RESOURCES AND INFORMATION ON SUSTAINABLE AND ETHICAL LIVING

 Ever thought being environmentally friendly and caring about sustainability are solely pursuits of the white middle-classes? Brought to you by the creators of the 'Mothers of Invention' podcast, the Climate Reframe project is a comprehensive list of BAME voices within the UK climate movement which shows unequivocally that the climate change crisis matters to everyone, and that everyone is needed to find the solutions. 

   Doughnut Economics is a radical change in economic thinking, which addresses the challenges that both humanity and the planet face in the 21st century and could ensure social and climate justice for all.  First published in 2012 in an Oxfam report by Kate Raworth, this economic model rapidly gained traction internationally, from the UN General Assembly to the Occupy movement and is now part of an emerging global movement of new economic thinking. Click here and scroll down for a really useful infographic showing how doughnut economics works.  

  SNaB offers training in natural building using sustainable or recycled materials such as straw bales, clay plaster and used car tyres. They have a range of courses, some with formal qualifications, and use a flexible approach to learning to enable students to fit courses around other commitments. They also work closely with their sister company, the green architecture company Straw Works.   

 Below is a handy list of links to information on the plant-based alternatives available in supermarkets:

 Aldi 

 Asda 

 Lidl 

 Marks & Spencer 

 Morrisons 

 Sainsbury's 

 Tesco

 The Cooperative 

 Waitrose 

To learn more about plant-based diets and get some tips and advice from a long-term vegan, have a read of our Veganuary blog post here.

Ecologi is a subscription service that offers users the chance to become carbon positive by offsetting carbon footprints through tree planting and other green projects around the world. 

For those who are skeptical about the effectiveness of carbon off-setting and the integrity of the projects that subscriptions fund, check out the site's FAQs. And if you're looking for a way to make your business more environmentally friendly they have a business subscription too.

The Switch is a green energy advice website offering information on different green energy suppliers and tariffs, price comparisons, guidance on the different types of renewable energy and how it is produced and information on how to switch. They also have a helpline you can call for a range of advice on things like how to find the best and greenest energy deals and what grants are available to make your home more energy efficient.

Learn more about the true impact big brands are having on the planet by reading analyses researched and written by people like you. Impaakt believes that we, the consumers are in a far better position to write unbiased objective impact assessments than those normally paid to do it by the companies under scrutiny. If you like the sound of this, why not take their free training and get certified to write your own reports...they'll even pay you for every one they publish!

 One of the most important things we can all do is talk about climate change in our daily lives – climate conversations play a huge role in creating social change. 

Climate Outreach have loads of great resources and tools to help us have these vital conversations in a meaningful and constructive way. Check out their website or download their talking climate handbook for more information. And if you want to hear about their contribution to the recently published UNEP Emissions Gap Report, watch the webinar here.

Looking for an environmentally-friendly search engine...then look no further! Ecosia has great usability, loads of great extra features and every search you make plants trees! They're also a great source of information on environmental events, causes and news from around the world.

 Olio is a mobile app for both food and non-food sharing to reduce waste. It connects shops, restaurants, corporate canteens, and even individuals that have a surplus of food or items, with the people who need them. It also acts as an online food bank where places like Tesco, Morrison’s and Sainsbury's can donate food and reduce their waste.  

Too good to go is a food waste movement driven by a mobile app that allows customers to connect with restaurants and stores to access their surplus food for a small price to stop it going to waste. Download the app today and become part of the solution to food waste!

  The Lancet Countdown works to ensure that health is at the centre of how governments understand and respond to climate change. Their work ranges from ensuring policymakers have access to high-quality evidence-based guidance, through to providing the health profession with the tools they need to improve public health.  

   Greens of Colour are a subgroup within the Green Party of England and Wales. They aim to advance the rights of Black, Asian and Ethnic Minorities in the UK. GOC aim to build a more sustainable and just society where everyone is valued, respected and empowered, regardless of their race, class, gender, ability and sexuality.  

The Green New Deal Group are a group of journalists, academics, politicians, economists and scientists working towards a  practical plan for tackling the interlinked crises of the climate and ecological emergencies, social inequality and elitism.

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation develops and promotes the idea of a circular economy. They work with, and inspire business, academia, policymakers, and institutions to mobilise systems solutions at scale, globally.

A national recycling company specialising in hard-to-recycle materials. Anyone can become a drop-off point for items and when you have enough you can send them away to be recycled. Many brands run free recycling schemes through TerraCycle - take a look at the website for more information.

This is a fantastic resource for finding out the most ethical and environmentally friendly products available. Subscribe to the magazine to get the best from this site.   

This site has some really useful tips on recycling and other ways to reduce the waste we send to landfill, as well as ideas and recipes on loads of homemade, environmentally friendly alternatives to some of the single use products that we all need to stop using. 

Rise is a great resource for anyone planning an environmentally friendly building or renovation project, and has lots of great tips and advice on sustainability in the construction industry.

Take a look at the green deal page on the gov.uk website for information on grants available to homeowners to make homes more energy efficient and environmentally friendly.

Andy Goldring of the Permaculture Association describes the basis of the Permaculture movement as 'earth kind, people kind, fair share.' 

Take a look at their website for more information on the concept of permaculture and details of the vital work they are doing to build the future we need through sustainability in agriculture on all scales.

carbonmap.org is a really great resource for getting to grips with global carbon emissions; looking at key contributors historically and currently, how wealth and emissions are linked, and which parts of the world are feeling the effects of rising global temperatures most. From recycling more to flying less, we can all do our part in taking responsibility for the emissions we create.

Have you ever wondered what impact your lifestyle is having on global emissions? Find out how your carbon footprint measures up to UK and global averages, along with helpful tips for making manageable lifestyle changes to become more environmentally friendly with the WWF's carbon footprint calculator.  

 As the climate change crisis worsens, more and more companies are becoming aware of  the potential impact environmental issues could have on their bottom line. Company Debt provide debt support services for UK companies and have written this guide about what to expect over the next few years, and how to prepare for the challenges we will all be facing.