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Greenhouse morning news

Greta Jonyniate | 22.02.12

News stories – 22nd February 2012

Top news stories

From Rocky Flats to Fukushima: this nuclear folly – The Guardian
CBI urges Osborne to reform UK carbon taxes – Business Green
Businesses should plug in to electric fleet opportunity – Business Green

Solar

Government launches Supreme Court appeal against solar ruling – Business Green
Apple polishes green credentials with giant 20MW solar array – Business Green
Solar industry slams 'misguided' Supreme Court appeal‎ - Solar Power Portal
UK Seeks Permission From Supreme Court to Appeal Solar Ruling – Business Week
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Wind
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David Cameron defends wind farm plans to Tory MPs – The Guardian
Cameron defends wind farms policy‎ - The Press Association
Matt Baker questions effectiveness of wind farms – The Telegraph

Food
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UK government pledges to cut farming red tape – The Guardian
Get your children to 'eat their greens' with new sweet and mild White Gold Sprouting Broccoli – Daily Mail
Farmers warn food prices could go up because of drought – The Telegraph
‎Whale Meat Available For Purchase on Amazon.com Japan – Treehugger

Ethical Finance

Carbon Trust backs fuel-cell pioneers with £1m funding – Business Green

Interesting news

Nature: All things bright and beautiful – The Independent
32,000-year old plant revived in Russia – Greenfudge
The future's vert: why green is the new black in Paris – The Ecologist

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Kurt Jewson is one of the co-founders of Frugi, an organic and ethical children’s clothing brand. Frugi began in 2004 under the name Cut4Cloth, which Kurt co-created with his wife Lucy after realising that it was incredibly difficult to find clothes to fit over their son's cloth nappy bottom. For a few years they specialised in organic baby clothes to fit cloth nappies, but as the range expanded they decided to rebrand under a new name, Frugi, which means 'Fruits of the Earth' in Latin.

What inspires you?

What inspires me now, and maybe always has done, is people who put two fingers up to convention and plough on regardless of the barriers when they have a belief in themselves and what they are doing. Without coming across a a great big softie my wife, Lucy, is quite inspirational. Frugi is her baby, and I am in awe of her ability to see and cut through the bull shit and get to the heart of the matter in a nanosecond.

What makes you angry?

Bad customer service makes me fume. At Frugi we have always strived to be the best in everything that we do. The best designs, the best organic cotton, the best manufacturers the best..everything. If you don't strive to be the best, then what's the point? Go work for BT and sit back and relax.

If you were Prime Minister, what would be the first thing you'd change?

I would help schools to teach children about money, investments, business, savings and its role in making the world go around. It is all around you when you leave school, but no-one has a clue really. I don't have a clue! All I know that you shouldn't spend more than you earn, or have the ability to repay. I'd maybe then do something regarding sustainable energy..but that's two things...oops!

Can individuals really make a difference?

Of course. Passionate, intelligent driven individuals can inspire and show the way. The crowd will follow, eventually, and their detractors will move on.

What is your personal mission?

To prove to the world that businesses can start, grow and be successful whilst also being ethical. The two are not mutually exclusive. I would also like to be a proficient Pasty maker, but my efforts so far have been..well..middling at best.

What’s more urgent: changing things from the inside or starting a revolution on the outside?

Well, they both have a place. With regard to business, what we are doing at Frugi is trying to change things from the inside. We are not evangelical hippies about the place, proclaiming that all business is bad and that money is the route of all evil. We live in the real world. However, if the real world can be made as devoid of greed, vested interests and suits as possible then that's a good thing. ( ridding the world of tie dyed t-shirts and sandals is quite urgent )

What is the best meal you’ve had in your life? Cooked by whom? Eaten with whom?

The best meal that I've ever had, despite everyone thinking that I live exclusively on Cornish Pasties ( which I sort of actually do ) consisted of fresh French bread, cheeses and chutneys. The ingredients came from an organic farm shop in Somerset (as did the wagon load of cider that we had with it) and was eaten by myself, my wife Lucy and my best friend Jamie and his wife Liz.

Can you describe a typical work day? (ie. what you do within that day and who you have potential to influence etc)

My day starts with getting the kids fed, dressed, teeth cleaned and ready for school. Then it's the cat, chickens and goldfish followed by a cup of tea in bed for Mrs. J. ( she's a night person )!
After dropping the kids at school it's into the Frugi 'today' department to crack on with getting orders out of the door as swiftly as possible ( did I mention I'm fanatical about customer service? ). I tend to spend a good portion of any day answering questions and steering people to make decisions. One of my favourite questions to pose to someone facing a customer service decision is to ask, "if you were that customer, what would you like to happen now?" it sort of makes the decision process much easier.

How do you define success?

Sometimes I quite literally punch the air and say, "Yes!" when I see Frugi influencing others to take the ethical route. I don't think that we are successful yet, because we haven't finished our mission...we are just beginning to appear on the radar and gain an audience.

What’s the best advice anyone’s ever given you?

"if it don't feel right, you don't have to do it. Just leave a message on the phone and tell them to screw it!" John Lennon "keep 'er 'ard" my dad.

What’s your favourite book or film of late?

Reading Andy Kershaw's, 'no off switch' and really enjoying it. Again, someone who has a passion for what they do and making a career out of their passion.

What would you most like to happen to protect the planet?

Crikey, that's a biggie. If we can persuade business that being an ethical business is what consumers demand, and persuade consumers that buying ethical is the only choice then businesses will have a vested interest in being green. It's getting there, I have hope.

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Greenhouse morning news

Greta Jonyniate | 21.02.12

Top news stories

Why does climate change get described as a 'stock-flow' problem? – The Guardian
Drought declared in south-east England – The Guardian
Water, water... nowhere – The Independent
Environmental factors must be included in GDP, say scientists – Business Green

Solar

Apple goes green with 100 acre solar panel farm - Evening Standard
‎Solar PV will count towards meeting EPC requirement – Solar Power Portal
‎Customers in Lincolnshire left £500 out of pocket as solar panel ...- This is Lincolnshire
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Wind
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UK could become leading exporter of wave and tidal power, say MPs – The Guardian
Report: E.ON to sell German offshore wind stakes to fund larger projects – Business Green
Atlantis in talks to create joint tidal and wind farm – Business Green

Food
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Would you eat lab-grown meat? – The Guardian
Europe-US partnership creates huge new market for organic foods – Business Green
Roadkill: sickening or sustainable? – The Ecologist
First Test Tube Grown Hamburger Set to Debut by Fall 2012 – Inhabitat

Ethical Finance

GE and Carbon Trust launch $5m low carbon infrastructure fund – Business Green
Investors demand more corporate action on energy efficiency – Business Green
We need a Green Investment Bank, but not like this – Business Green

Interesting news

Whales and dolphins are so intelligent they deserve same rights as humans, say experts – The Independent
Links between childhood leukaemia and nuclear power plant radiation – The Ecologist
Fashion special: And this season’s colour is… green – The Ecologist
EcoSpeed App Directs Your Driving, Cuts Fuel Use by 30% - Treehugger

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Greenhouse morning news

Greta Jonyniate | 20.02.12

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Greenhouse Morning News

Greta Jonyniate | 16.02.12

News stories – 16th February 2012

Top news stories

Half of UK households 'could face water restrictions by April' – The Guardian
Leaked Heartland Institute documents pull back curtain on climate scepticism – The Guardian
“Denier-gate” scandal uncovers the flaw in pick and mix green strategies – Business Green

Solar

Exclusive: Industry to challenge solar cost report in fight against deep incentive cuts – Business Green
Gov't solar appeal to prove it makes 'own decisions'‎ - FT Adviser
New Feed-in Tariff rate for solar PV set at 45.4p‎ - Click Green

Wind
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Wind power picks up speed in Chile – The Guardian
‎Trump steps up attack on Scottish government over offshore wind plans – Business Green
SSE set to build 'Scotland's first' offshore wind turbine test site – Business Green

Food
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Ending world hunger is possible – so why hasn't it been done? – The Guardian
New EU-US organics partnership is good news for both sides of Atlantic – The Guardian
Reducing museum food waste – The Guardian
‎Children 'watch same level' of junk food ads despite TV rules – BBC news
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Ethical Finance

Climate sceptics – who gets paid what? – The Guardian
Will Heartland Institute scandal force transparency on corporate donors? – The Guardian
Scotland could raise £30bn energy fund over 20 years, says Salmond – The Guardian
Sustainability drive saves Co-op £40m per year - Edie
Bank boosts social housing loan book to nearly £200m – 24dash (Triodos mention)
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Interesting news

The 10 sustainability "megaforces" threatening your business – Business Green
5 Things Plants Do Better Than Us - Treehugger
Campaigners say no to nuclear new build at Hinkley Point – The Ecologist
Fukushima: the social impact of a nuclear disaster – The Ecologist

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Greenhouse Morning News

Greta Jonyniate | 15.02.12

News stories – 15th February 2012

Top news stories

EU green energy sector powers through one million jobs mark – Business Green
Industry downplays reports of cuts to Renewable Heat Incentive – Business Green
Government urged to boost tax breaks for community energy schemes – Business Green

Solar

Has the sun set on solar panels? – The Telegraph
Investors welcome UK renewables reforms, but eschew solar‎ - Environmental Finance
Warwick Hospital aims to cut costs using solar - Edie

Wind
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National Trust rejects chairman's anti-wind power comments – The Guardian
Donald Trump condemns Scots' silence over wind farms - Scotsman
Renewable Energy Focus plans UK Offshore Wind supplement - Renewable Energy Focus

Food
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Revealed: How supermarkets invent places and farms to trick ...‎ - Daily Mail
How to... buy ethical chocolate – The Ecologist
McDonald’s to Require That Pork Suppliers Phase Out Cruel Caging Practices – Inhabitat
'Integrated' arable better than organic - Farmers Guardian

Ethical Finance

Banks promised to stay local then shut down rural branches: Watchdog bans 'misleading' adverts – Daily Mail
Obama budget proposal promises surge in clean tech investment – Business Green
Co-op renewables lending tops £700m – Business Green

Interesting news

Eco cement: the world's favourite building material gets a green-over – The Ecologist
Population is 'our biggest challenge' says government chief scientist Sir John Beddington – The Ecologist
12.4% of Europe Now Powered by Renewable Energy – Treehugger
Best eco design ideas for futuristic homes – Ecofriend

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Greenhouse Morning News

Greta Jonyniate | 14.02.12

News stories – 14th February 2012

Top news stories

Obama revives green agenda with push to end oil industry tax breaks – The Guardian
Businesses pledge support for Ed Davey's green agenda – The Guardian
Sellafield faces nuclear option as overspending threatens plant's future – The Independent
Westminster rolls out new fleet of litter-picker gritters – Business Green

Solar

IKEA powers up stronger solar commitment, new EV charging stations – Business Green
Many Fear New Government Reforms will Destroy the UK Solar Industry‎ -OilPrice.com
DECC publishes latest FiT proposals‎ - H&V News
Reading schools go solar to cut costs - Reading Post

Wind
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National Trust comes out against 'public menace' of wind farms – The Telegraph
Small wind fears same fate as solar over Feed-in Tariff cuts - Greenwise Business
Rick Eggleston: Wind power is a success story that needs to be told - Scotsman
The growing number of wind turbines in North Wales - Daily Post North Wales

Food
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Taste the difference: Why home-grown food is tastier and fresher – Daily Mail
Prince Charles: the world's fish have not (yet) had their chips – The Telegraph
Bats, birds and bees boost Bloomsbury businesses' biodiversity – Business Green

Ethical Finance

Social investment: How can you get involved? - The Guardian
UK banks slammed for greenwash - Greenwise Business
Scotland opens up £6m wave and tidal fund – Business Green

Interesting news

Tesla unveils electric SUV "faster than a Porsche 911" – Business Green
The hot list: 10 hip UK destinations for 2012 – The Ecologist
Anti-Valentine poem dedicated to energy companies – Edie
Turn Your Balcony into an Urban Farm with Skypots – Inhabitat

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WE LOVE GREEN PEOPLE

Greta Jonyniate | 13.02.12

We just love Green People and their mission to promote an organic lifestyle. They are committed to offer products that are 100% natural, gentle, organic and highly effective. Green People believe that you have a fundamental right to know exactly what is contained in the products you are buying and therefore give full ingredient disclosure on all of our products.

They also support charities with related environmental concerns and each year 10% of our net profit is donated to charitable causes linked to 'green' or environmental issues.

If you are also a fan of Green People, then please vote for them in the Observer's Ethical Awards Retail Category.

The Observer is offering a brilliant prize for one lucky winner - a trip to Denmark, sailing with DFDS Seaways and staying at an eco friendly Scandic Hotel!

So here is how you can vote for Green People and be in with a chance to win a lovely holiday:

1. Click on this link
2. Fill in your details (first name, surname & email address) & click submit
3. Click on the retailer category then click nominate now
4. Type Green People in name of retailer box & click submit
5. Click finish at the bottom of the page. All done!

Our top 5 Green People products

Roll on Aloe Vera Deodorant - £7.95

We love this refreshing, natural deodorant with a gentle scent. It’s also made without pore-clogging Aluminium, Parabens, ethyl alcohol and artificial fragrances, which means it’s probably the purest deodorant that nature can offer.

Intensive Repair Shampoo and Conditioner - £10.95 each

Intensive Repair Shampoo & Conditioner are just fabulous! Really good natural hair care products for coloured & treated hair.

Sun Lotion SPF15 with natural sun tan accelerator - £17.95

All Green People's organic sun lotions are carefully formulated with more than 80% organic ingredients to keep skin beautifully moisturised. The SPF 15 with tan accelerator is our favourite, easy to apply and gives really good sun protection to fair skins, in very hot and very sunny conditions. Also, 30p from the sale of this product goes to Penny Brohn Cancer Help Centre.

Gentle Tone - £9.95

A brilliant natural toner! This product is a refreshingly light with proven anti-ageing benefits. Small tip - combine it with any foundation for day-long cover.

Facial Oil - £16.95