Ethical Pulse

Extreme weather on Saturday 5^th July did not stop visitors turning up in their hundreds from all over the region to learn about low carbon living at Good Energy's annual Delabole Wind Fair!

by Tom Greenwood, Scamper Brand Strategy

In the last few years, there has been a big increase in demand for ethical and green products and services.  Following this increased demand and a growing desire to reduce the negative impacts of consumption, many new ethical and green businesses are being started up.  There are of course many large, established businesses trying to ride on the green and ethical wave, but also a great number of small businesses founded by individuals or groups that want to be able to earn a living while making a positive contribution to the society.

by David North, Sustained Magazine Editor 

Sit up and pay attention. Here is Lord Oxburgh, former Chair of Shell: "Today I believe is the end of cheap energy. It's essential that we move away from fossil fuels as fast as possible. The boat is sinking and we have to do everything we can to plug the hole."

PURELY SKINCARE products are the brainchild of John O'Brien.  John wanted to create a natural brand, but go one step further than most other brands which use ‘naturally derived' ingredients, or supplement some natural ingredients with their chemical cousins. PURELY SKINCARE avoids all chemically derived ingredients.

The best way to reduce waste is not to produce it in the first place...

The Charcoal People are unique in the UK in offering beautifully made pieces of bamboo charcoal to use for filtering tap water. This method of filtering water is tried and tested in other parts of the world, particularly Japan and the Far East. The charcoal is made in the traditional way in clay kilns and uses no chemical processing. Bamboo itself is an abundant and sustainable plant.

The Greenshop in Bisley, Gloucestershire,  launched its new online shop during the first week of July.

Described by The Observer Magazine as "a stalwart of eco-retailing", the Greenshop has pioneered sustainable and low impact products for almost 20 years and can proudly lay claim to being the largest supplier of natural paints in the UK.

Gordon Brown's aim that all British motorists will be driving electric or hybrid cars by 2020 will not be achieved through the use of punitive motoring taxes alone according to the Environmental Transport Association (ETA).

'Great machine in a class of its own' - A to B review the Pro Connect
We've had a history of great reviews for our bikes in A to B magazine, but the Pro Connect received the best report yet for any electric bike they've seen and made it onto the cover of the latest issue.

At Ecotopia.co.uk we believe water is the most precious resource on earth. Full stop! Careless use of our water resources is the surest way to bring about a future water crisis. That's why it's important to learn about water saving devices now. The place for each of us to start saving is in our home, and most people are surprised by the impact they can make there.

A company operating a new and unusual loyalty scheme to reduce plastic bag usage and support independent retailing is the winner of a free PR Starter Kit from ethical media relations agency Blue Rocket.

‘Bags of Change' - http://www.bagsofchange.co.uk/ - entered the Blue Rocket and Ethical Junction PR competition and impressed the judges with its approach to ethical shopping that builds a unique relationship between retailers and consumers.

Ethika Boutique is a "fairly trading" fashion label that prides its collection on short run editions, producing beautiful items from the finest community trade silks, satins, georgettes and cotton and the most exclusive embellishments and hand prints, sophisticated styling with a touch of boudoir.

The first session is a diagnostic workshop which looks at what the team wants to achieve and what stops it from reaching this goal.  Members can book this 2½ hour session for £150 - a 25% discount on the usual cost of £200. 

The optional 6 follow-up sessions are Action Learning Sets (ALS); problem-solving sessions for team members aimed at moving people towards the goals they have identified.  These 2½ hour sessions are also offered at £150 -  a 25% discount on the usual cost of £200.   

So, the team clinic offer is:                                                              Standard price                   Pilot offer

2½ hour session                                                                             £200                                £150

Optional 6 x 2½ ALS hour sessions                                                     £1200                               £900

My background is in managing and developing teams in the field of health and social care.  However, problems faced by teams are universal and the action needed to moved teams forward is the same whatever your business.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the Team Clinic should contact Tina Spofforth on 07950 144180.

http://www.theninaspofforthconsultancy.co.uk/

Printed envelopes are a great way to market your company. We produce a range of overprinted one, two and four colour recycled and compostable envelopes. Even our window envelopes are recyclable; unlike standard envelopes the window is made using corn starch. The inks we use are also vegetable based, making our printed envelopes the perfect environmental answer to your marketing needs.

We are offering 15% off the price of our printed envelopes to all Ethical Junction Members 

Visit http://www.kennetenvelopes.co.uk/

Brighton Networking - Wednesday 23rd July...Just a little reminder that the Brighton Networking opportunity ‘down the pub' is Tonight! Ethical Junction have joined together with Our Ethical Network, to offer a networking opportunity in The Lord Nelson, 26 Trafalgar Street, Brighton for chance to get together for a chinwag, to spread ethical love and maybe stumble across some mutually beneficial business opportunities at the same time...

For more info go to:  http://www.ethical-junction.org/ethicalpulse/index.php?/archives/841-Our-Ethical-Network-Brighton.html

Renewable energy company, Cornwall Light & Power, today submitted a scoping request to the Isle of Wight Council for three wind turbines at Cheverton Down in Shorwell.