See also the specific Local Groups pages.
Environmental organisations
Global warming
- 350 - We need to lower atmospheric CO2 concentration to 350ppm. Huh? What does it mean? Why? Visit them to find out.
- iCount - If you want to join a giant coalition of charities working together on global warming.
If you like a bit of action:
- Rising Tide UK - A network of groups and individuals dedicated to taking local action and building a movement against climate change.
- Campaign against climate change - Organisers of the annual mass protest marches in London and elsewhere
Transport
Public transport
We all know that using the car emits lots of CO2, so here are some links to make travelling by public transport a little bit easier
Car
- London liftshare will team you up with someone making a similar journey to help you splt the costs - and the carbon. It can match all sorts of journeys from your regular commute to longer trips to other parts of the country.
Plane
New runways at Heathrow or Gatwick would increase aircraft noise disturbance and pollution over Mole Valley.
- Airportwatch - An umbrella movement which unites the national environmental organisations and the airport community groups opposed to the aggressive go-for-growth policy of aviation expansion outlined in the Aviation White Paper. They also have lots of links.
- HACAN Clear Skies - An independent lobbying group which campaigns for quieter, cleaner and safer conditions for residents living under Heathrow's flight paths
- Plane Stupid - A network of groups taking action against airport expansion and aviation's climate impact. They also have useful links.
- Biofuelwatch - Campaigns against the use of bioenergy from unsustainable sources, i.e. biofuels linked to accelerated climate change, deforestation, bio-diversity losses, human rights abuses. If you are interested in protecting biodiversity and cultures you should check out them and their links page.
Shopping
The way we shop and what we buy has a huge impact on the environment. Food never should be wasted, there are many people in the world who have to go without so throwing it away is a disgrace. It appears that eating less meat is beneficial to the environment because of all the issues linked to the rearing of animals (animal welfare, extensive agriculture, and animal by-products such as nitrates and methane emissions). When buying vegetables it is best to buy local produce and produce that is in season.
- Buy something home-made, home-grown, or hand crafted from your local country market
- Think vegetables - Discover what's in season here & now.
- LoveFoodHateWaste - Don markets't chuck it away - make something delicious out of it.
- Ethical superstore - There are large ranges of cleaning products that are less harmful than the ones you find in most supermarkets, although some brands can be found there.
Check your local charity shops. You will be able to pick up clothes that will stand out from the crowd. Living outside fashion diktats gives quite a sense of freedom. Try to find out how your clothes are made and by whom. If they cost but a few pence new you can assume they will have been made in a way that harms the environment and people making them will have been paid a pittance.
Rather than shopping, cut out all transport-related CO2, and grow your own vegetables. Some sites that can provide help:
- Global Gardening - help and advice on how to make the most of your garden and adapt it to the rigours imposed by climate change.
- CompostWorks - Help and advice for composters in Mole Valley
You could, of course, recycle.
- The local groups page has a whole section on recycling in our area
- RecycleThis is a web site packed with ideas on how to re-use all sorts of things. Post your own requests and suggestions
- RecycleNow is the government's main site with loads of tips and info - including directory of what you can recycle near to you.
Gardening
News
- Treehugger - For more Green News than anybody can digest!
- green.tv is a web TV channel dedicated to the environment. The aim of green.tv is to raise awareness of environmental issues, especially climate change.
Reduce your CO2 emissions
Help & support
- Environmental law foundation - For legal help or legal advice on environmental matters.
- Seeds of change - Provide free training and resources for capaigners and activists.
- Transition Towns initiative - communities adressing the problem of peak oil, reducing reliance on oil, and reducing CO2 emissions.
- Join our Nag - and get a nagging email once a month to remind you to do something to help the environment. It's only only a month. It's only a little thing - what's stopping you?