It’s World Environment Day and the launch day of Open Green Map, a global initiative to map out local natural, cultural and green living sites, to help people make greener lifestyle choices. There are launches being held around the world today: Cape Town, Geneva, Jakarta, Stockholm, Baltimore, Pereira Colombia, the UK towns of Swansea, Clackmannanshire, Neath Port Talbot and other places are presenting their green maps to the public.

There’s something particularly special about the Cape Town Green Map launch that I wanted to share with you. It’s probably the lowest carbon launch of all the Green Maps, and I’m quoting from the launch invitation to illustrate why/how:

The venue is “your laptop, PC or iPhone so there are no travel costs or [additional] carbon footprint. The dres code is “optional – but locally designed garb from hemp/bamboo/organic cotton is encouraged”. There are no speakers – “an untold saving on hot air and CO2 emissions”.

In addition there are “no printed invitations (save on ink/chemicals, paper/trees), no printed media packs (save on ink/chemicals, paper/trees and packaging), no travel to the venue (save on CO2 emissions, time and roadwork frustration), no food or beverages (save on packaging, waste, energy and food miles) and no speakers, official openings, ‘live’ performers (save on CO2 emissions, uncomfortable silences and the effort to look impressed)”.

Isn’t that cool? And in this very wet weather I’m extra-specially glad not to be going anywhere!

Here’s a bit more about Cape Town Green Map for Capetonians who are interested in giving it a test-drive:

Cape Town Green Map is updated by interested green Capetonians, making it a direct, democratic communication of local knowledge and action. You can find community gardens, craft centres, recycling drop-offs, areas of natural beauty, shops and markets that sell green and organic products, restaurants and bars who serve organic food and drinks and more. If you know about somewhere green that’s not on the map, you can suggest it to the mapmakers, or become a mapmaker yourself.

More great green news for Cape Town is that in October A&C Maps, who print “Not the official guide to Cape Town”, the “Pink Map” and the “Food Map” will be bringing out a printed version of the Cape Town Green Map. Look out for it!

A big thanks to Open Green Map, the City of Cape Town, urban sprout and A&C Maps for this great tool.

*Read Treehugger’s great article about why maps are such a good tool for helping us go green.

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Elaine Dutton of Pure Design wrote a guest post for EcoStreet some time ago all about how the small-scale manufacture of beautiful objects out of sustainable or repurposed materials is better for the environment than the current “throwaway fashion” trend. Recently, Elaine has been in touch with me again asked me to tell you about the latest developments at Pure Design.

Pure Design is a UK-based social enterprise that seeks out the latest talents and designer eco products and makes them available via an online boutique. They represent established as well as emerging eco designers and artists, and offers an exclusive collection of eco-friendly pieces selected for their craftsmanship, style and eco credentials.

The Pure Design website has been given a stylish makeover, making the site a pleasure to browse and incorporating more product images to make shopping easier. They have also added some new designers to the fold including Katie Chaplin’s hand-made one-of-a-kind Kimono Brooches, EaKo’s cool reclaimed fire-hose accessories and Studiomold’s jaw-dropping statement piece the Spaghetti Princess chandelier.

To celebrate the launch of the new site, Pure Design is offering 20% off all products for the month of May. Delivery is free if you spend over £150.

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Driftwood inspires art. It’s soft edges and fascinating shapes carved by the sea have been the starting point of many a coffee table, frame or even totem pole.  If you live by the sea (or at least within reach of it) you have the opportunity to keep an eye out for bits of driftwood washed up on the beach, and once you’ve collected a few bits, here’s an idea for creating your own piece of art. My favourite ever eco-friendly craft website esprit cabane gives full instructions on how to make driftwood aircraft. Unlike other aeroplanes, these are eco-friendly.

What have you made out of driftwood? Leave a comment.

driftwood aircraft [esprit cabane]

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