http://www.fairhome.co.uk Fair Home: Fairtrade, recycling, environment and green issues Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:03:55 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en The search is on to find one person to be the voice of ordinary Brits on the environment. TV star Melanie Sykes launched the campaign to find the Green Voice of Great Britain in London on 24 September. The chosen green champion will become an advocate for the people of Great Britain ... http://www.fairhome.co.uk/2009/09/25/search-for-green-champion-begins/ The aviation industry has pledged to slash carbon dioxide emissions in half over the next 40 years. The agreement between airlines, airports, and aircraft manufacturers will see emissions cut 50% compared to 2005 levels by 2050. Announcing the plans, Willa Walsh, British Airways chief executive, said the agreement was the chance for ... http://www.fairhome.co.uk/2009/09/23/airlines-announce-sneaky-greenwash-carbon-pledge/ Plans to make livestock transport more humane have been scrapped by the European Commission. The proposed regulations had included reduced journey times, lower stock densities, and greater restrictions on the transport of animals bought at market. Farming groups and animal rights campaigners welcomed the commission's decision to drop the proposals. Both groups argued ... http://www.fairhome.co.uk/2009/09/23/europe-ditches-proposals-for-humane-livestock-transport/ Climate change activists this week dumped a cartload of manure outside Jeremy Clarkson's home in protest of his attitude to the environment. The seven protesters from direct action group Climate Rush were dressed as suffragettes and stood by the manure pile with a banner reading "This is what you're landing us ... http://www.fairhome.co.uk/2009/09/21/activists-dump-horse-dung-on-jeremy-clarksons-doorstep/ Organic food is better for you, according to a new report from the French food agency. The AFSSA report claimed organic plants product more dry matter, minerals and anti-oxidents. Between 94% and 100% of organic food did not contain any pesticide residues, while organic vegetables were found to contain 50% fewer nitrates. The ... http://www.fairhome.co.uk/2009/09/21/french-study-shows-organic-food-is-healthier/ Two Scottish scientists yesterday joined along with other scientists to bring the count up to 40 leading boffins around the world who call for emissions to be cut by 40%. They are asking that global leaders unit to take action to prevent climate change from getting worse. The group of ... http://www.fairhome.co.uk/2009/09/19/scotish-scientists-call-for-40-cut-in-emissions/ Floods, damage to wildlife, severe weather, and a more polluted atmosphere are the main worries of people in Northern Ireland when asked about climate change. Unlike the country's former environment minister Sammy Wilson who argued that climate change was not caused by human activity, the majority of people in Northern Ireland ... http://www.fairhome.co.uk/2009/09/18/northern-ireland-reveals-climate-concern/ Fields of coppice willow and exotic grass could help to meet the UK's energy needs and reduce carbon emissions. New research published this week found the traditional practise of coppicing could provide biofuel to cut Britain's carbon emissions and provide a haven for wildlife. The government wants to plant up to a ... http://www.fairhome.co.uk/2009/09/18/biofuel-britain-powered-by-willow-trees-and-exotic-grass/ Taking the bus or train is second only to recycling as the most popular way to combat climate change, a YouGov study has found. Around a third of those polled by YouGov said they'd consider using public transport more to help the environment, compared to 80% who said they'd be happy ... http://www.fairhome.co.uk/2009/09/17/public-transport-key-to-fighting-global-warming/ Britain is bored with hearing about climate change, fed up with "smug" environmentalists, and cynical about green government initiatives, according to a new report. Research by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) found climate change-related communications cause most people to switch off. Interviews and workshops by IPPR discovered people are tired ... http://www.fairhome.co.uk/2009/09/17/public-fed-up-with-self-righteous-environmentalists/