We'd like to introduce you to a site we like a lot - you might have met it already. It's called Do The Green Thing and it's here to tackle climate change with creativity, and lots of it. 

Do The Green Thing is a public service that inspires people to lead a greener life. It's been around since 2007, reaching 205 countries, attracting 57,756 stories from people like you and saving over 14.92m kgs of CO2 so far. 

So how exactly do you Do The Green Thing?

Well, it's easy. Green Thing gives you seven things you can do to lead a greener life:

1) Walk the walk

Yes, it's all about using your own built-in mode of transport to get around.

"You don't get buns of steel sitting behind the wheel." 

2) All-consuming

This one's about using every last drop of your shampoo/washing up liquid/raspberry jam before you go skipping off to buy some more.

"Be a total user not a complete waster."

4) Easy on the meat

Maybe it's having a meat-free Monday, or saving steak for special occasions - you can do it any way you like. 

"One meat-eater on a bicycle makes more CO2 than a Hummer." Ouch.

5) Human heat

We're all in favour of anything that saves CO2 *and* involves cuddling. This one's about turning the heating down and insulating yourself in a cosy jumper (or a bear hug) instead. 

Did you know "Your body is equivalent to a 100 Watt heater" ? 

6) Plug out

Or "Turn off those sucking machines."

This one is so very easy to do. All you have to do is turn off what you're not using. Er - that's it. 

7) Stick with what you got

This one gets you saving money and CO2 by loving what you have instead of pouncing on the newest model. Resist the ads!

"Buy less of what you don't really need." 

Anyone can join Facebook later this month to find 5 products that put its 'Creativity vs. Climate Change' philosophy into practice. Get involved by becoming a fan of Do The Green Thing here

Tagged in Do The Green Thing, Guest Post

Tonight social media geeks will be eagerly assembling at to help us create the best site possible for all the Leapsters out there. (The fact that we’re supplying free beer, wine dominoes pizza is just merely a coincidence.)

Tagged in Leap HQ, Geeks

Albert Einstein once said that “if the bee disappears from the surface of the earth, man would have no more than four years to live. No more bees, no more pollination … no more men!”

Lets face it, Albert didn't get many things wrong in his life. His opinion on bees is pretty well founded: the humble honey bee is the main pollinators of all our crops. The worrying thing is their numbers have declined drastically in recent years. 

So what is Plan Bee?

Many people think that bees are struggling to survive due to our increased use of pesticides. So make sure when gardening you avoid the use of nasty chemicals. If you want to go further you can email the government and ask them to carry out a review on the effects of pesticides on these amazing insects.

Want to find out more? Well there is great documentary film on the subject called 'The Vanishing of the Bees' [sounds like a 1970s horror film: it isn't]. Greenpeace, the WWF and the Co-Operative are also all campaigning on this issue, so get involved!

Tagged in bees, ecology, pesticides, News,

This year, to mark International Women's Day, we invited Ugandan Women’s Rights Activist, Judith Adokorach, to London, to share the experiences of women in northern Uganda, which experienced many years of violent conflict.  

On Monday night, Judith spoke at CARE’s event in Southwark. She highlighted her personal motivations for working on women’s rights – her narrow escape from abduction by armed men as a school girl, and her subsequent work, campaigning for better protection from violence for women, and increased support for survivors of sexual violence, including access to justice.

Judith said: “Women’s voices are often silenced in places such as Uganda, and I am happy that I have been able to raise the voices at an international level.We need to ensure that we raise these issues, and continue the struggle, every day, not just on International Women’s Day.”  

In Uganda, recent government research suggests that 60-70% of women have experienced violence.  During the conflict, women faced rape, physical assault, kidnap, torture and mutilation.  Since the peace accords were signed in 2006, violence against women has unfortunately remained high.  Women face violence in their communities and in their homes.  Perpetrators are not brought to justice, social stigma prevents women from speaking out, and the violence that has risen during conflict permeates post-conflict society. CARE is calling on all political parties to put women at the heart of their foreign policy priorities.  This includes:

• Putting services for women at the centre of all action against rape in war. 
• Prioritising rape survivors’ rights and needs in efforts to promote justice.  
• Making the UN system accountable to women.   
• Addressing the root causes of violence against women.

Words by Lee Webster, Campaigns Manager @ Care International UK. 

Tagged in Guest Blog, Inspiration, Campaigns

We love inspiring stories and actions at Leap. 

So here's a great and extraordinary one to start your morning off. Today Christine Bleakly is going to ski water (yes that's right) across the channel. Sounds fun, right? Well she's never done anything like this before and now has to embark on a journey across the icy waters of the English Channel. 

As we mentioned before, people are doing amazing things like this for Sport Relief who raise money for poor and vulnerable people across the UK and for the worlds poorest countries. 

So why not take part and rise to the Sport Relief challenge or just simply donate.

Your actions could really help make a difference. 

Tagged in Inspiration, Christine Bleakly, Sport Relief

Sad and worrying news in today’s Metro, that almost 500 English species have now become extinct in the past 2,000 years. A new study published by Natural England published a study has shown most have disappeared more recently in the last 200 years, which have included the lynx, bears, wolves, the short-haired bumblebee and mouse-eared bat. The study has warned that 1,000 other species, including the leatherback turtle, and pine martin are under threat.

It seems most species have disappeared because of land management changes – industrialization of farming, habit loss, persecution and pollution. Dr Tom Tew from Natural England said that the government should step in and spend up to £800 million a year on conservation – 50 times more than what they are spending now. 

Do something! 

While this seems like an impossible amount for the government to cough up, and perhaps an unlikely amount, then there are plenty of Leaps you can do to help make a difference:

Short on time?

If you don't have much time to spare why not donate money simply by clicking your mouse? With every click.com - When 10% of the internet searches in the UK are carried out on Everyclick, WWF wil raise £211,000 for charity every day, that's over £77million per year!

Commitment Shy?

If you're a bit commitment-phobic when it comes to volunteering then GO London offer one off opportunities that you can fit in around your own schedule. You can volunteer on city farms, help clear rubbish from parks, cemeteries and river banks, and even learn some ancient environmental skills like coppicing. 

Have a dinner party! 

No need to run, no need to jump from a plane or shave your head. Just enjoy a meal with your friends! Host a dinner party for International Animal Rescue and dinner4good will send out the invites and set up a donation page, so all you have to do is decide what to cook! 

Tagged in news, Inspiration

What would you think if your boss said: "Ok, you get paid 5 days off per year to volunteer, we encourage you to use them."

It could happen sooner than you think.  Then again, maybe it won't.

Our pal Damien over at the volunteering portal Timebank posted on their blog about the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NVCO) Manifesto calling for all companies to give 5 days off to their staff each year. 

My thoughts:

V interesting. More than anything 5 days sends an unequivocal signal to working Britain that volunteering should be front of mind.  The immediate next question is "Sounds interesting, any ideas about what to do for 5 days!?"  That's where the problem comes in.  

If Simple were a suburb on a map, the village of Volunteering would be on the other side of the planet.  They aren't even remotely close to each other.  So how can we expect hard-working and busy Britains to find something to do for not one, but five days?  A 6-8 week process to complete your Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) check, difficult to schedule orientation meetings and long-term time commitments make volunteering harder than sussing out a Rubik's Cube. 

Rant over.  Deep breath. 

We couldn't agree more about wanting more people doing more good. It's good for individuals. It's good for Society. But it's GOT TO BE more simple, more about the fun, less hassle. 

We've posted some more here on our blog about a new wave of volunteering.

Thanks for the post Damien and let's keep thinking about simplifying doing good NVCO.

Tagged in news

Here's another member of the creative Leap team. (He's also one of the best shredders out there, you know.) 

Tagged in Leap HQ, leap anywhere, leap team, Having fun doing good, creative

A lack of trust in the NHS means that black and Asian people are being put off from donating blood believing their DNA will be used by police. The African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust has found that people believe that if they give a DNA sample it will be added to the national DNA database. 

Of the 16.9 people registered on the NHS Organ Donor Register only 1.2% are from Asian communities, and 0.4% are from black communities. Organ and blood donors are always urgently needed especially as figures show that 1,521 Asians and 779 members of the black community need a transplant. Finding a bone marrow match is notoriously rare, and the trusts founder, Beverly De-Gale states “You are more likely to find a match in someone with the same background.”

De-Gale also added that 'People don't trust the system'. As well as a lack of trust there is clearly a lack of clear information being given about being a donor. 

If you want to find out more about giving blood and organ donations visit http://www.blood.co.uk and http://www.organdonation.nhs.uk

Tagged in news, Campaigns, NHS, organ donation

Oxfam could look set to receive £300,000 after Nicholas Newliffe left his estate to charity after passing away last year.

Newliffe, from Kidlington Oxfordshire, also had stakes on tennis and cricket matches running until 2020. If Fedderer wins Wilbedon in June, Oxfam could gain £100,000.

A spokesperson for the charity, speaking to The Metro said, “This case proves legacies can come in all shapes and sizes.” The bets, which were placed from 2000 to 2005 have so far won the charity £16,750. 

Tagged in news, charity, oxfam

At Leap, we've rounded up the top 10 charity events in London this week that offer fun things to do good. From comedy to clubbing, from ball's to benefits we've got it covered. 

Monday 8th March 

Women’s International Day at Amnesty International Part of the Amnesty International Media Awards programme of free events, an evening of speakers discussing women’s portrayal in the media today. 

Funny Women Stand Up Featuring Dead Ringers star Jan Ravens, Shazia Mirza these gunny women are standing up not just for comedy but also for a good cause.

Tuesday 9th March 

Fat Tuesday Comedy Club Birthday It’s Fat Tuesday 5th birthday and to celebrate they are having one mad comedy show with loads of amazing acts, special guests and general comedy madness. 

Wednesday 10th March

Seeds of Peace Market Join 1,000 remarkable friends and celebrities as the Peace Market transforms M2 into a market offering tastes, scents, sounds, and art from the Middle East and South Asia. 

Private Tour of Hampton Court Palace Join the British Red Cross for a private tour of Hampton Court Palace, by the chaplain of the Chapel Royal, followed by a thai buffet lunch in the private rooms of the Chapel Royal Choir.

Thursday 11th March 

12 x 12 @ Red Bull Music Academy '12 x 12' brings together 12 heavyweight producers with their 12 seminal London anthems. Each will be playing for 12 minutes - celebrating those 12 inch records that changed modern music forever - From Planet Rock to Voodoo Ray, Blue Monday to Back 2 Life. 

Oxfam Outreach We ask Outreachers to campaign with us for at least three events during the year, and in return we arm you with the knowledge, equipment and opportunity to join the fight for an end to poverty! 

Friday 12th March 

Live Art A charity fundraiser for Hope For Children, celebrating up and coming artists offerin people a chance to buy their work and watch them in action. Over the next month a collection of highly talented artists will be creating works of art for Hope For Children.

Saturday 13th March 

The Variety Club Annual Dinner and Ball Variety Club’s 58th flagship Annual Dinner and Ball to be held at the London Hilton on Park Lane in March welcomes International star Dionne Warwick, who will be performing some of her greatest hits supported by members of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.  

Retro Spective Retro Events presents an evening to remember at The Sterling Bar in The Gherkin Tower. This event is raising money for the "Art Of Living" School in the Dharavi Slums in Bombay (the slums featured in Slumdog Millionaire and recent Ch4 Documentaries) Tickets £15. All profits go to charity.

Tagged in Events, Campaigns, Cool things to do, fun things to do in london, London life

I bet you're wondering just what goes on at Leap, who works there and what we do. Well wonder no more as we give you a glimpse at the people who make up the team and what they think about Leap. Enjoy! 

Tagged in Leap HQ