Recent Comments

1. Put Your Money Where Your Heart is (Bank Ethically) - 29 Apr 2006

   I have a savings account with Co-op, and I have to say their security regarding withdrawals and transfers is better than either Barclays or Natwest.

   I am also opening an ISA with Tridos. Their interest rate is not as good as the other banks, but unlike even the Co-op, they pledge to invest in companies that actually do something positive for the environment and society!

2. Use your LOAF at the shops (Local, Organic, Animal-Friendly and Fair Trade) - 29 Apr 2006

   At home we buy fruit, veg and breads from the local farm shop, meat from our butchers are have our milk delivered from the milk man. But it is really difficult to get buy without doing a supermarket shop as well!

   I love the sound of a cow share :D

3. Put A Save-A-Flush Device In Your Cistern - 29 Apr 2006

   I have ordered some from Thames Water – despite not being in their area! Bonus! Well, if they don’t come I shall just slip half a brick in there… don’t think they’d cope with a full brick.

4. Turn Off The Tap When Brushing Your Teeth - 29 Apr 2006

   I’ve been doing this for years now, and it’s completely unconscious now (good considering how unawake I am in the mornings!).

5. Stop Taking Plastic Bags From Shops - 29 Apr 2006

   I really object to those shops where they say “Oh no, you have to have one!”.

   Sorry?! I didn’t pay for it! I don’t want it! And it’s always the shops where their bags are so shoddy that you couldn’t use them for purpose anyway.

   But it is really difficult. Usually they pack so quickly that you end up getting them to take the stuff out of the bags (which always makes me feel bad).

   And of course, sometimes I forget to take my rucksack… no way i’m walking down the road with a box of pantyliners in my hand, sorry!

6. Start A Generous blog or journal - 29 Apr 2006

   For anyone looking for a free, easy journal or blog with a sense of community and fun, try efx2.com. It’s very friendly and community-spirited.

   I already have a journal, as an effort to think more thoroughly about the decisions I make in my life, and I can thorougly recomend it. I’ve added a special ‘generousness’ category, and am trying to post constructively under that. It is inspiring to write stuff down!

7. Switch off and unplug appliances and chargers - 29 Apr 2006

   I think I can clear up some of the questions here:

   Basically, the electriciy that comes out of the mains isn’t the kind that is suitable for phones, so your charger has to convert it into a (usually lower powered) version.

   Consequently, whether there’s a phone on the end or not, the charger will be converting the electricity and loosing all that power as heat, etc.

   This applies to any appliance that has an adapter – on laptops you’ll see them as plastic blocks with little lights, and they are usually found inside most other appliances.

   I’m afraid it depends on each appliance – the only people who could probably tell us whether they all need switching off are the people who designed them!