Friday, October 22, 2010

Retailers Are Making More Effort to Source Ethically

Fair Trade TeaImage via WikipediaSocial sustainability has become the competitive frontier of the future. Propelled by the social conscience of British consumers concerning the welfare of those producing their food in developing countries, companies know that their customers expect them to project a responsible global image, in addition to providing good quality food at reasonable prices.

The most contentious issue concerns child or forced labour. The majority of consumers in the UK believe that those companies selling food and groceries should be held entirely, or at least partly, responsible for insuring that no child is used in the production of food.

Insight into current issues both on the part of companies and shoppers has occurred largely through the efforts of Fair trade. “Ethically sourced” products are those that are promoted by Fair trade, which symbolise the payment of a fair price for any given product, determined by the economy of the country of origin. In addition, payment must be provided to the producer of the food before production begins.

Fifty-nine percent of all shoppers in the UK boast that they are active supporters of Fair trade, even if they only buy their products occasionally. More importantly, perhaps, is the fact that nine out of every ten shoppers claim they specifically choose stores that offer a wide selection of Fair trade products, and that those are the products they prefer to buy.

Marks and Spencer offers the perfect example of how retailers are ethically sourcing their many products. This corporation’s formidable behaviour is brave, responsible and ambitious and should serve as a model to others. By utilising Marks and Spencer Discount Codes and Marks and Spencer Discount Vouchers you are helping them enforce their five-year ethical strategy, which is directed at the fulfilment of Fair trade commitments and known as Plan A.

This concerns organic cotton ranges, which are meant to not only increase the use of organic fibres but also to improve the health of cotton-pickers. Some other aspects of the Marks and Spencer Plan A strategy include the ultimate goal of becoming carbon neutral by the year 2012, the establishment of the first 100% free-range egg supermarket and the very first company to phase out battery eggs and all intensively farmed poultry. All pork is also expected to be free-range within the next five years as well.

According to Citigroup: “…This was the most positive campaign the business has ever run, and measured on brand perception… By challenging consumers to look behind the label, M&S has increased pressure on its competitors to demonstrate their own efforts…We believe the company’s efforts to inform consumers on key topics of ethical procurement and production are contributing to the ongoing sales recovery and will underpin the brand’s performance going forward.”

It is up to all of us to do our part to improve the health and wellbeing of the workers who help to produce the food that is so vital to our daily survival.

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Thursday, October 14, 2010

The Peril of the Polar Bear

Polar Bear (Sow And Cub), Arctic National Wild...Image via WikipediaBy Gareth Westhead

The polar bear is an example of a superbly adapted apex predator. The largest land carnivore on earth it is perfectly adapted to life on the Arctic sheet ice.

They are superbly insulated given their double-layered fur and thick layer of fat. They have hearing similar to that of humans but their sense of smell is phenomenal, with an ability to smell a seal up to a mile away even when buried up to 3ft in snow. Their paws are lined with small bumps and their claws are shorter than other types of bear, which provides excellent traction when walking on the ice.

Then there is their swimming ability. When hunting from sheet ice it pays to be able to swim and the polar bear is an excellent swimmer. So good in fact that there have been reports of them swimming in open arctic waters up to 200miles from land.

An icy future

But this magnificent animal is under severe threat and in very real danger of becoming extinct, with research suggesting that by 2050 two thirds of the world's polar bears will have disappeared.

The polar bear does most of its hunting in the spring and early summer months when they roam the sea ice. However climate change is causing leading to the freezing later in winter and melting earlier in the following spring. The bears therefore have to go without food for longer periods, and this is having a dramatic effect on their body weight and physical condition. It all makes it harder for them to hunt and survive.

Declining sea ice drives the bears onto land and when they are hungry, they are more likely to come into conflict with the increasing numbers of humans in the Arctic areas and are always likely to come off worse in the long run.

Act now before it's too late

The situation for the polar bear is indeed a difficult one but if we tackle climate change we can help restore the natural cycle of the sea ice and provide the polar bears with the hunting grounds they depend on. But action is needed now before it is too late.

Action is needed to tackle the issue head on and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This requires extensive research and campaigning. Even the UK's Committee on climate change has concluded that climate targets are achievable but the government must act fast. Adopt a polar bear today

http://www.adoptananimal.co.uk

Adopt an animal from just £3 per month and help save our endangered wildlife. Within the next century we face losing some of our most iconic animals but with your help we can change this and give animals a brighter future. The animal adoption scheme allows you to make a real difference from your own home and the money from your purchase goes to helping conservation worldwide. In return you receive an adorable cuddly toy of your chosen species along with lots of facts and information. You will also receive regular updates on your chosen species so you can see exactly where your money has gone. Lets help change the future for our endangered animals.

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Monday, October 4, 2010

CASE STUDY: New Energy Program Holds Promise for San Joaquin Valley

California's Central ValleyImage via WikipediaBy Sanford Nax

It's hot in the San Joaquin Valley. Residential power bills are among the highest in the state, but the region is rich with renewable energy resources such as sun and ag waste. It also has chronically high unemployment, which provides a ready labor pool.

It is a perfect place for testing clean-energy technology and energy-efficiency programs. That is why a new alliance of California businesses, labor, community and environmental leaders sounds promising.

It's called California Apollo Program, and the goal is to create a comprehensive strategy for creating clean-energy jobs in a state famous for innovation and technological advancement.

"The Apollo Alliance will work with our diverse coalition of business, labor, community and environmental leaders to ensure our state seizes the opportunity to invest in California businesses and create new jobs producing the clean technologies of the future," said Phil Angelides, chairman of the national Apollo Alliance, a broader group with similar goals.

The formation of the new group comes when California's landmark climate bill, AB32, is under assault. Proposed legislation, Proposition 23, would suspend AB 32 and goes before the voters in November.

The Apollo Alliance has an ambitious agenda. Here is just a bit of it:
- Generate 33% of California's power from renewable resources by 2020;
- Retrofit existing buildings and ensure new construction is green;
- Support public/private R&D partnerships;
- Help manufacturers retool factories and retrain employees to produce clean-energy products;
- Promote "Buy California: and "Buy America" policies'
- Recycle and reuse in California.

A partial list of endorsers include SunPower Corporation, Natural Resources Defense Council, State Building and Construction Trades Council of California and California Energy Efficiency Industry Council.

Sanford Nax, project coordinator, San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization.

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Friday, October 1, 2010

Eco Friendly Tips For a Greener Earth

DSC06745, Petit St. Vincent (PSV), Winward Isl...Image by lyng883 via FlickrBy Andrew A Neil

The story of my eco-friendly island started quite some time ago. It has evolved and grown but has always maintained the common values that have become the compass to a journey that still has a long way to go.

The island started with my own personal love for the island lifestyle. Whether it was Peele Island out in Lake Erie or Antigua in the Caribbean it really didn't matter, I have always loved the pace of island time and the natural beauty that each island has to offer never realizing part of this love was with the eco-friendly harmony that always seemed to exist in these places.

Years passed and the love continued but change was headed right at me and a real shift happened, I became a dad. Pretty cool, very special and my little girl was not only the apple of my eye but has also become my teacher. Not bad considering she is only in the eighth grade.

Now this is the point at which my story takes one of those dream sequences where we look back in time for a moment. As you are reading this I obviously have no idea how old you are so I will assume that what I am sharing makes sense no matter what age you happen to be.

Do you remember a time when you would brush your teeth and leave the water running as you worked toward the perfect smile? We never left the water running because we were bad people or had a great desire to waste water, or worse yet were not of an eco-friendly mind, of course not, we simply did what people always did at that time without the realization that if we shut that tap off we could still get that great smile and help the Earth.

As my daughter grew she was instinctively aware of waste and would seek out ways to eliminate the waste on a family level. One rule she came up with revolved around the simple fact our family consisted of only my wife, daughter and myself, therefore there could only ever be three lights on in the house at one time. One light on for each person. It's a great idea and an easy way to be ecologically friendly as well as bank account friendly with the way our electric bill has come down. Results!

Through the eyes of a child, my love of islands has now become her story as much as mine, only her island, and mine, and yours for that matter is the Earth. The planet is the sustainable island that we all need to protect and it's not that hard to do. The eco-friendly Island website is a joint project between myself and that brilliant little eighth grader, my daughter Kirsten. We hope you will join us in our efforts to save our sustainable island. The effort it takes to give our children a better world is not as hard as you may think. Small, green, Earth friendly ways of thinking and acting will put us on the right path.

Click here and pay us a visit!

The Eco Friendly Island is a place to learn about Earth friendly practices, green careers, green home tips travel tips, an Eco Mall and so much more! Please join us and see how easy change can be.

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Oil Containment Booms - As Seen on TV - Keep Oil Spills From Spreading Out of Control

Oil spill containment boom, shown holding back oilImage via WikipediaBy Travis Zdrazil

If you've watched the news during the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill Disaster, you've seen plenty of them in action: Oil containment booms, lined up along coast lines to prevent the oil from contaminating the shore.

Here's why they were the logical choice for the task. The problem with oil spills, especially if they happen on or near water, is that they spread quickly and can get out of control rapidly. And oil containment booms can often stop their spread completely, or at least slow it down.

Oil booms actually come in two varieties - absorbent and non-absorbent. The absorbent booms are especially handy because not only can they contain oil spills but they can also clean them up. They are also referred to as oil spill booms, sorbent booms, marina booms, marine booms, ocean booms or sea booms. In spite of their name, they can also be used on land to clean up large amounts of oil. And not just oil either, but any other kind of hydrocarbons as well, including gasoline, motor oil, jet fuel, hydraulic oil, and kerosene. However, they cannot be used for water based chemicals, acids, or aggressive chemicals of any kind.

Oil containment booms are designed to float on the surface of water. They're long sausage-shaped mesh casings stuffed with oil only absorbent polypropylene filler. This makes them float on water whether or not they're already full. They also have nylon ropes and a durable linking system, so they can be linked together - and more easily retrieved when they're full. Because they are floating right on top of the water, where any of the spilled oil will be as well, they form a barrier and are highly effective in preventing any oil from getting away.

Their bright white in color serves an important function as well. When they have absorbed all the oil they can take, they plump up - which makes them easier to see. This in turn is a hard-to-miss indicator of when they need to be replaced. After all, they're costly, so you don't want to replace them when they still have capacity left.

They're perfectly suited for use on any kind of body of water, whether that's a lake, a river, a marina, or even the open ocean. Of course, after the Gulf of Mexico oil spill we've seen a lot of oil containment booms in action - on TV and in other news media - and even people who had never heard or thought about them have become familiar with their sight and use.

Want to know more about oil containment booms? Get valuable tips and the latest news about absorbents and other environmental safety products on Travis Zdrazil's Safety Maintenance News blog and get his free newsletter too. Travis is an expert on environmental safety products and has supplied businesses with products to aid in meeting EPA and OSHA requirements for more than 10 years.

You may publish this article, but must keep the resource box ©2009 PCI Products Company. All rights reserved.

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Solar Roadways - A Viable Solar Alternative?

By E Lopes

In a world that eagerly seeks alternative energy sources, the concept for a Solar Roadway seems to be one of the possible ways to harness solar energy for everyday purposes. Put into practice it should give us an intelligent road capable of providing clean renewable energy, and at the same time allowing for safer driving conditions.

Besides providing power it would also provide data delivery. This solar roadway should be able to pay for itself through the generation of electricity, but also from other forms of revenue, such as leasing to service providers like telephone, cable TV, and high-speed internet industries.

In a nutshell, the Solar Roadway consists of a series of structurally-engineered solar panels on which vehicles can be driven. Each panel is made up of three basic layers. The road surface layer contains the solar collector cells embedded within and protects the electronics beneath it, and is engineered to provide good traction for the vehicles. The electronics layer collects the energy form the sun and contains a microprocessor board with support circuitry for sensing loads on the surface, controlling a heating element, lighting, communications, etc. And the base plate layer protects the electronics layer and distributes power and data signals "down-line" to all homes and business connected to the Solar Roadway.

With a microprocessor located every 12 feet, any problem would be immediately detected since Solar Road Panels communicate with each other. If one of them stopped communicating, it would mean something was amiss and had to be checked. But the adjoining panels could still communicate and send the information to a central control station. The energy collected would simply move through a different path.

With a solar roadway you should have a decentralized grid, which would greatly benefit the use of solar powered vehicles as they could be recharged at any convenient stop. Cars could be plugged in and recharged while the drivers were eating or shopping, and they would always have enough charge because charging posts would be available everywhere.

It is estimated that by replacing all current petroleum-based asphalt roads, parking lots, and driveways with Solar Road Panels, which collect energy to be used by our homes and businesses, the Solar Roadway would hugely benefit the environment and people's lives. The solar roadway would become the power grid itself, eliminating the need for utility poles and relay stations, since power would be generated everywhere. Plus, the excess energy collected by this roadway would be stored for use when sunlight is absent and thus replace the need for the current fossil fuels used for the generation of electricity. It would also cut greenhouse gases literally in half, reducing humankind's carbon footprint.

So, is the solar roadway a viable energy source? It definitely is, provided the appropriate investments are made.

The author has a website about solar energy. You can visit it at http://www.getsolarquick.com

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http://EzineArticles.com/?Solar-Roadways---A-Viable-Solar-Alternative?&id=4912745

CASE STUDY: How Passionate is David Cameron?

David CameronImage via WikipediaBy Andrew Morphet

Let's look at David Cameron's record on energy efficiency advice.

Clearly any new Government was going to have a lot on its plate; mainly to do with the economy and no one would expect them to do everything at once, but immediately after the election David Cameron spoke passionately about three things he said were at the heart of his agenda:
  1. The green economy; "we've got a real opportunity to drive the green economy, green jobs, green growth and make sure we have our share of the industries of the future."
  2. The climate change agenda; "we have got to get back on track both nationally and internationally."
  3. Energy security; "I think is vitally important: we need to do a huge amount of work on."
It must therefore have been encouraging for him to see the joint article by Chris Hulne and two of his European counterparts pushing for an increase in the Europe-wide target for cuts in carbon emissions from 20% to 30% by 2020. In this article Hulne said; "This shows how seriously we (Britain, France and Germany) take the low carbon agenda and how we want to work together to make it happen." This sounds like a step in the right direction, but is it?

Rhetoric, strategy and planning will achieve nothing without action; only the Government can lead the drive to reduce carbon emissions, energy use and improve fuel security. There are already many tools available but none are being fully utilised; a good example is the Display Energy Certificate known as a DEC.

Display Energy Certificates (DECs)

A Display Energy Certificate (DEC) is legally required to be on display in certain buildings occupied by Public Bodies; so why is this not working?

Many public bodies (which include Councils, Health Authorities, Schools and Universities) have appointed an accredited public building energy assessor to provide their DECs and have started to implement the action plan in the Energy Advisory Report that accompanies it.

When some of the advice in an Energy Advisory Report is actioned, the results are reflected on the next Display Energy Certificate, thus providing a highly visible public record of reduced energy consumption. Over time, as more of the advice in the Energy Advisory Report is actioned the DEC record should continue to improve.

Unfortunately, three years later after the implementation of the legal requirement, some public bodies haven't complied with the legislation. In other cases, some commissioned an approved energy assessor for the DECs, but have given up on taking the actions outlined in the Energy Advisory Report!

It was startling to discover recently, from the Department for Communities and Local Government's own data, that there are over ten thousand public buildings that had DECs and Energy Advisory Reports in the first year but have not brought back the energy assessors to re-evaluate the energy efficiency of the public buildings. Not only is this wasting public money and wasting energy it is also breaking the law.

For many public bodies October 2010 is their deadline for updating their DECs. There are some public bodies that have taken the right steps and Accredited Public Building Energy Assessors are helping some of them. However, many others are yet to show any signs of action; and time is ticking away.

Synergy Property Services; Accredited Public Building Energy Assessor

Like David Cameron, we have a passionate belief that DECs are an essential cog in the wheel of the drive towards a greener economy, meeting the climate change agenda and improving fuel security.

If you are employed by a Public Body, such as a University, one of the Emergency Services, a Law Court or a Health Authority and would like some help with or information about DECs and Energy Advisory Reports before it is too late, please visit http://www.synergypropertyservices.com.

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The Rationality (Or Irrationality) Of Climate Change Denial

By Will McCorkle

It seems that it is becoming a prerequisite for any conservative politician to cast severe doubts or flatly deny any scientific claims about climate change. Is this because they have all done objective scientific research on the topic? It is amazing they all know more than 98% of climatologists. Of course, it is all political. However, when we look at it from a historical perspective - this is nothing new.

The conservative movement has usually stood against environmental protection - whether it was against Teddy Roosevelt reserving national parks for preservation, against the establishment of the EPA and other environmental organizations in the 1960's and 70's, or modern day movements against carbon reduction. It is often seen as more government. So, it is easier to deny the facts and the urgency of the situation than to change the political viewpoint on the role of government. However, this is extremely foolish.

It seems many people on the right love to eat up this Climate Change denialism. Unfortunately, it is because many are getting their scientific information from Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, and Sean Hannity rather than real scientists and climatologists. There is no real debate on this issue in the field of climatology. Just because Fox News can find a couple of obscure scientists to raise doubts about climate change, does not mean that the overwhelming evidence does not point towards human involvement in this environmental issue. It is a case of chosen ignorance.

We all do this to one extent or another in our lives; however, we must realize that for our elected politicians to live in this state of ignorance on an issue with such global importance as climate change is extremely troubling and something that should be firmly rejected by the American people. Let's starting listening to true wisdom and evidence on climate change from experts and scientists, not the foolish rhetoric of right wing leaders who have a huge political incentive to stay in the dark on the issue.

This article was written by William McCorkle. He writes a blog on progressive social action and the search to find the true essence of the Christian faith at http://www.essencerestored.com. If you are interested in contacting the author, you may contact him at wdmccorkle@gmail.com.

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http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Rationality-(Or-Irrationality)-Of-Climate-Change-Denial&id=4932016

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Interview With Lorraine Spence - Tygerberg Zoo, Endangered Wildlife Breeding Centre

Tygerberg Zoo, Cape Town - OstrichImage by DanieVDM via FlickrBy Celeste Maxine Yates

Lorraine Spence, the Director of the Tygerberg Zoo, met up with me to chat about the park. Before she comes to greet me though, she stops at one of the enclosures, chats to a small antelope and gives it a rub on the head. She informs me that currently the Zoo is undergoing a number of exciting changes, including creating new signs for the enclosures.

"We used to employee a teacher to give educational tours through the Zoo," she explains, "however we couldn't keep her during the 'off season' months." The new signs will assist in giving the public educational knowledge about the animals and species at the Zoo. They are also currently moving animals around while they pull down enclosures and create new ones. When asked when the new changes will be complete, Lorraine chuckles.

"Never!" She exclaims. "Maintenance is never finished - it is an ongoing progress. Only phases of maintenance are finished - this one I'm hoping to have done before peak season starts."

Tygerberg Zoo has been very successful in their breeding achievements over the years. A couple of years ago their tigers had a few cubs, which I remembered very well and asked Lorraine what happened to them. She told me they grew up and were sold to another facility. Tigers are solitary animals so she was unable to keep them at the Zoo.

Currently she's looking for homes for her racoon babies. All movements of endangered animals and their offspring are kept on record through a program called ISIS. ISIS is a non-profit organization that maintains computer-based information systems used by the worldwide Zoological community. ISIS members use the basic biologic information (age, sex, parentage, place of birth, circumstance of death, etc) collected in the ISIS system to manage genetic and demographic programs for their animal collections.

Lorraine tells me she's applying for a particular marmoset from China for the Zoo, but doesn't want to share too many details about her application until has come through, however she's very excited about it.
She says only happy animals are breeding ones so special care is taking to each individual species with regards to their diet, closure and habitat. Each employee is trained in which animals receive what food and when. She also swops and exchanges certain species with other animal facilities in the Western Cape to ensure that the Zoo stays fresh and new for frequent visitors.

They are also involved in a lot of research and programmes both in South Africa and internationally. Lorraine tells a wonderful story about one of their storks that had a radio transmitter attached their leg to document its migration route for a research program. Unfortunately on-route home, the stork stopped over and was arrested as a possible terrorist due to its transmitter. Even after a phone call to the police to explain the situation, the bird was remained imprisoned for quite a while.

While there are many animal facilities in the Western Cape for monkeys, birds, lions and cheetahs, the Tygerberg Zoo is really one of its one of a kind and offers a variety of species ranging from reptile to bird, from hornbill to leopard, and marmoset to gorilla. They need local, national and international support to keep their good work going.

Read more articles on South Africa and biodiversity at South African Biodiversity.

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The Kirtland's Warbler - An Endangered Bird That Depends on Our Assistance

Kirtland's Warbler (Dendroica kirtlandii), femaleImage via WikipediaBy Michael Sealy

The Kirtland's Warbler is one of North America's rarest songbirds. These endangered birds are very dependent on human assistance to save them from extinction. Their breeding range is located in Jack Pine tracts in the northern region of Michigan's lower peninsula. Kirtland's Warblers build their nests exclusively on or near the ground under the lower branches of young Jack Pines, where they also utilize the surrounding grasses as camouflage for their nests.

The birds only use Jack Pine trees that are under 20 years old, which is about the time when the branches of the trees become large enough to block out sunlight. Historically, the Jack Pines depended on naturally occurring fires in order for the seeds to be completely released from their cones. Fire suppression practices of recent decades have played a role in the decline of the Kirtland's Warbler. Now controlled burns are performed and seedlings are planted in a rotation that maintains a reliable habitat for the birds.

Another factor that endangers the Kirtland's Warbler is nest parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds. The cowbirds lay their eggs in the nests of other bird species in an attempt to trick the parent birds in to raising their young for them. The cowbird chicks are usually larger and more demanding which results in more work for the parent birds and less resources for the true offspring.

The Kirtland's Warbler has failed to develop defenses against the cowbirds like other species have. To offset the damage that would be inflicted upon the Kirtland's Warbler by Brown-headed Cowbird parasitism, a trapping program was initiated in the 1970's and over 150,000 cowbirds have been removed from the region. In order for the Kirtland's Warbler numbers to continue increasing, human assistance will also have to remain in effect.

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http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Kirtlands-Warbler---An-Endangered-Bird-That-Depends-on-Our-Assistance&id=4906732

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The Story of the Yurt - The Home Place and the Shelter For Peoples of the World

Yurt, Centre of the Tsogttsetsii sum (district...Image via WikipediaBy Coby Cook

North east Asian peoples are accustomed to their mobile homes now as they have always been. The Russian yurta, the Kazakh felt house, Kyrgyz grey house which is the color of the felt covering, and the Turkmen white house or black house - depending on its luxury and elegance, and the Pakistani gher, Afghani Kherga or Jirga, and the Hindi ghar all were and still are home for many peoples.

The yurt, a very superior tent in shape and build with its thicker walls, round or oblong shape, is more versatile, more home-like than any tent.

The original yurt, the portable, felt-covered, wood lattice-framed dwelling structure has found an enthusiastic following for present day yurts in European, and North American markets. Materials readily available in these parts of the world have replaced the felt or hide coverings available in the Asian countries.

The basic idea of the felt house is unchanged. The relatively straight, tall walls, the height of the roof dome with ventilation, the all season versatility and the undemanding simplicity of the home is very attractive to the camper and home owner. If you are looking for pleasing, affordable housing look at the yurt.

Try a yurt wherever you want a roof over your head. Do your children like to camp in the back yard? A small yurt can be their very own place which they could put up themselves. Don't build a house for family or guests; put a yurt in your backyard. It will be a new exciting pleasure for all who come. They might even help you to put it up in a day.

Its low cost, ease of erecting, simplicity of style and upkeep make it a very appealing choice whatever your needs.

Yurts, Living in the Round is an informative book on Yurts, written by Betty Kemery. It is well-illustrated with many photographs. You may be able to find it at your local library or bookstore. If not, Amazon carries it.

Enjoy a look at the whole yurt family. You will be charmed, tempted, and maybe start with a yurt campsite holiday.
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Fighting Illegal Logging by Responsibly Sourcing Timber

FSC ecolabel.Image via WikipediaBy David L Coleman

People that tie themselves to trees in protests are not the only ones concerned about the alarming rate at which deforestation is destroying the planet. "Up to 40% of the world's wood production is estimated to come from illegally logged tropical forests". This startling fact was quoted in a BBC news article in Jun 2010.

Illegal logging is causing worldwide deforestation at the rate of one football pitch sized area every two seconds and irresponsible international logging companies are remorselessly profiting from this destruction. In a welcome move to combat illegal logging, the EU will ban illegal timber in 2012, and timber suppliers will have to be able to prove where their timber came from.

One way in which timber merchants have been able to prove their commitment to responsible sourcing of timber is through becoming members of, and working with The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). The FSC is a charity dedicated to ensuring that forests are properly managed, with local people being trained and paid fairly to cut down trees in areas where they will naturally regenerate. They also work to protect the rights of the indigenous people whose livelihoods depend on the forests, as well as the varied species of wildlife living in them.

Timber sourced responsibly through the FSC program bears the FSC logo of a tick with a tree, along with the registration code of the supplier so the authenticity can be checked.

Buying FSC marked timber allows the woodworkers in the construction industry, as well as private markets to demonstrate their commitment to fighting illegally supplied timber and willingness to help the environment.
FSC is not the only mark of responsibly sourced timber however. Timber companies go to great lengths to ensure the wood they provide comes from legitimate sources. When buying timber, always ask if the supplier is able to prove that their timber came from an accountable source.

iWood Timber Merchants are FSC registered hardwood timber suppliers to the UK that care about the environment. Our cutting edge website gives instant quotes in up to 24 species of timber at the same time, saving our users time and money. Each member of staff has over 25 years experience in the timber trade to make your order go smoothly.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_L_Coleman
http://EzineArticles.com/?Fighting-Illegal-Logging-by-Responsibly-Sourcing-Timber&id=4902880

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