Now that the proposal from the State of Monte Carlo to try and regulate the fishing of red tuna has been rejected last Thursday, March 18, during the Convention on International Trade of Endangered wild Species, only one question remains : what will become of the red tuna? The decision now belongs to the ICCAT (International Commission for the Conservation of the Atlantic Tuna-fishes).Over the last 20 years, the reproductive abilities of tuna fishes seem to diminish, and their size is apparently down by half, so the question now is the following : is this commission the solution to prevent the extinguishment of the species? It’s far from certain! The most prominent experts don’t trust this commission at all. Indeed, back in 1992, under pressure from the Japanese,   this commission refused to register red tuna at the CITES.
While the scientists are in favor of a capture quota of 8000 tons, the commission finally decided on a much higher figure: 13 500 tons. Obviously the scientists and the NGOs are furious, but let’s face the facts: red tuna, as well as many commodity products, is more and more expensive because it’s getting harder and harder to find. So it’s not only because of its taste that we are still eating it, the issue at stake is also largely economic. Greenpeace asks for a moratorium: if we create 40%  of ocean reserves, the remaining 60% could be submitted to green fishing… We need to keep an eye on the future of the “red gold”.

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This is a first in Europe: Italians just opened a subway line working only on solar energy! ATM, the company managing the Milanese subway has installed on the roof of it’ s depot 23000 m² of photovoltaic panels, at the end of the year 2009. Since then the emissions of carbon dioxide have been reduced by around 70 000 kilos. The rates have remained the same, the users didn’t notice any difference, because the investment is “paid back” by the reductions in energy costs. Every year, these installations produce 1, 4 million of kilowatt-hours, the equivalent of the electricity necessary for a subway line. ATM’s   long term ambition is to reduce is energy consumption by 14 millions of kilowatt-hours a year. This is a great projection for Europe in term of “green public transportations”. When will France join the other countries?

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At Cococook, don’t expect to find “boring” diet meals, but traditional French cuisine with an exotic twist! The cheesecake for example becomes salty, perfumed with tarragon, basil, rosemary and parmesan cheese. As well as being healthy gourmet dishes, the corn and coriander soups are delicious, and the smoked haddock croquettes surprising. For dessert, you won’t be able to resist something as original as the chocolate and courgette cake, or the sweet  potatoe  pie. For those who are in a hurry, Cococook also delivers on your workplace, or at home, using bikes to respect environment even more!

The shop is open from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., seven days a week
Deliveries are made from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p. m., and from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 10th and 11 districts of Paris.

Cococook
30, rue Charlot
75003 Paris
France
T. : +33.(0)1.42.74.80.00
info@cococook.com

We know the Thai hotel group Six Senses is very devoted to it’ s clients well being, but until now you had to travel to enjoy their unique care and the magnificent spas that have made their reputation. Today you don’t have to leave Paris anymore,  you  can travel to Thailand and back just by going in their new spa right next to place Vendôme!
The Six Senses spa of rue de Castiglione is surprising. You are welcomed by a vegetal wall created by Patrick Blanc. The wellness rooms are very unusual, installed in oakwood cocoons designed by Pierre David. Inside you’ll find a mix between Japan and Paris, with the curbed walls covered with Japanese style white paper and the video projectors broadcasting images of Paris in real time  .
Before enjoying the treatment, every client is given a linen bathrobe and green friendly slippers, made with vegetal fibers produced from wood pulp. And since every Six  Senses spa has it’s own “signature” treatment, we choose the facial care with honey from the roofs of Paris (the honey is produced by the bees of the Opera House hives, who gather pollen from the flowers of the  Tuileries  Garden. How unusual!

Six Senses
3, rue de Castiglione
75001 Paris
France
T. : +33.(0)1.43.16.10.10
F. : +33.(0)1.43.16.10.11
reservations-castiglione-spa@sixsenses.com

For it’s 3rd edition, the Sustainable Planet Exhibition gives the general public access to the new solutions and trends allowing us now to reduce the impact of our daily actions on the environment. During 4 days, green friendly consumption becomes real! The exhibition also explains in a clear and educational way the differences between green, ethical and sustainable, terms that are too often associated in the media without mentioning the differences between them.
Discover this exhibition with your family at the end of March.

The Sustainable Planet exhibition, from March 25 to 28, 2010
Porte de Versailles
Hall 7-1
Opening hours: from 10a.m. to 7p.m.

Nopeg is a new green and ethical  shop just opened a few month ago is totally dedicated to beauty. On 3 levels in Montorgueil, Nopeg offers initiations into aromatherapy, hydrotherapy, and shows you how to use extracts of buds as therapy also, with only green and luxury brands such as Dr Hauschka, Câlinesse or Bio Mada (essential and vegetal oils and floral waters produced in Madagascar). Nopeg is not only a shop, it’s also a small institute with several treatment rooms and a hammam shower.

Open from Mondays to Saturdays, from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p. m.

Nopeg
69, rue d’Argout
75002 Paris
France
T. : +33.(0)1.42.33.15.54

One week without pesticides is an event that will take place from March 20th to 30th. The goal, as the name of the event indicates clearly, is to find a lasting alternative to pesticides, for a healthier environment. Today, we can and we must stop using those toxic products. They are now unacceptable because the risks in terms of   health and environment are now very clear, not only for us now but for the future generations as well. That’s why in France (and in other countries in Europe) local authorities, companies and associations are gathering in the same quest : setting up conferences, screenings, exhibitions, debates or shows, organizing visits on the field and open doors days in public gardens or farms, in order to raise awareness about the problem of pesticides. In 2010, they can be avoided.

The latest trend these days in terms of ecology is to do your own compost at home. The best way to reduce the size of your garbage can, and transform our organic waste (plants, paper tissues, woodships or even animal liters) into natural fertilizer. Some people in New York or Rennes in France are starting to use   city compost containers on their balconies or   terraces. This simple act can contribute to a cleaner everyday lifestyle and respect our environment. When will the Parisians join the others?

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For it’ s 23rd edition, Vivre Autrement, about alternative lifestyle, is an ethical, green and fashionable fair taking place in the Parc Floral in Paris. In only 4 days, the organizers want to instill the right reflexes the green Parisians need to have in all areas of their everyday life.
The program during those 4 days  : no less than 50 creative and practical workshops, a forum about “alternative vacations” or “responsible tourism”, a wine tour with about 30 vine growers who came for the occasion, special areas for green parents and toddlers, and for green fashion designers. Let’s not forget the 400 participants, and the green gourmet market, with around a hundred producers from all over France. All the French hobbies are reunited  : sweetmeats, fashion, kids and vacations. This is the ideal fair to start being proactive, because we can all be green and live “la vie en rose”!

Salon “Vivre Autrement”, ethical, green and chic: from March 19 to 22 2010
Parc Floral de Paris – Bois de Vincennes
75012 Paris
France
T. : +33.(0)1.45.56.09.09
contact@salon-vivreautrement.com

Inspired by “Flash Mobs”, those gatherings of a group of people in a public place for actions prepared in advance before dispersing quickly, the “Carrotmob” happenings are a way of using humor to cleverly get across environment precepts. Created by a group of American activists, this new trend is getting bigger and bigger in Europe. It is based on an old and simple principle : to move forward a donkey, you need either a carrot or a stick. They went for the carrot.
The action itself is quite simple  : they set up a competition between the shops of a specific area, asking them what they are going to do in concrete terms to encourage sustainable development. The members of Carrotmob don’t want to boycott the shops but use their network and the local media to value the right actions. The final goal is to reward the shop manager who has made the most significant effort, by organizing a “magic day” for him, during which all the network members are gathering to buy items from his shop. Then he has the funds to realize his actions in favor of sustainable development thanks to the huge receipts!
So now you just have to organize your own Carrotmob. For that, log on the Facebook Page or the website to benefit from precious advice on how to organize such an event.

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