‘Defeat Global Warming, Join Global Cool

With over 26.5 billion tonnes of CO2 emitted globally every year, with an added annual increase of 0.5 billion tonnes, it is predicted that we are fast approaching the climatic tipping point – that is the point at which the global climate will become irreversibly unstable.

The general consensus amongst scientists is that in 2006 we are only a decade away from this point and only by reducing our CO2 emissions by a minimum of one billion tonnes per year, can we push this point far enough into the future to buy us time to develop long-term solutions to the problem.

Many argue that it is already too late or that it is the responsibility of governments and big business to address the problem. People feel powerless and personal responsibility is abdicated through blaming polluters while ignoring their own personal impact.

However, Global Cool believes that the solution to tackling climate change lies within the power of the individual. Industry and governments are ultimately influenced by the demands of their customers and constituents. Meaning, through collective demand, capital markets will be encouraged to invest in the development of low energy products, while population driven electoral mandates will ensure that governments act.

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.

By giving YOU the tools and knowledge to actively decrease your CO2 emissions, and to encourage others to do the same, we can collectively push the climatic tipping point long into the future.

Through proactive engagement with the low carbon economy – and by adopting the simple principles of efficiency and reductions, followed by the offsetting of any remaining unavoidable emissions – an enormous difference can be made in an incredibly short time.

Global Cool aims to approach the challenge of climate change with a positive and informative attitude. Everyone knows the horrific devastation an unpredictable climate can wreak but not everyone knows the tiny domestic lifestyle changes that can cumulatively result in a massive reduction in energy use.

Remember: humanity is under threat but Global Cool has the solution – and that solution begins with you, the individual. Every action made right now will make a difference.

Through credible and trusted scientific resources, Global Cool is determined to become your one-stop-shop for a cleaner, more energy efficient life – for many many years to come.’

- source Global cool website

more and more high street retailers are taking up the challenge

Next and Debenhams are set to launch their first clothes made with Fairtrade certified cotton.

Marks & Spencer is adding to its range of socks and tshirts to provide an ‘outfit for all the family’

Top Shop are stocking a range of clothing called ‘People Tree for Top Shop’.

The Co-op are using Fairtrade cotton shopping bags.

Monsoon are launching a collection of T shirts using Fairtrade Certified Cotton later this year.

Boots are stocking a range of babywear called Little Green Radicals.

TK Maxx are selling this year’s Comic Relief T shirts which are made of Fairtrade Certified Cotton.

lets hope this is just the start.

     Red Nose T-shirts are Fairtrade?

Does anyone know where the Comic Relief t-shirts came from, starting with the cotton farmer, to the spinner, to the cutter and ending up with the end retailer TK Max? It would be great if the ‘Red Nose Day charity’ would make the supply chain public knowledge. Surely this would make a great story?

I also notice the charity have not chosen to use organic cotton as well! Ironic that they are helping with the infrastructure of clean drinking water and the irrigation of water to provide healthier crops and therefore improving the natural and human environment but are unwilling to go that extra yard and go for a truely ethical and environmental t-shirt.

Oh well, one step at a time I suppose. I’m sure they had the t-shirts seafreighted in, as opposed to airfreighted!? Every little helps.

It was reported yesterday in the Evening Standard that demand for Fairtrade cotton has doubled in the past six months, there is more demand now for Fairtrade cotton products than that of bananas, chocolate or coffee

The Fairtrade Foundation is responding to the increased demand from the high street by looking at certifying more farmers. Presently there are 100 producers who have been awarded the Fairtrade mark, an increase of a third on last year. High street retailers such as Next, Debenhams, Marks and Spencers and now Sainsbury’s have all launched Fairtrade brands.

We welcome this news as it gives a clear indication that the Fairtrade brand is not a passing trend and that consumers are at last demanding a fairer deal for the historically abused producers of the world. We all have a duty to support these market leaders and use our spending power to influence their purchasing decisions. Fairtrade clothing is available on the high street, so now there really isn’t any excuse!

The Observer Ethical Awards 2007