So wrong, but then, possibly, so right

Submit your climate-fighting ideas to the Manchester Report

A fellow poster got there just before me, but regular readers will probably understand why I rather stalled at that headline. How, precisely, does one fight a climate?

However, as it goes on to seek positive solutions, I'll cut them some slack.

I just hope the winners won't be the usual box-ticker pleasing, dubious enviROI suspects.

More, and better?

In my idle trawl of funding news today I noticed this:

Website Will Show A Better Way To Recycle

A new website that will make it easier for people to recycle has scooped the top prize in a Government-sponsored competition. The Can I Recycle It portal was judged the overall winner of the Show Us A Better Way contest, which asked members of the public to devise a website that would provide a useful service using some of the non-personal data held by the Government.

This competition was one I noted, but then promptly forget, partly because I'm old, partly because I don't trust the government to credit inventors properly, and hence suspected that any ideas would soon become a very public/bureaucrat domain and not much to do with the creator, and partly because in my experience such things are often judged on agenda rather merit.

Interesting that many have noted another gov/quango site, Recycle Now, seems to have roughly the same thing. Also mentioned is Sort it. Can't have enough of a good thing, I guess. Slight duplication of effort on the public purse, mind.

Fortunately, perhaps due to lack of targets and boxes to tick, reuse again gets missed.

Now, if they had a site for that! Ahead of our time still?

AWARD - 2009 ST ANDREWS PRIZE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Another thanks to Martin of EnviroAbility

WHEN: Closing date for entries is 31 October, 2008
WHAT: 2009 ST ANDREWS PRIZE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
WHAT... MORE?: Aimed at helping ordinary people find solutions to environmental problems, the Prize was launched ten years ago and is recognized as a prestigious international initiative, attracting entries from around the world. The Prize is a joint initiative between the University of St Andrews and international energy company ConocoPhillips.
Below is a brief description of the Prize. If you know of anyone who would be interested in applying or an organisation that could see a benefit in hosting a link to the Prize website, please forward.

Are you doing something for the environment? The 2009 St Andrews Prize for the Environment is open to entrants from anywhere in the world. The winner will receive $75,000 USD and two runners-up will each receive $25,000 USD.

The Prize recognises significant contributions to environmental conservation and since its launch in 1998 has attracted entries from more than 50 countries each year on diverse topics including;

sustainable development in the Amazon rainforest
urban regeneration
recycling
health and water issues
renewable energy

Submissions for the annual prize are assessed by a panel of eminent trustees representing science, industry and government with the award going to the project the Trustees consider displays the best combination of good science, economic realism and political acceptability.

HOW MUCH: Looks free. Yay!
URL: http://www.thestandrewsprize.com/
COMMENTS: We figure we're in the a left filed entry on recycling...ish.
Note... it is international. If you win and knock us off, think of who told you:) Heck, if you win in those other categories, still think of us!

NEWS/GO3 PR - Pledge and win!

Desperately trying to round off various tasks before we leave for our vacation.

Here's a topical one I have to get out now, as I promised the author. As always, E&EO, though this one is as 'in the zone' as one could hope:)

Now my views on some major media and government pledges are well know, but this one has that consumer-inspiring extra that is so often neglected: reward!

Pledge and win!

In June 2008, the Green family from Gloucestershire set themselves a zero waste challenge.

Could an ordinary household produce nothing for the landfill each week?

Reducing, reusing and recycling came into their awareness after they were personally involved in the Boscastle floods, whilst on holiday, in 2004.

They realised that every action they took had an impact on other people across the country and the globe. How we dispose of our rubbish can contribute to global warming, so they decided to take responsibility for their actions.

They half heartedly attempted changes, but kept falling back into old habit patterns.

Then an article about the effects of plastic on marine life changed their lives for ever. From that moment on, Mr Green declared 'no more plastic bags' and that was the beginning of their journey towards zero waste.

In June, an 'average' weeks waste for the Greens was around 100 litres - 1 metal dustbin plus 2 swing bin liners. By recycling more and changing their shopping habits over the past 3 months, the Green's put out just 141 grams this week - less than half a carrier bag.

During the first week in September, the Greens have set themselves a zero waste week. In order to help spread the word about the 3 R's and reducing landfill waste, they want you to join in too!

You will have the opportunity to earn some fantastic prizes when you pledge to make some changes.

Simply visit their 'Pledge and win' page, choose your pledges, choose which prizes you would like to win, carry our your actions and then return to the site in September to comment on your experiences.

Don't worry - you don't have to go zero waste! The competition is aimed at complete novices as well as those who are already recycling. If all you can commit to is to reduce one can, then that's fine. If everyone in the UK did this one small action, we could save 60 million cans going into the landfill.

The aim of zero waste week is to show people that every small action can have meaningful effects. And the hope is that changes made during zero waste week will be long lasting and lead to other changes.

In addition to zero waste week, the Green's blog about their daily adventures on their site

Just when I was going to log off and relax...

NESTA shows the ineffectiveness of Britain's quangocracy

I thought I might have entered this one. Can't recall as there are so many they kind of blur into one another. Makes me wonder how many there actually are, all with their own little cabal of administrators, comms budgets, offices, mutual exchange programmes to each other's events (travel, accom, per diems all covered), etc.

Then I see those wonderful words 'not for profit'. Well, I kind of would like to try and make one, so I can create a better, growing business. Now I know one good way to not make a profit is to create all sorts of board members on £200k salaries and many trips overseas to study how others blow funds like water, but I have this old-fashioned notion of DOING something rather than talking about looking like it is being done, and drumming up some awareness targets to meet to score a nifty bonus.

Mind you, the few in the innovation arena I have entered where making a profit is in theory part of the plan seem to have been staffed by career social workers or brain-dead bean-counters who would know a bright spark if it set fire to their EU-funding forms, and often 'judged' by folk whose qualifications seem to be playing golf with the CEO of the quango doling out the money on the taxpayers' behalves, or some Z-list celeb chosen to try and score a column inch in a tabloid.

Yes, it is sad. On so many counts. So... is it going to change (a word used once in a Third Sector puff speech I spluttered over by some chap who saw our country's future was in innovation when on work experience as Minister for that Department, for a few weeks one summer. Now gunning for PM, I believe)?

AWARD/COMPETITION - The PICNIC Green Challenge 2008

WHEN: Deadline July 31
WHAT: The PICNIC Green Challenge 2008
WHAT... MORE?: From the site. SAVE THE PLANET AND WIN €500,000!
The PICNIC Green Challenge is for people who can instigate change- creative and innovative thought leaders and their organisations. Take the challenge!
We're looking for products and services that contribute to an eco-friendly lifestyle, directly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and score highly on convenience, quality and design.
HOW MUCH: Looks free.
URL: http://www.greenchallenge.info/
COMMENTS: I think we tried last year. Can't hurt. Make sure you have any IP sorted!

AWARD/COMPETITION - Data Mashup

WHEN: The competition will close at the end of September and the winner will be announced in the second week of October.

WHAT: From their site. This is a competition about information, about communication and above all about making government information more useful.

The government produces masses of information on what is happening around the UK. Infomation on crime, on health, on education. However, this information is often hidden away in obscure publications or odd corners of websites. Data tucked away like this isn't of use to the ultimate owner of that information YOU.

The Power of Information Taskforce want to hear your ideas on how to reuse, represent, mashup or combine the information the government holds to make it useful.The next best thing is to point you at the explanation in the Guardian, where I found it first.
WHAT... MORE?: Check the site.
HOW MUCH: Looks free. With a £20k prize!
URL: http://www.showusabetterwayentryform.co.uk/
COMMENTS: If you have some use for data, and the measn to put it to good use, as Junkk.com does, might be worth a punt! Mind you, this story - UK.gov launches data mash-up competition - from the Register, spins it another way.

Addendum: Had a quick scope and have a few first thought:

Tempting.

However, I am a little concerned about IP/idea protection.

Yes there is the potential of a £20k prize, but if it's a goodie then surely the idea will be worth/generate a lot more?

The FAQ on the site clearly outlines the first, and most major danger in this regard, namely (and unlike a patent or trademark) an 'idea' a lot trickier to protect.

It's one thing to be viewed by a limited number of judges (though in the case of some gov/quango efforts I have been part of, possibly even worse), but here your concept is laid out raw and ready to rip.

And I'm hard pressed to think how many decent notions involving the use and/or manipulation of data won't be essentially web-based ideas and rather open to... 'homage'.

The trick would seem to be to tempt in the submission enough to generate a bite, but without giving away too much.

Save the world. A list.

A little while ago some chums and I made a TV commercial for a contest (oddly, in that it was 30" and we cut to that, it is now ":60 to Save the Earth" ecospot). Seems we didn't get into the finals. So now it's free to use, here it is:



As a creative soul, and in the spirit of unsweetened grapes (it's all how you say it these days), here's my purely subjective review (hey, it's what blogs are for, and I've found that playing coy gets you nowhere) of what beat us:

1. Are You Game? – First up. Mentions Al Gore. Twice. Darn, should have thought of that!

2. Change the way you think. – Some nice imagery, I guess.

3. Cheeto and Vinn – OK. Singled-minded and funny. Gets the point across. I’m wishing we’d gone the 60’ option now.

4. Decisions – Again, not bad imagery. But hard to get ‘into’.

5. Gaia's Lament – yeah, well. Whatever.

6. Get Your Green on – And there’s a single out soon, too:)

7. Green – Nice. Yet one of the lowest ratings so far.

8. I Did Nothn' – A good line in there somewhere.

9. Keep it Equal – Nice idea. Neat editting.

10. Lights Out – OK, so it’s campaignable. Worth two in the finals?

11. Perry the Cockroach – Um, pass.

12. Plastic Ocean – Nice, simple idea.

13. Roachie Enviro Contest – If you’re going to use music, it seems it is better if wra... er... rapped.

14. Small Changes – I’m just guessing, but I think going with plastic bags would make one a shoe-in.

15. Small Steps – Sort of cute.

16. Support Good Hot – Energy – Interestingly, only the first that seems to have had some production money on it. The line ain’t worth it.

17. The Bags – OK, and here’s another. I’m sure the COI will buy it.

18. The Little Things – Lists are good, too. With a song.

19. The Sky is Falling – Some more production bucks. Not a bad line. Motivated? Highest rate to date.

20. Think Again – Yeah, well. The money is coming out now. Where from?

21. This is not a test – Yay! Another list!

22. This is the World – Or... don’t cut a tree down that’s already doing its job. Nice production on low budget, though.

23. What Can Regular People Do? – Follow more lists. It works in creative eco ads, anyway.

I still think ours is... was pretty good.

Here's the submission notes:

A simple ad for a simple notion: green IS good, but only if you really think about all aspects very carefully.

Many of us have bought into the notion of offsetting the carbon consequences of our lifestyles. And it is certainly better than nothing, But only so long as the initiative is worthy and well run.

Some schemes still operate on the basis of planting a tree to achieve a balance that will be unlikely to make itself felt for many years, if at all. And time is of the essence, as tipping points are being talked of in terms of decades.

Some of these can of course still be viable and good to support. But, as with all things sold in the name of ‘green’, one needs to always challenge such efforts to justify their environmental value, their envIROI (which is not the same as monetary ROI, as you can make a financial investment in our kids’ future that may not pay back monetarily) before committing hard-earned, and highly useful, funds without thinking, simply to ‘buy-off’ a sense of responsibility for one’s actions.

The facts of deforestation and national emissions of the world’s current greatest greenhouse gas polluter are a matter of public record. The logic of where our priorities should lie in this instance, are our own. There will be hurdles, to be sure, and this is of course a plea more for preservation rather than reduction, but we think it is one worth making, to be considered and, if necessary, sensibly debated.

Other than a bit of time, this ad cost nothing and used no resources... at all. Which is quite an ideal metaphor for the message being conveyed...

IF you think about it!

ps: No trees were harmed in the making of this commercial. But a nice weed didn’t make it. Sorry.

Maybe I should have been nicer about daft celebs and meaningless platitudes. They were the judges after all. Maybe not so daft to see who it was aimed at.

And now... YouTube!

Which reminds me, it's the Green Awards to... night? I entered last year but decided against this ever again having seen who the judges were (for a creative contest - even if it's a people's choice, which I often prefer, there is always pre-selection... and agendas) and what they voted into the finals.

Here's one that may win there (it shows a lady's naught bits, which always helps, if you're being viral.): http://www.green.tv/brazilian

COMPETITION - Ben & Jerry's Climate Change College

WHEN: October 30
WHAT: Ben & Jerry's Climate Change College
WHAT... MORE?: If you are 18-30 with an idea to lick global warming, then join us on an expedition to the Arctic to study the effects of climate change on our planet
HOW MUCH: Free!
URL: http://www.climatechangecollege.org/home.php
COMMENTS: Not too sure about clips I saw. Looks less than constructive. And more like a party in the Arctic. But as I am ineligible it's academic (geddit?).

What go me here was a thing on a social enterprise site that said 'The Climate Change College consists of a nine month business mentoring programme and a £5000 grant for each successful candidate to launch an entrepreneurial project to tackle climate change.' If you can find it... good luck!

I've written to them:

A little intrigued by the website - have you watched it?

I was not to clear about how the money is dispersed.

But also noted the first project seemed to be vandalising 4x4s.

The second seemed to be saying saving the planet requires travelling (er, how?) to the icy wastes to have parties.

Not against fun (noting it is a very ageist effort as well - why 30 as a cut off?), but if this is what is being promoted, as I can't honestly endorse it much.

ADDENDUM:

I have had a very thorough reply, thanks to the press office:

I checked out the website before putting it in the newsletter and feel confident that it has a responsible attitude. The students do go to the Arctic but their travel is offset through a carbon offsetting scheme and they go to learn the effects of climate change firsthand to be successful ambassadors.

As for the funding, I think this par covers it roughly:

The College consists of a 9 month business mentoring programme (worth €21,000 per student) and a €7,000 monetary grant to launch a unique project. The programme is largely virtual with a 1-1 mentor, except for a 3 day workshop in Brussels in February and a two week scientific field trip to the Arctic in April. All travel is covered by Ben & Jerry’s and is offset through Cool Your Jets which invests in renewable energy projects.

The videos do have a comic aspect (incl the partying in the arctic bit) because they are trying to appeal to young people, and its very much in a Ben and Jerry’s style. The vandalising 4x4s is a jokey ad that ends with the words – There are better ways to fight climate change.

I do take your point about ageism but hundreds of programmes are directed purely at ‘youth’ including a number of government funded programmes (for example the Make Your Mark Campaign) that we are involved in.

And while I can concede most, I did have to make the following points:

My main concern was the 4x4. I honestly missed the end because it went on a bit and I thought it was not something I could support so I clicked off.

I wonder how many others might have done the same?

I made the ageism comment more on a personal basis having been excluded from a Guardian cartoon competition on the same basis.

For 'youth'.... 16 no problem. 18 ok. 21 at a stretch. 30? Next thing I'll find I can't go 18-30 clubbing any more.

Sorry. That's just cynical market demographics at work.

Can we fix it? Yes, we should!

Hard to see a downside to this: BOB THE BUILDER LAUNCHES ‘PROJECT RENOVATE’*

The iconic kids' character has been teamed up with thinkinsulation.com and Travis Perkins, to launch Project Renovate, a National Eco-Award Programme offering nurseries and pre-schools in the UK a chance renovate their building.

Twelve renovations worth up to £5,000 (with t&cs, so check first) are on offer. And each winner will receive a visit from Bob himself!

There's a Resource Pack with entry guidelines and information for practitioners and children about the programme. It includes activities linked to the early year’s foundation stage curriculum to help young children understand some of the key environmental concepts such as how to save water, electricity and heat. Fun activity sheets will also be available, including Bob rhymes, photographs and a renovation check list and poster to show the nursery’s support and involvement in Bob’s Award Programme.

Apparently Bob's motto is ‘Reduce, Reuse and Recycle!’, but I seem to recall 'Can we fix it? Yes we can!' being high on the rallying cry list around the site, and as repair is very much a plank of the Junkk.com ethos along with reuse, we're up for that too.

As prizes go, I'm equally impressed that insulation features in this regard, having banged on so long about how this aspect seems a real priority to get across, and into our nation's lofts and cavity walls.

Eligible nurseries are required to submit their entries by 31st January 2008.
*Site goes live w/c Oct 8.

No trees were hurt in the making of this film...

But a weed didn't make it, sorry.
I should also mention than, other than time, not one penny was spent or any new resource used.

I wonder if that makes it one of the greenest commercials ever shot?

It's our entry to the current.tv eco-contest.

Fingers crossed!




Thanks to Geof and Stepehn at clickingo, PJ at Firebird.com and Kipp and Cody on voice overs.

Hero Time!

Ok, now, Focus people, Focus.

In case you are wondering, I am selling out to... er... being seduced by the corporate sector. But it is in a good cause.

While I was away a PR agency asked me if I would be interested in a competition, and while I am always up for an adventure have to confess that it slipped my mind.

Well, big up to them for not letting me forget, and so here it is:

Calling all you Green Heroes!

Have you got what it takes to be the King or Queen of Green?

Are you a recycling Queen or a composting King? Do you regularly collect the drain water to keep the roses in bloom? Or, perhaps you know someone who goes out of their way to protect the environment in everything they do? If so, then you could be the ultimate Green Hero as Focus DIY launches a search for environmental champions across the country - no compost heap too big or watering can too small - to be crowned Green Hero 2007.

The nominations come as new research shows three quarters of people have taken positive steps to go green and save the planet for their children and grandchildren. Despite this, there's still a lot to be done. A third of drivers admitted they will drive less than a mile - easy walking distance - to see friends, drop the kids off at school or simply to pop to the shops. To help you go green and celebrate the start of the Green Thinking from FOCUS campaign we have compiled some simple top tips to a greener life:

* Buy Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) recommended wood products, They contain wood from legal and well-managed forests.

* Use peat free multi-purpose compost. Peat is best kept in its natural state in the countryside - providing a home for unique types of plants, butterflies and insects.

* Use energy saving products e.g. light bulbs or check out the Energy Saving Trust.

* If you see a light on, that doesn't need to be, why not turn it off and do the earth a favour.

* Don't just throw it in the bin. Is it glass, plastic, cans, cardboard or paper that can be recycled. Where is your nearest recycling centre? Better yet... reuse it on Junkk.com (Ok, so I added that)!

* Donate unwanted household or gardening items to charities. Or give it away via JunkkYard (uh-huh... that too).

* By taking garden waste to a local recycling centre, or recycling through their doorstep collection service for it to be turned into compost, gardeners are saving valuable space in landfill

The efforts of people who go that extra green mile make a huge difference to the environment and set a great example to others in the community. So if you are, or know someone who cares about the environment and takes the green option when doing jobs around the home and garden then visit and nominate your Green Hero. You could be in with a chance of winning great prizes.

Thing is I am being a smidgen selfish here as I do note the words '...if you are...' in there, so I will be applying for yours truly too. Don't feel you can't say nice things about us too, though.

But if in learning about this from me and you get to win instead, think kindly of your old mates at Junkk.com... pretty please?

I may even add this to our February newsletter if I can find the time.