The companies found within Book of
Green provide solutions across all sectors through their products &
services to help build a positive foundation for your family’s future
generations,”  says Katie Keegan.

“With
credit crunch in mind and a passion for promoting green shoot businesses we
have made Book of Green extremely affordable to advertisers and free to the
public to show off exceptional companies that are solving environmental
problems and that will be leading us into the future,” says Sue Jueno.

FORTHCOMING NATIONAL TV
BBC’s Countryfile Sunday 26th April 2009
Channel 4’s Grand Designs Wednesday 29th April 2009
Also appearing at Channel 4’s Grand Designs Live, Excell Centre, London 1st May 2009
In 2003 Ben Law captivated the nation by building his woodland house on Channel 4’s Grand Designs – it has been repeated many times since and been voted the best ever Grand Design programme. Presenter Kevin McCloud said Ben was a born designer and  that his was the most watched (over 5 million viewers) programme of the original series. Kevin loved the project so much that he has written the foreword to this book!

Full of stunning colour photographs, this is a visual guide to how Ben built his outstandingly beautiful home in the woods. It is also a practical manual and the story of a man realising a lifetime’s dream to build one of the most sustainable and beautiful homes in Britain.

The Woodland House gives details of the evolving design process, the identifying of materials, costings, project management and the actual building. It proves that low cost, low impact and high aesthetics can go hand in hand and that it is possible to build green and to build affordably. The first hardback edition has sold over 10,000 copies and this new, edition has a seven year update of his home, with additional photographs of its extension.

What the Press have said about The Woodland House
“The quaint wooden house in Prickly Nut Wood is no fairytale concoction – it is an icon of the movement to combine ecology and ethics in design.” The Guardian
“A fascinating chronicle of a dream. It’s to the point, with clear photography links and information.” Good Woodworking
“Ben Law’s home has become an iconic and inspirational example of how to live lightly but with style.” www.0footprint.org
“This book is well organised, very readable, with beautiful pictures and useful appendices including organisations, resources
and technical drawings.” Agrofoestry Research
“An inspiring story. A valuable tale of an extraordinary home.” Smallwoods
“Full of stunning colour photographs, this is a visual guide to how Ben built his outstandingly beautiful home.” Permaculture Works
“A great read for those interested in the idea of self build projects.” Design4Design.com
“One of Grand Designs most popular builders.” Grand Designs Magazine
“Superb photos of the building process and finished house accompany the text.” Building For A Future
“One of the more inspiring tales on Grand Designs, the series that charts the highs and lows of self-buildrers.” The Times

The Author
Ben Law is an innovative woodsman of 20 years and a woodlands expert held in the highest regard and author of two other
titles, The Woodland Way – A Permaculture Approach to Sustainable Woodland Management and The Woodland Year.

The Publisher
Permanent Publications is one of the UK’s leading publishers of information concerning all aspects of sustainability. Queens Award
winners in 2008, they have been publishing for 16 years and have an essential backlist of titles encouraging self-reliance.
ISBN: 978 1 85623 044 5 PAGES: 104pp SIZE: 250 x 220mm BINDING: paperback
ILLUSTRATIONS: 107 colour photographs, 10 line drawings and 3 tables. PRICE: £14.95
Ben’s books and the complete backlist are available from:
Permanent Publications, The Sustainability Centre, East Meon, Hampshire GU32 1HR, UK
Tel: 01730 823 311. Email: tony@permaculture.co.uk Web: www.permaculture.co.uk
Distributed by Central Books (www.centralbooks.com) Tel: 0845 458 9911

Introduction to self-building an Earthship - A two-day course
This course is for anyone thinking about building their own home and anyone interested in learning about Earthships. It is suitable for complete beginners, as well as those who are familiar with Eco-building and want to know more.
15th-16th September 2009 – NOW TAKING BOOKINGS

For full details and bookings please visit:

www.brightonpermaculture.co.uk

Introduction to self-building an Earthship – A two-day course
This course is for anyone thinking about building their own home and
anyone interested in learning about Earthships. It is suitable for
complete beginners, as well as those who are familiar with Eco-building
and want to know more.
12th-13th September 2009 – NOW TAKING BOOKINGS
For full details and bookings please visit:
www.brightonpermaculture.co.uk

Renewable energy enthusiasts invited to share their expertise (and win a wattson)

The experience and enthusiasm of people who have installed renewable
energy (such as solar panels, biomass boilers or wind turbines) in
their home is at the heart of YouGen’s remit of
helping make it easy for people to navigate a complex new market and
choose wisely.

Research* shows that people have difficulty in finding impartial, informed advice about renewable energy; that 91 per cent look at the internet for advice; and that they want an installer who is knowledgeable, trustworthy, reliable and preferably local. YouGen will use social media to provide a one stop shop for renewable energy.

‘We’re calling on people who have installed renewable energy or made their house more energy efficient to register on the site now, ready for the user-generated section which goes live after Easter,’ says founder Cathy Debenham.  ‘To encourage them, we’re entering everyone who registers before Easter into a draw to win a wattson – the stylish energy meter from DIY Kyoto.

‘Renewable energy is a really confusing market, and most of the early adopters have a story to tell. While their original motivation may have been to reduce energy bills, or for energy security or environmental protection, renewable energy often fascinates people in a way they don’t expect. It engages you with the energy you use, bringing you closer to nature and more aware of its power.’

Companies serving the domestic renewable energy, microgeneration and energy efficiency markets are also invited to register, and they too will be able to add profiles once the user-generated section of the site goes live after Easter.

The YouGen site currently consists of independently researched information, which prides itself in giving practical information, cutting through the jargon and making it easy for people to see if a technology is suitable for their home. The blog has regular contributions from YouGen Energy Experts who are professionals in their field, and are happy to answer questions. It covers energy efficiency as well as renewable energy.

Recent blog posts include:

• Will feed-in tariffs deliver for us?

• Calculators shed light on renewable choices

• Fascinating facts about wood

• Insulation is king

For more information contact:

Cathy Debenham, e: cathy@yougen.co.uk, t: 01395 597879
YouGen – renewable energy made easy – www.yougen.co.uk

Take the hassle out of living a greener and more sustainable lifestyle

Eco Concierge, launched today, is offering a new green lifestyle
service, helping people live in a more sustainable and eco-friendly
way.  The new service gives consumers expert advice and assistance on
making the right green and ethical choices, helping people to save
time, money and the planet.

As part of the new service, Eco Concierge lifestyle managers meet with clients and help them create and deliver an action plan that reduces their environmental impact in a way that fits with their lifestyle, values and priorities.   This can range from a complete lifestyle review covering home, shopping and travel, to advice on one off events such as organising a green wedding, an eco holiday or environmentally friendly building renovation.

After calculating their current ecological footprint, Eco Concierge gives clients a free quote outlining the environmental and financial savings they could make by becoming greener.  Clients are then supported with practical input and new ideas including making green choices, researching and project managing the best eco suppliers and negotiating discounts on a wide range of environmentally friendly products and services.

Kirsten Jack, founder of Eco Concierge says, “I set up this company because I know people want to do the right thing, they are just very busy and don’t get round to doing all the things they’d like to do. Armed with the right information and encouragement, our clients are able to make changes that bring new ideas into their lives, help the environment and save money.”

Eco Concierge has the tools to make a quick but thorough analysis of clients’ personal values, motivations and current eco behaviours.  This means that each service is uniquely tailored to be both motivating and accessible for clients.

Eco Concierge draws on a considerable pool of expertise in finding the right information, products and services for clients at discounted prices.  Lifestyle management packages start from £25 a month; a full lifestyle overhaul is £199. For more information or to request a free quote, customers can visit www.ecoconcierge.org or get in touch with Kirsten@ecoconcierge.org or call 07505 480903.

Ends

Notes to editors

There are three main services, with all clients offered a free quote and a starter pack with freebies and discounts specifically relevant to them. The Quick Fix service is a ‘lifestyle overhaul’ and costs £199.  A bespoke solution is designed that delivers the footprint changes the client is interested in and shows the total money and planets saved.

The One Planet Living service is a monthly drop in support service to helping clients at busy points in their year, for £25 a month. This could include helping to organise a child’s birthday party, helping with ethical investment decisions or booking a summer holiday.

Conscious Living is a service for busy people who know what they want and simply need support to make it happen.  It may be a low impact home renovation, a gift for a busy person, or help to make your garden a wildlife haven.  The service is charged on an hourly rate of £35, with reductions for longer jobs.  

The initial free consultation takes a maximum of 30 minutes and can be done face to face or virtually. A follow consultation on booking to understand clients’ needs normally takes approximately 90 minutes. From there, the client chooses how much they want to be involved in tracking actions taken on their behalf – Eco Concierge can offer detailed information about the reasons behind their decisions or they can simply get on with delivering the actions – depending on the client’s preference.

Eco Concierge aims to do well by doing good and takes its own sustainable operation as well as its support of individuals and businesses seriously. Its mission is to have a net positive effect on the world and to be authentic, honest, transparent and fair.

Kirsten Jack has a relevant MSc and is an Associate of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment.  She has seven years experience working in the environment sector – across business, charity and government sectors in the UK and internationally.

For more information
For an appointment with Kirsten Jack, founder of Eco Concierge, photography, case studies, or interviews, please contact:

Jo Marino – 07932 403555
The Spring Consultancy
jomarino@thespringconsultancy.com

Anna Guyer – 07976 556164
The Spring Consultancy
annaguyer@thespringconsultancy.com

Children can learn more through practical fun than textbooks. The
launch of educational games kits to demonstrate renewable energy will
provide children with the start that could simultaneously address two
new government objectives. Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children,
Schools and Families, is determined to improve educational standards
and also wants parents to take a more practical involvement in the
schooling process.

Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for the Department of Energy and Climate Change, wants UK homes to concentrate on renewable energy to have virtually no carbon emissions by 2050. Ultimately passing the responsibility to our children we need to make sure their education includes practical experience of renewable energy to help meet this laudable objective.

Children need to see renewable energy devices in action and understand how efficient and essential these are for the future. Introducing them to alternative energy sources will fire their interest and commitment to both Ed’s policies.

The educational games website www.keen2learn.co.uk has just introduced a new range dedicated to renewable energy. Already selling a comprehensive range of educational games to schools and parents in support of the National Curriculum, the new energy resource games allow children to see wind, solar and fuel cell power in action.

Alistair Owens, managing director of keen2learn, explained, “These educational games kits give children first hand fun experience in seeing how a wind turbine or solar photovoltaic cell works. The kits are supplied with measuring equipment and worksheets to follow a variety of experiments”.

The renewable energy kits are not toys and need adult supervision making them ideal as a teaching resource in school, at home with parents or as a central theme through local councils or energy associations.  

Click here to visit the renewable energy page > > >

Ends

Keen 2 Learn Profile:

Research reveals that 75% of learning retention comes from practice compared to 30% retained from classroom teaching. Keen2learn is an Intel™ and Design Council award winning website established in 2006. Selling educational games, toys and board games developed by educationalist and ex-teachers to give a practical support to teaching.

The games meet the National Curriculum and bring fun into education. Keen2learn’ s by line is “Learning In Disguise.”

The games are played in class but also meet a growing demand to be played at home to support progress back in class. Covering all areas of the National Curriculum they provide a highly practical opportunity for parents and grandparents to give dynamic support to their children.

The products are sourced from over 50 suppliers and there is a growing demand from overseas.

For further information contact:

Alistair Owens
Managing Director Keen2learn
Tel :       01302 700962
Mob:       07716 515 808
Email:  alistair@keen2learn.co.uk
Web:    www.keen2learn.co.uk
Renewable Energy section:

Says ethical online gift store Boutiko

With Fair Trade Fortnight on the horizon, now is the perfect time to start thinking not only about buying ethically produced food, clothing and flowers, but also making a commitment to choosing products made in fair trade conditions as gifts.  

Online ethical gift store Boutiko sources beautiful, original gifts which are handmade in the UK or where sourced abroad, always in fair trade conditions, and often by small family run businesses, in order to help sustain local communities.

Their gifts are perfect for all occasions and the whole family, as well
as friends and colleagues, and for special occasions such as weddings
and christenings, as well as birthdays, Christmas and just plain old
heartfelt present-giving.

Tara Leaver of Boutiko says, “We choose fair trade products for our
customers because they are a double gift in a way. We think it’s
important to offer as much fair trade choice as possible, so that
customers know that buying a present for their friend is also helping
perhaps a group of disadvantaged women in Africa. It’s a win win
situation and it really does all help.”

Boutiko’s pick of the best fair trade gifts on offer for this special fortnight includes:

Ari Suede/Misali Metal & Sheesham Wooden Photograph frames

Handmade in luxurious soft brown suede coloured with natural vegetable
dyes and decorated with a stitched border, recycled aluminium and
sustainable Indian sheesham wood, the frames are made by a small UK
based company using traditional artisans from around the world and only
natural materials.  Their focus is on encouraging local community
initiatives and supporting fair trade.

Silk Taffeta Daisy Bags & matching Coin Purses & Jewellery Rolls
Available in brown, black and a striking blue, these matching items are
hand embroidered by a company in the UK who use a small family run
business in Vietnam to handmake them in fair trade conditions.
Bags  £29.99
Coin Purses  £6.99
Jewellery Rolls  £11.99

Silver silk sequin/vintage cotton photograph albums
Handmade by the same UK company as the photograph frames, these
stunning and unusual photograph albums are made from cotton and
recycled silk and sequins.  The inside paper is handmade from cotton,
and separation sheets from pulped banana skins to make a soft, gentle
paper.
Silver silk sequin £29.95
Vintage cotton £28.95

Black sequin heart with bow
This pretty handsewn padded heart with ribbon is handmade in India on a fair trade basis.  
£6.50

Boutiko was recently shortlisted for the Best Fair Trade Company in the
Green England Awards, and has been nominated for a Rising Star Award,
to be announced on 21st February 2009.

Fairtrade fortnight runs between 23rd February and 8th March.

Boutiko gifts are packaged in recycled/recyclable materials wherever
possible, and offer free giftwrapping and next day delivery as standard.

For these, and other unusual ethical gifts, please look at www.boutiko.co.uk

green energy uk – power out of demolished buildings

green energy uk, supplier of 100% renewable and 100% green electricity, is pleased to announce The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) as a new customer. RIBA joins a growing number of architects and building professionals illustrating their environmental credentials and reducing carbon emissions by switching their electricity supply to green energy uk.

Martin Pascoe, RIBA Head of Property and Facilities and in-house
architect, said about the switch: “The RIBA has adopted a robust
climate change policy. We have implemented many projects to address our
corporate behaviour and reduce our own environmental impact, and are
therefore delighted to have switched to green energy uk.”

Much of the electricity green energy uk supplies customers is generated
from waste materials, including construction and demolition waste. One
green energy uk generator partner, the Enviropower Plant in West
Sussex, aims to recycle 48,000 tonnes of construction and demolition
waste into electricity every year, enough to power up to 10,000 homes.
Historically, this would have sat in landfill, but recycling it into
electricity helps prevent its harmful greenhouse gasses from entering
the atmosphere. Green energy’s electricity also comes from wind, solar
and hydro generators.

green energy uk works closely with local authorities, architects and
builders in bringing to market surplus electricity generated from
energy development projects. In Scotland, two cleaner, greener CHP
units were recently installed by Aberdeen City Council to generate
subsidised heat and hot water for several large public buildings and
500 local homes, cutting residents’ heating bills by half. In addition,
the CHP units are generating electricity that is fed into the national
grid and made available though green energy uk. In Walsall, Caldmore
Housing Association has reduced service charges for some residents by
selling to green energy uk the surplus electricity generated by
photovoltaic panels on five blocks of flats.

green energy uk founder and Chief Executive, Doug Stewart, says the
building industry has an important role to play in helping the
government meet its projected target for reducing national carbon
emissions. “Incorporating energy saving measures into building
projects, and where possible embedded generation, is the most efficient
way for the nation to conserve energy. The electricity we supply is
green, but the greenest electricity of all is the electricity we don’t
use. The vast majority of electricity generated in the UK is brown and
comes from fossil fuels, and – this might sound mad given what we do -
if we lessen our demand for electricity, it will have a positive
environmental impact. It’s encouraging that as a member organisation,
RIBA is taking a vigorous stance.”

Cause + Affect are having a clearance sale until the end of January with 50% off all end of line t-shirts.

This means you can now get a 100% certified fair-trade organic t-shirt, including p&p for either £7.50 or £12.50.

To take a look at the sale items just click the link below:

CAUSE + AFFECT CLEARANCE SALE

Renewable energy website makes it easy for householders to choose

People who want to make their houses as low carbon as possible will benefit from a new website which aims to bring together all the advice people need in one place.

Ignorance and not knowing where to go for information are just two of the difficulties people new to energy efficiency and renewable energy face. YouGen helps them to overcome these barriers by providing well-researched, independent information and, for those who want to go into the subject in depth, it provides links to places where they can find more detailed information.

The lively renewable energy blog adds to the range of information available, and enables both individuals and suppliers to add comments and join in and discuss issues they are interested in. YouGen Energy Experts will write regularly about their technology, answering common questions and giving practical advice.

“I noticed that there was a gap in the information available when we were renovating our house and trying to make it as low carbon as possible,” says YouGen founder Cathy Debenham. “While it was easy to find information about how the various technologies work, it was more difficult to work out which was appropriate for our house, and almost impossible to assess the claims that suppliers were making and compare the products they offered.”

YouGen aims to plug that gap. The YouGen information and blog site is now live, and develpers are now building the online community section. It will enable people to add profiles, share their experiences, ask for advice and recommend their supplier. Companies will also be able to promote their products and services with a free profile.

“When they’re looking for a plumber or a builder most people ask a friend or colleague for recommendations,” adds Cathy. “In a market as new as renewable energy, it’s often not possible to do that. With user-generated content, YouGen aims to give people the comfort of word of mouth on the web.”

It’s easy to browse the information and blog at www.yougen.co.uk. The site is constantly being updated and new developments will be added regularly, so users are recommended to register on YouGen, so they are first to hear about new functionality.