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WEEKLY NEWS ROUND UP

Greta Jonyniate | 04.11.11

The stories about the cuts of solar energy tariffs continue to dominate headlines. The Guardian reported this week that the UK Government has confirmed rumours that it plans to cut feed-in tariffs by more than half. Now the industry has launched the Cut Don't Kill campaign, arguing for a more measured, manageable approach. Howard Johns, of the Cut Don’t Kill campaign, said: “Such deep cuts to the tariff would kill the UK solar industry stone dead. We are happy to accept some cuts, but the Government must recognise that wiping out 4,000 companies and 25,000 jobs by cutting too deeply would be an appalling waste of economic potential.”

Belgium's political parties have reached a conditional agreement to shut down the country's two remaining nuclear power stations, owned by GDF Suez unit Electrabel, a government spokeswoman said Monday. Read the full article Belgium agrees on conditional nuclear exit plans on Reuters website.
In the past, any fruit and veg that failed to meet strict EU standards was thrown away, juiced, or shipped off to feed animals. But now the misshapen, bruised and ugly produce from our farms and orchards has found its place in the sun – or on the supermarket shelf at least. Read the full Will we learn to love ugly apples and pears? Change in law puts misshapen fruit on supermarket shelves article on the Daily Mail website.

And finally, yes there are banks out there that really care. “It's not hard to run a bank on ethical principles”, says the boss of Triodos UK to Sean Farrell, the reporter from the Independent. Triodos sticks to the basics of banking that became obscured by financial engineering, racy funding and a dash for big returns in the years before the credit crisis. The money it raises from retail savers is lent to social, cultural and environmental businesses that meet the bank's "sustainability" requirements. Read the full article by clicking HERE

The most clicky story of the week:

Brits are consuming less stuff
According to environment writer and UK Green Party Candidate Chris Goodall, people in the UK probably consume fewer resources and produce less waste than at any time since records began.
(Greenfudge.org)

Some other links we loved this week:

Named and shamed: Britain’s worst retailers exposed
A report by campaign group, Ethical Consumer, finds that River Island, TK Maxx and Peacocks are among the brands failing to live up to their eco promises
(The Ecologist)

Packing a waste-free school lunch – 7 reusable options
It seems many schools are taking a more thoughtful approach to managing waste, and as part of their eco-conscious efforts some are banning single serving packaged items from packed lunches.
(The Alternative Consumer)

5 Green everyday technologies that can help to improve the environment
Brilliant, eco friendly technology solutions
(EcoFriend)