Green Links and Resources

Here are some useful green links to green companies and other green resources.

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There's just so much to learn about green living; one web site cannot possibly do justice to all the issues and practicalities of a greener lifestyle. This page gathers together some green links to help you learn more about the issues that interest you.

What's here?

Most of the links here relate to issues discussed on the Greenfootsteps site. There are also a few links to other green organisations and authorities. Most links will open in a new window. (We don't want to lose you!)

The main headings are arranged alphabetically.

These links are worldwide - some more relevant than others depending upon where you live. There's a section for East Anglia, UK here. (my neck of the woods)

Green links, green resources, green companies:

Consumer goods

EWG's Skindeep Here's a great consumer resource for sorting out the good body care products from the bad and the just plain ugly! Check them for all your skincare purchases before you buy. The people at the Environmental Working Group have done all the hard work for us. Most products from the bigger companies are listed and there are quite a lot of earth-friendly products listed too. Great detail on the actual ingredients. You'll be in for some surprises, I'll bet!

Ecocentric The online eco-homewares and gifts store bringing together contemporary design and increased eco-awareness. "At EcoCentric we love beautiful low energy, sustainable and recycled products that are as good for the home or as gifts as they are for the environment."

Seventh Generation Seventh Generation offers a complete line of non-toxic household products. They also have lots of good info on non-toxic cleaning ingredients and other green initiatives.

Green People specialise in organic and cruelty-free body care.

Eco-Beauty Eco-beauty.com provides a green shopping guide for organic skin care, herbal and aromatherapy facial products and body care products for women, men and children of all skin types.

EcoMyParty "Party like there IS a tomorrow!" EcoMyParty is a UK company specialising in eco-friendly disposable goods for parties. They are working to prevent the eco-hangover most parties cause!

Green links, green resources, green companies:

Conservation and Wildlife Organisations

The oceans and fish conservation

The Marine Stewardship Council is a US based conservation body for the oceans.

Birds

Forests and wild spaces

Tropical Rainforest Animals is a site about rainforests, their animals and ecology and the conservation issues they face.

The Rainforest Site helps save the rainforest by promoting sponsor's goods. They are a good one-stop site for some fabulous organic and sustainable products from around the world.

Organic Forest sells native species from wild forest in the US. They also promote sustainable living and are working to save forests from destructive development.

Green links, green resources, green companies:

Climate Change, Carbon Reduction and Carbon Off-setting

Here are some sites which can help us to reduce our carbon footprint or can help us to offset our carbon emissions. You can also check your personal or family carbon footprint at some of them.

The CarbonNeutral Company, are developing projects world-wide to help reduce the planet's carbon emissions.

Redefining Progress is a site which looks at ways of changing the infrastructure to create a more sustainable economic system.

The World Wildlife Fund pages on climate change

350.org campaigns for a radical shift towards climate-friendly technologies and for effective controls to halt global warming. The "350" refers to the level of CO2 in the air before the industrial revolution started to change things... Chances are, they are organising a campaign near you but, if not, they will help you start one!

Carbon Offsets

Carbon Offsetting offers a way cancel out or reduce your carbon footprint by supporting sustainable energy projects, tree planting and investment in renewable resources such as wind power.

BeGreenNow.com -Learn how to reduce your carbon footprint by purchasing carbon offsets to slow global warming and clean the environment at BeGreenNow.com.

Future Forests specialises in providing individuals and businesses with such projects.

Carbon Offset Offset your carbon emissions with an affordable, verified TerraPass. Help fight climate change today!

Education and Training

BecomingGreen Inc - Green Interior Design, Green Certificate, Green Consultant
Becoming Green, Inc. provides training to everyone who wants to become a certified green specialist, designer or consultant. They also offer the background and resources needed to help others to evaluate green products and energy systems.

Green links, green resources, green companies:

Energy Sites

Here you'll find a few sites which specialise in alternatives to conventional energy sources. Some of these links should prove useful if you're thinking of upgrading to an even greener lifestyle by changing to solar energy or wind power! (For sites which give information about greener building techniques, see Green Homes, below).

Green Energy Efficient Homes has lots of info on green energy and techniques to upgrade your home to comfy, energy efficient standards which will save you money.

Solar Heating Panels UK experts in solar heating panels, ground source heat pump and underfloor heating systems. They provide UK plumber training in environmental products and services such as condensing boilers.

Solar Cooker at Cantinawest has lots of info on buying, making and using solar cookers - cooking with the power of the sun!

Home solar systems by Sungevity.com Sungevity is a leader in residential solar power systems installation. They also have some helpful articles on solar power.

Green links, green resources, green companies:

Environmental Change

Transition Towns A site which trains and mentors people and groups to turn their local towns, villages, cities into low-carbon green living spaces.

Greenpeace tackles a good many climate and conservation issues, often head-on.

Green links, green resources, green companies:

Environmental Organisations and Forums

Here are a few other environmental organisations which you might find useful. Some of these have forums.

The Environment Site is an international resource offering a very friendly and lively forum, among other things. Just about every conceivable green issue is debated here!

Environment News from 4ecotips
4ecotips provides news articles, global warming information, eco travel and eco friendly tips for the UK and Europe.

Morsbags.com Morsbags.com is doing something to reduce the tally of plastic bags swashing about the planet and harming wildlife. The idea is to get together with people in your local community, drink wine and make reusable cloth bags (from old duvet covers, curtains from charity shops etc) and hand them out to the public for free on specified dates outside different supermarkets. This is a non-commercial/non-profitable initiative - just beneficial for everyone, especially whales!

Green links, green resources, green companies:

Events, Arts, Festivals and Other Green Initiatives

See also Mind, Spirit and Leisure, below for more green arts.

Project GreenHouse Here's a smoking, steak-eating, all-American SUV driver who's going bright green for a month! Watch the video here.

The Great Warming is a new film about global warming and its impact upon people around the world. Stars Keanu Reeves and Alanis Morrisette.

Feral Green This one appeals to me: 4 friends decide to go on an epic road trip to learn about and promote green living. "For four of us, that time is now... Our journey will incorporate adventure, danger, education, culture, and the promotion of GREEN Living. We’ll start the trip in Newport Beach, California and end in Chile after more than six months of travel."

Public Art Green Art is an interesting take on art as environmental comment. Some artists featured specialise in "earthworks" and "landart". The public art is worth viewing, too.

Green links, green resources, green companies:

Food Production, Horticulture, Farming and Gardening Sites

Compassion in World Farming (CIWF) campaigns for better standards of husbandry worldwide. They promote organic and humane approaches to animal welfare on the farm. They have lots of info about the downside of chemical and factory farming, especially as regards animal welfare.

International Fair Trade Association

The Organic Consumers Association is a US organisation lobbying for higher standards in food and farming

Pesticides Action Network This is the UK site but you can go through it to the international site. It has lots of valuable information about the dangers of pesticides, particularly in food.

Common Ground promotes community gardening and horticulture in the UK.

In the US there is an excellent website which promotes orchard growing: Holistic Orchardist Network

The Robyn Van En Center at Wilson College promotes Community Supported Agriculture in the USA.

Green links, green resources, green companies:

The Soil Association is the UK organisation which sets organic standards for UK farms and horticulturists. It also lobbies for higher standards and has extensive reference libraries on-line.

WWOOF - Working Weekends on Organic Farms, Sweden This is a great way to explore organic gardening, farming or horticulture. You exchange labour for accommodation and food (and some education, of course) and get to see another part of the world, too. This link takes you to the Swedish site which looks a great place to start. It has links to other Wwoof sites worldwide.

Organic Food For Everyone enter the wonderful world of organic food.

Down the Lane is a lovely site about growing things, downshifting and self-sufficiency. It has a great section on hens.

Gardening sites:

My Garden My Garden is an innovative online gardening resource for lovers of gardening. Over 210,000 plant names listed.

The Real Seed Catalogue offers a great way to get organic and heritage seeds. They keep rare and unusual plant strains and have lots of interesting salad plants to try. They also have great information on how to collect your own seeds. UK and Europe only for seed orders but worth a visit for inspiration if you are elsewhere!

Vegetable Gardening Basics gives lots of helpful advice on compost and composting techniques for the new gardener who wants to grow successful food crops and be quite green, too. The site has information on growing many different vegetables in the north American climate zones.

Greenhouse Growing is a new site featuring articles about greenhouse cultivation and has many ideas for using your greenhouse to the full. Expert advice for a thriving greenhouse!

Basic Info 4 Organic Fertilisers This site provides information for the beginner organic gardener about beneficial insects, harmful insects, companion planting, fertilizer components, a hardiness zone map, composting, measurements, mulches and gardening tips. Altogether highly useful stuff for anyone who want to get good at organic gardening!

HowToGardenAdvice has some good pages on organic gardening topics and instructions for growing individual plants and herbs.

DtRainWater helps people to achieve a healthy soil by the use of micro-organisms which promote natural balance and excellent soil structure.

Hydroponics-at-home has articles on DIY hydroponics and some info on organic hydroponics. Fascinating stuff!

Green links, green resources, green companies:

Green Magazines, Blogs and Other Green Guides

The SierraClub online magazine has some useful green living ideas.

Easy Green Living is a new site which gives ideas which help us to be greener. It includes some pages on clothing.

SimpleGreenClean has daily tips and articles on a green theme.

Environmental Blogs - Blogs at Action Spark provide comprehensive information on environmental sustainable development. Join our network today!

EcoLivingAdvice has interesting news and articles on recycling and other green living topics.

Green links, green resources, green companies:

Greener Homes, Greener Houses

Becoming greener in our homes is becoming ever more important as the effects of climate change become more apparent. Here are some links to organisations which promote green building technologies and to some which promote, make or sell innovative appliances and products for a greener home.

Live Green, Live Smart™ is devoted to fostering a green community in which individuals of all backgrounds and experience can share their experience with and ideas about environmentally sustainable lifestyles.

They are also looking for homeowners or future homeowners to join their 50,000 Green Homes Initiative.

Living In Small Houses Think Big. Live Small. Reduce your Mortgage. Showcasing the growing trend of Tiny and Small houses as an alternative to reduce your Mortgage. They also offer home plans, related small and frugal living resources, DIY alternatives and building tips. A great resource for an alternative approach to homes and finance.

SustainableBuild.co.uk Information and advice about land and the appropriate construction techniques to help you build in an eco-friendly way. This site is rich in information you'll find useful if you are considering any green building or renovation project.

GreenDimes offers to rid you of junk mail. US only at the moment but they are hoping to extend it to other countries.

Green links, green resources, green companies:

Mind, Spirit and Leisure

Here are a few selected links for spirituality, philosophy and psychology. There are also some leisure activities which can be both green and life-enhancing.

This corner of the links page is for sites which help towards happiness, mental health and enjoyment of living. Many other links may cover this too (gardening makes me happy!) but this area is reserved for sites which focus on these issues.

World Dance uses traditional circle dance and sacred dance to help foster peace around the world.

Spiritual Healing Secrets This site focuses on spiritual healing and holistic medicine.

Self Growth has a huge number of articles on issues relating to human health and happiness.

Green links, green resources, green companies:

Nutrition and Alternative Medicine

Holistic Herbalist
offers info about holistic herbal remedies that are approached in a holistic way with modern herbal medicine and the synergy of Ayurvedic Medicine. Find great info about medicinal herbs and common disorders.

Vegetarian Nook is a site which looks at vegetarian, vegan and "flexitarian" diet options.

NutritionData.com Research almost any foods here for nutritional content. Lots of whizzy graphics and charts but also some good solid info.

Home Remedies and Natural Cures Learn how to use safe, simple home remedies and natural cures to prevent disease and live a healthier life.

Easy Aromatherapy Recipes has lots of fascinating articles on aromatherapy and easy recipes for stress relief and a even weight loss.

Saskias Flower Essences brings you hand crafted organic flower essences from the English Cotswolds to help with emotional health and well-being.

Healthy Holistic Living
This site reflects upon the author's experience living with a chronic illness and her personal journey to health. Learn the tools and techniques she used to gain spiritual, physical and mental holistic health. The site includes tips on building a healthy home, developing a healthy living strategy, alternative medicine, how to manage a chronic illness, how to get disability as well as various articles and links devoted to the topic of holistic health.

Green links, green resources, green companies:

Parenting, Childcare and Family

Treehuggermums is a British site giving advice on nappies and other childcare issues. They also have some products.

Eco-friendly Weddings is a British site where you can find ethical and green wedding ideas, info and UK wedding suppliers.

If you are interested in the issue of real nappies and the environmental costs of disposables there's some good information at The Real Nappy Campaign.

Breast Feeding Community Breastfeeding Community is a new UK site, which has the slogan: ‘support through awareness’.

Organic Kids Clothes, Non Toxic Cleaner, Eco Diapers Organic Layette provide healthy organic food for babies, organic kids clothes, eco toys, organic bedding, eco diapers, non toxic cleaner and organic baby gift baskets, - which should help keep your baby healthy.

Green links, green resources, green companies:

Reduce, Re-use, Recycle!

We all know the mantra by now - Reduce, Re-use, Recycle. Here are some organisations which help towards these aims.

Freecycle does a fantastic job helping keep household goods out of landfill. Advertise your unwanted goods locally and find good stuff for your home for free. Freecycle is a worldwide organisation which has over 6 million members, so chances are, there is a group near you.

WRAP (Waste Resources Action Programme) promotes recycling, composting and environmental protection. This UK organisation helps individuals, businesses and local authorities to reduce waste and recycle more. - "Material change for a better environment"

YouShouldGoGreen: simple, effective and affordable ways to go green! YouShouldGoGreen sell lots of alternatives to the plastic bags and bottles which increasingly pose a threat to our environment.

Rag and Bone specialises in helping us find new homes for bulky but usable items. UK only, so far.

Rubbish Net specialises in clearing houses and recycles 75% of the contents. North England and Scotland only, so far.

A reminder to recycle often from RecyclingPin Blogspot.

HomeImprovementHelper has articles on reducing waste and recycling in the home.

Travel and Transport

Here I'll put some links to a few eco-travel sites and anything else I find that helps to make transportation greener. There are lots of initiatives springing up, greening the future of travel.

Go Green Car Here's a new London Taxi firm which is greener than most. They use hybrid cars to help cut emissions by as much as 60% and they do carbon off-setting too.

Eco-friendly Tourist This is a user-friendly guide to green holidays. Packed with ideas and information about where to go, how to get there, and things to do while you're away. It also features a growing database of listings for UK accommodation in the UK.

ETA the Environmental Transport Association, "We are the only motoring organisation to campaign for a sustainable transport system" - this British site offers greener motoring from insurance to car buying guides and cycling info. They also have some useful information on vehicle emissions.

Shiply - Eco-friendly Transport Shiply aim to cut wasted lorry journeys. They offer an on-line marketplace for hauliers and people needing stuff transporting to find each other. At present 25% of British lorries are travelling empty, wasting as much as 36 million tonnes of CO2 per year. This service uses some of this spare capacity. Shiply has already saved 900,000 miles of unnecessary trips!

CarBudi A car share scheme with free sign up and user-friendly software that enables you to give or receive lifts. You can form car sharing groups within the system, too.

Liftshare.org This is the umbrella organisation for Carbudi above. You can also find taxi buddies, walk buddies and cycle buddies. Brilliant concept! They have over 200,000 members and growing.

eCo Wheelz specialises in electric bikes, battery-powered scooters and other eco-friendly forms of transportation. You could have fun going green with these state-of-the art appliances!

WarmShowers.org is a hospitality site for touring cyclists. A very green way to see the world!

Green links, green resources, green companies:

Green Directories

Green Providers is a not-for-profit ethical and green directory for the UK.

Go Green Directory
natural,

organic,

and eco-friendly

Organic Portal is a free on-line directory for organic food produce and other services in the UK. It has regional information and a forum, too.

Sustainable Living & Simple Living Resources The Whispy directory has quite a large green section.

The Green Providers Directory is a leading resource for finding green, organic and fair trade goods and services. "We are a not-for-profit, green directory founded on ethical principles. All the companies listed have been individually vetted so you can be sure of their eco-friendly credentials."

Green Maven is doing a great job of creating a comprehensive green listings.

Green Directory - Our Green Directory is Canada's showcase of eco friendly products and services.

Green links, green resources, green companies:

East Anglian Organisations and Businesses

"Think globally, act locally" was the mantra of the Rio Earth Summit. So, I'm putting a few links to East Anglian sites which have an environmental and/or alternative health care emphasis. There are quite a few interesting initiatives around here! In fact, one of the pioneers of the organic movement, Eve Balfour, started her work in Suffolk.

If you would like your organisation to be added here, please contact me via the contact page with details.

Suffolk Real Nappy Network supports parents who opt for cloth nappies and breastfeeding. They now have a centre in Ipswich in Museum Street where you can breastfeed or change nappies, or stock up on eco-friendly parenting products.

Green Living Centre has some information on local farm shops, local green groups and events. They are becoming a hub for green activism - transition towns, LETs schemes, wildlife groups and the like.

Green Suffolk An initiative to make Suffolk the UK's greenest county. They are currently making waves and building links.

The Apricot Centre in North Essex provides courses in permaculture, "process psychology" and yoga. "Our focus is sustainable living - People, Food, Energy & the Land."

The Green Light Trust promotes forest schools and wild spaces for communities and school children and teaches good stewardship to young people.

Sesame Wholefoods deliver a good range of organic and wholefoods to the whole of East Anglia.

GreenEyedFrog sells a range of eco-friendly kit, including baby clothes and bedding.

Earth and Reed sell eco-friendly paints, building renovation and decorating materials from their shop in Needham Market.

Maidenhall People's Community Garden is a new example of public funds and local input being used to create a garden and horticultural site for all.

Orchard Barn are renovating an old barn and orchard and running courses on sustainable crafts and building techniques.

The Garden and Chicken Company design gardens, supply chicken care products and chickens and sell soft fruit plants. They also run courses.

The Oak Tree Low Carbon Farm is a new venture which sells garden produce in the Ipswich area. "We grow vegetables, fruit, flowers, herbs and firewood with sustainable techniques using no artificial fertilizers or pesticides, reducing our carbon footprint to an absolute minimum."

Marilyn Griffin Therapy - therapies to help you to be how you want to be.

Barbara Wicks, Nutritional Therapist Barbara practises in Ipswich and also offers NAET and Airnergy treatments.

OnlyFair.com is a fair trade site selling some impressive products from around the world. many of their things are made from recycled materials.

Wombat Car Club now operates a car share club in Colchester, Ipswich and Dorset. You can even earn some income from your car by converting your car to a Wombat car!

Concord Media is a national and indeed international DVD seller of programmes on ecology, mental health, racism and all the usual subjects you would expect from a a 50 year-old Quaker charity.

Ecoboom is new site which has articles on green living and products.