The fledgling world of green gadgetry is to get its own event next year: the Greener Gadgets Conference due to take place in New York on 1st February 2008.
The global IT industry, itself responsible for around 2% of C02 emissions worldwide, has been told to clean up its act recently, and the launch of this event suggests that the geeks are taking heed. As well as showcasing the best in innovative, energy saving design and manufacture, the conference will be inviting some of the biggest names in technology to talk about what they're doing to make their companies greener.
If you'd like some really great bargains on up-to-the-minute green and ethical clothing, I can heartily recommend a trip to the Fashion Made Fair sample sale at London's Old Truman Brewery this weekend.
I went along to an earlier sale in the Spring, and was delighted to come back with some fabulous cut-price items from my favourite brands, including People Tree and Terra Plana. At every Fashion Made Fair event I've been to so far there have been racks upon racks of stylish, sustainable fashion, a relaxed and fun atmosphere and surprises at every turn, and with reductions up to 80%, this one promises to be no different. There is also the opportunity for one lucky person to win an eco outfit worth over £215.So why not combine a trip to Spitalfields Market with a visit to the sample sale this weekend, and get your wardrobe acquainted with some of the hottest eco chic around.
Want to get down to some sweet planet-lovin' this weekend? You've come to the right place. Here's our weekly roundup of green things to do this weekend.
Leicester
This one sounds like fantastic fun if you enjoy making things and want some unique and environmentally friendly decorations this Christmas. Leicester's Eco House is running an 'Organic Christmas decoration-making' workshop on 9th December from 2pm - 4pm. Why not pop along and make your own ornaments from natural materials found in the EcoHouse's beautiful organic garden? The event is free, and it's suitable for adults and children from age 5. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Central London
For the slightly more hardcore eco-worrier, Saturday's focal point may well be the National Climate March through Central London. Organised by the Campaign against Climate Change, it's part of a global day of action with demonstrations and events taking place in more than 50 countries, designed to coincide with the UN Climate Talks in Bali. Assemble at 12 Noon in Millbank for the main march; details for the rest of the day's activities are here.
Instead of spending every night next week strolling around the shops or drinking yourself silly, why not indulge in a little time to get to grips with some serious issues? Don't' worry, it needn't be done in a serious manner. The Punk Science team at the Dana Centre are holding a Climate Change talk on 11th Dec, starting at 7pm. You can look forward to 60 minutes of bad jokes, strange demos and stand up-science humour, and a down to earth take on just what we can do to prevent climate change. They cover a range of topics from poo power to wind farms, hydrogen cars to nuclear energy. Most entertainingly, you can discover how in typical Brit style, global warming will actually make us colder. And if you're still not convinced.. the Dana centres as a shop and a bar... so you can still get your presents and whisky in. Score.
howies (yes, the lower-case h is intentional!) has branched out from its online roots to open an exciting new store in London's Carnaby Street. You can't move for eco-friendly features in the shop, which also contains a library and has running water on tap for thirsty shoppers. Catwalk Queen's Isabelle and I popped down on opening night to check out the vibe!
If, like me, you're tired of having turkey and all-butter mince pies advertised to you everywhere you look, then you might want to pop along to Animal Aid's Christmas Without Cruelty Fayre on Sunday. There will more than 80 stalls there, from a range of organisations including Viva!, PETA, Plamil Foods and the Vegan Society.
I really enjoyed last year's event, chomping my way through such delights as vegan fudge, vegan trifle (positively orgasmic, for the record!) and, of course, vegan turkey. I also picked up a lovely selection of Christmas cards from different animal charities. It was definitely a very good antidote to the meat-obsessed mainstream Yuletide marketing we're all subjected to.
The fayre runs from 10am to 5pm in Kensington Town Hall.
There are plenty of entries in the green calendar this weekend, and as you might expect, green Christmas fairs are cropping up everywhere. I've included a few of these from around the UK, plus a tree-planting day for more out-doorsy types.
Central London
Head into town for some ethical shopping and MP-spotting at the Fair Trade Fair, taking place in Parliament Square. The UK's 'oldest fair Christmas event' has loads of participants on board, and runs from 12-5pm on 1st and 2nd of December at
Westminster Central Hall, Parliament Square, London SW1.
Swansea
The Swansea Christmas Green Fayre takes place on Sunday 2nd December, at the National Waterfront Museum. This will be a good one for foodies, as the green fayre's stalls will be joined by Waterfront's monthly Local Produce Market, but there's more than just mouth watering organic treats on offer here: you'll find craft stalls, tools for self-sufficient living, Oxfam charity stalls and ceramics. The event promises to be 'bigger and greener than ever', and judging by the success of last year's event, I'm sure it'll will be. You can see some pictures here.
The fledgling world of green gadgetry is to get its own event next year: the Greener Gadgets Conference due to take place in New York on 1st February 2008.
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If you'd like some really great bargains on up-to-the-minute green and ethical clothing, I can heartily recommend a trip to the 
Want to get down to some sweet planet-lovin' this weekend? You've come to the right place. Here's our weekly roundup of green things to do this weekend. 
There are plenty of entries in the green calendar this weekend, and as you might expect, green Christmas fairs are cropping up everywhere. I've included a few of these from around the UK, plus a tree-planting day for more out-doorsy types. 
