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After thumbing through the last ever printed edition of The Ecologist the other day there was a mention of the book A Blueprint for Survival, written in 1972 by the then editor of The Ecologist, Edward Goldsmith. A Blueprint for Survival is an extremely important work as it was the book that inspired the manifesto of the Ecology Party which eventually became the UK’s Green Party.

Despite the already overflowing bookshelf of unread tomes such as George Monbiot’s Heat and The Age of Consent to E.F. Schumacher’s Small is Beautiful: A Study of Economics as if People Mattered a used copy of A Blueprint for Survival was purchased for the princely sum of 1 new pence (plus post & packaging).

Arriving in reused packaging (we like that) the book that inspired a political party’s manifesto is now eagerly awaiting a read and as soon as this 35 year-old pearl of wisdom is digested we’ll give you an update.

Until then Shhh, we’re reading…

It arrived this morning and was waiting there on the doormat when I got home – the very last, the ultimate, the final print edition of The Ecologist, “the world’s leading environmental magazine”.

I subscribed to The Ecologist only a few years ago, probably around the time this green blog was launched at the start of 2006, but the magazine has been going for nearly four decades!

Started in 1970 by environmentalist and eco-philosopher Edward Goldsmith the magazine was run by his nephew Zac Goldsmith who, whilst no longer the editor, remains the Chairman & Director of The Ecologist.

Despite all the huge positives over the years such as publishing a special edition that inspired the formation of what is now the Green Party, the constant, often controversial & deeply inquiring investigative journalism, being printed on 100% recycled paper with environmentally-friendly inks and being stuffed with the most useful information, news, ads, goods, services & even the “flyers” – The Ecologist, even with its 20,000 circulation, has called it a day on the printed edition.

However, all is not lost. In a time when advertising revenues are taking a hit, newspapers & magazines are shutting their doors for good, The Ecologist is making the most of its online presence. So from now on you’ll be able to get your fix of ecological goodness online anytime and the audience is limitless. What the cost & carbon footprint of a copy of the magazine is compared to the online edition, we don’t know, but here’s to The Ecologist and to another 40 years of environmentalism. Cheers!

Howies. I don’t think I mention these people enough on this site; they’re a company with a big heart, so much soul and a range of the most excellent ethical outdoor clothing.

I’ve been a fan and customer of Howies for a number of years now and, being a keen biker and walker, I love their t-shirts, jeans, jackets etc. all aimed at people who enjoy the great outdoors.

Personally I swear by their 100% organic cotton jeans. I have three pairs and a pair of their 100% organic canvas jeans too. I won’t buy anything else, especially not those mass-produced brands that use chemical processes to make their range look “worn” (don’t you just hate that?)

They also do great pure lambswool hats, wicked “birdie” gloves (my Mrs. has a pair) and I love their terrific merino wool fleece. But that’s their winter catalogue, so what am I talking about?

The point is, if you love biking, skating, walking or just lounging around in soft organic cotton clothing then give Howies a look-in. Get their new catalogue and have a browse or save some trees and buy something from the Howies website. They’re based in Cardigan Bay, Wales and have a shop in the big smelly city of London. But it is in Carnaby Street and London doesn’t get much cooler than that.

The new Howies Spring/Summer 2008 catalogue is, as usual, a complete work of art. I’ve actually saved all my old ones ‘cos they’re a joy to thumb through, particularly because, between the great ranges of clothes, the good people at Howies sprinkle little gems of wisdom. Their “simple is good” page rings true.

This latest version of the Howies catalogue is entitled “Three Bays” and features international photo shoots from San Fransisco and Cape Town as well as Cardigan Bay, Wales. Hardly ethical taking shots in all these far flung places is it, I hear you say. Well, that’s where Howies are the business… in their own words;

“We didn’t feel it was right to send a group of people on a plane in search of sun. So we packed up the clothes in Fedex boxes and sent them instead.”

How cool is that?

Don’t just sit there… surf!

Last year I watched a fascinating documentary, The Corporation, in which Ray Anderson, the Chairman of the international carpet company Interface Inc, bucked the trend of commerce solely for financial gain by adding environmentalism into the business mix.

Anderson credited Paul Hawken’s book, “The Ecology of Commerce“, as the catalyst for his moment of clarity and he has since gone on to reduce his company’s environmental footprint by a third, reduce waste, reduce harmful emmissions and use more renewal materials. Not bad for one little book So I felt compelled to grab a copy for myself to see what was inside.

The cover was a good start, using a photograph of nature artist/sculptor Andy Goldsworthy’s work. The text itself kicks off by describing in some detail the threats to the environment from unchecked and inconsiderate business practice.
The damage, he says, if it continues unabated, will continue to affect life in increasingly negative ways but the author then goes on to offer insightful thinking and some practical solutions.

The book, subtitled “A Declaration of Sustainability” highlights the notion that every act of commerce in modern day enterprise (and this book was published back in 1994) is degrading the environment, no matter what the intentions are. Hawken proposes & details that commercial practices be reviewed & revised in order to reverse the damage, sustain and even enrich & improve the environment.

Hawken, being an entrepreneur himself, entertains the idea that green fees, or green taxes if you will, can be levvied on industry to contribute to and encourage conservation. Afterall, in pressing times men are often at their most ingenious & innovative. It is entirely possible, he explains, that competition, profitabillity and sustainability can work hand-in-hand to reverse the worrying trends that are an increasing threat to many, if not all, eco-systems.

The most radical thought of Hawken’s book is not “How do we save the environment?” but “How do we save business?” Afterall, at the end of the day, when you sit and count your money is it really worth being the richest man at the cost of your very own neighbourhood?