Dan Germain

global warming - the truth

three questions

First question – why are there so many books about how we should all lead more sustainable lives? Shouldn't rule one be "write/buy fewer books because they're made out of paper"?

And I know lots of these books are printed on recycled paper or stock from FSC sources, but still, isn't there a smarter way of telling people that you're green? If so, what is it?

Second question – do you know a good place to get cheap Polaroid film? I hear they've stopped making it and want to stock up. And I've tried eBay (they have some but the supply is a little sporadic/transatlantic). Anywhere else I should be looking?

Third question – should I put the tomato plants outside yet? This mini cold snap has go me confused.

ACME climate action

Nice film. The book/box/pack should be interesting. It's something to do with my friend Marcel, with the big hair.

the green marketing manifesto

Hello. I am linking to John Grant's new book, entitled 'The Green Marketing Manifesto', for two reasons.

1. John is a nice chap who has helped us out at innocent in the past.
2. He says that he will send a free copy of the book to the first 50 people who link to it, and I would quite like to read it and share it round at work.

And that's it.

save yourself £600

For those who couldn't afford £600 to go to the Applied Green conference the other day, here's something from the people at Thoughtful.

We recently attended the Applied Green conference organised by Haymarket. Everyone at Thoughtful would have liked to have attended such an important event, with such notable speakers, but the ticket price meant we had to draw straws – James won.

So everyone didn't miss out, James took with him a small camera and an ipod to record some of the speakers just for everyone back at the studio.

And, being Thoughtful we'd thought it was a good idea to share these talks with other people who couldn't attend.

Of course, we wouldn't do this without the permission of the speakers themselves – and we're pleased to say, everyone thinks it's a great idea, and is very happy to have their talk blogged.

There's plenty of coughing and hissing on these recordings (the hissing is down to our basic kit, not an angry audience), so we'd suggest plugging in a set of headphones to listen to them. And, if you want to read a transcript of these talks, several of the speakers have already posted them on their own blogs.

Here's a link:

http://wearethoughtful.com/AP.html

I'd just like to add that the people from Thoughtful often send me interesting ideas and thoughts. They are indeed very thoughtful.

photo from FreeDigitalPhotos.net

paint to save the planet

Very clever.

would you like some new shoes?

Some people from Terra Plana sent me over some shoes a few weeks ago. Read more about them on their site - they're made out of all sorts of recycled materials and look smart to boot.

Like a girl, I already have too many pairs of shoes, so I thought I'd give these ones away. They've never been worn, are a UK size 12 (Euro 46) and ready to cause a fashion sensation on your street. Oh yes.

I'll send them to the person who gives me the best reason for needing/wanting them.

in the country

Keen readers may be bored of the fact that I moved out of London a little while ago. Although the early mornings are a bit of a pain (up at 6, in at work by 7.30), I am enjoying the fact that we now have a garden. We've planted courgettes, lettuces, runner beans and this morning potted some tomato seedlings. It was a pretty fine way to start a Sunday.

Gardening seems to be one of those mindless things that helps your brain fly off in all sorts of directions (a bit like running or driving), so I find myself having all sorts of ideas about work and writing and creativity and all of that rubbish while I'm doing it. I guess this is a good thing.

PS for those of you who heard about the floods and then immediately thought "I wonder if Dan is OK in the countryside?" don't worry. The garage flooded a bit and we had to chuck a couple of boxes of junk away, but there was no indoor carpet damage.

stickers by provokateur

The Acme Campaign Kit (Global Warming Edition) is made by Provokateur. My old old friend Marcel, who did all of our innocent design in the early days, is working there and sent me over one such kit.

Stick these ones on those daft outdoor heaters.

I like "That's All Folks!" too.

a book to help you save the planet

Call me a latecomer, but I bought this at the Design Museum the other day. Originally published in 2002 and updated last year, it's "a complete guide to beautifully conceived, ecologically sensitive and consumer-friendly furniture and objects for everyday use". In other words, it should help us kit out the office without screwing the planet.