Archived press release

Little book of green ideas sows seeds for big change

7 October 2005

A new little book, published this month, is sowing the seeds of change with big ideas for individuals to make a real difference to the environment. As more and more people face up to the impact of climate change and want to do their bit, the Little Green Book of Big Green Ideas provides a starting point for green action in your daily life [1].

Published by Think Books in conjunction with Friends of the Earth, the Little Green Book of Big Green Ideas, includes 185 need-to-know facts, inspiring quotes and bite-sized, lifestyle-friendly tips from leading organisations, experts and forward-thinkers [2].

Friends of the Earth Director Tony Juniper said:

"More and more people are waking up to the links between their daily lives and the environment. From the food we eat to the clothes we wear - they all have an impact. And that means that we all have the power to make a difference - to tackle climate change, protect wildlife and benefit our environment."

Top tips include:

• Car-share and cut your carbon dioxide emissions. The average commuter drives 19 miles a day. Car-sharing with one other person can save 640 kg of carbon dioxide, reducing your contribution to climate change.

• Police your PC - remember to switch your office computer and monitor off every time they're not in use - especially at night.

• Share your Christmas - don't throw unwanted gifts away. Give them to charity shops or pass them on to friends.

• Join a milk round - reduce waste by getting milk delivered to your door. Milk bottles can be re-used 20 times before they have to be recycled.

• Furnish with care - check out antique fairs and second hand shops for better quality buys from the past.

Top facts:

• Across Europe, enough mobile phone handsets are discarded each year to make a chain from London to Perth. Recycle.

• The average person in the UK uses 150 litres of water a day. In the US it's 600 litres a day. In Sub-Saharan Africa, it's 10 litres a day (WDM).

• Buying local produce can reduce associated carbon emissions by almost 100 per cent (National Farmers' Retail and Markets Association).

• 300 million gallons of raw or partially treated sewage are discharged around the UK coastline each day (Surfers Against Sewage).

• In some parts of the world, the bodies of whales and dolphins washed ashore are so highly contaminated they qualify as toxic waste (Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society).

Notes

[1] The Little Book of Big Green Ideas is published by Think Publishing (www.thinkpublishing.co.uk ) and priced £4.99. For more information, tips and advice see also www.foe.co.uk/living

[2] Contributors include Sir David Attenborough, Dame Anita Roddick, Zac Goldsmith and Jonathan Porritt with quotes from historical figures including William Shakespeare, Andy Warhol and Frank Zappa.

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust