Kiwi eco blog in world's top five

Wellington-based eco blog Celsias.com has been named in the top five environmental Internet blogs in the world by Britain's The Times newspaper.

In a list of the 50 top green blogs, the site was placed in the top five "must reads" category.

It was described as "high on posts but low on opinionated comment, making it a great place to read about green issues and make up your own mind".

Celsias.com was founded in late 2005 with the idea of helping companies get into the carbon trading market. But those plans faded, and these days the blog spreads information about the climate change debate.

It also sponsors projects designed to combat climate change.

Director Nick Lewis said he was thrilled by the recognition from The Times. "It took us completely off guard."

The site was getting "some pretty serious traction internationally," he said. "We struggle to think of a country from where we haven't had at least one person visit us.

"This will just help drive home the point that we have a certain amount of following online."

Among the site's directors are former Christchurch mayor Vicki Buck. She was recently named as one of the 50 people who can save the planet from climate change by another British newspaper, The Guardian.

Among plans for Celsias.com is a overhaul of its website, Mr Lewis said. "And we hope to do that using local talent from Wellington."