NIMBYs in New York

Wired on the campaigners against New York state's plans for windmills. They seem to be concerned about the values of their property without thinking about how real estate prices will plummet when New York becomes the land of the constant blackout.

Technorati tag: Windmill, NIMBY

The return of the population timebomb

Professor Chris Rapley, the head of the UK's Antarctic research agency, says that the growing global population is one of the biggest problems facing the environment. He has named the issue the "Cinderella" issue of the eco debate.

"If we believe that the size of the human [ecological] 'footprint' is a serious problem, and there is much evidence for this," he writes, "then a rational view would be that along with a raft of measures to reduce the footprint per person, the issue of population management must be addressed."

A number of studies suggest that humankind is consuming the Earth's resources at an unsustainably fast rate.

Even so, the issue of population is hardly ever discussed at environmental summits or raised by green lobby groups.

Technorati tag: Population, Resources

Sea Solar Power- tapping the oceans' temperature gradients

Sea Solar Power Inc. (SSP) is developing a solar power technology that uses a reverse refrigeration cycle to harness the solar energy stored in the sea by tapping the thermal gradient that exists naturally between the surface and deep waters. This temperature difference between surface water and that at 3000 feet in tropical oceans is sufficient to operate vapor turbines, which drive generators to produce electricity, with fresh water as a byproduct. SSP, run by three generations of the Anderson family, has been working on the technology since 1962.

via Slashdot

Technorati tag: Solar Power, Sea

The end of cheap waste

Peter Jones, a director of Biffa- Britain's largest waste handling company, says that tighter EU recycling laws and higher landfill taxes will cost up to £8bn within years.

"The days of chucking waste into holes in the ground are over and the future is hi-tech, efficient, but fiendishly expensive. Instead of chucking 75% of everything we have finished with down a hole for about £12 a tonne, within a few years very little will be landfilled and that will cost two or three times what it costs now. We expect it to cost Britain £5-8bn to deliver an 80% diversion from landfill. Everyone is in for a rude shock."

Efficient and fiendishly expensive? I can't help thinking he's missing a bit of joined up thinking and hasn't considered the money making potential of closing the manufacturing cycle with recycling.

Technorati tag: Waste, Recycling

Warm weather 'to boost food bugs'

Almost a crossover with Digest here-

Britain could see a dramatic increase in food poisoning cases and waterborne disease as the warmer, wetter weather linked to climate change takes hold.

Hotter summers could lead to more salmonella cases as people opt for more barbecues but leave food out of the fridge, Professor Paul Hunter warned.

Heavy rain may also lead to more cases of diarrhoea-inducing cryptosporidium.

The University of East Anglia expert said Britain may also see some malaria cases - but is likely to cope.

Not what I'd consider the most pertinent factor of global warming, more of a worrisome side effect.

Technorati tag: Global Warming, Food Poisoning

Solar Tower

Whilst looking for stats on the CIS Tower's photovoltaic refit I found this CIS siteabout the project.

Technorati tag: Solar Power, CIS Tower, Manchester, Photovoltaic

Manchester's first biodiesel service station

The first service station in the country to sell only biodiesel opened yesterday on Fairfield Street, near Piccadilly Station in Manchester. It was set up by a co-operative of Manchester motorists keen to promote the new energy source.

Technorati tag: Biodiesel, Manchester

Peter Hain walks the talk

Peter Hain, the secretary of state for Northern Ireland, and the secretary of state for Wales has taken advantage of a government grant to install photovoltaic panels on his constituency home.

"I decided to put my money where my mouth is. It's not cheap." Mr Hain and his businesswoman wife, Elizabeth Haywood, paid £8,000 - with another £8,000 coming from the grant - to place photovoltaic panels on the roof of the barn conversion they refurbished in the summer.

He hopes the investment will eventually pay for itself. Any surplus electricity generated is sold back to the national grid.

"When we are not using it, when we are away, then it generates electricity which goes back to the grid. So we save on our bills when we are at home, and when we are not at home it basically goes back to the grid and we get paid for it," he added.

It's also good to see that the Welsh Assembly's attitude to nuclear is more sensible- there is not yet a case for it because energy saving and more cost effective renewable sources should be utilised first.

Technorati tag: Solar power, Photovoltaic, Peter Hain, Wales

Top Ten Green Energy Schemes

The Department of Trade and Industry has named ten schemes which began last year that show the way ahead in cutting carbon emissions and promoting renewable energy. They include offshore turbines in Kent, a wave buoy in Cornwall and the solar-panelling of the CIS tower in Manchester.

Technorati tag: Renewable Energy

Jatropha powered Le Mans

D1 Oils, previously mentioned as a top supplier of Jatropha curcas tree based biodiesels, is set to enter a car in the 2006 Le Mans 24 hours. The top speed from the modified Volkswagen engine is 200mph, compared to 215mph for petrol engines, but the team are counting on the greater efficiency meaning fewer fuelling stops.

D1 chief executive Philip Wood said apart from winning the coveted Le Mans gold trophy, the team's other objective is to test the performance, fuel efficiency and emissions produced by different biodiesel blends during the trials.

"This is about demonstrating that low emissions don't mean low performance," he said.

"It is going to be of immense value to motorists who want to know that biodiesel will get them the mileage and performance they need while contributing less to global warming."

via Foursprung and Jalopnik

Technorati tag: biodiesel, Jatropha, Le Mans

Energy from Waste

Enviropundit has a selection of links on the subject.

Technorati tag: Energy, Waste

Stealing energy from passing traffic

If I lived on a busy through road I'd definitely want one of these outside my house. A metal ramp is moved by vehicles passing over it and generates electricity. Tests have shown that they can generate between 5 and 50kW depending on the weight of the vehicle passing over them.

We discussed this and, strictly, it's reducing the efficiency of the cars by stealing kinetic energy generated by their engines. However the generation of that energy is producing pollution in the neighbourhood, so the drivers should pay a little back. The best locations would obviously be roads that are already due to have speed bumps installed, making the traffic calming pay for itself.

Technorati tag: Traffic, Speed bump

Welsh wave power

West Dale Bay near Milford Haven is to get a rather appropriately named Wave Dragon tidal power station.

The floating units are moored to the sea bed but are able to adjust their position to the on-coming wave direction.

Water is channelled into a reservoir above sea level. It is then released through a number of turbines to generate electricity in the same way as hydro-electric power plants work.

Technorati tag: Wave Power, Tidal Power, Wales

D1 Oils and Jatropha biodiesel

Another link I found whilst surfing the Co-op's intranet.

D1 Oils want to generate biodiesel from the seeds of the jatropha tree, a hardy shrub that can be grown all over the developing world.

Because it requires minimal rainfall, jatropha can be grown successfully on marginal, degraded, or even desert land. The trees also help prevent soil erosion. In addition to yielding oil for refining into biodiesel and glycerol for use by the cosmetics industry, the residual oil cake is excellent organic fertiliser. Research is underway into alternative uses for the residual seedcake, such as animal feed, briquettes for power generation and nutraceuticals.

Technorati tag: Biodiesel, Jatropha

FTSE4Good

The FTSE4Good Index Series has been designed to measure the performance of companies that meet globally recognised corporate responsibility standards, and to facilitate investment in those companies. Transparent management and criteria alongside the FTSE brand make FTSE4Good the index of choice for the creation of Socially Responsible Investment products.

I've been reading up on the Co-op's environmental guidelines on the intranet, which is where I found out about FTSE4Good. I need to find out who to suggest green roofs to in the corporation.

Technorati tag: FTSE, Socially Responsible Investment

Ethanol from Shitake

An enzyme in Shitake mushrooms is particularly efficient at breaking down dead wood into sugars. So scientists are working on an enhanced version of the enzyme to make the production of ethanol more efficient.

Called Xyn11A, the gene carries the instructions that the mushroom uses to make an enzyme known as xylanase. The researchers want to see if a ramped-up version of the gene could be put to work digesting rice hulls or other harvest leftovers.

If enzymes can do that quickly and efficiently in huge vats, or fermenters, at biorefineries, they could help make ethanol and other products a practical alternative to today's petroleum-based fuels, for example. That's according to Charles C. Lee, an ARS research chemist.

via Treehugger

Technorati tag: Biofuel, Shitake

Mapping Pollution from Space

Dutch scientists are putting together remarkable maps showing pollution over Europe and other regions of the globe.

Using the US space agency's Aura satellite, the team can look right down to the troposphere, the lowest part of the atmosphere where we all live.

The Ozone Monitoring Instrument (Omi) and other key equipment on Aura can build a daily picture of air quality.

The pollution maps, which can see detail at the city scale, will be used to identify problem hotspots.

via Warren Ellis

Technorati tag: Pollution

Bush 'isolated in US' on climate

George Bush and his government are now isolated in their own country on climate change, ex-Cabinet minister Stephen Byers has said.

Mr Byers is speaking for the International Climate Change Task Force at the UN summit on the issue.

He said the UK must engage with the US to persuade it to adopt climate change targets once George Bush leaves power.

And the US refusal to agree the Kyoto treaty should not stop other nations agreeing further targets, he said.

Mr Byers argued the US should be encouraged to tackle emissions in other ways before taking on targets at a later date.

Technorati tag: Bush

Cameron vows 'tough' green action

Conservative leader David Cameron has set up a policy group on the environment to pave the way for "tough decisions" on cutting greenhouse gas.

The group, chaired by ex-Environment Secretary John Gummer and environmentalist Zac Goldsmith, will look at "quality of life" issues.

Mr Cameron says he will finalise policies in 18 months' time following the group's recommendations.

Labour said policies, not "platitudes", were needed to help the environment.

Someone in the LAbour party doesn't understand irony.

Technorati tag: Conservative Policy, Environment

The Case Against Clarkson

Earlier this year Jeremy Clarkson received an honorary degree for services to engineering or something. Coming the week after he'd written that he wanted to run over cyclists, presumably because he's jealous that we use the road more effectively than he, there were calls that he shouldn't get the award and a thoroughly deserved flanning.

It's true, the award should be taken off him. But not for the fatwa on cyclists, or the equally dumb comments on environmentalism. No, he should lose the degree because his comments display an appalling lack of understanding of what engineering is, and should be, about.

Engineering is about solving problems, preferably as simply and elegantly as possible. In aesthetic terms a hand built single speed bike is worthy of inclusion in the finest galleries amongst the masters. A Ferrari is that picture of the tennis girl hitching up her skirt.

Levelling the playing field a little, to give cars some chance, the best engineered car of all time has to be the Beetle. There have been more efficient cars, faster cars and (arguably) better looking cars, but none of them is such a simple statement of car-ness in its most basic form (four people and their luggage to their destination as simply and reliably as possible).

Since the Beetle cars have just been getting more complicated. They're not good, innovative engineering any more. The modern auto designer is little more than a hot rodder, forever fiddling with the details and introducing more gimmicks. It's very easy, relatively, to build the sort of super car Clarkson salivates over. The real automotive challenge lies with the sorts of vehicles he mocks, hybrids, Smarts and low energy town cars.

What about the Industrial Revolution, that great age Clarkson likes to hark back to. He'd tell you that the machine age couldn't have started with the sort of health and safety rules that exist nowadays. But that's a non argument, easily ignored. The Industrial Revolution was about increased efficiency. Cheaper products meant more people could afford them and the quality of life rose. Who, these days, are the greatest proponents of increased efficency? You can bet it's not Clarkson's favourite car makers, desperate to sell soft roaders for the school run and condemn a generation to obesity and early heart attacks.

And finally, what would Clarkson's hero Brunel make of all this. Brunel tackled the problems of the day in the most audacious ways he could imagine. He wouldn't be chasing diminishing returns with ever more pointless supercars. He'd be building offshore wind farms or solving congestion by hanging monorails above pedestrianised city centres.

Clarkson glorifies past triumphs of engineering, which isn't such a bad thing. But he can't recognise great contemporary engineering and belittles the area in which the discipline's next great achievements will be made. As such he is doing it great harm and should have his honorary degree rescinded.

Technorati tag: Jeremy Clarkson, Cars

Customers Who Care

The co-op runs a campaign called customers who care, on a different issue every year. For 2006 it's combatting climate change

www.co-operativebank.co.uk/cwc

Technorati tag: EcoHouse

Biodiesel's big bad

Biodiesel could be more carbon intensive than the fossil fuels it replaces. Specifically if it's made from palm oil, the most popular source at present.

Before oil palms, which are small and scrubby, are planted, vast forest trees, containing a much greater store of carbon, must be felled and burnt. Having used up the drier lands, the plantations are moving into the swamp forests, which grow on peat. When they've cut the trees, the planters drain the ground. As the peat dries it oxidises, releasing even more carbon dioxide than the trees. In terms of its impact on both the local and global environments, palm biodiesel is more destructive than crude oil from Nigeria.

Technorati tag: Biodiesel

Scientist hopes for CO2 storage

Mankind's only hope of staving off catastrophic climate change is burying CO2 emissions underground, says the UK's chief scientist.

Sir David King told the BBC carbon capture and storage technology was the only way forward as China and India would inevitably burn their cheap coal.

This would be disastrous unless they were persuaded to put CO2 from power stations into porous rocks, he said.

It is thought carbon capture and storage would add 10-15% to fuel bills.

Technorati tag: Carbon, CO2 Storage

Nations shamed with fossil award at climate talks

In the environmental equivalent of name and shame, countries making what environmental groups call the silliest or most backward comments at climate change talks in Montreal are being awarded toy dump trucks filled with coal.

In a gathering where solar, wind and geothermal power are being touted as ways of saving the planet from global warming, green groups are using the fossil-of-the-day award to take the sting out of talks that aren't making much progress.

Technorati tag: Global Warming, Montreal

'Biggest wind farm' postponed

The planned construction of Wales' biggest wind farm in the Bristol Channel has been postponed for at least two years.

Work on 30 turbines, each 400ft tall, at Scarweather Sands off Porthcawl, was due to start in 2006.

But developers E.ON UK and Energi E2 said on Monday that the project was currently not financially viable.

Technorati tag: Wind Power

Story of a badge

The BBC traces the history of the Nuclear Power? No Thanks! badge

Technorati tag: Nuclear Power

Street level carbon trading

Personal carbon quotas could be one of the ways to cut CO2 emmissions.

Domestic Tradable Quotas are in effect personal allowances to pollute.

In Europe, about 12,000 big companies and institutions already have such allowances, regulated by the EU's Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).

Pollution has become a commodity with a price determined by the market, which will ensure that emissions are cut in as cost-effective a manner as possible.

DTQs would simply extend this concept to the public.

Technorati tag: Carbon trading

Climate change 'will dry Africa'

Two new studies predict that climate change will make dry regions of Africa drier still in the near future.

Computer models of the global climate show the Sahel region and southern Africa drying substantially over the course of this century.

Sahel rainfall declined sharply in the late 20th Century, with droughts responsible for several million deaths.

The research comes just after the latest United Nations summit on climate change opened in Montreal.

with that and the mini Ice Age in the North we're going to end up cramming most of humanity into a thin strip around the Mediterranean and hoping it can support us.

Technorati tag: Climate Change

Science faces 'dangerous times'

Fundamentalism is hampering global efforts to tackle climate change, according to Britain's top scientist.

In his final speech as president of the Royal Society, Lord May of Oxford will say scientists must speak out against the climate change "denial lobby".

He will warn core scientific values are "under serious threat from resurgent fundamentalism, West and East".

Technorati tag: Science, Fundamentalism

US rejects Blair's climate hopes

The US has dismissed a suggestion from UK Prime Minister Tony Blair that it may be prepared to sign up to binding targets to tackle climate change.

Speaking at UN climate talks in Canada, the US chief negotiator said his nation would not enter talks about fixed curbs on emissions of greenhouse gases.

Mr Blair told UK business leaders on Tuesday that he believed all major nations would support new targets.

Is there a way we can do this without them. No malice to the millions of US citizens who are trying to make a difference, but the world will be a better place after their leaders' stupid policies cause the country's economy to collapse and force a low energy rebuild on it.

Technorati tag: Climate Change

'Climate threat badly understood'

Public understanding of climate change and what people can do to help tackle the problem is very weak, the environment secretary has said.

Margaret Beckett was launching a new campaign to persuade people global warming needs to be tackled now.

Under the banner of "Tomorrow's Climate, Today's Challenge", ministers want to recruit local groups to take the message to new audiences.

The government says its usual campaigns will not change public attitudes.

I still reckon you should appeal to peoples' wallets, as the title of How to Save the World for Free alludes to. Let them see a cut in energy bills and then they'll be ready to listen to you about all sorts of other stuff.

Technorati tag: Climate Change

Failing ocean current raises fears of mini ice age

The ocean current that gives western Europe its relatively balmy climate is stuttering, raising fears that it might fail entirely and plunge the continent into a mini ice age.

The dramatic finding comes from a study of ocean circulation in the North Atlantic, which found a 30% reduction in the warm currents that carry water north from the Gulf Stream.

The slow-down, which has long been predicted as a possible consequence of global warming, will give renewed urgency to intergovernmental talks in Montreal, Canada, this week on a successor to the Kyoto Protocol.

For those who laughed, this was the plot to The Day After Tomorrow

Technorati tag: Ice Age, Global Warming

Surreal traffic calming

Oxford based children's author and traffic campaigner Ted Dewan set up a series of art installations in his residential street as traffic calming measures. The "roadwitches" included giant bunnies, a bed for a sleeping policeman and a living room in the middle of the road. Of course, some drivers showed the IQ reducing effects of too long in their smog boxes.

"A driver of a 4x4 didn't so much disapprove - he was too crazed and violent for that. He seemed to be made psychotic by the idea that roads could exist for anything other than him to drive on," he says.

This motorist deliberately drove into pieces of the living room furniture and then called the council to demand that they shift whatever was left lying in the road.

via BoingBoing

Technorati tag: Transport, Traffic calming

Nuclear Blair? No thanks!

Tony Blair's nuclear announcement got the reception it deserved.

Greenpeace protesters have disrupted a speech used by Tony Blair to launch an energy review which could lead to new nuclear power stations in the UK.

Technorati tag: Nuclear Power, Tony Blair is a liar

How much?

Someone on Radio 4 just said that the soon-to-be-proposed new nuclear power stations would need a budget of £17 billion. Even if that's only American billions that's a stupid amount to shell out on a scheme that won't come online for ten years and will still be dangerously polluting (not at the plants, a huge amount of energy is required to mine the fuel and all mines have run-off, can you imagine what a uranium mine leaches into the water supply.)

Technorati tag: Nuclear Power

Greener in Queens

A councilman in the New York suburb of Queens is trying to make it illegal to pave over lawns. Of course the car junkies, who are more interested in parking space than flood risks, don't like the idea.

via Sploid/ Hit & Run

Technorati tag: Green city

Climate summit opens in Montreal

The first United Nations climate conference since the Kyoto agreement came into force in February has opened with the US still resisting targets.

Delegates meeting in the Canadian city of Montreal are to discuss how targets on cutting greenhouse gas emissions over the next seven years will be met.

Thousands of scientists, officials and environmentalists are attending 12 days of talks.

Technorati tag: Kyoto, Montreal

No choice over nuclear - Beckett

Nuclear power may have to be embraced in a bid to combat climate change even though it is not a "sustainable" energy source, Margaret Beckett has admitted.

The environment secretary said she was very reluctant to build new nuclear power stations, but that she had "accepted that it could happen".

But Mrs Beckett said any investment in nuclear must not be at the expense of renewable energy sources.

I don't know. I just think there's a lack of imagination from the Government. They can only think in terms of big fixes, building more power stations to take up the increase in demand rather than thinking about cutting the demand. Higher energy efficiency standards for new homes and increased grants for people installing solar and wind systems should be considered well ahead of building any new nuclear, (clean) coal or oil power stations.

Technorati tag: EcoHouse

Congestion scheme may be extended

Motorists in more areas in the UK could face congestion charges under a pilot scheme announced today.

Speaking at a conference of business leaders, the secretary of state for transport, Alistair Darling said "radical measures" were needed to tackle congestion and he added that he supported the development of a national road pricing scheme.

"One of the biggest threats to economic expansion we face in the next 10 to 15 years is congestion on the roads in our towns and cities," Mr Darling told delegates. "Congestion is bad for business, frustrates motorists and hurts local economies."

Manchester is likely to be one of the areas affected.

Technorati tag: Transport, Congestion Charge

"We need to make nature listen to us."

A special address by President Bush on the environment.

via Screenhead

Technorati tag: Bush

Bicycology

Coming out of the spectacular success of the G8 Bikeride 2005 ("pedalling from London to Scotland") is a bigger, shinier, more ambitious project. We loved working, cycling and demonstrating together so much that we have decided to try to reach more people in a similar way. This time the format is a bike roadshow involving workshops, outreach, climate change awareness, bike maintenance, bike-art, sustainable living, cinema, cafe and street performance. We will cycle to towns around the country linking up with local projects and campaigns to spread the word about all things bike-related.

We are looking for people to join us who feel they have these skills and more. These could be mechanical, artistic, musical, theatrical, educational, environmental, or even bike tricks. Help us push the boundaries of what can be done with using pedal power!

We are also keen to hook up with relevant local projects, so if you have something to offer then get in touch. We are still open to ideas of places to visit, its going to be happening for about month around august...it could be your town!

To get involved contact info@bicycology.org.uk or come to the next meeting in Sheffield in late January/early February.

homepage: http://www.bicycology.org.uk/

via Indymedia

Technorati tag: Cycling

Doom, gloom and profit

A good grasp on global warming could also offer benefits to savvy stock pickers. Businesses well-poised to meet mandates for reducing carbon emissions, developers of alternate energy sources and even forward-looking insurers could conceivably profit from climate-change concern, say analysts and institutional investors who follow climate change.

Technorati tag: Global warming

"We need nuclear like a hole in the head"

Michael Meacher says what I've been thinking about Blair's headlong charge toward new nuclear power stations.

Today Mr Meacher, a champion of renewable energy, said: "I fear that David King has really taken on the role of spin doctor by suggesting that there is no other way by which we can meet our carbon reduction target under the Kyoto protocol."

"That is completely untrue: it certainly can be met if we go down the renewables route."

.....

He said nuclear power was hugely expensive and he pointed to "unresolved" problems over waste. "We need nuclear like a hole in the head," he warned. "The fact is, the 21st century, in the end, is going to be powered by solar."

Technorati tag: Renewable Energy, Nuclear Power, Michael Meacher

Green advisor attacks homes rules

Sir Jonathon Porrit is rightly astounded that John Prescott's home building binge isn't geared toward low energy accomodation. So much good could be done if they could stop being so short sighted about a slight rise in the initial cost and see the massive savings over the lifetime of a house.

Sir Jonathon said the construction industry had been expecting a "major hike" in the levels of energy efficiency they should be building into new homes.

"As a result, something becomes standard and part of the basic business of building a new house costs all start to come down," he said.

Technorati tag: EcoHouse, Housing, Energy conservation

Wired: Hacking the Hybrid Vehicle

Engineers are developing adapter kits for hybrid vehicles that will increase their efficiency to 100 miles per gallon by powering them solely on electricity during short trips.

Today's hybrid vehicles use electricity stored in batteries to assist the gasoline engine in acceleration and to completely power the vehicle while idling or at steady low speeds (generally less than 25 mph). Vehicles such as the Toyota Prius, Honda Civic Hybrid and Ford Escape Hybrid include drive-train management systems that automatically decide when to use the batteries or internal-combustion engine.

Technorati tag: Hybrid, Transport

Greening Manhattan

New York could save $100 million a year just by painting the roofs of skyscrapers white. This and other energy saving options are considered by Worldchanging.

Technorati tag: Energy Efficiency, Green roofs

Carbon footprint

Casa Spinneyhead's carbon footprint is about 3 tonnes, which isn't bad compared to the national household average of 10 tonnes. I think living in a flat and not owning a car probably contributed most to that. (The American average is 19 tonnes!)

via Worldchanging

Technorati tag: Energy consumption

Biodiesel as recycling

Treehugger throws down the challenge, not specifically for the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation but for all, to do really joined up thinking when it comes to adopting biofuels and incorporate recycling rather than just growing stuff specifically to produce fuel. This is what I meant to say at the end of my post about RTFO but forgot to.

Technorati tag: biodiesel, recycling

Climate Camp

With the government failing and unable to take action on the greatest issue facing our planet, climate chaos, we have to create a grass roots solution

A huge camp is being organised to bring people together to:

* provide information on climate change and its causes
* take action against climate change
* share and live practical solutions
* network with other people campaigning on all the aspects of climate change

The camp will be in the North of England next summer, and organisation is starting noe. If you are concerned about crazy weather and want to start taking action - join us!

Everyone is invited to get involved and come to a public meeting 11am - 6pm 14th January at Bridge 5 Mill, 22a Beswick St, Manchester.

Accommodation is available if you contact us in advance. Please also contact us about any access, dietary or creche needs.

For directions to Bridge 5 Mill see www.bridge-5.org/map.htm

Email: climatecamp@yahoo.co.uk

from UK Indymedia

Technorati tag: Climate Change, Activism

Blended wing planes 20% more efficient

Not only do they look futuristic as anything but blended wing plane designs could have 20% lower fuel consumption and be less noisy for the people they passed over because of the engines' placement on top of the wing. NASA engineers believe they are close to overcoming all the stability issues inherent in a blended wing's lack of a tail, using curved flaps along the edge of each wing and rudders on each wingtip and have tested a 5% scale model of the design in a wind tunnel.

Technorati tag: Aeroplane, Blended wing

Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation

Five percent of all motor fuel in the UK should come from biofuels by 2010, says Alistair Darling, a 20-fold increase. Oil companies that sell more than the five percent obligation will be able to sell credits to other companies.

via Jalopnik

Technorati tag: biofuel

All mouth and no recycling

Parliament, not so much teh people as the building itself, is an example of bad environmental behaviour, according to Liberal Democrat environment spokesman Norman Baker.

Water consumption was up by 58% since 1997, electricity by 45% and gas consumption by 34%, he added.

...

The total amount of electricity used in the last financial year available (2002-03) was enough to supply more than 5,000 households - equivalent to a town the size of Newhaven, East Sussex, which is in Mr Baker's Lewes constituency.

Since 1997, water usage had risen by enough to fill 28 Olympic-sized swimming pools, run 875,000 baths, take 2,800,000 five-minute showers, or leave the tap on for 13 years.

Technorati tag: Energy conservation

China plans "eco-cities"

And they're going to be designed by British architects. Arup is likely to sign a deal to work on up to four of the planned eco-cities whilst the Chinese premier is in the UK. As China is probably the fastest growing economy in the world the cities should be a major investment for the future.

[Arup director in charge of the first eco-city, Peter]Head said: 'It is part of a new awareness of the environment by the Chinese government. They realise that with their growing population and economy they have to overcome the problems of environmental pollution and resource depletion.'

Technorati tag: Eco-city, China

11 point plan to reduce car use

Some of these suggestions are less practical than others, but each is plausible to some extent. I think 8 and 11 are particularly do-able.

via Sustainablog

Technorati tag: Transport

Vertical wind turbine increases efficiency

The vcertical wind turbine built by Terra Moya Aqua is, they claim, capable of producing up to 80% more power than propeller turbines. They are also quieter, less dangerous for birds and more compact.

Technorati tag: Wind Power

Smart directions for green ideas

Electro-car public transport and a scheme to track the proper disposal of waste are two of smartest ideas for using satellite-navigation technology.

The applications have just triumphed in an international competition seeking novel ways to employ Galileo, Europe's soon-to-launch sat-nav system.

Technorati tag: Technology, Galileo

Green buildings are worth more

I remember earlier this year reporting back from the homebuilding show that many people found greening their buildings didn't add any value to them. Well, it seems they were wrong. A study lead by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors has found that low energy buildings had added value for their owners.

RICS chief executive Louis Armstrong said: "This research shows that the interests of business and the environment can converge. The property and construction industries have a leading role to play in tackling climate change. This work shows that achieving real environmental benefits can also be profitable."

via Sustainablog

Technorati tag: EcoHouse, Property values

Talks to open on climate change

A two-day meeting of energy and environment ministers from 20 nations opens in London on Tuesday.

The focus will be on curbing climate change through technology rather than binding international agreements.

The British government, which hosts the talks as the current holder of the G8 presidency, may unveil a new domestic initiative on biofuels.

The biofuels initiative is good, but I bet they concentrate on the technological solution of building more nuclear power stations rather than truly innovative stuff like micro-grids or the truly revolutionary move of giving everyone the ability- through solar or mini wind turbines- to reduce their own drain on the power grid.

Technorati tag: G8, Energy

Make your own fuel

A page of links dedicated to making your own fuels. Everything from Hydrogen to biodiesel.

Technorati tag: Bio Fuel

Red Team

The Design Council's Red Project aims to find ways for homes to become less energy intensive and combat climate change.

One third of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions come from residential households. Householders could reduce this by making their houses more efficient, generating their own energy, switching suppliers or simply switching off.

We think people need a bit of well designed help. Bills are confusing, energy use is invisible and installations are tedious.

Our project proposes new products, services and policies to help householders save energy – and reduce C02 emissions.

Here’s our design-for-energy manifesto. We want YOU to take a look and tell us what you think needs to happen.

via WorldChanging

Technorati tag: EcoHouse, Energy Consumption

Biomass energy report criticised

Biomass, which sees crops grown for use as environmentally friendly fuels, should be used to generate heat, a year-long task force study concluded.

But critics say the recommendations do not go far enough as energy suppliers are not required to source a percentage of heating fuel from renewable sources.

Technorati tag: Biomass

Energy Saving Week

It's Energy Saving Week. The theme is "Save your 20%" though that could be tricky given we're already using as little energy as possible.

I'm just off to make sure all the lights have been switched off.

via Treehugger

Technorati tag: Energy Saving

Conspicuous Consumption

Chris Jordan's photos portray the effects of mass consumption. The near abstract piles of crushed cars, discarded phones and unwanted circuit boards have a certain abstract beauty about them, even when you understand the waste and destruction they represent.

Via BoingBoing (I think the increase in traffic is putting a big strain on the server.)

Technorati tag: Waste, Photography

The Blues to get wind powered

Manchester City's stadium will, if plans go ahead, be fully powered by wind, using the country's largest land based turbine, as designed by Sir Norman Foster. They also reckon they'll be able to provide power to 4,000 local homes.

via Treehugger

Technorati tag: Wind Power, Manchester

Rural homes 'the most polluting'

Rural homes are often twice as polluting as those in towns and cities, new figures will show.

A Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) study has found that high-occupancy blocks of flats are more fuel efficient.

Detached houses leak heat and people can afford more gadgets, contributing to the greenhouse effect, it suggests.

This will all change when Mum and dad build their eco-house, just you wait and see. (Oh, okay, it won't really, but their eco-house is going to be excellent in itself.)

Technorati tag: EcoHouse

A bike with all mod cons

The Aerorider is being touted as the ultimate commuter bike, though I reckon the extra width and length would be counter productive (but then I commute along Europe's busiest bus route, perhaps on a normal road you wouldn't have to heft your bike around other vehicles as much). I see it more as the ultimate touring bike instead. In fact it would probably be better with the built in electric motor removed, unless they'll allow it charge a dynamo and/ or solar cells for those multi day rides.

via Treehugger

Technorati tag: Cycles, Electric vehicles

Get out of youir car and breathe

The air quality inside a car is lower than outside, research has concluded. Using an air conditioner doesn't help matters either because it's just recycling the stale air. The best solution is to wind down your windows. Or get out and get on a bike or foot.

via Treehugger

Technorati tag: Pollution, Cars

Gridlock Britain 'chokes economy'

Traffic congestion on UK roads is costing businesses about £20bn a year as productivity is hit by staff arriving late to work.

The number of cars on UK roads has risen by 70% between 1982 and 2003, according to the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE).

This, its latest survey said, has put more pressure on an already creaking transport infrastructure.

ICE is calling on the government to increase funding for transport.

Get on a bike. To be honest, I'm not much earlier to work than if I set off for the bus at the same time, my time saving is on the journey back. But if I set off five minutes later I'm only five minutes later by bike whereas I'm anything up to twenty minutes later by bus because of the rate at which traffic density increases.

Technorati tag: Transport, Congestion

Nuclear power PR campaign debunked

Anti-nuclear activists have replied to advocates of nuclear power with a comprehensively damning report, "Nuclear power - no solution to climate change".

[....]

The report says that a doubling of nuclear power output by 2050 would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by just 5%, while increasing the hazards of potential nuclear accidents, terrorism, nuclear proliferation and the still unsolved problem of waste storage. The report outlines that the solutions to greenhouse gas emissions from energy production lie in energy efficiency and renewable energy generation, such as in wind, bio-energy, solar and tidal power.

Pretty much what I've been saying.

More at Gigajoules

Technorati tag: Nuclear Power

Prize schemes to boost recycling

Prize draws, lotteries and scratch cards, are among a range of schemes to encourage households to recycle their rubbish which are being launched.

Around 50 ideas are being piloted nationwide to find out which most successfully encourage recycling.

Environment minister Ben Bradshaw said the government wanted new ways to encourage the practice and help people "to fit recycling into their lives".

Technorati tag: Recycling

Passive Solar

A good introduction to passive solar heating, in this case highlighting how it can raise the efficiency of greenhouse gardening.

Technorati tag: Passive Solar

Nuclear Future?

What inspired the Government's U-Turn on nuclear power. I used to be pro-nuclear but just looking at the cost of it, irrespective of other issues, it can't be justified any more. For the cost of one nuclear power station the Government could fund enough energy saving schemes to save two power station's worth of requirement (that's a guess, if anyone wants to fund me to find out how close I am I'll take donations).

Technorati tag: Nuclear

Eco City Roundtable

The leaders of more than 20 world cities are meeting in London to swap ideas on combating climate change.

Berlin's investment in solar cells, Mexico City's taxi fleet upgrade, and Toronto's use of lake water cooling for its buildings are all on the agenda.

Technorati tag: Cities, Energy Saving

The greening of Casa Spinneyhead- month 1

One month in to living at the new house and we have taken a few green steps. All the lights are now low energy, and we have Eco Balls-



They're each about the size of a tennis ball and filled with little pellets that make a pleasant rattling sound when shaken. Clare claims to have seen them fizzing in the wash but I have to say I've never looked that closely. Our clothes now smell of nothing, which is nice, and are just as clean as ever. They should last anything up to a thousand washes and save us hundreds of pounds. Find out more at www.ecozone.co.uk.

The house doesn't have recycling bins. There are bottle banks quite close by, but I'm lazy and want to be able to just walk out of the house and throw the bottles into one of the skinny bins like other people on the street can. I've called and asked to have some supplied, but none have turned up and it's possible they won't supply them to blocks of flats, which is annoying. There's a great pile of paper waiting to be shredded and thrown in a bin should one ever arrive.

On the keeping things local front there are four butchers and a fish mongers within walking distance and they all supply quality stuff with the minimum of packaging. There's also a whole food shop in Withington and a number of small grocers. Hopefully we can cut supermarket purchases to a minimum if not stopping them altogether.

We're going to work out another set of targets for this month and announce them as soon as they're decided. Stay tuned.

Technorati tag: Going Green, Casa Spinneyhead

Depolymerisation

The possibility of turning waste into fuel could be one step closer. There have been reports that the pilot plants are experiencing problems, but I'm optimistic.

Technorati tag: Depolymerisation

Two tales of doom

I'll get these out of the way quickly-

Arctic ice is melting at record levels, which could lead to positive feedback for global warming.

Acidic oceans threaten marine food chain. As if the seas didn't have it bad enough already.

Technorati tag: Ocean, Global Warming

The air that I breathe

All things being equal I should be back on my bike and commuting next week. I'll be faster and fitter, but how will my lungs be? Another cyclist has the same question for Umbra at Grist Magazine, and the answer is reassuring.

via Treehugger

Technorati tag: Cycling, Pollution

Selling Sellafield

The government is planning to sell off British Nuclear Group, the main operating arm of BNFL, which handles nuclear generation, reprocessing and clean-up businesses. The most worrying aspect of this sale is some of the bidders- Halliburton and Fluor have only one reputation these days, that of incompetent, thieving Bush cronies. I don't want to see them in charge of anything in this country, let alone anything nuclear.

Technorati tag: Nuclear, Halliburton

Manchester Bobber

It's not anything rude, but a design for a wave power station from Manchester University. The design uses the rise and fall of the water's surface to transmit energy and then generate electricity. They could be mounted on old oil platforms initially to cut roll out costs.

via Worldchanging

Technorati tag: Wave Power

If you drive your car then the hurricanes have won

Something you thought you'd never hear- George Bush telling Americans to drive less. Shame it's only because Katrina and Rita have cut oil production and the Republicans still insist on pushing through tax breaks for oil companies.

"I mean, people just need to recognise that these storms have caused disruption and that if they're able to maybe not drive ... on a trip that's not essential, that would be helpful.

"If it makes sense for the citizen out there to curtail non-essential travel, it darn sure makes sense for federal employees ... We can encourage employees to car pool or use mass transit, and we can shift peak electricity use to off-peak hours. There's ways for the federal government to lead when it comes to conservation,"

Technorati tag: USA, Petrol

Annual weather forecasts

Draft legislation would require the Prime Minister to give annual updateson the UK's progress in cutting greenhouse gases.

Last week, a report from academics at Sussex and Southampton Universities and Imperial College London said that micro-renewables hold great promise, but were fighting on an uneven playing field.

"Our research shows that some basic changes in regulations could make a significant difference," said study leader Dr Jim Watson from Sussex University.

"This is a classic 'chicken and egg' problem that needs some government intervention and up-front investment to achieve a breakthrough."

Technorati tag: Greenhouse gases, Global Warming

Sun Trap

The Sun Trap solar handbag charges onboard batteries that then light up the electroluminescent material inside so keys that have sunk to the bottom can be found more easily.

Technorati tag: Solar, Handbag

No Batteries

The last time I rode my bike after dark the lights (front and back) died because I'd forgotten to charge the batteries because it was Summer. I should have had a set of these. The Goddbye Batteries lights use magnets mounted on the bike's wheels to generate all the electricity needed through induction. The manufacturers claim a 20%reduction in accidents when the lights are used.

via Blue Collar Mountain Biking

Technorati tag: Cycling

How Green is my roof

Two pieces on green roofs for you (that's green as in grass, not just solar or whatever).

City Hippy has a feature on them and Treehugger actually participated in laying one.

Technorati tag: Green Roof

World Solar Challenge

The world's most gruelling solar vehicle race is about to start in Australia.
via Jalopnik

Technorati tag: Transport, Solar car

LIFECar

September 23, 2005 A wholly British partnership yesterday unveiled plans to develop the world’s first environmentally clean sports car, powered by a fuel cell which converts hydrogen into electricity. The partnership is made up of legendary British sports car manufacturer, the Morgan Motor Company, QinetiQ, Cranfield and Oxford Universities, BOC and OSCar. The new vehicle, known as LIFECar, will be ultra quiet and its exhaust systems will produce only water vapour. It promises a clean vehicle combined with sound motoring performance and stylish good looks.

via Jalopnik

Technorati tag: Transport, Hydrogen, Morgan Cars

TIGERS

The Turbo-generator Integrated Gas Energy Recovery System, works in a similar way to an ordinary turbocharger except, instead of using the power from exhaust gases to pump fuel and air in at a higher pressure, it generates electricity to run the vehicle's onboard systems. The saving on "parasitic losses" can help to improve the engine's output and efficiency. Treehugger sees it as another way to charge batteries in hybrids.

Technorati tag: Transport, Turbo

Hybrid Storm Chasers

Running away, actually. Tales from Texas of the joy of having a hybrid when the evacuation traffic is jammed up.

My folks drove to Austin from League City in their lexus hybrid and 21 hours of driving later still had 1/8 tank of gas left - plus they had my 87yr old grandfather with them and ran the air conditioner all day unlike most people who ran out of gas. 3 cheers for the hybrid!

via BoingBoing

Technorati tag: Hybrid

Naro Car

Currently under development in Wales- a two seat commuter vehicle that drives like a bike but has the safety features of a car and should do 100 miles per gallon.

Technorati tag: Transport

Hair tearing time

George Monbiot, long one to blame industry for the lack of movement on Green regulations, discovers that many would welcome restrictions but it's the Government that's holding things up.

via Worldchanging

Technorati tag: Regulation

The Colour of Money

I was thinking of starting an ethical investment blog, but haven't got round to it yet. In teh meantime, Enviropundit has links to a few resources for anyone considering investing in the Green revolution.

Technorati tag: Investment

Greening the Tories

Michael Ancram, former Conservative party leadership contender and possible pretender to the throne, says that all the other runners for leadership of the UK's third party are ignoring the coming energy crisis.

Mr Ancram added: "Some politicians dismiss the energy crisis as a hyped green agenda. It is not.

"Our political system will be severely challenged the day a British citizen turns on the light switch and nothing happens or switches on the kettle and the kettle stays cold."

Technorati tag: Politics, Tory Party

Put the oil in the coconut...

Coconut oil has proved to be a particularly good biodiesel, not needing the same level of pre-treatment as other biofuels.

Unlike with many biofuels, coconut oil doens't need to be transesterized - mixed with sodium hydroxide and alcohol to change its chemical composition - to run in a diesel engine. Filtered and warmed to temperatures about 25C, coconut oil is a better than satisfactory substitute for "mineral diesel" - it burns more slowly, which produces more even pressure on engine pistons, reducing engine wear, and lubricates the engine more effectively.

via BoingBoing

Technorati tag: Biodiesel

Two wheels tax deductible

I'm working as a contractor, officially my own company, and as such can deduct transport costs against tax. I know this counts for bus fare, but I have yet to find out if it would apply to bike maintenance. (Especially as my first claim would be for about £100 because of having a load of bits nicked.) However, if a cycle courier can claim his high calorie diet as deductible, it has to be worth a try.

Technorati tag: Cycling, Tax

Car Free

Thursday is World Car Free Day. As ever, every day is Car Free (and now television free) at Casa Spinneyhead.

via City Hippy

Technorati tag: Car Free Day, Transport

More Katrinas to come

A massive global increase in the number of strong hurricanes over the past 35 years is being blamed on global warming, by the most detailed study yet. The US scientists warn that Katrina-strength hurricanes could become the norm.

Worldwide since the 1970s, there has been a near-doubling in the number of Category 4 and 5 storms – the strength that saw Hurricane Katrina do such damage to the US Gulf coastline late in August 2005.

Technorati tag: Global Warming

Green energy costs 'extra £1bn'

It seems that builders of wind farms etc. are getting more money in subsidies than they require to break even. Personally I'd rather see my money go into future-proofing the energy supply than further fiascos like Iraq.

Technorati tag: Wind Power

City Cycling.

Cycle security has been occupying my thoughts today. Despite the attentions of scallies, and inattention of drivers, I still reckon cycling is the only sensible way to travel in the city.

When I'm not cycling I tend to get a MegaRider bus ticket- £8.50 for a whole week. With the bus fares from the nearest stop, the card pays for itself within 3 days. However, a whole year's worth runs to £442, more than enough to pay for a decent commuter and have a decent amount left over. I wouldn't like to guess how much a year's worth of commuting by car would cost.

There are drawbacks, of course. Yesterday I was nearly hit by a blind man in a Nissan Micra who sailed across a particularly badly designed staggered junction and would have driven straight into my side if I hadn't been watching out to see what sort of stupid thing he would do. And it's always unpleasant to cycle in the rain. And, of course there are the scallies, who'll have off with any half decent bike or bits they can get their thieving little hands on.

Give me a bike any time. And a good stout D-lock for the front wheel as well as the back.

Technorati tag: Cycling

From the Inbox

I was struggling to find a way to recycle my mountains of plastic milk cartons from Tesco, when I realised I was missing the obvious solution… I got a milkman! http://www.expressdairies.co.uk/ They use old school glass bottles which they collect to re-use hooray!

They even tell you the name of ‘your’ milkman. How quaint.

Technorati tag: Recycling

The ethical, economical, new Casa Spinneyhead

Casa Spinneyhead has relocated. A new house seems like a good place to start putting into effect more of the stuff that How to Save the World for Free is about. So that's what we're going to do.

We're still unpacking- we'll still be unpacking at Christmas- but that doesn't mean we can't start to implement our low energy, low impact plan. First step was the acquisition of low energy bulbs. Clare managed to get them for free by filling out questionnaires on energy consumption. They'll be fitted tomorrow.

Next up will be the oxidising cleaners for the washing machine. 3p a wash sounds like great value and makes the £30 initial investment less daunting.

Then there'll be the energy saving plugs for fridges, recycling, cycling to work etc. etc. Expect regular updates.

Technorati tag: EcoHouse, Low Energy, Low Impact