The internet has proved a useful tool against waste. Initiatives like Freecycle, and various swap sites such as What's Mine Is Yours, Read It, Swap It and Swopex - encouraging users to swap clothes, books, videos, etc - have become extremely popular of late. Sites like Swap A Skill have also been set up to promote the concept of bartering skills.
LetsLink UK is the leading organisation supporting Local Exchange Trading Systems - a system for swapping both skills and possessions - across the UK. Not only this, but they are also supported by the MP Linda Gilroy and the Parliamentary Group for LETS, and recently ran a national campaign to try and amend social security regulations for LETS. Their website is an extremely useful resource, showing you which regional group to approach to start participating in the scheme, offering an information pack which you can order, and also listing various events where you can listen to speakers discussing the philosophy behind the concept. They also have a members area and discussion forum online, as well as offering intertrading accounts and reduced attendance rates at national events to anyone who signs up to their internet service.
Related Stories: UK Student Swap Site|Visa Swap: a new concept in clothes swapping|Swopex DVD and game swap|No purchase necessary - Swap a Skill lets you swap your skills
Green News
The recent earthquake in Japan, which measured 6.8 on the Richter Scale, triggered a leak at a nuclear power plant. The leak from the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa facility was minor and thought not to be harmful.
A spokesman from Tokyo Electric, who run the plant, said: "We have confirmed that water containing a slight amount of radioactive materials leaked out of the facility. But the leakage is believed to be far below the levels that could affect the environment." The quake also triggered a serious fire which took several hours to contain.
[via Energy Daily]
Related story: More on the nuclear power debate
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Green News
The Roberts Tower in St Louis, Missouri will be the first high-rise building to be awarded a Gold LEED (Leadership in Energy Efficient Design) Certification by the US Green Building Council.
The tower will be constructed with environmentally responsible and sustainable materials and designed to make significant energy savings of 50-70%. It will even have its own recycling program and feature energy efficient appliances.
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Western gray whales off the east coast of Russia are being driven away from their feeding grounds by noise from the construction of a nearby oil and gas site.
Environmental groups are concerned by the high levels of noise from the construction by Sakhalin Energy (which is partly owned by Shell). Following advice from experts they had agreed to limit load noises to more than four hours at a time. Environmental groups in the area claim that the noise is instead going on for up to 48 hours.
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When hurricane Katrina devastated the city of New Orleans in 2005 rebuilding the city and rehousing the homeless was an urgent priority. Global Green USA decided that out of the ruins of New Orleans a new greener city could be built.
With this in mind they have committed to rebuilding New Orleans in an eco-friendly, energy efficient way.
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Green News
As Gordon Brown settles into his new office British citizens can have their say on a variety of ethical issues at the Downing Street website. Here you can find petitions promoting animal welfare, energy conservation and a host of other green issues.
You can even support some less familiar campaigns. For example, Hugh Bernard wants fruit trees and other edible plants in city centres. Follow the jump to read more about how you can have you say.
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Utilities, services & misc
Ever wanted to find green DIY products or look for an eco-friendly restaurant in your area? Maybe you just want a quick rundown of all the local box schemes for organic veg? Greenfinder is a brand new website that's here to help, and its interface is a lot simpler than similar sites I've seen that claim to offer the same service.
It's is a comprehensive listing of all things green and ethical, which allows you to search for household products and services, including IT and telecoms providers, cruelty free products, recycling services, green events and much, much more. All shades of green are welcome, from 'light green' folk with a passing interest in the environment to the dark greenies among you who are saving the world as we speak. The team behind Greenfinder have an interactive and very friendly approach to their work, and welcome ideas and suggestions. I suggest you go over there and have a look!
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