Plug in motion sensors

The First Alert hands free light socket has a built in motion sensor to turn the light on when someone enters the room and off after movement ceases. As it doesn't seem to have a light level detector it's best for windowless rooms. It would also be useful to know how much power the IR detector draws to work out whether it really will save energy and money. Amazon.co.uk don't seem to have this product in stock.

via Hugg

Technorati tag: EcoHouse, Lighting

Energy efficient bulbs to save the world

Well, not quite, but a review has estimated that a global switch to efficient lighting systems would cut the world's electricity bill by up to 10%.

"Lighting is a major source of electricity consumption," said Paul Waide, a senior policy analyst with the IEA and one of the report's authors.

"19% of global electricity generation is taken for lighting - that's more than is produced by hydro or nuclear stations, and about the same that's produced from natural gas," he told the BBC News website.

Technorati tag: Lightbulb, Energy Efficiency

Biodiesel from Algae

Biodiesel and ethanol could be vital parts of the switch from oil dependency, but some of the current means of producing them are too energy intensive and damaging in their own right. PetroSun Drilling Inc. has created a subsidiary- Algae BioFuels Inc.- to research and develop algae cultivation as an energy source in the production of biodiesel. Studies have demonstrated that algae is capable of producing 30 times more oil per acre than the crops currently grown for biofuel production and the resulting fuel is low sulphur, non-toxic and biodegradable.

If they can find a way to break down waste products to provide nutrients, that would be even better.

via Treehugger

Technorati tag: Biodiesel, Algae

Greenphase

As it seems the planning laws will change to make it as easy to mount a windmill on your house as a satellite dish, I thought I'd have a look around for suitable resources.

I didn't need to go far. Greenphase has a page listing suppliers of domestic wind turbines. In fact they have information about everything Green. They are now bookmarked and I'm on their mailing list.

Technorati tag: Greenphase, Information

MPs' green press releases

Only the one this week-

ENOUGH ENERGY TO POWER HAMPSHIRE TEN TIMES OVER SAYS WHITEHEAD

Alan Whitehead, MP for Southampton Test, said that offshore wind energy would produce enough energy to power Hampshire ten times over.

Speaking in an adjournment debate on Friday, Dr Whitehead argued the case for an extension of the use of wind energy as not only a non-carbon emitting source but a source that can contribute a substantial amount of power to the energy mix – the question is how we move to maximise this contribution by making it a viable option.

The Energy Act of 2004 allowed for a three phase roll out of off wind energy. So far only the first two phases have seen any development: wind farms in inshore waters close to the coast, and larger wind farms slightly further out to sea such as the Wash, Morecombe Bay and the Thames estuary. Dr Whitehead is therefore keen to see the next and third phase rolled out which would allow for the wind farms to be built in deeper and further waters, essentially up to the boundaries of the energy allocation zone for gas and oil.

Technorati tag: Wind Power, MP

Tony Blair's plan to destroy democracy whilst doing nothing for the environment

Senior sources say Tony Blair wants to send a clear signal that the government will make it easier for firms to build new power stations by shortening and limiting the number of public inquiries when they are built.

The proposals are designed to cut costs and make it harder for objectors to cause delays.

The sooner Tony Blair goes, the better. The Ministers are also likely to discuss "sweeteners", in other words ways to make the taxpayer pay for the profits of an industry that is no longer financially viable.

Technorati tag: Nuclear Power, Tony Blair, Tony Blair is a liar

Planning permission to be waived for micro-generation

The Government is planning to streamline planning guidelines so that householders no longer need planning permission to install renewable energy technologies on their homes. The announcement of the planned change should, according to the Observer, be announced within ten days.

Many local authorities insist householders apply for planning consent. 'It is patently absurd that you should be able to put a satellite dish on your house but have to wrestle with the planning process for small-scale micro-generation, which is no more obtrusive and can have a real impact on tackling climate change,' Yvette Cooper, the planning minister, told The Observer

'We want much more micro-generation to be treated as permitted development. We are reviewing the impact of a wide range of technologies so we can take account of things such as the impact on neighbours or listed buildings before consulting on details later this year.'

It sounds like a good idea. Obviously the NIMBYs are all over it, unable to see the beauty in a windmill and fearing that unobtrusive flat solar panels will somehow blight their landscapes. Neighbours of David Cameron have deployed the old nonsense that his plans to erect a windmill will reduce the values of their homes. Maybe if they mocked his attempts to greenwash his way to credibility I'd have more sympathy for them.

Technorati tag: EcoHouse, Planning Permission, Microgeneration

Build your own solar thermal panel

Solar heating is a more efficient way to utilise the sun's power than photovoltaics, but somewhat more limited in applications. It is also much cheaper. In fact the team at The Seitch built a solar thermal panel for $5. They used the heat dispersal tubing from the back of a fridge (which had been purged of CFCs at the local dump) mounted behind a sheet of glass.

If you watyched It's Not Easy Being Green (we finally caught it on DVD-RWs from my parents) you might have seen the clever heat trap built into the Strawbridge's greenhouse. Perhaps a solar thermal panel such as this could make a near tropical greenhouse for exotic gardening.

via Treehugger

Technorati tag: Solar, Solar Thermal Panel

4X4 drivers more likely to be idiots

A study by Imperial College has shown that drivers of Chelsea tractors are four times more likely to use mobile phones on the move and less likely to wear their seatbelts. So they're not just bad for the environment, they're a danger to everyone else on the road.

Technorati tag: SUV, Road Safety

The solar car park

Invisible Heating Systems plan to install a Road Energy System, which uses heat absorbed by tarmac to warm water, in their car park. owever, this being Britain, torrential rain has meant the Midsummer Day start date has had to be put back.

It sould be a requirement that systems like this are included in any new road building. It might not work so well on urban roads, with all the utility pipes are running underneath them, but A roads and motorways should be viable.

Technorati tag: Road Energy System

The WI vs packaging

The National Federation of Womens Institutes has announced a plan to boycott supermarkets that don't cut down on unnecessary packaging.

The federation has identified ten fruit and vegetables as examples of produce it believes to be wrapped in unnecessary packaging.

This includes shrink-wrapped coconuts and peppers sold by Morrisons, and turnips, broccoli and cucumber with similar packaging at stores such as Tesco and M&S.

It criticises stores which sell bananas and spring onions in plastic bags and says it is ridiculous to put courgettes, parsnips and baking potatoes into trays before wrapping them in plastic. The federation's chairman Fay Mansell said: 'Our members are very disappointed to see this sort of packaging. They want potatoes and other produce as it is meant to be.

Technorati tag: Packaging, WI

How to build a wind turbine

Scoraig Wind Electric is offering courses in building your own wind turbine. If that's a bit too expensive for you there's always the manual which sells for £11 to £13 depending on shipping.I'd use it to charge my electric car.

via Hippyshopper

Technorati tag: Windmill, How To

Breathing Places

To accompany a piece about turning your garden into a nature reserve is the Breathing Places scheme, backed by £5million of lottery funding, to open up and create green spaces around the country.

via City Hippy

Technorati tag: Breathing Places, Green Spaces

Electric Cruising

The Guardian on the electric car in Britain. Plug in hybrids and fully electric cars would be a great answer for towns, but the lack of off road parking where they can be charged is holding them back.

I've seen illuminated road signs and various other roadside devices that are solar and/ or wind powered. How hard would it be to create parking meters which were actually charging points, with solar panels on the top, batteries stored in the ground under them and a trickle feed from the mains for winter and overcast days? Electric car owners could pay a minimal amount to charge or be given pass keys, non-electric drivers would pay normal rates or be barred from them altogether. Another possibility would be placing windmills atop multi storey car parks and reserving a few spaces on the top level for replenishing electric vehicles.

Technorati tag: Electric Car, Plug In Hybrid

MPs' Green press releases

NUCLEAR DECISION TOO IMPORTANT – DEBATE IS ESSENTIAL

Following Tony Blair’s statement in Prime Minister’s questions on the 14th of June, that the new generation of nuclear power plants will produce 1/10th of the waste of previous plants, David Heath has questioned the veracity of his information in Business Questions where he called for a debate on the issue.

Local MP David Heath cited the Independent Committee on Radioactive Waste Management, which has stated that a new generation of plants would lead to an increase in high level toxic waste of 400%.

IT’S HIP TO BE ENERGY EFFICIENT SAYS WHITEHEAD

Alan Whitehead, MP for Southampton Test, says HIPs (Home Information Packs) will put energy efficiency of homes top of the home buying agenda.

HIPs will come into place from 1st June 2007 and every home owner will need to prepare a HIP before putting their home up for sale. The Packs will include searches, a Home Condition Report (compiled by an independent Home Inspector) and terms of sale. An energy efficiency rating similar to fridge ratings will be included in the Home Condition Report, to tell people the running costs and carbon emissions from the home as well as identifying measures which could improve their energy rating.

This means that the energy efficiency of your new home will be there for you to see in black and white and will undoubtedly have an affect on both the price of your home and its attractiveness to potential buyers.

Technorati tag: MP, Green, Press Release

Ming and the nuclear stealth tax

Sir Menzies Campbell has come out against nuclear power, highlighting the hidden cost to taxpayers and customers. He's also backing decentralised microgeneration, which I think is the way to go as well.

Technorati tag: Nuclear Power, Stealth Tax, Menzies Campbell

Utopia in the Highlands

Robotics lecturer Dylan Evans has a bleak view of the future. He believes civilisation will collapse within the next 35 years. To pre-empt the apocalypse he has sold all his possessions and is going to set up a community, Utopia, in the Scottish Highlands.

I agree that we're heading for major problems, but I'm not as pessimistic as Mr. Evans. It's entirely possible that our current systems will stop working, but action now could mitigate against the worst possible outcomes.

Technorati tag: Commune, Utopia

Industry's £500million of wasted energy

A study for the Carbon Trust says that UK businesses will waste more than £500m worth of energy over the summer months. Businesses could cut their energy bills by as much as 15% if they were more careful about energy usage.

Last summer I was working in a hospital. It wasn't the best office for natural light, but when there was no-one else there and the sun was good enough I'd turn off a bank of lights. Sooner or later one of the bosses, who worked in another office, would come along, turn the lights on again and tell me off for saving energy (okay, not for saving energy, in fact they never actually explained why it was so bad I was turning off lights that weren't in use).

Technorati tag: Industry, Energy Saving

Energy inspectors to visit all homes

Every home put up for sale will be given an energy-efficiency rating like those found on cookers and fridges, ministers announced yesterday.

Inspectors will tour houses and grade them on a scale of A to G - with A being the most efficient.

I like the sound of this, it's about time energy saving was taken into account in house pricing.

Technorati tag: EcoHouse

Is the Green movement racist?

As a white, middle class (lapsed) man, it's not something I've thought about before, but representatives of ethnic minorities believe the environment debate isn't including them. That respect for the environment is at the heart of the Sikh, Hindu and Rastafarian religions is ignored, they say. The concerns are being raised at a London Sustainability Week conference.

Technorati tag: Green, Sikh, Hindu, Rastafarian

Radio 4's Green blog

BBC Radio 4 has a Green blog- Planet Earth Under Threat.

Technorati tag: BBC, Green Blog

Co-op Green Q&A

I recently ended a nine month contract in the CIS Tower in Manchester. One of the ten top Green projects of 2005 was the re-cladding of its service tower with solar panels. I thought it would be worth finding out a bit more about the Cooperative group's Environmental policies, sop I sent them a few questions. They were answered by Liz Thompson, an Environment Adviser at the company.

How much electricity will the solar tower generate?

The solar tower will generate 181MWh of electricity each year. This will result in a CO2 saving of 78 tonnes each year.

What percentage of the buildings total consumption is this?

The electricity generated will be enough to light six floors of the 25-storey high building or is equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of 55 average UK homes.

How long will it take for the solar panels to pay for themselves?

When the Tower was built in the early sixties, it was a pioneering and experimental building, and was, at the time, the tallest commercial building in the UK, leading to it becoming Grade 2 listed. However, while many aspects of the design were a success, the choice of millions of one-inch mosaic tiles to clad the windowless service tower was not. While the project will generate renewable electricity, its primary motivation was to tackle health and safety concerns. The mosaic tiles have been falling off since the building was built, and despite on-going re-fixing, over time it became clear that this was an increasing risk to the health of nearby pedestrians and was risking serious long-term damage to the building's structure. Various re-cladding solutions were explored, all of which cost many millions of pounds. The Tower's listed status meant that any solution which altered its external appearance would need robust justification. Given the significant expenditure already needed for repair and the ethics and sustainability stance of Co-operative Financial Services (see www.cfs.co.uk/sustainability2004), it made sense for us to look at novel construction materials that promote sustainable development. Due to the provision of grants, this sustainable construction project is cost neutral when compared to other repair solutions.

What other microgeneration schemes does the CFS have planned or completed?

CFS has placed 19 micro-wind turbines on the roof of its Portland Street office in Manchester, making it the largest commercial application of micro-wind turbines in the UK. It is estimated that the wind turbines will produce 44MWh of renewable electricity and save 19 tonnes of CO2 each year. The micro-wind turbines became operational in May 2006.

Are the schemes to generate power on or near sites linked with energy saving initiatives (eg. replacing all filament bulbs with compact fluorescent lights, making better use of natural lighting)?

We do look at lighting and energy management programmes across the organisation.

Are there any other environmental initiatives being taken by the CFS?

Yes there are numerous initiatives - please see www.cfs.co.uk/sustainability2004 then refer to the section on ecological sustainability.

What is the company doing to encourage green behaviour in its customers?

Again, numerous initiatives - we offer 'green banking/insurance products' such as our mortgages and CIS insurance product for car loans, our Customers Who Cares campaign - this year is all about Combatting Climate Change. More details can be found in the 2004 Sustainability Report.

Note For more on the Co-op's ecological stance check out www.co-operativebank.co.uk/ethics/ecology

Technorati tag: Solar Power, Cooperative Financial Services, Manchester, Ethical Business

Portsmouth's 20mph limit

Portsmouth City Council have announced that all residential areas in the city will have a 20mph speed limit by 2008.

Technorati tag: Speed Limit

The African Humid Period and its lessons on Global Warming

Between 8,000 to 5,500 years ago the Earth was as warm as it is now, and the Sahara was a rainforest. Much of this was down to the Earth's tilt, or precession, the stronger sun on the greenery driving water further inland to keep even the heart of the area moist. Over the course of a century the Sahara's ecosystem collapsed as the precession continued and changed sunlight levels and localised browning reduced the amount of moisture to be transferred. Now the dust that used to be the bed of lake Megachad is picked up by the wind and carried across the Atlantic to fertilise the Amazon.

It's possible that global warming could see a return of heavy rains to the Sahara and a regreening of the arid zone. However this isn't such good news on the global scale as other areas, notably prosperous zones like the west of North America, suffer ever longer drought periods. The Amazon could collapse as the Sahara blooms.

The Independent article linked to is an edited extract from The Last Generation by Fred Pearce.

Technorati tag: Global Warming, Sahara

Tycoons against CO2

A dozen representatives of big business will today meet with Tony Blair to urge him to take stronger action against CO2 emmissions and do more to combat climate change. They, rightly, argue that forcing British industries to innovate will make them more efficient and give them a lead in what is going to be a major field.

Other industry groups, of course, have argued the opposite. I think it's time to close down the CBI (Confederation of British Industry) because they obviously don't have their members' best interests at heart. Every time I hear Sir Digby Jones on Today he sounds like an arrogant buffoon. I know I wouldn't want him speaking for me.

Technorati tag: CO2, Climate Change, Industry

Green Transport Week

Next week is Green Transport Week. Check out the events list to see what's going on in your area.

Green Transport Week aims to:

* Raise awareness of transport impact on the environment.
* Highlight transport alternatives.
* Make people stop and think before they go somewhere.
* Send a message to the government on green transport and environmental issues.

via Mancubist, who's looking forward to going on a few journeys with his free DayRider ticket.

Technorati tag: Transport, Green

Livingstone's Green London plans

Ken Livingstone has proposed a "London Plan" to cut carbon dioxide by 20 per cent by 2015, and by 60 per cent by 2050. We need the Government to be this ambitious.

Planners and developers will be required to connect new buildings to decentralised local energy supplies, meet high sustainable building standards and achieve a 20 per cent emissions reduction using onsite renewable energy.

Technorati tag: London, Ken Livingstone, Microgeneration

In the Green corner, Jonathon Porritt

In the rather nasty, smelly, smoking brown corner Jeremy Clarkson.

Sir Jonathon Porritt stepped up his campaign against Clarkson by branding him an "outstandingly bigoted petrolhead" whilst opening a classroom at Rendcomb College in Gloucestershire.

Previously: The Case Against Clarkson

Technorati tag: Jonathon Porritt, Jeremy Clarkson, Environment

The Driver Menace

If the embedded video won't play click here to go to Revver.

All the footage for this video was collected whilst wandering around in the rain mid-morning today. If I'd gone out during rush hour I could have enough to make a documentary.

This is something I've been meaning to do for a while because the hypocrisy of all those people complaining about cyclists' behaviour annoys me. Few people stand up and say how dangerous motorists can be, so let's start here.

Obviously there are drivers who don't speed up when they see an amber light, use their mobile whilst driving or think certain laws don't apply to them. But they're not the ones who endanger the rest of us.

Cross posted from 2 Wheels Good

Technorati tag: Cycling, Video, Drivers

Solar power for the rainy town

Two Manchester solar initiatives were in the local paper today.

The council has fitted solar panels to the roofs of all 60 houses in one of the country's most run down estates. The panels will save around £100 a year and the fact that one resident has cottoned on to his meter running backwards on a sunny day if he turns off all the appliances suggests that it might also get them cutting consumption.

The University is putting 196 solar panels on the roof of one of its new buildings. The fact that it's the School of Sciences and the School of Environment and Development may have something to do with the decision. I have to ask, though, what's the story behind newspapers' obsession with translating units of electricity into their cup of tea equivalent? It would take a lot of students to drink two million cups of tea a year.

Technorati tag: Solar+Power, Manchester, Photovoltaic

Transport for London looks at car speed limiters

Transport for London is investigating devices that would slow vehicles down on particular stretches of road, though they insist they would only be used on buses and taxis. It's primarily a safety feature, but will no doubt help with congestion and pollution.

Technorati tag: Transport, Speed Limiter

Knocking back the Climate Change trolls

Worldchanging has come up with a plan so we don't have to waste time and energy replying to climate change sceptic comment spam. They propose a single point of reference that can be linked to with a message along the lines of "The debate on Climate Change is over". Then we can get on with the important work of finding answers.

via BoingBoing

Technorati tag: Climate Change, Trolls

Solar Feedback

The Oakland Scottish Rite building has a realtime display on the Internet of the electricity generated by its solar panelled roofing. When I visited just now it was nighttime there so there was no power from the roof, but when BoingBoing visited the mid morning sun saw a surplus being fed to the grid.

Technorati tag: Solar Power

I'm feeling safer already

A leaked document says that the new type of fast breeder reactor likely to be used in Blair's next generation of nuclear probably couldn't withstand a September 11th style attack with an airliner. The European pressurised water reactor (EPR) has been designed to withstand a collision by a military jet, but assurances about airliners are based upon extrapolation.

This assumption, according to independent nuclear engineer, John Large, is "entirely unjustified". This "reflects what seems to be an almost total lack of preparation to defend against the inevitability of terrorist attack," he says.

Technorati tag: Nuclear Power, Terrorism

MPs' Green press releases

Heath Bemused By Blair's Fixation With Nuclear

Local MP David Heath has raised concerns about Tony Blair's embrace of nuclear energy.

"Tony Blair is again making up policy as he goes along. He has already disregarded the view of one energy review and is now pre-empting a second. The Prime Minister pays lip service to renewables and energy efficiency but it seems clear where his preference lies. The issues of climate change and energy security are fundamentally important and after too much inaction it is essential that the right decisions are made.

"Nuclear power is being presented as our saviour from climate change which is simply not the case. Nuclear energy suffers from a number of faults which have not yet been solved. By focusing on nuclear power there is a diversion of assets and attention away from renewable sources such as wave and tidal which offer substantial gains and would benefit considerably from added investment. This is an area where the UK could, and should, lead the world.

"It is not enough for people to flout their supposed green credentials. Action is needed to engage with the monumental threat we face from climate change. We must be bold and back a radical alternative, not simply embrace an approach which supports the status quo and stores up serious problems for the future."

Crispin Blunt welcomes call for law to change and calls for relaxation of regulations on water companies

Crispin Blunt, MP for Reigate, today welcomed the Ten-Minute Rule Motion placed before the House of Commons by former Environment Minister, John Gummer MP. In a speech to the House of Commons Mr Gummer put forward a series of proposals that would oblige developers to assess the impact of new housing on the water supply. The speech came on the day that much of the South-East learnt that it faced the worst drought in decades.

The impact of new housing on the water supply has been consistently over-looked despite contributing to the current water crisis. One of the reasons for this is that whereas rainwater falling in the south would previously have drained into the water table, as more and more of the region has been developed rainwater runs off roads and pavements into drains rather than into the underground water supply. For similar reasons flooding has been worse in times of wet weather as run-off has flowed straight into streams and rivers as development has reduced the number of fields and green spaces.

SUCCESS FOR WHITEHEAD & CLIMATE CHANGE BILL

Alan Whitehead, MP for Southampton Test, is celebrating today as the Climate Change & Sustainable Energy Bill achieves House of Commons acceptance.

The Bill which has had to continually ward off the juvenile tactics of two maverick Tory MPs was successful today in its final stages in the House of Commons and now passes to the House of Lords. This has been hailed as a notable achievement across all the parties and by many interest groups.

The Bill had been adjourned at Third Reading as the Rt Hon Eric Forth had continued to talk thus preventing the Bill from passing to the Lords. Dr Whitehead's own Private Members Bill (PMB) 'Management of Energy in Buildings' was derailed earlier in this parliamentary session by similar tactics - during the Second Reading of Dr Whitehead's PMB Mr Forth talked his Bill out which effectively meant there was not sufficient parliamentary time to pursue it further.

However, at the Committee stage of the Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Bill, Dr Whitehead successfully achieved the incorporation of all the key clauses from his own PMB including;

- the better compliance of building regulations in energy efficiency
- the removal of planning permission for micro-generation in homes
- and new regulations to ensure a minimum energy standard in new homes including micro-generation

Technorati tag: MP, Politics

What could you do with £2billion?

The cost of the first is estimated at £2bn and it will take 10 years to put up even if the builders work like the clappers and the Government finds a way to ignore all those pesky protests and legal challenges. To build 10 will take at least two decades. But critics say that blows a hole in Mr Blair's argument for having them. The severe energy shortage that Britain is facing will occur in the next 10 to 15 years. Environmentalists say spending the same billions on the speedier (and cheaper) harnessing of renewable sources such as wind would be better.

From The Independent

Is that an English billion or American? Either way, in that time frame, with that money, we could do so much better than Blair's nuclear vision. And, of course, there's no way something that big and controversial could ever come in on budget and in time.

Technorati tag: Nuclear Power, No Thanks, Renewable Energy

The rich are killing the world!

A survey for British Gas into energy usage and pollution has found that the worst polluting parts of the country tend to be athe most affluent.

One conclusion to draw from the figures, which indicate that areas of relative affluence are the worst performers, is that people who have more money, spend more on energy.

This may, for example, be in the heating and lighting of bigger homes. In Reading, at the heart of the Thames Valley commuter belt, it may well indicate that local people have more electrical appliances than in other places.

Technorati tag: Pollution, CO2

Lib-Dems would tax polluters off the roads

At least, that's what they're proposing, with a high end rate of £2000 a year for the most polluting vehicles. They also plan to change the way airlines are taxed, transferring the burden from a per-passenger to per-flight basis.

The party's environmental spokesman Chris Huhne said it was vital "to use green taxes as a lever in order to make our behaviour sustainable".

He said he wanted to "change the cars that we buy rather than the cars that we're using at the moment".

The money raised will supposdly be returned as tax cuts, but I'd rather see it used as rebates and incentives for people buying bikes and low pollution vehicles. I've just finished contracting and, whilst charging through an umbrella company, could claim back a mileage allowance of 20p a mile for cycling to work. Admittedly there was also a, much higher, allowance for driving to work, but let's ignore that and see all workers who commit to cycling or using public transport get an allowance. It could be regulated by their employers removing access to free car parking onsite and fines or points for anyone caught defrauding the system.

Technorati tag: Road Tax, Mileage Allowance

Modec Green vans

Modec builds light commercial vehicles that are zero emission, need no road tax and pay no congestion fee. The vehicles use regenerative braking to make the charge go further as well. Obviously the electricity bill will go up as the fuel bill drops but I can imagine them as part of a policy to cut pollution by councils and businesses, particularly if tied to getting their power from windmills and solar.

via EcoStreet

Technorati tag: Transport, Electricity

28 Penzance Street, Miles Platting

Manchester council have spent £100,000 converting two terraced houses into an energy saving showcase. The changes have managed to more than halve the fuel bill for the property. I'm not so happy with the costs though. In real life I don't believe these savings would cost £100k. The figure reinforces the prejudice that energy saving is so much more expensive than the benefits merit, whne most of the costs would have been from renovating the empty shells in the first place, fixtures and fittings and tarting the building up because it's a show home.

Still, it's nice to see them showing what's possible.

Technorati tag: EcoHouse, Manchester

Not so Mad

Sadly the Mad show, originally scheduled for June 3rd, has been postponed. There's no news on when it might be rescheduled to, or whether the Green Blogger forum would still be on, but I'll keep my eyes open for news.

I've already bought train tickets for the day. A wander around London would be quite pleasant, but I'd probably end up spending money I can't afford to waste. However, there is an option- the Campaign against Climate Change is having a conference on June 3rd. I could probably make it for the afternoon session.

Technorati tag: Mad Show, Campaign against Climate Change

Nine questions

John Vidal on Comment Is Free poses the nine questions Tony Blair should answer before going any further with his nuclear plans. He won't, of course. His plan is probably to get so much money invested in the nuclear dream before he goes that whoever follows will be too scared to write it off as a poisoned legacy.

And a companion piece- nuclear power is going to be impossible without subsidies.

Plus- the Energy Review is just another dodgy dossier. (I honestly believe that for the amount that was, we now know, wasted on this review I could reduce the country's energy consumption by so much we could turn off a small power station. Go on, Tony, give me a few million, I dare you.)

Technorati tag: Nuclear Power, Tony Blair, Tony Blair is a liar

A tragedy of human planning

An interesting article in the Guardian on how the car came to rule American cities.

In between the wars many American cities had fully functioning electric tram systems that shuttled millions of citizens from their homes to their jobs without the need for a private car. American cities were more compact, more walkable and had vibrant downtowns that were the centre of urban life.

Even in southern California, which is now seen as the ultimate creation of the automobile, railways and trams were a huge part of life. Los Angeles was served by the largest mass transit system in the nation, including 1,000 trains a day running on the Pacific Electric Railway's 760 miles of track.

Technorati tag: Cars, America

Michelin's giant wind turbines start turning

Possibly the largest wind turbines located in a city are to start turning at Michelin's Dundee factory this weekend.

Technorati tag: Wind Power

Saving Water

It feels strange to be reading about water shortages whilst staring out at heavy rain that feels like it hasn't stopped for the last three weeks. The Independent has a Q&A on cause and effect, but what can the water customers do about it?

Obviously, we should stop using so much water. Sticking a bottle full of water or a Hippo water saver in the toilet's cistern is a start. Finding a more efficient way to wash the dishes (one of my major sins) may involve shelling out for a dishwasher, and then you'll have the worry of the detergents involved. Products such as Eco-Balls mean you can use lower volume washes for your clothes.

Outside you have the benefit of all that water coming out of the sky at the moment. If you want to carry on watering your garden after a hosepipe ban, invest in a water butt to catch all the rain coming down the spout from your roof. In the longer term, how about replacing concrete and brick with grass, herbs and vegetables. This will cut the amount of run off, provide cool pockets in the Summer and save you money on salads.

That's not going to solve the major problems, of course. Water companies still need to cut the leakage in their pipes (Thames Water loses a third of all its supplied water through leaks, and has missed its leakage improvement target in each of the last two years) and lower water solutions need to be incorporated into new builds as a matter of course. We can do nothing about that directly, but a bit of lobbying and consumer pressure will help.

Technorati tag: Water, Water Consumption

Manchester is my planet

I'm sure I signed up for Manchester is my planet last Summer, and the first mail out only arrived this week. I guess they've been spending the time collecting many more pledges, 13,749 at last count.

The site is clean and well designed. You can read a booklet detailing what Greater Manchester councils are doing to go Green, check your eco-knowledge or enter competitions to win A-rated household appliances. I just wish I hadn't been faced with a gurning Fred Talbot on every page of the quiz.

Cross-posted from City Hippy

Technorati tags:
cityhippy
green
environment
Manchester

Co-ops green tower officially opens tomorrow

The CIS will be celebrating the completion of their solar tower tomorrow. All 7000 photovoltaic panels are now feeding power to the miller street building.
Links later if I can find any.

Tony Blair does nothing for the environment

I'm not surprised that Tony Blair has come out and basically said he'll be ordering new nuclear power stations without waiting for his own energy review or listening to any of the arguments against. I am very angry, though, particularly as it's mostly posturing.

BBC political correspondent Carole Walker said she believed Mr Blair had been happy to stir up a "whole storm of controversies" this week, on issues such as animal experimentation.

She said the prime minister wanted to show he was ready to take on controversial decisions.

She said: "He cannot afford to be seen as somebody who is simply languishing in Number 10 while people are waiting for his days to be over.

"He is trying to distract from all the speculation there is about when he is going to go."

I'm with CND chairwoman Kate Hudson-

"Nuclear power does not make economic or environmental sense. The amount of money invested in producing nuclear power could produce far more sustainable energy, much more rapidly."

It's been pointed out that many ministers who were for a more sensible energy policy were dumped in the post-local election reshuffle. The former environmental minister has made his feelings on the matter known.

[Elliot Morley] told The Guardian newspaper the energy review, which is headed by Department of Trade and Industry Minister Malcolm Wicks, might well point to renewable sources of energy if it was "open, transparent and fair".

He complained that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs had not had the involvement it should in the technical aspects of the review.

He had seen no official government figures on the real cost of nuclear power.

Mr Morley said: "To have new nuclear power is going to involve very large sums of money.

"If nuclear power was so great then you would have the private sector willing to invest in it.

"The reality is that economically the risks are great and the returns are low.

"No private sector company is going to take on the long-term risks, the cost of decommissioning, the storage, reprocessing and the responsibility for the waste."

I despair, I really do. Time for Tony Blair, and the rest of his government for good measure, to go.

Technorati tag: Nuclear Power, Energy Review, Tony Blair, Tony Blair is a Liar

Council Tax rebates for energy saving

Did you know you can get Council Tax rebates for doing energy saving renovations to your house? I'm not a homeowner, so I hadn't looked into it (and if I was and had it still hasn't been extended to Manchester yet). 21 councils across England and Wales are offering one-off council tax rebates to any householder who spends more than £250 on cavity wall insulation. British Gas pays for £50 of the rebate and councils can top the amount up to £100. Scottish Gas is calling for a change to Scottish law so they can run a similar scheme.

To find out about other grants for energy saving go to the Energy Saving Trust site.

Technorati tag: Energy Saving, British Gas, Council Tax

Green Roof for Edinburgh's Penguins

The penguins at Edinburgh zoo have a green roof in their new enclosure.

The roof provides a viewing area for visitors and lets them get close enough to watch the zoo's 130 king penguins, gentoos and macaronis breed and nest.

Richard Millar, technical manager at parent company Icopal, said: "Garden roofs not only look much more pleasant but they take in the rain and spread out the water or use it to grow. The lawns are drought tolerant and don't need much watering."

Technorati tag: Green roof, Edinburgh Zoo

Green Schools

The education secretary, Alan Johnson, has outlined plans to make all schools "models of sustainable development in their communities" by 2020.

"Young people are keenly aware of, and highly motivated by, environmental issues. In many ways they are ahead of adults in their attitudes to recycling and conservation. Channelling this enthusiasm helps raise achievement and improve behaviour and could save money as well as addressing big issues such as climate change - it really is a win-win solution."

Technorati tag: Sustainable Development, School

MPs' green press releases

Brighton MP backs Bill to combat Ghost Town Britain

David Lepper, Labour and Co-operative MP for Brighton Pavilion, will speak on combating Ghost Town Britain and the need for local sustainability and community involvement at a meeting in the Brighton Centre on Thursday 18 May.

The meeting is organised by Local Works – the campaign for a Sustainable Communities Bill to encourage thriving local economies based on environmental protection, community involvement and democratic participation.

David Lepper said

"I am concerned about the various signs of community decline which could threaten neighbourhoods in Brighton and Hove and are already doing so in some parts of Sussex through, for example, the closures of Post Offices, community pharmacies and local independent newsagents. Businesses which should be at the centre of local community life.

"I am also concerned at the increasing threat to independent shops by the big
supermarkets extending the range of products they offer and moving into locations where they had previously not been represented."

Crausby calls for action on climate change

Bolton North East MP David Crausby is calling on the Government to speed up the introduction of measures to tackle climate change.

He is co-sponsoring a House of Commons Early Day Motion commenting on the Government's March 2006 publication Climate Change - the UK programme 2006 which sets out the UK's current and proposed initiatives to cut UK emissions of greenhouse gases.

Mr. Crausby said:

"The UK accounts for about two per cent of the world's annual greenhouse gas emissions, with most other countries' emissions still increasing. Too few people in the UK or abroad are much inclined to abandon, for example, their cars or their cheap flights and the danger is that climate change will increase greatly in the next few decades.

I’m disappointed to note that less than 10 per cent of the publication is devoted to dealing with the UK's adaptation to the effects of climate change. It talks too much about yet more studies and a quite insufficient amount relates to concrete actions to adapt to the actual effects of climate change on the UK."

Technorati tag: MP, Climate Change

No congestion charge for Manchester

Despite the presence of members of Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority at a conference on congestion charging in Stockholm and new Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander's comments about satellite tracking, Manchester isn't getting congestion charging any time soon. I don't see why this is considered good news, and it's a bit sad to see the worn old line about improving public transport first being trotted out again.

Technorati tag: Manchester, Congestion Charge

Government failing on microgeneration

For all the talk from Tony Blair that "right throughout government, we put the question of sustainability at the heart of what we try to do" most ministries are dedicating none of their budget to local generation at their sites. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has dedicated £1.5million of this year's budget to it, and the Department of Transport (DoT) has allocated cash to water recycling, but that's it.

Stephen Tindale, the executive director of Greenpeace, compared this performance to the Surrey town of Woking which is working to cut carbon emissions by 77 per cent.

He added: "This is just another example of the yawning gap between New Labour's rhetoric and reality. One of the first things Alistair Darling [the Transport Secretary] could do is to bash heads together around the cabinet table so ministers start setting an example. If Woking can do this, why can't Whitehall?"

Technorati tag: Local generation, microgeneration, Whitehall, Tony Blair is a Liar

Five go Mad in Earl's Court

The Make A Difference show will be held at Earls Court on June 2nd, 3rd & 4th, highlighting consumer goods that support Fairtrade, Organic production and a Sustainable lifestyle.

As well as all the good stuff on display, you'll be able to see some of the UK's top Green bloggers in the flesh (and me too ;P). The Mad Show organisers have been in touch with Al of City Hippy to organise a UK Green Bloggers panel. So far he has Bonnie from Treehugger and me and is lining up another three panellists. So, if you want to find out what we all look like, book your tickets now and come on down at the start of June. As Al says in his piece, if we can't answer your questions on the day we'll all try to go away and find out for you.

Technorati tag: Mad Show, Green Lifestyle, Earls Court

Now appearing at City Hippy

Al at City Hippy has been recruiting city editors and I volunteered to become the Manchester editor. The introductory Q & A is here and I'll be crossposting Manchester related news from here, 2 Wheels Good, Digest and Dig.

Technorati tag: City Hippy, Manchester

Water saving Hippo

I recently filled a half litre water bottle and put it in the cistern of casa Spinneyhead's toilet- the good old, practical way of cutting the volume we flush. However, I should really have been contemplating a Hippo, which can save up to three litres every flush. A Hippo three pack costs £6.99, and the unit price goes down drastically for bulk orders.

via Hippyshopper

Technorati tag: Water, Toilet

Trade Winds Weaken with Global Warming

The Trade Winds serve many purposes beyond the one that got them their name. They bring rains to the west and churn up the oceans, turning surface waters into rich feeding grounds, and drive weather conditions around the world. A study of air pressure records dating back to 1860 has shown the changes over time of the Walker circulation. It had weakened by 3.5% and was expected to fall by 10% by the year 2100.

"Nearly all of this is down to increases in greenhouse gas emissions," said Dr Vecchi.

"We know this air current has an influence on weather in many regions, so we can expect there to be changes locally. Ecosystems are complex, but our concern would be that this could also affect biological productivity over a large part of the Pacific," he added.

Technorati tag: Global Warming, Trade Wind, Pacific

All batteries to be recycled by 2008

An EU directive puts the onus on battery manufacturers to cover the cost of recycling their products. Groups representing the industry say this will lead to a rise in the cost of batteries. Which won't be a bad thing, really, it might drive more people to invest in rechargeables, another way to cut the waste and pollution of one-shots.

Technorati tag: Batteries, Recycling

I'll have an apple with my curry, please

The Manchester Evening News reports on Tashek Shorkar Abu, manager of Kyae's Pizza and Curry takeaway in Bury, who plants fruit trees in the gardens of his customers. It's a habit he got into in Bangladesh, where he planted trees as part of charity plantation schemes that helped provide food, income and timber, as well as protecting the environment.

Technorati tag: Tree, Fruit, Curry

I Will If You Will

The Sustainable Consumption Roundtable says that people want to adopt greener habits, but believe individual action is futile and the Government should take more radical action promote green lifestyles.

"Going green can be smart and stylish," commented SCR co-chair Ed Mayo, "but it is not yet simple.

"We want to call the bluff of politicians, to take action to make the sustainable choice the easier choice."

Technorati tag: Green

Holographic Solar

A new technology replaces unsightly mirrored solar concentrators with flat panels laminated with holograms and could cut the cost of solar modules by as much as 75%.

via Treehugger

Technorati tag: Solar Power, Hologram

Germany has the world's largest solar park

16.5 km (10 miles) of solar panels have been mounted on former military grounds at Pocking, near Passau in Bavaria. The installation saves 10,000 tons of CO2 yearly--the equivalent of 1,000 hectares of woodlands. Construction cost 40 million euro (£27.8 million) and started in August 2005.

Technorati tag: Solar Power, Germany

MPs' Green press releases- who gives a damn about the profits of Tesco

Something of a slow week overall. Tesco's profits do merit investigation and curbing in some manner, I think.

Shadow Trade and Industry Secretary Praises Weston Recycling Initiative

Alan Duncan MP Shadow Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has praised the recycling work of local waste management and recycling company, Towens of Weston, following a visit with local MP John Penrose.

Speaking after the visit, Mr Duncan said; "The company has an impressive set of recycling kit and an 83% recycling rate. It shows what can be done to protect the environment and reduce the enormous demand on landfill space.

"We're currently conducting an energy review so I listened with particular interest to their proposals for sustainable energy production. The idea of converting local waste into energy for nearby homes and businesses is an exciting option which deserves detailed consideration."

Sassy Nappy Fashions on show in 10th anniversary – Real Nappy Week

Mike Hall, MP for Weaver Vale joins more than 147 other MPs, MEPs, Welsh AMs and MSPs to celebrate the 10th anniversary Real Nappy Week from 24-30 April.

Fashion shows, "nappuccino" coffee mornings and hundreds of other events across the UK and abroad will reveal how far real nappies have come in the last decade. No longer just an eco and economic option, real nappies are now a fashionable lifestyle choice.

Biba Hartigan of Women's Environmental network, which is co-ordinating the week, says, "There are nappies to suit all tastes: bright and funky Day-Glo, leopardskin and tie-dye prints, classic whites and pastels in fluffy fleece, silky-soft bamboo or organic hemp fabrics, and a choice of snug-fitted styles".

(www.realnappycampaign.com/nappyfinder/)

TESCO PROFITS PER DAY : £5.5m WELSH FARMER'S WAGE PER YEAR: £14,000 – WILLIAMS

Following today's announcement of record Tesco profits of £2.25 billion for the past year, Roger Williams, Liberal Democrat MP for Brecon and Radnorshire has warned that the extreme power of supermarkets is destroying Welsh farming.

Commenting on these latest figures, Roger said:

"These figures show the huge imbalance in the UK Groceries market. Tesco's profits are a staggering 17% higher than last year. Meanwhile, the once-thriving Welsh farming industry is now over a barrel. Producers, farmers and convenience stores are in decline, whilst the 'big four' supermarkets have gone from strength to strength.

"These companies are making billions whilst farmers are struggling to make ends meet. On average, three Welsh dairy farmers go out of work every week, while the average income from farming in Wales is just £14,000. Tesco makes profits of £228,000 an hour.

"Supermarkets are raking it in by keeping prices static and passing costs on to the farmers. For every £1 consumers spend on food in supermarkets, just 8p goes to the farmer.

"The Supermarket Code of Practice has proved useless, a toothless tiger since its inception four years ago. If this government is serious about helping our farmers and consumers, and curbing the power of retailers, the Office of Fair Trading needs to extend its review of the groceries market and work toward truly fair trade between farmers, suppliers and supermarkets."

Technorati tag: Recycling, Nappies, Tesco

Ming's Green challenge

He may just be calling Cameron's bluff, but Menzies Campbell is calling for the Tory leader to agree to five broad "green principles" that would underpin policy. His justification is that should Cameron stop fannying around and agree to them the combined votes could make an immediate difference to tax policy on environmental issues.

As outlined in a speech in Norwich the five points are-

* Green taxes should be used to change behaviour

* Green taxes - including excise duty on fuel - should not fall in real terms from year to year

* There should be a substantial increase in the top rate of Vehicle Excise Duty

* The climate change levy should be reformed into a universal carbon tax - including household emissions as well as business emissions

* Air passenger duty should be restructured as a tax on aircraft emissions, not passengers

Technorati tag: Environment, Taxes, Menzies Campbell, David Cameron

Green roofs growing

The area of green roofing in North America grew 72% between 2004 and 2005, and by over 80% in the United States, Green Roofs for Healthy Cities has announced. North American green roof infrastructure implementation increased from 1.3 million square feet in 2004 to 2.5 million square feet in 2005.

The 4th Annual Green Roof Conference, Awards and Trade Show takes place in Boston, MA, on May 11-12, 2006.

Technorati tag: Green Roof

Clever trikes and Cameron

The two aren't connected beyond a declared aim of cutting traffic pollution, but I thouight I'd lump them together.

The Clever is a tilting trike powered by compressed natural gas. It's the result of EU funded research to give car companies something to think about.

The three-year, £1.5m EU-funded research project aimed to produce a totally different class of private motor vehicle specifically designed for the urban environment.

"The only solutions at the moment are motorbikes or cars" said Ben Drew, a research officer at the University of Bath, one of the institutions involved in the project.

[Cough]Bicycle![cough]

Meanwhile, mister "vote blue, go green" wants to see the return of school buses to combat the school run, and a reduction in carbon emissions from new cars. The thought of voting Tory makes me go green for completely different reasons. All this point scoring over Priuses (Prii?) just reminds me that the Lib Dems have been the only of the three main parties to have been touting eco policies since before they became trendy.

(Meanwhile, the BBC stole the car from one of its reporters to see what it would be like to live without petrol.)

Technorati tag: Trike, Pollution, Transport

It's National Downshifting Week

I hardly ever Upshifted, to be honest. The nearest I came was my period working for British Gas, which left me with an ulcer and large debts. So I've been partially downshifted for a few years, though I could still go further and I've only just got round to slowly getting rid of all the crap I've accumulated.

I may be going against the theme of Downshifting Week because I'm planning to move back up from a three day to a four day week, so I can earn some money before my contract ends.

via Treehugger

Technorati tag: Downshifting

Severn Tidal Bore power dilemma

I have so little trust in our government that I think the proposals for a tidal power scheme on the Severn Estuary is really a decoy to help them go nuclear. They've proposed a huge green power scheme that would generate power by doing a lot of environmental damage. So now Tony Blair can say "Look, y'know, we did consider non-nuclear alternatives but, right, the surfers wouldn't let us. Let's go nuclear."

I have a bit of respect for Peter Hain, but I think he's been wrong footed into supporting the proposal. And his statement contains a phrase that sums up the government's big mistake in their quest to cut CO2.

He said it could help to fill the looming "energy gap" which will emerge as nuclear power stations are gradually decommissioned. "This not just a climate change issue. This debate is about security of supply. It's about keeping the lights on," he added.

The problem wouldn't be so big if we bothered to turn some of the lights off occasionally. Energy saving and microgeneration are a better investment than yet another big scheme.

There are, smaller scale, ways to harness the power of the Severn bore which wouldn't destroy the ecosystem of the estuary. Rather than condemning the plan outright, perhaps the surfers and environmentalists could propose a few underwater turbines out of the shipping lanes.

Technorati tag: Tidal Power, Severn Estuary, Severn Bore

Switrch off when you switch off

I don't need to tell you to turn TVs off properly rather than leaving them on standby, do I? What I didn't know was that my pc is drawing power as long as it's plugged in. Our landlord's annoying and fitted sockets without switches on them, so I'm going to have to start pulling the plugs out of the wall every night.

Technorati tag: Standby, Energy Consumption

MPs' Green press releases- energy review edition

The government's energy review seems to be the focus of this week's press release round up-

MP's response to Government's Energy Review

Sandra Osborne, MP for Ayr Carrick and Cumnock has submitted her views on future energy policy as part of the Government’s Energy Review –"Securing clean, affordable energy for the long term"

In her submission Sandra gives priority to the future role of coal. She states

"In deciding the UK's future energy mix, a diverse, flexible and secure energy supply is essential if we are to achieve targets in cutting the UK's carbon emissions, maintain reliability of energy supplies, raise the rate of sustainable economic growth, promote a competitive energy market in the UK and beyond and ensure that every home is adequately and affordably heated. There is no one single solution which can adequately satisfy all of these demands.

As a Member of Parliament for a number of coalfield communities, I would like to concentrate my submission on coal and particularly the need for clear government support for clean coal technology as part of a balanced energy portfolio which can contribute to improved energy efficiency as well as reduced greenhouse gas emissions."

2350 People In Wales Tell Blair "No To Nuclear Power"

2350 people in Wales have signed a petition opposing new nuclear power stations in Wales. The petition was presented to 10 Downing Street this morning by a delegation of MPs and representatives of Friend of the Earth, the Centre for Alternative Technology (C.A.T.) and the Plaid Werdd Cymru.

The petition, which has only been running for three months read, "We, the undersigned, strongly oppose the commissioning of any nuclear power stations in Wales and demand safer, cleaner, cheaper technology."

Commenting, Jenny Willott, Welsh Liberal Democrat MP for Cardiff Central, said: "This petition shows there is widespread opposition to nuclear power across Wales. Our message to the Government is clear: nuclear power is not the answer to Wales' energy needs.

"Nuclear power is prohibitively expensive, has a terrible environmental legacy and is a huge security risk. Wales has huge natural resources to provide alternatives to nuclear power, including tidal power, marine currents, solar and wind.

"Even the Secretary of State for Wales, Peter Hain, is anti-nuclear. Tony Blair cannot simply impose a new generation of nuclear power stations in Wales."

Nuclear not the answer say MPs

Emily's Environment Select Committee have released the result of their inquiry into the future of UK energy. The report says that nuclear power stations cannot contribute to meeting our energy needs or reducing carbon dioxide over the next 10 years. The report raises serious concerns about the use of nuclear power over the longer term, including:

*long-term waste disposal

*public acceptability

*the availability of uranium

*the carbon emissions associated with nuclear.

*safety, the threat of terrorism, and the proliferation of nuclear power across the world.

The committee recommends that the government invest in developing low carbon renewable technologies such as wind, clean coal technology, carbon capture and storage, off-shore wind, and microgeneration. In order to meet our energy needs up to 2016 the government should introduce an extensive programme of new gas-fired power stations, supplemented by a significant growth in renewables.

Technorati tag: MP, Press Release, Nuclear Power, Energy Review

Vehizero- hybrid delivery lorry for Mexico City

Mexico City is one of the most polluted places on Earth and a large contributor to the smog is traffic. They've introduced a bus rapid transit system that has had some effect and now Mexico has its own hybrid vehicle manufacturer. Vehizero have already introduced a light delivery vehicle and taxi that save money by not only using 40% of the fuel but through road tax rebates and lower insurance thanks to improved anti- theft systems. They plan to introduce a larger truck, bus and small personal transport by 2010.

via Jalopnik

Technorati tag: Hybrid, Mexico

Treehugger's solar picks

A little lazy this, but recycling is part of the How to Save the World for Free ethos-

Treehugger has a list of solar picks now Summer is drawing near.

Technorati tag: Solar Power

MPs' Green press releases

More from the corridors of spin-

Energy Review: MP Calls On Pm To Make Good On His 'Renewables Rhetoric'

In her submission to the Energy Review, deadline today, Lynne Jones points out the failure of the Government to act on the rhetoric of Tony Blair's high profile speech on the environment of 6 March 2001 and calls on the Government to get back on track with its original energy policy. This emphasised the importance of energy conservation and investment in renewable energy.

Lynne Jones said "Five years ago the Prime Minister said that 50% of the world's energy needs could be met by renewables by 2050 and the role of Government is to accelerate the development and take up of these new technologies until self-sustaining markets take over".

"Welsh Lib Dems Submission to Energy Review: Nuclear Power Is Not The Answer"

The Welsh Liberal Democrats made a submission to the Energy Review Consultation today telling the Government that nuclear energy was 'not the answer' to Wales' energy needs.

Commenting, Mick Bates, AM for Montgomeryshire and Welsh Lib Dem spokesman on Energy in the National Assembly for Wales, said:

"Our submission to the Energy Review clearly outlines our position: we are strongly against building a new generation of nuclear power plants in Wales and the UK.

"Instead of walking us up the nuclear path, the Government should do more to encourage energy efficiency, decentralise our energy supply system, and develop renewable energy to ensure Wales has a sustainable and secure energy supply."

'16,000 tonnes of nappies a year boost case for real thing', says MP

Brighton Pavilion Labour and Co-operative MP David Lepper is backing the events to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Real Nappy Week from 24-30 April.

Fashion shows, 'nappuccino' coffee mornings and hundreds of other events across the UK and abroad will reveal how far real nappies have come in the last decade. No longer just an eco and economic option, real nappies are now a fashionable lifestyle choice.

Technorati tag: Politics, MP, Press Release

Local planning inspectors- not doing their bit to save the world

A Wilmslow man who wants to build an "excellent" eco home has had planning permission denied a second time because it wouldn't look enough like the buildings surrounding it. The design called for lightweight concrete for the walls, reconstituted timber for the frame, recycled rubber for the flat roof, and solar panels to generate electricity and had impressed Macclesfield council's design officer, the Wilmslow Trust, and Cheshire Wildlife, who all supported the proposal. However the council planning sub-committee rejected the scheme because of the views of a planning inspector who had said the new house would be so different from any other in the locality in terms of shape, style, and design and materials that it would fail to reflect any aspect of the local character, making it unacceptable in the countryside.

I can see the reasons for wanting to retain local character and not knocking down historically significant buildings, but planning inspectors seem so damn inconsistent. They'll let butt ugly modern builds go through if they're "traditional" looking cookie cutter designs, but have hissy fits over bespoke low energy houses designed around their location. It makes me despair.

Technorati tag: EcoHouse, Planning Inspectors

The future's bright, the future's OLED

100% efficient, flat Organic Light Emitting Diodes could be mass produced and drastically change the way we illuminate our interiors.

If the device can be mass-manufactured cheaply - a realistic expectation, according to Thompson - interior lighting could look vastly different in the future. Almost any surface in a home, whether flat or curved, could become a light source: walls, curtains, ceilings, cabinets or tables.

Since OLEDs are transparent when turned off, the devices could even be installed as windows or skylights to mimic the feel of natural light after dark - or to serve as the ultimate inconspicuous flat-panel television.

via Warren Ellis

Technorati tag: OLED, LED, Lighting

Vespa's hybrid scooter

Two wheels is the best way to get around town, and if you can't face using your own power a scooter is the next best thing. Now Vespa, the quintessential scooter manufacturer, has gone one better with plug in hybrid scooters in development. The space under the lift up seat, where the rider traditionally stores their helmet, has been filled with batteries. A luggage pod has been fitted to make up for this.

Now, if they could build solar panels into the luggage pod and get it to run on bio-ethanol it would be super cool.

Fully electrical scooters can be bought from EVT.

via BoingBoing

Technorati tag: Scooter, Hybrid, Vespa

Scotty Solar charger

The Scotty solar charger, as pictured at the green guy is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand and can effectively charge mobile phones, PDAs etc. It comes with adaptors for the most popular phones, a USB charger cable and two NiCad batteries which act as a charge reservoir. There's a belt clip, which is probably impractical except that it doubles as a stand for proper orientation. I don't know how much charging mobiles costs in electric bill terms and therefore how long it will take for the gadget to pay for itself, but the convenience on camping trips or even long days out would make it worth the money.

Technorati tag: Solar Power, Solar Cahrger

Home Power Magazine

Since 1987, we've dedicated more than 100 issues to home-scale renewable energy and sustainable living solutions. That means comprehensive coverage of solar, wind, and microhydro electricity, home energy efficiency, solar hot water systems, space heating and cooling, green building materials and home design, efficient transportation, and much, much more.

Whether you're a do-it-yourselfer or not, off-grid or on-grid, Home Power is here to help you make informed decisions about your home energy use. We provide extensive product information, homeowner testimonials, buyer advice, and "how-to" instructions.

You can now subscribe to get the magazine online in pdf format and have introductory articles on subjects such as Solar electric systems.

Technorati tag: EcoHouse, Solar Power, Renewable energy, Sustainable lifestyle

MP's Green press releases

From the halls of power, our representatives speak-

Foster Backs New Campaign To Cut Carbon Pollution

Bath's MP, Don Foster, has accused the Labour Government of lacking the political will to tackle climate change, following the publication of the Government's Climate Change Programme Review on Tuesday 28th March.

Don has backed the Big Ask campaign calling for a new law to make the Government legally responsible for reducing UK carbon dioxide emissions.

The Government has repeatedly promised to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 20 per cent of 1990 levels by 2010, including in all three of the general election manifestos that have put New Labour in Government. But emissions have risen by three per cent since Tony Blair came to power in 1997. The revised strategy was supposed to get the UK back on track – but it is clear that it has failed to do this.

Climate Change Is Huge Challenge, Says MP

West Dunbartonshire MP John McFall said this week that climate change is the greatest challenge facing the world today.

He said a new climate change programme has set out the Government's plan for action domestically and internationally.

It includes:

• a strong focus on a stabilisation goal to frame future international action

• progress through the UN Framework on Climate Change and the G8 dialogue

• a much greater role for the European Union.

GISELA WELCOMES TRANSPORT INVESTMENT

Birmingham MP Gisela Stuart has welcomed the announcement by Transport Secretary Alistair Darling of a £26.6 million plan to ease congestion and improve transport links across the West Midlands.

The cash will be used to create a new computerised Urban Traffic Control Centre to manage congested roads. The Centre, which will be based alongside the new National Traffic Control Centre in the Quinton area of Ms Stuart's constituency, is promoted by West Midlands transport chiefs Centro and the seven local authorities that make up the West Midlands region.

Natural Health Week

Tom Brake dropped into his local Health Food Store, Noah's Health Food Stores in Stafford Road, Wallington on Saturday 1st April to sample some of their healthy organic food options.

His visit took place during Natural Health Week which Health Food Stores around the country are taking part in.

Tom Brake said, "With concerns about the quality of our food and diet increasing, Noah's Health Food Stores and other local health food stores are essential in giving consumers choice and information about healthier eating options."

Technorati tag: Parliament, MP, Health, Transport, Environment

Pollution costs lives

Pollution can cut up to eight months off life expectancy. This may not sound like a lot, but the causes of death are lung disease and other chronic illnesses.

Ministers warned that chemicals from car exhausts, ships and industrial sites were still having "a marked effect on health" despite efforts to cut pollution.

They insisted that air in Britain was cleaner than at any time since the 19th century but expected to miss targets to reduce the levels of nitrogen dioxide, ozone and particles.

Nitrogen dioxide and particles, mainly produced by traffic, irritate the airways of the lungs and can exacerbate lung diseases. Ozone at ground level is produced when pollution reacts with sunlight.

Technorati tag: Pollution, Ozone, Lung Disease

Recruiting Green

I phoned a recruiting agency about a possible job today. The rate would have been another two or three pounds an hour, which would be useful. However, it was somewhere in Merseyside and I'd only be able to get there by car.

There are reasons other than ecological why I'll try to avoid ever driving to work again, but it is a consideration. The Green credentials of companies are becoming an important consideration for employees, according to this article at Management Issues.

Three quarters of British workers now consider it important to work for a company that is actively reducing its carbon emissions, according to the study from energy efficiency body the Carbon Trust.

The research has also found that more than eight out of 10 British workers want to cut the amount of energy they use at work and in the home to help the environment.

via Sustainablog

Technorati tag: Business, Sustainability

Come Off It

Today is Come Off It day, when people are being encouraged to cut their electricity consumption and send a message that there are better ways to cut CO2 production than building nuclear power stations.

If every house saves just a few Watts, that's one less new power station that we need to build. And if every house saves 100W through simple actions like switching off a light that's not really needed, or being careful not to overfill the kettle, we’d save not one power station but several.

via EcoStreet blog

Technorati tag: CO2, Energy Efficiency

Drive Green

The Independent's motoring section has gone Green. Or at least, made a nod toward more efficient driving. Some simple and fairly obvious suggestions. The plug-in Prius, capable of up to 130 mpg.

Of course, the cycling columnist is a little bemused by it all.

Technorati tag: Driving