Fight Climate Change

A brand new book is published on September 13th 2007 that shows dramatic photographic evidence of how the things have changed on Earth. Earth Then and Now: Potent Visual Evidence of Our Changing World by Fred Pearce with a forward by Zac Goldsmith “records the dramatic way in which our planet has changed in just the past one hundred years” through a series of photographs. Whilst all aren’t down to climate change, the images should convince people that the landscape of the planet is changing at a rapid speed.

Each pair of photographs has been selected to tell a compelling story – of a melting glacier, an expanding desert, an ever-rising cityscape or a natural disaster – presenting a stark visual comparison. Concise captions explain the facts and then leave us to draw our own conclusions about the “Earth Then and Now” and about the Earth to come

The book is available from Amazon (cheapest at time of writing – just £15), Tesco Books, Browse for Books, Play.com.

Barclaycard have launched the Breathe Credit Card (14.9% APR Typical Variable – correct as of 9/9/07) as an initiative to help fight climate change. It’s billed as the credit card “that donates 50% of profits to projects that tackle climate change” and Barclaycard intend to make a minimum donation of £1million in the first year. The money will be given to Pure, the Clean Planet Trust to fund government-approved environmental projects.

The card also gives users 0% interest on balance transfers for 6 months from opening an account (2.5% handling fee applies). You can apply for the Barclaycard Breathe credit card online.

One of the easiest ways people can contribute towards energy saving is by switching off electricals like TVs and monitors rather than leaving them on standby. Just flicking the switch to off can help! However, people still switch things to standby, so it makes sense for the option to be removed from electricals altogether and The BBC are reporting that the Tories intend to outlaw products that have standby lights. There are also proposals to ban some energy efficient products altogether too.

Whether these proposals become law or not, such suggestions should make big name electrical producers sit up and take note. After all you don’t want to find that your products are banned from sale! Fight Climate Change predicts that it won’t be long before Sony, Toshiba, Panasonic or another big brand TV name steps forward with the low energy, carbon free and save the planet all singing and all dancing LCD TV.

After all we’ve already had the energy saving kettle from Tefal!

Here’s a great idea to save energy (and a brilliant gift idea too). The Sun Jar from Suck UK is simply a jar that captures the sun’s rays so that come night time you have a light source that is environmentally friendly. Take a look at the video below from Prezzybox to see how the Sun Jar works.

The Sun Jar comprises a jar (naturally), a solar cell, rechargeable battery and low energy LED lamps. It’s also water tight so that you can use it (or them if you buy a few) outside. The light emitting from the jar is designed to look like the sun and automatically activates at dusk, although you can switch it on/off to conserve energy.

The Sun Jar is available from Prezzybox for £19.95. If your Prezzybox order is over £20, you can claim a £5 discount using the promo code LOQUAX.

Tefal have come up with a new product that they claim not only saves time when boiling water, but is also energy efficient (and therefore means you’re going to save water and energy). The product is the Tefal Quick Cup and is available from John Lewis and Currys for just a shade under £60 (price correct as of 13th August).

The Tefal Quick Cup delivers hot water in just 3 seconds, and according to Tefal’s own study you’ll reduce energy consumption by up to 65% compared to a standard kettle. The Quick Cup isn’t just for hot water either – if you fancy a cold, filtered drink the Quick Cup will also deliver cold water at the touch of a button.

Will the Quick Cup replace the kettle with it’s OPTI quick technology? Get hot water for your tea or coffee in just 3 seconds, plus filter cold water option too. The price at just under £60 may be the deal breaker for most people though!

You can find out more about the Quick Cup at Tefal’s official site.