BUILDING WITH RAMMED EARTH AND CHALK A two-day course

This hands-on course is for those who want to learn how to build with earth or chalk and should be of value to designers too.

22 – 23 May 2010 (Saturday – Sunday)

Earthship Brighton, Stanmer Park, Brighton BN1 9PZ

www.brightonpermaculture.org.uk

PRUNING OLD FRUIT TREES A two-day course

Hands-on course that teaches how to improve the health and productivity of old fruit trees by appropriate pruning.
Course 1:  Saturday 15 – Sunday 16 January 2011

Course 2: Tuesday 18 – Wednesday 19 January 2011

Stanmer Park, Brighton BN1 9PZ

www.brightonpermaculture.org.uk

BUILDING SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES – A PERMACULTURE DESIGN COURSE

This course looks at how we can design human ‘ecosystems’, working collaboratively with one another to care for the planet and ourselves.

January – May 2011 13 weekend days, dates to be confirmed.

Earthship Brighton, Stanmer Park, Brighton BN1 9PZ and locations in and around Brighton

www.brightonpermaculture.org.uk

Brighton Permaculture Trust is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Led from Manchester NEW FRONTIERS has embarked on a journey to stimulate truly sustainable design solutions fit for the social and environmental challenges of the 21st Century. It will capture, catalyse and create ideas and innovation, from architecture to urban design to materials engineering to product design.

The brainchild of futurologist and design scientist Melissa Sterry and developed in partnership with environmental scientist Matt Prescott, NEW FRONTIERS is working with leading universities, professional institutions, NGOs, government agencies and pioneering global brands to embed a strong understanding of sustainability; form new collaborations; and promote the best innovation for this new and fast-moving sector. 

Designed to convert ideas into action, NEW FRONTIERS will focus on interdisciplinary collaboration, knowledge sharing, capacity building and public discourse. Its programme comprises seminars at venues around Manchester, scholarships, a participative digital platform and other planned elements, culminating in a prestigious biennial national prize.

Judged by leading experts including Zac Goldsmith and Michael Pawlyn, the NEW FRONTIERS Prize will help to provide economic stimulus, raise the profile of many crucial disciplines not always directly connected to sustainability and help to progress of ideas and projects of true quality and value.

The NEW FRONTIERS panel

Zac Goldsmith, Professor Lorna Walker, Michael Pawlyn, Dr. Rachel Armstrong, Professor Neil Spiller, Lynda Relph-Knight, Dr. Tim Fox, Professor Rachel Cooper, Professor Erik Bichard, Dr. Beth Perry, Dr. Richard Miller, Leonora Oppenheim, John Thackara, Dr. Tuba Kocaturk, Mike Reardon, Dr. Vicky Lofthouse, Dr. Mike Pitts, Angharad Thomas, Matt Prescott, Dr. Angela Lee, Melissa Sterry, Sophie Thomas.

NEW FRONTIERS partners

University of Salford (primary academic partner), Royal Society of Chemistry, Institution of Mechanical Engineers, University of Manchester, Loughborough University, Chemistry Innovation, Centre for Construction Innovation, Centre for the Built and Urban Environment, Eco Connect, Mickey & Mallory, CURB, 100% natural media, Societás, What Women Make.

Find our more about NEW FRONTIERS at http://www.newfrontiers.uk.com

Societás 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

At the end of 2009 I was fortunate enough to attend the Seacourt Seminar  – ‘Sustainability….Moving Forwards’. The seminar promised to look at exciting new movements in sustainable practices, from energy and investments to communications and zero-waste.  
 
Seacourt are a “naturally responsible” print company, who have worked their way to being virtually 100% zero waste over the last 40+ years.  As the primary person responsible for moving Allen & York towards being a fully sustainable company, I am always looking for new innovative ideas on how we can reduce, recycle and reuse more of our waste.
 
The speakers featured David Kidney MP from the Department of Climate Change & Energy, Peter Maddox from WRAP, Stile Jensen from Radley Yeldar (an award winning business communications expert) and Jim Dinnage, the MD of Seacourt – however without a shadow of a doubt the highlight of the day was Professor Jim Barber from Imperial College who expounded the innovative process of creating a bio-fuel using the the ‘Artificial Leaf’ theory.  
 
Professor Barber is an expert in photovoltaic science and in his lecture to the Seacourt audience he explained the method of ‘creating’ energy as a leaf would in nature, similar to the process of photosynthesis, in order to produce a renewable source of energy.   The process would involve the splitting of Water (H2O) into Oxygen and Hydrogen – the hydrogen then being turned into bio-fuel and the water a harmless bi-product.  
 
According to Professor Barber, if artificial photosynthesis systems could use around 10 per cent of the sunlight falling on them, they would only need to cover 0.16 per cent of the Earth’s surface to satisfy a global energy consumption rate of 20 terawatts, the amount it is predicted that the world will need in 2030.
 
The main issue is not whether the ‘theory’ is possible, as it has been proven to work, but rather at there has been a lack of investment given to its development, to enable this type of bio-fuel to be produced on a mass scale.
 
Professor Barber pointed out that the future is not nuclear (you would need to build a nuclear power station every week for the next 10 years to supply the world’s energy supply) but instead it could be a truly sustainable solution, such as extracting hydrogen from water!
 
Professor Barber left us with the Jules Verne quote “I foresee that in the future, water will be used as fuel… water will be the coal of the future.”  – who would have thought that a 19th Century French science fiction writer would become such a visionary.

Allen & York are leading recruiters, working in the field of Renewable Energy, Climate Change and Carbon Management.  If you are a professional in this field please contact us to progress your career or to find you the best professionals in the business.
 
For more information about Professor Barber & the ‘Artificial Leaf’ please visit http://www.bio.imperial.ac.uk/research/barber/people/jbarber.html

For more information about Allen & York please visit; www.allen-york.com

Allen & York is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Warren Evans has triumphed at The Growing Business Awards 2009. The award winning bed retailer was named Green Business of the Year 2009.

The London-based bespoke bed maker business beat stiff competition from E-Stack, Good Energy, pall-Ex and Wiles Greenworld to win the Green Business of the Year category.

The Growing Business Awards, organised by Caspian Publishing, celebrates the best entrepreneurial and business talent in the UK. The awards are judged by leading business figures including Dragon’s Den star Theo Paphitis, John Caudwell, founder of Phones4U and Sir Andrew Cahn, chief executive of UKTI.

Warren Evans, founder and designer, is delighted at the win. He says: “It’s an honour to be named the greenest business in the UK. We are constantly looking at new and innovative ways to make the business as sustainable as possible. Over the past three years, we have invested in innovative low energy appliances for our workshop and our stores, working in conjunction with Envirowise, The Carbon Trust and Business Link. We’re thrilled to win this award.”

This is the third award this year for Warren Evans – earlier this year, they also picked up a Sunday Times Best Green Companies Award and an Observer Ethical Award.

Sustainability has been at the heart of Warren’s philosophy since he established the company over 30 years ago. And over the past three years, Warren has worked hard to ensure that measurable changes are made in store and to his team’s day-to-day working practices to minimise the impact that his business has on the environment. These include:

• Moving to a new and unique sustainable workshop, With help from an interest-free loan by the Carbon Trust, Warren was able to make this super green by purchasing environmentally friendly equipment including a bio-mass boiler and intelligent wood cutting machinery to minimise waste
• Consulting Government green body ‘Envirowise’ and government funded service Business Link for practical advice on efficiencies such as workflow, machinery and gaining staff support
• Avoiding packaging; Warren only wraps his beds and furniture in reusable blankets rather than cardboards or plastics, minimising unnecessary waste
• Signing up to pioneering carbon management schemes, including London Green500 and the 10:10 Initiative
• He is still the only bed maker in the UK to be officially certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, which means that all beds and furniture are made using wood from renewable sources 
• All staff uniforms are also fair-trade; Warren ensures that all t-shirts are made from organic cotton, while the fleeces are made from recycled material
• Only using recycled stationery, including envelopes made from elephant poo!

 This has resulted in:

• Office recycling increasing by 50%
• Water usage reduced by 38%
• Disposals reduced by 5%

 The awards ceremony was held on Thursday evening at the London Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square, London, with Warren Evans receiving the prize from award sponsors Stephen Pegge of high street bank Lloyds TSB and Julie Meyer of Ariadne Capital.

For interviews with Warren Evans or images please contact Sophia at PR4 on 020 7637 1237 or Sophia@pr4.com.

Warren Evans is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

This one day event is a celebration of 10 years of Earthships in Europe

Saturday 19 June 2010

For full details & online reservation please visit: http://www.brightonpermaculture.org.uk

Brighton Permaculture Trust is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

This course is for anyone thinking about building their own home and anyone interested in learning about Earthships and includes practical workshops

21-23 April 2010

For full details & online reservation please visit: http://www.brightonpermaculture.org.uk

Brighton Permaculture Trust is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

This course is for anyone thinking about building their own home and anyone interested in learning about Earthships and includes practical workshops

16-18 April 2010

For full details & online reservation please visit: http://www.brightonpermaculture.org.uk

Brighton Permaculture Trust is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

The best that the East of England has to offer came together at the awards ceremony on the 29th of October 2009 at Ickworth Hall in Bury St. Edmunds to battle it out for awards and accolades in this year’s regional awards for Excellence. Deepdale Leisure was nominated in the category for Sustainable tourism and faced tough competition from Fairhaven Woodland and Water Gardens in South Walsingham and Pinetrees Bed and Breakfast in Suffolk. It is a contest that gets more difficult year upon year as businesses realise the impact that they have on the local environment and economy and take steps to maximise the positive aspects whilst minimizing the negative ones, but in a close fought contest Deepdale Leisure was awarded the prize.

Sustainable tourism is an industry committed to making a low impact on the environment and local culture, while helping to generate income and employment for local people. The aim of sustainable tourism is to ensure that development is a positive experience for local people; tourism companies; and tourists themselves.

Deepdale Backpackers and Camping has strived to fully encapsulate this ethos into its development from the very beginning. Starting as a single camping paddock back in 1979 used only through July and August, a summer project has grown into a worthy representative of sustainable tourism.

Deepdale has in place many environmentally friendly schemes to aid in waste reduction, recycling, use of renewable energies, and water consumption reduction. Solar heating systems reduce the use of fossil fuels on a site that runs year round. Waterless urinals, and low flow taps and showers reduce the precious resource that we take for granted, and integrating local suppliers into the business where ever possible reduces fuel consumption and costs for delivery or collection whilst also increasing the business generated in the surrounding area. The development of several permissive footpaths around the local farm land has improved access for residents and tourists, as well as improves safety statistics on the local roads for walkers and cyclists.

Deepdale also runs environmental events such as our conservation weekend, and Earthday. Both are annual events which attract a lot of interest from all over the country and help to raise awareness and levels of education about global warming, the impact of fossil fuel burning, and ways that we can all help to reduce our impact on the world we live in.

“We take our responsibilities seriously here at Deepdale and know that we are an integral part of the local community and the global community. Without the support of the residents the development of Deepdale would have been much more difficult and without Deepdale, the local community would not have the same access to facilities that they do now. Globally the use of non-sustainable fuels and the use of non-recycled, imported goods is something we try very, very hard to avoid.” said Louise Smith, the managing director. “We have been very lucky in the support we have received and we are very grateful for it.”

As winners of the East of England regional award, Deepdale Leisure is now nominated for the National Sustainable tourism award.

Last year’s winner of this prestigious award for sustainable tourism were The Venus Company. The Venus mission is to be the greenest beach cafe and shop operator. We will strive to minimise the harmful effects and maximise the beneficial influences which our activities have on the environment.

Here at Deepdale we hope to be worthy competitors for such an auspicious award. ‘We don’t inherit the World; we borrow it from our children…At Deepdale we intend to look after it until we return it.’

For more information about Deepdale Backpackers and Camping please visit us on line at www.deepdalebackpackers.co.uk

For more information or images of Deepdale please contact:

Andrea Bramhall
andrea@deepdalebackpackers.co.uk
07799764903

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

Add your travel tip for the chance to win a signed print from award winning wildlife photographer Andy Rouse

Tourism Western Australia and responsibletravel.com are creating an insider’s guide to Western Australia (WA), including the best sustainable tours and places to stay and travel secrets from locals. As part of this we are searching for the best travel tips and photos from anyone who has travelled in Western Australia to be part of this online guide.

The best tip or photo will win a place in the guide and a signed print of their choice from world renowned wildlife photographer Andy Rouse, who had his first taste of Western Australia earlier this year. His tips on visiting Western Australia’s Ningaloo Reef will also be part of the guide. The runner up will win a signed copy of Andy’s Living Landscapes book.

Western Australia might be Australia’s largest state, taking up almost a third of the country, but in many ways it is also the most undiscovered. Geographers are still mapping islands off the northwest coast; scientists are still discovering new species of flora and fauna and traditionally tourists headed east. This means its 12,500km of pearly-white coastline, rugged outback and lush forests teaming with rare wildlife are unspoilt and travellers can often experience the extraordinary scenery all to themselves.

The insider’s guide, which will launch on 9th November, highlights the best natural and cultural experiences in Western Australia, from camping in national parks and swimming with turtles at Ningaloo Reef to learning more about the aboriginal heritage which surrounds the ochre and black stripped domes of the Bungle Bungles. It goes beyond a normal guide with video and podcasts featuring insider tips from locals on where to go and what to do.

All accommodation and tours featured are selected on the basis of a rigourous responsible travel policy and ability to offer a distinctive travel experience that benefits the local community, while sustaining the area’s natural and cultural heritage.

Christie Lord, Tourism Western Australia’s UK Marketing Manager added: “Tourists increasingly want more authentic and locally distinctive holiday experiences. We want to bring together insider knowledge from locals with advice from other travellers to help tourists to discover Western Australia’s best experiences. Whether it’s the best snorkeling spot on Ningaloo Reef or an amazing local restaurant, it’s about having an unforgettable experience which also benefits local communities and supports conservation.”

To enter, got to the competition page on IKnowAGreatPlace.com, add your tips and insider knowledge or upload your favourite snaps. When choosing tags, make sure you include Western Australia competition under ‘Select activities’. If you are not already a member, registering is free and easy. Closing date for competition is midnight on Friday 5th November 2009. Entries will be judged on originality and insight.

http://www.iknowagreatplace.com/ offers:

• Forums – find answers to your questions from travellers and locals


• Tips – swap ideas on great places to visit and great things to see and do


• Photos – upload albums and inspire others with great images of your travels


• Diaries – record your travel tales and stay connected with family and friends whilst on the road


• Travel companions – meet people to travel with on your next adventure