New logo unveiled for high viz cycle jackets, and now even tiny tots can be seen on their bikes!

1 Less Car -who joined Ethical Junction this month – have just launched their new clearer and bolder STENCIL design on their range of unusual and exciting High Viz jackets for cyclists. They come in a wide choice of colours -red, orange, yellow, pink and green -a refreshing change from the usual bog standard high viz usually available.

Described by London Cycling Campaign’s magazine London Cyclist -as “ethical High Viz at its best” 1 less cycle jackets -with their bold, pro-cycling message, are made in a not-for-profit workers’ co-operative factory, not a sweatshop, and use water-based inks in a printing co-operative. The factory is in the UK, so they’re not shipped across the world before they get to us. And 50p from every sale goes to our local Bike Recycling Project, who rescue and repair old bikes.

As the nights “draw in”, why not get yourselves safe and bright when you’re cycling -and don’t forget we now do cute little jackets for kids as young as three, sitting on the back of your bike!

Greening our homes is a key priority for fighting climate change as well as cutting monthly bills. With new mortgage discounts of up to 1.25% from Ecology Building Society the financial incentives just got bigger!

Our homes currently consume three times as much energy as our usage of private cars, and account for over 27% of CO2 emissions. In short, our energy hungry and inefficient buildings are a major contributor to accelerating climate change.

Set this in the context of the continually rising price of gas and electricity, the plain fact is that the cost of warming our homes will keep going up. It therefore becomes clear that choosing an energy efficient property is becoming a key issue for homeowners.

Saving the amount of energy we use in our homes is a meaningful way to cut costs and carbon emissions and, alongside World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) the Ecology Building Society feel it should be a priority in the fight against climate change. That’s why, as the Committee on Climate Change proposes a 20% increase in the 2050 target for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the Ecology are launching a tiered range of mortgage discounts that reward and encourage energy efficient housing.

As well as saving on monthly energy bills, green home-owners can reap further financial benefits through rate discounts now accessible at the Ecology Building Society. The C-Change Sustainable Homes discounts (you’re right, the C stands for Carbon) offer between 0.5 and 1.25% off their Standard Variable Rate (SVR), depending on the energy rating a new or existing eco-home achieves – the higher the rating, the higher the discount. With the Ecology’s current SVR of 6.45% borrowers could currently be paying as little as 5.20%.

And, because the Ecology Building Society believes that improving the energy efficiency of homes is a long lasting solution to climate change the C-Change Sustainable Homes discount comes with a life-time guarantee.

So, unlike many other more ephemeral mortgage products on the market the C-Change discounts offer members a continued reduction in mortgage payments. Put this new benefit alongside cheaper bills and lower carbon output and it’s easy to see why a green home can be a real saver!

Ecology’s CEO, Paul Ellis, stresses; ‘Our C-Change discounts are there both to encourage developers to strive for sustainable excellence and to reward residential borrowers for making sustainable choices for their homes. By making the cost of our mortgages cheaper over the long term, together with our low and transparent fees, the Ecology is fighting hard to dispel the myth that there’s a premium to pay for being green.’

Ellis continues; ‘With spiralling energy prices it makes sense for homeowners to make sure their houses are as energy efficient as possible, and the C-Change discount helps borrowers save even more.’

Whilst Simon McWhirter, campaign manager at WWF reinforces the ecological significance of the C-Change Sustainable homes discounts “Low carbon homes are a key priority in the fight against climate change. This is a mortgage product with the potential to encourage some meaningful change by helping bring eco-homes further into the mainstream. These homes won’t just be kinder to the environment, but will be cheaper to run and will be infinitely more comfortable to live in.”

A major client of the Society, Green Lane Construction’s CEO Ronnie Nevell, summed up how the C-Change mortgage is becoming more relevant; “If homebuyers aren’t worried about reducing their carbon footprint, there are plenty who are worried about the impact of rising energy prices on their wallet!”

Interest in UK farmstay holidays has more than doubled in the past year* according to the world’s leading online ethical holiday company, responsibletravel.com.

The 106% increase in enquiries for the company’s UK farmstay accommodation collection – many of which are certified as organic – reflects a growing trend as more and more UK farmers are turning to travel and tourism – ‘agro tourism’ – as a means of subsidizing incomes**.

The news is announced during the Soil Association’s Organic Fortnight (6-21 September) and is welcomed by co-founder of the company, Justin Francis:

“Agro tourism is already very popular in many countries in Europe but I don’t think it has received the recognition it deserves yet in the UK. Across all industries, whether it be food or tourism, consumers want to have a more local and authentic experience. A farmstay holiday is a great chance to really experience life on a farm. They also offer the visitor a great opportunity to stay in beautiful surroundings, often in historic buildings and the chance to sample delicious local produce.”

Lizzie Myers, owner of Huntstile Organic Farm in Somerset, said:

“We’re an organic farm, producing organic oats for Jordan’s breakfast cereal and organic milk thistle for Neal’s Yard, among others. We’ve definitely noticed an increase in visitors this year. In particular, we’re seeing more young families with children who come to see where their food comes from and learn about growing food. They help us dig potatoes and collect eggs – the children love it! The income from the B&B helps us to continue our renovations on our fifteenth century farmhouse.”

Farmstay holidays

Autumn is a great time of year to visit a UK farmstay. It’s also the traditional time to head out into the countryside and go foraging for blackberries, chestnuts, sloes, mushrooms and the like. Check out five of responsibletravel.com’s best UK farmstay escapes below…

Peak District self catering cottages – from £250 – £690 per cottage, per week
This traditional farmhouse on an organic dairy farm in the beautiful Peak District National Park offers the chance to wake up to stunning views and the scent of fresh organic bread. The breakfast is lovingly prepared by your welcoming hosts, with homemade organic yoghurt and special local porridge, alongside food sourced from local and organic suppliers. Local honey is available too, and you can ‘Meet the Bees’ with honey man Mark.

Herefordshire farmstay accommodation  – from £40 per person, per night B&B
This award-winning self-catering and bed and breakfast accommodation is based on a working farm in Herefordshire. The welcome tea tray typically comes with home-made baking and fruit from the orchards, a range of teas and suggestions of local places to eat out. Depending on farm commitments, Jon, the owner, enjoys taking guests around the orchards, talking about the ancient names of the fields, the crops that are grown and his life as a third generation farmer.

Lake District organic bed & breakfast  – from £58 per double room per night including organic breakfast
This grade 2 listed property and farm in Cartmel has been certified by The Soil Association and operates an organic fruit and veg box scheme throughout Cumbria and North Lancashire. Owners Paul and Julia actively encourage visitors to get involved in farm life during their stay.

North Cornwall luxury accommodation - from £45 – £65 per person, per night  including organic breakfasts
Situated near Bude this is the UK’s first certified organic B&B in a beautifully restored Victorian house and converted coach house. Sample delicious home cooked food in the restaurant prepared with fresh organic produce from the gardens.  Enjoy the chic and elegant ensuite bedrooms with roll top baths, crisp white linen and antique beds.

Organic farmstay accommodation in Somerset  – from £50 per room per night B&B
This is a fascinating 15th century farmhouse offering comfortable B&B rooms, well equipped self-catering accommodation, and a very peaceful camping and tipi field. Activities on the farm and nearby can include walking, cycling, fishing, falconry (1:1 private tuition can be arranged), Wwoofing (Willing Workers on Organic Farms), and a Farm School.

See www.responsibletravel.com/farmstays

*Figures from customer data for the year September 2007-2008 compared to the same period in 2006-2007

**See DEFRA’s information for farmers on diversification: http://www.defra.gov.uk/FARM/working/diversify/index.htm

With rising food and fuel costs pushing UK inflation up to an 11-year high*, a quick trip to www.BigGreenSmile.com could help ease monthly outgoings. The new eco online store sells a wide range of green, recycled and eco-friendly products that actually allow you to save on the amount of energy and water you consume – helping you reduce your monthly outgoings.

BGS top credit crunch tips
BigGreenSmile.com sells the largest range of water saving products in the UK, including shower timers.  Shower timers monitor the time you spend in a shower and challenge you to reduce it. One extra minute in the shower uses around 9 litres of water, so by cutting down your lathering time, you also cut those nasty bills.

Wait until you have a full load before switching on the dishwasher and washing machine.

The weekly supermarket shop can be reduced by swapping washing powder for eco-balls, which are reusable for up to 1,000 washes and cost around 3p per wash, compared with 25p – 30p for traditional detergents.

Use the minimum amount of water required when boiling water or use an eco kettle. That way you’ll save energy, water and money.

Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth, shaving, washing your hands or washing the dishes, this can save up to 6 litres of water per minute and shave £ off your bills.

Wash vegetables and fruit in a bowl rather than under a running tap and use the water collected for watering pot plants.
Eco-friendly bulbs, available on the site, use 25watts of energy but put out a daylight equivalent of 100watts and remember that a laptop uses 70% less energy than a desktop computer.

Nicholas Buhler, BigGreenSmile.com Director, said, "Today’s news about rising inflation rates means we really need to look at how we can save money. We sell a wide range of products that help change the way we consumer energy and water.

BigGreenSMile.com allows people to make small changes in the way they consume and shop so they can help cut their outgoings and protect the planet at the same time."*http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7506940.stm