This week on Earth Beat: myth-busting. From leaving TVs on standby and whether flying's worse for the planet than driving cars to finding out if a beefburger is actually greener than its veggie alternative. The truth is out there.

Competition - win a pair of hand-made felted woollen mittens knitted by our editor Michele Ernsting!
To enter you need to 'like' Earth Beat on Facebook or recommend someone new. Just go to our Facebook page and click on the 'like' button. To improve your chances of winning, tell us exactly why you need to have some hand-made felted mittens! Competition closes 1 December 2010.
UPDATE - Due to a great response, we are now offering a runner-up prize of a hand-made book (your choice of a notebook or agenda) lovingly crafted by Earth Beat producer Anik See! Same rules as above, just tell us why you want a book.
 

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Truth or lies?
Apparently there are lies, damn lies and statistics. Then there are also the known knowns, the known unknowns, and the unknown unknowns. And when it comes to the environment there’s even a word for it - greenwash. Comedian Joel Stickley explains a few little-known "facts" about our environment.

Donnachadh responds
Eco auditor Donnachadh McCarthy responds to Joel’s list of myths, explaining that there might even be a grain of truth in one of his more preposterous proposals. Link - 3 Acorns Eco-audits.

TV on standby
Host Marnie Chesterton tests the myth that leaving a TV on standby is energy intensive, using a snazzy little gadget called an energy meter.

Can meat be green?
The UN says the livestock industry accounts for 18 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions - that’s more than any other sector, including transport. Is meat’s carbon footprint so big, we need to stop eating animals to save our own skins? Earth Beat’s Marijke Peters sets out on a quest to find out whether going vegetarian can help save the planet.

More myths from Joel Stickley
Comedian Joel Stickley adds to his list of incredible eco-myths.

Are solar panels a waste of energy?
Ever since solar cells came on the market 30 years ago, the rumour's been that it takes more energy to produce a solar panel than it will ever offset in its 20-30 year lifespan. Earth Beat producer Anik See set out to find the truth from Ruud Schropp, a professor of solar cell research at Utrecht University. Read more on solar cell research here.

Donnachadh responds
Studio guest Donnachadh McCarthy tells Marnie about his solar panels and explains how they can help save energy if you put them in the right place.

The worst way to travel
It’s often said flying is the worst form of travel and that the aviation industry contributes more to global warming than cars ever could. Earth Beat’s Fiona Campbell is planning a trip to Paris – but how to get there? routeRANK website

Donnachadh responds
Eco-adviser Donnachadh McCarthy gives his take on the dark side of flying and talks to Marnie about how all forms of transport could improve their green credentials.

Man vs machine
For those of us who hate to get our hands dirty, the obvious solution is to install a dishwasher. But is it more energy efficient to simply use the kitchen sink? Marnie rolls her sleeves up for a scrubbing session with a stickler for cleaning, Ashleigh Elson.

More eco-myths
Joel Stickley with a final list of eco-myths.

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