DEMOCRACY
Governments are always interested in forcing through development regardless of the consequences and without any real concern for the impact locally if it suits their political aims. We have seen this over airports, power stations, nuclear plants, railway connections, roads etc. It seems that any powers people have at a local level are being eroded all the time with quangos and unelected bodies taking over. See
www.planningdisaster.co.uk
It is of course important that people have a say at a local level but this is often sadly lacking due to the nature of the planning process. However it is worth checking out the Campaign for the Sustainable Communities Bill if only to see how government often fails to work effectively.
www.localworks.org
DEMOLITION
Recycling waste from demolished buildings is now an ecological requirement and features in most framework agreements between contractors and Local Authorities under for example the Site Waste Management Plan system; a 5 page document that has to be filled in for all projects over £300,000. See:
www.general-demolition.co.uk
www.bio-regional-reclaimed.com
This is a vast subject in itself and this site is only looking at issues that affect businesses or building work. Any suggestions are welcome to expand on this.
Aquaculture: www.organic-trout.co.uk
www.certifiedorganic.bc.caBats-Information: www.bats.org.uk
Bee kits : www.alanaecology.com
www.wigglywigglers.co.uk
Ecological cleaning of buildings see:
www.ecologicsystems.co.uk
National Biodiversity Network
www.nbn.org.uk
EDUCATION & CAREERS IN CONSERVATION
There are many courses available in Sustainable Building and related disciplines:
Sustainable Development www.LivingRoutes.org
www.sustainabledevelopment.net
General: www.ecovillage.org
Conferences: www.communitydesign.org
Seminars: www.studycircles.org
Outdoors: www.geosmith.com/wilderness/schools
www.nacvs.org.uk
Buildings: www.wealddown.co.uk
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS
This is an area badly in need of attention: new European directives are set to require effective management, whatever that means.
Renewable energy, turbines et al:
www.12voltz.com
www.midex-rt.com
General information:
www.eca.co.uk
www.wincanton.co.uk
Recycling: www.biffa.co.uk - Biffa; collect from businesses
www.europeanmetalrecycling.ltd.uk - European Metal Recycling
www.icer.org.uk - for a directory of recyclers
ENERGY
There is a plethora of websites and all of them have important information relating to energy use and how to reduce it.
Business – Energy efficiency
www.XC02.com
www.clear-skies.org
Combined Heat & Power: www.chpa.co.uk - Grants and advice.
Efficient energy use and home heating:
www.sustainable-energy.co.uk
www.energywatch.org.uk
www.r-e-a.net
www.energyinst.org.uk
www.gshgroup.com
www.carbontrust.co.uk
www.realassurance.org.uk
Calculating energy (SAP & SBEM) ratings:
www.est.org.uk
www.nher.co.uk
Reducing energy use in home:
www.carbonneutral.com
www.est.org.uk - Energy Saving Trust
www.saveenergy.co.uk
www.saveonyourbills.co.uk
www.good-energy.co.uk
www.greenworks-energy.co.uk
Grants to reduce energy use:
www.energyaction.com - Energy Action Grants Agency
www.ofgem.gov.uk
www.dti.gov.uk
www.cen-org.uk
ENERGY PROVIDERS
To change to a sustainable supplier look at the following sites:
www.uswitch.com
www.theenergyshop.com
www.unravelit.co.uk
www.switchandgive.com
www.buy.co.uk
www.energylinx.co.uk
ENVIRONMENTAL WORK
This area relates more towards environmental work in the field. See also Tourism-Ethical.
Vocational work: www.btcv.org
www.vso.org.uk
www.unvolunteers.org
EUROPE
The track record of both the main European Union bureaucratic structures and the various quangos (for example the "Council of Europe") is so far lamentable in environmental terms. One of the best examples of this is that EU law is seeking to forbid anyone to possess a mercury barometer; on the basis that mercury is an environmental contaminant. However what they do not understand is that there has never been a single case of mercury contamination in the environment or poisoning of a human being by such a barometer. But with millions of these barometers now potentially being landfilled the worst kind of mercury contamination has the potential to take place. There are thousands of such statutes going ahead and ordinary Europeans will never have a say in these policies.
For more such choice observations see the excellent book by Vernon Coleman "The OFPIS File, the Organisation for the Preservation of Individuality and Sovereignty", Blue Books, Barnstaple, 2008. No doubt this anti-European approach may seem dismissive to some folk; however destroying real democracy by selling off our sovereignty to a European State is the first route to environmental disaster.
FAIRTRADING
Organisations that deal directly with fair trading companies:
www.bafts.org.uk
www.cafedirect.co.uk
www.eftafairtrade.org
www.ethical-junction.org
www.fairtrade.org.uk
www.ifat.org
www.traidcraft.co.uk
www.transfairusa.org
FINANCING ECO PROJECTS & BUILDINGS
Governmental and Regional
www.fundraising.co.uk/grants
www.defra.gov.uk
www.local-regions.detr.gov.uk
www.dti.gov.uk
www.cedc-csn.org.uk
www.entrust.org.uk
Grants:
www.solargrants.org.uk
www.nerc.ac.uk/awards
European funding:
www.europa.eu.int
Insurance:
www.ecoinsurance.co.uk
www.naturesave.co.uk
Investments:
www.the-ethical-partnership.co.uk
www.fairshares.co.uk
Mortgages:
www.ecology.co.uk
www.buildstore.co.uk
Schools:
www.eco-schools.org.uk
www.schoolenergy.org.uk
FLOODING
This will become more of an issue if flash flooding gets worse. Always check if trying to but a property if it is in a flood plain or near one.
Location of Floodzones: www.environment-agency.gov.uk/subjects/flood(0845 9881188)
General information: www.ciria.org.uk/flooding
FLOORING
Natural finishes include linoleum (marmoleum), sisal, hemp, hessian, coir matting; these are all hard wearing. European systems are usually designed to allow for better soundproofing.
For natural finishes generally:
www.buildingforhealth.com
Caberdeck floors: see www.howarth-timber.co.uk
Dinesen floors:see www.dinesen-gulve.dk
Limestone: Stone Age Flooring:
www.estone.co.uk
Seagrass : www.original-seagrass.co.uk
Solid Wood Floor: www.naturalwoodfloor.co.uk
Soundproofing: www.domesticsoundproofing.co.uk
www.soundreduction.co.uk
FORESTRY-SUSTAINABLE
Forestry projects: www.smallwoods.org.uk
www.gn.apc.org (Green Net)
www.livingwood.net
www.gate-project.org
www.thedogwoodalliance.org (USA)
www.fsc-uk.demon.co.uk (Forest Stewardship Council)
www.ukfpa.co.uk (UK Forest Products Association)
State of World's Forests: www.fao.org/forestry
www.plants.ox.ac.uk
www.forestsforever.org.uk
Tree Register: www.tree-register.org
www.treecouncil.org.uk
Woodland Trust: www.woodland-trust.org.uk
Wood generally: www.bwpda.co.uk (British woodpreservers)
www.woodforgood.com
www.network-eurowood.com
www.ancient-tree-forum.org.uk
www.bwf.org.uk (British Woodworking Federation)
www.ttf.co.uk (Timber Trade Federation)
FUNERALS
These organizations generally advocate biodegradable coffins being used with trees planted over the graves. For green burials; biodegradable coffins see:
www.eco-funerals.com
www.globalideasbank.org and the Natural Death Society
FURNISHINGS, FABRICS & CLOTHING
General information concerning good practice in the garments industry:
www.thenakedmonkey.co.uk
www.homerecycling.co.uk
See also www.greenfibres.com
Curtain exchange: www.thecurtainexchange.net
Nappies: www.eco-babes.co.uk
Natural products: www.mufti.co.uk
www.naturalcollection.com
www.grownupgreen.org
www.eco-age.com
Parenting: www.thegreenparent.co.uk
www.hastens.com
www.smallbone.co.uk
www.babygroe.co.uk