ecomonkey

Eco Consumer Listings

2011-11-11T11:11:00.013Z

Always read the label carefully...

Scroll down to the Ecomonkey sidebar for heaps of links to UK & Global Eco Retail & Services

"Shopping is no longer just about passive consumption, it’s about actively solving problems" Better Thinking

In this blog (and beyond) 'Eco' = Ethical & Sustainable

Collect Green Points When You Shop:
As well as gaining immense kudos, karma and a whole lot of extraordinary virtuous feeling by shopping with ethical and sustainable suppliers you can now collect points too by shopping through moreeco. Check out at this great 'green' points site that offers points for all your ethical and sustainable purchases that you can then exchange for vouchers or spend on your next eco shopping trip - perfect!

How To Get Listed on Ecomonkey:
If you organise or are involved in an ethical, sustainable, 'green' or eco company, organisation, blog etc which you would like to be listed in the Ecomonkey Listings, please send an email requesting this to racheblue@hotmail.com or ecomonkey@hotmail.co.uk

If you are a trading business or group please include details of the group's ethical and sustainable policies plus any organic and fairtrade certifications held or currently being pursued.

We look forward to hearing from you.

P.S. NB: Please shop responsibly. Only buy what you need. Avoid unrecyclable packaging. Support locally produced and/or fairly traded goods. Look for eco certifications. Don't fall for Greenwash!

Climate Emergency Parliament 6pm Tonight

2009-07-15T12:10:00.006+01:00

Climate Emergency
People's Parliament
Old Palace Yard
(opposite Parliament)
Wednesday 15th July 6pm

From: Campaign Against Climate Change
"Our current parliament is failing to respond the Climate Emergency. We will convene an alternative parliament to respond with the degree of urgency required.

Come to the Peoples’ Parliament ! All are welcome – just turn up and take your seat (er….on the pavement). Hear what we could be doing in the UK now to avert climate catastrophe and bring your own ideas!"

"The Bills before Parliament will include measures for:
* 10% reductions in UK Greenhouse gases by the end of 2010
* A million and a half Green Jobs
* Banning all domestic flights by the end of 2010
* A 55 mph national speed limit and termination of the roads program

Speaking at the Parliament – among others – will be Colin Challen (Member of the other parliament), John Stewart (Chair, Airport Watch), Darren Johnson (Chair GLA – Green Party), Tim Helweg-Larsen (Director, Public Interest Research Centre), Chris Baugh (Assistant General Secretary, Public and Commercial Services Union), Tamsin Omond (Climate Rush) and Deepak Rughani (Biofuelwatch).
Speaker from threatened Vestas wind turbine factory also expected."

Further Info:
Campaign Against Climate Change / Facebook Group

Radio 4 Food & Farming Awards

2009-07-09T08:03:00.001+01:00

This week we have been mostly voting for ethical and sustainable food in the Radio 4 Food & Farming Awards.

Demonstrating our passion for ethical and sustainable food and farming in the UK we have supported people and organisations who are also leading the way or pushing for better food for us and a better environment in which to grow and eat it in.

If you get stuck on who to vote for, check our listings (in the sidebar) or download our doc for some ideas.

Further Info:
Radio 4 Food & Farming Awards

Corporation Free

2009-07-08T17:50:00.003+01:00

We know you can and probably already do much more than this but for those starting out, here's how to put your money where your heart is. Don't give it away to people and organisations who are undeserving.

Can you live corporation-free?

Further Info:
Corporation Free

Caroline Lucas @ CPRE, Thurs 9Jul09

2009-07-08T17:18:00.005+01:00

From: Caroline Lucas MEP
"Caroline Lucas MEP to give CPRE annual lecture on reconciling competing environmental objectives; ‘a market approach won’t protect countryside’
In a speech entitled ‘Reconciling Environmental Goods’, the Green MEP will call for an urgent reform of the UK’s planning system to put environmental sustainability at its heart – and encourage maximum citizen participation in key development decisions."

Full article here

Host: CPRE (Campaign to Protect Rural England)
Event: ‘Conflicting Environmental Goods and the Future of the Countryside’
Venue: The Gallery, 77 Cowcross Street, London EC1M 6EL (Map)
Date: Thursday 9th July 2009
Registration: opens at 5pm
Entry: Free - RSVP here

Further Info:
Caroline Lucas MEP / CPRE / Green Party UK

Vote For A Change Rally Thurs 9Jul09

2009-07-07T13:50:00.001+01:00

From: Vote For A Change
"Rally for a Change - If you’re free at 6:30 on July 9th we need you in Methodist Central Hall for a festival of change including debate, music and poetry. Confirmed speakers include Billy Bragg, Dave Rowntree (Blur), Oona King, Peter Tatchell, Jo Swinson MP, Gerard Batten MEP. Email naomi@voteforachange.co.uk to register and for more details."

Further Info:
Vote For A Change / Facebook Group

Bicycle Lust

2009-07-07T11:52:00.008+01:00

Photo Credit & Copyright: busbozo / Adrienne Johnson
It's true! I've officially developed an obsession with bicycles. Not in a boy way of infatuation with speed, gears (what are they anyway?!) the latest kit or high-tech sporty clothing. Oh no! Well not quite.

I am in love with the way riding a bike makes me feel, the wind in my hair, sun on my skin, utter freedom in simplicity, getting places fast, discovering places one might not have ventured to a pied, recognising something in the face of a passing cyclist, slipping carefully through jammed and inefficient cars when on-road, speeding recklessly because I can when off-road, tinkling my bell as I wheel around corners and through canal-side tunnels, looking up at the DLR going by overhead, waving to kids with their faces pressed against grubby windows, making it up an incline without having to stop, feeling the thigh burn, smiling as I pass pedestrians who know and those who don't, yet... I could go on, suffice to say, I think riding my bicycle is utter bliss!

Photo Credit & Copyright: Toronto Bike Chic
And now, I can't stop looking at bikes. Or rather, I can't stop looking at people on bicycles. Ordinary, urban people like me. Not racers clad in lycra and fancy kit but regular folk in every day cool clothes. I want to see what they're wearing and how they make it bike proof. I need to know if they use pegs or pins to keep a skirt in place or prefer to ride free uninhibited. I want to ask whether they prefer baskets or panniers or both. I want to know how good they feel riding across their city. I desire to find out if they are travelling to a place of work or the park or shopping or to hang out with other bike friends. I need to know all this and more.

I am obsessed, addicted, in love and I can't get enough of watching, seeing and celebrating this rapidly expanding two wheeled urban passion. Bicycle riding and the inevitable accompanying bicycle porn, whether in real life or on the wonderful web, is the latest craze and I for one, hope they both last forever. It's eco, it's chic, it's for people like us - go on, try it today!

A Taste of The Toast from Michael on Vimeo via Urban Cycle Chic

More Bike Porn can be found here:
Urban Cycle Chic / Change Your Life Ride A Bike / London Cycle Chic / 416 Cycle Style

Frock Cycling

2009-07-06T11:56:00.015+01:00

Whilst much of our weekend was devoted to cycling up and down an ever enchanting Regents Canal - the perfect way to spend a summer weekend in London - Sunday found Ecomonkey discovering that wearing a dress without shorts underneath and simultaneously riding a bicycle, is not always as easy as it sounds.

On Saturday, wearing a current fave outfit - cute, girly but practical, front-pocketed dress over DFH (de facto husband)'s old jeans (nice and low on the hips), cut off at jaunty angle just under the knee - we cycled up to London Fields where, it transpires, all the cool but not too-cool-for-school people hang out. It was there that we beheld a vision of the future transposed into the here and now (more of this vision in a future post).

Taking in the utter splendour of thousands of urbanites on bicycles, enjoying the soothing weekend sun and each other's company on luscious green fields and uber-cool market streets where the car no longer rules, we noticed another phenomena. Girls and women in pretty summer frocks on bikes somehow managing to look the epitome of summer chic whilst astride bicycles of varying heights, bars, shapes and sizes.

'Look!' I whispered in awe to DFH (who may have approached this phenomena before from a far less practical angle), 'See how easy it is to ride wearing just a dress! The hems don't seem to ride up too much and the action of cycling, one leg up at a time, seems perfect for holding the frock in place thus avoiding any revelatory embaressment to the rider.'

Overjoyed at my discovery, I decided to forgo the denim shorts underwear on Sunday in favour of the ever popular black cut-off-tights under a short, flouncy hemmed green dress. With my stripy socks and huge bike boots, I thought I looked pretty damn good and was feeling quietly confident as we zipped through the park and over the bridge. And then we approached the canal. And the wind began to blow. And my jersey cotton skirt seemed to want to rush backwards up my thighs revealing much more tight-clad thigh and goodness knows what else than I had intended. What view this gave to on-coming cyclists and pedestrians, I didn't dare contemplate.

DFH, naturally assured me the view was fine and not at all flousy-like (I imagine he had no intention of going back home or waiting for me to get changed). Unconvinced, I eventually thought to remove the shirt from around my shoulders and tie it around my waist with the knotted sleeves providing some much needed weight to the front of my dress. It was better though not perfect and I didn't feel as comfortable as I would have liked during our trip. Being an idealist can be so trying, sigh!

So today I was happy to discover that I am not alone with my bike attire worries. In the Guardian's Ethical Living Blog, 1Jul09 Gladys Fouché has written a short article about women who like to dress nice whilst travelling on two wheels. The real gem of the piece however is in the Comments section where some extremely useful now-why-the-bicycle-clips-didn't-I-think-of-that tips on protecting one's modesty whilst cycling (should one want to do so) can be found.

Ecomonkey particularly likes the safety pin idea (simply pining the front middle section of the skirt/dress to the back sat-upon section) because it is easy to implement and as long as we keep one or two safety pins in our wallet or about our person it should prove relatively easy to remember.

Amidst some ignoreable, ignoble and ignorant scoffing by a handful of male cyclists who seem to think the road is no place for a woman dressed in her usual attire or those who rever the sight of a female rider's upper legs and undergarments as though receiving a personal gift from heaven (read Jessica's Reeve's disappointing experience here), the commenters also provide helpful links to further bike advice. These include Copenhagen Cycle Chic who have successfully demonstrated the lack of necessity to shroud oneself in lycra and other tight fitting synthetic fabrics whilst travelling short journeys across our urban landscape. There are even some fabulous make your own bloomers patterns from erinsrad here and here.

So, no more skirting the issue. It's back on with the dresses and back on that bike! Viva la cyclorevolution!

Further Info:
Guardian's Ethical Living Blog / Copenhagen Cycle Chic / Bike Belles - What To Wear

A Time Comes

2009-07-04T15:11:00.005+01:00

From: Greenpeace UK on YouTube
"This new film by internationally acclaimed director Nick Broomfield celebrates the spirit of direct action. It focuses on 6 Greenpeace volunteers who in 2008 were tried and acquitted for shutting down Kingsnorth power station in the UK, in protest at the government's plans to build a new generation of dirty coal-fired power plants."

Busy...

2009-06-18T18:29:00.001+01:00

A Green Vote For A Green Future

2009-05-28T09:21:00.005+01:00

The Green Party's policies are relevant to the needs of us, the UK and European public. Many of the problems we currently face are a direct result of the greed, self-interest and neglect previous governments have bestowed upon us and seem hell-bent on continuing to dish out if we allow them to.

The only viable alternative is the Green Party who, rather than sticking mindlessly to business as usual and pushing policies that have had their time, offer reasoned, efficient and forward thinking solutions. To vote Green is to vote for a future where equality, real security, sustainability and peace have a chance to flourish. In Ecomonkey's mind, there is no other option.

Here are some more reasons to vote for the Green Party in next week's European Elections:
For an economy that is relevant to the needs of all not just a few | To protect the precious environment that enables our survival | For sustainable jobs and improved lifestyles | For education that is inclusive and empowering | To provide affordable, sustainable, energy efficient housing for all | For a sustainable transport that doesn't cost the earth | To reduce waste and increase green jobs...

Many more reasons can be found here
Download the full Manifesto here

Further Info:
Green Party / European Parliament - June09 Elections

Aung San Suu Kyi In Grave Danger

2009-05-17T13:15:00.004+01:00

From: Anna Roberts, The Burma Campaign UK, 16May09
"We are deeply worried by the news that Aung San Suu Kyi is to face trial on Monday. Aung San Suu Kyi was arrested yesterday and is now being held in Insein Prison, a prison notorious for its terrible conditions and horrific treatment of prisoners. Political prisoners in Burma are routinely subjected to torture and often denied medical treatment. We are very concerned for Aung San Suu Kyi’s health in these conditions, particularly as she was seriously ill last week, but denied medical care by the regime.

Aung San Suu Kyi will face trial for supposedly violating the terms of her house arrest, after an American man swam uninvited to her house and refused to leave. She faces a prison sentence of between three and five years.

Now more than ever Aung San Suu Kyi needs our help. Over the past 24 hours politicians, and celebrities across the world have demanded her release. Over 8,000 of our supporters have emailed UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and ASEAN leaders calling for immediate action to secure the release of Aung San Suu Kyi.

TWO ACTIONS FOR AUNG SAN SUU KYI

DEMONSTRATE
On Monday 18th May, there will be a global day of action for Aung San Suu Kyi. We will hold a demonstration between 12 and 1pm in front of the Burmese Embassy in London to demand the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and all of Burma’s political prisoners. Please come and show your support. Find out more here. If you are not in the UK, contact your local Burma Campaign here.

SUPPORT OUR WORK
If you can’t join the demonstration, then please help us at this crucial time by making a donation. Supporting us is one of the most effective ways of supporting the struggle to free Burma. You can donate online here.

Aung San Suu Kyi has been detained for more than 13 years just for peacefully calling for freedom and democracy. She urgently needs our help or she faces spending the rest of her life in prison"

Further Info:
The Burma Campaign UK / BBC News / Facebook Support Group

Brand Aid

2009-05-13T09:18:00.004+01:00

Further Info:
Bonfire Of The Brands

Think Again Vote Green

2009-05-11T18:56:00.006+01:00

From: Green Party
"If you think we're only concerned about the environment. Think again ... Our policies cover education, healthcare...the economy...jobs and human rights."

"If you think we're all talk and no action, think again. We fought against the European Commission and the food industry to make sure all food containing GM ingredients is clearly labelled ... you have the right to know exactly what you and your family are eating."

"You might assume we don't know much about the economy either. But think again. Our economic policies are designed to work for the next 50 years, not just the next 50 days."

"If you don't want things to continue the way they are ... If you think fairness, integrity and the environment belong in politics ... Then you think exactly like us."

Further Info:
Think Again Vote Green / Green Party

Caroline Lucas - Updated!

2009-05-08T17:45:00.004+01:00

Quick post to let you know that Caroline Lucas, Green MEP for the South East region has had a fabulous refab on her website! We love the new layout which is a pleasure to read, the cute and efficient button links to different topics and of course the wealth of information on Caroline's and the Green Party's work. Ethical design collective Ultimate Holding Company get full marks from us!
Check it out for yourself.

Further Info:
Caroline Lucas MEP / Ultimate Holding Company

Climate Rush: Pedal Power 1Jun09

2009-05-08T09:02:00.003+01:00

An invitation from: Climate Rush

"YOU ARE INVITED TO...

...A GOOD OLD-FASHIONED START-OF-SUMMER BIKE RIDE!

On MONDAY 1ST JUNE the UK Parliament returns from recess for the summer sitting. We want to give them a warm welcome and remind them of the heat they can expect if they continue to ignore climate change.

Ed Miliband (Secretary of State Energy and Climate Change) is in Bonn that evening, discussing with other ‘world leaders’ the agenda for the UN Climate Summit in Copenhagen. Let’s give our ‘leaders’ a taste of the civil disobedience they can expect if real climate justice fails to materialise.

It is also the first evening of a coal conference at the illustrious ‘Chatham House’. Everyone who’s anyone, at least in the coal world, will be there.

We’ll begin our bike-ride outside their conference before winding our way through town. Meet us from 5pm on St James Square, SW1Y 4LE. We’ll then move off at 6pm and take our bikes for a relaxed tour through London. Labour might think that investing in electric cars is the solution to climate change but we know that cars using electricity from coal-fired power stations is yet another red-herring.

Have you ever needed more reason to leave the house, embrace the sunshine and join the pedal-powered as they move about town?

Come along and make your impact felt.
Climate Rush is inspired by the actions of the Suffragettes 100 years ago, who showed that peaceful civil disobedience could inspire positive change. We are a diverse group of women and men who are determined to raise awareness of the biggest threat facing humanity today - that of Climate Change. Our government acknowledges the huge problems we face from Climate Change, but carries on with business as usual. We demand DEEDS NOT WORDS because individual choice alone cannot curb CO2 emissions if we are to stop runaway global warming.

email us on info@climaterush.co.uk"

Further Info:
Climate Rush / Critical Mass London

Profit or Planet, Clapham, 11May09

2009-05-08T08:35:00.000+01:00

Profit or Planet? - A European Election Question Time
Monday 11th May 7:30 pm
The Bread & Roses pub (upstairs)
68 Clapham Manor Street, SW4 6DZ (Map)

From: World Development Movement, SW London
Financial meltdown • Climate catastrophe • Global energy crisis
This triple whammy faces us all. But it's the world's poor - who are least responsible - who are hit hardest. Will the European Union provide the solutions to help them? NOW'S YOUR CHANCE TO FIND OUT

"We’re organising a hustings with MEP candidates to quiz them on their responses to global development issues in advance of the forthcoming European elections.
Please do come along, even if you don’t want to ask a question it should be an interesting night, and it’s really important that the candidates see the importance of these issue to voters. Please pass this info on to others, we want a full house!

Come and listen to candidates from all the main parties in the forthcoming Europeanelections giving their answers to these crucial questions - and decide who deserves your vote.
Chaired by Peter Luff, Director of the European Movement with speakers from the Conservative, Green, Labour and Liberal Democrat parties, including Jean Lambert MEP."

Further Info:
WDM SW London / Facebook Group

Darren Johnson Voted London Assembly Chair

2009-05-07T13:03:00.005+01:00

From: Press Release, London Assembly, 6May09
"The London Assembly has today elected Darren Johnson AM as its new Chair for 2009/10, with Jennette Arnold AM taking over the role of Deputy Chair. At their annual meeting Assembly Members also re-established a number of committees to examine the Mayor of London’s policies and investigate issues of importance to London.

Chair of the London Assembly Darren Johnson AM said: “I am honoured to have been chosen by my colleagues to lead the Assembly in the year ahead and delighted to have this additional opportunity to serve Londoners. I believe the next twelve months will be a crucial time for the future of our city as we seek to pull out of recession and alleviate its impact on individual Londoners. Assembly Members will vigorously make the case for London to receive its fair share of resources from central government during these tough times."

Full Release here

Further Info:
London Assembly / Darren Johnson Lewisham

Furniture On The Street

2009-05-07T12:13:00.006+01:00

Vocational training for unemployed; workshops; experience and education for marginalised youth; confidence and inspiration growth; commissions; community outreach; wood reclamation and re-use; products designed and constructed by trainees; sold to local councils, charities and others - all in a days work for social enterprise scheme, Furniture On The Street (FOS).

Based in Tower Hamlets, the project has so far provided training for 37 people, helping them back or on to work producing quality pieces of local street furniture. Whilst local communities benefit from the divertion of young people from unemployment to skilled trade this inspiring initiative also ensures that timber from London's demolition sites is diverted from landfill and turned instead into useful products for the London community. A win-win situation.

"Furniture On The Street supplies high quality contemporary street furniture aimed at local authorities, housing associations, landscape designers and building contractors.
The enterprise was established by the Old Ford Housing Association, part of Circle Anglia with grant funding from the European Social Fund (ESF). The project is based in Bow, in a socially deprived area of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, and was part of a regeneration initiative which grew out of a training programme for local youths in furniture making."

Visit the FOS website to find out more.
Source: Jo Adetunji, Guardian, 6May09 via Ethical Pulse

Further Info:
Furniture Of The Street / Old Ford Housing Association

We Support Solar News

2009-05-06T17:39:00.003+01:00

From: We Support Solar
"We have good news... Mercury prize winning band the Klaxons, has joined the campaign. Much of the Klaxons' second album is being recorded in a solar powered studio at The Premises Studios in East London; the country’s only recording studio generating clean energy from daylight. The Klaxons said: “We're proud to back the We Support Solar campaign. We use The Premises solar powered recording studio and we know how important solar power is to the delivery of a low carbon UK."

The Klaxons join Lily Allen, 200 MPs, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace, and hundreds of individuals and companies across the country (and rest of world) who are also backing the campaign. ‘We Support Solar’ is fast raising awareness of the importance of a strong ‘Feed-in Tariff’ (FIT) for solar, the commitment to a high sale price for solar electricity, three to four times the price of conventional electricity, that has proven to increase demand for solar in as many as 17 countries in Europe including France, Spain and Italy.

Julia Craik, Manager, Premises Studios said: “However much they might wish to be green, for many businesses it is simply not financially viable to install renewable energy. If the UK followed the example of Germany and introduced a premium feed-in tariff the initial costs of installing renewable technologies such as our solar panels will be recouped in a much shorter time, and after that turn a profit. This would be a huge incentive!”"

Further Info:
We Support Solar / Facebook Group / Write To Your MP / Studio A, The Premises

Conversations On Coke

2009-05-05T08:47:00.008+01:00

Following on from our Not So Innocent Anymore post at the weekend regarding Innocent's sell-out to Coca-Cola, here are the responses from my Facebook page. Please feel free to add comments and opinion below.

David: Dam right! Tell it Rachel!

Karen: Yawn.....isn't there better things to put your "worry energies" into?

Rache: Hi Karen, Don't worry, I'm not expending any 'worry energy' here, simply promoting transparency. We all have our own definitions of what's 'better' and important in life. Making considered ethical choices about what I consume, purchase and thereby support is one that is very important for me.

Julian: Unless Coke feel they need to embrace the ideals that innocent have, or is that a bit optimistic, it's a bit like Body Shop and L'Oreal and Green & Black's and Cadburys, who knows what the motives are.

Karen: wider distribution of their great product is a good objective I would have thought. Coca-Cola have fanstasitc distribution...and actually some great products in their portfolio, 3,000 at last count.

Karen: And Rachel, I agree everyone is entitled to their opinion. :-)
Working for Coca-Cola I see a lot of opinions on facebook and other social media..not all of it true. I'm constantly surprised just how many people and time and effort is spent on demonising Coca-Cola (from poisoning India's water supply to killing people in Columbia) with none of the allegations having stood up in court.

David: Like this Karen? http://tinyurl.com/dasaniScam

Ecomonkey Response:
@Julian: Yes, it would be nice to think that Coke feel they need to embrace some of Innocent's ideals and I don't doubt that there are some people working for Coke who would love the organisation to be more ethical and some who do what they can to influence the company in this way. Based on Coke's previous and current record however it would seem far more likely that the acquisition is based on financial and competitive gain rather than any moral reasons.

Personally, I think the motives of brands like Coke, L'Oreal and Cadbury are clear - they have all captured a larger slice of the market and can appear (temporarily, in the public eye at least) to be making ethical and sustainable efforts. This is greenwash because there has been little or no evidence of any of these acquisitions resulting in the larger companies making significant moves towards putting ethics above profit.

Cadbury's recent transfer from unfair to Fairtrade cocoa in one of its vast range of products is undoubtedly a step in the right direction but for those who choose not to support unethical practices such as child labour and unfair wages we will not be happy until all the cocoa and sugar used in all Cadbury products are fairly traded. And then of course, some of us will be pushing for organic milk to further ensure the health and safety of all concerned in the process of bringing chocolate products from farmer to consumer.

Since the take over of Body Shop, L'Oreal continue to produce and market over packaged products full of toxic and unfairly traded ingredients so there seems to be no real change there.

@Karen: Wider distribution is clearly a great incentive for Innocent to accept finance from another company. I question whether the ethical values on which Innocent are founded and on which many of their customers rely, sit well with a company such as Coca-Cola. In my opinion, and that of many others who actively seek to support organisations with high ethical credentials, the two do not go together at all.

3,000 products is a large number. This amount must surely help to increase Coke's profit. Great. What about the consumers and the farmers and the bottlers and the distributors and the people who depend on the water supply used to make the products? Do all of these people benefit from 3,000 products? What about the planet that has to cope with the waste 3,000 products generates?

It is true that Coca-Cola have a vast distribution network. It is a shame that these networks are used to promote sugary drinks rather than healthy, beneficial products, particularly in countries where living standards are relatively low and where clean, safe drinking water is not a given.

I'm constantly surprised that so many people are so addicted to Coke and blinded by 'clever' advertising that they cannot see the damage being done to themselves and to those involved in producing products such as Coke. Only today I read of someone who drank 3-4 cans of Coke a day until at 40 he developed diabetes which he openly blames on his habit. This is sad but the worst part of his story is that instead of deciding to drink water or fruit juice he substituted Coke for Coke Zero - that undying loyalty to a unhealthy brand amazes me!

I'm also constantly surprised by just how many people, time, effort and money is spent on promoting Coca-Cola and trying to make the company and its products appear faultless. Wouldn't these resources be better spent cleaning up water supplies in India, supporting families that have suffered as a result of Coke's practices, using the network in parts of Africa for example to supply much needed medical equipment (see the ColaLife campaign), ensuring fair trade practices in all of Coke's franchises, developing genuinely nutritious products, less wasteful packaging and adequate recycling facilities?

Anti-Coke feelings are generally not a demonisation of one company so much as a desire to live in a world where people and planet are put before profit. If this means hassling certain organisations until they change their ways and encouraging consumers to make informed choices then that's what will continue to happen until positive change takes place.

Further Info:
Belching Out The Devil, Mark Thomas / India Resource Centre / Killer Coke / Mark Thomas / ColaLife

Not So Innocent Anymore

2009-05-03T16:12:00.006+01:00

A few weeks ago we discovered (thanks in part to Take The Red Pill) that Innocent Drinks maker of delicious, nutritious and ethical drinks with a conscience had sold out to Coca-Cola, maker of artificial, sugary, non-nutritious drinks with virtually no morals to speak of.

It seems such a shame that a business begun in such an innovative, adventurous way has taken an easy but compromising route to further financial gain and growth rather than stick to its previously inspiring principles of determined independence from the standard, non-accountable, non-sustainable, solely-profit-focused, corporate way of doing business.

Partnering with Coca-Cola of all companies, who display literally opposite principles to those claimed by Innocent seems like a symbolic kick in the teeth to Innocent product consumers and fans. Is this really 'doing the right thing'?

Innocent claims that its purpose includes to "make decisions that are in the interests of our growers and our customers and the planet we live on, and resist the temptation to compromise". Accepting £30m finance from Coca-Cola seems like an enormous compromise that largely ignores the interest of growers, customers and planet at least while Coke continues to profit from damaging all three.

Mark Thomas replied to Innocent founders' explanations of why after 10 years of independence, between 10 and 20% of the business was sold to Coke thus: "...I just wanted to drop you a note regarding your new found partnership with Coca Cola ... The allegations against Coca Cola in Colombia are simple: trade unionists working for the company have been intimidated and murdered ... the Coca Cola Company tried to silence the Colombian trade unionists who brought the case against them in the USA ... The cases of Coke plant managers falsifying evidence against trade unionists, accusing them of terrorism. resulting in innocent men wrongly imprisoned for 6 months before the charges against them being dismissed ... over some 15 years the company bottlers have gone from about 80% of the work force being in permanent employment with 20% casual labour to the situation we now find, where 20% of the work force is permanent and 80% casualised with no rights to even join a trade union ..." Read Mark's full response here.

Further Info:
Innocent Blog / Mark Thomas / Killer Coke

Sticking To Our Principles

2009-04-29T15:07:00.005+01:00

From: Climate Rush
"Four activists from environmental action group Climate Rush glued themselves around a statue in the lobby of the Houses of Parliament today. Once fixed they spoke about the impacts of climate change, to the surprise of MPs, civil servants and tourists.

At 10am three women and one man, dressed in white like the original Suffragettes and wearing red 'climate' sashes, used superglue to stick their hands around the sword carried by a statue of Viscount Falkland. Exactly one hundred years earlier (27th April 1909) a Suffragette, Marjory Hume, chained herself to this sword to protest for women's suffrage. Police were forced to cut the stone sword to set her free. One hundred years on, the police had to rely on solvent to unstuck the protesters.

Rusher Cadi St John, a twenty year old student at Bristol University said: 'A hundred years ago women were forced to break the law to have their voice heard in Parliament. A hundred years on and nothing's changed. I'm in my first year at uni and I'm almost ready to give up and become a full-time campaigner about climate change. Like so many of my generation I'm terrified about what the future holds, but instead of environmental action Labour promises new coal fired power stations and a third runway at Heathrow. This is the only way I can make myself heard.'"
Full article here

Further Info:
Climate Rush / BBC News 27Apr09

Defend Peaceful Protest News

2009-04-29T14:35:00.004+01:00

Update from: Defend Peaceful Protest on Metropolitan Police Authority meeting 9:30am tomorrow and plans to ensure the police violence at G20 protests are never repeated.

"-MPA Meeting on the 30th April, there will be a rally outside City Hall organised by United Campaign Against Police Violence, another group working on some of the same issues as us.

- At the meeting itself, Defend Peaceful Protest members have had written questions we submitted accepted to the Metropolitan Police Authority meeting, we'll be asking these in person on Thursday. We'll see what Boris Johnson and the MPA members have to say about the policing! Questions are pasted at bottom of this message.

- We plan to launch a public debate on policing on our website by Thursday evening. So far people from across the political spectrum have shown interest, from Conservatives, to Labour to Lib Dem to Green to SWP to Anarchists to the Police, to the apolitical. Make sure you have your say on Thursday! Defend Peaceful Protest (click on forum on top right)

- We are submitting evidence to the House of Commons Home Affairs Select committee. Basically an influential committee of MP's who are investigating the policing operation ath the G20.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
- Attend the rally from 9.30am on Thursday, outside City Hall, London Bridge
- Spread the word about the debate and join in yourself, if you run a blog and want to run an article from us please email no2policeviolence@gmail.com or write your own of course!

MPA questions we submitted below

1. Why were many police at the G20 demonstrations not wearing shoulder ID or deliberately concealing ID when categoric assurances had been made by Silver star commander Broadhurst to MPs that this would not happen?

2 Will there be a wider independent investigation into allegations of systematic use of excessive force by police against individual protestors?

3 Will there be a broader review into policing strategy at protests in general, in addition to the review of policing at the G20 protests?

4 Will the chair of the MPA meet with Defend Peaceful Protest and other groups who were at the G20 protests to ensure that any review of the tactics deployed at the G20 includes the experiences of the protestors themselves?"

Further Info:
Defend Peaceful Protest / United Campaign Against Police Violence / MPA Meeting 30Apr09

Midweek Dilemma: New Kitchen?

2009-04-29T09:49:00.010+01:00

The Dilemma: Being a bit of a visionary, Ecomonkey is addicted to planning ahead and today we are mostly imagining having just moved ourselves, along with bags of enthusiasm, into a lovely new home of our own. In our dreamscape, the pad is brim full of potential but currently houses a rather scruffy, ill-proprtioned and well used kitchen. After a month or so trying to live with its garish ugliness, we have to admit that the old outfit has to be replaced with something more suited to our tastes and needs.

Recycling The Old: Naturally, we will remove the old kitchen as carefully as possible and investigate how best to recycle it, either in parts of as a whole. Options included selling or freecycling any desirable parts, offering to local salvage yards, donating to second-hand furniture and charity stores, putting up notices in our local shops/library/church to see if anyone else can make us of our junk and contacting pre-loved and recycled furniture services such as the Furniture Resource Network or Brighton & Hove's Wood Recycling Project.

Recycling The New: Finally the old has been removed. But what to replace it with? The idea of popping down to Ikea, Homebase or wherever else one is 'supposed' to obtain kitchens from these days fills us with dread. The smell of brand new units that are oil saturated, run of the mill, designed and manufactured without environmental or social care, makes us want to cry. We'd much rather close the loop on our old kitchen by using recycled materials, so utilising all the options we used to dispose of the previous furniture to gather new pieces seems highly appropriate.

Once we've freecycled and salvaged what we can there may still be a need for manufactured pieces. This need not mean a sullen return to the high-street or mass-produced shopping centre hell. Milestone Eco Design and their Kitchens Of Recycle Contents (KORC) can help. This company does just what it says on the tin producing kitchen parts constructed from all sorts of recycled plastic materials including coffee cups, mobile phone covers, CDs, bottles, yoghurt pots and other food containers. All of these are transformed into plastic board which can then be used to make the cupboards, drawers, cabinets and so on that our kitchen needs.

Our next step is to find a recycled worksurface that works hard without losing any of the stunning aesthetics we love. GLASSeco could be the answer with a variety of beautiful bespoke surfaces fabricated from glass bottles and plastic products that would otherwise have been shipped to languish on our ever increasing landfill. All the recycled products are bound in solvent-free resins or recycled content cement and even the baseboards are made from used supermarket carrier bags! Tough, hardwearing and eye-catching surfaces that don't cost the earth? Sounds perfect!

Vimeo

For heaps more solutions to eco kitchen and home consumerism check out these links: Chamois | Eco Kitchens Online | Recycled Products Guide | Source Antiques | Recycle

Any other hints, tips and ideas for imagining the perfect eco kitchen and making it a reality, gratefully accepted.

Further Info:
Furniture Resource Network / Brighton & Hove Wood Recycling Project / Freecycle / Milestone Eco Design / GLASSeco