Sustainable investing is helping to change environmentally harmful business practices. A new breed of investors is profiting from green while benefiting the planet. There are several established financial instruments for green investments including stocks, bonds, funds, savings accounts, deposit certificates and money market accounts. All of these types of investments can help the planet and turn a handsome profit. In preceding articles, The Green Market provided practical demonstrations of the sizable profits available to investors in green stock. In this article I address the benefits green investing offers the earth. Link to this post!

I came across sweet almond oil when a friend of mine put together a hamper of organic skin products straight from the health shop .  To be honest I was dubious, as I think when it comes to skincare, you get what you pay for. However the claim that it doubles up as a moisturiser and a makeup remover won be over (convenience is also very high on my list of priorities). The fact that I happened to tune in to one of those UK makeover shows when the make-up artist announced that almond oil is her one can’t do… Read More »

Dunnes Stores has been granted permission by the High Court to challenge a tax bill for over €36m arising from the plastic bag levy. The retailer is also claiming that the Government regulations that introduced the levy in 2001 are so uncertain that they are invalid. The Revenue Commissioners produced the figure of €36.4m after carrying out an assessment over a four-year period at the supermarket chain. Advertisement But Dunnes Stores claims the bags in question are not subject to the Government levy of 22 cent per bag. It claims the bags in question were used in its stores in… Read More »

Want to help save the planet, but also want your wedding to be memorable?  The following is a great article written by SUE LEONARD of the Irish Independent on how to make that special day environmentally friendly We’re all worried these days about global warming. We want to protect our environment and we do our bit to recycle and reuse. When it comes to weddings, though, we tend to throw green ethics aside. Link to this post!

Last year Minister Gormley ordered a review of the water investment programme, in order to address the ongoing issue of unaccounted for water and ensure value for money in the overall programme, which includes investment in water treatment and wastewater treatment plants. “We are playing a huge game of catch-up with our water infrastructure, following decades of under-investment.” Minister Gormley said. “Exchequer investment in water infrastructure has increased to an average of €500 million per anum since 2007, and the €4.6 billion the State has spent in the last decade is paying dividends. Link to this post!

Trevor Sargent, TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, with special responsibility for Horticulture and Food today announced details of the third round of the grant aid scheme for the development of the horticulture sector under the National Development Plan (2007-2013). The closing date for receipt of applications is 19th February 2010 and only investments commenced after the issue of letters of approval will be eligible. Link to this post!

There are plenty of us out there who think that there is nothing as nice as snuggling up on front of a blazing open fire on a cold miserable night?  And let’s face it there’s no shortage of those at the moment.  However, gorgeous as it looks and feels it can be an expensive and inefficient endeavor. A fireplace sends most of the heat in your house straight up the chimney emitting as much as 24,000 cubic feet of air per hour to the outside!  Bottom line – not very green.  But as GreenMe are the no sacrafice, guilt free… Read More »

We know the greenest option for a business card: scratch the info off a card already handed to you, replace it with your own, and recirculate it.  Nothing greener than reuse!   But…it isn’t exactly professional looking. Could a POKEN also be a green solution? It ditches paper and shares social network information digitally just by “high fouring” someone who also has a POKEN.  Everything from email to Twitter and Facebook information can be transferred with a touch. Link to this post!

With the holiday season upon us, why not pack a more natural mosquito repellent on this trip. Citronella, basil, anise oil, balsamic vinegar and fresh garlic are all effective mosquito repellents (all in their own right – you do not have to mix them together you’ll be glad to hear). They are all less harsh on your skin than the conventional pharmaceutical variety.  However, the fresh garlic alternative may acutally repel more than the mosquitoes! Link to this post!

Who dressed green for the Golden Globes on Sunday? Besides Anna Paquin’s glitzy Stella McCartney’s dress, Livia Firth stole the show. Livia is accompanying her dashing husband, English Actor Colin Firth–heck, anyone who plays Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice is dashing–during Awards season while he promotes his role in Tom Ford’s “A Single Man,” and she is dressing sustainably for her Green Carpet Challenge, Vogue UK reports: Livia, who is also the owner of green boutique Eco Age in Chiswick, UK, shares her sustainable style pick for the night with Vogue, below. Link to this post!

As the economy gradually recovers from the past year’s big slump, changes are expected in consumer behavior: according to a recent survey, in 2010 UK and American shoppers are to pay much more attention to transparency and ethical responsibility in their food and beverage purchases. A survey by market research organization Mintel reveals that, despite a widespread growing confidence and adaptation to overcome the previous restraints, consumers will be adapting to the new economy, moving away from excessive spending toward moderation and higher attention to ethical sourcing and sustainability. Link to this post!

An unprecedented tax on junk food is to be introduced in Romania as of March 2010. The proceeds will be considered income for the Health ministry to spend on health programmes. The new tax is due by the juridical persons who produce, import or process unhealthy foodstuffs, with a high content of salt, fats, sugar and additives. Link to this post!

2010 seems to be off to a good energy start with Minister Eamon Ryan announcing the start of the electricity Customer Behaviour Live Trials in the National Smart Metering Project which the Commission for Energy Regulation and other project stakeholders are carrying out and implementing on his behalf.  The Customer Behaviour Trial is one of the most important aspects of the project as it provides insight as to likely future demand, and consumer reaction to new smart electricity meters. Link to this post!

Earlier this week I listened with amazement to a report on Six One where a representative of Cork County Council spoke about the impending water shortage.  Apparently their water system sees, an average 45% loss of water through their system .  An apparently this is reflected in most local authority water systems nationwide! Link to this post!

What is a luxury? Usually it is something that people want, without any (or much) significant reason for wanting it, except that it is rare. But things that are rare at one point in time can be commonplace at other times. Take chicken. Fifty five years ago chicken was a luxury. In every restaurant it was the most expensive item on the menu and even reasonably well off people in England would be lucky if they ate chicken once an month. Chicken it seems was tasty and such a treat. It was more expensive than beef. Link to this post!

Caulk it This winter I have found that my house seems to be leaking. By that I mean that I have noticed little drafts in certain rooms that I never noticed before.  Small spaces and gaps around windows and pipes and wires entering the home create create energy wasting drafts that can cut the efficiency of your heating system. Most caulking products are cheap costing under €10. It’s a no brainer for a cosier home and your saving on your home heating bill too! Link to this post!

It’s that time of year when we make promises about how we’ll change ourselves in the upcoming new year. We look for ways to make a change in our lives, hoping better health or a better job or less stress. Some resolutions are small, others are big life-changing challenges. New Year’s resolutions are often broken, especially if they are hastily made without thinking through the logistics. But if you take a few moments to think about what you want for the upcoming year, you’re more likely to choose realistic commitments. Link to this post!

On the outside Irish Singletons seem like a passionate bunch of environmentalists, they don’t own cars and are rigorous about their recycling but a recent study by Trinity College has found that people living on their own produce 37% more carbon emisssions than couples and 59% more than those living in threes (no not trees!!). Link to this post!

When we buy organic or fair – trade food, the benefits are obvious- it’s healthier, it tastes better and we know we are helping producers earn a decent wage.  We love the feel good factor that we are supporting our local farmer.  So why is it practically impossible to get consumers to shop for fashion locally, let alone ethically? Link to this post!

Instead of pushing your way through the hoards of disgruntled holiday shoppers in the large town shopping centre or supermarket chain, why not do your last minute Christmas food shopping locally. You’ll find lots of unique and interesting Christmas gifts for everyone on your list and at reasonable prices too. Plus you know the money you spend is going into the pockets of the local people and that money is likely to stay circulating in your local economy rather than traveling overseas. GreenMe has been talking to some of the producers and suppliers listed on our directory and the overall… Read More »