Depending on how often you hang out in department stores, it's quite possible that next time you shop in Debenhams you could find yourself basking in heat and light provided entirely by renewable sources. This is because the chain has just signed a first of its kind deal that will ensure all of its electricity comes from 'green' energy.
Scottish Power has agreed that Debenhams will be supplied with 35 MW of green energy per month, enough to light and heat 50,000 homes. This should be enough to cover every one of its 172 stores. This is a major step forward for the renewables sector, and will be seen as a shining example of how greener electricity can work every bit as well as the more polluting sort. Let's hope that Debenhams' shoppers will be inspired by the plan and take the idea of greener energy to the one place it most needs to get established: at home.
[via The Independent]
Now, I don't have a lot of luck with solar-powered gadgets, so I've gotta admit I'd be wary about putting this one to the test. Having your iPod die while you're listening to your favourite song is one thing...in the middle of a session with your, um, "love toy" quite another. But sure enough, some women are getting their rocks off from pure solar stimulation, with this solar powered vibrator.
At first glance, the solar sensations bullet vibrator looks much like a mobile phone. At second glance: still like a mobile phone. Which I guess gives it points for subtlety. As with all solar gadgets, the theory is that it will work after exposure to natural or artificial light, and will then "go for hours" (2.5, to be precise). Convinced? It'll set you back $31
Want to run your own windmill and live 'off-grid'? Energy 4 All -- a company that helps communities get wind power projects up and running -- has launched a new site today that guides users through the necessary hoops to get started with generating their own energy.
The site splits these stages into nine steps, and gives clear instructions on what's needed at each turn. The first step is pretty straightforward: 'is there enough wind on your chosen site', and from there, it explores issues like planning permission, neighbours and design sensitivity. Once you've run through all the key questions and found the answers to be reasonably positive, then Energy4All are keen to hear from you and assist you in setting up your project.
If you need a bit of cheering on a grey January morning, turn your thoughts instead to California sun: a bit of good news from Silicone Valley this week has raised the hope of affordable, effective solar energy for the future.
The innovation -- which would make solar energy as 'cheap as coal power' -- was funded by several benefactors, including the founders of Google who declared themselves committed to green technology last year. It means panels could soon be made as quickly and easily as though they were on a printing press. The new-style panels would be so flexible they could be placed in many more places than just rooves and flat surfaces. Could this be the first clear indication that private companies are really prepared to put their money where their mouth is when it comes to the much-trotted-out aim of 'making the world a better place'? Let's hope so!
[Via the Guardian]
I know some of you super-organised people out there will already have started thinking about decorating your homes in anticipation of the festive season - and I imagine the suddenly rather wintery weather may well have been a catalyst! If you like to go overboard in the run-up to Christmas, but aren't so keen on the idea of the usual plastic, planet-pillaging decor, keep reading... Instead of tinsel and baubles, use potted poinsettias, rosemary, thyme and sage, branches of mistletoe and holly wreaths. Eschewing a tacky plastic tree is also better for the environment, as well as being far more aesthetically pleasing. If you look after it properly, you can use a living, potted tree year after year, and it won't get tatty round the edges like its artificial counterparts, or shed its needles like a cut tree.
If you need further inspiration on what to use and how, there's plenty of help out there. For instance, leafing (ho ho) through the latest Royal Horticultural Society Diary of Events this morning, I spotted a flower-arranging demonstration entitled 'A merry floral Christmas' taking place in Lawrence Hall on Greycoat Street in London on the 9th November - the demonstration takes place at 2.15pm, and is repeated at 4.15pm. If you're considering getting yourself a living Christmas tree, these tips should help you keep it healthy.
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Leaked cabinet papers have revealed that Labour has no intention of implementing its proposed plans to make a fifth of European energy come from renewable sources by 2020. The papers say that although attempting to back down from the agreement would be a "controversial" move for Labour, it is a necessary one, as reaching the targets would be expensive and involve "severe practical difficulties".
Also included in the papers are rather shocking plans involving John Hutton, secretary of state for business, attempting to persuade Gordon Brown to helping lower the targets. Brown is to be encouraged to speak to countries such as Poland, who do not consider global warming such a threat as other governments, and have them join forces with him in getting Germany and other more environmentally conscious governments to accept more "realistic" targets!
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Planning to move house? It seems that Bradford is the place to go for the green minded individual. The city was revealed to have the lowest environmental impact of any British city, in spite of its undeniably large role in the Industrial Revolution. Contrary to popular belief, Bradford's rivers were not polluted beyond redemption during this period in its history, and the streams surrounding the city are now a veritable haven of wildlife! Bradford also boasts large areas of green space, and has a number of successful recycling schemes in place. You can read more about Bradford's environmental initiatives - from their 'real nappy' scheme to the Forest of Bradford project, which aims to extend areas of woodland in Bradford - at the Bradford Environmental Action Trust.
Liverpool was voted the least sustainable place to live, with poor water quality and a lack of evidence that it is working towards a more sustainable future dragging it to the bottom of the list.
The survey of cities was carried out by charity Forum for the Future.
Depending on how often you hang out in department stores, it's quite possible that next time you shop in Debenhams you could find yourself basking in heat and light provided entirely by renewable sources. This is because the chain has just signed a first of its kind deal that will ensure all of its electricity comes from 'green' energy. 
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