Blue & Green Daily: Thursday 11 September round up

Today on Blue & Green Tomorrow we reported on a UN study that found the ozone layer could recover by mid-century and a survey found that Brits value and appreciate businesses that are socially responsible.

Climate change art project in Bristol shows extent of rising sea levels

Artists, helped by community members and experts, have drown a blue chalk line across Bristol to show which parts of the city  would be underwater because of extreme weather and rising sea levels if action is not taken to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Labour promises air pollution crackdown

The Labour party has launched a new campaign against air pollution, pledging to help local authorities tackle a crisis that, they say, causes the premature death of 29,000 Britons each year.

Save B&GT: 15 days to go – pledge £52 today

£90,000 sounds like a lot of money. It is a lot of money. But it’s not a lot of money compared to Royal Dutch Shell’s annual profit. £16.4 billion in 2013. That kind of money could underwrite Blue & GreenTomorrow for a year in six minutes. Instead, we’re asking just 3% of our readership to pledge £52 to fund our crowdfunder.

Altering the pattern: Organic Fashion and Textiles Week

London Fashion Week SS15 is around the corner, celebrating an industry that moves so fast we’re already six months ahead. Meanwhile, the Soil Association is asking us to slow down for Organic Fashion and Textiles Week, a dedicated event within the organisation’s Organic September campaign held to coincide with London Fashion Week – but with a greater emphasis on how our clothes are made rather than on their designer label.

Consumer demand drives illegal deforestation – report

Demand for commodities such as palm oil, animal feed and timber has caused 71% of tropical deforestation for agriculture between 2000 and 2012, 49% of which was done illegally.

Ozone layer on track to recovery, UN says

The Earth’s ozone layer that protects us from the dangerous ultraviolet rays of the sun is expected to recover over the next few decades, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) have said.

Renewable energy job industry to benefit contractors across Europe

As Europe enforces tighter emission targets for 2020, renewable energy development to reduce carbon emissions will continue the steady growth of the sustainable energy industry, benefiting contractors across the EU.

Just half of MPs believe that manmade climate change is a fact

A new poll has revealed that just 51% of MPs believe that it is an established fact that global warming is caused by human activities despite the majority of scientists supporting this. The survey revealed considerable difference of opinions among the political parties.

Scottish Independence: An overview – as shares rise in RBS and Lloyds over plans to leave Scotland

The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and its state-backed peer Lloyds have both confirmed plans to leave an independent Scotland and move its headquarters to England if the Scottish people vote for independence next week – a decision that has resonated well with investors.

Survey: Brits show appetite for socially responsible businesses

A new UK-wide survey, conducted to coincide with Social Saturday, has revealed that the public have an appetite and appreciation for socially responsible businesses.

Campaigners call for action on ‘weak’ whaling moratorium

The Humane Society International (HSI) has called on the International Whaling Commission (IWC) to curb violations of the global moratorium on whaling, which campaigners fear is no longer sufficient to protect cetaceans.

Scottish independence: take our poll

With the Scottish independence referendum set to take place in just a week’s time, we’re asking our readers what they think in our latest website poll.

Sustainable Development Goals need to consider poverty and climate change

Climate change, poverty eradication and sustainable development cannot be tackled as separate entities, claims a new report. Instead a new set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) that considers all off these factors is crucial, it argues.

Rally organised in retaliation against ‘green attack’ on Abbot Point over Great Barrier Reef concerns

Local business owners and politicians have banded together to defend developments on Abbot Point docks, Australia, a move that would “save north Queensland,” but puts the Great Barrier Reef at immense environmental risk.

19% increase in people switching bank account

One year after the Current Account Switch Service was launched, the Payments Council has reported a 19% increase in customers switching current accounts – around 1.1 million people. However, some have argued the figure is too low.

Photo: Sanja Gjenero via Freeimages