We blow the whistle for years: the oil palm is cheap but also bad for both our health and our planet. Fortunately, today sustainable alternatives exist.

Bad Cholesterol Impact
Even though palm oil is used in 50% of supermarkets products such as biscuits, cereals, crisps, baked goods and cooked food, palm oil provokes bad cholesterol since it contains more saturated fat, very dangerous for health. We must keep in mind that a high consumption of oil palm promotes heart diseases.

Photo credit: Green et vert

A Danger for Biodiversity
Furthermore, palm oil is extracted from palm tree culture. For palm oil production several thousands hectares of rainforest are razed and burned, threatening natural habitat of animals species as orangutans.

A Sustainable Palm Oil it is Possible
A sustainable palm oil is produced in plantations certified by the RSPO. The RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) was established in 2003. This association is the leader of sustainable palm oil production. Present in many countries, it promotes using of green palm oil and work hard for the development of sustainable productions around the world.

Photo credit : Migros

Big Firms Feel Always More Concerned
Major companies and supermarkets use more sustainable palm oil today. As a result, the WWF has just revealed his Palm Oil Buyers Scorecard 2011 which measures the performance of 132 retailers and consumer good manufacturers. It shows that one retailer in two and one industrial in five doesn’t respect the RSPO charter. Apparently, Unilever and L’Oréal respect it consciously, whereas L’Occitane and Lactalis aren’t acting very responsibly.

What consumers can do
A lot of things have to be done and everybody can contribute. What role consumers can play? First, we could starting by limit our consumption of fat food as French fries, biscuits and cooked food, choose other vegetable oils or simply pay more attention to stickers. If you read “vegetable oil” written on your products, you can guess what kind of oil is really used.

Photo credit : Life Without Palm Oil

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Last December, in Tokyo, the Eco-Products 2011 took place, and Sony has revealed its last creation: an organic battery that runs on waste papers. Energy is generated by the digestion of sugar molecule contained in papers. Inspired by termite, which eat wood to get energy, pieces of papers are put in water and enzymes that extract sugar. After having been mixed, the liquid is put in the “bio battery”. Then, it can be used to power a small fan or a mp3. Although this battery is too small to replace bigger ones used for our electronics devices, Sony intends sell them someday. No launching date has yet been announced, but, bio stack have a future, for sure!

www.sony.net

Until January 8th, 2012, the exhibition Green Attitude gathers teenagers at Studio 13/16 of the Center Pompidou. Fun and artistic, it suggests a series of experiments geared towards sustainable development. Under the direction of the visual artist Regis-R, the studio has been cleverly transformed in an exhibition space and workshop. Teens can meet 16 artists who make them discover new disciplines closely related to the environment. Teenagers have the opportunity to create a unique mix of sounds from nature, graffiti ultra natural made in moss and mud, or a design object with recycled materials. With this new approach, younger generations are able to better understand environmental issues. Not to be missed.

The Exhibition Green Attitude at Studio 13/16 at the Center Pompidou until January 8th , 2012.
For any further information check out the website.

Open from 2 pm to 6 pm on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Everyday (except Tuesdays) holidays.

Studio 13/16 du Centre Pompidou
Place Georges Pompidou
75004 Paris
France
T.: +33 (0)1 44 78 49 36

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Since its creation, the Vélib’ has been quickly overwhelmed by its celebrity. Cycling in town means that there are dangers to avoid and rules to respect. The association AICV* has understood it and has set up bike lessons for adults and children. There are several steps to climb into the saddle: learning to ride a bike, to maintain and repair it, and above all, learning the basis of bicycle safety, such as “don’t overtake a heavy weight by the right side” says Joël Sick, president of the AICV. What is the main goal of the participants? To overcome the fear of cycling in the middle of a heavy traffic … In other words, try to live together as best as possible.

Workshop 100% green
The AICV also has a bicycle recycling area. Thus, all bikes thrown out by the city or by individuals are recovered and repaired by people inserting, before being sold at modest price.

Themed rides
The AICV also organizes regularly urban rides or hikes in nature, in order to combine discovery of wildlife, and sport. They already visited forests of Montmorency, Fontainebleau and Barbizon, or the banks of the Seine. A rural stopover to discover in family.

€50 for five lessons

Association l’AICV
38 bis, Quai de la Marne
75019 Paris
France
T. : +33.(0)1.43.43.40.74
aicv@voila.fr
www.aicv.net

The traffic rules for bike in 10 questions here.

See other Eco-friendly topics in Paris.

“When making jewellery is as beautiful as offering it”, such is the motto of JEM – Jewellery Ethically Minded – the brand of ethical jewellery by eco-friendly entrepreneur Erwan Le Louër. The brand has just launched a new collection designed by Nadège Winter. Designer for Wool and the Gang (the brand who made knitwear hype), former sales manager at Colette’s and the Palais de Tokyo, Nadège is far from her first fashion adventure. Also editor of the blog “Greenkiss”, a blog on eco-friendly fashion, she is also known for her green attitude. So her collaboration with JEM appeared as an evidence as it is a pioneer in ethical jewellery. The concept: elegant and modern jewellery made of recycled or ethical gold. Ethical gold comes from the cooperative Oro Verde and recycled gold is made out of gold waste saved from the French industry and jewellery. The brand also donates 3% of its turnover to the “Red Social” GNO and buys gold from mining cooperatives 11% more expensive than the original price. We told you fashion and sustainable development went well together…

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Sensitive skin, eczema, dryness… Why not try organic fabrics? Fibre Nature is a website which offers clothing and house linen made with natural fabrics only. Organic cotton, silk, hemp, many soft fabrics will suit you everyday, with brands such as Batchi Batcha, Jardin Bio and Cotonea. You will also find advice to do laundry, choose your lingerie, as well as a blog, “l’arrière-boutique”, dealing with green subjects. Protecting nature while taking good care of your skin, that is the important mission and the contract filled by Fibre Nature.

For more information, visit www.fibrenature.com.

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You’re back from the Foire de Paris and you’ve decided to take on the Slow Attitude? To complete your knowledge, “Ma Maison écologique” brings clear answers to the questions you might have regarding your housekeeping. This book will help you figure out, among other things, which products are really respectful of the environment, how to make them at home or how to save money on your water and electricity bills. Written by Catherine Lavesque, freelance journalist and author of many books on ecology and nature, “Ma Maison écologique” relies on the tricks and experiences of scientist and experts to consume more responsibly, to recycle smartly and live in a healthier environment.

Book “Ma maison écologique”, by Catherine Lavesque. Editions Eyrolles. €12,90.

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Does the expression Slow Attitude ring a bell? It all started in Italy with Slow Food, as a response to fast food restaurants. Its founder, Carlo Petrini, prompts us to take the time to choose our foods, to know them, cook them and savor them. At home, we can go for Slow Design with objects made on the principle of sustainability – often made out of recycled materials – and without the pressure of industrial profit. However, the Slow movement isn’t limited to our homes. Since 2002, a city can be labeled as a Slow City if it dedicates areas to pedestrians, encourages drivers to behave courteously, creates public squares designed for people to meet up and discuss, forbids GMO and fast food restaurants. Slow attitude is a green concept which extols well-being, an ethical and responsible attitude. It is once again put forward at the Foire de Paris to answer the expectations of Europeans who say they are stressed (59%) and those who want to take their time (77%). Relaxing area, yoga, aromatherapy, cooking lessons… many activities prompting us to live slow will be available. About 1,000 brands and exhibitors will also be there to illustrate all the ideas to help you feel good at home, and architects will give free advice to visitors as long as the fair lasts.

Foire de Paris from April 28th to May 8th 2011.
Paris expo – Porte de Versailles
Open everyday from 9 am to 7 pm (until 9 pm on April 29th, May 3rd, 4th and 5th, and until 11 pm on May 6th.)
12 euros full price / 7 euros for children between 7 and 14 / free under 7.
www.foiredeparis.fr