R.H.N.

In a recent article from the Metro, there is a possible large-scale project in the Pacific Ocean to build an island fit for living in. This 'new Venice' made entirely from plastic waste could provide a home for 50,000 people to satisfy the demand of new land for the increasing population. Recycled Island would be built from 44,000 tonnes of rubbish that threatens the sea life of the Pacific, and be run by electricity created by renewable means- solar and wave energy. A spokesman from the Dutch team says that the city has 3 main aims: cleaning the oceans from a huge amount of plastic waste, construct a sustainable habitat and creating new land. The island is hoped to be at least 10,000 sq km, and agriculture will be included so it can be independent of foreign influence. 

11th June 2010, a Year 8 boy took a survey to see how many out of 50, in City of London for Boys, believed that global warming was natural/caused by mankind/both. The results were more or less the same for the individual options however the 'both' option clearly showed which was the most popular: 30 chose both, and a close battle between natural - 11 and caused by man - 9.

 After intense pressure on Nestle to conform and to refrain from the usage of unsustainable palm oil, a much needed target has been set to switch over the general consumption to a sustainable source within 3 years, gently phasing out the devastating catalyst to the destruction of the rainforest. In an exclusive interview with a Nestle associate, he described it as a fair challenge that could be met, expressing concern over finding a new sustainable abundant palm oil source. Is this the break needed to confine and lead the highly unsustainable palm oil market out of the dark realms upon its stands, and show a way to a brighter future? As clichéd as it is, only time will tell.

In an amazing new report, the Guardian revealed the true extent of how willing supermarkets and food suppliers are in the topic of sustainable palm oil. A massive 1.75 million tonnes of sustainable palm oil has the potential to be used without any extra effort, despite this only a mere 14% of that is actually being used. All for what? A small premium cost. They are confronted by this decision, are they wiling to pay a bit extra to save the planet? Amazingly, no. Despite all their pledges and promises to use sustainable palm oil, they still are not willing to pay the small extra cost. However the most shocking thing of all is that they ask for it to be produced, they have it produced, then they see the price and walk away still flaunting their eco credentials to their customers. So who is to blame? Mainly amazingly shops like Waitrose who are in fact part of the John Lewis Partnership which supports and promotes the Prince's rainforest project. This complex story shows just how unwilling supermarkets and food suppliers are to phase out unsustainable palm oil.

A shocking new story discovered how climate change is already seriously affecting Kenyans, as they are facing the most devastating drought for over 40 years. Their livestock are dying, their food supplies minimal and their water supply literally nonexistent; they rely on Western supplies of handouts for food, this case of severe drought should not be happening, however this is a minimal effect of climate, we will be in for a much harsher future if we do not act. Scientists say this case is linked to climate change, this surely is a warning to us that we have to act now or it will be too late.

Alistair Darling has urged global leaders that change will have to be made at Copenhagen or we will face a devastating future of global warming. He is just one of the millions of people who will be holding their breath whilst the summit is in action, real actions and goals will have to be made or it will have been for nothing and we may not have another chance.

The End of the Line

You may have heard of the new inspiring and thought-provoking documentary and film "The End of the Line". This film reveals the truth behind the fish that we eat, including: Bluefin Tuna, Haddock, Plaice and many more, who are indeed increasingly overfished. The film shows shocking graphs which publicise the incredible decrease of fish populations all over the world.

a picture of a Bluefin Tuna, one of the species almost fished to extinction.

This is one of the many strengths of the film. The film doesn't just outline people's views on the over-fishing crisis, but also what people may think against this idea. The film also has such a simple question: Where does our fish come from? Along with this the film shows us the link from the depleting of our oceans to the upcoming hazard of climate change, as fish droppings take in CO2 and fish are vital for many different marine ecological systems. Two RHN members went to see the film and were thouroughly amazed by the truth about over-fishing, which is happening right under our noses without actual public awareness! The three main points that the producers of the End of the Line were trying to get across to the public are that you must:
                                              

Ask before you buy:

try to only eat sustainable seafood.

Tell politicians:

respect the science, cut the fishing fleet

Join the campaign

for marine protected areas and responsible fishing

Our rating: 4/5

For more imformation go to http://www.endoftheline.com

By RHN.

In a new report issued by the U.S agriculture department it has been revealed that in fact a massive 1 million square kilometres of crops could simply subside in Africa due to severe changes in climate, and overall due to climate change. This could pose major threat to many many African people and cause a major disaster, however this would be only a small effect of the harsh but real change in climate.

By RHN.

In a shocking investigation into palm oil lead by the Independent, new facts have been revealed about how unknowingly we are all in fact contributing to the vast depletion of Borneo's rainforests and all of its unique wildlife. It was revealed that almost 50% of the UK's most popular brands do indeed use unsustainable palm oil. They include Hovis, Fairy Liquid, Persil, Ariel, Kellogs Special K, Crunchy Nut and hundreds more. What was more astonishing was the fact that they just simply mask it as "vegetable oil" or "vegatable fat". Buying these brands are contributing enormously to climate change, but even if you check the label for palm oil, it will just say something different! For the list of brands with palm oil in look below.

 

Rank; Brand; Manfacturer; Sales; Palm oil?

1. Coke, Coca-Cola, £969m, NO

2. Warburtons, Warburtons, £709m, YES

3. Walkers Crisps, Pepsico, £487m, NO

4. Hovis, Premier Foods, £405m, YES

5. Cadbury Dairy Milk, Cadbury, £374m, YES

6. Kingsmill, ABF, £363m, YES

7. Nescafe, Nestle, £352m, NO

8. Andrex, Kimblery-Clark, £345m, NO

9. Lucozade, GlaxoSmithKline, £342m, NO

10. Robinsons, Britvic, £299m, NO

11. Tropicana, Pepsico, £288m, NO

12. McCain’s Chips, McCain, £265m, NO

13. Pepsi Cola, Pepsico, £258m, NO

14. Whiskas, Mars, £233m, NO

15. Lurpak, Lurpak, £228m, NO

16. Muller Corner, Muller, £219m, NO

17. Persil, Unilever, £210m, YES

18. Flora Spreads, Unilever, £200m, YES

19. Heinz Beans, Heinz, £199m, NO

20. Pedigree, Mars, £198m, NO

21. Cathedral City, Dairy Crest, £187m, NO

22. Felix, Nestle, £186m, NO

23. Galaxy, Mars, £185m, YES

24. Youngs Frozen Fish, Young’s, £184m, YES

25. Kit Kat, Nestle, £183m, YES

26. Heinz Soups, Heinz, £182m, NO

27. Red Bull Drinks, Red Bull, £182m, NO

28. Danone Activia, Danone, £175m, NO

29. Birds Eye Fish, Birds Eye, £175m, NO

30. Bold, Procter & Gamble, £174m, SUSPECTED*

31. Mr Kipling Cakes, Premier Foods, £174m, YES

32. Wrigley’s Extra, Wrigley, £170m, YES

33. Ariel, Procter & Gamble, £157m, SUSPECTED*

34. Pringles, Procter & Gamble, £143m SUSPECTED*

35. Princes Fish, Princes, £136m, NO

36. PG Tips, Unilever, £134m, NO

37. Tetley Tea, Tata, £134m, NO

38. Dolmio Sauces, Mars, £133m, NO

39. Silver Spoon, British Sugar, £132m, NO

40. Birds Eye Poultry, Birds Eye, £130m, YES

41. Maltesers, Mars, £130m, YES

42. John West Fish, John West, £129m NO

43. Cravendale, Arla, £129m, NO

44. Ribena, GlaxoSmithKline, £129m, NO

45. Weetabix, Weetabix, £128m, NO

46. Muller Light, Muller, £127m, NO

47. Mars, Mars, £123m, YES

48. Uncle Ben’s, Rice Mars, £122m, NO

49. Kellogg's Special K, Kellogg’s, £122m, YES

50. Fanta, Coca-Cola, £118m, NO

51. Finish Dishwasher, Reckitt & Benckiser, £117m, NO

52. Volvic, Danone, £117m, NO

53. Ginsters, Ginsters, £114m, YES

54. Schweppes, Schweppes, £112m, NO

55. Innocent, Innocent, £110m, NO

56. Heinz, Ketchup Heinz, £110m, NO

57. Danone, Actimel Danone, £108m, NO

58. Fairy Laundry, Procter & Gamble, £107m, SUSPECTED*

59. Fairy Liquid, Procter & Gamble, £107m, SUSPECTED*

60. McVitie’s Digestives, United Biscuits, £106m, YES

61. Comfort, Unilever, £106m, YES

62. Bakers, Nestle, £104m, NO

63. Kenco, Kraft, £104m, NO

64. Goodfella’s Pizza, Northern Foods, £101m, YES

65. Birds Eye Veg, Birds Eye, £100m, NO

66. Petit Filous, Yoplait, £100m, NO

67. Velvet, SCA, £99m, NO

68. Dairylea, Kraft, £99m, NO

69. Lenor, Procter & Gamble, £98m, SUSPECTED*

70. Airwick Aircare, Reckitt Benckiser, £96m, NO

71. Evian, Danone, £96m, NO

72. Daz, Procter & Gamble, £95m, SUSPECTED*

73. Irn Bru, AG Barr, £92m, NO

74. Doritos, Pepsico, £90m, NO

75. McCoys, United Biscuits, £90m, YES

76. Anchor Spreads, Arla, £89m, NO

77. Haribo, Haribo, £89m, YES

78. Bisto Gravy, Premier Foods, £89m, YES

79. BM Cooked Meat, Bernard Matthews, £88m, YES

80. Hellmanns, Unilever, £88m, NO

81. Kleenex, Kimberly-Clark, £88m, NO

82. Quality Street, Nestle, £85m, YES

83. Richmond Sausages, Kerry Foods, £84m, YES

84. CrunchyNut Cornflakes, Kellogg’s, £83m, YES

85. Magnum, Unilever, £79m, YES

86. Hula Hoops, United Biscuits, £79m, NO

87. Bessies Potatoes, Heinz, £78m, YES

88. Chicago Town Pizza, Dr Oetker, £77m, YES

89. Capri Sun, Coca-Cola, £77m, NO

90. Sensations, Walkers, £77m, NO

91. Cadbury Cakes, Premier Foods, £76m, YES

92. Young’s Chilled Fish, Young’s, £75m, YES

93. Cadbury Roses, Cadbury, £75m, YES

94. Oasis, Coca-Cola, £75m, NO

95. Yeo Valley Yogurts, Yeo Valley, £73m, NO

96. Pot Noodles, Unilever, £73m, YES

97. Aero, Nestle, £73m, YES

96. Pot Noodles, Unilever, £73m, YES

97. Aero, Nestle, £73m, YES

98. Surf, Unilever, £73m, YES

99. Kettle, Kettle, £73m, NO

100. Clover Spreads, Dairy Crest, £72m, YES

Sources: Sales statistics: AC Nielsen. Palm oil: The Independent

* Procter & Gamble, which uses palm oil in a wide variety of products, will not disclose its use in individual brands