The Green Village is about helping people to be greener, live more self-sufficiently and ethically, and providing people with the information they need to make responsible decisions about how they live their lives. We are a community of like-minded people who know the importance of looking after the only planet we have and celebrating the diversity it contains.
Online flooring retailer flooringsupplies.co.uk have received an FSC accreditation which enables the company to use the well known FSC logo on a number of their engineered wood flooring products following chain-of-custody certification by SGS.
Five weeks into the oil leak caused by an explosion at a BP oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico, and a number of unsuccessful attempts at plugging the holes in the pipework later, BP's latest solution, 'top kill', has managed to stop the flow of oil and natural gas.
A revolutionary new product from organic light emitting diode (OLED) technology company, LOMOX, based in St Asaph, North Wales, could replace the light bulb.
Few of us know that while we think our machines are sleeping, they are actually leeching 25% of the power that they consume from us.
In the past, it seemed like anyone who suggested recycling or using greener methods of production was called a tree hugging hippie.
The food sitting in tins, bottles, cardboard boxes and plastic bags in your cupboards and fridges can have a huge impact on your family's carbon emissions.
Get advice on domestic wind turbines from sustainable renewables.
If you only have a small garden or back yard, consider growing vegetables in containers. Lettuces, potatoes, carrots, raddishes, tomatoes and onions can all be grown successfully in pots without too much trouble, to name but a few.
Renewable Energy is a term that is applied to energy that is harvested from converting the power generated by natural resources. These resources are mainly wind power, which is collected in wind farms or by micro generation, the sun, whose energy is harvested by solar panels, and water power, which is collected through the use of water turbines/waterwheels and power plants that collect energy from wave power and tidal currents. In addition, other renewable energy sources that are increasing in popularity include biomass, such as bricks made from alpaca manure, and sustainably grown wood.
Climate Change is an issue that has been discussed by scientists for decades. Some scientists believe that the changes to the Earth's climate are changes that would happen anyway; that they are part of a natural cycle. Others however believe climate change is already a reality that will affect everybody on the planet, and is the result of human activity, such as the destruction of carbon sinks like rainforests and tarsands, and the relentless burning of fossil fuels emitting carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Results of climate change are likely to include more extreme weather conditions, increases in extinction of species as their natural habitats are lost due to the melting of polar icecaps, and desertification.
The planet we live on has a finite amount of resources. Once these resources have been exhausted, we cannot make more, so we need to make sure we value what we have. In addition, humans have the responsibility to think about their actions. Because we share the Earth with so many other creatures and organisms, we should be stewards of the Earth and work to protect it, not destroy it. Although humans are very good at changing the environment to suit their needs, this often does not benefit other animals and plants native to particular areas. They cannot adapt quickly to changes in their environment, and if there is nowhere for them to go, there will be more endangered species, and more extinction. We should try and work to protect the resources and eco-systems of the planet and promote bio-diversity and low impact living so we live as part of the planet, rather than ruling the planet.
All too often people are led to believe that it's not easy being green. By taking small steps every day, however, it can be very easy to have a green lifestyle and live a less carbon-dependant life. One of the best west ways to become greener is to reduce how much you use, whether you look at ways of saving energy around the home, to recycling unwanted items and reducing how much you send to landfill. To be even greener, you could try growing your own vegetables, herbs or fruit, cut down on using the car by walking, cycling or using public transport whenever possible and joining local or national environmental groups to find out about campaigns and activities going on in your local area that you can support. So you see, it is easy being green after all, and you reduce your carbon footprint at the same time!
Saving energy can be one of the simplest things we can do to reduce our carbon footprints, and there is the added incentive that saving energy saves money. You don't have to be the person paying the bill though to take steps to reduce the demand we have for electricity, gas and the other fuels that power modern life. Supplies of fossil fuels are running out, perhaps enough left to last 40 years at current rates of consumption, but that is not the main reason to save energy. Fossil fuels are dirty and emit carbon dioxide into the atmosphere contributing to greenhouse gases and climate change. Reducing our demand for dirty power is therefore as important as reducing how much we rely on energy as a whole. Renewable energy has a greater chance of satisfying our needs if we only use what we need rather than leaving lights on, appliances on standby and heating homes and businesses when we don't need to. It's time for change!
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