Biofuels are derived from living matter and the waste it produces. Fossil fuels come from matter that was deposited millions of years ago in the earth (land or sea bed). The crops developed for biofuels absorb carbon as they grow which offsets the CO2 emitted into the atmosphere when the plant matter is burned. On the other hand the matter used for fossil fuels harbors carbon that has been stored for millennia which is released as CO2 when burned.

There are two ways plant energy (captured by the process of photosynthesis) can be converted into biofuels. The first is by fermenting plants such as corn, sugar and wheat to produce an alcohol called bio-ethanol. The fermenting process is similar to that used to make wine. This is then usually mixed with petrol before use.

The second way is to use vegetable oils, from say soyabean or palm plants, by heating and reducing the oil's thickness. This can then be used as engine fuel. These vegetable oils can also be put through a chemical process called transertification to produce biodiesel.

On the peripherary the biofuel approach appears to be carbon neutral and clean. Though it is a better alternative to fossil fuel, unfortunately the energy return on energy invested is very low and the carbon footprint very high compared to alternative energy derivatives such as solar or wind power.

Human rights charity, Oxfam, have launched a series of short films collectively titled ‘Sisters on the Planet'. Each film follows one of four women who offer their perspective on climate change from separate corners of the globe. Muriel's story follows a Brazilian Environmental Minister on her passionate endeavours to get all people to take responsibility for the devastating effects climate change is having across the globe.

Sahena's story follows a woman from Bangladesh who is leading efforts in her community to deal with the monsoon rains, which are getting more unpredictable every year.

Melissa's story is about a British journalist turned primary school teacher who is educating children on what's really happening with our changing climate, empowering them to voice their concerns and take action.

Martina's story follows a mother from Uganda with her struggle to feed her children because of the increasingly unreliable weather patterns. "The climate is so unpredictable now. If the rains do come they can be destructive. Last year we had bad floods here that destroyed our crops," her voice dubbed over a shot of the cracked desert ground she is walking on. "Some people in the village are being accused of putting a curse on the rain. But is it really the people here who are damaging the rain patterns and climate?"

And here lies the unavoidable reality of our global environmental dilemma - the poor people are suffering from the actions of the rich. Watching these films it's hard to avoid the reality that climate change is effecting poor women and children in the developing countries more than any one else. It may just be up to the natural nurturing prowess of the women of the world to rally compassion amongst non-believers and non-doers if we have a chance at turning these harsh realities around.

You can order your DVD copy of these films by visiting the Oxfam website. The pack provides a list of pledges that you can make to join others across the globe in tackling climate change.

Most of us don't like the idea of them. But do most of us really know what's bad about them?

Pesticides are poisonous. They rid crops of pests by killing or preventing animals and insects from eating and destroying the plants. They are not exactly pro life.

The Soil Association restricts certified organic farmers to using seven specific pesticides, which are either of natural origin or simple chemical products and must only be used as a last resort. Over 300 pesticides can be used in non-organic farming and unfortunately there are no laws that force farmers or manufacturers to tell us what chemicals they use on food and other plant derived goods.

The residue of pesticides, such as Chlormequat and Organiophosphates, have been found on non-organic food. The chemical substances that make up many pesticides have been linked to cancer, birth defects, nerve damage, behavioural disorders and infertility.

The fact is pesticides do remain on the food we eat. Sometimes no amount of scrubbing and peeling will remove residue. There is no guarantee that pesticides are evenly distributed over crops and even if we could measure every piece of vegetable and fruit it's impossible to know the levels of each type of chemical we're actually ingesting and the amount built up in the body over time.

'I buy lamb from my local farmers' market because it has such a strong and delicious natural flavour that I never need to add much else to it.'

‘I stopped buying soya based products because I heard how bad soya crops are for the land.'

‘I'd rather buy one expensive item of clothing from my favourite boutique than ten cheap tops from a high street chain.'

‘I refuse to eat out of season organic apples that have travelled half way around the world just so I can make apple pie in spring.'

If it is a choice between buying produce that is local or organic, both or neither, which do you choose and why? Is it a matter of health, saving money, supporting your community, personal ethics, concern for the environment, quality or flavour? Does it depend on the product or foodstuff you are purchasing?

What are your shopping values?

Send us your comments - we'd love to hear the motivations behind your purchasing decisions.

Is adding more packaging to abide by organic regulations a contradiction of eco-ethics or a higher standard of organic excellence? The answer could be both, depending on the product, so it's important to understand when packaging is necessary and when it is not.

Pre packed organic products ensures the produce arrives to us untouched from the farmer and packer who hold the organic licence. It's also a good way for supermarkets to keep non-organic and certified produce from being mixed up.

For some of us, ensuring that what we eat is free from pesticides and unnatural enhancers is at the top of our list when making a purchase. For others, packaging is an increasing concern where evidence is mounting to suggest that plastics made from petroleum, phthalates, bisphenol and hormone-altering substances, can seep into the packaged contents.

Another consideration is that even though an increasing amount of materials we use for packaging can be recycled the waste produced and the energy used during the recycling process has an effect on the environment.

An alternative to buying packaged organic goods is to visit your local farmers markets, or use one of the growing numbers of box schemes. You can also reuse carry bags and egg crates, take your own bags and find shops that refill bottles like Ecover's cleaning range, which shoppers can replenish at selected retail outlets (SoOrganic's Greenwich store being one of them).