MARCH 30th, 2010
Photographer Jeremy Cowart has created an incredible website that is updated daily with photo’s from Haiti. The photo’s show many different aspects of life in Haiti, from hospitalised children to US soldiers. Each of the photo’s subjects are given a chance to jot down a thought and hold it up to camera. This project is a brilliant way of giving a voice back to Haitians, at a time when many seem to be speaking on behalf of Haiti instead of actually speaking to Haitians. Each photo is available to buy in a 16″ x 20″ signed print, with proceeds going to aHomeinHaiti.org.
MARCH 29th, 2010
Greenpeace have released a hard hitting video that attempts educate buyers of nestle products to the devastating consequences of some of the companies policies . The video claims that Nestle’s irresponsible palm oil sourcing is destroying the natural habitat of the Orang-Utan. You can find the video here, be warned though: it’s probably best not be tucking into a chocolate treat when you settle down to watch it.
Source: ActionAid
MARCH 26th, 2010
On the 27th of March 2010, at 8:30PM, individuals and organisations across the globe will mark Earth Hour by switching their lights off for an hour. Billed as the ‘greatest mass participation event in history’ the event will be captured on photos and videos across the world, and uploaded onto a specially created flickr account and youtube channel.
The blogosphere is buzzing with news and opinions, with #earthhour tweets from around the world constantly updating on the Earth Hour website. A staggering 5648816 (including us here at Neo) have signed up, you can join them by clicking here.
MARCH 23rd, 2010
In the run up to the Copenhagen climate summit, activist Annie Leonard released this video discussing Cap and Trade, as part of her The Story of Stuff Project. Whilst the Copenhagen summit has now come and gone, Cap and Trade remains very much part of the environmental agenda. Annie’s video is a humorous and and interesting take on some of the problems she believes are inherent in current Cap and Trade legislation.
The Story of Cap and Trade is the first in a planned series of six short films the Story of Stuff project is releasing this year. The second installment: The Story of Bottled Water has just been released and is fascinating viewing. Next up is The Story of Electronics, which is scheduled for a release in May.
Source: Osocio
AUGUST 26th, 2009
Last Thursday we were lucky enough to be given a guided tour of BedZED by BioRegional co-founder Pooran Desai. BedZED is one of the UK’s most exciting and inspirational eco-developments that has successfully improved residents standard of living while reducing their impact on the planet. So take that Tony Blair, who recently declared it ‘completely unrealistic to say to people you can’t have a car, you can’t use a motorbike. It is just not going to happen’. At BedZED car usage has been reduced by 64% just through clever design and making sustainable choices easy and normal.
Designed by BioRegional and Bill Dunster architects ZEDfactory Ltd and developed by the Peabody Trust, Beddington Zero Energy Development (BedZED) is the UK’s largest sustainable community with both residential and commercial spaces.
As we walked around the site Pooran explained how the various successes and failures of BedZED led to the development of the “One Planet Living” concept. Seven years on BedZED is a thriving eco-community where residents know on average 20 of their neighbours by name (as opposed to the national average of three!).
The One Planet Living principles have now been brought to life for the first time in a new development, OneBrighton, the UK’s first sustainable development on similar scale. Neo is working with Crest Nicholson BioRegional Quintain LLP to promote the commercial units available at OneBrighton. Watch this space for updates!
AUGUST 18th, 2009
The lives of millions of people across the globe are shattered by sexual violence. In order to limit the long-term consequences of rape it is essential that victims receive medical attention within the first 72 hours. This animation aims to draw attention to the urgent nature of the help that is needed. The shattered lives website provides further information on this important issue. Join the campaign by changing your profile picture on Facebook, MySpace and other platforms for 72 hours.
Source: Osocio
AUGUST 18th, 2009
The last 25 years have seen Mozambique ravaged by colonization, civil war, natural disasters and economic instability. Millions of children have been affected by the ongoing cycle of despair within the country. Imagining Mozambique is a thought-provoking collection of art inspired by the children of Mozambique featuring the work of photographers, graphic designers, illustrators and painters. The show aims to bring attention to the uncertain future these children face and raise funds for ASEM, a non-profit organization that helps the children and orphans of Mozambique by providing them with shelter, healthcare and support.
Find out more, leave your own personal message and see what others have written at:
Imagining Mozambique
AUGUST 13th, 2009
Environmental charity, Thames21, is making use of the relatively recent trend in flash mobbing, to pesuade people to clean up the Thames. Flash mobbing, tied to the growth of social networking sites and easy mobile communications, brings together a seemingly spontaneous crowd for a short period, that then just as quickly dissolves. Thames21 is planning four flash mob clean ups of the river’s shore line between 20th and 23rd August. Exact times and locations will be announced on the Thames21 site!
