Livingstone targets 'Chelsea tractors'

Ken Livingstone has proposed changes in London's congestion charging which will see smaller, less polluting cars paying less and larger fuel hungry ones paying up to £25 a day.

"My aim is to see the cutting of carbon emissions and the protection of our environment at the heart of the scheme," said Livingstone.

"There is a growing sense of concern amongst Londoners about climate change caused by CO2 emissions, which is the biggest single problem facing humanity, and tackling this threat requires decisive action.

"'Chelsea tractors', many of which are responsible for some of the highest CO2 emissions of any cars on our roads, have to be dealt with.

"I want TfL to look at lower congestion charges for cars responsible for lower than average CO2 emissions, broadly the retention of the current rate of £8 for most cars, and much steeper charges of perhaps £25 for the really environmentally damaging cars such as the so-called 'Chelsea tractors'."

Technorati tag: Transport, Fuel Consumption, London, Congestion Charge

Climate change claims the Eiger

One of Switzerland's most famous mountains is set to change dramatically as a huge slab breaks away from it. The Grindelwald glacier is melting due to higher temperatures and water in the fissure between the slab and the main body of the mountain is building up pressure.

This is only the most recent, and dramatic, example of the damage being done by global warming to the Alps. In May the Gotthard road, one of the main routes through the Alps was blocked, and two motorists killed, by a rockslide and on Monday there was a mudslide from a glacier which killed a hiker.

Technorati tag: Global Warming, Switzerland, Eiger

Severn barrage to be reviewed

I'm not so knee-jerk anti nuclear that I'd support any Uranium free alternative, so I'm dubious about plans for a tidal barrage running all the way across the River Severn. Even if it might, as projected, generate 5% of the country's energy supply it looks like another example of the Government thinking big and getting things horribly wrong. My vote is for smaller barrage lagoons on all the country's large estuarys, bottom mounted tidal turbines up and down the rivers and generators built into sea wall replacements.

Tuesday's energy review recommended further study of the Severn barrage, but cautioned on its potential environmental impact.

Technorati tag: Severn Estuary, Tidal Power, Energy Review

David Cameron gets his windmill

Greeny-blue (cyan?) David Cameron has been given permission to mount a wind turbine and solar panels on his home. The turbine must be grey, to blend in, and he must renew the planning permission after three years. It's a small, but high profile, victory against the NIMBYs.

Technorati tag: Wind Turbine, Planning Permission, David Cameron

MPs' Green press releases- energy review edition part two

I've decided to start posting the press releases in full. Nuclear power, no thanks!

NUCLEAR ENERGY 'DIRTY, DEAR AND DANGEROUS'

Nick Harvey MP has today commented on the long awaited results of the Government's energy review published this week. The Review concluded that nuclear power is economically viable and should play a role in UK energy policy.

Mr Harvey said:

"This move could have disastrous consequences for Great Britain. Not only has the focus on nuclear prevented the government from announcing urgently required investment into clean coal and renewable technologies, but we are also facing increasing threats from terrorist organisations for whom a nuclear power station would be an ideal target.

"Instead of wasting money on expensive nuclear technology we should be creating the right market in carbon, which would encourage private firms to invest, and raise the funds for essential government-sponsored Research and Development.

"Projects such as the Marine Current Turbines at Lynton and Lynmouth, where a tidal energy farm is now planned, is a shining example of how we might hope to meet our energy needs in the future with not just one but a whole basket of technologies."

NUCLEAR: THE UNANSWERED QUESTIONS

Alan Whitehead, MP for Southampton Test today welcomed much of the Energy Review, published yesterday by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Alistair Darling, and in particular praised the commitment in the review to energy management and increased support for renewable energy sources.

But he also claimed that the Review has not made the case for nuclear power that had been claimed in some quarters. Indeed, Dr Whitehead cited three questions on nuclear power unanswered in the review:

"Firstly no new nuclear power stations will be online before 2020 according to the Review. This means that any gap in energy supplies will have to be made up before then and not by nuclear.

Secondly nuclear power stations will only be built by private companies if they are confident that they will get their money back. The mechanisms set up in the Review will not achieve that but might instead damage investment in other sources of energy.

Finally, there are strong mechanisms proposed in the Review to encourage energy efficiency and the take up of distributed generation. It is not clear why we need nuclear if these paths are rigorously pursued."

COSTLY NEW NUCLEAR THREATENS ENVIRONMENT

Responding to the DTI Select Committee's report into nuclear power, Liberal Democrat Shadow DTI Secretary, Edward Davey MP said

"Three years ago, there was a growing cross-party consensus around the 2003 energy white paper's recommendations. This outlined a vision for a low carbon non-nuclear future.

"The Government has now surrendered to pressure from the pro-nuclear lobby. The country now faces a costly, ineffective and unpredictable approach to the future of our environment."

CUTTING ENERGY DEMAND WOULD REMOVE NEED FOR BLAIR'S NUCLEAR FOLLY - FOSTER

Bath's MP, Don Foster has spoken out against nuclear power following a new report from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) which stated that almost four times more energy could be saved through energy efficiency measures over the next two decades than could be generated by replacing all the UK’s nuclear reactors.

Commenting, Don said:

"Nuclear is a tried, tested and failed technology with demonstrably higher costs than the renewable alternatives. This report's recommendations to use less energy is yet another endorsement of the approach advocated by the Liberal Democrats. However, under Labour, energy use has been going up and up, year by year, with no sign of ending.

"The most sensible way to ensure security of supply and avoid astronomical expense is to use energy more efficiently. Apart from onshore wind farms, investment in energy efficiency is the most cost effective energy strategy."

McIntosh: New measures to promote local green energy are welcome

Miss Anne McIntosh, MP for the Vale of York, today welcomed proposals by the Government to make it easier for homes to install small-scale renewable energy, such as solar water heating or mini-wind turbines. The move by the Government to change planning rules comes after a Conservative campaign to push for more green energy and micro-generation.

Miss Anne McIntosh explained, "I welcome that the Government has responded to cross-party pressure to make it easier for homes in North Yorkshire and across the country to install renewable energy like solar panels or mini-wind turbines. Where the Government offers positive, constructive and reasonable policies, they will have my support.

"But the Government could do far more to promote green energy, rather than giving unfair subsidies to new nuclear power stations. Conservatives want to enhance our environment by seeking a long-term cross-party consensus on sustainable development and climate change – instead of short-term thinking or surrendering to vested interests. The modern, compassionate Conservative Party believes that quality of life matters just as much as quantity of money."

Also this week, David Cameron has made a major speech calling for:
• A level playing field between renewable and other forms of energy generation.
• Encouraging local generators to sell any spare electricity they generate back to the National Grid.
• Improving and streamlining planning procedures for green energy.

Technorati tag: MP, Press Release, Nuclear Power

87% of British public opposed to new nuclear power stations

From the Green Party press office:

In advance of the government's energy review due tomorrow, the Green Party today released the results of a national survey dramatically highlighting public opposition to a new generation of nuclear power stations, and revealing widespread criticism of the way in which the government conducted it's review.

Green Party Principal Speaker Keith Taylor commented: "When asked directly whether they supported plans to build new nuclear power stations, 87% of respondents rejected the nuclear option, in stark contrast to an overwhelming 98% support for greater investment in renewable energy, and 99% support for greater investment in energy-saving measures at home and work. This puts pay to any suggestion the nuclear power is accepted as a necessary evil by the UK.

"Despite the government's ceaseless attempts to frame the debate as one of 'nuclear, or the lights go out,' the British public are not convinced. The preparatory scare-mongering we have witnessed in recent months from the likes of Alistair Darling, Malcom Wicks and Tony Blair has failed to make any headway on convincing the public of the case for a new generation of dirty and dangerous nuclear power stations.

"The survey also revealed tellingly low levels of confidence in the government's consultation process. 89% of those polled agreed with the statement: 'I think the government had already decided what they wanted to do about nuclear power before this debate started.'

These results concur with the fears today raised by the Trade and Industry Committee 'that the outcome of the government's energy review had been decided in advance.'

Keith Taylor continued: "Accusations of 'rubber stamping' are wholly justified. Only today, leaked documents have revealed plans for a massive expansion of nuclear power across G8 countries and the developing world, in advance of the G8 Summit in St Petersburg next weekend.

"The Energy Review has been Blair's exercise in 'consult and ignore'. Despite determined and widespread public opposition, the government remain hell bent on forcing through a new round of dangerous nuclear power stations, and are prepared to subvert planning frameworks to achieve this.

"Local objections to nuclear power plants could be over-ridden under planning changes proposed by the government's energy review. Councils could alter the appearance and precise location of the sites, but would be unable to reject power plants on the grounds they were not needed.

"If Tony Blair is serious about tackling climate change in a sustainable and effective way, he should seize the opportunity of the energy review to ensure that the necessary legislative framework is in place to stake our future on safe, carbon free and inexpensive sources of energy: wind, wave and solar. Succumbing to pressure from the billion pound nuclear lobby means leading the UK down a dirty and dangerous path."

The survey covered attitudes to different energy sources, opinions on the government's energy review, and the actions people might take to support or oppose different energy technologies. The results show huge confidence in the potential of energy saving and renewable energy - particularly solar, wind and wave power - and massive opposition to new nuclear power stations.

Sian Berry, Green Party Campaign's Co-ordinator and a member of the National Executive commented: "The energy survey demonstrates overwhelming support for energy efficiency, renewable energy and smaller scale energy generation, rather than the current centralised system reliant on the wasteful use of fossil fuels and nuclear power. It also found that if new nuclear power stations were approved, 66 per cent of respondents said they would be prepared take part in mass protests against nuclear power.

"The UK's centralised system of giant isolated power stations wastes a staggering two thirds of the primary energy produced before the electricity reaches our homes. The British public want a new green energy future for the UK, based on local generation through combined heat and power in our communities, micro-generation on their homes and places of work supplemented by large scale renewable energy projects. This is more than an unattainable dream, but an achievable vision.

via Eco Street Blog

Technorati tag: Green Party, Nuclear

Greening the Green Room

Times Online's surfing (?) blog has this article about surfing's eco impact.

Technorati tag: Surfing

EPolitix- Government urged to cut energy waste

An influential left-leaning think tank has said the government should clamp down on the nation's waste of power.

The Institute for Public Policy Research wants industry, the public sector and households to cut energy use to help lower carbon emissions and reduce the need for new nuclear power stations.

In a new report the IPPR said concerns about security of supply have dominated the debate about the UK's future energy mix and focused attention on nuclear power.

However the think tank has calculated that almost four times more energy could be saved by using it more efficiently over the next two decades than could be generated by replacing all the UK's nuclear reactors over the same period.

Technorati tag: Energy Saving, Nuclear Power

Scottish Executive's renewables plans

The Scottish Executive has unveiled a draft policy that it hopes will increase the uptake and creation of renewable energy. Amongst them is a requirement for new developments to generate at least 10% of their own power and encouraging local authorities to be more seruious about renewable energy.

Technorati tag: EcoHouse, Renewable Energy, Scotland

MPs' Green press releases

WHITEHEAD'S TEN MINUTES TO REDUCE CO2 EMISSIONS

Dr Alan Whitehead, MP for Southampton Test, today introduced his 'Climate Change (Commercial and Public Services Sectors)' Bill under the ten minute rule which aimed to complete the policy picture with regards to the lowering of CO2 emissions in the UK.

Dr Whitehead was keen to use this opportunity to illustrate that the commercial and public sectors required stringent targets to halt climate change by reducing CO2 emissions by 10% by 2010 compared with 2005, and then by an additional 10% in 2020. This is particularly relevant at a time when the UK looks set to undershoot its own domestic target, of a 20% reduction by 2020, by 6%.

Energy Campaigners welcome Bob Spink MP's support for Climate Change Bill

A broad coalition of organisations have today welcomed local MP, Bob Spink's support in Parliament for a Bill to reduce Carbon Emissions from offices.

The MP for Castle Point is one of nearly 200 MPs who have signed a Commons Motion (EDM 2378) supporting the Climate Change (Commercial and Public Services Sector) Bill.

This sector has the fastest growing energy use apart from aviation. With the proliferation of computers and other electronics, its use of electricity, which has a particularly high carbon footprint, is projected to increase by nearly 45% from 1990 to 2020.

The Bill will set legally binding targets for reducing energy usage in the commercial sector and further targets for energy production from renewable sources, Combined Heat and Power and microgeneration.

BRIGHTON MP BACKS PARK AND RIDE- BUT SAYS NUCLEAR POWER IS NOT THE ANSWER

David Lepper, Labour and Co-operative MP for Brighton Pavilion, has told Friends of the Earth campaigners that he does not believe nuclear power is the answer to the country’s long-term energy needs.

In an open letter to Friends of the Earth David apologises for not being able to speak at the group's public meeting in Brighton and Hove on Thursday 29 June and writes:

"...while I think it is right that proper consideration should be given to nuclear power, my own view is that it does not provide the answer, stores up immense problems for the future in terms of storage of nuclear waste and offers additional targets for terrorist attack. Reliance on it for energy supply would also be likely to divert attention from the continuing need for research into and support for genuine forms of renewable energy."

Locally, David Lepper says, park and ride must eventually be part of traffic planning to cut congestion and pollution in city centre areas.

Technorati tag: EcoHouse

A vision of 2020

The Independent ponders what the country may look like to reach the Governments CO2 reduction policies. NIMBYs will be terrified, with so many windmills and fields of willow and elephant grass. I like the sound of the latter, put forward as crops for industrial wasteland, particularly if it can be used as anti flood buffering and to reduce water run off.

Technorati tag: Energy Future, Renewable Energy

Can surfers and wave energy coexist?

The question has been raised by the plans to install a "Wave Hub", which will connect wave energy machines to the mainland, off the North coast of Cornwall. Some surfers say wave power stations will reduce the height of waves in the area and harm the large surfing business that has grown in the area. Surfers Against Sewage, meanwhile, are confident the effects will be minimal and the gains will be worthwhile.

Technorati tag: Wave Power, Cornwall, Surfing

UK 'lagging' on renewable energy

This is why I have so little faith in Tony Blair over nuclear power. The Carbon Trust says the UK will only reach 10% supply from renewables by 2020, half the Government's own target. If there had been a real commitment to that target then changes to planning law would have been pushed through years ago to help place windfarms and all the cheerleading for nuclear would have happened for truly renewable energy supplies.

Technorati tag: Renewable Energy, Tony Blair is a Liar

Nuclear news round up

Nuclear planning to be speeded up

Local objections to nuclear power plants could be over-ridden under planning changes proposed by the government's energy review.

Councils could alter the appearance and precise location of the sites but would be unable to reject power plants on the grounds they were not needed.

Trade Secretary Alistair Darling told the Financial Times a "statement of need" would prioritise energy projects.

Do you think this will apply to windmills and wave farms as much as nuclear?

Nuclear 'last resort' for Tories

The Conservatives have said nuclear power should be used only as "a last resort" to supply the UK with energy.

Their Energy Review's interim findings say there should be a "level playing field" for environmentally-friendly sources and other means of power.

Labour argued the Conservatives' proposals would "set renewable development back by a generation".

The report then covers Cameron's comments on decentralising power generation and how the future is microgeneration. It's almost scary to hear the man talking so much sense because I'm sure if elected he'd fail to follow through.

Blair 'changed mind' on nuclear

Tony Blair has told MPs he has changed his mind in the last three years on the need for new nuclear power stations.

An Energy White Paper in 2003 was sceptical about building new nuclear plants, but left the option open.

A government energy review, due this month, is expected to call for additional nuclear power stations.

Mr Blair said he believed new nuclear stations were needed to tackle climate change but wanted the review to decide whether he was right or not.

I just don't trust or believe this man any more. I can't help thinking he's looking for a big glowing legacy more than a secure future.

Technorati tag: Nuclear Power

Environment Jobs

Casa Spinneyhead is moving soon, and I'll be looking for work in its new home in Crewe. For long term employment I should probably check out environmentjobs.co.uk. There's not a lot there at the moment, but I'm on their mailing list so if anything comes up I should hear about it.

via Hippyshopper

Technorati tag: Environment Jobs

Global Warming on the Today programme

The Today programme has an extended roundtable with James Lovelock and a selection of climate scientists in its last half hour today. More detailed, and extended versions of the interviews, can be found at this page.

Technorati tag: Global Warming, James Lovelock, Gaia, Radio 4

How to Sell your House for More

It's the philosophy at the heart of How to Save the World for Free- cutting your energy use saves you money and, in the long run, pays you back more than the investment. The Energy Savings Trust has a game where you can increase the value of your house and save money.

via Eco Street blog

Technorati tag: EcoHouse, Investment

Confirmation of planning permission changes for micro-renewables

The full text of the Government's news release-

Government to cut planning restrictions for micro-generation

DCLG News Release 2006/0049

04 July 2006

The Government is to cut planning restrictions on micro-renewable technology as a new report proposes streamlining the planning system for household applications.

Ministers today announced the Government will reduce planning restrictions for small scale micro-generation - including solar panels and small wind-turbines - as part of measures to simplify the planning system around minor developments.

The new report published today by the Government's Householder Development Consents Review Steering Group says certain householder applications and those for small scale micro-renewable technology - such as solar water heating and small wind turbines - should be allowed to go ahead without the need for a planning application. The Government will publish detailed proposals on micro-generation which take account of size and the impact on neighbours in the autumn.

The review also proposes streamlining the planning system for household extensions that require planning permission but where neighbours do not object. The number of household applications has more than doubled over the last ten years yet the vast majority of these are approved with no objection at all. These planning applications create unnecessary costs and delays for householders as well as taking up time and resources for local planning authorities.

The review also says that the need for applications for extensions should be judged on their impact rather than volume or size. Current rules say that if you have already extended your home you may need planning permission for a simple dormer window or conservatory. These rules can also permit developments that overshadow or intrude on privacy simply because they meet arbitrary volume limits.

Following the report the Government is now examining ways to streamline and simplify the system. By focussing on impact, the Government is looking to remove unnecessary applications whilst increasing protections for neighbours. This means the planning system can focus more resources on major developments.

Yvette Cooper said:

"It is absurd that you should be able to put a satellite dish up on your house but should 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. We want far more micro-generation to be treated as permitted development and we also should be able to simplify the system for small developments such as extensions."

The Government plans to consult on detailed proposals in the autumn. Any changes to the system will come into effect in 2007.

The Householder Development Consents Review (HDCR) Steering Group Report includes eleven recommendations for making planning controls more proportionate, improving the customer experience and providing greater choice for householders through alternative service providers. Further reforms will be announced in due course.

The Government is also welcoming Kate Barker's interim report on Land Use Planning today which makes clear that further changes are needed to increase the global competitiveness of the UK economy.

Notes to editors

1. The Householder Development Consents Review Steering Group Report published today including full recommendations is available via the following link www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1501259

2. The micro-generation study is the first phase of the Government's response and forms part of a wider review of permitted development rights. The Government will consult on detailed proposals including a new Householder Permitted Development Order later this year. In due course the Government will also examine ways of streamlining the system for developments that still require planning permission but neighbours do not object.

3. The review was undertaken within the DCLG under the direction of a Steering Group which included representatives from the RTPI, Local Government, National House Building Council, Citizen's Advice Service, Ashford's Future and the Planning Inspectorate and was chaired until October 2005 by former Permanent Secretary Mavis MacDonald. Full details and terms of reference are available via the link above.

4. The Government already promotes the use of micro-renewable technology through the planning system through Planning Policy Statement 22: Renewable Energy. A DCLG survey of local plans published earlier this month reveals many local authorities are now adopting new requirements in their plans for on-site renewable energy in new developments. The Government is now urging all local authorities to do the same and will include this request in the new planning policy statement on climate change due out later this year.

Technorati tag: Micro-renewables, Planning Permission

Woods 4 Sale

I'm not sure what to make of this. Woods4sale.co.uk offers woodland for sale in England and Wales for "recreation, wildlife conservation and investment". The site is primarily dedicated to the intangible benefits of owning some woodland, but they also give information on getting permission to cut down trees and erect buildings.

I would like to own a wood though.

Technorati tag: Woodland

Zero Energy Homes for the mass market

US company Ideal Homes has been building show homes for years which have included low energy and clean air provisions. For their latest they decided to go all out and see how cheaply they could build a zero energy house- one which fed as much electricity back to the grid as it consumed. The finished building came in at under $200,000, a price that they believe puts it in the range of most home buyers. The project has also increased the uptake of some of the technologies used in houses they've sold, a positive knock on effect in itself.

With the big push to build more homes perhaps the Government should look at giving tax breaks to builders who construct houses that approach zero energy or the people who buy them. It would only take a few people telling their neighbours about negative electric bills before everyone wanted some of that low energy goodness.

via Hugg

Technorati tag: EcoHouse, Zero Energy House

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