Editors' blog
Hannah Bullock, 5 Nov 2008
The low winter sun that blinded me from behind the City buildings did look s...
Green Futures Opinion
The new politics of climate change
Stephen Hale 27 November 2008, Climate change, Politics
 resize.jpg)
It is high time we got serious, says Stephen Hale, about understanding why we are failing in the war against climate change – and how we can succeed.
American Eye
Polly Ghazi 27 November 2008, Americas, Green government, Regulation
He’s been touted as America’s great green hope, but Polly Ghazi asks: What we can really expect an Obama presidency to deliver?
The Knowledge
Hannah Bullock 13 October 2008, People
In the first of a new series, the Co-op’s Paul Monaghan lets us in on the secret.
And another thing…
Martin Wright 13 October 2008, Railways
Martin Wright gets cross with Greenpeace – and productive on a train
“If the NHS built cycle paths…”
Helen Clarkson 13 October 2008, Cycling, Health
Yes, the road is full of crazed people (some of them pedestrians). Yes, it often rains. And yes, I have on occasion forgotten to pack my shoes. But being outside and getting exercise without having to join a gym keeps me reasonably sane.
Editorial
Roger East 13 October 2008
Pulling out of Cambridge station, the London train passes a building site. It’s all quiet on that front – the time of the morning, or the state of the housing market?
Building “must stand up”
Martin Hunt 13 October 2008, Housing
There I was, all set to help develop a positive, forward-thinking work programme with one of Forum’s business partners. And here was the MD, introducing the internal sustainability workshop.
Letters
13 October 2008
"A recession is an excellent opportunity to bring economic and environmental considerations together. They are inextricably related, a part of the same thing, and we need to make sure that the public and political debate is framed in those terms."
Now you’re talking – Dr Earth
Jon Wallace 29 September 2008, Carbon reduction, Eco-products & services, Entrepreneurship, People
One-time Tory party candidate and property millionaire Andrew Charalambous, aka Dr Earth, talks to Green Futures at Bar Surya, his ‘world-first’ eco club – where you generate electricity while you dance.
American Eye
15 August 2008, Behaviour change, Higher/Further Education, Society & culture, Young people
Fired up over climate change, US students are turning up the heat on colleges’ green credentials. Polly Ghazi sees this driving a race for the top.
“Science dictates that we need a 100% reduction in carbon emissions. Here’s how to achieve it”
Oliver Tickell 14 July 2008, Carbon reduction
Oliver Tickell makes the case for controlling greenhouse gases ‘close to the source’ via a groundbreaking new worldwide permits auction.
And another thing
Martin Wright 30 June 2008, Lifestyles, Transport & travel
“Like crying wolf when all seems quiet, it’s counter-productive to bang on endlessly about the dangers of climate change”
Faced with a mix of recession and a muddle of climate change denial, it's time to extol green joys, not taxes, says Martin Wright.
Letters
30 June 2008
l.jpg)
"There’ll never be a more blatant example to show that, when needs must, it’s OK to put to one side all that guff about governments not interfering in the market."
Whitehall Watch
Peter Madden 28 June 2008, Budget/Taxation, Green government, Local government
Must sustainability always suffer from political short-termism? Peter Madden says it’s time to take the longer view.
American Eye
Polly Ghazi 27 June 2008, Americas, Behaviour change, Cars, Commuting, Consumption
$4 a gallon? It may seem peanuts to British drivers, writes Polly Ghazi, but in shell shocked America, soaring fuel prices are triggering a revolution in commuter habits, and a fundamental shake-up of the auto industry.
Editorial
Roger East 24 June 2008
There aren’t many subjects on which I prefer Harry S Truman’s words to those of Oscar Wilde. But the former US president’s prosaic definitions – “a pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities, while an optimist makes opportunities of his difficulties” seem more helpful in these crunch times than the poet’s cry, “the basis of optimism is pure terror”.
Real green promises
Tom Berry 24 June 2008
.jpg)
When people know what I do at work, they tend to expect me to ‘know the answer’ to questions like: “Which is better, Fairtrade or locally grown?”
Where does the power lie?
Anna Birney 24 June 2008, Behaviour change, Inspiration
.JPG)
People keep asking me about my job title. The ‘change’ bit isn’t the issue; the question is about what we mean by ‘leadership’.
Facing up to techno-fix?
28 March 2008, Information technology, Society & culture
Web-based services have got me thinking. Sparked off by a particularly interesting panel session at the recent Guardian Public Sector Summit, I started listing the possible environmental benefits of investing more public money in these technologies – from better home delivery services and reduced car use, to savings in town hall energy and water consumption, and cutting down on paper waste by emailing council tax bills rather than sending them out in the post.
Editorial
Roger East 26 March 2008
The issue is rising up the nation’s consciousness. Some of the major players have announced pioneering initiatives. The Budget promises imminent government action. And personally, I’m glad to say, I rank close to the angels on this one. I refer, of course, to the challenge of combating… free plastic carrier bags.
Innovation with that ‘wow’ factor
Chris Sherwin 24 March 2008, Innovation
Innovation’s the lifeblood of the mainstream business world. Sustainability advocates are starting to give it a central role in their work too. Think ‘sustainable innovation’, though, and you might struggle for examples.
Whitehall Watch
Peter Madden 24 March 2008, Carbon reduction, Commuting, Cycling, Local government, Mass transit/Public transport
As London’s mayoral elections turn up the heat on transport policy, our national politicians need to look and learn, says Peter Madden.
American Eye
Polly Ghazi 24 March 2008, Americas, Carbon offset/neutrality, Carbon reduction
Most Americans have two religions: their faith and their sports team. Suddenly, says Polly Ghazi, some powerful players in the sports world are beefing up their green credentials. Will the fans follow?
And another thing
Martin Wright 24 March 2008, Asia, Cars, Poverty/social exclusion
“What happens when improving people’s quality of life runs slap bang into environmental limits? The Tata Nano does exactly that.”
Editorial
Roger East 10 January 2008
If you are reading this at work, imbued with fresh resolve for meeting the goals and challenges that the new year brings, be warned: this message comes to you from the other side.
And another thing...
Martin Wright 6 January 2008, Climate change, Forests
Martin Wright ranks forests over flight guilt, is dazzled by a hundred halogen spots, and relieved that Al Gore is staying clear of the White House.
Letters
6 January 2008
"Wake up, public sector! Stop stifling the innovative solution-providers who are here to help you meet your targets."
American Eye
Polly Ghazi 5 January 2008, Americas, Climate change, Energy conservation & efficiency, Politics
Will the White House go green this time? Polly Ghazi watches the Democrats compete for the high ground on climate change. But most of the Republicans sound as though they’re on another planet.
Life begins at 30
Glenn Lowcock 5 January 2008, Behaviour change, Cars
Want a sweeter, more sustainable life? Cut the speed limit on all roads to 30mph, argues Glenn Lowcock.
Whitehall Watch
Peter Madden 21 December 2007, Carbon reduction, Policy
So much for the rhetoric, Peter Madden wants action
In his wide-ranging speech in November, the prime minister set out a vision of a fourth technological revolution. He made a tokenistic pledge on plastic bags. And he talked tough on climate change.
Welcome to the future
James Goodman 21 December 2007, Visions & futures
Anyone travelling across London recently could not help but notice all the billboard adverts from Barclaycard, welcoming you to the future.
Scholars who count
Geraldine Creaven 20 December 2007, Higher/Further Education
People ask me what sort of person makes a typical Forum Scholar. Well, every September I get new (pleasant) surprises.
Whitehall watch
Peter Madden 26 October 2007, Built environment, Climate change, Local government, Planning, Policy
A precautionary note for government planners
Yes, Britain needs more houses. But will government get the planning equations right – or just open the floodgates and let down the locals? Peter Madden says Gordon Brown needs to think this through.
And another thing...
Martin Wright 9 October 2007, Culture, Inspiration
Direct action adds edge and urgency to the climate debate – but it’s crying out for a more positive, persuasive message, says Martin Wright
American Eye
Polly Ghazi 9 October 2007, Americas, Local food
The love affair with local food
Middle class America is in love with local food. It’s the ‘new organic’, says Polly Ghazi – and it’s worth billions to those best placed to meet demand. So who’ll fund the investment in local farms?
The bandwagon to be on
Ben Tuxworth 8 October 2007, Business, Consumption, Marketing, Society & culture
Finally, everyone’s at it. From Al Gore’s Inconvenient Truth, to the Simpsons movie homage An Irritating Truth, mass communications are being brought to bear on the ‘Greatest Challenge Facing Humanity’TM.
Planning your next holiday yet?
Stephanie Draper 21 September 2007, Holidays, Transport & travel, Travel plans
The best way to beat the post-holiday blues, I find, is to book the next holiday before the suntan starts to peel. But my dilemma these days is that I am working to a carbon budget.
Now you’re talking…Katherine Hamnett
20 September 2007, Behaviour change, Entrepreneurship, Fair Trade, Materials, People, Retail
She famously flashed a T-shirt opposing the purchase of US Pershing missiles while shaking hands with Margaret Thatcher back in the ’80s.
Now the leftfield fashion guru is designing organic clothing collections for the likes of Tesco – in between campaigning on nuclear power, HIV and fair trade…
Now you’re talking... Gong Li
Fiona Campbell 24 June 2007, Young people
Gong Li is China’s best known actress. Since Memoirs of a Geisha she’s been big in Hollywood too.
Whitehall Watch
Peter Madden 24 June 2007, Carbon reduction, Regulation, Waste to energy
The White Papers that could haunt Brown
And another thing…
Martin Wright 24 June 2007, Carbon reduction, Climate change impacts
Why does everything these days start with a ‘C’?
Now you’re talking... Robert Llewelyn
Richard Day 3 May 2007
Robert Llewelyn is best known as Kryten in Red Dwarf, and for presenting Scrapheap Challenge. He owns a hybrid car, has a wind turbine on his roof, and has now pledged to buy nothing new for a year
American Eye
Polly Ghazi 3 May 2007, Americas, Carbon offset/neutrality, Carbon reduction, Climate change impacts
The Supreme Court rules on carbon control
Soapboxing
Roger Levett 9 March 2007, Mass transit/Public transport
A radical rethink for the way we run the country
American Eye
Gil Friend 9 March 2007, Americas, Carbon reduction
Carbon cutting is the new competition
Sustainable Entrepreneur
Terry Slavin 12 January 2007, Entrepreneurship, Retail, Young people
John Duggan and the big green sheds
And Another Thing
Martin Wright 12 January 2007, Behaviour change, Microgeneration
Sexing up the simple stuff
American Eye
Polly Ghazi 12 January 2007, Americas, Carbon reduction, Politics
Politics takes a green turn
Now you’re talking... Gomez
14 November 2006, Young people
Pop band Gomez tours in a biodiesel-fuelled bus, eats organic food backstage, and stays in sustainable hotels.
And Another Thing
8 November 2006, Culture, Information technology, Web directories & blogs, Young people
It’s
American Eye
Polly Ghazi 8 November 2006, Americas, Carbon reduction, Climate change impacts, Politics
Big Oil is in the dock over climate change
Whitehall Watch
Peter Madden 8 November 2006, Politics
Green themes stand out at party conference time
Five Years On
Hannah Bullock and Roger Cowe 9 October 2006
In our regular critical review, we revisit stories we identified as interesting back in 2001
American Eye
Polly Ghazi 9 October 2006, Americas, Consumption, Socially responsible investment
Green consumerism is worth a mint in the US
Under Construction
Ben Tuxworth 5 October 2006, Construction, Housing
In which Ben Tuxworth’s drains take centre stage and he takes his cradle-to-grave quiz to the smallest room.
Under Construction
Ben Tuxworth 8 September 2006, Housing
Ben Tuxworth's eco-dream home. Part one: first, find your plot...
Under Construction
8 September 2006, Architecture, Carbon reduction, Housing
In the second part of his homebuilder's diary, Ben Tuxworth discovers how simple solutions beat hi-tech boys' toys
Under Construction
8 September 2006, Housing, Planning
In the third part of his 'build-yourown' diary, Ben Tuxworth basks in the warm glow of approval. Now all he has to do is build the thing.
Under Construction
8 September 2006
In which 'Ben the Self-Build' pours concrete in the Cheltenham rain, and preserves his hopes of a weathertight eco-home by winter.
Sustainable entrepreneur - His other car...
20 August 2006, Cars, Entrepreneurship
Roger Cowe on the electrified ad-man
Sustainable entrepreneur - The renewable gasman
18 August 2006, Biofuels, Entrepreneurship, Methane, Waste to energy, Young people
Roger Cowe meets a methane missionary
Now you're talking...
15 August 2006, Religion/spirituality, Young people
The Right Rev. James Jones, Bishop of Liverpool
American Eye
7 July 2006, Americas, Carbon reduction
Climate change comes centre stage in the US, reports Polly Ghazi
Five years on
Julian Rollins and Suzanne Fane-Saunders 7 July 2006
In our regular critical review, we revisit stories we identified as interesting back in 2001.
Sustainable entrepreneur: The naked soap maker
7 July 2006, Eco-products & services, Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Retail
The man behind Lush strips down his business beliefs.
And another thing...
Martin Wright 23 May 2006
Martin Wright longs to get it all at one great Eco-IKEA
American Eye
23 May 2006, Americas, Fossil fuels, Microgeneration
Microgen is stirring across America, finds Polly Ghazi
Sustainable entrepreneur
Esther Maughan McLachlan 23 May 2006, Consumption, Entrepreneurship, Farming/Horticulture, Local food, Organics
Sayers’s meat is well hung by name...
Five years on
Hannah Bullock and Suzanne Fane-Saunders 23 May 2006
What happens to projects that featured in Green Futures.
What has sustainability got to do with... half term?
Nicola Baird 23 May 2006
Nicola Baird feels every parent’s pressure.
Soapboxing
Rob Gray 8 March 2006, Communications/Reporting, Corporate responsibility, Sustainable accounting
Rob Gray’s alter ego on the wilder shores of CSR reporting
Five years on
Hannah Bullock and Suzanne Fane-Saunders 8 March 2006
What happens to projects that featured in Green Futures
Sustainable Entrepreneur: Pukka pioneer
Su Bristow 8 March 2006, Entrepreneurship, Fair Trade, Health, Organics
Sebastian Pole, the Pukka Herbs man
Exchange of Fire: bring on the bulldozer?
Hannah Bullock 8 March 2006, Energy conservation & efficiency, Housing, Young people
National treasures or energy-guzzling liabilities? Brenda Boardman and David Drewe see our built heritage from different standpoints.
Soapboxing
Walter Menzies 5 January 2006, Culture, Poverty/social exclusion, Regeneration
Walter Menzies in defence of graffiti
Soapboxing
Matthew Spencer 5 January 2006, Combined heat & power, Energy conservation & efficiency
Green heat has more to offer, says Matthew Spencer
American Eye
Polly Ghazi 11 November 2005, Americas, Energy conservation & efficiency
Polly Ghazi spies big changes across the pond
Five years on
Hannah Bullock, Mark Kinver and Sara Parkin 11 November 2005
What happens to projects that feature in Green Futures
Sustainable entrepreneur: Blow your own
Esther Maughan McLachlan 11 November 2005, Entrepreneurship, Wind power
Dale Vince with the wind in his sails
Whitehall Watch
Guy Thompson 11 November 2005, Green government, International policies & agreements
What’s on Guy Thompson’s radar?
Soapboxing
Jonathon Porritt 11 November 2005, Behaviour change, Consumption
Time to transform capitalism, says Jonathon Porritt
What has sustainability got to do with...Trinny & Susannah?
Lindsay Travis 11 November 2005, Behaviour change, Fashion
Lindsay Travis tries it on for size.
Five years on
Hannah Bullock 21 September 2005
What happens to projects that feature in Green Futures
Sustainable entrepreneur: Vanity Fair
Kay Sexton 21 September 2005, Eco-products & services, Entrepreneurship, Fashion
Fashion with a mission
Just how hard is it to...halve our water use?
Esther Maughan McLachlan 21 September 2005, Behaviour change, Inland waterways
It’s no use going with the flow, as Esther Maughan McLachlan reports.
What has sustainability got to do with...hen and stag nights?
Kay Sexton 21 September 2005, Alcohol, Consumption, Holidays
Kay Sexton reveals all.
American eye
Polly Ghazi 20 September 2005, Americas, Carbon reduction, Climate change impacts
Polly Ghazi’s new column on what’s brewing across the pond
Soapboxing
Caroline Brown 21 July 2005, Inland waterways
Caroline Brown finds a fresh way to turn off the tap
What has sustainability got to do with... cocktails?
Lena Hanson 21 July 2005, Alcohol
Lena Hanson asks the unexpected question.
Just how hard is it to... get more kids walking to school?
Esther Maughan McLachlan 20 July 2005, Travel plans, Walking, Young people
Esther Maughan McLachlan seeks out the drivers of change.
Soapboxing
Laura Merrill 22 June 2005, Socially responsible investment
Why weren’t ethical investors clamouring for Laura Merrill’s Child Trust Fund cheque?
Just how hard is it to…reduce the carbon footprint of a small business?
Esther Maughan McLachlan 22 June 2005, Carbon offset/neutrality, Carbon reduction
Esther Maughan McLachlan looks for the answers.
Sustainable entrepreneur: Feeding her fervour
Roger Cowe 22 June 2005, Entrepreneurship, Organics
Roger Cowe profiles an ex rebel with a cause
Five years on
Hannah Bullock, Martin Wright and Roger East 15 March 2005
What happens to projects that feature in Green Futures.
Sustainable entrepreneur - As they see fit
Roger Cowe 15 March 2005, Eco-products & services, Entrepreneurship, Mass transit/Public transport
Roger Cowe profiles a sports brand with attitude
Whitehall Watch
Guy Thompson and Guy Thompson 26 January 2005, Green government, Politics
Guy Thompson’s inside view
Sustainable entrepreneur - Wood work model
Roger Cowe 21 November 2004, Entrepreneurship, Recycling, Young people
Roger Cowe profiles the pioneer of wood recycling
Five years on
David Nicholson-Lord and Hannah Bullock 10 November 2004
In our regular critical review, we revisit stories we identified as interesting back in 1999
Five years on
Esther Maughan McLachlan, Hannah Bullock and Roger East 7 September 2004
What happens to projects that feature in Green Futures
Profile: Energy to go
Roger Cowe 7 July 2004, Hydrogen/fuel cells
Roger Cowe on what fuels entrepreneur Stephen Voller
Five years on
Hannah Bullock and Roger East 7 July 2004
What happens to projects that feature in Green Futures
Profile - Starting 2 susten8
Roger Cowe 7 June 2004, Entrepreneurship, Young people
Roger Cowe on the Susten8 pair
Soapboxing
John Ashton 7 June 2004, Green government
John Ashton makes the environmentalist’s case for Europe.
Five Years On
Hannah Bullock and Kath Stathers 7 June 2004
what happens to projects that feature in Green Futures
Whitehall Watch
Rebecca Willis 25 March 2004, Green government, Politics
Rebecca Willis casts an insider’s eye down the corridors of power
Profile - Consumed with innocence
Roger Cowe 18 March 2004, Entrepreneurship, Organics, Young people
Richard Reed of Innocent Smoothies, by Roger Cowe
Five years on
Hannah Bullock, Kath Stathers and Roger East 18 March 2004
What happens to projects that feature in Green Futures?
Soapboxing
Sara Parkin 28 January 2004, Politics
Sara Parkin finds our notion of democracy in need of an overhaul.
Profile: Straight in the bin
Roger Cowe 28 January 2004, Entrepreneurship, Recycling
Roger Cowe on Jonathan Straight
Five years on
Emily Felton, Hannah Bullock and Martin Wright 2 December 2003
Updating progress on stories first featured in Green Futures back in 1998.
Whitehall Watch
Rebecca Willis 1 December 2003, Green government, Politics
Rebecca Willis casts an insider’s eye down the corridors of power
Whitehall Watch
Rebecca Willis 12 October 2003, Green government, Politics
Rebecca Willis casts an insider's eye down the corridors of power
Whitehall Watch
Rebecca Willis 29 July 2003, Green government, Politics
Rebecca Willis casts an insider’s eye down the corridors of power
Whitehall Watch
Joanna Collins 22 May 2003, Green government
Joanna Collins casts an insider's eye down the corridors of power.
Whitehall Watch
Rebecca Willis 21 March 2003, Green government, Politics
Rebecca Willis casts an insider's eye down the corridors of power
Whitehall Watch
Rebecca Willis 31 January 2003, Budget/Taxation, Green government
Rebecca Willis casts an insider's eye down the corridors of power.
Whitehall Watch
Rebecca Willis 7 November 2002, Green government, Politics
Rebecca Willis casts an insider’s eye down the corridors of power
Whitehall Watch
Rebecca Willis 18 September 2002, Green government, Politics
Rebecca Willis casts an insider’s eye down the corridors of power
Whitehall Watch
Rebecca Willis 23 July 2002, Green government, Politics
In the first of a regular series, Rebecca Willis casts an insider's eye down the corridors of power.
Soapboxing: Opinion piece on business and security.
Carl Frankel 6 March 2002, Corporate responsibility
Carl Frankel
Exchange of fire: Is big oil serious about climate change?
18 October 2001, Climate change impacts, Fossil fuels, Solar energy/PV, Young people
Is big oil serious about climate change? Shell v. Greenpeace
Exchange of fire - So what’s the problem, congestion or pollution?
15 October 2001, Air quality, Cars, Congestion, Pollution
So what’s the traffic problem: congestion - or pollution?
Soapbox - Tony Juniper on the smoke and mirrors of corporate PR
Tony Juniper 15 October 2001, Corporate responsibility, Fossil fuels, International trade, Marketing
Friends of the Earth’s Tony Juniper says it’s time for business to get real.
Special Publications
Expertise at your fingertips on every subject imaginable - for just 75p!
Quips
“Time is our scarcest resource. We are crossing natural thresholds that we cannot see and violating deadlines that we do not recognise. These deadlines are set by nature. Nature is the timekeeper, but we cannot see the clock."
Buy Back Issues
Missed an issue or two?
Browse and buy vintage GF issues from 2000 onwards...
$100 billion
The investment capital that flowed into renewable energy last year, according to a new UN Environment Programme report, which projects that clean energy could provide a quarter of the world’s electricity.
"This book could not have come at a more timely or critical moment"
Will Hutton
Registered charity number 1040519