Environmental artist Ha Schult has installed his army of one thousand life sized trash people in the Arctic at Longyearbyen, Svalbard.

The German artist has travelled the world with his sculptures made of discarded materials since 1996 and has been below the La Défense arch in Paris, in the aptly named Piazza del Popolo (the people's square) in Rome, by the pyramids of Giza and now the freezing conditions of the Arctic.

Images: top - www.lokalstyre.no / all others www.haschult.de

I thought this was an April Fool. But seemingly not, given we are half way through June. Orange really has developed a mobile phone charging device for your wellies.

Billed as perfect for this weekend's Glastonbury festival (handy given your mobile phone normally runs out of charge after a few hours of texting/phoning your mates to find out where they are) it apparently works by converting the heat from your feet into electric current.

Twelve hours of stomping through the mud will give about 1 hour of charge (not much really), but you can increase it by dancing around because the hotter your feet get the more energy you produce.

Developed in conjunction with Got Wind, the Power Wellies are unfortunately still in prototype form. But you can recharge your devices in the Orange Chill 'n' Charge area. For more information go to www.orange.co.uk/glastonbury

Here's a video featuring a guy from Got Wind explaining how the wellies work. Though after watching it I'm still no clearer whether this is for real or just a wind up.

Looking for something earth-friendly to do this weekend? There's plenty to choose from, with the main event being the first Sustainability Show at the 02 centre in London. The show promises to cover all areas of sustainable living, from ethical fashion, cosmetics, holidays and investments to cars, travel and much more. There'll be new products to try out, screenings of Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth (if you haven't yet discovered what the fuss is about), an electric vehicle rally and a programme of forums, lectures and presentations to discuss many of the issues highlighted will be run during the show.

Also taking place this weekend is Reading's Big Green Market, one of many eco-friendly fairs that will be taking place all over the UK in the run up to Christmas. An ideal place to find unusual and sustainable gifts, it's a street market with a conscience -- expect an exciting range of green, eco-friendly, ethically traded and organic products offering some highly original and alternative gift ideas for all.

Ever got into the office on a dull day in need of a kick up the backside? A far more pleasant solution is using dynamic lighting, which can be adjusted to mimic daylight, create a more intimate, relaxed ambiance or promote concentration. The new system I tested at the Philips Simplicity event does all these things and more, and amazingly, uses eco-friendly technology, as it relies on a modernised version of the humble fluorescent strip-light to do its thing. See how it works in the video below.

It may have ended months ago, but Springwatch fever is still alive and kicking on Scottish island Islay. The special reports from the island, which featured golden eagles, choughs and hen harriers amongst other things, has meant an increase of 30% in visitor numbers to the area's RSPB reserves. As many as 100 people have been attending the weekly walks around Loch Gruinart and The Oa reserves to see the Springwatch 'characters' for themselves. Generally people are most interested in the fate of the golden eagle chick and the chough chicks being raised by their dad (all of which are doing well by the way).

What did YOU have for breakfast this morning? Maybe a muesli bar? Toast, or (hang your head in shame) nothing?

Get ready to put such paltry fast-breaking behind you as you celebrate the Soil Association’s Organic Fortnight between 1st and 16th September by waking up to an organic breakfast, that’s the challenge set by the Soil Association for this year. Retailers are set to promote organic breakfast goods and there will be events around the country, including the Organic Food Festival in Bristol on 1st and 2nd September. If you’re anywhere nearby, this is worth going to.

If you have an interest in wilderness living, survival skills and primitive crafts and technology, then this is the show for you. Now a three day event, the Wilderness Gathering at Bush Farm, West Knoyle, Wiltshire is now in its fifth year. Running between the 30th August and 2nd September, the price of this family-oriented event remains the same as the previous years’ two day events.
There are masterclasses in skills as varied as arrow-making, tracking, wild food and moving silently in the landscape, and you can also learn how to procure and purify water, know your trees, fish, make shelters and herbal tea making.

Various Bushcraft and Survival businesses have stands, and for the children there is the Coyote Kids Club running events throughout the weekend. The Food Court includes drinks by the Sussex Cider Man, which should be something to look forward to.
This really is a unique event and deserves to be a great success. Maybe you should join in.

This year’s National Marine Week runs from 11th August to 19th August celebrating the UK’s marine life and environment. The UK has a fascinating undersea environment, being a home to crabs, anemones, fish, seals, dolphins, seabirds and all kinds of plants. Anyone who has ever enjoyed poking around in a rock-pool as a child will enjoy all the activities all over the UK to celebrate the UK’s seas and the life within them. The Wildlife Trust is running all kinds of events, from Seashore Safaris, and Rock-pool Rambles to Coastal Minibeast Safaris. Check with your local sealife centre for events running there. It’s an excellent excuse to hang around on a beach during the belated lovely August weather!

This year's Eco Prize for creativity is now open for entries. The award is open to anyone who lives/works or studies in Scotland and covers any artistic work from any creative industry, including arts, crafts, publishing, music etc. The winner in each category will be someone who has best promoted environmentally friendly living and green practises, and whose work makes a positive statement. Previous winners include the 'Bowmore Chair' by David Trujillo-Farley, which is a chair made from the used barrels of Bowmore Whiskey using minimal amounts of energy, and which is ultimately a bio-degradable piece of furniture. There was also the 'Green Roof' by Beth Hamer, which is an urban organic garden situated on the top of a nightclub in the centre of Glasgow. Entries can be made online here, and the deadline is 31st August 2007.

You may have missed the fact that yesterday was World Ranger Day. A celebration of the men and women who devote their lives to protecting nature and the environment all across the world. I have a vested interest, as I volunteer with the East Lothian Countryside Rangers, and I can certainly vouch for the sterling work they do. Last night a film documenting the work of the world's rangers - The Thin Green Line was shown in over 50 countries. The film is the brainchild of Sean Willimore, a ranger from Warringine Park in Victoria, Australia. He sold his car and remortgaged his home three times in order to fund the documentary, so you could say it was a labour of love!

Since Stony Organic Yoghurts came to the UK with their catchy ‘Stony, Yogurt on a mission’ moniker, they have been living up to their name with initiatives aimed at reducing our impact on climate change. The latest of these is the ‘De-pollute your commute’ initiative to raise environmental awareness amongst car drivers. Did you know that the average car driven for 12,000 miles creates 3.5 tonnes of carbon emissions, and a 4x4 creates 5.8 tonnes? I know cars are vital for certain journeys, but for short trips cycling or walking are much better, both for you and the planet.

If you want to chill out this weekend, get yourself down to Epsom in Surrey for a happy family day with arts, music and ethical food and drink at the Ambient Picnic Festival.
It’s on Sunday 8th July from 12 noon till 9pm and this is its first year in a new location but featuring all the things that have made it so good in previous years. Entry is £6 and you can buy tickets in advance or at the location.
The countryside area is in partnership with Surrey Wildlife Trust and there is also a natural healing area, a real ale area and a family arts area as well as a live music stage, acoustic stage and a dance tent. There’s bound to be something for everyone.

If Glastonbury was not quite enough for you andyou just haven't had your fill of music festivals for 2007 you might like to visit the Two Thousand Trees Music Festival

The event will run on 13th and 14th July, visitors will get the chance to enjoy the small festival experience at a lovely Cotswolds location.

If you're at a loose end this weekend you should head up to the Highlands of Scotland, for the Outsider Festival. It will be set in the Cairngorms National Park, which is one of Britain's most stunning areas of natural beauty, with ancient pine forests, a range of spectacular mountains, lochs, rivers and moorland. It's home to over a quarter of the UK's most endangered species, including the lovable red squirrel. This weekend it will also be home to the likes of KT Tunstall, Crowded House, Idlewild and a host of other musicians and comedians.

Related: More acts sign up for 2007 Forest Tour | Yay or Nay: Would you eat a grey squirrel?

For all of us vegans and those that are vegan-curious looking for something to do this coming weekend, why not go along to the Bristol Vegan Fayre on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th June. Admission is only £3, and kids under 12 and OAP’s get in free. This is billed as the world’s biggest vegan fayre, and when you look at all the events going on you’ll understand why. There will be bands and DJ’s, entertainers, cruelty free fashion shows, cookery demos, expos and talks. There will be over 170 stalls to browse, with loads of vegan goodies to tempt even the most ardent meat eaters. There is a children’s area with clowns, entertainment and competitions. It sounds like a great day out for everyone. The event is being held at The Amphitheatre and Waterfront Square, Bristol City Centre between 11am and 8pm on Saturday and 11am and 6pm on Sunday.