With the motto ‘Reduce what You Can, Offset What you Can’t', the organisation Carbon Fund have neatly encompassed the philosophy and by extension the goal of the carbon offsetting concept.

Their mission statement, as detailed on their website, gives a summary of the overall goal of the Carbon Fund organisation:

“Carbonfund.org is leading the fight against global warming, making it easy and affordable for any individual, business or organization to reduce & offset their climate impact and hasten the transition to a clean energy future. Carbonfund.org achieves its goals through:

• Climate change education
• Carbon offsets and reductions
• Public outreach

We encourage everyone to continually strive to reduce their carbon footprint through sensible energy reductions combined with cost-effective carbon offsets to eliminate their overall carbon footprint. Carbonfund.org supports renewable energy, energy efficiency and reforestation  projects globally that reduce carbon dioxide emissions and the threat of climate change.”

As organisation are working in a variety of ways to reduce, and offset emissions. Including education, in which the organisation look to explain offsetting, and its benefits, plus looking to aid lifestyle changes and low carbon or zero carbon endeavours, the Carbon Fund also implement several practical projects.

Of their direct projects, they have three types:

• Renewable Energy & Methane Projects – Renewable energy offsets support projects that help to reduce the amount of energy we need to produce from fossil fuel sources like coal and oil.
• Energy Efficiency & Carbon Credits – The cleanest unit of energy is the unit you never use. Energy efficiency is the cheapest and fastest way to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels and save money.
• Reforestation & Avoided Deforestation -  Forest-based projects actually reduce the amount of carbon that’s in the atmosphere. These projects sequester carbon dioxide emissions from the atmosphere and have many co-benefits for the community and local wildlife.

A particularly intriguing strategy, though, is the introduction of their Carbon Free label,  which certifies affiliated products as having been produced with no carbon emissions – through a process of reduction and offsetting – and so are, according to the Carbon Fund, environmentally friendly alternatives to others on the market.

According to the Carbon Fund, the Carbon Free Label works in the following way:

“The CarbonFree^® Certified Label is a meaningful, transparent way for you to provide carbon neutral products to your customers. By determining a product’s carbon footprint, reducing that footprint where possible and offsetting the remaining carbon emissions you can differentiate your brand, increase sales, profits & customer loyalty while strengthening your Corporate Social Responsibility/environmental goals”.

There are plenty of reasons to certify oneself, then, and many have; the Carbon Fund lists Carbon Free Certified Label products on its website, and can be found at the following: Carbon Fund Product Certification.

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The problem with being environmentally friendly  is that often it is difficult to know which products can and cannot be trusted for their green credentials. Eco friendliness is becoming as much of a fashion statement as it a moral choice, and separating the two can be difficult.

Websites like Ecoworrier were designed for such a purpose; an eco jack-of-all-trades, Ecoworrier supplies decent environmentally products in a number of areas, and is a place that champions its belief in making available eco friendly products, removing the worry from the consumer.

The Ecoworrier missions statement read as follows:

“Our aim is to help you find and embrace those key, Green and Eco-friendly products which will work effectively around the home.

With the continual development of eco green products being targetted to the consumer, we set out to separate those ‘Green Bandwagon’ items (which, quite frankly can be a waste of money and effort to use) with products which actually do what they were designed to do, and do it effectively.

We make every effort to provide you with an easy-to-use service, realistically priced products and fast delivery. Okay, we admit it. We’re not perfect. So if we fall short of your expectations please let us know – we’re here to help and will sort any issues you have with the up-most priority.

We have come up with a wide range of eco green products surrounding rainwater storage, food waste composting, home solar panels, wind up products, home power inverters, green home solutions and eco educational toys“.

Ecoworrier have a large selection of products under a wide range of banners, then, and are looking to build up trust in their brand. With a good selection of energy solutions, actual products and gadgets – from solar powered to wind up – and stuff for kids, building that up shouldn’t be too hard at all.

Another player in the eco friendly game is never a bad thing, and Ecoworrier may well be a player in coming years, and perhaps for some time then. Help that decision by popping along and having a look yourself.

For more information, hop on over to the Ecoworrier website.

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First founded in in 2003, off the back of David Gordon’s former company, TSF, and it is rooted completely in an ethical outlook. Their mission statement reads as follows:

“We’d genuinely rather make a smaller profit and have loads of really pleased and satisfied customers and suppliers and have fun ourselves than go the traditional, corporate route of ‘get away with what you can, maximise profit and pretend to be whiter than white’.   We’re all about transparency, honesty, integrity and fun.  If we ever fall short please tell us“.

It is an admirable admission, and Bamboo Clothing has a product set to match. From t-shirts, polo shirts, vests, socks and underwear for men, to Chelsea tops, hoodies and skirts for women, there is a small but various and quality set of clothing on offer. And the company, too, make it quite clear that each and every one of their products is born out of ethical care, and a desire for equality.

Each product is subject to four key points, defined by Bamboo clothing before production. These are as follows:

• Everyone gets treated properly, from the garment factory workers to the customer. Not forgetting ourselves!
• Every single customer has a voice that’s listened to – we depend on and evolve through suggestions received every day from our customers
• At every stage we try to minimise our impact on the environment and make it positive wherever possible
• For every single item we sell (not socks/underwear..) we’ll buy 10m square of land and plant a tree in the name of the purchaser and we end up being a massively ‘net positive’ influence on the environment

For Bamboo Clothing, then, environmental reform and fair trading are intrinsically involved in their business and production; for those who are interested in a similar agenda, they know that buying more means helping more. Bamboo Clothing also state that they are only interested in ‘win-win’ situations, and their promises around the sale of their products means that their business model will guarantee exactly that.

One question remains: Why Bamboo? The company have outlined their motivations on their website. Some of the most pertinent, in terms of environmental reform, are as follows:

• Bamboo is 100% naturally grown, without assistance from man.  Our bamboo is 100% sustainable

• Bamboo thrives naturally without using any pesticides or fertilizers

• Bamboo fibre is 100% biodegradable

• The yield (i.e. the amount of product) you get from an acre of bamboo is 10 times greater than the yield you get from cotton.  In an age where land use is under enormous pressure this is huge.

Valid reasons indeed, and Bamboo clothing – which is at current is small, but expanding business – are a case that shows that clothing production need not come at the expense of ethics of the environment.

For more information, please visit the Bamboo Clothing website

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Of all the approaches to environmental issues – from carbon emissions to recycling and ethical clothing – Paperpod must be one of the most novel and genuinely creative; that its creations have something of a sense of humour about them, makes them a particularly endearing company who have found an exciting and quirky approach to the problem of wastage and recycling.

The company, founded by director Paul Martin, produce a wide range of children’s bits – with stuff for adults too – that are all made from sturdy recycled cardboard. In their own words:

Paperpod have developed an innovative concept in creative toys furniture for children. We have produced a range of environmentally friendly, cost effective, sturdy, and practical designs made from recycled corrugated cardboard. From our range of chairs to the toy fort, dolls house and play house, the beauty lies in their simplicity. They are a blank canvas for children to play, create & decorate using paint, collage, pens & crayons, limited only by imagination. Everything can be folded flat – an ideal storage solution. Use in the home, childcare setting or school to create a personal touch.

Some of their items are particularly interesting, but one in particular catches the eye. Listed under ‘furniture’ – yes, it’s possible to make furniture out of cardboard – are the Paperpod ‘Adult’ and ‘Toddler’ chairs, which come flat-packed and can be made up and taken down with ease. Keeping to the Paperpod mantra, the chairs are perfect for customisation; these things can be painted however the customer sees fit.

Unlike more expensive armchairs too, they beg to be added to. Need a drinks holder? Make one, and stick it on. Foot rest? Paint a box in the same style as your chair. Paperpod’s are novel and practical; just imagine a three piece suite, each designed in their own unique style.And sceptics need not worry about their reliability; Paperpod guarantee that they really can be used time and again.

“The Paperpod chair“, reads the website,  “Is a sturdy and comfortable chair that is popular with all ages. Great for use in the home, nursery or even when camping. It can be decorated for parties to create a special piece of furniture for a birthday, then folded flat for storage“.

Really, though Paperpod is a haven for kids and recycling-savvy parents. Their new children’s aeroplane, which fits round the waste and is a perfect accompaniment to any kind of cops versus robbers-with-planes scenario, is a particularly interesting addition. They also stock tepees, sheds, play dens, castles, and doll’s houses.

Again, the Paperpod kid’s toys are perfect for creating your own toys to go with them. For the castle? Cardboard horses and knights. For the doll’s house, too, parents and children can spend time together building furniture.

Paperpod’s range of products is small, but they’ve gone for quality not quantity. A truly innovative approach to recycling.

For more information on their Cardboard Creations, visit their website.

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Renewable energy is growing in stature. Many are coming round to the idea that it offers not only a viable example of clean energy for use in national grids across the world, but that it can viably become the dominant force in energy production.

Arguably cheaper than current electricity production, and certainly more efficient, more households and organisations are switching either fully or partially to green energy and the companies that can provide it.

These companies fall generally into two camps. the first, are those who provide power through their own resources and place customers on a tariff – the same system in place for traditional electricity companies – whilst the others look to give their customers the means to generate the power themselves.

Navitron are of the second variety. Trusted providers of Solar panels for both solar water heating and Solar Photovoltaic for use in general energy producti9n, they also offer wind turbines, and even water turbines.

Formed in 2004, Navitron is committed to raising the profile of green energy and renewable energy production. Their mission statement reads as follows:

Our mission is to demonstrate that green energy is genuinely viable, whether you are living on or off grid – and that renewable energy can be a sound financial investment, as well as a sound investment in our future. Renewable energy installations such as wind power or solar installations make a significant reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, taking us one step closer to meeting our Kyoto protocol obligations.

They understand, too, that providing the service that they do has a wider impact than sales, and encourage the connection between individuals, organisations, nations and even continents in reaping the benefits of renewable energy. The website states that,

European politics is at last embracing environmental ‘green’ technologies, and there has never been a better time to consider implementing your own renewable energy. We can supply small scale systems suitable for producing only a couple of watts of power up to full scale commercial systems capable of supplying many megawatts.

Providing for both large and small, then, Navitron are making sure that the benefits of renewable energy are available to all. And, as if in anticipation of sceptics, Navitron have made it quite clear that their interest in their line of business is one of genuine commitment, being quite honest about their desire to make profits only to continue with their service:

Navitron Ltd. is committed to providing low cost alternative energy solutions to the consumer and small business. For far too long, some companies have made huge profits from solar energy scams, ridiculously over-priced double-glazing units and funny magnets you stick in your hot water tank to ward off evil spirits! Don’t get us wrong: We’re a profit-making organisation; just not a profiteering one.

With such forthright admission of their principles, Navitron cannot be accused of lacking in honesty, and they are as good as any green energy provider out there.

For more information on their renewable energy solutions, visit the Naitron website

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Across the world, individuals and organisations are further coming to the conclusi0n that green energy and clean electricity are necessary applications in future societies and will greatly benefit future generations.

In the UK, the Green New Deal, supported by the Green Party and discussed at government level, argues that a green energy sector could both create jobs and provide less damaging and more efficient energy for UK citizens. In the US, too, President Obama is pushing clean energy and the reduction of carbon emissions.

A number of non-governmental organisations, too, are arguing that green energy has not only environmental implications, but economic and social ones too, and Green For All in the US is one of the leading examples.

It’s mission statement captures perfectly the potential for a green energy sector, and the benefits that clean energy can have for economics as well as the environment. they state on their website that:

Green For All is dedicated to improving the lives of all Americans through a clean energy economy.  We work in collaboration with the business, government, labor, and grassroots communities to create and implement programs that increase quality jobs and opportunities in green industry – all while holding the most vulnerable people at the center of our agenda.

Working towards green energy use through community projects, training and government partnerships, Green For All is raising the profile – and the genuine benefits – of green energy across the US.

They argue that, not only is green energy environmentally sound and economically beneficial, but it also benefits poorer communities by lowering cost for the consumer.

On their website they state that,

“A clean energy economy will move America past some of our most pressing challenges.  By making us energy independent, it will improve our national and economic security.  By radically reducing pollution, it will improve the health of our families and neighborhoods, as well as repair our deteriorating atmosphere.  And by creating millions of quality jobs and careers, it will pull America out of the current recession, better protect us from future economic turmoil, and save lives here and abroad“.

According to Green For All, then, green energy is not only beneficial, but necessary, and their dedication to the implementation of systems that can deliver it is in admirable indeed. They have argued, even further, that a commitment to green energy from the US is fundamentally American in nature, stating that,

“Building a clean energy economy is a chance to reinvigorate and reinvest in the best part of the American dream: the idea that everyone gets a chance to succeed and be happy“.

Green For All are certainly making waves. And, for the benefit of the US and other nations, and organisations that are attempting to do similar things across the world, let us hope that the noise they’re making is noticed.

For more information on Green Energy and Green For All, please visit their website.

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Living with the environment in mind is not all that easy; the infrastructures under which people in the UK live and work mean that often, thinking about doing things the green way means going against the grain, and so a lot of seemingly simple everyday tasks require a great deal of preparation and thought. As prime examples, look at the amount of waste that is recycled by the consumer; often, such products could be produced in a more environmentally sound way by the manufacturer. The same goes for clothing, and cosmetic products; often the very fabric or chemical used to create the product is inherently anti-environment.

Many companies, then, are beginning to specialise purely in providing Eco-friendly products, in one industry, so that ethical consumers have one place they can go, in which they come to know and trust.

One such company, Honesty Cosmetics, provides ethical beauty products that are sourced from natural and organic ingredients. Its customer’s, then, know that when they shop with Honesty Cosmetics, they’re cutting out that problem.

Honesty Cosmetics – How, When, and Why

Unlike some companies ins field, Honesty Cosmetics as a relatively long history. Its website states tha Honesty cosmetics was founded in 1984, and has been,

Manufacturing cruelty free skin and hair products for over 20 years. Right from the start our ethics were the guiding force of the company. Today our products are endorsed by The Vegan Society, BUAV Humane Cosmetics Standard, the Ethical Company Organisation ‘Good Shopping Guide’ and the Nature-watch Trust Compassionate Shopping Guide.

That history, propagated since its conception, has lead to a flourishing and successful business, in which,
All products offered through Honesty are suitable for vegetarians, vegans or anyone wishing to avoid animal products and come from companies who adhere to compassionate policies. Items are always selected for their quality and animal/environmentally friendly features, and we are increasingly adding products with organic ingredients. We deal mainly with smaller businesses whose products are not widely available in the High Street, with the aim of providing the choice and service to make ethical shopping easy and enjoyable.

Like a number of companies, then, Honesty Cosmetics are making things simpler for the environmentally conscious consumer, and with their long standing history, they are one of the top providers within their niche sector.

The Honesty Cosmetics Product Range

Within this framework, Honesty Cosmetics stocks shampoo, soaps, shower gel, and skin care products. Further, it provides ranges of household items and accessories, and there are also sections for men and children.

All of its products are available for purchase through its website, making buying ethically easy and efficient.

Visit their website, Honest Cosmetics, for more information, a list of their products, and a place to buy safely and securely.

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Going green and trading fairly and ethically isn’t all for adults; a number of companies and brands specialise in products that deliver Eco- friendly products for babies and children. One, Small and Green, trade in clothing, toys, bathing products, and even nappies. Providing, in their own words, a “one-stop-shop for all things fair trade, natural & organic for babies and small children, Eco-friendly baby basics and adorable green gifts. Gorgeous organic, fair trade baby clothes plus award winning, chemical-free baby bath and skincare,” their underlying philosophy, and their motivation for providing green products, reads as follows:

“By reducing pesticides we can cut down on soil erosion as well as water pollution caused by dangerous chemicals which drain away into our waterways. Not only does modern farming rely on the use of pesticides, it is also heavily dependent on the use of fossil fuels. In fact, modern farming uses more petrol than any other single industry and much of that energy is used to produce synthetic fertilisers”.

Small and Green’s Product Suite

Clothing at Small and Green includes summer dresses, t-shirts, shirts and play-suits; the organisation has made sure that it covers every available staple facet of baby clothing. Even providing garden hats and babygrows, Small and Green have ensured that the environmentally conscious parent need not go elsewhere for suitably Eco-friendly products. No compromising on the environmental message for parents here.

They also stock eleven different wash products, from baby shower gel, to bubble bath. With body lotion, nappy sacks and wipes also in stock, the same paradigm applies to their wash range as to their clothing range: parents who want to provide a fully Eco friendly experience for their babies do not need to go anywhere other than Small and Green.

With plenty of toys, too, -ranging from Ellie the Elephant, the organic soft toy, to a fair trade Noah’s Ark – Small and Green are giving parent’s a wealth of choice for their kids.

A Small and Green History

In terms of its organisation, Small and Green has grown out of a genuine conviction for the importance of fair trade, Eco-friendly products, and ethical production. Their website states that,

“Small and Green was set up in 2008 in response to the growing demand for organic baby products. There seem to be more and more people out there who want to give their children the best start in life by using natural environmentally friendly products that won’t cause harm to our planet or our little ones. We know it’s not always possible to achieve everything but with principles, care and compassion we can all go a little way to respecting the world around us and bringing our children up in the best possible environment“.

With the products that it stocks, Small and Green should continue to promote these core values for many years to come.

Visit Small and Green for more information.

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Based in Bisley, Gloucestershire, the Greenshop practices what it preaches: the shop and online store is run out of the Greenshop’s Eco-building, making sure that – whilst it is providing others with the means to make a switch to a greener lifestyle – it is keeping its own carbon emissions down.

According to the Greenshop website they have achieved this with a variety of measures:

• Aim to operate in a way which balances running a successful business with the environmental impact of our actions.
• Try to promote a “green as possible” way of anything involved with our business.
• Encourage staff to promote and seek continuous improvements and methods of any part of our business and foster environmental awareness.
• Endeavour to meet or exceed all applicable environmental and safety regulatory requirements.
• Recycle as much as is feasible of any packaging within our business, where this is not possible, to ensure it is recycled appropriately off site.
• Use rainwater for the low flush loos, car cleaning and watering of plants both inside and outside of the premises.
• We are grid connected for Solar PV and use solar thermal for hot water and some of our heating, so reducing our electricity and heating requirements.

Through such measures, the Greenshop is truly guaranteeing the viability of its own business model.

Green Products from the Greenshop – Environmental Products Made Easy

Selling products that help make a green lifestyle practical, from natural paints to Eco-friendly carpet cleaner and kitchen cleaner, the Greenshop ensures that anyone with a passing or committed interest in the environmental lifestyle have a wide range of choice, and can get the things they need quickly, easily and efficiently.

In terms of general education, the Green Shop also provides a variety of books and DVDs, on environmental history and nature, and the wider environmental movement. With books, too, on how to make the switch practically, it contains a real suite of information. As the Greenshop website states, “If you are just beginning to scratch the surface or want in-depth specialist information, our books are carefully chosen and thoroughly researched. There is inspiration and information for all ages, from Eco building and architecture, energy and gardening to arts and crafts.”

With body care also on the agenda, the Greenshop makes sure that it caters for each facet of the environmental existence.

Greenshop’s Underlying Principles and Philosophy

As a green retailer, Greenshop could very easily be an organisation that has come to the environmental retail sector, seeing a very lucrative gap in an emerging and increasingly popular market. But the Greenshop, established for some years, has come to deliver its business out of a genuine commitment and belief in the individual and social benefits of the Green lifestyle. Their missions statement reflects this:

“The Greenshop has been supplying environmental products for over 20 years. Our carefully selected product range has been personally vetted to make real differences to help save energy, to minimise wasteful impact and any chemical usage and encourage the use of recycled materials. We offer you these products because we believe in them and their producers.”

There are few more committed, then, than the Greenshop.

For more information on Greenshop products, please visit their website.

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In the UK, and generally speaking, worldwide, environmental consciousness has grown and prospered since the turn of the millennium. A movement that has certainly grown over a much larger period, the magnifying glass is now firmly on the environmental performance of a number of companies, government and individuals, as the ‘green revolution’, whether it is genuine or political lip service, sweeps across governments and organisations.

The next step, in some people’s eyes, is in educating the young in environmental issues, and giving the next generation the tools they need in order to continue to develop the environmental cause.

One such organisation, ‘Young People’s Trust for the Environment’ hopes to take up that mantle, providing, in their own words, “free environmental information and services for schools and young people…free environmental talks in schools, a free information service, free membership for schools, residential courses and holidays and environmental competitions and Award schemes for schools and young people.”

Appropriating the ‘knowledge is power’ mantra, the ‘Young People’s Trust for the Environment’ aims to educate and empower the next generation of potential environmentalists, hoping to ensure that the lack of information suffered in earlier generations will not affect the subsequent ones.

This is encapsulated in their mission statement, as outlined on their website:

“With climate change being such a big issue for us all, there has probably never been a more important time for environmental education. The next generation is going to inherit a huge array of environmental challenges, so it is vital that they are equipped with the knowledge they need to look after the planet for the future.”

Green Awareness for the Future – How the Young People’s Trust for the Environment Hopes to Expand

In order to propagate and develop on their mission statement, the Young People’s Trust for the Environment hope to build their own environmental centre, in which they can run a number of courses. They have stated that the building, so as to practice in deeds what they promote in words, will make use of green energy and sustainable techniques and technologies, and they will run retreat courses, in which young people can experience first-hand what it is like to eke out an eco-friendly existence.

“It is our hope”, reads the Young People’s Trust for the Environment website, “that the experience of living for a week at the centre will help to show the next generation of adults that it is possible to minimise our impact on the environment without having to live with significant compromises to lifestyle. In this way, we hope to achieve long-term change.”

It seems, then, that the Young People’s Trust for the Environment, in looking to raise the awareness of environmental issues, and the benefits of an eco-friendly, sustainable lifestyle, are giving future generations in the UK a real chance to make genuine moves towards green-friendly communities.

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