Laura's ecoescape

To the Magnetic North

2010-05-27T18:51:00.007+01:00

With a certain sadness, I will be leaving this blog for the time being. It's been fun, and I'm sure I'll return. But other duties call, namely my new travel venture - Magnetic North which has been bubbling away in the background for a while now and is finally ready for the big wide world. Magnetic North Travel embodies all the sustainable values that I've created within Ecoescape, but packages it all up into unique, memorable holiday experiences to Norway, Scotland, Sweden, Iceland and other rugged Northern places. I really hope you'll join me on this new adventure - come to fjords, forests and islands. View the Northern Lights or learn about how people have lived in nature. Or if you can't join us in the North just yet, please continue to support Ecoescape over at http://www.ecoescape.org/ - we've just re-launched the website with a fresh look and feel.
Thanks for reading, and see you in the Magnetic North! http://www.magneticnorth.travel/

Laura Greenman

My top 5 tips for social entrepreneurs

2009-11-19T08:51:00.001Z

Today is Social Enterprise day as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week. One thing’s for sure is that the social enterprise sector is growing. As people reject behaviour demonstrated by the banks, and look for more meaningful ways to make a living and to live, social enterprise has been the obvious answer. This is demonstrated in part by the increased awareness around social investment.

It would appear that investors from many private and public backgrounds are looking to invest their cash in social enterprises. I’ve recently been to two conferences (here and here) that have talked about just that. In fact, there’s talk of huge sums of money that can potentially be re-directed to social enterprise. So are we sat at the edge of a big opportunity? I think that this remains to be seen. But what I have picked up are a few key points that can indicate success for social entrepreneurs. Here’s my list.

1. Look to the long term in everything you do.
Exit strategies are not common speak in social enterprise strategies. I think there are a number of reasons for this. First off, to run a successful social enterprise, you need to have commitment and not to be afraid of being in it for the long-term. A three year plan with exit strategy just ain’t going to cut the mustard at the moment. Why? Well, running a social enterprise is tough. Let’s face it. We’re taking into account lots of complex ideas and factors that make running our businesses difficult, but potentially hugely rewarding too. So looking to the long-term is important – whether it’s for investment, projects, suppliers, or contracts.

2. Measure, measure and measure again
SROI – social return on investment is the weapon in your armoury that can bring good things – from finance and contracts to funding and PR opportunities. Set up a key list of impacts and ensure you can measure them – i.e. how many people have you helped, how much money has gone into supporting local communities etc. And keep the data current, and don’t be afraid to publicise your achievements too.

3. Keep politics at arm’s length
One of the questions at a recent conference was, what difference would a Conservative government make to the social enterprise agenda? And I say, who cares? If we’re going to prove ourselves as business owners, we need to generate income and be independent of political agendas. In other words, know when politics can help you, but don’t rely on it, for goodness sake. Some would disagree – especially those who rely on public sector contracts, but that’s quite scary in itself. We need to compete on a level playing field with other businesses and develop skills which will help us to do so.

4. Scale vs localism
Grassroots is a common term used among social entrepreneurs. It gives the impression of people running projects within a tightly-knit community in one geographical location with limited budget and scope to replicate. I think, while community projects such as these are interesting and important, the grassroots movement is more than this. It’s about working within a context and developing an understanding of a group of people or the issues of a place. Take Ecoescape for example, we’re based in Nottingham but our work covers the whole of the UK and Ireland. Despite this, we’re seen as quite a grassroots organisation having been started on a shoestring based on a need and opportunity. However, our challenge is to remain relevant to our communities and beneficiaries whilst having a broad reach. This way, we can continue to operate in a way that has impact and longevity. If an idea can be scaled, then why not?

5. Have a track record
Don’t just start a social enterprise because you think it would be a cool thing to do, or you just want ‘to do good’. You must, above all, have an interest and developed experience in one area – whether this is in a private, public or third sector organisation. Having a track record and commitment to one field will help enormously as you develop your business. Once you do set up the social enterprise, keep a portfolio of your achievements including press coverage, awards, funding, and milestones. And create a management team that has a broad range of expertise and skills. It helped us to draw a matrix of all the areas that we needed to run the business (e.g. finance, marketing, operations etc) and work out where the gaps were.

Ecoescape is a Community Interest Company. This is a relatively new legal structure allowing companies to trade but with a not-for-profit status. All Ecoescape’s profits, in fact, go back to the community and projects that we support. We believed that the CIC model best represented the way we wanted to run our business – the first of its kind in the travel industry! Obviously you don’t have to run a social enterprise as a Community Interest Company – there are other legal and equity structures which support companies that have strong social and environmental aims. We’re aiming to be self-sufficient which means that the support of our suppliers and readers is crucial. We’re lucky to have so many loyal people behind us.

A sustainable 2012 Games?

2009-10-15T14:50:00.000+01:00

Recently I took part in a sustainability tour of the 2012 Olympic Park as part of Greengaged Week. The tour was led by Dan Epstein who is the Head of Sustainability at the Olympic Delivery Authority. We all hopped on a special Olympic bus which carts various groups around the park to view it at various stages of development. We were interested in the sustainable features and materials that were used as part of this epic build. And epic it is when you see for yourself the stadiums and buildings slowly emerging on the landscape.

As the bus wound its way around the East London site, Dan not only gave us a fantastic update on the progress that was being made by the ODA but also pointed out some impressive eco-credentials that had been put in place. Everyone involved in the project has to commit to creating a sustainable games. It’s a pretty ambitious aim when you think about all the suppliers involved. But Dan is confident that the contractors he works with see the benefits of using sustainable materials and thinking about the lifecycle of buildings. In fact, many of the big contractors have used the opportunity to introduce sustainable practices within their businesses using the 18 KPIs that Dan has set for them.

The most impressive aspect of the tour was understanding how materials have been recycled or used in a way that takes a long view. The ODA scrutinises every material used in the Park through monitoring contractor invoices and carrying out site inspections. It’s tough love that’s for sure. But it’s something that the legacy of the Games can use in the future and be proud of. I liked the fact that buildings could be deconstructed after the games and used elsewhere - like the main stadium. The buildings and open spaces will be part of the community’s future too. Sounds good, no?

The ODA will finish their work in the Park in a year’s time. The buildings will have been built and the green spaces laid out. The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games will take the reigns to organise an event to hopefully remember. But what will visitors remember? My guess is that it will be a plethora of things: travelling to London, travelling around London, seeing some world-class sport, medals, buildings, people etc. A general buzz will keep people interested and inspired, no matter how far they’ve travelled. When you watch any Olympic Games on the TV, I think viewers should really get a sense of the atmosphere and hum-drum – if they don’t, it has failed.

So how will London inspire people? I think green issues will play a big role in promoting this aspirational, future-thinking event. For the first time, if the Games can’t show the world how to live and work sustainably, they never will. So I’m keeping a close eye on how things unfold until 2012 asking difficult questions and hoping that the Games will deliver on all fronts: entertainment, opportunities to learn and, most importantly, hope for the future.

Say hello to our first PURE Digital Winner

2009-09-10T15:07:00.000+01:00

This is Thomas and he's just won £500 to go on an Ecoescape of his choosing! Thomas had to work for his prize though, as his challenge was to sell as many PURE Digital radios as he could for the month of June. And he did it! So he'll be off on his ecoescape adventure very soon.
Thomas is the first of our year-long trade incentive winners in conjunction with PURE Digital. Their aim is to reward their independant retailers while promoting the energy efficiency of their radios. In fact, did you know that you can run four, yes four, PURE digital radios on less power than one low energy lightbulb? Amazing, and something PURE should be proud of as we work hard to reduce our environmental footprints. If you'd like to find out more about their radios, go to www.pure.com.

Radical Nature Exhibition

2009-08-17T17:24:00.000+01:00

Art and Architecture for a Changing Planet 1969 - 2009

The Barbican is currently host to a captivating exhibition that runs inside the art gallery as well as off-site in a corner of Dalston. The exhibition crosses decades of thought that explores the boundaries of Land Art, enviromentalism and architecture. Inside you'll find ways that nature has influenced design and how design has been imposed on nature. Sometimes it's difficult to see where the two differ. The theme feels like a work in progress and this exhibition is just a snapshot into the evolving world of living structures. It's well worth a visit and the Barbican is an excellent venue for it. And if you've got time, hop on a bus to Dalston to visit the Dalston Mill - a disused site turned into a wheatfield and functioning windmill that produces flour and bread (right).

For more info, click on www.barbican.org.uk

A Third Culture could save us?

2009-07-28T10:34:00.000+01:00

According to Seed Magazine, 50 years ago there was a significant chasm between scientists and intellectuals or humanists. It was a case of 'them and us' when it came to agreeing the world's biggest problems or theories. 50 years on, we wonder if the chasm has closed and instead a third arena has appeared which bridges this once dangerous divide.

It's an interesting point at which to view how science and the humanities can work together to tackle today's challenges like climate change and poverty. Perhaps it is indeed the future and one which gives me a hope as I've struggled at times with pure scientific theory in attempting to put it into some kind of seemingly hopeless human or environmental struggle. Being open to science will be crucial and I'll make it my mission.

Greenage Angst

2009-07-24T09:07:00.000+01:00

The youth of today do care. That's according to a new report called "The Rise of the Greenager" by Xtreme Insight Youth. Commissioned by The Big Lottery Fund among others, the report explores the issues occupying today's youngsters and how the future might look when they're in charge. I think it might be pretty good if the predictions are correct:

70% will refuse to work for companies that do not behave ethically
three quarters aim to run a low-carbon household
over half (54%) will spend and invest their money with companies that behave ethically, while a further 46 percent want to own eco-cars.

It will be interesting to see if these predictions weigh true if today's youth are confronted with the pressures of work, family and society at large. Interestingly, "13 percent supported a ban on travelling by air for leisure purposes".

Ed Gillespie, Co-founder of Futerra Sustainability Communications, also gives his thoughts on the debate saying that issues of self-esteem, fear of crime and unemployment also feature highly on the youth agenda and should be taken into account.

To read and download the report click here.

Location Aware Bikes - The Copenhagen Wheel

2009-07-20T17:35:00.000+01:00

Where else in the world would you be able to test out the madly wonderful idea of location aware cycling but Copenhagen? The mad professors at MIT shunned their Boston locality to test out some of their most exciting ever cycling projects, all bubbling away nicely in their SENSEable City Lab.

The Copenhagen Wheel is all about creating connections between the city's cyclists through clever location-aware devices embedded into the wheels of the bicycles. The devices will help map the flow of cycle traffic around this cycle-mad city and contribute to creating an even more cycle-friendly and sustainable Danish capital. Exciting, huh?

The electric wheels can be retrofitted into any normal bicycle. They contain location and environmental sensors which are powered by the bike wheel and in turn provide data for a variety of applications, not least to connect with your Facebook contacts while on the go. It'll also make it fiendishly difficult for thieves to make off into the sunset with your beloved wheels.

We'll be watching their space for updates on the project. For now, go to http://senseable.mit.edu/copenhagenwheel for more info.

Loved up in Scandinavia

2009-07-02T11:19:00.000+01:00

Not the typical honeymoon destination, granted. But Scandinavia (well, Denmark and Sweden) proved to be an excellent place to recharge the batteries and experience of bit of what my husband and I now refer to as 'infrastructure' tourism.

Our aim clearly wasn't to fly, flop and fry in the sunshine. That was soon proved right as we arrived in Copenhagen (by ferry and train) to be greeted with the highest levels of rainfall that the city had seen in over 50 years. It rained and didn't stop for a long, long time. So what started as denial-wear (cue new summer wardrobe) ended in waterproofs from head to toe, dawn until dusk. But still, what we do best as Brits is grin and bare the weather in all its extremities, or sheer persistence in this case. And so, our flashpacking tour of Nordic infrastructure wasn't impeded, it was just a bit damp.

The first point that I'll make is an obvious one, but cycling in Denmark makes a huge difference to the way its cities work. Cycling is the default transport mode. I knew I'd love it. But seeing it all in action really makes you think, 'well why don't we do this in the UK'? It will take commitment from the government and long-term thinking. Something that politicians here can't quite grasp as elections take precedence over good ideas. The infrastructure for cycling needs us to admit: 'We need to stop driving around cities and prioritise bicycles'. Can you imagine? Cycling utopia really grips you when you visit Copenhagen and other cities in Denmark (Aarhus was another one). It really is the perfect back-drop to this year's COP15.

It is worth mentioning at this point that my husband is an ethnographer. Often confused with espionage, ethnography as a research method is excellent at pointing things out by immersing one's self in or around the 'other'. Or becoming the ‘other’ in some cases. As travellers in Denmark and Sweden, we can report back on what we see and find but as far as becoming the ‘other’, our claims are weak. But all the same, we made some observations which can be refuted as ‘merely’ a set of assumptions based on what we perceive as the differences between living in a place where you know the social practices that shape everyday life and a fantasy place where you do not know from experience the social practices. In other words, the classic ‘grass is greener’ scenarios. But we’ll make some assumptions all the same, and expect some challenges in return.

People get on pretty well. We saw very few instances of public aggression – both passive and overt. We felt that personal space was respected even when we were close by to strangers. Yet their presence wasn’t felt. Our meal at Noma Restaurant was a classic example of this. Although being at one of the top restaurants on the planet, the atmosphere there was relaxed and fellow diners were close by. But at no point did they intrude on the enjoyment of the best meal I’ve ever tasted (oh my god, the Smoked Quails Eggs were unbelievable!).

Smaller divide between rich and poor. It’s either that or the Danes are good at hiding their wealth or their poverty. Despite high taxes, their quality of life is pretty good. And cycling is a great leveller too as people ride modest bicycles (unlike fast/expensive cars that we seem to worship in the UK and judge people by).

Children play and take risks. And they’re not fat and stressed. We sat by a beach near to an art gallery outside of Copenhagen and watched as groups of school children came down to explore. Some of them had a real sense of purpose as they scoured the beach for odds and sods. They climbed over rocks and perched on the edge of the pier under the watchful but not controlling eye of their (young and active) teachers. There was no fear of reprisal from either the teachers or the pupils who happily explored the beach.

Work and life in balance? OK, so we visited at the beginning of the summer season when days are long (almost endless) and the people are gearing up for holidays. If we imagine the Scandinavians in darkness for the rest of the year, however, perhaps their productivity levels are sky high, and when May hits, they down tools for time out. But we don’t really know. But what we did notice was that people finished work before four and were spending time with family and friends. Mosebacke Bar in Stockholm at 4pm on a Tuesday afternoon was absolutely packed with demand for tables in the sun at a premium. Or take Aarhus, for example, where people wondered along the beach at all times of the day and evening to enjoy the sculpture exhibition with their families.

Affordable and reliable public transport. Say no more really. Except there wasn’t much point upgrading to First Class in Sweden as standard was more than ok. And everything ran to the second. Gawd damn it.

Design we die for. Ask Mark at Danish Homestore in Nottingham. He’ll tell you about our unhealthy obsession of all things Danish, including lights, chairs, tables, tea towels (yes! they even make the most amazing tea towels we discovered in a Copenhagen department store). Husband Andy will explain our obsession in a curator-style way: “The Scandinavians embrace modernism (efficiency) without loosing craft skills – modern designs for living with a human/natural warmth (natural patterns of trees, leaves etc on many design products).” There you have it. Go Danish Design. It rocks.

Low crime, yet – few cameras?! This must really flummox the British urban planners: ‘Er, we believe more cameras equals a safer society.’ Well, b*****ks to that because it just ain’t true. More cameras equals distrust and distrust equals lack of respect which equals crime against property and other people.

I guess the list could go on. But for fear of ranting and criticising the UK’s short-comings too much, I thought I should let hubbie sum up:

“From my perspective it is an interesting thought experiment to consider how different the social experience is in a country with a small population that is governed conservatively, taxed highly (compared to UK/US), values education, craft skills (traditions), play and has a strong work ethic that is balanced against encouraging non-work and time on, not time off for consumer experiences. And which also appears, at least as a phantasmagoria, to be more equal/open whilst also being capable of collective decision making.”

An ecoescape story wouldn’t be complete without some helpful info on how to ecoescape in Sweden and Denmark. Here are just a few things we did on our flashpacking tour.

Louisiana Modern Art Gallery, outside of Copenhagen
Go and visit the exhibition on Green Architecture, running until 4 October 2009.
www.louisiana.dk/uk/Menu/Exhibitions

Noma Restaurant, Copenhagen
Michelin-starred and out of this world. I’m still dreaming about Smoked Quails' Eggs. The chefs forage for some of the ingredients like beach herbs. Incredible, incredible food. But book at least 3 months in advance.
www.noma.dk

Kolarbyn, Sweden
Stay in a Swedish forest in a hut. No electricity or running water. Instead a beautiful lake, natural spring, open fires, sauna and heaps of fresh air. Go wild. We had the ‘honeymoon’ suite which is a cute cabin with enormous double bed. Our 'package' included a hamper of homemade dinner and wine. www.kolarbyn.se

Take the train
It really is a pleasure in Denmark and Sweden. Quiet, clean, and spacious carriages. Reasonable prices, friendly staff. And you can book online for Swedish fares here: www.sj.se. That’s how we got very cheap first-class travel between Copenhagen and Stockholm. Oh how we miss the dignified ease of it all.

The wonderful world of wikis and web 2.0

2008-07-31T16:47:00.000+01:00

My fiance sometimes works in schools with children. The other day he came home and said he learnt a new word that day from the kids and challenged me to 'translate'. The word was 'Neek'. And I knew exactly what it meant: it's a conjunction of the words Nerd and Geek. So perhaps meaning a Super Nerd, or whatever. The point was that Andy thought it was an apt way of describing me, or my latest project.

I've recently been immersed in the book: Wikinomics by Dan Tapscott (left). It's a history, critique, and celebration of Web 2.0. It goes into heaps of detail about how the web is changing and consumers are becoming prosumers and an important part of the creative process.

At about the same time I discovered Square Space - a platform for creating one's very own Web 2.0. It's full of widgets and wonderdum which allow you to piece together your own website or should I say 'platform' as websites are for losers - according to Wikinomics. So anyway, I tried it out for myself and got busy with the tools and functions and quickly realised that it was the answer to what I've been looking for and satisfies all that is good and great about Web 2.0. So hooray, ecoescape members will soon have their very own networking site which will grow organically and in line with what they want. Let's hope they like it! And I'll continue in my Neekness.

UK Holidays - Sold Out this Summer?

2008-07-08T09:25:00.000+01:00

This story on Travel Mole highlights the surge in demand of UK domestic tourism this year. Good news for the environment and our lower carbon economy. And, of course, good news for the economy overall as travellers opt to support UK businesses.

UK holiday accommodation in July and August will sell out completely over the next few weeks, a leading domestic operator forecasts.

Self-catering company Hoseasons says areas such as Dorset, Somerset, the Isle of Wight and parts of Wales are selling out fast in addition to summer favourites Devon and Cornwall.

The rise in UK holiday bookings is put down to the strength of the euro, wider economic uncertainties and a reluctance to fly after increased fares and problems at airports with delays and baggage handling.

Last summer was also a wash-out is many parts of the UK due to flooding.

Hoseasons chief executive Richard Carrick said: “We have found that more customers than ever before want to jump in a car with the family and avoid the hassle and increased costs of an overseas break. Our message is that if you still want to just pack up and go, book now to avoid disappointment.

“This isn't solely an economic issue however, a growing number of holidaymakers are also rediscovering the joys of a UK break.

“There is a real ‘feel good factor’ amongst holidaymakers with the success of truly British events like Wimbledon and Glastonbury, combined with the great weather, all helping to demonstrate what the UK has to offer.”

VisitBritain chief executive Tom Wright said: "The findings from Hoseasons that the UK is set to have a great year as many operators see strong late demand for British holidays is great news for the British tourism industry.

“In the current economic climate, we are finding that Brits are taking another look at holidaying at home and are surprised by the range of experiences on offer.

“There are still some fantastic breaks out there, but we would suggest that if people are considering a domestic break they don't leave it until the last minute.”

The Food Maze

2008-06-25T21:20:00.000+01:00

Not only do the ecoescape businesses create wonderful and memorable experiences for their guests, but many of the owners, it would appear, have further hidden talents!

Robert Elliott, owner of Aspen House, recently wrote and published the Food Maze (left) - a magnificent insight into the production and marketing of our food. It's a fascinating and deep read, and one which will have you thinking about the traceability off food. Read my review over on the ecoescape website or order a copy of the book for just £9.99 from Robert's website: www.reallifepublishing.co.uk.

Well done Robert! And we're looking forward to reading more from you soon.

David at the Yard Cafe

2008-05-28T22:21:00.001+01:00

David at the Yarde Cafe
Originally uploaded by ecoescape

This is David at the Yard Cafe - the second business owner to be photographed with their copy of ecoescape. This one, located on Devon's Tarka Trail, is both a cafe and now a bunkhouse. We visited in May, hiring bicycles in Barnstaple, and riding about 20 miles to the eco-friendly bunkhouse.

ecoescape in the Cornish Guardian

2008-05-20T08:54:00.000+01:00

Orchard Lodge B&B, one of our top 50 ecoescapes, recently appeared in their local newspaper - the Cornish Guardian, brandishing a copy of ecoescape. The article reads:

LODGE WITH A GREEN INSPIRATION
Date : 14.05.08

A couple who took over a North Cornwall business less than two years ago have made it into a prestigious new guide to eco tourism.

Orchard Lodge is one of only two B &Bs in the area to be featured in the latest edition of ecoescape, described as "the handbook to responsible escapism". Editor Laura Burgess visited the guest house run by Geoff and Shelley Barratt (left) during their first full season last year and describes some of the new renovation as "inspiring". The second edition, which has just been published by the Green Guide Company, also includes some of Cornwall's best known attractions, such as the Eden Project and Lost Gardens of Heligan.

For Geoff and Shelley it's one of a number of accolades gained in the past year.

Orchard Lodge, Boscastle achieved a gold award from the Green Tourism Business scheme and Shelley has been appointed an ambassador by the Cornwall Sustainable Tourism Project (CoaST) and invited to talk on sustainable tourism at conferences in Cornwall and the Scilly Isles.

"Were delighted that the guide chose to feature Orchard Lodge.

"We'd no idea we would get such a glowing report, we didn't think we would be important enough to be included" said Shelley.

The book is defining a new way to travel and "proving that we can enjoy the environment but leave no hint that we'd ever been there."

Ms Burgess said : "We don't have to go far to do this: we believe the best places to escape are closer than we had ever imagined.

"In the UK there are some of the most inspiring people and places to be found anywhere in the world: It just takes some fresh eyes and a new mind set to enjoy them."

At Orchard Lodge, Geoff and Shelley are already hard at work on more plans to develop the business. In the last few months they've joined farmers Liz and Anthony Brewer at their nearby B &B in a new scheme to produce their own pork for breakfast sausages, and only this week a new, state of the art, solar water heating unit has been installed.

"We want to get away from any suggestion that being green or environmentally friendly means a lowering of standards," added Shelley. "We think you can care and enjoy all the comforts we've traditionally been used to in Cornwall. In the Boscastle area, for instance, there are five gold award winners, proportionately more than anywhere else in the UK and in real terms more than for the whole of Greater London."

As members of Boscastle's Chamber of Trade and Commerce, Geoff and Shelley are also actively involved in planning for Boscastle's big festivals this autumn - the Food and Craft Festival on October 4 and 5, followed by Walking Week from October 6. This year the festival is raising money for the Precious Lives Appeal for a Children's Hospice in Cornwall. It will be launched with a charity concert on Thursday, October 3. Already more than 90 food and craft related businesses across the South West have signed up and chefs from leading restaurants such as Jamie Oliver's Fifteen Cornwall and Rick Stein's in Padstow will be giving demonstrations.

Lucky chocolates

2008-04-18T12:00:00.000+01:00

I rarely win prizes. So when the little package arrived in the post this morning, I delighted at its contents - Choco La La Chocolates! Described as chocolates of gorgeousness, I soon found myself trying hard to resist eating them all in one go.

I won the chocolates on the Green Union website, as I'm trying to organise my green wedding for 2009. Signing up to a newsletter was little effort for my reward of Choco La La. The chocolates are all fairtrade and created to the highest eco standards - no plastic packaging here. Just minimal paper and a cool funky tin that I'll no doubt find a use for.

So it's back to the chocolates and luckily I have a year to go before I have to fit into that all important wedding dress.

Recession proof and green holidays

2008-04-16T09:32:00.000+01:00

Over on ecoescape's website, I've written an article about recession proof holidays in the UK. It's interesting to see that the view of travel in Britain is rapidly changing not least because for the first time in ages it's actually cheaper to travel here rather than abroad.

Having worked on the ecoescape book, I've got to know lots of budget and green travel ideas in the UK, particularly for families. So in the article, I've given a few ideas and tips for budget and eco-travel just on our doorsteps.

We can save money AND go green! Hurrah!

Read the full article

Metal in Motion : David Cameron

2008-03-28T12:25:00.000Z

A strange day was yesterday. I ventured into the RSA to hear Ed Gillespie talk about his low carbon travels around the globe. That wasn't the strange bit though even though I greatly enjoyed his lively presentation and the debate that followed.

The strange occurance came on the way up to the room where the lunchtime lecture was to take place. Upon arrival in the RSA, I was surprised to see that the entrance lobby was overcrowded with people who I soon realised were members of the Conservative Party. Fine, I thought, I'll just try and get through them to reach the staircase to the meeting room.

As I walked through the doorway that led to a narrow corridor, I spotted the leader of the Conservative Party, David Cameron, walking towards me. I mustn't stare, thought I, and instead I decided to have a smile at the ready should he make eye contact. As it turned out, he was in conversation with a fellow party member so I was in no danger of making any eye contact with him. But much to my surprise and bewilderment, as he passed me he caught my shoulder sending me crashing into the wall! And without so much as a cursory glance or better still, an apology!

So there was I, just thinking about changing my political swaying, when a harsh reality check kicked in, and I tried to figure out whether it was Mr Cameron's apparent unconcern, unawareness, or perhaps more radical still, his iron body that left me a bit beaten in that corridor.

Watch out for cyclists!

2008-03-20T09:34:00.000Z

Living in London, I know first-hand how tricky cycling through the capital can sometimes be. Despite this, I think it's important to keep going, and have confidence. This latest viral vid from Transport for London is a great wake-up call to drivers who really should take more care on the roads..

The 11th Hour

2008-03-18T10:02:00.000Z

Yesterday I saw a preview screening of the 11th Hour which is on release at the Apollo Cinema in London later this week.

I went to the screening fearful that the film would instill more gloom into audiences already growing weary of doom-mongering from notable figures around the world. Instead as the film passed its opening and bracing sequence, it started to make a lot of sense...

Yes, there were a lot of frightening images of drought, famine, flood and death, as well as sobering statistics of unsustainable world growth. But amid this were voices that spoke with authority and certainty without preaching in any way. They were people from all industries and backgrounds - people who knew that the truth about the damage that we've inflicted on the planet. But the voices were unnaffected by the media, and spoke with passion and reason at the same time. They're largely not celebrities but people who've been working to find solutions to the planet's woes.

The film starts to address profound issues that other films, books and documentaries have failed to address. These are not just about climate change or the effects of our behaviour on the planet, but instead our relationship to nature and ourselves. The film clearly questions any separation between humans and the environment - we are in fact inseparable. We are also vulnerable in the grand scheme of things. So as a result all we are doing is speeding up our demise whilst being a relatively young species.

The film shifts the emphasis of the climate change debate to focus on what we're doing that's different to our pre-industrial ancestors. What we're doing now that didn't happen before is releasing the ancient energy of the sun that was previously not released. In other words, our ancestors lived by the energy of the current sun and not the ancient sun which of course is not renewable. In unleashing this locked up energy, the population of the planet has rocketed to unbelievable proportions. Even in my grandparents' lifetimes, the population has increased over 5 times over. This just isn't sustainable.

Having spent the weekend with a friend's baby, I started to question what the future of that young baby would be. If the world continues to deplete resources I genuinely felt afraid and unless things change, I started to question if I should myselfin the future bring a new person into a world which can't sustain it.

A moment in the film which had resonance with my mission, was when they talked about our relationship to our homes. Something has brewed a kind of hatred toward our surroundings. Instead our consumer behaviour has taken over and tried to fill this gap and define who we are. As more people have grown tired of the constant bombardment of commercial imagery and brands, they are rejecting the notion of working more to buy more. And suddenly the idea of frugality is one that is appealing, and welcoming in a fast-paced, individualistic society.

So is there a reason to be cheerful? Very much so. Well if you consider the planet as being another living being with rights too, then the planet is all ok in the long-term. Humans will be gone, but as the film finishes on, the earth will regenerate eventually, and life-in whichever way possible-will return. For humans though, all isn't lost. The film talks about what we can do - even if it's at the 11th hour, we still have a chance. In fact some commentators even say that this is the most fascinating era to live in. A chance to completely rethink the way we live and our relationship to the planet. As long as we keep in mind these possible solutions, we have a chance.

Sneak preview of the new ecoescape guide

2008-03-10T11:58:00.000Z

Having just got over the excitement of proposing to my other half on Leap Year day, now there's all the excitement of the new ecoescape guide to contend with! Here's a sneak preview of the cover which we've spent weeks deciding on. The new UK ecoescape goes to print this week and will be in the shops before the end of the month.

You can request a copy through your local bookshop or order a copy through our website at http://www.ecoescape.org/shop.

ISBN 978-1-905731-40-4
RRP: £8.99

Leap year madness

2008-03-03T21:55:00.000Z

I don't know what came over me. I woke up on Friday morning thinking that it was just another day in the office - or should I say at home - working on the final pages of the new ecoescape book. Andy was around in the background working on the final pages of his thesis, so it seemed pretty straight forward to me.

But then I had a mad moment at lunch and decided to ask Andy to marry me! As it's a leap year, the girls are allowed to pop the question (else the boys have to pay a fine/buy girl new dress). Luckily Andy said 'yes' which was just great. Except we have no idea how to go about this marriage thing. It feels like the right thing to do for both of us, we just don't know how to do it! I mean, how does one choose a ring, or more importantly, break the news to parents. Let's say, the latter was a learning curve and I've never seen Andy so nervous before. It took him all day to summon up the guts to ask for my parents' permission and, of course, they were absolutely delighted - phew!

So now that part's done, I'm finding it hard to tell everyone else I know so I'm hoping they may read this blog and that's job done. I keep drafting a text message but it just seems wrong - or worse still I could broadcast a 'status update' on Facebook! No way! So my plan is to see how far and wide my mother can spread the news and the rest I'll fill in with some face-to-face get-togethers starting this weekend at what should be our flat warming party. That's unless they read this first...

So to the future then. And I'll not get carried away with spending. I'll not get carried away with spending. I'll just keep repeating that to myself and hope it stops me.

Any ideas or advice on how this marriage thing works, please write!

Eco Age Store in Chiswick

2008-02-17T14:20:00.001Z

Eco Age Store Chiswick
Originally uploaded by ecoescape

This weekend I ventured over to Chiswick to check out Colin Firth's new Eco Store on the High Street. Hoping to see the man himself, I was full of expectation. It was a well thought out place with lots of designer goodies and pretty things for the house like fairtrade cushions. There's also a roof-top terrace but access is only available by invitation only - may be that's where Colin meets his guests in person. Alas he wasn't to be seen on Saturday. But I enjoyed looking through his elegant and eco-friendly wares.

Heels and Wheels in Hackney

2008-02-16T12:15:00.000Z

Taking a break from my busy writing schedule, I got myself down to Columbia Road in London for a cycle wear fashion show as part of London Fashion Week. The models paraded some interesting, and some downright wacky bicycle fashions. The crowd turned out on a cold Valentine's evening and enjoyed the entertainment provided by a pair of acrobatic cyclists sporting some fine tweeds and cycling along to some good tunes (Talking Heads, Kraftwerk - my favs!). The piece de la resistance came in the form of a flower covered bicycle with a big heart shape crest thing. Marvellous.

Andy in his snow shoes

2008-01-23T08:45:00.001Z

Andy in his snow shoes
Originally uploaded by ecoescape

We've just returned from a week long trip to Chamonix having discovered the fun but absolutely exhausting sport of snow shoeing. Apparently it's better for the environment too as wildlife is less disturbed. I loved climbing the mountains and wandering around alpine forests and picturesque chalets window-deep in snow. Julie was our knowledgable guide. She runs a company called Tracks and Trails: www.tracks-and-trails.com.

New Year, New City

2008-01-06T15:39:00.000Z

Three days into the new year, and I found myself in a new house in a new city. Leaving Nottingham after 6 years and coming to London wasn't a difficult choice to make. I've been meaning to move to London for a while, and so here I am. Nottingham had lots of good points, not least for being cheaper to live in, but I have grown a little tired of travelling up and down the good old Midland Mainline between London and Nottingham. I thought it was time to see if the pavements are really lined with gold here in London - well, at least travelling around the country will be easier. As of course all the train operators tend to spiral out from the capital city. So despite living bang in the middle of the UK in Nottingham, it wasn't always helpful for train services. Now I'm living in South London and adjusting myself to a faster pace of life.

The move was nothing short of stressful. Downsizing to a one bedroomed flat with all our stuff came as a massive challenge over Christmas. The local charity shops did very well, but I was distressed to see how much we also threw away. Some to recycle, some - shamefully - not. All this taught me a valuable lesson - not to accumulate rubbish- or things! Things, things, things. Do we really need them? My method of keeping or getting rid, became a task of deciding if I'd miss the possession after a week of not seeing it. The answer was usually no, and so it had to go. Now I'm in London and thankfully everything fitted into the flat. We'll see how life in south London compares to life up north. So far, so good.

We fought and won

2007-12-15T18:02:00.000Z

Well, in my last month of living in Nottingham (yes, I'm leaving for the Big Smoke), I managed to help save the local Post Office. It appears that those people at PO Ltd took leave of their senses for a while but came back to us and declared that Melton Road Post Office would stay open! Hoorah. Christmas came early for Tripta and Vijay, the ameniable Post Mistress and Master who'll be missed very much when I leave to go and live in Brixton in January. They were grateful for my efforts in putting together the petition which amounted to over 4,000 signatures all told.

Laura at the Cross at Kingussie

2007-12-02T22:39:00.001Z

Laura at the Cross at Kingussie
Originally uploaded by ecoescape

OK, so I've been on the road on my own for a while now. Moments of either boredom or mild insanity lead me to taking random self timer pictures and here's one of them (right). It's at The Cross Hotel in Kingussie in Scotland.

It was a great place - the food was special in particular. All the produce is sourced locally and it tastes just great too. I had smoked salmon in a simple lime and ginger marinade for starter and delicious halibut for main course. Much of the food is organic too.

Eurostar launch from St Pancras

2007-11-22T13:30:00.001Z

Eurostar launch
Originally uploaded by ecoescape

I was lucky enough to be invited to the launch of the new High Speed Eurostar trains out of the newly revamped St Pancras station. It was a bit of a dream come true as I've watched the development of St Pancras take place over the last 7 years since living in Nottingham and travelling through countless times. It was a stunning event organised as a joint venture between Eurostar and Friends of the Earth who invited us on board the 'Tread Lightly' train to Paris last Wednesday. Eurostar has always been my favourite option to get to Europe and of course, I'm really happy now that all the journeys will be carbon neutral. You can read all about my day on the new High Speed Eurostar on the ecoescape website.

The randy birds and the bees

2007-11-09T10:28:00.000Z

The funny people at Virgin Trains have put together a series of 'animal ads'. The flora and fauna are having their say to encourage travellers to go green and reduce their carbon emissions. The bee and the flower ad is our favourite.

You can view the complete series here www.virgintrains.co.uk

Or view the 'naughty' video below called 'sexy party'. This is the funniest, but comes with parental guidance...

Saving my local post office

2007-11-03T21:16:00.000Z

Post Office Ltd recently announced the planned closure of Melton Road Post Office, my local branch in Nottingham. On a personal level, the loss of the post office around the corner would be a big blow to me as I've come to rely on it for my business. And Vjay and Tripta, the lovely postmaster and mistress, always brighten the day and ask every single customer how they are doing. The post office is a pillar of the community and its presence helps the row of shops (including a fishmonger, 2 delis, grocer, newsagent, etc) keep going. The elderly customers will also suffer as the alternative is too far to walk.

The greatest argument in its favour is the fact the this post office is one of the top performing branches in the county proving that PO Ltd has selected branches at random to close. All of these arguments led me to thinking that something could be done to prevent the closure. Vjay couldn't start a petition himself so I took matters into my own hands and printed off a petition sheet for people to sign against the planned closure. The petition quickly took off, and with only a couple weeks to go before the public consultation deadline, we have already more than 4,000 signatures. In fact, the closure was such a surprise that Ken Clarke, our local MP has decided to get involved. The picture above is the moment when he met a handful of the post office's customers this weekend to collect the signatures to take to PO Ltd himself.

I'm not one to get involved with party politics but on this occasion, I might allow myself to say "go Ken!" and let's hope he can work some magic with the Post Office.

The online petition is here: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/meltonroad/ - feel free to sign!

New ecoescape website!

2007-10-31T15:32:00.000Z

When I began working on ecoescape back in 2006, I had in the back of my mind that an online version of the book would be a good idea. That thought was put to one side as I concentrated on getting the book together for launch in spring this year.

Much to my relief you loved the book. However, the website question resurfaced as the book gained in popularity. A number of cyber surfers - of all ages I might add - felt a bit left out. For them books were good, websites are better.

So, in the spirit of inclusiveness, I got my thinking cap back on to see how I could make a web version of the book. I'd already had a go at building a website. And, despite the fact that it received some polite praise, I thought against the idea of building the new site myself (even after borrowing a book about web-databases from the library!). So that meant raising some money. I was lucky to receive some more Big Lottery Funding and a small donation from the Co-operative Bank customer fund, which together was enough to pay a company to build me a shiny new website.

It wasn’t difficult choosing a web company. In fact that was the easy part. When I first met Jez from Make Hay in my Nottingham office, he was so obliging and friendly that I knew he’d get me up and running on the internet before long. The best thing is that Make Hay is an ethical company and can power my website with the wind. My kind of people.

I know that there’s lots of other people to thank and I hope I have thanked you personally. So all that’s left to be said is I hope this website continues the message of responsible escapism I started in my little book. And there’s lots more happening in 2008 with ecoescape. The best way to find out is to sign up for the eco-logue – ecoescape’s monthly newsletter.

Laura x
Founder, ecoescape

Eco-Arcadia at the Green Man Festival

2007-08-23T17:55:00.001+01:00

green man festival 07
Originally uploaded by ecoescape

Having just returned from the marvellous Green Man festival in Wales, I have to say it is like its name; one of the greenest events you could attend. Despite heavy rain and rising mud levels, the festival had a real laid back charm and we loved its efforts to recycle and promote green living. The Green Fields area, new for 2007, was a great way to not only escape the mud but also visit some interesting exhibitions - the solar powered milk float stage was great! The Eco-Arcadia, dubbed the World's First Biodiesel Powered Pinball Arcade (above) was loads of fun and the array of organic and locally sourced food kept the crowds happy.

tour update

2007-06-05T08:46:00.000+01:00

The ecoescape tour of the green event circuit is going off with a bang.

The Dulwich Festival attracted a good crowd and sunny weather and more jute bags than you could wave a hemp plant at.

The following week, Nottingham Green Festival saw a hardcore crowd turn out despite heavy ran all day long. Our home-town response was truly admirable so those fearless Nottingham-ites should be very proud of themselves.

This weekend, the sun shone for Camden Green Fair in Regent's park, with a great turnout of friendly people. Here are some pictures of our stall.

good design for good people

2007-05-31T13:57:00.000+01:00

This is the underpinning ethic behind Eskimo Design, the creative people behind ecoescape and now good friends of mine.

They've recently updated their website, and I'm pleased to say that it reflects more than ever their excellent design skills and desire to work on projects that make a positive difference. They have done more than I could have imagined to make ecoescape not just a great read but something that communicates to people.

Check out their website below for more details about how we worked together.

http://www.eskimodesign.org.uk/projshow.html

A new concept in timeshare

2007-05-21T11:24:00.000+01:00

Last week I was fortunate enough to spend a few days at the beautiful Trelowarren Estate on the Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall.

The estate is over 600 years old and its present owner Sir Ferrer Vyvyn is busy not only renovating the existing cottages and outbuildings, but building new clusters of eco-timeshare homes.

New Consumer TV made a great film while I was there so catch it below...

Trelowarren is featured in ecoescape.

Click To Play

ecoescape's green fest summer tour

2007-05-04T13:53:00.000+01:00

ecoescape is very excited to announce its summer tour of green festivals across the land.

Starting it all off, we'll be at the Dulwich Park Green Festival on Sunday 20 May '07.
Dulwich Park, SE21
Time: 12 - 6pm
Admission: free
The Green Festival is a spectacular climax to a two week long celebration.

Sunday 27 May '07
Next we head back home to Nottingham, for the Nottingham Green Festival.
A party in the Arboretum, starting at 11.30am (admission is free).

Sunday 3 June '07
Back down to London for the massive Camden Green Fair - one I'm particularly looking forward to not least because of its bicycle fest!
The fair begins at 12pm and admission is again free.

1 - 5 August '07
Last but not least, we'll be doing the rounds at the Big Green Gathering in Somerset where the bicycle trailer will be used for its special 'fly-pitching' status!

See you there!

2007-04-19T11:33:00.000+01:00

Wow! We've been busy at ecoescape HQ since our launch! So much so that I'm going to give a few highlights of the past few weeks...

The weekend following the launch Richard Hammond wrote a lovely article about ecoescape in the Guardian entitled 'Green Grass of Home' - a great end to a spectacular launch week. The Guardian Travel feature elequently summed up ecoescape's vision to help people see the world with new eyes starting right here on our doorsteps.

The following week, more press attention followed incuding the Times, and the BBC. Innocent Drinks featured ecoecape in their weekly news and gave 20 guides away as competition prizes. Calverts our green printers also gave some copies away as prizes.

To keep up to date with ecoescape's press coverage visit our press area.

Easter weekend saw glorious sunshine and whilst the temptation to escape to the country was great, unfortunately work had to be done at ecoescape HQ. Nonetheless seeing an opportunity to get creative in the garden, we turned two old pallets on which ecoescape was shipped into a very unique book shelf (right).

This week we visited the London Book Fair at Earl's Court - a good opportunity to get to grips with the latest publishing trends. Andrew Greenman, ecoescape's director has put his thoughts down on paper about the day and in particular following the seminars we attended at this link including the latest on digital travel publishing.

Still basking in sunshine, yesterday was a big day for ecoescape as we took to Attenborough Nature Centre to make the first ever film of the project. The nice boys at String Films took all manner of equipment to the Centre to capture history in the making... The famous bicycle trailer took centre stage (much to my dismay) but all the same I am excited about the finished product which will feature on the website shortly.

ecoescape launches!

2007-03-30T18:33:00.000+01:00

Yesterday was the official launch day of ecoescape. To mark the occasion the ecoescape bicycle trailer took its maiden voyage to deliver copies of ecoescape around the capital starting in Bethnal Green, East London. Stops along the way included Duke of Cambridge pub and the Britain and London visitor centre taking the Regent's Canal to Islington.

Next to Regent's Canal showing off the ecoescape tee-shirt and the trailer!

Outside the Britain and London Visitor Centre checking the route back.

Events were then followed by launch drinks (rhubarb bellinis to be precise!) at Acorn House Restaurant, one of the green businesses featured in ecoescape. The restaurant opened in 2006 and follows strict sustainability principles. A delicious menu followed and a great time was had by all (suffering a little bit today mind you).

Acorn House Restaurant, King's Cross, London

Give me an E!

2007-03-14T15:41:00.000Z

Well the spring bulbs are in bloom and we're pleased to announce that the ecoescape bulbs are starting to come up trumps. From the photos below you can see that we have a perfectly formed 'p' and 'e' but lacking in the rest of the word which has yet to flower. However, we're ever optimistic and sitting tight to capture the long awaited 'ecoesca..' to create our blooming marvellous hillside spectacular in the sprawling conurbation known to locals as Clifton (Notts). The story continues...

Biodegradable mailers

2007-02-21T13:35:00.000Z

With only a few weeks to go to print, ecoescape has been trawling stationery suppliers across the land for environmentally friendly envelopes in which to distribute the guides. We think we've found the answer - our guides will be packed up and sent off in their very own Eco-Poly Jacket.

How does this work? Aren't plastics meant to take 100s if not 1000s of years to degrade?

The clever part is that this new type of polythene has developed a way to reduce the molecular weight without impairing quality. Due to the reduction, these biodegradable mailers can be consumed by micro organisms found everywhere.

In time, the film will begin to degrade in any normal environment, a process enhanced by daylight or higher temperatures. It does not need a microbial agent to initiate degradation and, in fact, degrades more readily than paper. The eventual products of degradation are water, a small amount of carbon dioxide and biomass which can be composted and used as a fertilizer.

Here is a diagram of the process taken from the website www.ecopolyjacket.com

The good news is that the earthworms have given their seal of approval and if it's good enough for them...

The Busycle

2007-02-19T21:35:00.000Z

A very clever self propelled bus using renewable energy sources...

eco Sound escape

2007-02-12T04:10:00.000Z

Andrew Greenman (Soul Jazz Records) has kindly put together the soundtrack to ecoescape, available to preview and buy on itunes. Here's what he has to say about the mix...

"Borrowing the ‘highly original’ concept of dawn to dusk and the seasonal spin-cycle, Ecosoundescape is our little gift. The imix draws on a wide range of genres that float around ecoescape HQ. We start of in the ‘small hours’ with Brit Folk survivor John Martyn, its not sure if this the start of a new day or the continuation of the night before. But we move on over to Japan, sonically not physically, to take in the ‘shinsen’ (or fresh) morning air. Back in the UK, Brian Eno and Max Richter sooth us into the early morning, before Nina Simone heralds in the new day in proper fashion.

The next section features many a natural reference and lots of Vitamin D enhancing sunshine. Merz offers us a paean to a butterfly; Norway’s Todd Terje mixes up the ‘route of the sun’ (Camino del Sol), whilst Sade asks us to Cherish the Day, Horace Andy (also of Massive Attack) covers Bob Marely’s Natural Mystic and Nick Drake invites us to watch the River Man. As we slip into the afternoon we get lost in a Forest, courtesy of Nouvelle Vague’s lounge pop cover of the Cure classic, before Air settle us into a pre-sunset cocktail with ‘le solei est pres de moi’ (the sun is close to me).

Somewhere between day and night, or summer and autumn comes the sounds of the Scottish Highlands finest, with Boards of Canada’s ‘a beautiful place out in the country’ evening and winter encroach Vashti Bunyan reminds us there is warmth in that golden autumnal glow of a rosehip November. Finally Welshman extraordinaire, Gruff Rhys, offers us his beacon in the darkness, before Talk Talk wind things down as its getting late in the evening."

Eco Sound escape is available to preview on itunes with some footnotes:

1. We preferred the original nina simone version of here comes the sun, whereas itunes only carries the Francois Kervokian mix, nothing against FK mind.

2. Winter Music is Roger Eno’s Between Tides Lp, whereas itunes attributes it to Harold Budd? Again nothing against Mr Budd, but be sure to note the song should be attributed to Roger Eno. We found it on the excellent Compounds + Elements: An Introduction To All Saints Records.

me and flying

2007-01-27T23:07:00.000Z

I was a late starter when it came to flying. My father is a mechanical engineer and would rather not fly than have his fears realised. So our holidays remained strictly on terra firma and my only trips to Heathrow were to watch the Concordes take off. Had passengers looked up at the large departure hall window, they would have seen a small red head looking back at them and occasionally waving, but always in awe of the spectacular flying machines.

My first flight came when I was at the end of my first year at university and the group of 40 students on my Russian course was packed up and sent off to Moscow for a three week learning experience. Judging by looks from my colleagues when they learnt that I was taking my first flight in 2001, a massive 20 years after my birth date, I was alone in my virgin voyage. Nonetheless, the trip signalled a new era and a short lived love affair in my travelling career. I had discovered a new found freedom and I would return from subsequent journeys a slightly different person from when I had left.

However, that feeling as a young child of watching business people and smart(ish) holiday makers shuffling around the sparkling halls at Heathrow will probably remain a distant memory in the past. With a media that jumps on every word from the airports and airline companies dictating the mood in the business and tourist world with such ease, it is little wonder that airports have become a hub of despair and now environmental concern. Shunning the airport altogether is never going to be easy. Shunning cheap flights is easier. As today’s flying culture goes, the experience will never live up to the one I gazed in on during the 1980s, so avoiding it as much as possible to cut down on my carbon footprint does not pose such a major problem. For those to whom flying is a necessity and not a choice, it will inevitably be a bigger challenge. But looking at the alternatives, and turning an ‘escape’ into an eco-adventure, the possibilities are endless.

responsible tourism conference offers free flights to delegates

2006-12-13T18:50:00.000Z

The 2007 conference of the Institute of Travel Management (ITM) will be taking as its theme Responsible Tourism Management. The annual conference attracts the industry’s biggest movers and shakers and 2007 will see a key note speech from Jonathan Porritt of Forum for the Future, a leading sustainable development think tank.

So why have they got it all wrong?

For the simple reason that all delegates are offered free flights to the Edinburgh based conference courtesy of sponsorship deals with the likes of BMI, FlyBe and British Airways. Is Edinburgh so unreachable by train?

When questioned with this seemingly paradoxical situation, the response from the conference organisers was as follows:

“As some delegates will be travelling from the south of England it may not be feasible time wise for all delegates to travel via train which is why there is an alternative offered to those who will be coming from further a field.”

It would appear that a 4 and a half hour journey from London is just too much for the busy modern executive.

At the moment the tourism industry is willing to preach to consumers about responsible travel but not take on board any of this practice in its working life. When will people realise it's as important HOW you get as what you do while you're there.

empty roads

2006-11-29T23:06:00.000Z

Public transport frequently emerges in the debate around sustainable tourism. By promoting the use of green tourism businesses, we also have to promote the use of public transport. In my own experiences this can sometimes be a little frustrating when trains are delayed and buses only run twice a day. Therefore it was encouraging to learn that one man took to the road for a whole year to draw the lines between the UK's YHA properties. Not once was he permitted to drive or rely on any other form of transport other than public transport. In his own words the experience was not as difficult as it may seem. The product of his work can be found at www.emptyroads.com which contains a map detailing the bus routes to youth hostels across the country.

recycling ecoescape: part 1

2006-11-28T05:05:00.000Z

Thanks to Arthur at Calverts, we have our first suggestion of how to go about recycling well loved and well read ecoescapes at the end of next year.

Fuel for the fire

ecoescape can be turned into a very handy log for your open fire or the barbeque. You just have to follow some very easy instructions and incredibly the briquette will burn for 1 - 2 hours and leave a very small ash deposit!

1. Take one very well used guide and remove staple.

2. Half fill a bucket with water.

3. To the bucket add the old copy of the guide, and any other newspaper you have lying about.

4. Soak until you have a gooey pulpy mush.

5. Next you will need something to squeeze out the excess water. You can buy them here or here. Put the mush in the briquette maker, squeeze and leave until dry to form a very handy brick shape or 'log'. Logs can be made without the briquette maker providing pulp is dried out and compressed properly.

6. Alternatively, the pulp can be added in small amounts to a compost heap.

You may wonder why we are talking about ecoescape's return to the ashes before it has even been printed, but that's how much we care about what it means to create a product which is sustainable and part of a life cycle and not simply thrown into landfill. If you have more ideas for ecoescape's after life email info@ecoescape.org. Don't forget ecoescape will return with a new installment in 2008!

exit strategy

2006-11-25T21:03:00.000Z

As I mentioned before, ecoescape will have a responsible life cycle. This means that not only will we think about what goes in, but we will also more importantly be looking at what comes out. In other words what happens when ecoescape has been consumed, read, digested and loved? As much as we would like everyone to treasure ecoescape forever on their mantlepieces the breadth and width of the country, we would so much prefer it if we all combined creativity and recycling to help restore this guide's ambition to be high impact on behaviour but low impact on the planet. So what do we do? email your ideas to info@ecoescape.org. To start, we'll publish instructions on how to make your very own waste paper briquette much like Strattons Hotel have done (below).

advertising in ecoescape

2006-11-21T11:03:00.000Z

ecoescape is genuinely encouraged by all the support it has recieved from individuals, organisations and friends and family so far. What a font of knowledge the project has opened up and will set free! There's so much to tell that we just know we'll have to save some for next time when the guide will return year after year...

Our next step is to appeal to the media and commercial organisations for support. ecoescape can help them reach faithful audiences and also discover new ones as green becomes more mainstream.

We are keeping advertising in the guide to an absolute minimum to cover printing and distribution costs. However, there are a few remaining bargains to be had. Please contact Laura with your media pack request on info@ecoescape.org.

The responsible life cycle of ecoescape

2006-11-17T15:58:00.000Z

Not only will ecoescape aspire to close the print production loop of its life cycle, but the supply chain responsible for that loop will all hold and practice values which do business in an environmentally and socially sustainable way.

As publisher and developer of ecoescape, Lo Carb Travel has a strict operational manifesto which monitors the environmental and social impact of its work. An integral part of this work is to source suppliers which share similar values.

So far the chain looks a little something like this:

Lo Carb Travel - ecoescape – eskimo design – Calverts – and the chain is growing

eco-art

2006-11-13T21:21:00.000Z

This autumn sees the ecoescape art project plant its seedlings and spread its message. We need your help!

With the earnestness of the climate change debate, ecoescape aims to build a portfolio of images which etch the message in pollution and in nature. Using (but not disrupting) nature, the letters can be spelt out above ground, or even better, planted beneath the ground to blossom next spring coinciding with ecoescape's official launch. We can send you bulbs which can be planted between now and December.

Along side the positive fruition of nature, we need the message to be drawn in places which have seen the negative effects of pollution, climate change and carbon emissions - for example the side of the road, a dirty vehicle, dirt from a power station..

Arrange, draw, plant, create and take a photograph of your art work. Post to this blog site or email info@ecoescape.org.

Sustainability in English Tourism

2006-11-03T06:38:00.000Z

On 1 November, industry leaders in sustainability in tourism assembled for the first conference of SusDestinations in the New Forest. The topic of the day surrounded ways in which to overcome the challenges of communcating sustainable tourism and to encourage businesses to adopt green practices. This inevitably addressed the need to reassess the adequacy of the quality accreditation schemes in helping businesses go green. Ben Tuxworth, Strategy Director for Forum for the Future, was an excellent Chair and managed to both sustain debate and entertain his audience. The Green Business Tourism Scheme was a key focus of the day, as industry official assessed its impact and approach.

The audience numbered over 160 delegates which proved that it was a much needed event. The question put to all who attended, was how do we continue this debate and embed sustainability into tourism? Anthony Climpson proposed to set up a network which would support dialogue of this kind, which received a positive response from potential members.

www.susdestinations.co.uk

slow travel, slow trains?

2006-10-17T23:54:00.000+01:00

Inspired by a colleague, I took Carl Honoré's "In Praise of Slow" on a weekend trip to Cornwall. I decided to right down at bit about the slow experience..

13 October 2006

This morning I left in plenty of time to catch the 9.34 train to Birmingham New Street to connect with the Virgin Voyager train to Plymouth. Travelling with my bicycle, I was nervous about ascending the train with crowds of people, so I took the advice of the ticket office advisor to arrive early. The train turned up 15 minutes late after sending its passengers the length of platform 5 twice in anticipation of the train's expected arrival. I spent the entire duration of the journey to Birmingham wondering if I would make the all important connection to Plymouth.

After upsetting numerous passengers with the presence of my bicycle, I fled the train in Birmingham, to the nearest lift. Thankfully there were two minutes between my emergence on the correct platform and the departure of the 11.12 train to Plymouth. My legs were shaking in fear of missing the said train as I was informed that the next one would not depart for another 2 hours. The prospect of spending that amount of time in the dark depths of Birmingham's main station was too frightening a thought.

Taking a deep breath, I fell into the bright red Virgin Voyager seat and reached for my chosen travelling campanion, Honoré's "In Praise of Slow".

It soon became clear that the last hour and a half of my life was more significant than I imagined. Not because, having missed the train I would arrive at my ultimate destination hours late, but because the notion of time had totally absorbed my very being for the duration of the first morning of my weekend holiday. Rewinding further to when I first opened my eyes this morning, my schedule was fixed and everything I would go to do from that moment onward would be dictated by the notion of passing seconds, minutes, hours. It would influence my outlook on other humans, my work and the world around me.

I say work as the question popped into my mind between Nottingham and Birmingham New Street that, could time ultimately destabilise the very foundations on which ecoescape is built? In other words, if trains were unreliable, how could I be promoting this supposed alternative to the fast, angry, aggressive car? Thankfully Honoré's text came to me at just the right moment and my perceptions were tilted as swiftly as they became warped into an irrevocable situation.

It reminded me that ecoescape was born from the Slow movement. The fact that the train was late actually pales in its significance. It's about rejecting "time sickness" and opening up to the moment, the experience and making connections, (even if these aren't timetabled ones).

"In our fast moving modern world, it always seems that the time-train is pulling out of the station just as we reach the platform."

Luckily for me it wasn't entirely the case this morning. But all the same, it's helped start this trip off on a different level, one which coasts time, respects nature's time patterns and slows down.

Interestingly, over the course of the weekend, neither myself or my friends felt the desire to follow any time governed schedule and felt strange when we all had to leave on Monday to return to our fast paced lives. It appears that my watch also felt the need to slow down having lost several hours over the weekend and on Tuesday I woke up to natural daylight (which made me one hour late for work..!).

does green mean quality or does quality mean green?

2006-10-07T02:34:00.000+01:00

Tourism businesses in the UK are urged to improve their quality standards. For accommodation providers this means being awarded accreditation with the AA or national tourist board schemes. VisitBritain has set itself ambitious targets to increase numbers in these schemes and as of this year is only promoting quality accredited accommodation providers.

The new common standards which have been set offer consumers clear guidance on the level of quality they can expect from hotels, B&Bs, self-catering and holiday parks.

It is interesting to find out how the Green Business Tourism Scheme (GBTS) works alongside the quality scheme. The GBTS offers a similar accreditation scheme, but based on green criteria. This can include anything from waste and energy efficiency to biodiversity and social awareness. The awards are extremely tough to gain and are levelled at gold, silver and bronze.

A business, therefore, can have both a quality rating and a green rating.

So it’s never been easier for us consumers to pick out the tourism products most suited to our needs and budgets. However, it would be great to find out from the business perspective how easy it is to align themselves to these schemes. Do they choose green over quality? Or does one naturally lead into the other?

In order to qualify for a green rating, all accommodation providers must first be quality accredited.

I’ll address a comment from an eco-lodge owner who maintains that it is impossible for the lodge to be quality accredited because of limitations in what they could provide in order to be environmentally friendly. In other words, certain items deemed as necessities in the quality schemes are deemed unnecessary by those working with the environment in mind.

The criteria for self-catering properties to become quality accredited by the National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) is contained in the document here. Generally speaking, most of the criteria can be applied to a self-catering eco-lodge. However, the challenges occur further up the spectrum with the 4-5 stars. For example, for a 5 star accreditation, it is necessary to provide two items from the following list: tumble drier, telephone, hi – fi, video recorder and DVD player. These facilities would greatly pale a green accommodation.

In the Lincolnshire eco-lodge, there is no colour TV (one of the minimum requirements) or a “cooker with an oven, with at least two shelves, a grill and at least four boiling rings that may be used simultaneously with the oven or grill”. Instead you will find a very antiquated radio with home-made rechargeable batteries and a wood burning stove with capacity to slow cook a delicious meal and heat the entire lodge and water supply simultaneously. Why undo this work by adding a colour TV, hi-fi and tumble dryer? The wind turbine supplying the lodge with its own source of electricity already works hard enough!

One of the comments in the guest book at the lodge read “overall an environment of ‘quality’ which has provided a well valued break from busy lives”. Guests clearly love the experience and find that adapting to its green ways is not that difficult after all and certainly does not detract from the quality of experience. An interesting study would probably prove that consumers’ experience is actually enhanced if they can see that their stay does not harm the environment and helps the local population.

So what defines quality? Understandably it’s about safety, appearance, service and facilities. On all these counts, green businesses do not generally fail. So do they deserve a lower star rating for not providing a colour TV? Having a one star rating may not be good for business and perhaps has put off the more basic accommodation providers from applying. The fact that business owners are prepared to commit to the environment speaks volumes about the level of commitment they will provide to their customers to ensure that their experience is a quality one.

Essentially, could green become integrated into the quality assessment, rather than separating off into another scheme? Why not embed green criteria into the assessment if this can prove that quality is about caring for the environment? Could accommodation providers drop grades for consuming high levels of energy or not installing a recycling system?

Whatever the future for our tourism providers, my aspiration is that sustainable tourism will no longer be an end in itself, but rather a basic driving force behind the tourism industry which values the environment before everything else.

Green Places to Stay

2006-10-04T21:58:00.000+01:00

An exciting new green travel guide has hit the shops. The first Green Places to Stay guide in the inspirational Alastair Sawday series is a whirlwind tour around the globe taking in the greenest accommodations along the way.

Compiled by Guardian writer, Richard Hammond, the guide is both practical and pleasing to the eye. If you're planning next year's getaway, the guide is a must have to help you decide where to stay. Remarkably, the range of accommodation, from tipis to luxury hotels ensures that there is something to suit all types of traveller and budget.

The book is also full of practical advice on recognising green tourism providers and how they are making a difference. Importantly the guide asks all the right questions to ensure that the accommodation featured within has a positive social impact in the communities in which they are located.

You can buy the guide from Amazon or Waterstones (RRP £13.99).

ecoescape is excited to announce that Richard Hammond has agreed to write the foreword to the guide so we look forward to his words of inspiration.

Visit Richard's weblog at www.greentraveller.co.uk.

Future London

2006-10-02T22:01:00.000+01:00

If London were a footprint, the heel would be a yellow wild flower meadow with butterflies and birds circling the London eye; the outside edge would be a line of pink chrysanthemums lining the foot of the Gherkin; the blue Thames would flow through the middle winding round wild orchards, veggie patches and contented ducks. The small toe would be a ray of sunshine, the middle toe, a green bin and, the big toe erm… the Olympic rings.

If this is all sounding a little too idyllic, it’s a view of London very much in Ken Livingston’s vision to 2012. This vision is currently on display at London’s ScienceMuseum where visitors can discover how to make small differences to contribute to a greener London. It’s a bold move, and one which is long overdue as pollution levels reach sky high in the UK’s capital. With the Olympics on the horizon, the Mayor of London sees the opportunity to change things and embed sustainability into 2012 developments.

The exhibition itself is characteristic of the present climate change debate. Its colourful, interactive displays present the facts without preaching. It’s an aspirational London which wants to shout out about its green spaces and eco builds, and to encourage people to visit and adopt similar practices.

This green campaign is designed to appeal to the senses. The exhibition surrounds you with colour, sounds, and smells to demonstrate that the environment is present in all we see, do, eat and consume. Therefore the potential for change is great. The ideas are simple and by presenting them in a familiar way, it is easier to see how they could fit into our everyday lives. Having said that, perhaps this audience already visits their local farmers’ market and cycles or takes the bus to work.

Appealing to a wider audience will be key to the climate change message. The Olympics is a good starting point as the audience is so wide and varied. If Ken can show how his London will be both sustainable and ready to become centre stage in 2012, it should be an interesting show.

www.futurelondon.co.uk

An Inconvient Truth comes to Nottingham

2006-09-25T05:47:00.000+01:00

Nottingham's art-house cinema, Broadway, screened An Inconvenient Truth on Friday evening preceding a panel debate on climate change. The film, I thought, was a polished communications project from a man who has spent much of his career speaking in public arenas. But what Al Gore had to say was inspiring, thought-provoking, and perhaps for the first time, accessible to a wider audience. He has the passion for life that GWB dismisses and goes to great lengths to crush.

Essentially politics has let us down. Politics in the sense that whilst scientists have discovered, politicians have denied, challenged, ignored and suppressed. In all this time glaciers have fallen into the sea, lands have been flooded and people have starved.

And the climate change debate on a micro scale in Nottingham reflected people's frustrations. Why if global warming has been recognised for so many years do the local authorities continue to advocate unsustainable construction, widening of motorways and incineration facilities?

There are very passionate and concerned people in Nottingham and indeed throughout the UK but they are rarely offered an opportunity to voice their views on what happens in our country. And the sad truth is that the majority of the audience at the Broadway on Friday is striving to make changes in their lives to tackle the impact of climate change, but ultimately realises that unless the majority of the population change their behaviour and consumption habits, we can’t make the differences that we strive for. I guess this is where we look up to the authorities to tell us how they will change things and how they will communicate to those who are unaware of the situation. And I genuinely believe that people just don’t realise what is going on, or at least how to change their behaviour. And from some of the responses on the panel, I don’t even think they really knew either! One panelist even dropped in the importance of globalisation in the response to the widening of the M1! Suddenly the scales appeared before our very eyes: the planet in one, and gold bars in the other!

The event was a great opportunity to find out how people felt about the challenges of climate change and also a rare chance to present these to the powers that be. However, there was also a certain element of preaching to the converted. We were told by one panel member that each of us is responsible for changing our habits and that it wasn't just the responsibility of the authorities. Wise words apart from the fact that the audience already is adapting their lives to fight climate change.

Nottingham wants to be a leading city in tackling climate change - and we have our very own Al Gore in the form of Alan Simpson, Labour MP who introduced the movie on Friday. Al Simpson, I know is genuinely dedicated to this cause and I know because I have seen his eco-home during architecture week. May be Alan Simpson can speak some sense to these local authority leaders who claim to possess political will, but can't seem to translate this into political action.

Anyway, it was great to see passions run high and people saying what they think, as this so rarely happens. (Hooray for the wind turbine guy at the front!!).

As I write, it has emerged that 20 environmental activists have broken onto the tarmac at Nottingham East Midlands Airport in protest against aviation fuelled climate change. It seems that the debate is hotting up...

Will new air travel restrictions keep travellers closer to home?

2006-09-24T04:48:00.000+01:00

This question was posed by Synovate Research as a result of a survey carried out in response to recent restrictions on air travel and the chaos caused at airports. 40% of respondents from the UK concluded that air travel is much less appealing now than ever due to inconveniences caused by tighter security restrictions as well as the threat of terror itself.

Having boarded my first flight at the age of 21 heading to Moscow with a number of university colleagues, the prospect of heading as far eastwards as I had ever done, was indeed appealing. This pre-empted the boom in cheap flights which soon put pay to the initial excitement of take off and landing. Air travel has become a commodity rather than part of a holiday and in some ways this essential part of the journey has become a written off, dismissed period of time. Get from A to B. Don't mention the T-word. Pack all sharp objects. Check. Drink that bottle of water BEFORE security. Check. The list goes on. No wonder the British public are beginning to shy away from air travel.

Let's take the opportunity to reduce our air miles and think about the consequences our short haul flights are having on the environment. Let's go slow. Let's look at the options.

Get to Europe by Eurostar and enlist the help of www.seat61.com to find details of onward trains. Sail to St Malo, Bilbao or Brest and see the sun rise over the Channel whilst inhaling the early morning breeze. Be the first passenger to leave the ferry triumphantly by bicycle.

There are so many options when you think about it.

following the Future Footprints

2006-09-14T03:22:00.000+01:00

Today I found out about the Future Footprints group based in the South West of England. Future Footprints, led by Lynn Gibbons is funded by Sustainability South West and was set up to promote sustainable tourism by embedding sustainability into the visitor experience. And this summer clearly has been a busy one for them.

With 80% of the South West's tourists arriving by car, the challenge is on to persuade travellers to swap the car for more sustainable forms of transport. And I'm told the possibilities are growing by the day. With a "Rail Ale Trail", what better excuse can you have for leaving the car behind and doing a pub crawl to end all pub crawls? Then there's the increasing network of cycle paths and routes criss-crossing one of England's most visited regions. And save money at the same time. A number of attractions have incentivized sustainable transport by offering visitors arriving by people-powered or public transport a discounted entry.

Future Footprints has devised innovative ways of promoting its sustainable tourism products so keep an eye out when you're next in the west country.

can ecoescape be carbon neutral?

2006-09-08T17:44:00.000+01:00

ecoescape promises to be carbon neutral. This is a task we have been researching for a while now and it is important that we get it right. Throughout ecoescape's existence, we will go to painstaking effort to reduce the CO2 emissions which are generated as a direct result of the project. We will track the emissions caused and also emissions saved. By the time the guide is launched in 2007, ecoescape aims to have offset the emissions generated and render the project carbon neutral. A carbon diary will be kept throughout the development of ecoescape to monitor this aspect. ecoescape is devising an offsetting plan and would welcome any innovative ideas for bringing us to zero.

A good eco-lodge

2006-08-30T23:08:00.000+01:00

A genuinely environmentally friendly place to stay is a rare find. However, a small handful of eco-lodges have emerged across the UK which have proved that a green holiday is really possible. Having stayed at the eco-lodge in Lincolnshire, I was amazed at how easy it was to slip into a green routine without feeling that any modern luxuries were missing.

Two other eco-lodges are found in Shropshire and East Sussex. If anyone has stayed at any of these or has discovered any other purpose built eco-lodges in the UK, please write. And for all those who aren't sure, I have attached a very handy guide by Justin Francis of Responsible Travel which lets you decide if your eco-lodge is really eco.

ecoescape.org launches

2006-08-27T00:00:00.000+01:00

It's day one of ecoescape online. I should introduce the project to the world.

ecoescape was born out of a concern for the impact of tourism and travel on the environment. And the lack of information about what we could do to change our behaviour and make a difference.

ecoescape recieved funding to address this information gap and offer tourists in the UK a valuable and free tool to help them on their way to a low impact, low carbon holiday. The guide is in development and will be ready for spring '07.

ecoescape.org is a primarily a window on this adventure and it's also a blog which stands as an invitation for all to participate. So ideas, inspiration, comments or rants are all welcome.

The project is a not-for-profit venture and any profits will go towards sustainable tourism projects in the UK. For information about advertising and sponsorship opportunities, download the media pack using the link on the left hand side.

If you have any specific questions, email me laura@locarbtravel.com. I'll be pleased to hear from you.