Green London Blog

25.07.10

Call for Interns / Volunteers

Green London is looking for interns/volunteers with an interest in Marketing and or Environmental issues, on a part time basis from 0.5 days to 2 days per week.

Green London is an eco tourism project which engages people on climate change. We run low carbon green excursions in the UK and the Green London urban eco tour. The Eco tour is a walking tour of London that provides a crash course in environmental issues in just two and a half hours, as well as taking a look at London's most famous and impressive landmarks.

There is a basic assumption in the media and reports that we understand the scientific concepts of climate change. Unfortunately many people, even those making policy don’t, and it is not possible to append a science lesson to the front of every article! Filling this knowledge gap with the facts you really need to know, in an interesting, engaging format is the role of Green London.

We are unable to offer paid internships at present but are able to offer a reduced amount of hours compared to some internships. This may be useful for those already doing paid work elsewhere but wanting to add some environmental / marketing work to their CV.This placement is based in South London. You will need to use your own lap top,

Interns will be working on all aspects of the project including web site development and traffic generation. This opportunity may be particularly attractive to those who want to put their own digital marketing strategies into play.

To apply in the first instance e mail Admin@green-london.org.uk with a CV stating the hours you are looking for. We might see you soon!

09.07.10
Tooting Transition Town Carnival Stops Traffic

Hi All! A quick newsflash from the city of green.

We all know about, and if we don’t check out their web pages –Transition Towns.

Transition Towns is an amazing movement that brings communities together to build local ecological resilience. Communities are encouraged to seek out methods for reducing energy use as well as reducing their reliance on fossil fuels. They do this in communities locally, and make freinds and have a drink and enjoy their lives while they're doing it. A bit like us really but with less wandering around.

Transition Town Tooting is just one example of the success of these groups. They recently closed Tooting High Road for a huge carnival of multicoloured creatures made out of rubbish and recycled materials.

Over 800 participants from local schools, community groups and clubs took part in the carnival. Over 1 million plastic bottles and shopping bags, half a million crisp packets, half a ton of renewable willow and half a ton of materials were collected over a six month period to create this monumental event.

Transition Town Tooting plans greater things to come!

See pictures of the carnival and!

Join them for their Giant Unleashing on Monday 12th July, click here.

Or find your local Transition Town and more info about the whole malarky here.

03.07.10

There is Quite A Lot Going on Actually!
One of the things I’ve been chatting about recently is the general discontent for many that has followed the Copenhagen “Accord”, “That is to say, According to the entire world’s leadership we still can’t agree on a way to stop Climate Change.”

Someone I met recently described how having previously been quite interested, he now felt pretty lethargic about the whole environment issue, because Copenhagen hadn’t really worked. Well he’s got a point but let’s not give up quite yet eh?!

It’s not like nothing at all is happening. There are rafts of Environmental Legislation that have come in over recent years and others that are being updated, particularly in the UK, that will make a real difference. Here are three of my favourite ones:

Climate Change Act 2008

The Climate Change Act 2008 set a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent by 2050, with an interim target for CO2 reduction of at least 26 per cent by 2020.

This is a really strong target. Yes it’s a “target” but at least it recognises the scale of the problem, and it still stand.

The Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) (England and Wales) Regulations 2010

Catchy name eh? Well you know those little graphs with the funky green yellow and red stripes you see in buildings, they have been put there as whenever a building is built, sold or rented out, one of these has to be displayed. All to often the little arrow points to red, but it does at least make a public statement which lets you know how the building is doing emissions wise.

The Building Regulations 2010

The building regulations have changed a great deal about environmental emissions from buildings. In particular they require all new buildings to have a building log book. This in very basic terms means that a log book has to be created for new buildings. If kept up to date this actually requires people building managers to read the meters. This is a great first step in getting them to pay, in some instances, even the smallest amount of interest into how much energy a building is actually using. Around 40% of UK energy use is through buildings, so this makes real steps towards addressing that.

So what I’m trying to say is there is still hope in sight. It’s not like nothings happening. Yes these pieces of legislation are not going to solve the emissions problem on there own, but 10 years ago they were a pipe dream.

Processes in industry are getting cleaner and yes Copenhagen failed, but there is still real action going on and for the moment Kyoto still stands.

The road might be long, but things are happening, and besides we don’t have any other choice really. Giving up is not an option!

Winner of the Guardian and Unltd Green Living Award, Glastonbury Award 2008 - 2009, from Unltd – The Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs.