10:10 is a clever and ambitious yet simple project which is aiming to get all sectors of the UK together, whether that’s businesses, individuals, organisations, educational institutions, to reduce their carbon emissions by 10% in 2010.

Now, when I first heard about 10:10 I wondered why this project was any different to other carbon cutting ideas. Politicians were already discussing this and had agreed, to some extent, that emissions needed to be cut with targets in mind. However, as the 10:10 folks say:
“…while politicians argue about targets for 2050 and 2020, the scientists say world emissions must peak and begin to fall within the next few years. That means we need deep cuts in the developed world as quickly as possible. The longer we leave it, the smaller our chance of avoiding disastrous warming. 10% is approximately the right amount for Britain to cut next year if we are to play our part in keeping global temperatures from soaring out of control…”

That’s good enough reason for me, so today our web design business, Make Hay, joined the project.

Make it a Global Project

As we all know though, this is a global problem – the term ‘global warming’ kind of gives it away. So I was wondering even if the UK do cut its emissions by 10% next year how will that help with the bigger picture? Then I found this question on the 10:10 website:

What’s the point of just getting people in the UK to sign up when the country accounts for only 2% of world emissions?

and the 10:10 team say:
“10:10 is being launched as a UK campaign but scientists say it is the right target for the whole developed world. The hope is that the campaign will spread to other countries, and we’ll be making it as easy as possible for that to happen.”

So, because Green Girls Global is all about sharing news, views and ideas worldwide I immediately felt a responsibility to talk about 10:10 here.

The 10:10 team really want this project to roll out in other countries too. So, if you’re outside the UK you can still get involved. Get in touch with the 10:10 team and they’ll be delighted to do what they can to help get things going in your country.

Check out the website at 1010uk.org

Some time back I blogged about the first carbon neutral triathlon which my sister helped organise with the Crystal Palace Tri club as she was concerned about the environmental effect of the race. It involved making the event as environmentally friendly as possible and generally making competitors, marshalls and visitors aware of the impact of the race and encouraging them to help reduce this.

After returning from a lovely holiday in Nice this week which included watching my sister compete in the Iron Man France  competition which involves a 4km swim followed by a 180km bike ride topped off with a marathon. (No I’ve not made a mistake with the numbers and distances they really do make them run, swim and cycle that far) I was pleased to see that the organisers had taken some measures to address their eco-responsibility.

As soon as competitors entered an expo area to register for the race there were stands which had information about the recycling facilities available and the importance of the flora and fauna in the region along with other related info. Each competitor was given a pack which included  a supplement about the green aims for the race. I wont list all their efforts but those of you who are interested can read more about their mission here.

With over 2,500 competitors eating energy bars and drinking water on the move it was estimated that the level of waste would be no small matter. Along with almost 70,000 spectators in Nice and in many of the villages along the cycle route litter was also an issue that had to be tackled.

Although there could have been other strategies I’m glad that the organisers had a green policy in place and that they made a great effort in their first attempt at making the event sustainable. They had to start somewhere and I’m hoping they will build on this years race to make the next competition even more of a low impact affair.

Lets hope other sporting events take their lead as vast amounts of energy and waste could be saved not to mention the potential for engaging the public in being greener.

Brighton Carnival wants revellers to choose what they inhale on parade day.

In 2007, Brighton Carnival was the first UK carnival to take action to lower the carbon production of their large scale community event.

The methods of transport used on the parade itself were the starting point for the Carnival in its sustainable development. Big carnivals such as Trinidad and Notting Hill often have hundreds of diesel and petrol powered trucks rolling slowly along on parade filling the air and the revellers’ lungs with exhaust fumes. In 2007 it was decided that the resulting health and environmental damage could not be reconciled with Brighton Carnival Association’s aims and that year all petrochecmical fuelled vehicles were banned from parade. This continued in 2008 with the colourful parade featuring Big Lemon’s chip-fat fuelled buses, a grass covered bio-diesel van towing a soundsystem pumping out soca tunes, a PPO truck with a PPO generator onboard looping crazy tunes and an electric vehicle carrying the sound for a local and talented young people?s singing group.

Brighton Carnival also uses a very Brighton invention to get the narrow streets full of sound, called the 12volt bike. A rig of rechargeable 12volt batteries is used to power a soundsystem welded to the side of a bicycle. On parade, crowds enjoy the site of the convoy of decorated bicycles pedalling next to groups of dancers in big costumes.

Lowering the carbon production of the Carnival is a big task.? It has to encompass not only parade day itself, which pulls crowds of 20,000-plus, but the build up to it too.

The carnival’s main body of work is in supporting the 20 participating community groups and schools from across the city who work hard for many months making costumes, learning instruments and creating a spectacular parade entry for the big day. Carnival artists spread the message that during making sessions keeping the 3 Rs in mind should be essential. There will be an award for the parade group who has most taken sustainability on board in the making of their entry.

On Parade Day, there will be plenty of recycling points and a crew of ‘Rangers’ ensuring they are being used correctly, food stalls and traders will be selling local produce and local eco festival Green Wave will have an area of stalls promoting local green services and businesses.

Parade Day 2009 is on Sunday 12 July, and is set to be a spectacular and exciting day and once again organisers hope the air will be clean allowing those revellers to inhale only what they want to inhale!

See the website for the line up and more details www.brightoncarnival.co.uk and don’t forget, as organisers urge come to the parade, jump up and join the party, but please leave the ‘car’ out of carnival and make your way to Middle Street and Madeira Drive by public transport, foot, bike, skateboard – think green and clean!

By Rachel at Brighton Carnival

Back in December I wrote a post about my experiences in searching for a suitable carbon offset – ‘Which Carbon Offset?‘

In response Matt Feldman, who runs the Carbon Neutral Digest blog, kindly offered to provide us with some clarification on the types of carbon offsetting packages that are available and the benefits and downfalls of some of them.

Much of Matt’s work on the Carbon Neutral Digest involves reviewing offset providers and so I jumped at the chance of having someone with more experience on the subject share their knowledge with us.

Matt’s article, ‘Choosing a Carbon Offset Provider‘ can be read over at Green Guys Global. Enjoy!