Just as the Gaypride and the Technoparade, why the Ecology would not be celebrated? After all, why in the world would environmentalism necessarily rhyme with pessimism? This is what underlines the Collectif Appel de la Jeunesse, an association created in 2009, by setting the first Greenpride. Happy Ecology could be a good way to tackle the main issues combining health and environment… In any case, we want to believe it! So, it will take place on Sunday October 23, 2011. Among the key events there will be a brunch organized in partnership with organic producers from Ile-de-France at la Villettte Enchantée, the brand new spot of the parc de la Villette. There will be also a carnival parade, eco-designed, everywhere in Paris, with Greenpeace and GoodPlanet, and pop-rock concerts at the Trianon. Who said that Ecology was boring?

More: Between November 7 and December 16, 2011, meetings and debates on environmental and health issues are organized in the Paris area colleges and business schools (Sciences-Po, Dauphine, ESSEC …). They will be led by researchers, scientists and so on.

The Greenpride will take place on Sunday October 23, 2011.

For further any informations, go on : www.greenpride.me

See other good plans on the blog of the Gavarni Hotel.

The association of Greenpeace GMOs detectives has made a list with almost 180 stores (large, medium and small stores) that sell products containing GMOs, listed by French department. Major brands such as Leclerc, Carrefour, Auchan and Monoprix are mentioned, but there are also grocery stores and supermarkets such as Tang Freres.

Each visitor is invited to identify a new contaminated store which is not yet part of the list compiled by Greenpeace. A letter is downloadable to encourage the stores to remove all GMO products from their shelves.

A lengthy process but that works. The website offers a second list, this time, decontaminated stores, where products containing GMOs have been withdrawn from sale. A small victory but it may expand if everyone works at his level.

The illusory nature of modern life and the consumer society is becoming increasingly apparent. International affairs keep on making the same point. Once again, the environmental and humanitarian advocates at Greenpeace have raised public awareness, this time with Cosmetox, their guide to the use of industrial chemicals and beauty products.

In an era where appearances and superficial beauty are everything, it seems that consumers are capable of forgetting that they regularly use toxic substances – in everyday products. Toothpaste, makeup remover, shampoo, shower gel, babycare products, makeup and perfume all come under scrutiny. Brands and manufacturers are awarded good or bad marks accordingly. Despite its fun approach, this guide has the serious aim of enabling readers to become aware of the potential danger if nothing is done to prevent cosmetics multinationals from using synthetic and chemical substances as they see fit. For instance, readers discover that some substances are used to add smell, colour or taste to products like toothpaste and lip balm. Potential dangers include a damaged immune system, breast cancer, decreased fertility for both women and men, as well as other growth and development anomalies.

Cosmetox is certainly disquieting. Being confronted with reality in this way may be unpleasant, but at the end of the day only we can respond, by consuming better and less. Making more informed choices will certainly enable us to improve our health and protect the environment - these substances are major polluters, too.

Greenpeace
22, rue des Rasselins
75020 Paris
France
T. : +33.1.44.64.02.02

With the Christmas season upon us, you’re bound to be making a trip or two to your local grocer’s or the nearest superstore – there’s all the traditional ingredients for the family Christmas dinner to be bought. This has provided Greenpeace with the opportunity to publish two guides giving details of genetically modified consumer products. The Gavarni is pleased to review these two vital guides for your next shopping expedition.

Greenpeace’s GM no GM shopper’s guide
This fun, easy-to-use guide comes in notebook form so it can be slipped into your pocket as the perfect companion over the coming months. The guide features excellently designed sections identified by tabs which correspond to the different sections in a supermarket. Greenpeace is opposed to open-field GM crops because of the high risk of contamination of the food chain and the environment. It’s important for us to take a stand as citizens, express our point of view and our wishes to government and to the EU.

The “GM-no GM” Christmas shopping guide
This has been the key theme of Greenpeace’s Christmas consumer awareness campaign. The idea is to make your traditional Christmas bird, foie gras and iced yule log purchases completely GM-free. Christmas shopping is a great opportunity for choosing environmentally-friendly, healthy products. To receive your copy of the guide – very handy in the run-up to Christmas – send a stamped addressed envelope to Greenpeace and they’ll send you a copy of this mine of information in return.

Greenpeace
22, rue des Rasselins
75020 Paris
France
http://blog.greenpeace.fr