web metrics
Browse by:
Get daily news round-up
Planet saving

A planet saving guitar...what the flax?

green-guitar.jpgMusic experts will tell you that the finest guitars are made using exotic wood, such as rosewood, ebony and mahogany. But as usual, voracious human appetite is taking its toll on the timber of the world and while guitar makers' part in the devastation of deforestation is relatively small - they are starting to feel the strain.

But one group of Finnish instrument makers claims to have found a harmonious solution in the "flaxwood tree"; a piece of mythical fauna said to grow in the northern woods around Joensuu in Eastern Finland, where vast misty forests abound and the locals' hearts are "full of music". But the tree has one major drawback...

Continue reading >>

Posted by Abi Silvester on June 1, 2009 2:41 PM | Comments (0) | digg.gif digg this | del.icio.us this | stumble.gifStumble It!
Vegetarian and Vegan living

Carnivores beware: it's National veggie week!

kebabs.jpgThe opportunity to share the many benefits of a great tasting healthy cruelty-free lifestyle with the world is upon us once again - it's National Vegetarian Week!

If you're already vegetarian you could use this week to help spread the word! Let everyone know that it's not just about lentils, tofu and open-toed sandals any more (although there's nothing particularly wrong with any of those). There's a whole world of deliciously sumptuous delights awaiting those who are willing to take a small dietary step. You veggies are the living proof of the benefits of this lifestyle - so get out there and show yourselves off!

What to do if you're not already a veggie...

Continue reading >>

Posted by Abi Silvester on May 20, 2009 11:44 AM | Comments (0) | digg.gif digg this | del.icio.us this | stumble.gifStumble It!

Advertisement

Vegetarian and Vegan living

Belgian city goes veggie for a day

ghent2.jpgIf you're a veggie who's ever attempted to order a meal in Belgium, this piece of news may just shock you: the entire city of Ghent in Belgium has declared Thursday Vegetarian Day (or Veggiedag), when civil servants and elected councillors will go for meat and fish-free meals. From September this new initiative will be hitting schools too, which will change their default meal to a vegetarian one.

Continue reading >>

Posted by Abi Silvester on May 14, 2009 4:11 PM | Comments (0) | digg.gif digg this | del.icio.us this | stumble.gifStumble It!
Green News

Tackling the pizza box mountain

pizza_box_front.jpgIf you've ever shared a space with a student (or been one) it will probably come as little surprise to you to hear that pizza boxes make up a disproportionately large part of the UK's total landfill.

Without getting into the issue of our reliance on cheap fast food for now, the problem is that there's not much you can do with an old pizza container, beyond making a 'theft-proof' laptop bag that will incur some odd looks on your journey to work, or using them for target practice. And this is where a new invention called the Green Box really comes into its own.

Read on over the jump to find out more about greening up your takeaway

Continue reading >>

Posted by Abi Silvester on May 7, 2009 11:29 AM | Comments (1) | digg.gif digg this | del.icio.us this | stumble.gifStumble It!
Green News

Climate change threatens '.tv' domain name

tuvalu.jpgA sobering word of advice is being given to those planning on setting up a new website using the '.tv' domain name: the internet suffix popular with tv channels, video bloggers and anyone whose '.com' address has already been snapped up. The reason: the Island of Tuvalu where the domains are registered is reportedly disappearing into the sea.

As far as I'm aware, this is the first time climate change has threatened a virtual location with extinction. Hippyshopper, of course, is registered with a global warming-proofed '.com' address, but that's more than can be said for this beautiful Island.

[via Gawker]

Posted by Abi Silvester on May 1, 2009 12:36 PM | Comments (0) | digg.gif digg this | del.icio.us this | stumble.gifStumble It!
Green News

Veggie Pride goes worldwide

veggie-pride.jpgAre you vegetarian (or vegan) and proud? If so, you might enjoy the chance to celebrate your lifestyle choice with the same vigour that gay people have been doing for decades, and take to the streets for some true veggie-loving zeal.

'Veggie Pride' is still a fairly new concept here in the UK, where we tend to be a bit more reserved about our eating habits than our American and European cousins, but that's all changing, says Paul Ridden, reporting from France (where I thought they still ritually burned vegetarians at the stake).

Read on for more info on how you can take part!

Continue reading >>

Posted by Abi Silvester on April 28, 2009 1:11 PM | Comments (0) | digg.gif digg this | del.icio.us this | stumble.gifStumble It!
Green News

Innovation - Ethical Fashion Competition

green_top_and_shortsL.jpgAre you a budding fashion designer who likes to make amazing stuff out of all kinds of discarded things? If so, the Ethical Fashion Forum is the organisation that could help you get the funding and guidance you need to turn your dreams into fully-fledged catwalk creation.

They're running a competition called 'Innovation' to find new talent, which will allow one up and coming designer to exhibit their S/S 2010 collections at either Pure or Estethica and receive business support from an expert consultancy team.

Follow the jump for details on how to enter!

Continue reading >>

Posted by Abi Silvester on April 24, 2009 10:25 AM | Comments (0) | digg.gif digg this | del.icio.us this | stumble.gifStumble It!