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Greenhouse Weekly Roundup

Sally Hill | 27.08.10

As organic fortnight and the 2010 Bristol Organic Food Festival approach, there has been a flurry of discussion around organic issues.

While I'm sure the festival, 11th - 12th September, will already be highlighted on many people's calendars, it is interesting to take a deeper look at some of the reasons why it's important to support organic industries, and push organic food and products further into the mainstream.

Our Eco Hero this week was Arthur Potts Dawson, a champion of the organic issue as well as other related campaigns such as food waste. He has opened two sustainably-aware restaurants, Acorn House and Water House in London, and created the The People's Supermarket, a not-for-profit co-operative aiming to share cheap and good food.

Here are the food stories on our radar this week:

'Food Figures Need a Pinch of Salt'
An interesting article pointing out that the framing of global food shortages could fuel, rather than tame, harmful industrial agriculture
(BBC)

'Organic Food Comes of Age At Bristol's Organic Food Festival'
Held at Bristol Harbourside and celebrating its 10th anniversary, Europe's largest organic festival is a feast of food, drink and fabric that doesn't cost the earth
(The Ecologist)

'Great British Waste Menu'
New program on BBC bringing the issue of food waste, at every link in the food chain, to our attention
(BBC)

'Mediterranean Diet to be Awarded UNESCO Status'
The Mediterranean diet of olive oil, pasta, tomatoes and fish is to be awarded Unesco World Heritage status to safeguard it from the onslaught of junk food and foreign impostors, Italy's agriculture minister said.
(Telegraph)

And the other green stories we loved this week:

'Portable Miniature House Downsize by Design'
UK firm dwelle have created a range of carefully designed 'micro-buildings' that are sustainable, portable and adaptable.
(Concrete Playground)

'Gatecrashing the Energy Sector'
Forum for the future puts forward project to encourage disruptive innovation in energy.
(Forum for the Future)

'Goodone Launches New Collection and High Street Collaborations'
Reclaimed fabric label to sell through TopShop and Tesco
(Daisy Green)

'Apple Blocks iPhone From Green Ranking Scheme'
Scheme rates handsets on factors such as ecological impact of raw materials, manufacturing process and energy efficiency
(Guardian)

'Put a Cork In It: The Environmental Cost of the Screw Cap'
The environmental impact of the social shift towards the screw cap is massive. Now the traditional cork growers are fighting back.
(Guardian)

'Every Beautiful Item Has a Story'
New online store sells luxury ethical fashion
Kittle DoLittle

'Plastic Bag Use Plummets in Supermarkets Since 2006'
Use of carrier bags down 43% in four years, says Waste & Resources Action Programme, but recent figures show fresh rise
(Guardian)

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