|
BGI Newsletter |
|||||
|
Issue 6 - February 2009 |
|||||
|
From the Editor...
Our wonderfully eclectic articles this month range from making a solar mains backup system (it's really not that hard!) to ethical clothing, not to mention our top tips for going green. We are also running our first competition! We want to hear all about your local Green Heroes for our new monthly series, so the sender of the best email telling us about their local Green Hero will receive a free Ecobutton! Then we can feature your Heroes in our newsletters. Jo x Green Projects - Solar Mains Backup System
The BGI's 'Green Man in the Urban Jungle', and new regular contributor Andy, shows us how to avoid worrying about power cuts and fuel shortages by making your own solar mains backup system here
It's never too late to go green!! Being green not only helps the planet but it is healthy and saves you money too! And it's so easy! To show you where to start, BGI volunteer Jim'll has compiled some top tips from the wonderful members of the Newhouse Farm forum here Do You Know What You Are Wearing?
Would you like to be able to make your own chocolate spread? Or even your own oven cleaner? Or what about home-made butter? It's easier than you think. Paul Peacock, editor of Homefarmer magazine, has written a wonderful and informative new book called Precycle! Read our review of it here Green Up Your Office
'My son had been nagging me for weeks to try out his Green Footprint Group's ecobutton but being the technophobe I am, I kept putting it off. I just couldn't see how a little green plastic button - albeit beautifully emblazoned with the GFG logo - could really do much. Oh what a fool I was!!!' Find out how a little green button can help reduce your carbon footprint here Eco Shampoos - Our Verdict
The RSPB's annual Big Garden Birdwatch takes place in January and February and encourages school children to watch their local wildlife. RSPB volunteer Fiona Sharp tells us more Stop Press! Find out how to Save the Albatross here Seasonal Snippet - Brigit's Day
Are you in touch with how your shopping choices affect the people and the planet around you? The Department of International Development has just launched a witty online game to help consumers plot their own 'Ethical Compass'. 10 quick questions and you will know which 'shopping tribe' you belong to. Its a bit of fun with a serious message tucked away there too. Why not give it a go... follow this link If you have a green tip you would like to share, an idea for something you would like to read about or any comments on this newsletter please email me: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) To unsubscribe from our newsletter click here and type 'unsubscribe' in the subject line © The Big Green Idea 2009 - Content Editor: Jo Barlow The Big Green Idea registered charity No. 1123650 Disclaimer: All views expressed in the content are those of the relevant author or sources they draw upon, and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Big Green Idea or its Trustees. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of any information in this publication, readers should not rely upon it and should verify the detail for themselves before acting upon it. Important Notice: Although The Big Green Idea does not encourage consumerism, we do appreciate that everyone shops for essentials and the occasional treat they cannot create themselves. If you choose to shop with any of the merchants via the links in the right-hand column, they will donate between 7% and 10% from the sale to us. |
About Us The Bus How you Can Help
'Hi ! My name's Brigit and today I want to tell you about...' Chat from Brigit and the team as the 2009 bus tour season takes shape, we visit events, and learn just what it takes to make a green charity tick! There's plenty going on around the UK, so why not dip in? Many of these events are free or very reasonably priced! We are also starting to include weekend and longer courses on a wide variety of ethical, eco- or green-related subjects. Regular Features Gardening Month by Month: February A little Green thought... There is one thing stronger than all the armies of the world and that is an idea whose time has come. Victor Hugo Green tip of the month Archie Jephson of Kings Lynn wrote in to say 'When you have squeezed your toothpaste tube as much as possible, cut off the top, you will be surprised how much toothpaste is still left inside.' Website of the Month
Solarbud is a BGI supporter, New House Farm forum contributor and has written this month's feature on the solar mains backup for your home. He is also a budding music artist ! Affiliate shopping
|
||||
2009 already has us in its frosty grip and sometimes I find January can be such a difficult month - bleak and cold with not enough sunshine and even less money - but this year there is something special in the air. Walking to work, the frost glistens on the leaves, the ducks and moorhens along the riverbank come and 'talk' to me each morning (possibly something to do with the fact I always feed them!) but mostly this burst of positivity is because of the Big Green Idea.
This new year, forget resolutions of going to the gym and losing weight, try and do something for the planet and your purse strings! Now is a great time to plan green projects for the year ahead. 
Top Tips for Going Green
Precycle! Book Review
So your home is well on the way to becoming greener...what next? Well, as we spend so many of our waking hours toiling away (sometimes too many!), what better place to make greener than your place of work? Gary gives us some tips and guidelines 
Product Review - Ecobutton
No, it's not something we have invented just for the BGI!! Brigit's Day, or Imbolg, is an ancient festival celebrated on 2nd February, and is the predecessor of our modern Valentine's Day. The fact that this beautiful celebration and our beautiful Brigit share the same name is just a lucky coincidence! 
What kind of shopper are you?
