Celebrate with Ethical.TV the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People!

“The world’s indigenous peoples – 370 million in 70 countries — are the custodians of some of the most biologically diverse areas on earth. They speak a majority of the world’s languages, and their traditional knowledge, cultural diversity and sustainable ways of life make an invaluable contribution to the world’s common heritage.”

                                      Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General

How much do you know about Indigenous People?
The United
Nations General Assembly decided that the International Day of the
World’s Indigenous People shall be observed on 9 August every year.

Find out more and watch some good stories about indigenous people:

Connectivity of the Indigenous People in the Americas (click here)

In Latin America there are around 50 million indigenous people.

History’s B-Sides (Lado B de la historia) (click here)
History’s B-Sides explores past events whose effects continue to resonate in the present.

Ecuador: A model of Green Enterprise (click here)

How to balance development and conservation in Ecuador.

Visit Ethical.TV to watch more films related with this issue.
    How much do you know about Indigenous People?

The International Day of the Co-operatives (4th July)

This
year the theme focuses on the fact that co-operatives are enterprises
that can effectively contribute to global economic recovery, but also
that these enterprises will do so in respect of the co-operative values
and principles which guide their operations.

Burma Video Journalists (click here)

The Co-op is bringing to life the award-winning film Burma VJ.

The Story of the Fenwik Weavers Co-operative (click here)
Local Fenwick weaver Thomas Barr meets a stranger in the Kings Arms one cold winter’s night in 1763.

Empowerment for Women (click here)
Kuapa Kokoo involves women in all decision making.
    The International Day of the Co-operatives (4th July)

What’s new on Ethical.TV?

Entrepreneurs in Developing Countries (click here)
European Union supports those who want to start a business.

Help Connect the World Through Music (click here)
This is an introduction to the Playing For Change Foundation.

Just Coffee (click here)
A look at the biggest fair trade certification labels on the market.

A Commitment to Health in a Borrowed Land (click here)
“Sex Education and STI and HIV prevention” project in the Saharan refugees camps of Tindouf.
    What’s new on Ethical.TV?

Do you have any new ideas or comments about Ethical.TV?

Get
involved and let us know what do you think about Ethical.TV. What kind
of films and features would you like to enjoy on Ethical.TV? Send us
your ideas, suggestions and comments to: info@ethical.tv !

Send us films and news of your organisation.

Do
you want to create your organisation’s own channel on Ethical.TV?
Ethical.TV will work with you from concept through delivery to create
your own.

Your organisation has a film to be made?
Ethical.TV can help by providing you with industry filming experts from
camera, editing to final delivery.
    Do you have any new ideas or comments about Ethical.TV?

Contact us:

Tania Pramschufer

tania@ethical.tv – (0044) 131 226 2674 / 07914 254 334

Katie Williamson

katie@ethical.tv – (0044) 131 226 2689 / 07712 647 664

For more information about Hand Up Media click here

Thank you,

www.ethical.tv

Wakispeepee.co.uk
is a new greetings card, posters, wallpaper and wrapping paper outfit.
Designs printed on 100% recycled card using vegetable based inks, even
the clear bags are compostable. Cards can be bought in any quantity
online. Shipping is free in the UK. Click here to shop at wakispeepee.co.uk

To view the whole newsletter click here

Back
to work, Simon de Glanville left the pigeons
in Peckham and headed for sunny Somerset for a seven day photo shoot
of Myakka’s fair trade furniture and home accessories. Myakka’s
annual photo shoot is on Simon’s professional calendar, whereas the
recent national media coverage he received for his photos of London’s
pigeons were taken in his spare time!

The
Myakka
annual photo shoot is an intense week providing the imagery required
for their new catalogue which will be released in the autumn. The
images are also used to promote their latest new products through
their ecommerce website.

“We
have worked with Simon for four
years now and the results we achieve are fantastic. The shoot is
intense and exhausting, but we have a lot of fun along the way!”
comments Georgie Hopkins, Director of Myakka.

Four
beautiful old English properties were used as locations including the
impressive Marston House. The manor house on the outskirts of Frome
was restored in 1984 by the Foster Yeoman family and is currently
used as parent company Aggregate Industries head quarters.

As
with every year,
the smooth running of the shoot is all in the planning which takes
many weeks of preparation prior to Simon arriving with his cameras.
Now the shoot has been completed the catalogue designers are busily
compiling the new Myakka catalogue ready for release in September.

“We
jokingly suggested Simon train the pigeons
he photographs in Peckham! Carrier pigeons would be a very
environmentally friendly way of distributing our new catalogues
across the country, although utilising his training methods we would
get through a lot of kebabs!”
said Georgie.

Myakka
tailors the designs of their furniture for the British market. All
the furniture is made in northern India by skilled craftsman using
the latest German computer controlled machinery ensuring the quality
is second to none. Myakka is an ethical business following fair
trade principles and is a recognised importer and retail member of
BAFTS (British Association of Fair Trade Shops). With a
sophisticated ecommerce website, a Warehouse Outlet in Wincanton,
Somerset and a comprehensive mail order catalogue, Myakka has a large
database of loyal customers across the UK. This summer Myakka is
celebrating a decade of business with a huge 10^th
Birthday Summer Sale.

For
more information about the shoot, Simon de Glanville and Myakka visit
their news blog at www.furniture-home.myakka.co.uk/
or the online shop at www.myakka.co.uk.

Here
at NeonCollective.com we
are all about killer heels without the kill. Neon Collective is the
world’s first one-stop shop for high-end vegan accessories. We aim
to shatter the misconception that vegans aren’t fashionable and
provide green alternatives for the modern
shopper.

We
feel passionate that fabulous footwear can be free of leather and all
other animal products but even if you don’t give a stuff about Daisy
the cow, the leather tanning industry is one of the most polluting
industries on Earth. So we are joining Paul and Stella McCartney on
their ‘Meat Free Monday’ campaign (supportmfm.org) to prove that by
cutting down on leather, meat and any other animal products, you are
making a positive step to promote animal welfare and are directly
cutting CO2 emissions.

Throughout
July NeonCollective.com will be specially discounting a
different style of killer heels each Monday.

“I
think many of us feel helpless in the face of environmental
challenges, and it can be hard to know how to sort through the advice
about what we can do to make a

meaningful
contribution to a cleaner, more sustainable, healthier world.

Having
one designated meat free day a week is actually a meaningful change

that
everyone can make” Sir
Paul McCartney

Kicking
off on Monday 6^th
July with the seriously stylish BALANCE £90 (was £139).

There
will be a new offer next Monday 13^th
so shop now if you just have to bag a pair of these beauties at this
special, one-off price!

The Eco Chic Wedding & Home Show is coming to town
Sunday 8 March 2009
Birmingham

Couples in search of inspiration for forthcoming nuptials can plan a wedding that makes a difference at the 2009 Eco Chic Wedding & Home Show.

The beautiful Birmingham Botanical Gardens in leafy Edgbaston will provide the setting for the Show organised by Ethical Weddings, GreenFinder, and Just the Thing Gift Registry, with support from Our Green Wedding List and the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

The show will invite carefully selected suppliers across the ethical wedding & home spectrum to exhibit their products and services, from green gift lists to recycled stationery, fair trade favours to seasonal flowers.Katie Fewings, Director of Ethical Weddings says:

“In these credit crunching times, couples may just think ‘ethical’ means ‘expensive’ without investigating further. In fact, many of the tips to plan an eco chic wedding – from finding a dress you can wear again to sending e-vites – can actually save you money, while ethical wedding suppliers offer services and products at prices comparable to the mainstream, of excellent quality and that come with a conscience!

“We hope couples will come along to the show to discover for themselves how they can get eco chic and still have a wallet-friendly wedding.” Just the Thing’s Michelle Bernhardi-Toner added: “As a company that caters to soon-to-be-wed couples across the board, we have definitely seen an increase in demand for our green services, so we’re excited to be joined at the show by other suppliers who access the mainstream wedding market but are also proud of their blooming green credentials.”

The organisers have chosen to include the ‘home’ element to show that going green isn’t just about one day. As Kate Haines, Founder of GreenFinder says:

“Whether couples are living together already or setting up home for the first time, most see their wedding as marking a new beginning, the chance to make some changes. Visiting the home exhibitors at the show means they can think beyond ‘the big day’ to how they can make a more eco-friendly married life together – and save money in the process with all those energy-saving gadgets!”

As well as a wide range of exhibitors, experts will be on hand to share their top tips, and a bridalwear catwalk show is sure to entertain the ethical fashionistas.

Main contact (including to request an Exhibitor Pack):
Kate Haines – 01926 832939
Kate@GreenFinder.co.uk

The Green Girls Global blog launches a range of organic cotton Tee shirts

Green Girls Global (GGG), hosted and managed by Vicky at ethical web design company Make Hay, is an environmental blog featuring editors from all over the world.

GGG have just released a brand new line of stylish organic cotton t-shirts. The tees come in 7 different designs all about living a more sustainable life. They are available in various unisex styles, sizes and colours. Visit the Make Hay blog to find out more.

To celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight, Bags of Change is offering £5 off every fairly traded rubber bag sold via its website: www.bagsofchange.co.uk

In addition, £1 from every rubber bag sale will be donated to Survival, the tribal people’s charity.

Don’t forget to sign up for the free Bags of Change e-newsletter for exclusive offers and tips on ethical shopping in the UK.

Bags of Change are the only eco-bags that actually save you money on your shopping. Shop with one of the distinctive bags and get up to 10% off Fairtrade, organic and local products at more than 60 affiliated retailers in the UK.

Visit the website Bagsofchange.co.uk to see the full range of bags and affiliated ethical stores – a great place to source your Fairtrade products during Fairtrade Fortnight and all year round.

Show you love your Valentine – and the planet – with ethical gifts from Boutiko!

Though Christmas is barely over, the tree packed away and the cards (hopefully!) recycled, buying gifts and presents is back on the agenda!! With Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and even Easter fast approaching, not to mention birthdays and weddings galore – it’s now time to look for special gifts which are not only beautiful and express your emotions, but also come lovingly hand-made, ethically and environmentally produced and packaged, and even gift-wrapped for free!

Specialist on-line ethical gift store Boutiko – www.boutiko.co.uk – has a range of stunning gifts perfect for up-coming special days for Valentine’s and Mother’s Day – all made to the highest possible environmental standards. Boutiko offers free giftwrapping and next day delivery.

Great for new mothers on Mother’s Day – as well as loved ones for Valentine’ Day:
Chiming Heart Earrings (£20 – £18 till end January) – ideal for a First Mother’s Day – as these enchanting balls create a particularly soothing sound for babies. These handmade silver-plated earrings on sterling silver hooks resemble Mayan music balls following a tradition of several centuries. They are used for relaxation and in meditation or simply carried for their enchanting sounds! Each music ball is made by hand and no two will sound the same.

Perfect for lover, mother – or even a wedding gift!
Handmade Wooden Signs (£25) – four designs, saying Dream, Home, Love or Mr & Mrs
New to Boutiko – these gorgeous, unique signs are handmade using reclaimed wood and water-based paints, and distressed for an age-old vintage look.

Women of any age will love these:
Daisy / Dragonfly Jewellery Roll (£11.99)
Gorgeous hand-embroidered silk and satin jewellery rolls made in Vietnam under fair trade conditions, small enough to squeeze into a corner of a suitcase or overnight bag, they contain three internal zipped compartments and a ring holder. Boutiko also stocks matching Coin Purses (£6.99) and Bags (£29.99).

The perfect gift for weddings or Valentines:
“Love” Porcelain Tealight Holders (£25)
Handmade by a British artist using offcuts of porcelain from other projects, these exquisite tealight holders spelling out the word L O V E in tiny holes to give a magical flickering glow, are a beautiful present for the one you love.

A practical, ethical gift for EVERYONE….
You’ll never want to use hemp or jute bags again – Boutiko’s ingenious One Less Plastic Bags are handmade from Indian saris with every single bag unique in its design! These bags fold away to a tiny pocket size but can carry up to 2kg – plus are machine washable, £10 – £8.99 until end January.

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

Latest research examines climate change risks and opportunities

Global responsible investment specialists EIRIS today released research into some of the world’s largest 300 companies to examine how well they are responding to climate change challenges.

Focussing on the 300 largest cap global companies listed on the FTSE All World Index, The state we’re in: global corporate response to climate change and the implications for investors analyses the current state of corporate response to climate change, highlights the key challenges this presents and examines the implications for investors.

Key findings include:

§       Many large cap companies at risk - Over a third (35.6%) of companies in the global 300 are assessed as high or very high impact for climate change – representing over USD 6.8 trillion market cap (climate change impact includes both direct and indirect carbon emissions). 

§       High risk companies have taken initial steps – but translation into coherent climate change strategy is less apparent. 84% of high risk companies have a corporate-wide commitment to climate change. But only 14% link board remuneration to climate change strategies. And only 25% publish a long-term strategic target to reduce emissions. Targets are an important indicator of a company’s true commitment to reducing its  climate change impact.

§       Unreliable emissions disclosure  - 81% disclose either absolute or normalised data, but only 9% disclose the scope of their emissions against the Green House Gas Protocol *. A lack of consistent and comparable emissions data presents challenges to investors.

In support of EIRIS’ research on Climate Change, Phil Woolas MP, Minister of State for the Environment, said: "The transition to a low-carbon economy will require the biggest restructuring in how we live and work since the industrial revolution. It is an immense challenge and all of us; government, business, investors, civil society, and individuals have a major part to play. The City has a powerful role in meeting this challenge – as investors and analysts, Climate Change is  arguably the biggest environmental risk management challenge facing many of the corporations in which  you invest".

Stephanie Maier, Head of research at EIRIS said: "Climate change poses considerable financial risks and opportunities for investors. To protect shareholder value, investors should identify the risks in their portfolio, factor in the impacts of carbon and engage with companies and the wider policy debate to achieve the step change and robust policy framework that’s required".

 Click here (http://www.eiris.org/files/research%20publications/climatechange08.pdf) to download a copy of the research.

The first feminine hygiene product in the World to achieve an international Environmental Product Declaration

Natracare’s Ultra Pads are the first feminine hygiene products in the world to achieve an independent acknowledgement of their carbon footprint, in the form of an independently-assessed International Environmental Product Declaration (EPD).

Now Natracare is throwing down the gauntlet to other companies to go through the same process so that the public can start to make informed choices based on fact not spin.

Many people living in the UK would like to make a difference and help to protect the environment but messages are confusing and the public are being green-washed from all directions. There is now a reasonably high public awareness that reducing our carbon footprints is a good thing but few people know what their current footprint is or what it should be. Susie Hewson, founder of the Natracare range says "The market for carbon off-setting is growing at break-neck speed with all sorts of companies and brands claiming that they offset their carbon footprints, but it’s a very haphazard approach. Few actually know what their footprint is, so how do they know what action is needed to counter the impact on the environment?"

Natracare worked with PIRA² to pull together the data needed for its application for a European Product Declaration. The International EPD Consortium (IEC) assessed the information provided and has granted the EPD to Natracare for its Ultra Pads. It has been calculated that if the average woman uses 17,000 pads in a lifetime, for Natracare pads that adds up to just 398.888 kg of carbon dioxide. According to The Woodland Trust planting and managing five trees will offset one metric tonne of CO², so a lifetime’s use of Natracare pads can be offset with just two trees! As a result, Natracare is supporting the Woodland Trust to plant trees to offset the carbon footprint from all their Ultra Pads produced last year for the UK. Every future pack produced will be offset in the same way.

Whilst the carbon footprint is important, within the ecological makeup of Natracare pads, there are other lifecycles to consider, such as the use of organically grown and processed cotton and its low chemical impact on the environment compared to brands using conventionally grown cotton (grown using pesticides and herbicides) and processed synthetics and plastics. The production and use of pesticides, such as Endosulfan and fertilisers, plastics from crude oil, and chlorine, burden the environment with their carbon footprint and the toxic effects of production and release of these chemicals into the environment, including pesticide poisoning, acidification of trees, loss of wildlife and diversification of species as well as a negative impact on climate.

Societal responsibility, such as European Governments commitment to greener energy production, can further help to reduce the CO² footprint of LCA products. This is one factor holding Natracare pads back from achieving even more carbon neutrality. More than one quarter of the Ultra Pads’ carbon footprint is attributed to the energy used to produce the organic cotton nonwoven because of the lack of commitment to greener energy sources in parts of the EU where this material is made. This factor gives a clear indication of what else the manufacturers of Natracare Ultra Pads are doing to sustain such extremely low CO² emissions product.

Natracare tampons, pads, liners and wipes are all 100% totally chlorine-free, plastic-free and crude oil derivatives-free. The company behind Natracare, Bodywise, is a British-owned company, manufacturing only in Europe since 1989.

The full Natracare range of over 24 feminine hygiene products includes:

• *Certified Organic 100% Cotton tampons with and without applicators (Soil Association*)
• Natural Ultra pads with and without wings and Panty liners with certified organic 100% cotton covers
• Organic cotton Intimate wipes and Baby wipes Maxi pads and Nursing pads.

1 Reference S-P00135 http://www.environdec.com/

2 PIRA International is a leading consultancy, testing and media business, which specialises in retail supply chain technologies related to industries, such as packaging, paper, plastics, printing, publishing and consumer goods. PIRA is acknowledged as one of the key knowledge providers in these industry sectors.

http://www.natracare.com