Coolin...

It's remarkably warm here in London, which is perhaps why we're thinking cool. Here are some tips for cooling your home/office, whether with air conditioning or naturally.

• Open the windows rather than using air conditioning

• Open sash windows at the top and bottom

• Install a roof or ridge vent

• Use kitchen, bath, and other ventilating fans wisely; in just 1 hour, these fans can pull out a houseful of warmed or cooled air. Turn fans off as soon as they have done the job.

• Set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible in the summer. The less difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be.

• Don't set your thermostat at a colder setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. It will not cool your home any faster and could result in excessive cooling and, therefore, unnecessary expense.

• Consider using an interior fan in conjunction with your window air conditioner to spread the cooled air more effectively through your home without greatly increasing your power use.

• Whole-house fans help cool your home by pulling cool air through the house and exhausting warm air through the attic. They are effective when operated at night and when the outside air is cooler than the inside. See also Tips for fans.

• Don't place lamps or TV sets near your air-conditioning thermostat. The thermostat senses heat from these appliances, which can cause the air conditioner to run longer than necessary - Alliance to Save Energy

• Keeping the filter and cooling coil of an air-conditioner clean saves up to 10% of energy.

Slow travel

Have a look at Seat 61 for more information about using trains to get around as opposed to flying. Or have a look at Strand Travel for information about travelling on cargo ships. 

Duvet Dancing

Greenpeace has looked into one of humanity's favourite pastimes and uncovered the passion that can make a difference for our environment. 

Please note that the jokes below are theirs not tiptheplanets... ours would've been significantly better.

• Turn off the lights. We all have to do our part to stop climate change, energy reduction and energy efficiency are an important part of changing our energy culture. If you want to see your partner, or what you are doing, have sex during the day.
• Passion for fruit? If you like to use produce to get the blood boiling, make sure it is GE-free. There have not been enough studies on genetically engineered foods to know what the effects on our diets will be, let alone the affects of using it for more intimate activities.
• Oysters and other shellfish can be potent aphrodisiacs, but our oceans are being destroyed at an unprecedented rate - we need to stop plundering for pleasure. Instead you can support sustainable community-based operations in the Amazon rainforest choosing from two popular and plentiful herbal and fruit drinks, guaran and caju, for more than just a clean conscience.
• Forget the fossil fuel based lubricants like petroleum jelly! Esso's screwing the planet, but you don't have to.
• Role playing games can be fun as long as both partners are consenting and comfortable with the boundaries. So if you and your partner want to dress up and play "George Bush and Corporate America at the Earth Summit" or other S&M style games, agree on what's permissible and what's not up front. And remember that games - like fantasies - are not real life.
• Use Vegan Approved Condoms.
• Dispose of your various bits and bobs in a place where they won't harm the planet.
  

Better late than never

Darn, we meant to point you in the direction of these tips before easter, but failed, so here they are a little late, but still mostly applicable...

http://www.tiptheplanet.com/index.php?title=Easter_Tips

Old and smug

Your pension may be buying more than you think. While growing a nest egg for your retirement, it could also be paying for environmental destruction, illegal arms sales or unfair labour practices.

Through our pensions we own over 16% of UK quoted companies. This adds up to £230 billion in stocks. That’s a powerful voice for change if we work together to use it.

Ethical and environmentally responsible pensions are now a real option. Several pension providers have recently launched ethical funds, and many more are expected as a result of new government regulations. Put pressure on your company to ensure their pension scheme is ethical and representative of your morals, not theirs!

To find out more go to: www.fairpensions.org.uk

• FOE -ethical pension funds

• www.tiscali.co.uk Top pension funds coy on ethical stance

• www.ethicalinvestment.org.uk -pension funds

Not one for the boys

A way of avoiding the toxins related to tampons and sanitary pads is to use a menstrual cup. This has several benefits. Not only is it reusable, but you will be saving money every month by not buying all those disposable products. Furthermore, if you are not buying them then you won’t be needing to dispose of them, therefore sending less to landfill. A menstrual cup is convenient, cheaper, healthier, and better for the environment too. There are cups made from rubber and silicone, however it is thought that the silicone cups are better for those who might have sensitive skin or are allergy prone.

For more information on ladies hygine see Treehugger

Balls

Just put three eco-balls in your washing machine instead of detergent / powder. Together, they produce ionized oxygen that activates the water molecules naturally and allows them to penetrate deep into clothing fibres to lift dirt away. They are reuseable for over 1,000 washes and make the average cost of a wash about 3p. There are no harsh chemicals and so there is much less pollution. You can also shorten your rinse cycle to save water and electricity.

Check out more here