Last year, I spent the best part of 9 months looking for work in the UK’s Environment sector. During that time, I came to realise that as a result of the new Government initiatives and budget cuts, the people, businesses and organisations which are working to sustain and protect our natural environments are in dire […]
Author Archives | Paul
Taking Scottish salmon to the Chinese market
Scotland recently signed a major trade deal with China, upping its exports of fresh salmon. Great for the economy, but the deal ignores the major problems around salmon farming.
Holidays: Keeping it Local
Every summer, an exodus of holiday makers leave the comfort of their homes in search of ‘something different’. While the definition of ‘different’ could entail any number of things from extreme sports to spa treatments, the basic principle of the holiday is to take a break and ‘get away for a bit’. As we plan […]
Which is the most ethical supermarket?
Introduction and sources detailed here. Co-op Fairtrade: An ethical trading pioneer and the first supermarket to launch a Fairtrade certified own-brand product, Co-op have a stated aim to ‘mainstream’ Fairtrade. Their broad range of products includes Fairtrade wines and seasonal items such as Easter eggs. Environment: A leader on sustainability not just among the supermarkets, […]
What we learned this holiday season
According to Westminster City Council; “If each child in the country received five presents at Christmas, the UK would get through 16.5 million square metres of wrapping paper – enough to cover almost 3,300 football pitches.” “The festive season accounts for an extra 750 million glass containers and 500 million drinks cans as well as […]
Recyclable wrapping paper
The sheer amount of paper used in wrapping presents for Christmas day is indisputably an extravagant waste. While reusing wrapping paper is simple enough, due to it’s thickness and quality it still has a relatively short life even within the realms of recycling. Though a little late for the festive season, here is an interesting […]
The sustainability of London
The Environment Agency has an interesting page on the sustainability of London and what needs to be done to fix the unsustainable growth and put a stop to environmental degredation. See here for what they have to say. To see the condition of the environment in your area, click here.
Things we learned this week
30 years ago fishermen used to throw away tuna, as there was no market for it other than cat food. Tuna numbers in the Atlantic and Mediterranean have fallen 90% in the last three decades. An average civil war, if there can be an average of such things, lasts seven years and leaves a country […]
The 11th Hour – review
The other day a good friend of mine handed me a small skinny box made from 100% recycled material. After reading both sides of the exterior, I slipped open the sleeve and discovered “Together’s 10 easy ways to fight climate change” slotted alongside a DVD resting on a biodegradable tray of paperfoam. These things alone […]
The bitter taste of non-fairtrade
The ecologist has an eye opening article on what goes into and comes out of industrial banana plantations. If you’re not buying them Fairtrade and organic, argues Ed Hamer, then you’re buying into a modern agricultural scandal While Tony Blair is quoted saying that the slavery of the 18th century is “one of the most […]
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