The Campaign Company Blog

Do the Green Thing!

This is worth checking out, a good example of using social networking and pretty simple software tools to affect behavior change.

You become a member of 'the green thing' which then gives you ideas for how to save carbon (such as taking the stairs not the lift). When you do these things you can then log them on the site and the calculate and track how much carbon you've saved, 0.5kg for taking the stairs for example.

Then the social factor comes into play, you can make friends with other people, compare and compete on how much carbon you've saved... watch little videos people have made about being green etc etc...

Basically adding some fun into doing the right thing...

I reckon this could be improved even more by linking it in to Nike/Ipod social networking site which tracks running... although I supposed running only counts as saving carbon if it replaces a journey by car, bus or train....

Do something good with your Xmas cards!

As the company that proudly devised the Recycling for Real method of consultation, we were pleased to read about the Woodland Trust's Christmas Card Recycling scheme launched last week by Anna Ryder Richardson (she of lovely houses and jungle fame).

The target this year is to collect 100 million cards, which will enable 24,000 trees to be planted and save 2,600 tonnes of CO2 equivalent greenhouse gases - the same as taking over 800 cars off the road for a year!

Special collection bins will be available throughout January at mainland WHSmith High street stores, Tesco stores, any TK Maxx stores and M&S stores.

So now that it's twelfth night and your decorations are down, get yourself down to one of those places now, do your bit and feel extremely good in the process!

A Bright Idea?

Just seen an advert for London's first Light Bulb Amnesty on January 11-13. where you can trade in up to two traditional light bulbs for two free energy efficient light bulbs.

It is being promoted by the Mayor of London Ken Livingstone, who says that changing one light bulb can save up to 110kg of CO2. If every Londoner used energy efficient light bulbs, London could save 575,000 tonnes of CO2 and £139 million a year.

This "Amnesty" concept can be used to promote other environmental positives. Indeed TCC has worked with London Borough of Newham on environmental events where residents can trade a bag of recyclable rubbish for a bag of recycled goods.

We've heard of gun and knife amnesties and now we have a light bulb amnesty, but I am also sure that there are other potential "amnesties". They could for example promote healthy eating and smoking reduction where you can trade something unhealthy for something healthier. TCC is currently working on social marketing projects to promote specific behavioural goals for a social good. Amnesties could be one of the ideas amongst many that could be applied to promote positive social change.

Young People to lead on environmental change

A new report from the Sustainable Development Commission, Every Child’s Future Matters, calls for local authorities and young people to lead on environmental change, and calls for schools, youth services and community groups to empower young people to do this. TCC has recently been working with schools and youth groups in EC1 on recycling and climate change – aiming to empower children and young people to be recycling champions in their local areas. In East Sussex we have also been working with the County Council, young people, and the wider community on participatory budgeting projects which are seeing young people having a genuine say and making a positive impact on their local environment. The SDC report explores the influence of the environment as a whole - from road traffic to green spaces to climate change - on children and young people’s well-being, and provides evidence that the environment can deliver the Every Child Matters outcomes. Does anyone have any other examples of how local authorities and other bodies are working with young people on environmental change? Read the report here

Global Cool: How to buy your own public policy

Not new news, but new to me...

Global Cool the celebrity driven campaign to lower carbon emissions was launched at the begining of the year by a whole load of famous faces. The campaign will be running fund and awareness raising concerts alla 'Make poverty history'.

The campaign is collecting cash through donation and a large proportion of this money is used to buy carbon credits on the European emissions trading scheme, but with out then selling them. As we all know buy increasing demand in a market of restricted supply this will of course force prices up, that's the plan of Global Cool to make it more expensive for business to buy carbon credit and hence more economic to lessern emissions.

In terms of the discussion about participation this is pretty fascinating.

The European ETS is basically a public policy tool born of Kyoto. It's aim is to provide a market based incentive for lessening emissions. Of course having a open market as a part of your public policy creates a new avenue for influencing that policy. Global Cool is exploiting that avenue, by buying carbon credits they effectively making European emissions policy more strigent without having to go to the trouble of lobbying legislatures or anything as quaint as that.

But in a world where money already has a huge influence in the shaping of public policy is this a retrograde development, even if in this case it's for the better?

Environmental Tip of the Week

A few weeks ago the Australian government banned traditional light bulbs because they are so inefficient. It is not only the standard traditional bulbs that can be replaced by energy efficient versions…

There is a new technology available designed to supersede halogen spotlights – the sort you might have in your kitchen or bathroom. Instead of using a filament that gets hot, they contain a small fluorescent tube folded up. As a result they use around a quarter of the energy and last considerably longer. Some are even dimmable, simply by clicking the light switch in quick succession.

So, if you are having some new spotlights fitted, make sure you ask for GU10 compact fluorescent bulbs. For more info click here

Climate Change – what lies ahead for neighbourhoods?

The last NDC Network meeting on February 22-23 in Manchester gave an opportunity to discuss the new big thing on the NDCs’ agenda– climate change.

In one of the workshops, experiences were shared on how NDCs have been tackling environmental issues so far and what they are planning to do in the future. To give just some examples, Green Procurement Code should be introduced in building industry to promote use of environment-friendly materials. Urban planning should move towards ‘carless’ development (fewer parking lots), reducing road congestion and supporting car pool schemes. A range of ‘green’ service facilities such as restaurants, delicatessen and laundries needs to be developed – and some of them like Shoreditch’s new “green” restaurant Acorn House are already up and running.

Examples were multiple but the message dominating the discussion was the same: it is necessary to bring all NDCs together to successfully combat climate change. Only when it is possible to share best practice examples and resources across the entire Network and to Government, can real progress be made. The next step, it was firmly decided, is to produce NDC Climate Change shared strategy. It is good to see that NDCs are strong and ready to act towards reduction of climate change.

Global Cool

‘Global Cool’, a new 10 year environmental initiative was officially launched earlier this week. The idea of the campaign, says its founder Dan Morrell, is that:

‘Over the next 10 years the solutions-based campaign of Global Cool will be launching a series of educational and entertaining programmes, and inspirational and upbeat global events, aimed at empowering individuals to make a difference.’

The campaign is backed by a host of celebs who plan to ‘bring entertainment to the environment, put on shows and make programmes and send you playful texts and generally sing to you and tell you stories and tease you until you care.’ The website’s quite fun – particularly like the ‘CoolTube’ video section.

Environmental Tip of the Week

Did you know that dishwashers typically use a lot less water than washing-up by hand?
So using a dishwasher can be better for the environment, especially if you only run it fully loaded. http://www.care2.com/channels/solutions/home/225 
http://www.appliancemagazine.com/zones/supplier/12_metal_fab/editorial.php?article=1292&zone=12&first=1 

pee before you fly

If you must fly, there is now some new advice for how you can minimise your environmental impact. As well as offsetting your carbon emissions, China Southern Airlines is encouraging passengers to use the toilet before they board. A single flush at 30,000 feet used a litre of fuel – that’s enough to run an economical car at least 10km. For more info click here