Nothing says I love you like loving the planet

A Greenpeace climate-friendly Valentines Guide (mostly)

My friend Hugo recently noted "it's Valentine's Day, and the very idea of the depressingly rampant commercialism around it all makes me want to gouge my eyes out with a rusty spoon...". And he used to work in advertising. So this got me thinking about all the red and/or fluffy tat currently littering the high street. Not that I have ever been showered with such absurd gifts - no man would dare. But someone out there must be buying this stuff, and it needn't be that way.

If you are staring down the next 24 hours without a clue what to do for your lover on Valentine's day, I'm offering up some guidance that is loving towards the planet, and will put a spark in your day - the rest of the year is up to you.


1. What your lover really wants does not come from a shop. And all that useless tat that will be thrown out by Easter means energy and resources wasted, and often flown all the way from China. Be creative, I know you can do it, offer a massage, create a card, use your imagination.

2. Forget the fossil fuel based lubricants like petroleum jelly! No need to screw the planet today or any day.

3. Make love with the lights out. Candles are more romantic after all.

4. The only thing you should spend money on is organic chocolate - and lots of it. (I know that isn't helping the climate but it must be said.)

5. Pass on the flowers flown in from Africa. There are beautiful potted bulbs of crocuses, daffodils, and snow drops this time of year and they will last longer.

6. If you're going to make a weekend of it, skip the short haul flights and opt for a romantic train ride and B&B in the country-side. With the weather we're having it will even feel like an exotic destination.

7. Make an organic dinner for two. Check where your produce comes from as well, is it all grown in the UK? Can you avoid fruit and veg flown in from the four corners?

8. Solar battery charger for those um… romantic "accessories".

9. If you want to splurge, get a tandem and spend all summer cycling together.

10. Sometimes humour is the best way to the heart, and sending a Mr Splashy Pants e-card will definitely make an impression if you're still caught out for ideas.

I hope you can find some inspiration in these ideas, and I would love to hear your own. You can add a comment below and share your own ideas for a planet-loving Valentine's Day.